Story by Jada Del Rio
Photos by Ryan Baker
When the first light snowfall covers the Adirondacks, most people imagine shoveling the driveway and setting up for the holidays. But for others, that snow signals the start of High Peaks winter hiking: quiet trails, frosted summits and multicolored skies stretching across stunning landscapes. It’s this stillness and opportunity that bring in our visitors and locals alike.
Matthew Pennise and Ryan Baker, expeditionary studies majors at SUNY Plattsburgh, have a passion for the outdoors and the High Peaks that eventually led them to winter hiking.
Baker, who is originally from Ontario, New York, began hiking about four years ago and was introduced to the Adirondacks by his girlfriend’s family. Before that, his visits to Lake Placid were mostly touristy, but summer trips with them led him to tackle the High Peaks which are full of northern hardwood and Canadian boreal forests consisting of vast, beautiful blue lakes and grassy mountain summits. Once he met Pennise, the two quickly became hiking partners.
For Pennise, a love of the outdoors started even earlier through Boy Scouts. Frequent trips to a camp near Long Lake sparked his interest in mountain hiking, which eventually led him to the High Peaks. Over time, he became a 46er, a milestone reflecting his dedication to summiting all 46 Adirondack High Peaks. Meeting Baker added a new dynamic to his adventures, and together they continued exploring the mountains they both cherish.
What to pack?
In the winter, the lakes of the Adirondacks freeze into sheets of ice and the mountains sleep under fresh crisp snow, turning the region into a beautiful, quiet atmosphere. These conditions require the proper gear, more than you would need for the summer trails. Starting with the hiking essentials of food and water, the winter weather adds the need for warm, waterproof boots and a good pair of socks to keep your feet dry and to prevent blisters. Traction devices such as microspikes, snowshoes, or skis are also a necessity.
“We do a lot of backcountry skiing,” Pennise mentioned. “With touring skis, the heel pops out so you can move freely uphill with skins on the bottom, then lock the heel down for the descent.”
Headlamps and extra batteries are also critical. Baker added another tip for safety: “You never know what might happen. You could take a wrong turn or lose your tracks in the snow, and suddenly you’re alone in the backcountry.”
Even with all the right gear, it’s important to know what to do if you become lost.
Stay on Course: Avoid Getting Lost
Winter trails can be tricky with deep snow often hiding footprints, and familiar paths can look completely different blanketed in white. For these conditions, personal accounts are your best defense against the unpredictable. They can offer firsthand advice on navigating the route’s trickier stretches.
“Sometimes signs that would usually be visible in the summer can be buried or lower down in the snow,” Pennise said. “Just knowing where you are and where you’re going makes a huge difference.”
A compass and map can add extra precaution to help with navigation. By orienting the map to true north and using bearings to follow a specific direction that lines up with the trail markers, you can match landmarks on the map to what you see in the terrain, track your position and avoid getting lost.
With improving technology like apps such as AllTrails, along with local knowledge of the trail and the conditions, it’s become a lot easier to navigate any High Peak, even when deep in winter.
Be Bold, Start Cold
The philosophy behind Be Bold, Start Cold is simple: your hike should start slightly chilly, not bundled up.
Any hike in the Adirondacks is going to be straining; once you start moving, you are going to warm up. Overdressing is going to lead to overheating and eventually sweating. This is far more dangerous than being slightly cold. If you start to sweat, your layers will become wet and they’ll lose their insulation, allowing the wind and cold to strip heat from your body.
Lighter layers are key: start with a base layer, then put on a fleece or a thin windbreaker. Heavier puffy or insulated jackets are best for when you stop moving, or when you finally reach that beautiful, breathtaking summit.
However, if you do find yourself overheating and getting drenched. Baker offered this advice: “Keep moving and take layers off. It can get scary fast, and it’s not safe to stay in wet clothes. The best way to handle it is to prevent it in the first place.”
Pennise also added one more tip for emergencies:
“You can also use hot drinks to warm up. Fill a bottle with hot water and keep it close to your body, it helps dry wet layers and keeps you warm.”
When to turn back and go home
We’ve all been in a situation where a task takes longer than we anticipated. In winter hiking, delays or changing situations can quickly become dangerous. Conditions can change rapidly: daylight fades faster this time of year, and even experienced hikers can find themselves pushing too hard. Before setting out on any hike, always let someone know your destination, the trailhead you’ll use and your expected return time.
Baker explained why sticking to a turnaround time matters: “If you haven’t reached your goal by a certain time, you need to turn around. It’s easy to get zoned in on reaching the summit, but pushing too late puts you and the people who might have to rescue you in danger.”
Summit fever and ego can cloud your judgment. Pennise added how important it is to know your limits: “You have to know when you’re exhausted or not going to make it back safely. Recognizing that in the moment and choosing to turn around is crucial.”
Baker put it simply: “The mountains aren’t going anywhere. You can always go back.”
“The mountains aren’t going anywhere. You can always go back.” – Ryan Baker
Is it worth it?
Nothing about hiking a High Peak is easy, especially in winter, and Baker is honest about that.
“It’s tough. Sometimes it really does suck,” he said, “But you’re somewhere that barely anybody goes. Even fewer people hike the Adirondacks in the winter. Everything is white and snow-covered. Personally, I think it’s even more beautiful than summer.”
For both Baker and Pennise, part of the appeal for the pair is the challenge itself.
“I’d rather add layers and adjust than just be hot and sweating. And honestly, part of it is the challenge.”
Both students hope to continue tackling outdoor challenges beyond their time at Plattsburgh.
After college, Baker plans to become a forest ranger or to join some form of the police force.
Pennise, on the other hand, wants to become a rock climbing guide out West, ideally in California’s Joshua Tree National Park, eventually returning to the Adirondacks in hopes of continuing guide work right here in the North Country.
Winter hiking definitely isn’t for everyone. It requires some experience, preparation, patience and a love for winter weather. But for those who are willing to take the time to prepare, the stunning snowy views and triumph of the journey are reward enough for the effort.
Are you ready to accept the challenge? Here are a few resources to help you get started on your winter hiking journey.
Resources:
Adirondack Winter Mountaineering School
https://www.winterschool.org/programs
Adirondack Mountain Club
https://adk.org/
