When winter sets in and the days get shorter, the nights get longer and mountain caps in the Pacific Northwest are covered in snow, many of us choose to hibernate a bit. Winter is a good time for snuggling up by a fire, enjoying a good movie and some holiday meals. A little rest and relaxation is good for everyone, although taking too much time away from hiking can make for a rough transition in the spring.
The best that you can do to maintain the stamina you have built up over the past year is to stay active. With a little effort and self-care, you can be ready to hit your highest summit when the weather breaks and explore more destinations. Here are some training tips to help you stay fit over the winter for a pain-free return to the trails.
Stay Active to Maintain Hiking Strength
Just because you may not be able to get outdoors as frequently in the winter does not mean that you cannot find creative ways to stay active and maintain your strength. One of the best ways to maintain your hiking strength is to, well, hike. If you have not hiked in the winter, you might see if you can get a friend to go with you and follow these tips for Cold Weather Hiking from the American Hiking Society.
Snowshoeing is a lot of fun but may not be for everyone. If you would prefer to hike on dry land there are many options for winter hiking in the Northwest without snow. You can find some snow-free trails in the Puget Sound lowlands most of the year except during extreme storms. Many other options exist to keep hiking down the coast and there is nothing wrong with heading south to keep exploring.
Hit the Gym if You Can’t Hit the Trails
When you absolutely cannot get outdoors to hit the trails, make time to hit the gym, even if it’s in your living room. Without keeping up with regular hikes, your muscle mass and stamina can decline quicker than you may realize. Stay in shape with regular cardiovascular exercise, lift weights to maintain muscle strength, and stretch to maintain flexibility. It might be easier to maintain a schedule with some classes at a gym combined with some home workout videos.
Take the Stairs
Go beyond just taking the stairs when you have an option and seek out buildings with stairways that you can trek regularly. This is not only great cardio but will keep your quads in shape with the next best thing to hiking up a mountain trail.
Stay active during the winter months and you will thank yourself from the mountaintop come warmer weather. Before you know it, you’ll be grabbing your trekking poles and hiking your favorite trails on warm, sunny days. Get ready with high-quality hiking and camping gear from Cascade Mountain Tech.
Cascade Mountain Tech offers a wide selection of trekking poles with ultralight and 3k carbon fiber, camping chairs, camp bedding and more. Our experienced team is ready to help you choose the right trekking poles for you with pro tips to get the most benefit. Contact us for more tips on maintaining your hiking strength and to be ready to hit the trails with quality hiking gear.
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