{"id":183533,"date":"2023-01-15T07:28:00","date_gmt":"2023-01-15T15:28:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/?p=183533"},"modified":"2023-08-30T10:06:48","modified_gmt":"2023-08-30T17:06:48","slug":"winter-treks-with-emily-ford","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/podcasts\/winter-treks-with-emily-ford","title":{"rendered":"Winter Hiking with Emily Ford"},"content":{"rendered":"<span class=\"cb-itemprop\" itemprop=\"reviewBody\">\n<div style=\"height:68px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" height=\"200px\" width=\"100%\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/player.simplecast.com\/bd389fa0-e562-4df6-8b9c-e5b8e2ff444c?dark=false\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/wild-ideas-worth-living.simplecast.com\/episodes\/winter-treks\/transcript\">Podcast Transcript<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap has-medium-font-size\">When I talk to people about hiking in winter, the main response I get is, \u201cBut it\u2019s so cold!\u201d It <em>is <\/em>cold, but that\u2019s the brilliant part about it. Cold means no mosquitoes. There are not as many people on the trails. Lakes freeze and you can essentially walk on water\u2014or skate, play broomball or hockey, and even fish in the middle of the lake without a boat.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can build shelters out of snow. You can bring different foods on your expeditions because they never go bad. And warm sleeping bags are even cozier; I sleep so well out on the snow.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The sky is super clear because it&#8217;s cold outside, and in many places, winter is a brilliant time to see the northern lights. The list goes on forever. It&#8217;s so good.\u202f&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/01\/PXL_20220305_145259105.PORTRAIT.jpg?w=1024&#038;resize=1200%2C1200\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-185255\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Emily Ford<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/01\/PXL_20220213_143616575.jpg?w=1024&#038;resize=1200%2C1200\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-185256\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Diggins<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Gear Up Like Emily<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As a person who grew up in the throes of Minnesota winters, I\u2019ve always loved this season.\u202f Over the years, I\u2019ve compiled tips for layering and a gear list to help me stay warm.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I try to live by the runner\u2019s mantra \u201cdress for mile 2.\u201d It is OK to be chilly at the beginning. You don\u2019t want to be frigid and unbearably unhappy while winter hiking, but a wee bit cold is good. The point of&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/learn\/expert-advice\/layering-basics.html\">understanding our layers<\/a>&nbsp;and how our bodies do in the cold is so that we do not overheat and sweat. Sweat quickly turns cold and can send you into hypothermia without you even knowing. So, as soon as you feel sweaty, either take off a layer, open a vent or expose your neck or wrists. Adjust the following list per how your body heats as it is moving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><a href=\"\/c\/base-layers\">Base Layer<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The goal in the winter is to be like a beautifully layered butter biscuit. You want a bunch of thin layers (the dough) with heat trapped in between (the butter).\u202f&nbsp;You can choose any brand of base layers here. I choose ones that people give to me as gifts, or whatever is already in my closet. If you tend to get cold easily, two thin&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/c\/base-layers\">base layers<\/a>&nbsp;on the bottom or one thicker layer is always a good idea. Never be afraid to double up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><a href=\"\/c\/gloves-and-mittens\">Gloves\/Mittens<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The hands are like the feet in that they vary for every person in how much they sweat. I rarely run with gloves. My hands are too cold and sensitive for me to not have my fingers touching each other for accumulated body heat. Here are my go-tos:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thin, crappy \u201cone size fits all\u201d gloves: These are usually cotton, but they are just enough to keep the heat in on a warmer day. They are also a nice extra layer inside a mitten.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/b\/manzella\/c\/gloves-and-mittens?pagesize=90\">Manzella<\/a>&nbsp;mittens: I love my thin, fleece-lined mittens to the moon and back. They block the wind, but the material also breathes so you don\u2019t get too sweaty.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/b\/hestra-gloves\">Hestra<\/a>&nbsp;leather mittens with wool liner: Also known as \u201cchoppers\u201d in the Midwest. These are nice and warm! A perk is that the liner can come out so that you can use the leather mitten as a shell layer or just a wind-protective layer.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/b\/helly-hansen\">Helly Hansen<\/a>&nbsp;mittens: Ultra warm, no liner, good for a really, really cold day.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/product\/188074\/black-diamond-waterproof-overmittens\">Black Diamond<\/a>&nbsp;shell mitten. These are good with a thin layer beneath to keep the wind off, or as an extra heat-trapping layer with thicker mittens. Don\u2019t let the thin design deceive you.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-16018d1d wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-primary\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"\/blog\/hike\/winter-hiking-gear-list\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Check out Emily&#8217;s full gear list<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:26px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-tiled-gallery aligncenter is-style-columns\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__gallery\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__row\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:27.96661%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/01\/EmilyGear-1.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/01\/EmilyGear-1.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/01\/EmilyGear-1.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1023&#038;ssl=1 1023w\" alt=\"\" data-height=\"1023\" data-id=\"185319\" data-link=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/podcasts\/winter-treks-with-emily-ford\/attachment\/emilygear-1\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/01\/EmilyGear-1.jpg?w=1023\" data-width=\"1023\" src=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/01\/EmilyGear-1.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/01\/EmilyBWCA-1.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/01\/EmilyBWCA-1.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/01\/EmilyBWCA-1.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1024&#038;ssl=1 1024w\" alt=\"\" data-height=\"578\" data-id=\"185316\" data-link=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/podcasts\/winter-treks-with-emily-ford\/attachment\/emilybwca-1\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/01\/EmilyBWCA-1.jpg?w=1024\" data-width=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/01\/EmilyBWCA-1.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:27.99358%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/01\/Emily_Kitchen.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/01\/Emily_Kitchen.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/01\/Emily_Kitchen.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1023&#038;ssl=1 1023w\" alt=\"\" data-height=\"1023\" data-id=\"185314\" data-link=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/podcasts\/winter-treks-with-emily-ford\/attachment\/emily_kitchen\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/01\/Emily_Kitchen.jpg?w=1023\" data-width=\"1023\" src=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/01\/Emily_Kitchen.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/01\/EmilyinTentUekele-1.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/01\/EmilyinTentUekele-1.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/01\/EmilyinTentUekele-1.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1025&#038;ssl=1 1025w\" alt=\"\" data-height=\"577\" data-id=\"185320\" data-link=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/podcasts\/winter-treks-with-emily-ford\/attachment\/emilyintentuekele-1\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/01\/EmilyinTentUekele-1.jpg?w=1024\" data-width=\"1025\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/01\/EmilyinTentUekele-1.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:44.03982%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/01\/EmilyInTent_USA-Today-Network-2.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/01\/EmilyInTent_USA-Today-Network-2.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/01\/EmilyInTent_USA-Today-Network-2.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1023&#038;ssl=1 1023w\" alt=\"\" data-height=\"1023\" data-id=\"185324\" data-link=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/podcasts\/winter-treks-with-emily-ford\/attachment\/emilyintent_usa-today-network-2\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/01\/EmilyInTent_USA-Today-Network-2.jpg?w=1023\" data-width=\"1023\" src=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/01\/EmilyInTent_USA-Today-Network-2.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Connect with Emily Ford:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.emilyontrail.com\/\">Website<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/emilyontrail\/?hl=en\">Instagram<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/emily.ford.1420\/\">Facebook<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Resources:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.iceagetrail.org\/\">Ice Age Trail<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.exploreminnesota.com\/iconic-destinations\/boundary-waters\">Boundary Waters<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Podcast Episode sponsors:&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/b\/teva\">Teva&nbsp;<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/b\/cotopaxi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Cotopaxi<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/span>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Podcast Transcript When I talk to people about hiking in winter, the main response I get is, \u201cBut it\u2019s so cold!\u201d It is cold, but that\u2019s the brilliant part about it. Cold means no mosquitoes. There are not as many people on the trails. Lakes freeze and you can essentially walk on water\u2014or skate, play [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":32542,"featured_media":185250,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[387,1726,1727],"tags":[707,1099],"internal-tag":[],"class_list":["post-183533","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hike","category-podcasts","category-wild-ideas-worth-living","tag-hiking","tag-winter"],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/rei.com\/blog\/podcasts\/winter-treks-with-emily-ford","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Winter Hiking with Emily Ford","url":"http:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/podcasts\/winter-treks-with-emily-ford","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/podcasts\/winter-treks-with-emily-ford"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/11\/PXL_20220308_002229431.jpg?resize=150%2C150","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/11\/PXL_20220308_002229431.jpg?fit=1020%2C512"},"articleSection":"Hike","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Jenny Barber"}],"creator":["Jenny Barber"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Uncommon Path \u2013 An REI Co-op Publication","logo":""},"keywords":["hiking","winter"],"dateCreated":"2023-01-15T15:28:00Z","datePublished":"2023-01-15T15:28:00Z","dateModified":"2023-08-30T17:06:48Z"},"rendered":"<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"wp-parsely-metadata\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"NewsArticle\",\"headline\":\"Winter Hiking with Emily Ford\",\"url\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.rei.com\\\/blog\\\/podcasts\\\/winter-treks-with-emily-ford\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.rei.com\\\/blog\\\/podcasts\\\/winter-treks-with-emily-ford\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rei.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/4\\\/2022\\\/11\\\/PXL_20220308_002229431.jpg?resize=150%2C150\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rei.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/4\\\/2022\\\/11\\\/PXL_20220308_002229431.jpg?fit=1020%2C512\"},\"articleSection\":\"Hike\",\"author\":[{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Jenny Barber\"}],\"creator\":[\"Jenny Barber\"],\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"Uncommon Path \\u2013 An REI Co-op Publication\",\"logo\":\"\"},\"keywords\":[\"hiking\",\"winter\"],\"dateCreated\":\"2023-01-15T15:28:00Z\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-01-15T15:28:00Z\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-08-30T17:06:48Z\"}<\/script>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/rei.com\/p.js"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/11\/PXL_20220308_002229431.jpg?fit=1020%2C512","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/183533","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/32542"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=183533"}],"version-history":[{"count":21,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/183533\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":192540,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/183533\/revisions\/192540"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/185250"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=183533"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=183533"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=183533"},{"taxonomy":"internal-tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/internal-tag?post=183533"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}