Six Miles

I did hike this week, but it wasn’t anything serious. On Saturday it was cold and blustery, but not snowing. It was cold, the wind blowing with temperatures around 20 F. The wind made it feel colder, but having spent quite a few days trapped in the house due to the extreme cold, I needed to go out and put some miles on.

I ventured out in the early afternoon when the temperatures were higher, strapping on the snow shoes and taking my poles. The snow was packed solidly. The firm track on the Greenway ideal for snow shoes. I put on multiple layers and a face mask to protect against the wind, leather mittens with liner gloves. I would try out a new jacket today that was lighter than my normal puffer, but offered the feature of a hood. It would allow more protection from the wind for my head and neck hiking in the cold.

I started moving at a quick step to build up somebody body heat. I was making good time with the wind at my back. The trail was virtually empty, but for a single figure approaching me far ahead.

We passed each other silently. I raised a single mittened hand in greeting. She nodded, gliding past on her cross country skis.

I had not intended to take a long walk, but having established a good rhythm, I kept going. The snow whispered beneath the snow shoes with each step. It was good to be out alone with my thoughts.

I reached my turnaround point of 3 miles without issue and began my way back home into the wind.

I traveled slower, pushing forward against the brisk wind coming in off of the bay.

Cinching the hood around my face, I trekked on, arriving home just before sunset.

I was glad to get the 6 miles in. It’s been almost a month since I have been in the mountains. The longer I hike without elevation, the less prepared I will be in my next efforts in the Catskills.

This short walk will have to do for now, although I understand that it is a poor substitute without my normal 10 pound winter pack on my shoulders and no elevation gain.

I’m hoping within the next week I can return to New York and check another peak of my list.