A Local’s Guide to “Surviving and Thriving” in Winter
- By Alexa C
- getoutside Hike NH New Hampshire NH NHwinter white mountain national forest wmnf
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Let’s
face it, winter in New England can drag on a bit longer than necessary, even
for those of us most fond of frigid weather. Nonetheless, this season presents
some of the best times to go outside and enjoy what nature has to offer—you
just need the proper gear and a little bit of inspiration.
Winter for the Frigid
So this method is for
those of you, like myself, who are incapable of keeping your extremities warm
during winter months. Believe it or not, there are a couple of methods to help
your body metabolize the cold in more efficient ways. The first of these
tactics is to invest in proper gear to help keep your body
insulated. The more surface area protected from the cold, the less heat you
will lose. Armor your trunk with layers, including a dry-fit long sleeve, wool
sweater, and finally, a down jacket to keep yourself warm and dry.
Although synthetic jackets are typically better at repelling rain, most down
jackets are now equipped with water-defying fabric and offer far better warmth
than their synthetic counterparts.
This is a no-brainer,
but you should always keep your noggin toasty with a hat or earmuffs, and your
fingers, well “feeling,” with a pair of waterproof mittens. For those of you
who struggle to keep your hands warm, invest in a glove liner and, more
importantly, hand warmers. Nowadays, there are even some electronic hand warmers that you can
recharge and reuse. The same can be said for heated foot insoles, heated gloves, or rechargeable heated socks.
For those who don’t
have the funds to invest in an $80 pair of socks, hand warmers and a double-walled insulated thermos (filled
with a steaming beverage of your choice) go a long way to keep your blood
flowing. One reason many outdoor enthusiasts fail to retain heat is the fact
they are dehydrated, whether they know it or not. No matter how grueling a
winter sport is, people are typically less keen on drinking water when their
bodies are cold. Unintentional dehydration, in turn, makes it more difficult
for the body to maintain its temperature equilibrium. To combat this issue,
drinking hot beverages will encourage more liquid consumption and “temporarily
improve circulation by causing the arteries and veins to expand,” according to
Web.MD. Otherwise, make sure to have a hearty breakfast and energy to spare
before venturing out into frigid temperatures—your appendages will thank
you.
Winter for Artistic
Folk
If you aren’t
particularly fond of winter sports, I can see how this might deter you from
finding the silver lining of the snowy season. However, there are many
non-athletic ways to appreciate winter and its beauty. Among these include
photography and art. We all know it—fresh snowfall has a way of purifying our
surroundings, blanketing the earth with a temporary layer of glistening white.
This, of course, only lasts a couple of days. But in this temporary interim
where the world is quiet, businesses are closed, and plows have yet to churn
through the blanket of white, there exists an opportunity to capture the
spectacle of winter, from the snow tracing every branch on every oak, the
cardinal whose vibrant red juxtaposes its wintry backdrop, to the view from
one’s window overlooking the untrodden streets. It is only winter that gifts us
with this unprompted stillness each snow day—the opportunity to acknowledge
nature’s power to give things life just as quickly as it takes it away.
If you are artistic,
there is so much beauty to capture during this season, whether through
photography, outdoor still-life paintings, or just as a spectator looking for
artistic inspiration. With the help of some quality winter-weather gear, you’ll
be cruising through your next photo op without having to worry if your toes are
still attached to your body. If you’re feeling extra confident with your
captured masterpieces, consider submitting them in a local photo contest, or
sharing them with fellow club members at Notch
Above Photo Club—a group that meets every month to “educate and
enhance photographer self-development.”
Winter for the Spectator
In addition to
spurring creative hobbies, winter is also a time to capitalize on outdoor
sporting events, snow sculpture competitions, ice castle visits, scenic winter drives, bonfires, or SnowCoach tours up Mount Washington. Also, be sure to check
out Jackson’s Annual Snow Sculpting competition where master
sculptures from all over New England transform an 8 by 4-foot mound of snow
into an artistic masterpiece. If this doesn’t strike your interest, consider
perusing New Hampshire’s tax-free shopping destinations. The Outlets in
Merrimack, North Conway, and Tilton offer incredible deals in close proximity
to different outdoor and local attractions.
Winter
for the Athletes and Adventurers
Finally, for those of you who relish winter and its
related activities, congratulations, you win. There’s no shortage of blood
pumping, adrenaline-raising activities to hurl yourself into this season. From
the more obvious activities, like skiing, hiking, and snowboarding, to the more “niche” hobbies,
like curling or dog sledding,
there’s
surely a winter hobby for all of you elite humans, complete with an internal
thermostat that’s always set to 100 degrees.
Gifted with your super-human, super-heating powers,
the mountains, frozen lakes, snowy wooded paths, and below zero temperatures
are your prized domain. There’s nothing in winter that doesn’t belong to you.
Take advantage of the feeling in your toes, and hop on some cross country skis,
a snowmobile, or snowshoes, and check out the vast trail networks across the
state, or grab an ice pick and sign up for a guided ice climb in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. If
you’re feeling extra daring, strip down to your skivvies and charge furiously
toward the Atlantic’s icy waters in the annual penguin plunge
at Hampton Beach.
Regardless of which type of winter warrior
you are, you can surely find some ways to make winter more bearable, if not a
frigid blast! Yes, it takes a bit more effort and gear to take part in the joys
of this season, but the payoff is well worth the time and experimentation
needed to cultivate a new winter passion. Taking the time this season to find a
new joy (or heated pair of gloves) will leave you feeling hopeful and excited
next November when the trees grow bare and the first squalls send a shiver up
your spine.