Footwear for Icy Winter Hiking

So many choices, where to begin when selecting footwear for winter hiking? Consideration of the terrain and weather conditions take priority. Lately I've been section hiking the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT) in Southern Wisconsin. Icy hills, temperatures between 0°F(-18°C) and 32°F(0°C), and hard-packed ice with snow (typically of less than 6 inches / 15 cm deep) comprise the main considerations when day hiking the IAT in this area. 

Scuppernong Segment of the Ice Age Trail and Connecting Route to the Waterville Segment.

Since the temperatures hovered near freezing, I waited for the downpour to slow to a light rain, before heading up the Scuppernong Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT). By the end the hike, a brand new day had appeared with blue skies and sunshine for miles. Geese flew north. Their cacophony disarmed me after the miles of silent winter hiking, a welcome clamor nonetheless bringing with it the promise of springtime.

Eagle Segment of the Ice Age Trail

After parking in the Ice Age Trail trailhead parking area on State Highway 67 just north of Eagle, Wisconsin, I headed up the Eagle Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT). An owl hooted as I hurried down the trail trying to warm myself against the cold. 

Stony Ridge Segment of the Ice Age Trail

Snow fell softly as I hiked the Stony Ridge Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. A cold, quiet day, I had the trail and my thoughts to myself, but did see campers at the backpacking shelter.

Blue Spring Lake Segment of the Ice Age Trail

Greeted by cold stillness, I headed up the Blue Spring Lake Segment of Ice Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT) early one cold January morning. Just when I felt enveloped by silence, the hoot of an owl startled me raising my heart rate to about double. No matter how many hikes and camping trips I take, I don't ever seem to lose my jumpiness at sounds in the darkness.

Sylvania Wilderness 2016 - Part 2

Mama's Basecamp proudly presents the second and final part of our Sylvania Wilderness 2016 video series. With summer in the distant past, it feels great to relive the moments and dream of paddle trips to come. Part 1 of this series documents our time at Eagle 1 Campsite on Loon Lake, and Part 2 documents our paddle to Birch Campsite on Clark Lake.

Blackhawk Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail

Bundled up in a down parka and fleece, I headed out on a cold January morning to explore the Blackhawk Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. After parking at the Highway 12 trail head near Whitewater Wisconsin, I headed down towards Lake La Grange where the trail opened up through a relatively open area. I put on Yak Trax over water proof trail runners and used trekking poles to prevent falling on the hard-packed ice.