With all the reports and discussions going on regarding the recent deaths in the mountains a point I have seen repeated a few times is the draw to winter hiking is somehow related to the risks. I don’t remember each incident but one in the Union Leader is an example, “'And, yes, the risks involved with winter sports are iniviting, too. "There are more risks, that is part of the allure, it's part of the attraction," Pelchat said.'"
Is the risks part of the attraction? For some maybe but I wasn’t attracted to winter hiking for the risk. There is risk in hiking in other seasons also but I wasn’t attracted to hiking for the risk.
I was attracted to winter hiking because I love hiking in general and didn’t like missing months away from the mountains I love. As I gained knowledge and experience I began pursuing the “silly lists”. The lure is the whole new season of beauty, the change in trail conditions from rocks and roots to soft snow, the crisp views above, below and all around, and much, much more. Yes, there is risk, but I don’t pursue risk, I pursue knowledge and understanding of the risks so as to make wise decisions in order to continue enjoying life and winter hiking.
Is the risks part of the attraction? For some maybe but I wasn’t attracted to winter hiking for the risk. There is risk in hiking in other seasons also but I wasn’t attracted to hiking for the risk.
I was attracted to winter hiking because I love hiking in general and didn’t like missing months away from the mountains I love. As I gained knowledge and experience I began pursuing the “silly lists”. The lure is the whole new season of beauty, the change in trail conditions from rocks and roots to soft snow, the crisp views above, below and all around, and much, much more. Yes, there is risk, but I don’t pursue risk, I pursue knowledge and understanding of the risks so as to make wise decisions in order to continue enjoying life and winter hiking.