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.
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.
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.
Hiking Pace Formula
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.
Winter Hiking Gear: Survive & Thrive in the Cold
Winter hiking in the Catskills is spectacular. Make sure you have the best winter hiking gear and know how to use it.
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.
