This checklist for winter day hike essentials is dialed-in for the Catskills. It’s a great jumping-off list for hiking in the winter or hiking in snow.

This checklist of day hike essentials builds on the post Winter Hiking Gear: Survive & Thrive in the Cold which you should review before continuing. The winter-specific essentials listed here are all in addition to The 10 Essentials and a basic mountain hiking kit.

Catskills Winter Essentials Checklist

• Pre-Planning – research your route, emergency numbers, basic gear requirements
• Clothes – winter hiking requires many more layers than three-season hiking
• Traction – proper winter traction is crucial for your safety
• Food & Hydration – on winter hikes, you burn more calories, and faster
• Tweaks – hike smarter this winter
• Packing – more gear means more weight, and a brand new center of gravity
• Bonus: Master Checklist – a one-page cheat sheet

In the Catskills only two summits (Slide and Hunter) are higher than 4,000 feet, and no summits are above tree line. This list should not be used to prep for any hike in the Adirondacks — or for hiking any other mountain range.

Read More

Here are some more links to help your research on winter hiking essentials and techniques…

• Essential Winter Gear Guide
• REI Cold Weather Hiking Tips
• Winter Day-Hiking Gear List: Are You Prepared?

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DISCLAIMER: WINTER HIKING IS POTENTIALLY DEADLY / PROCEED ON ANY COLD WEATHER HIKE AT YOUR OWN RISK
This document does not address the risks intrinsic to winter hiking which include exposure to lethal weather, frostbite, hypothermia, deadly terrain, slips, falls, bone breaks and concussions in isolated areas where no help is available. Cell service is not available in remote areas. In the event of any injury, hypothermia can follow quickly — and potentially death. It does happen. Every wilderness hiker should plan on having to self-rescue. Before venturing into the wilderness, even on well-known and popular trails, you must have the requisite knowledge, skills, gear and experience. Never hike alone. A group of at least three is always advised. This PDF lists common winter day-hiking gear. It should be used in conjunction with your own research, self-education, and in-person training. One PDF ain’t it.