Jake Browning
reporter@thefranklinpress.com
Hiking through the mountains of Western North Carolina in the winter can be a cool experience as long as hikers know what to expect.
Tourism in Macon County tends to slow down during the winter because of less hospitable outdoor conditions, but that doesn’t stop local hikers. In fact, Bill Van Horn of the Nantahala Hiking Club said that some of the best hiking in the area can only be done this time of year. When the foliage recedes, tree cover isn’t as thick and the views get a lot clearer, especially from on top of the mountains.
“Unless it’s really threatening to snow or we have some extreme cold or wind, the club marches on,” Van Horn said. “We get some of our best views once the leaves fall off of the trees.”
Make no mistake, though – winter hiking requires a unique level of vigilance. Heavy and unexpected snow is one thing that can ruin a fun day of hiking, but obscured paths, early sunsets and the increased physical strain of exercising in the cold can all become dangerous obstacles for underprepared explorers. The United States Forest Service even shuts down some trails for the season to keep hikers out of harm’s way.
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is recognized as a regional authority on how to stay safe when hiking in the colder months. Preparation is a key aspect of their guidelines, encompassing research on open and accessible trails, planning the hike early in the day when the sun is out, monitoring elevation to stay out of the most hazardous tracts of land and always bringing essential gear, including a headlamp in case it gets dark early.
Most important, they urge hikers not to be too proud or too afraid to call it quits early if conditions aren’t suitable for a safe hike.
“Sometimes conditions are worse than you expected, or you realize a mile in that you left your headlamp in the car,” according to the conservancy’s website. “Hypothermia and frostbite are completely preventable in an era with heated cars and homes, and being out in the woods in winter is not the time to be stubborn. Know the signs of cold injuries (numb, waxy skin) and the beginning stages of hypothermia (shivering, clumsiness), and don’t ignore them. It’s always an option to turn around.”
While winter hiking can be more demanding than hiking in any other season, Van Horn still says it’s worth it to him and his fellow club members to make the preparations. They have a great time together and enjoy the natural beauty of Western North Carolina no matter what the weather is like.
“The availability of trails for all different levels of experience and all different scenic locations is one of the best things that Macon County has going for it,” Van Horn said.
For more information on hikes planned by the Nantahala Hiking Club, go to nantahalahikingclub.org or call Van Horn at 828-369-1983. For more information on winter hiking safety, go to wildeast.appalachiantrail.org.