Hiking Gear Changes to Make as the Seasons Change

As the leaves begin to change colors, that is my indication that it’s time to re-evaluate the contents of my day pack!! When it comes to fall hiking, you won’t need to to remove many items from your day pack. However, you will need to add gear as the weather begins to shift.

As the mornings stay dark longer, you’ll want to move your morning hikes to later in the day. Shorter days will allow for later starts (yay to sleeping in!), but they will also mean earlier to end hikes as the sun begins setting earlier. Should you find yourself out later than planned, it’s important to make sure you have the right gear.

Now to be fair, I carry most of the items on the list below all year around, as I am sure most of you do. But as fall ushers in, I will begin carrying items that are specific to the impending cold that is likely on its way.

While this is not an all-inclusive list, it is what I include in my pack as the weather changes:

• The Ten Essentials. These are a must in case of emergencies! As the temperatures drop and the days get shorter, emergencies shift from heat exhaustion to hypothermia. It’s important to make sure you have an emergency blanket, extra layers, extra food and water, and extra batteries for your headlamp.
• Extra socks. If your feet get wet, a pair of dry socks is crucial for the hike back.
• Warm Layers. This is one of the biggest changes I make to my day pack as the seasons change. Be bold and start cold to avoid getting too hot and sweaty (sweat will make you cold when you stop moving). But also make sure you have layers to put on if you start to get chilly. At the first of September, I start to carry an extra long -sleeve shirt and gloves as it seems my hands are always cold!
• Raincoat. This really is a year-round item. Not only will a raincoat keep you dry, but it will also add a layer of warmth.
• Headlamp with extra batteries. This is one of the Ten Essentials. Be sure to check these to ensure they are in fact charged as the sun does go down much earlier. The last thing you want is to be caught in the dark without light. Don’t rely on your cell phone as the cold will drain your battery much faster as well.
• Plenty of snacks and water. This is another of the Ten Essentials. Bring more food and water than you think you will need!! In the event you are stuck on the trail longer than you planned, you want to have supplies to last. Protein bars and nuts are lightweight, easy foods to carry that have lots of calories.
• Micro spikes (if you hike where it snows) After this past winter I accidentally started carrying them year around… it seemed as if we were never going to get a break from the snow.
• Garmin In-Reach. This is a year-round item as well, especially in you hike alone or where there’s no cell service. (The new iPhones now have an SOS feature too!)
• Navigation Aid. Trails you hike in the summer look different as they get covered in snow, making it easier to get lost. I like to use AllTrails for navigation and download the offline map. (Use WINE30 to get 30% off an AllTrails+ annual subscription.) I also carry a backup, whether it’s a paper map or even just my InReach. Just be sure you know how to read a map.
• Trekking poles. I personally carry these  all year. However, they particularly come in handy in slick weather that will present itself as the fall transitions to winter.
• Extra bag to throw muddy/wet shoes in when you get back to your vehicle. I also enjoy having a dry pair of shoes to put on after a long hike!!

As we start to transition from summer to fall and eventually to winter, it’s a good time to go through your pack and add some of the items listed above.

Happy Hiking!!!

Sam Clowers

Davis / Weber (UT) Ambassador