Hike 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.

How to Winter Hike: The Essential Roundup
If you’ve never hiked in winter, this is a great page to get started on your winter hike journey.

Platte Clove Road Winter Access
In winter, Platte Clove Road is closed to traffic on its eastern end. Use this alternate route to the eastern Devil’s Path and Kaaterskill High Peak.

27 Unbeatable Winter Hiking Tips
Hate the coldest season? With a little extra gear and prep, and these winter hiking tips, you can stay warm and dry and hike into the wilderness for an incredible adventure.

How to Prepare for Your First Sunrise Hike
What to bring, when to go, what to expect. Everything you need to know.

How Cold is Too Cold to Hike?
Here are 6 things you need to think about: weather, comfort, safety, frostbite, hypothermia, and gear.

Essential Winter Hiking Gear Checklist
Grab this essential winter hiking gear checklist and stay safer on the hills this winter.

Top 6 Hiking Dangers
With some basic knowledge and gear, mountain hiking is rarely dangerous. However, without adequate prep, things can turn ugly quickly.

Winter Hiking Essentials
Winter hiking essentials — crucial gear and intel to hike safely this winter.

AllTrails App Safety Issues
Look, the AllTrails app is fine. I use AllTrails. My friends use AllTrails. We all use AllTrails. BUT…

Hike Your Dog Safely in the Summer Heat
From springtime on, heat indices can regularly blow past safe limits for our canine companions. Here’s how to keep your pooch cool and safe on the trail this season.

12 Best Hiking Apps
The best hiking apps broken into four categories: navigation/planning, field identification, photography, and fun.

Black Fly Bites
When to watch for black flies, how best to avoid them, how to repel them, and how to treat their super-itchy bites.

Solo Hiking Advice for Women: Persist
Solo women hikers often face pushback from friends and family who’s anxiety is triggered by the suggestion that a woman might be heading into the wilderness alone. It’s time to call that what it is.

35 Best Quick Tips for a Safe Winter Hike
These 35 tips for winter hiking will help keep you safe in the harshest conditions

Catskills Trail Conditions
A round-up of current Catskills Trail Conditions. Reported by hikers fresh off the trails.

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.