Introduction to Winter Hiking & Camping in PA
January 3-5, 2025
Leaders: David Mong, Bob Coia & Maygan Best
Our group of 24 hardy souls had a good taste of winter conditions with temperatures below freezing, a little snowstorm at night and strong winds to remind everyone about how much colder it can feel with the windchill factor figured in. Participants were treated with a low temperature of 14 degrees above zero depending on the thermometer. This was our second time in this new program location in PA at a group site at Hickory Run State Park, which allowed a larger group size than we usually can offer. The program was open to families and we had a mother and son attend. Another mother that attended as a leader had a son coming who changed their mind at the last minute and stayed home with dad. The program format was to get folks settled as well as possible Friday evening and give out loaner gear from the leaders for those who we thought might find it helpful. On Saturday, one of the leaders demonstrated ultralight winter camping and ultralight winter camping on a budget. That was followed by a detailed “show and tell” review of the novice participants’ sleep system and clothing choices with suggestions from the group on how to make it work better. Later in the day the group had discussions about first aid with Larry Priori and Rich Dabal who are the instructors of Wilderness First Aid for the New York-North Jersey and Delaware Valley chapters of the AMC. The day finished with a hike, dinner and fellowship around the campfire. After a final test of their improved sleep system Saturday night, all noted improvements in how they slept on Sunday morning. Right after breakfast we reviewed the tent and sleep system choices by 3 of the leaders and a demonstration by leader Maygan Best on what she carries in her winter day pack. The program ended after having participated in a demonstration of an 8 person emergency shelter. Throughout the weekend we had a campfire going for warmth and stoves running to provide hot water. The program started with 37 who had intended to come but due to a variety of cancelation reasons we had 24, of which 14 were participants and 10 were leaders for either AMC or ADK or both organizations. Participants who are all non members of the ADK included: Lorelei S, Zachary S-P, Dale S, Jackelyn O, Yushi K, David N, Yoshita G, Traci W, Lev C, Ekaterina O, Margaret P, Tamami S, Brian B & Jerzy S. Leaders of record for both organizations were David Mong, Bob Coia & Maygan Best who were assisted by Larry P, Rich A, Rich D, Anastasia T, Caroline C, Michael Z & Blase H. All leaders were members of the ADK.
One of the participants who had to cancel in December had this to say about the workshop which is included with permission:
With that said, please accept my apologies, as I know coordinating all of these details, transportation, and communications is no small feat! I also want to commend you on the MOST well-coordinated, professional, and educational AMC experience I have experienced- and I haven’t even gone on the trip! Your efforts are critical to a successful, and most importantly, a SAFE experience and I want to thank you for all of the invaluable prep guidance, packing recommendations, emails, phone calls, mentor assignments, and compassion shown towards new “winter hikers”. I know you all will have a wonderful time- and I sincerely hope to participate in the future! My best- Stephanie Gerome
