Winter Outdoor Sports (non-cycling)

[Catrin]

I didn't want to limit this thread to hiking as I know I'm not the only one getting out there in the winter on non-cycling activities.

Today I hiked three miles with a couple of friends, and for the very first time since my knee surgery 5 months ago it felt great! It was a pretty flat trail - very close to answering my "no personality" description, but my point is it's the first time in 5 months that it actually FELT that way. I didn't slow my friends down due to my moving at a snail pace (cause I wasn't).

I wasn't sure about my clothing choice since it's been VERY warm since October and the high today was 32. Thankful for keeping all of my old cycling thermal clothing so I had my PI Amfib tights under my jeans, two wool layers underneath my REI jacket, and my PI skull cap below my stocking cap, and hiking sock liners underneath my medium weight Smartwool hiking socks. It may sound like I was overdressed for only 32 degrees, but I am one of those who freezes all winter. The only thing that was too much was my gloves, I took my two-layer semi-lobster type gloves and my hands were almost hot. Considering they get cold in the SUMMER I don't think it a bad choice. I would prefer my hands be a bit too warm than too cold. I was quite comfortable and the only thing that really got cold was my throat.

All in all it was a great hike, and a milestone for me since my surgery. Knee felt fine, it's finally time to start heading to more challenging trails. Now...if I could just drive in my hiking boots, I am NOT looking forward to changing from shoes to boots at the trail-head, but there is no way I can drive in my beloved hiking boots.

[ridebikeme]

Glad to hear that you are feeling better Catrin... that's awesome! I also would say that it doesn't matter what others think of your clothing choices, we're all built different and know what we need or don't need. ME: I'm waiting to have a hip replaced, so am not able to do a whole lot... can ride the trainer for a short time, but the xc ski's and fatbike will get a rest this year. It will all be so much better in the long run:)

Happy New Year!

[Catrin]

Glad to hear that you are feeling better Catrin... that's awesome! I also would say that it doesn't matter what others think of your clothing choices, we're all built different and know what we need or don't need. ME: I'm waiting to have a hip replaced, so am not able to do a whole lot... can ride the trainer for a short time, but the xc ski's and fatbike will get a rest this year. It will all be so much better in the long run:)

Happy New Year!

I must have missed this, sorry you have to do this but hope it goes well! Glad you can at least get on the trainer for a short time, can you walk outside at all?

[Eden]

After an overly warm year last year - no snow on many mountains and record lows at places like Paradise on Mt. Rainier, this year, which was supposed to be similar is boldly defying the forecasters and we've a ton of it now. Being extra careful to choose our routes (a ton of snow can mean a ton of avalanche danger, as well as tree wells and other hazards), we've actually been able to get out and really use the snowshoes we bought last year.

A few pics from yesterday - Wenatchee crest, looking out over the Stewarts

hmmmmm….. the forum won't let me embed or link from my flickr stream… so here's a link to the album- https://flic.kr/s/aHsks1vyig

[ridebikeme]

I do walk for a short distance with my dog, thankfully she is patient :) But it will get better with time, and you're a prime example of that. Do you have any snow on the ground? Wondered if you would be able to snowshoe?

[Crankin]

Those are awesome pictures,Eden! I am praying we see some of that, soon. Just a sprinkling of icy snow left on the grassy surfaces here. A friend went up to Bretton Woods to x country ski and said it's marginal conditions. We are going to Stowe for 5 days in February, but i need to ski before that. We hit the jackpot in Stowe 2 years ago, but we've also had 2 trips with little or no skiing, only some snow shoeing. Usually, I get to Bretton Woods, Franconia once or twice, as well as trips to our favorite close nordic center, in southern NH before we do our February thing.

[Catrin]

I do walk for a short distance with my dog, thankfully she is patient :) But it will get better with time, and you're a prime example of that. Do you have any snow on the ground? Wondered if you would be able to snowshoe?

I don't think my knee will ever feel like it did before the fall and resulting surgery, but it is feeling much better. We've not had ANY snow so far this year, but even if we did I am scared at the idea of snowshoes. With my knee not being quite right, I'm afraid the different movement required by the snowshoes would make a fall or wrenching my knee more likely. Perhaps not, but that's my fear. Having said all of that I've never been on them.

I suspect that I should save up for/get the trekking poles and use them unless/until my knee gets back to "normal" for me. They DID feel better in my hands than my larger hiking stick and they seemed to change how I moved. I don't think I need them for all hiking, but for trails with steep downhills I think I need them.

Eden, those are wonderful pictures! As much of a winter-weather weenie as I'm known to be, there is something so peaceful about hiking in snow-covered woods with VERY cold temps. Far more pleasant than snow-cover and, say, temps in the upper 20's and I'm less likely to have cold-air induced asthma. I suspect because the really cold air has less moisture that it is easier to tolerate with the right clothing. Perhaps...

[ridebikeme]

Well, as I always say, Catrin you know yourself better than anyone else... so enjoy your hikes! As you mentioned, over time you'll figure out whether you'll be able to snowshoe at all. Either way... enjoy your time doing something totally different!

Eden: Great photos, love the colors!

[Catrin]

One of these days I would like to try snowshoes, right now I'm just too skittish :o That might change if we get a lot of snow and then have calm weather afterwards.

[zoom-zoom]

STILL waiting for some legitimate snow so that my DS and I can use our BRAND NEW XC skis that we've been sitting on since a week before Thanksgiving. So frustrating living in the snow belt and having a fraction of our usual 10 or so seasonal feet. I think we've had about 6", total. Right now there's still not enough on the ground...maybe 3". If it's going to be cold and gray it needs to be useful for doing stuff.

[Crankin]

Sigh. It's 7F right now, clear and sunny. And, about 2 inches or less of crusty snow/ice on grassy surfaces. Waiting for winter, still, despite the cold.

[Helene2013]

You should move our way. We had no snow (green Christmas) but 2 days later we've had 2 dumpings of white gold and now have a good 2 feet (if not more) of fresh snow. :)

Today was a brutal -25c (when I left for work) but should -6 by tomorrow which would be perfect for a winter activity. :)

[Catrin]

Had fun hiking today! A beautiful, if strange for the end of January, 57 degrees today and I called a friend from church to go hiking. I'm beginning to wonder IF my knee/quad will get stronger, but the two hiking poles really helped me out quite a lot. It was quite muddy, but the trails didn't have much topography which makes it difficult for them to drain. My knee isn't ready for more aggressive trails yet, but am thankful to be able to hike at a more normal speed :-) 2.7 miles in 1:08. I will take it!

[Crankin]

It's so warm here, that I rode Wednesday and will ride again today. I could have gone out yesterday afternoon, but I had stuff to do, so I went to a 45 minute Tabata class. It's supposed to be warm until Thursday, so I may actually ride to work on Tuesday.

[Catrin]

It's so warm here, that I rode Wednesday and will ride again today. I could have gone out yesterday afternoon, but I had stuff to do, so I went to a 45 minute Tabata class. It's supposed to be warm until Thursday, so I may actually ride to work on Tuesday.

Nice! It got to 60 degrees here, both yesterday and today :D :eek: Very strange, and welcome, for this time of the year. Hiked yesterday, neck and knee demanding a rest day today but am glad I went out yesterday. Tomorrow - either gym after work or will come home to play with kettlebells.

[Crankin]

Went for a winter hike today. We got a weird FB note from the local x country ski center we were at yesterday; the state park was closed due to a missing person investigation! So, we went out to a set of trails that is privately owned by Harvard University and also connects to both Concord and Carlisle trails. The parking at Concord end of the trail is embroiled in a controversy; homeowners hate the people and dogs on their street, so there are only 8 spots now. So, we drove to the Carlisle end, and took off on a trail we had never been on, once we got off the main trail. Very pretty, more snow than we thought, but we didn't need snow shoes. We did wear ice spikes, which also were not necessary, but it is usually icy in the there. Saw 2 x country skiers, and that was it. It was mostly rolling, and we did an out and back, since we didn't have the GPS. We were in sight of homes at the turn around, and looked on our phone to see what street we were near, but I did not want to branch out any more. We hiked for about an hour and a half, maybe 3.5 miles? It was 43 and I was sweating!

[Catrin]

Wound up playing with kettlebells at home today rather than hiking, schedule was just too tight, I hated not going outside though since it was so unusually nice for Feb and winter returns tomorrow.

That was weird Crankin, hope they found that person!

[Catrin]

Cold, windy, and one of our few accumulating snowstorms on Valentine's Day here. So what do I do after church? I drive to the other side of town in terribly slow traffic to our local REI and purchased a lovely set of trekking poles. I've actually been researching them since December, and trying out some poles that a friend loaned me. I hope to try my favorite local trail next weekend (assuming the weather does what it is predicted to do this week), I've only hiked it once since my knee surgery and I think it will go MUCH better with the poles - and I've had my friends for long enough. She needs them.

Thankful for having a mild winter!

[emily_in_nc]

Yay -- enjoy the new poles, Catrin. You won't regret buying them! Ours are from REI as well and have served us well for 10 years now. :-)

[Catrin]

Yay -- enjoy the new poles, Catrin. You won't regret buying them! Ours are from REI as well and have served us well for 10 years now. :-)

Also got a couple things to go along with the poles, needed a replacement bladder for my Vaude hydration pack - didn't spend much extra at all. I've been waiting on those poles to go on sale but I've had my friends poles for too long, she needs them. Thought about the shock-absorbing poles for my hands but I don't think my hands are THAT bad to justify the extra $40! I do like that I get a percentage of the price back!

[Aromig]

I do like that I get a percentage of the price back!

A brilliant marketing strategy! I can't count how many times I've hesitated about purchasing something at REI only to tell myself "but I'll get part of it back in my annual distribution!"

[Catrin]

It really is smart, and it's more than a "buck fifty" as my aunt used to say :)

It's also about more than that, they will take back anything for any reason. That is smart! My poles are a good example, I can easily switch them for, as an example, those more spendy shock absorber version should I find out after using them that my hands really do need it. Can't think of many stores that would do that with used trekking poles...

[Blueberry]

It's also about more than that, they will take back anything for any reason. That is smart! My poles are a good example, I can easily switch them for, as an example, those more spendy shock absorber version should I find out after using them that my hands really do need it. Can't think of many stores that would do that with used trekking poles...

Remember the new 1 year limit, though. My experience is that they are holding to that, even when things failed that shouldn't have. I honestly buy less these now - not that I returned much before - but I find that their prices are generally a little higher. That used to be worth it to me (extra insurance), and is no longer.

[Catrin]

Remember the new 1 year limit, though. My experience is that they are holding to that, even when things failed that shouldn't have. I honestly buy less these now - not that I returned much before - but I find that their prices are generally a little higher. That used to be worth it to me (extra insurance), and is no longer.

I think that rule makes sense, though I see your point as well. I personally know people who have taken advantage of their old rule, and they surely weren't the only ones.. It isn't like I'm going to buy a lot of expensive things from them. With my various broken body parts I can't even go backpacking and have to stick with day-hikes with my hydration pack. I find that very satisfying, thankfully, thus the need is removed for their wonderful (and very expensive) outdoors clothing for the most part, and I don't need much equipment for day hiking :-) For me the little higher price on the trekking poles was worth it if it turns out I need the more advanced version, & I get $11 or so back. It's probably a good thing they don't sell my hiking boots of choice, they do sell Salomon's, just not my preferred model. This is probably a good thing, price wise.

That WOULD hurt on a bike purchase or an expensive tent/etc if there were a problem that wasn't user-related....

[Aromig]

I find that I don't go back to REI nearly as often because no matter how I tell myself I only need the one item I went there to purchase...I can't pass up the sale racks. I received a gift certificate from REI for Christmas and sure enough, I spent three times the gift certificate amount :-) I just see SO many things I need when I go there (OH, and I've learned the hard way that I definitely don't take my fifteen year old either, he has my same problem). I do like shopping at their online outlet store though.

[Catrin]

I DID find a great winter/hiking coat on the sales rack in December at a $70 discount...

[Aromig]

I DID find a great winter/hiking coat on the sales rack in December at a $70 discount...

Glad I'm not the only one! You're in Indy right? I work just north of downtown, but live in Columbus so it is a special trip when we drive to Castleton to visit REI. And BGI North. And the Lego Store (already sounding expensive).

[Catrin]

AND there will be an IKEA here in a couple years. I've never been to one so will have to check it out.

I went hiking this weekend with my new trekking poles, they aren't shiny clean now :-) The trail was not the test that I wanted it to be, all of the mtb trails were barricaded off as they are SO muddy that is the only way to get people to leave them alone. So we were, once again, on a flat trail with lots of kids and dogs. Still had fun though, almost 3 miles in <90 minutes so I think that was fine. Hopefully next time I can test myself.

[Catrin]

Hiking again today, 2.8 MUDDY miles in less than 90 minutes. Part of this trail was more aggressive than any since my knee surgery and, with my trekking poles, it was fine :cool: :D Now, this WASN'T the muddy part, that might have been a different story. What made this hike unusual was the presence of a trail half-marathon in the park! I tried to get away from them but that never happened, but it was fun. Their race was, in part, why the flat parts of the trail were SO muddy - a couple racers wanted to buy my poles and one was lusting over my hiking boots. Not that one could run in them but I honestly don't know how they could actually run in the deep mud for so long. Not all, some walked, but a good percentage did so. Started the day out with kettlebell training, then a couple hours later hit the trails.

[Crankin]

Sounds like a good day, Catrin.
I spent 2 hours unpacking stuff at the condo and then I took a break and explored the neighborhood. My new street is just a little cut-de-sac off of Main St., but there is a path to the next street, which is a huge neighborhood of circling streets, very hilly. I know there is a short trail off of one of these streets to my health club, because the one and only 5K I've done went this route, but, starting from the health club. I can walk there, going a more direct route, out my street and onto Main ST., then turn left on the street the club is on, which is exactly a mile. However, I though it might be a fun warm up to do a more hilly version (although the street the club is on is a hill/dead end) with some trail. I found the right road that the trail connects to, but I didn't go far enough. When I got home, I looked on a map, and now I think i can find it. This will be a great neighborhood to walk in, there are actually sidewalks. All of the streets are cut-de-sacs, or big circles, as there are ponds and rivers preventing the connection to other parts of the town. I never knew what was up in this area, so lots of exploring in future. It will be hilly riding, as part of a shorter ride, too. Also good for pushing that granddaughter in the stroller...

[Catrin]

Nice area to ride in Crankin, at least it sounds like it.

Apparently my kettlebell training + hiking yesterday fired me up. Instead of settling down to an afternoon of knitting and reading after grocery shopping, something rather different happened. I always get a bit depressed this time of the year, and rearranging my apartment ALWAYS helps. I think it is a physical reminder that things DO change. Regardless of why, it helps. Normally I just scoot the couch around or something easy. Not this time. I totally rearranged my bedroom, moved my huge leaning bookcases around in my living room (one also multi-tasks as my desk for the 50+ pound all-in-one 27 inch PC), did laundry, and went through lots of paperwork. Didn't stop moving for about 6 hours once I got started and I like the results. Will need to do a bit of paint touch-up. I've been thinking about this layout for a few months now, guess it was finally time to get it done and so I did. I managed to finally sit down and knit at 8 pm.

[Crankin]

That sounds like a lot of work!

[Catrin]

That sounds like a lot of work!

It WAS, but am glad to have done it. Most of what I did I have been considering since before Christmas so apparently it was just time to get it done. I'm resisting the urge to wash windows and patio doors this afternoon - am leaving for a class in an hour and there isn't time. Full spring fever mode, apparently :cool:

[ny biker]

I have never had an urge to wash windows. Probably never will. :D

I do need to start cleaning out closets as part of my plan to get new cork floors in place of the nasty old wall to wall carpet.

[Catrin]

I have never had an urge to wash windows. Probably never will. :D

I do need to start cleaning out closets as part of my plan to get new cork floors in place of the nasty old wall to wall carpet.

That says how unusual/strong the spring cleaning urge was, I NEVER wash windows. My poor patio doors look awful, but only get washed twice a year :eek: I am over it now, but glad that I did all that work. The change was nice.

[rebeccaC]

That says how unusual/strong the spring cleaning urge was, I NEVER wash windows. My poor patio doors look awful, but only get washed twice a year :eek: I am over it now, but glad that I did all that work. The change was nice.
my outside facing walls are all floor to ceiling glass (i like light filled rooms :) )...even though the building cleans the outside of all windows every three months i still clean them when rain causes the light dust/dirt to leave dirty streaks, thankfully not much rain!!!

[emily_in_nc]

Wow Catrin, that took a lot of energy! Good for you for doing all that!

[Catrin]

4 mile hike today on an aggressive trail (with trekking poles). It went fine, my knee didn't appear to notice that something special was going on. My hiking horizons have just exploded!

[Crankin]

Sounds like fun. I look forward to some hiking this summer.
I was feeling a little off today, so this afternoon DH and I went for a 3 mile hilly walk. Not on a trail, just a loop around the streets. My legs will feel this tomorrow! I felt a bit guilty, as we saw at least 15 cyclists during our walk. But, my body will thank me when I ride tomorrow.

[Catrin]

Good for you in listening to your body Crankin! If I had done a bit more of that over the last 6 years... :rolleyes:

[Crankin]

I am trying, Catrin, but it's kind of like training my brain not to ignore the signals. I am old enough to see that if I want to keep doing this until I die, I need to listen. For me, it's more flare ups of the allergies and "supposed" fibromyalgia that I have to consider. But also, my SI joint.
My calves felt that walk when I jumped out of bed this morning. Amazing what different forms of movement do.
Heading out to Ikea (45 minutes away) to buy a very important piece of furniture for our new place. The piece that will hold all of our cycling/hiking/skiing clothing!
Then, we will ride.

[Catrin]

I hear you about having to train your brain not to ignore the signals, that is the hard part. I've certainly, generally, been at least somewhat aware of the signals but I just was accustomed to ignore them totally :eek:

Thankfully no repercussions, that I can tell at least, from yesterday's 4 mile hike. No way I could walk that far on pavement, my feet HATE pavement so I just don't. It would simplify things sometimes if I could since we have both a MUP and a canal path downtown close to where I work, but I don't even consider it.

Good luck on the new IKEA piece! I've never been to one of their stores but there is one opening in Indianapolis in the next couple years. I've been looking a chair + ottoman combination online that I'm considering - looks like a great knitting/reading comfy chair. I need one of those :cool:

[Crankin]

I had only been there once, to buy stuff to help DS #1 outfit his first apartment out of college. It was a quick trip today; DH looked it all up on line, so we knew exactly what aisle and shelf to go to for the different pieces. DH is bringing them all over to the condo as we speak. I don't think he will tackle putting it together today, though, as he is exhausted from his first ride of the season.
Almost time to retire this winter other sports thread.

[emily_in_nc]

4 mile hike today on an aggressive trail (with trekking poles). It went fine, my knee didn't appear to notice that something special was going on. My hiking horizons have just exploded!

That is awesome, Catrin. So happy for you!

[Crankin]

So, I suppose this should go in the "other winter sports" thread, as it is not x country skiing or hiking.
We went snow shoeing today, for the first time in 2 years, since the snowy winter of 2015. We are in the midst of the blizzard, but it didn't start ramping up until about noon time. So, after lunch, first we put on our skis and headed out the trail that connects us to a very large neighborhood. During the first storm of the season, we noticed the streets were not plowed as soon as when we lived on the hill, and thought it would be fun to ski. But, that was a Saturday, and despite all schools and work being shut down or people being told to work from home, the streets had been plowed. The snow was really sticky, as it's right at freezing, and it's heavy and wet. We were sticking to the snow and the plows were out. So, we skied back (going down a little hill in the middle of the street was fun) and got our hiking boots, snow shoes and gaiters. The wind is blowing the snow right in your face, but it is not that cold, so it was bearable. I wore my cycling rain pants over my tights and my soft-shell and it was fine. First, we walked on the edge of people's lawns, in deep snow. On the second half, we walked on the unplowed sidewalk. It was really deep and wet/heavy. Was out for about an hour and I feel like I did a lot of work! Saw no one except one dog walker and all of the plow guys.
When I got back, saw a message on my phone that lightning was detected 2.6 miles away... I guess it was time to come in! So, not as nice as the trail right out my door in my old neighborhood, still peaceful. Tomorrow, my club is doing a ski at our local nordic center, so I will join them. I had thoughts of driving to NH to do more intense skiing, but I am too lazy. I hope I can get there this weekend. It looks like it might rain.

[emily_in_nc]

I bet that is fantastic exercise, Crankin! We're having some really chilly, windy weather here in Florida, while your part of the country is getting snowed and iced in, so I won't be riding much this week. Made it out Monday, but it will probably be Friday before our next ride. I guess we're paying for the unseasonably warm winter now, in almost-spring.

[Crankin]

It is very strenuous, especially in that type of snow. Add some hills, and you have a tough work out.
The snow here is wet and heavy, because it got warmer as the day went on, and just south of here, it actually rained for a bit. But, only about 45 minutes north, a foot and a half of powder. We just made a reservation at a B and B we've been trying to get into for 2 years, so we can do 2 days at our favorite, close-ish nordic ski place. I guess no one thought they'd be doing winter sports this weekend! I am glad we had no plans for this weekend.