“…In a grim post-9/11 era -- an age shaped by anxiety and suspicion -- there is something profoundly therapeutic about reconnecting with simplicity and nature.

…A few years ago, a writer named Richard Louv coined the term ‘nature deficit disorder’ to describe the way children grow up deprived of wading in muddy creeks. He has followed that up with a new book, ‘The Nature Principle,’ arguing that adults need nature as well -- as a tonic, as a balancing force, as therapy.

…The wilderness trims our bravado and puts us in our place. Particularly in traumatic times like these, nature challenges us, revitalizes us, humbles us, exhilarates us and restores our souls. It reminds us that we are part of a larger universe, stewards rather than masters of our world. That’s the lesson you learn as you snuggle… in your sleeping bag and fall asleep outside to the magical sight of owls flitting against shooting stars.”

-- Nicholas D. Kristof, The New York Times (9/11/11)

               *      *      *      *     *

Fear can play a useful role in helping us protect ourselves from real danger. But it can also be an insidious and destructive emotion when it takes over our lives.

There’s no question that we live in an excessively fearful culture. As many of you know, the actual risk is minimal from many of the things people are most afraid of.

The media’s role over the years in creating an atmosphere of fear in this county is obvious. The news each day is filled with often grim and frightening stories.

Which is not to deny that there’s danger in the world. But apart from rare crises, most of us live relatively secure lives and are reasonably safe from harm.

Some of us grew up in times when parents routinely let their kids play outside unsupervised. Now to do so is considered irresponsible or even criminal.

Yet crimes against children including kidnappings have actually dropped over the years. But non-stop coverage of “horror stories” has grown exponentially.

Every year we have people join us who are new to hiking -- and it’s not unusual now for someone to tell me that their parents or friends have warned them NOT TO GO, that “the wilderness is dangerous,” that “horrible things could happen!”

The long list of fears and “threats” that people are warned against include: bear attacks, snake bites, other animal attacks, Lyme disease, many other contagious diseases, danger from lightning, the possibility of broken bones from falls, etc.

I find it necessary to constantly remind newcomers that most of the above are rare in the extreme for hikers in our region. Thankfully, no one in our groups has ever been harmed by a wild animal, or been hit by lightning, or had a serious accident.

Other things people are taught to fear (relevant to hiking) include getting wet from rain, fear of the cold, fear of insects, fear of getting lost, and the list goes on…

Yes, accidents CAN happen to anyone, and they do occur all too often on city streets, in suburban parking lots, and at home or work when we’re distracted.

There are no guarantees when it comes to spending time in the mountains -- but many of us who love hiking feel safer by far in the woods than in “civilization.”

There’s lots of advice available (from therapists, books, etc.) on how to overcome fears. Actually DOING what one fears is one of the most effective remedies.

For example, when I first started hiking many years ago I had a major fear of heights (which originated from a childhood fall from a tree). I discovered that most of that fear evaporated after I spent considerable time on mountain trails.

If fears or concerns have kept YOU from hiking, don’t hesitate to get in touch if you’d like to speak briefly about it. A bit of anxiety is a perfectly normal reaction to trying something new. What is NOT healthy is to worry about events that are rare in the extreme, that you’re unlikely to ever experience in a lifetime of hiking!

-- Charlie Cook

 
Below are three quotes from Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882):

 
“Our life is an apprenticeship to the truth that around every circle another can be drawn; that there is no end in nature, but every end is a beginning; that there is always another dawn risen on the mid-noon, and under every deep a lower deep opens.”

              *      *      *      *      *

“Old age. The world wears well. These autumn afternoons and well-marbled landscapes of green and gold and russet, and steel-blue river, and smoke-blue New Hampshire mountains, are and remain as bright and perfect penciling as ever.”

              *      *      *      *      *

“‘Miracles have ceased.’ Have they indeed? When? They had not ceased this afternoon when I walked into the wood and got into bright, miraculous sunshine, in shelter from the roaring wind.”

              *      *      *      *      *

Yes, the leaves will be turning soon. For several weeks the mountain forests where we hike are going to be filled with a rainbow array of (sometimes amazing) color.

For obvious reasons, this is an especially popular time for hiking, country drives, “color tours,” etc. In the Northeast it’s one of nature’s most impressive displays.

I’m often asked, “when is the best time to see the colors?” My answer is usually: the month of October. But be aware that there’s no definitive, predictable schedule.

Depending on the weather and temperatures in early fall, the process can come early or late. It often starts in late September, and sometimes extends well into November.

However… because of an unusual cool spell in early September, we saw some extra early foliage on our 9/9/17 Appalachian Trail hike in the Hudson Highlands.

Most years the peak of color in the local mountains is around mid-October, but the time period can vary by as much as 2-3 weeks. This year’s surprisingly early start will probably be slowed and even temporarily stopped by more warm weather.

I usually advise against getting too attached to the “color show.” It can be gorgeous, but occasionally it’s subdued and a bit underwhelming. And however much color there may or may not be, this is always a splendid season for hiking.

Because of cleaner air and cooler nights, the colors are typically much more impressive up in the mountains than in NYC and other low-lying areas.

And in the Adirondacks, the site of our final camping trip of the year on Columbus Day Weekend (10/6-9), the foliage tends to be the most stunningly beautiful of all.

-- Charlie Cook

 
“Ah to be alive
       on a mid-September morn
       fording a stream
       barefoot, pants rolled up
       holding boots, pack on,
       sunshine, ice in the shallows,
       northern rockies.
 
Rustle and shimmer of icy creek waters
stones turn underfoot, small and hard on toes
       cold nose dripping
       singing inside
       creek music, heart music
       smell of sun on gravel
 
       I pledge allegiance
 
I pledge allegiance to the soil
       of Turtle Island
       one ecosystem
       in diversity
       under the sun --
With joyful interpenetration for all.”
 
-- Gary Snyder (from Deep Ecology, Gibbs M. Smith, 1985)

               *      *      *      *      *

Labor Day (a week ago) is popularly considered to mark the start of the fall season, although it’ll be another 11 days before autumn officially arrives with the equinox.

Which doesn’t mean that consistently cooler weather will now be the norm. Warm spells and even heat waves remain possible, although they’ll become less likely.

The fall season is a favorite one for many hikers and others, given that temps are often just about ideal for hiking. But we need to remember how to dress in autumn.

Some days will start on the cool-to-cold side. Temperatures can be in the 30s and 40s early in the early morning, especially at higher mountain elevations.

After months of warm weather it’s easy to forget what it’s like to feel chilled -- and important to remember to start bringing warm layers on ALL hikes from now on.

Occasionally on fall hikes we have someone in the group who is uncomfortably cold and has little or nothing warm to put on – not a happy situation!

Standard hiking clothing from now till spring should ALWAYS include at least one warm fleece or wool sweater, and/or a light jacket, gloves, and a hat.

Remember that the predicted temperature range for the day is usually for where we live, not where we’re hiking. On a windy morning it can sometimes be quite nippy.

There will also be hikes, however, when we won’t need extra layers, except maybe at the start. On other days they’ll be essential and you’ll be glad you brought them.

Adjusting clothing – putting layers on and taking them off -- comes with the territory of cool-weather hiking. It shouldn’t really be a big deal or a hassle.

As many of you know, autumn hikes in the often brisk and deliciously fresh mountain air can be a total, unmitigated pleasure. Absolutely exhilarating, in fact!

-- Charlie Cook