Winter is just around the corner

Well winter is just around the corner here in southwestern Pa. some already have seen some signifigant snow fall to the east  But just a inch or so here on Halloween. Everytime I hear snow in the forcast I get pumped. Allot of people feel that winter is down time for spending times outdoors , when infact it's one of the best time of the year to be out . Days are shorter so you do have to get an early start if you plan on hiking in a ways , you may need to through on a pair of snowshoes or maybe just a pair of microspikes to make navigating both easier and safer  You need to remeber that it maybe cold outside but you still can sweat and become dehydrated. clothing should be wicking polyesters or nylons, cotton tends to absorb moisture but holds it as well and takes longer to dry. moisture is your enemy in winter which will chill you quick.  dress in layers . I like to where a poly long underware followed by a fleece top if I am walking I leave the coat in the pack and only put it on when stationary to prevent over heating. which leads to sweating. remeber when you are stopped you loose most of your heat from your head, figure it's your bodys chimney letting heat escape so keep it covered I keep two with me one for walking and one for stopping and sleeping in, you want warm dry gear to keep you warm.  While you are on your break remember you get dehydrated just as much in the winter  as you do in the summer so drink plenty of fluids . Water is the best but don't forget warming drinks like coffee , tea , Hot chocolate , or my new treat Hot Russian tea. Avoid alcohol yes it warms you up for a few minutes but will thin your blood making you colder and can and will interfear with judgement. Winter time exspecialy is when you want to have a straight head as a surprise storm can appear or a mechanical injury can put a hult on your day of fun and put you into a survival scenario instead.  Look for more tips on winter fun in the future.