Hikers have to start somewhere when taking on the 4000-footers of New Hampshire in winter-conditions and Mt Tecumseh is a good choice. And doing it with a guide is better still. So many harsh lessons await hikers taking on such a hike. But with a guide, myriad lessons are learned the easy way. On the job for this particular hike was Redline Guide Hayley LaPoint and she provided not only some photos and fine leadership, but the following written summary as well…
Our guest had a great day hiking his first 4000-footer in winter conditions! We discussed the importance of appropriate layering, conditions that warrant snowshoes vs light traction (Microspikes) vs crampons, planning breaks to incorporate hydrating and calorie consumption, and how to avoid hypothermia while hiking in cold temperatures. While it is tough to cover all of the ins and outs of winter hiking in one hike, our guest walked out of the woods truly understanding how to stay safe in these conditions! I am proud of him for having the experience he does, and continuing to be open minded about areas of hiking that he doesn’t have as much experience with! Overall, we had a fantastic day, and our guest checked off another one of the 48! —Hayley
