Start to Plan Your Year Outside

Posted by Loren Drummond at Dec 30, 2012 11:48 PM | Permalink

Filed under: Hike Planning

As you start to plan your coming year of hiking, get some ideas from WTA and the hiking community.

Wrap your arms around 2013. Photo by weflybye on the Copper Creek Hut Snowshoe.

Last week, WTA asked hikers on Facebook about the plans that got away from them in 2012. We were so inspired by everything that hikers did accomplish and all the plans they had on deck that we pulled together a list of possible great adventures for 2013.

As you start to plan your coming year of hiking, get some ideas from the list below or from your fellow hikers on Facebook.

Take your first overnight

If you've only ever day hiked, try your first two-day trip. Add one of these fourteen overnight hikes to your My Backpack.

Backpack an epic trail

Tackle a section (or two) of the Pacific Crest Trail or the entire Wonderland Trail.

"I can`t wait...every hike I have done has left great memories. I couldn't imagine a year without it! To all you hikers...Have fun and be careful out there! A happy and healthy 2013 with lots of great memories" -- Christina B.

Learn a new skill

Want to learn more about first aid or Leave No Trace principles? Whether you want to improve your map and compass skills, volunteer on trail with WTA, or take a course with The Mountaineers or REI, there is no shortage of opportunities to pick up a new skill in 2013.

Visit a volcano

Plan a trip to one of the many amazing hikes around Mount Rainier, Mount Adams or Mount St. Helens.

Get fit

"My first year hiking and I conquered Mount Si! Quite an achievement for me! Also dropped 75lbs this year, hiking helped with that! Next year: backpacking!" -- Wendie C.

Add these conditioning hikes to your My Backpack, and do the "Daily Dozen" [PDF}, a set of hiking exercises from John Colver's Fit by Nature.

Project: Trip Report

If you feel up for a challenge, try finding trails in the Hiking Guide without any recent Trip Reports (a hike like Sullivan Lake) and hiking them. Report back to the entire community of hikers on the trail conditions and trip highlights.

Check out state parks

Washington State Parks turn 100 next year. With a new "choose your own date" option on the Discover Pass, there is no better time to check them out. You can even get started by exploring the 100+ parks open in winter.

Give a trail some TLC

Once you've spent a day (or five) building or maintaining a trail with WTA, you'll gain an appreciation for every step you take on your hikes. Meet some great folks, learn a few new things and have fun with us on trail next year.

Share your plans

What hikes are you determined to do? What's your personal or family outdoor challenge for 2013? Tell us your plans in the comments below. If you haven't settled on any plans just yet, tell us what topics or kind of hikes you'd like to see featured this year. Whatever you're looking for, WTA will help you find it.