Difference between revisions of "Winter and Spring Backpacking"
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
Retiredjerry (Talk | contribs) (Created page with "This is just the beginning of this - will fill it out in a few days. Winter and spring can be difficult to find good places to go backpacking. For one thing, it's always rai...") |
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This is just the beginning of this - will fill it out in a few days. | This is just the beginning of this - will fill it out in a few days. | ||
| − | + | Most people consider backpacking something for just the summer, but winter and spring offer many opportunities. The weather can be bad and snow closes many hikes, but it is possible to find good places to go backpacking. The lack of other people makes up for some of these difficulties. Even very popular places in the summer can be deserted in the winter. | |
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| + | There are two problems. If it's raining all the time, even with the best gear, it's difficult to have fun. And if there's snow, it's difficult to find where the trail is, if the snow is soft your feet sink in although skis or snowshoes help, and if the snow is hard it can be difficult where there are steep places. | ||
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| + | Some good winter hikes | ||
| + | * [http://www.portlandhikersfieldguide.org/wiki/Deschutes_River_Hike the Deschutes River is on the East side where it's much drier and it's at low elevation so there's not a lot of snow] | ||
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| + | In order to decide where to go, you need good weather information: | ||
| + | * [http://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/weather/10_day.cgi 10 day weather forecast that has maps showing precipiation amount and temperature] | ||
| + | * [http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Portland&state=OR&site=PQR&textField1=45.447&textField2=-122.767 7 day forecast - what's good about this is you can scroll around on the map and select a location to get the forecast for there] | ||
| + | * [http://radar.weather.gov/radar.php?rid=RTX&product=NCR&overlay=11101111&loop=yes Radar shows where the rain is in the next few hours - better for deciding when to go out for a walk] | ||
| + | * [http://www.nohrsc.noaa.gov/interactive/html/map.html?ql=station&zoom=&loc=45.382+N%2C+122.315+W&var=ssm_depth&snap=1&o9=1&o12=1&o13=1&lbl=m&o7=1&mode=pan&extents=us&min_x=-122.31666666667&min_y=44.991666666667&max_x=-121.38333333333&max_y=45.691666666667&coord_x=-121.85&coord_y=45.341666666666995&zbox_n=&zbox_s=&zbox_e=&zbox_w=&metric=0&bgvar=dem&shdvar=shading&width=600&height=450&nw=600&nh=450&h_o=0&font=0&js=1&uc=0 The NOAA snow model shows the amount of snow on the ground. This is centered on Mt Hood, but you can scroll around anywhere in the U.S. One problem is it gives the amount for about 1 square mile areas, so it's not going to be very good for narrow ridges, but you can take that into account. And, it's a model so it's only so accurate, but it gives you an idea] | ||
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Some portlandhikers.orgs threads that discuss this: | Some portlandhikers.orgs threads that discuss this: | ||
* [http://www.portlandhikers.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=14670] | * [http://www.portlandhikers.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=14670] | ||
| − | + | === Contributors === | |
| − | * [ | + | * [[User:retiredjerry]] |
Revision as of 17:47, 28 February 2013
This is just the beginning of this - will fill it out in a few days.
Most people consider backpacking something for just the summer, but winter and spring offer many opportunities. The weather can be bad and snow closes many hikes, but it is possible to find good places to go backpacking. The lack of other people makes up for some of these difficulties. Even very popular places in the summer can be deserted in the winter.
There are two problems. If it's raining all the time, even with the best gear, it's difficult to have fun. And if there's snow, it's difficult to find where the trail is, if the snow is soft your feet sink in although skis or snowshoes help, and if the snow is hard it can be difficult where there are steep places.
Some good winter hikes
In order to decide where to go, you need good weather information:
- 10 day weather forecast that has maps showing precipiation amount and temperature
- 7 day forecast - what's good about this is you can scroll around on the map and select a location to get the forecast for there
- Radar shows where the rain is in the next few hours - better for deciding when to go out for a walk
- The NOAA snow model shows the amount of snow on the ground. This is centered on Mt Hood, but you can scroll around anywhere in the U.S. One problem is it gives the amount for about 1 square mile areas, so it's not going to be very good for narrow ridges, but you can take that into account. And, it's a model so it's only so accurate, but it gives you an idea
Some portlandhikers.orgs threads that discuss this: