Safety
Be Prepared
Every month in the Catskills, people get into trouble — almost always by being under-prepared.
The Catskill Park is not enormous, but maps of the area are stamped with WILDERNESS for a reason.
I regularly meet hikers who, literally, have no idea where they are: they’ve turned around before reaching their goal, or overshot their goal without realizing it. I’ve met several people who thought they were on a different mountain.
People are amazing. People should be amazing. But not that kind of amazing.
Catskills Wilderness
In the Catskills, cell coverage is often spotty. Even if you can get a call out, help is almost always many hours away.
Unfortunately, people do die here. The lucky get rescued. The unlucky get recovered. Please do not think of the Catskills as less dangerous than other mountain ranges.
It’s crucial you arrive fully prepared so as not to put yourself at risk or the lives of rescue volunteers in danger. This is especially true in winter — but it’s not a whole lot less true in the other seasons.
Hike Safely in the Catskills
The articles below are focussed on day-hiking. They introduce basic concepts like navigation, kit, food, safety, how to handle emergencies, and so on.
They are based on one person’s limited knowledge, which you should supplement with your own research, and by talking with more experienced hikers.

Snowshoe Basics
The number of snowshoe options is overwhelming. Here’s a quick guide on what to look for, and where to get your first pair.

Trail Terms: Winter Lingo
Once the cold weather sets in, you’ll start to see and hear these winter trail terms online in forums and social posts. Here’s what they all mean.

How Cold is Too Cold to Hike?
January 2021 had some spectacularly cold weather in the Catskills, with wind chills dipping close to -40°F / -40°C at summits. But how cold is too cold? Here are 6 things you need to think about: weather, comfort, safety, frostbite, hypothermia, and gear.

Winter Day-Hike Essentials Checklist
Download this helpful PDF with explanatory notes and a handy winter day-hike essentials checklist.

Platte Clove Road Access in Winter
In winter, Platte Clove Road is closed at its eastern side. Here’s the alternate route to the Eastern Devil’s Path mountains and Kaaterskill High Peak.

Microspikes & Trail Crampons – Winter Traction
This short post discusses the basic differences between cleats, microspikes, trail crampons, crampons, and snowshoes — and describes the safety benefits of each.

How Windy is Too Windy To Hike?
I moved my hike from a windy Friday to a less windy (but much colder) Saturday. 80% of my online followers agreed with me. Here’s why.

PSA: How to Buy a Hiking Headlamp
For hikers and campers, headlamps are essential pieces of gear. Whether you’re hiking out at dusk after a long day, or hiking in, in the pitch dark for a glorious summit sunrise, a headlamp will keep you on track and safe.

Catskill 3500 Trail Conditions Google Spreadsheet
For current trail conditions, this shared Google spreadsheet is a great resource to check before (and after) your next Catskill 3500 hike.

PSA: Dog Days of Summer — How to Hike Your Dog Safely When It’s Hot & Humid
From springtime on, temperatures and humidity can spike, but July & August bring heat indices that regularly shoot past safe limits for our canine companions. Mountain hikes are much harder, and much longer, than regular walks. All of this presents an elevated risk for dogs.

How Long Will My Hike Take?
One of the simplest things you need to know about any hike is: how long will it take? Knowing a planned hike’s duration is crucial to being able to figure out what to bring in terms of safety supplies, water and food.

The Best Hiking Apps Right Now
The best hiking apps broken into four categories: navigation/planning, field identification, photography, and fun. Whether you enjoy easy scenic trails or challenging mountain hikes, these apps will help you plan, plot and prepare for your next adventure.

Winter Hiking Gear: Survive & Thrive in the Cold
Winter mountain hiking in the Catskills is spectacular. Snow-blasted forests, bleached valley views, and bright blue skies. The days are shorter, the nights are longer — and the temperature is lethal. Make sure you have the best winter hiking gear and know how to use it.

What to Pack: The Ten Essentials
The ten essentials is a list of items you should carry on every trip into the backcountry. This essential gear can keep you safe and on track. In an emergency, it might save your life.

The 3 Best Ways to Not Die on a Hike
Every month, people get into trouble in the Catskills, almost always because they are under-prepared. Here are the 3 best things you can do to stay safe on your hike, while making sure you’re prepared in the event of an emergency.

Basic Mountain Hiking Gear
While hiking gear can change from trail to trail, and from season to season, the following items will serve you well on every hike. They are a fleshing out of The Ten Essentials (the absolute bare minimum you should pack for every hike). This hiking gear list focuses on day-hiking.