Ditch the Itch

It's mosquito season once again. Rain and heat have resulted in a bumper crop of these pesty flying bloodsuckers. While recent cooler temps have slowed them, the mosquitoes are just beginning their summer activity. The resulting itch of the woods mosquitoes is something else.

There are a few ways to arm yourself so you can enjoy the trails itch-free. Everyone has a formula for success here - from drenching ourselves in bug spray to skipping sprays and simply smacking mosquitoes as we hike and not scratching any bites after until the itch finally quits.

Image - AZ Animals 

I'm a bit of a middle-roader here. Some chemicals, some clothes choices and a tried-and-true itch relieving gel. I'm a peace-of-mind kind of gal so prevention is high on my list of hiking comforts!

Here's the gear I rely on to keep me worry (and mosquito bite)-free.

First, the non-chemical..

Head net over my hat. Newer nets almost make you forget you have a fine mesh in front of your face. My go-to is a SeatoSummit bug net that is compact and can be carried in a pocket. With a cord at the bottom, it easily keeps bugs off you face and neck. It's a great non-chemical way to hike through clouds of skeeters.

Rynoskin long- sleeve shirts, pants and socks - I heard about these from a Canadian canoeist who did alot of spring canoe trips. You wear them under your clothes - the pants are more like light, long-undies. So no chemicals needed against your skin. They are very lightweight and have reinforced elbows and knees and have a tight band at wrists and ankles to prevent ticks and mosquitoes from getting to your skin.

I rely on these during tick season and summer evening/early morning hikes when mosquitoes are at their most active. My Rynoskins are light and white so the shirt gives me protection from the sun - and I can skip sun screen on my arms (for the win)! While pricey, I haven't had ticks on my skin or mosquito bites through my shirt after three years of hiking with them.

Chemical Means to an End
Permethrin Spray -we spray clothes we use only for hiking. The soaking lasts for about 6 weeks or 6 washes. We re-spray again after that. We also wash these in separate loads from our regular wash. The spray is very effective at deterring ticks and dampening the enthusiasm of mosquitoes. I do appreciate that I wear the permethrin clothes over my Rynoskin so no chemicals next to my skin. You can also use the spray on your gear.

Bug Sprays - Bug sprays containing DEET or picaridin are my go-to. Picaridin is less smelly and oily but I find either effective. I always spray my boots pre-hike during tick season (March-Oct). When it's too hot for the Rynoskin shirt and long-undies, I use sprays on my arms and face and hat and tuck my socks into my pants and give them a spritz too. On the trail, I carry a small bottle of bug dope in case I manage to sweat it all off .

Relief After Bites

My well-used After Bite gel.
Small enough to fit in a pocket

No matter your prep, bites happen. My absolute go-to is a product called After Bite gel. The small tube can be carried in pocket or pack. Applied immediately after a bite, it reduces swelling and itch (hurray!). I also find it relieves chigger bites when I am out in long grass or gardening. Total win!

While we have to live with biting and stinging insects on the trails, we don't have to suffer. Hope you find relief in some of these suggestions!

[Note: this post is updated from one published June 5, 2023]

Images, unless noted - Marge Loch-Wouters

Yawn...The Ticks Are Awakening

Longtime blog readers expect my frequent posts in late winter warning of muddy trails during freeze/thaw cycles - and alternative "firm trail" hiking suggestions.

And most of you know that hot on the heels of the last winter snows and March's warming temps, I will be sharing my annual alerts on tick re-activation in the woods and fields. 

Along with the robins, grackles and cries of migrating waterfowl, the time of ticks is once more upon us. When temperatures hit the 40s, ticks can become active. They will remain active from now until consistent freezing temperatures return in fall. 

In the Driftless area, it is the blacklegged deer tick that is of most concern. It's bite can transmit Lyme's disease as well as anaplasmosis.  What makes this early spring warming so critical is that not just adults are active, but their nymphs are too - and those little buggers are sneakily small. 

A. Nymph    B. Adult male     C. Adult female
Image/Text - Ohio Department of Health

This isn't to say we shouldn't get out hiking/bushwhacking in woods and fields as they firm up. Instead, it's to remind of us to exercise some common sense precautions for tick-free fun on trails.

When I gear up for spring trail hikes, there are a couple of things that help keep me worry free and tickless:

Pre-hike:

• Pre-treat hiking clothes and gear with Premethrin which typically lasts for 6 weeks or 6 washes before application needs to be renewed
• Use insect repellants with DEET or picaridin on exposed skin
• Choose lightcolored hiking clothes/gear so that ticks can be more easily seen.
• Spray boots and tuck pants legs into boots OR wear knee-high or ankle-high tick gaiters pre-treated with Premethrin
• Consider investing in chemical-free Rynoskin, light nylon long sleeve shirt/leggings gathered at wrists, waist and ankles (learned this tip from a Canadian paddler who did lots of spring paddling - and its a keeper)

Post-hike:

• Toss hiking clothes in the dryer for 10 minutes on high. If clothes need to be washed, do them in hot water
• Shower/bathe asap once off the trail to more easily wash off ticks
• Use mirror to do a full body check if returning from ticky areas. Areas to be especially mindful of: hair, behind the knees, between legs, on and around ears, under arms, around the waist
• Remeber in spring, the nymphs are impossibly small so really be aware as you do body/clothes checks
• Check gear and boots to make sure ticks haven't hitchad a ride

I typically head out on 50-60 March-May spring hikes with plenty of bushwhacking (any fungi, flower or fern screams at me to leave the trail and come closer) and have had no problems with ticks over the last five years that I've been doing the above routines. 

For more tips on way to prevent tick bites on the trail, on pets and around the outside of your home, check out this brief but excellent brochure from the Ohio Department of Public Health on being tick-smart.

An ounce of prevention and some careful investment can make the difference in spring hiking enjoyment.

See you on the trails!

Not tick bait!
Off-trail amidst the wildflowers
in Rynoskin and knee-high tick gaiters

You can read my quarterly column on seasonal hiking suggestions in Inspire(d) Driftless Magazine available online or pick up a free copy at businesses and organizations around the Driftless areas of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa.

Snowshoeing!

What have I been doing over the past week instead of blogging?

Snowshoeing!

It's been a long time since we've had ski-able, snowshoe-able snow this early in December. And after two very dry, brown winters with little snow and much melting between each storm, I feel the need to get out as often as I can to enjoy my favorite winter sport.

So what do I love about it? The most obvious is that it keeps me active in even the coldest days as well as during periods of deep snow. Slogging through shin- and knee-deep snow in boots while breaking a trail is not fun. Floating over the same trail in snowshoes as the first person on it after a storm is more my cup of tea.

Image -
Lloyd Lorenz

While I also cross-country ski, I like that I can simply throw on my snowshoes and head out during and immediately after a snowstorm. No waiting for grooming to get my outside fun in!

Plus I am an inveterate off-trailer in the winter snow. Trails are just suggestions. The real fun for me is heading off into the marvelously accessible woods and seeing what I can see. 

During most growing seasons, the density of undergrowth makes most off-trailing arduous. In winter, snow opens up great swaths of that understory to the curious outdoors person. While breaking trail is more tiring, it also has great rewards by letting you get up close and personal to rock formations and running water (or traversing solid ice) to explore areas you can't easily access in the warmer, snowless months.

A pole can be useful as you tramp whether you are on or off trails. Steep climbs or descents are easier with a pole to balance with. If you are off-trailing, you can create your own switchbacks to make steep inclines less fraught.

While that's my jam, you may want to use the hiking trails to keep the energy expenditure low. Hikers and other snowshoers tamp down the snow and make snowshoeing a snap. 

Image courtesy of ORA

If you are using wider shared use trails that are groomed for cross country skiers, please be mindful of best practice though. Stay to the side of the trail and avoid using the tracks for skate and classic skiing. Volunteers spend hours grooming those trails for those of us who also enjoy skiing. Walking, snowshoeing or biking on those tracks degrades them for skiers. 

If you are snowshoeing and cross a cross-country ski trail, please lift your snowshoes over the classic track rather than plow through the track. Sharing trails respectfully means that all our winter-loving outdoor friends can have a great experience pursuing their snowy passions!

Finally, for ultimate snowshoeing fun, when buying snowshoes, look for ones that have easy bindings to get in and out of. In crispy cold weather, you don't want to spend your time with cold hands struggling to get your 'shoes on and off. Spending a bit of time and research before you buy can mean fewer cold fingers and bent backs and more time on the trails!

See you on (and off!) the trails!

Images, unless noted - Marge Loch-Wouters

Image - Lloyd Lorenz

You can read my quarterly column on seasonal hiking suggestions in Inspire(d) Driftless Magazine available online or pick up a free copy at businesses and organizations around the Driftless areas of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa.

Leave No Trace Hiking - When Nature Calls

My mom always asked us kids before leaving the house for a car trip, "Did you check to the bathroom?' in the vain hope there would be fewer stops along the way.

Even as adults, no matter how we time things and even if we stop at a pit toilet at the trailhead, we often need a nature break along our hikes. There's a way to be more mindful about this to truly leave no trace on the trails.

Leaving traces
Image - Dana Hendricks

How many times have you seen little sodden piles of facial tissue along the trails? While those handy little packs of tissues are a convenient way to carry and take care of business while hiking, they are a lasting reminder of your nature break. Why?

An engineering friend of mine who worked at one of the big paper companies explained that those products are designed to be used more than once for things like tears and nose dabbing. They are specifically manufactured to be far sturdier and resistant to breakdown than toilet paper tissue. Hence the persistence of facial tissue along trail sides that seems to take forever (never?) to break down.

It's another reminder that when nature calls, we have responsibilities on the trails if we want to practice “leave no trace” hiking.

Here a couple of ideas to wean us from using facial tissues that litter the trail and woods. They aren't the only ones, but it will get you started.

Pack It Out
Bring a small plastic or wax paper bag and pack the used tissue out to dispose of at home. Positive: nothing left behind

Reusable Cloths
Use an old bandana, cut your own from tshirt rags or buy a Kula cloth - small reusable antimicrobial pee cloths that can snap on the outside of your backpack to dry and can be laundered. Positives: no waste.

Pee Funnels
Stand up and go - what's not to like? Carry these in a plastic bag or try this handy little origami-like number that unfolds and fits in your pocket in its own packet. Positives: no waste

Catholes

Pack a small kit with trowel and TP (take out the core) and hand sanitizer or purchase small kits that can help when you need to dig a cathole. Deposit solid waste in a cathole dug 6-8" down, and at least 200 feet from water, camp, and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished. Bury toilet paper deep in a cathole or pack the toilet paper out along with hygiene products.

Pack Out Dog Doo

Really. Do It. Leave the trail better than you found it.

Being mindful of trail integrity and caring about other hikers who use the trails after us is a great way to leave no trace and preserve our beautiful outdoor resources.

Gearing Up for Spring Ephemeral Season - Part 2

Wild Lupine

In Part 1 of this two part series, I shared some of my very favorite spring ephemeral hikes. 

Now it's time to dig a little deeper into gear and strategies to stay tick-free, to make sure you don't carry invasives seeds in or out of hiking areas as you wander as well as what ephemerals to look for the season progresses. 

Insect Protection
Once temps hit the 40's, ticks become active. So now is definitely the time to protect yourself, especially if you do off-trail hiking through any kind of grass or brush. And, of course, gnats, chiggers, biting flies and mosquitoes are in our hiking future as well. Here are a few suggestions to use to minimize your exposure to insect - and especially tick - bites:

• Wear light colored clothing (easier to find ticks on them)

• Tuck pants into socks

• Spray boots and pants legs with a Picaridin or DEET-containing insect repellent

• After hikes, toss your hiking clothes into the dryer on high for a 10 minute spin (it kills the little beasties)

• Check your body carefully for any tick action post-hike

• Shower/wash hair (usually it takes from 24-36 hours after a tick attaches. A good scrub helps to dislodge them)

• Consider spraying a set of "hiking clothes" with Permethrin Spray

• If you do a lot of off-trailing like me, consider investing in a set of Rynoskin protection underclothes (shirt, pants, socks) or Premethrin -infused InsectShield gaiters. I own both a short and tall pair of gaiters depending on how high the grasses/brush are. They are rugged and not particularly hot.

• If biting bugs like flies, gnats and mosquitoes love your face and head, consider buying a head net. The newer versions aren't too annoying or hot.

Invasives

Boot brush

You will see any number of invasives in the woods during your spring hikes. If there is a boot brush at the trailhead, be sure to use it to avoid carrying seeds in and out. 

You can also stop the spread of invasives by taking a few minutes at the end of each hike to use a hoof pick to clean out dirt and seeds from the bottom of your boots. One end has a sturdy metal pick that can clean out the lugs on your sole. On the other side of that is a set of stiff bristles that brush the rest of the dirt and seeds away. You can find these online for under $4 each. Mine are still going strong after three years.

Ephemerals to Look for

The following broad list is a suggestion of months and ephemerals you may find. Mother Nature has her own rhythm. If spring is early or late, it will effect how soon you will see your first of any wildflower variety. Have fun!

March

Pasque flowers
Skunk cabbage

Spring Beauty

April
Birdsfoot violet

Bloodroot
Bristly buttercup
Common violet
Dutchman’s breeches
False rue anemone
Garlic mustard (invasive) - For control measures, stop here for WI DNR recomendations; for control measures in MN, stop here for MN DNR recommendations
Hepatica
Mayapple
Rue anemone
Spring beauty
Ramps
Wild ginger

Fringed Puccoon

May
Bastard toadflax
Bluebell
Bellwort
Columbine
Cutleaf toothwort
Downy yellow violet
False Solomon’s seal
Fiddleheads, emerging
Fringed puccoon
Hoary Puccoon
Indian paintbrush
Jack-in-the-Pulpit
Littleleaf buttercup
Jacob’s ladder
Marsh marigold
Miterwort
Prairie blue-eyed grass
Prairie ragwort
Pussytoes
Shooting star
Showy Orchis
Tall meadow rue
Tall thimbleweed
Trillium
Trout lily
Two leaf miterwort
Wild geranium
Yellow star-grass

Leonard's Skullcap

June
Blue-bead lily
Hoary verbena
Leafy verbena

Leonard's Skullcap
Mountain death camus
Pale spike lobelia
Wild lupine

This two post series is based on a talk I gave to the La Crosse area Natural Arts Garden Club on March 25, 2025. A big thanks go out to them for the invite and the delightful evening spent sharing this information.

• Gearing Up for Spring - Part 1

Images, unless noted - Marge Loch-Wouters

Get in Gear - Deep Cold

-13F Afterglow Lake WI
Image - Michele Besant

Ok, then. After our December winter thaw, here comes some bodacious cold weather. MN meteorologist Paul Douglas wrote in his December 31, 2024 MN Strib column:

"Our mild, melty December will give way to a rude reckoning in January, with a series of character-building cold fronts. Highs will be stuck in the teens by late this week, and next week will bring a few crisp single-digit high days and maybe three or four nights below zero.

That’s not even close to record-setting, but compared to December it will feel like a cold slap across the face. Next week may be the coldest week of the winter. A lack of snow cover will keep us 5-10 degrees “warmer” than if we had snow on the ground, reflecting much of the sun’s energy back into space. Little consolation for snow lovers."

I looked in the mirror, said, "buckle up buttercup" and got ready to break out my really serious cold weather gear for icy days ahead.

Besides some of the inner and outer clothes layers I mentioned a few weeks ago in a cold weather gear recommendations post, I have a couple of other go-to gear items that help me tremendously during frigid hikes. 

Note: colored, bold text has links to specific gear brands mentioned

Warm Skin Lotion
This MN-made lotion creates a great barrier on any exposed skin during cold weather. I use it on my face to protect me from wind and sharp cold. On their website, the folks at Warm Skin write: "Warm Skin® All Weather Guard – Barrier Cream for Skin, Great Cold Weather Protection. Warm Skin is protection for exposed skin, it adds another layer of insulation to your normal protective attire for the prevailing conditions." Some folks use vaseline but this product, with more natural ingredients, is my go-to.

Handwarmers

A few years back, I was a photographer for many of the twice-weekly winter hikes for a hiking club I was in. So I spent some time mitten/gloveless on the trails in low temps. Ever since, my hands have been more sensitive to sharp cold, no matter how good my mittens are. I use two things to help keep my hands warmer:

• Lambs Wool Padding - available in pharmacies and wildly inexpensive, a wad of lamb's wool stuffed in the tip of my mittens keeps my fingertips pretty toasty. The advantage of this padding - all natural, re-usable and a great insulator. and the price is right.
• HotHands commercial handwarmers. These air-activated packets can last up to 10 hours. On really cold days when I will be out for quite awhile, I break them out. That warmth on my fingertips is golden. I use them sparingly because they are "one and dones." I hate to add more to the waste stream.

I also wanted to see what other hikers were recommending for suiting/gearing up against the deep freeze on the Women Who Hike MN Facebook page.  Here are some of their great gear suggestions:

• Rhiana H. - I try to have no exposed skin and wear ski goggles. It helps me so much to not have cold air hitting my eyes!

• Kelly G. - Gauntlet style gloves/taller boots when able. Keeping the area/blood vessels warm above the wrists/ankles improves warmth of the extremities vs shorter gear.

• Tanya H. - Wool wherever possible - scarf, hat, mittens, wristwarmers under the mittens, socks, base layer. Then several light layers over the base layers. For short hikes I do minimal layers with a good coat and ski/snow pants.

• Ellen H. - 32 Degrees makes a good, warm headband that covers your ears. Neck gator, Smartwool Merino wool base layer & socks, Duluth Trading Post Flexipedition fleece lined pants (I find these stretch a fair amount so buy down if between sizes), love my Oboz mid hiking boots and HotFingers gloves. Quality gear isn't cheap but if you take care of it, it lasts a LONG time!!

• Kat L. - I'll have to look into WarmSkin lotion. I make my own beeswax-based skin balm that goes on thick and helps prevent chapped lips, cheeks and nose from wind and cold. It's not warm, tho!

Thanks to the above women for sharing. 

Any other gear we should think about having? Throw your thoughts in the comments section.

And meanwhile, see you on the trails!

-9F view on the North Shore

All images, unless noted - Marge Loch-Wouters

It's Cold! Let's Get Hiking!

As temperatures start their drop in November, many people head to indoor fitness centers, gyms and activity centers to get their aerobic exercise done. I do some of that too.

But, as a year-round hiker, I continue to hike/snowshoe in the cold months of November through March. I find the scenery interesting, the trails less crowded and the weather not as bad as one might expect. 

The snowshoe view from the bluffs

There are three key components to late fall/winter outdoor fun:

• the right gear
• the right layers
• strategic choices on hiking destinations

I'll look at gear and layers in this post. In part 2, we'll look at strategically choosing hiking and snowshoeing destinations as the weather turns cold, icy and snowy.

THE RIGHT GEAR

Microspikes

Bushwhacking with microspikes
Image -Lavon Court

Without a doubt, this has been the gear choice that exploded my world and really got me out year-round. Being able to get firm footing on icy trails with constant elevation changes is perfect for the Driftless area. Using spikes means I can be on trails throughout the winter even if there is no snow for my snowshoeing. I have Kahtoola brand and they wear like iron; I'm starting my 4th winter with them. They are worth every penny of their price and will keep you hiking during icy/snowy tramps. Hint: buy a size up from their recommendation - they fit tightly and it can be a struggle getting that strong rubber up and around your insulated boots.

Boots

You know when you are in inadequate cold weather boots - your feet are freezing! Keeping tootsies warm is easy when you have waterproof, insulated boots. I found a pair of Merrill hiking boots that are less bulky than my old Sorrels and are mid height. It gives my foot lots more flexibility while winter hiking, provides ankle support and keeps my feet toasty warm in even below zero temps. Best of all they work great for both hiking and snowshoeing!

Safety colors

Blaze Orange

While technically not gear, wearing blaze orange (hat, vest, overshirt, jacket) or blaze yellow during late fall/early winter hiking is a must. Many hunting seasons are occurring, especially gun seasons for deer. While you may be on private property or at a state park, those lands abut private lands and hunters often carry high-powered weapons. Being visible on the trail makes a real difference.

Leg Gaiters

Nothing is worse than getting snow in your boots especially when snowshoeing.  A pair of leg gaiters can be helpful in keeping your ankles and shins dry.  I also like the extra bit of insulation it provides my shins. My  40 year old pair of Outdoor Research gaiters is still going strong.

Snowshoes

Ever since I let go of my classic wood and rawhide-laced Iverson's and joined the modern world, I have snowshoed even more! The smaller, lighter aluminum models featuring heel lifts, crampons and insanely easy bindings really upped my snowshoeing game, especially in bluff country. My advice here: really look at the bindings and make sure they are quick enough to get into, tighten and release - it will save you seriously frozen fingers. If you are hiking up any bluffs or climbing while you snowshoe, I highly recommend making sure your snowshoes have heel lifts that can be popped up to support your heel and keep your foot flatter when climbing. Your Achilles tendons and calves will thank you!

THE RIGHT LAYERS

Pants Layers

Windproof and water-resistant are the way to go in winter. While I used to rely on thicker ski leggings, they lacked water resistance and I missed having pockets. Thanks to a thread on the Women Who Hike Minnesota Facebook page, I opted for for lightweight water and wind resistant Duluth Trading's Flexpedition pants instead. They keep me nimble and not feeling like I'm wrapped in swaths of cotton.  With a pair of long undies, I am set for just about any winter weather (true confession - I seldom venture out when the windchill is below -20F). My go-to base layers in order of warmth (light to heavy) are silk, polypro and merino wool long underwear depending on the temps. If it is wicked windy, I may combine two of these. My Smartwool Intraknit merino wool pair are super light, super warm and breathable. They keep me warm in the worst cold. Fleece or flannel-lined pants also cut the cold.

Late fall birches at Hixon

Top Layer Clothes

I am a huge merino wool fan. I use a light wool shirt as my base layer (or two if it's below zero). Then a turtle neck with a regular wool pullover sweater. The final wool sweater's weave and thickness depends on the weather and wind. That gives me plenty of warmth and options to de-layer as needed on the trail. Whether you use polypro or merino wool, that first base layer makes all the difference.

Typical gear for most winter fun
Image - Lloyd Lorenz

Jackets

Flexibility here is key depending on what weather you are going out into and if you want to be warm but not sweaty. Down vests are my go-to for most non-windy but cold days. Because I love to bushwhack when I snowshoe/hike in the cold months, I often get tears in my vests from prickly brush as I tramp. So I am a thrift store shopper for down vests which are my jacket of choice during the above-zero hikes and snowshoes. I also have a light down jacket with hood (pictured to the right) as the weather gets colder and an old but reliable Marmot hooded jacket with canvas outer shell and synthetic lining (similar to Carhart). It is monster wind-resistant and my below-zero go-to layer. 

Neck Gaiter

Rather than a scarf, I use a pull-over-my-head merino wool neck gaiter. It not only provides warmth for my neck but I can pull it up over my nose and head in a pinch. It is compact and can be stowed away in my pack so it is easily at hand.

At MacGilvray 7 Bridges
Image - Kris Lawson

I also recommend this post from This Big Wild World blog by MN's Susan Gleissner. She delves even further into recommendations on hats, gaiters, jackets and more and has some great tips and recommendations!

Late fall hiking at
Luster Heights Unit -
Yellow River State Forest

Click here to to learn how to plan hikes strategically in the colder weather along with a list of recommended 2024 hikes and check out this updated 2025 list of winter hikes.

Images, unless noted - Marge Loch-Wouters

An Outdoor Group for EVERYONE

Have you ever been outdoors doing your thing - hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing, mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking, birding, cross country skiing, rock climbing - and had the distinct feeling when you see others there that you are perhaps an "only"? The only woman; the only person of color; the only person with a disability; the only LGBTQIA+ person; the only older; the only younger? 

You can get that feeling too when you are using guiding services, in outdoor recreation stores or becoming involved in lots of outdoor groups or associations.

Being an "only" - or one of a very few - can be a discouraging feeling. It's easy to feel out of place; unsafe or challenged by not feeling like part of the dominant group that is recreating. And if you long to be outdoors more, it can be off-putting. 

That's why I was so excited to learn about the Winona Outdoor Collaborative. Their mission statement says it all: "to promote inclusion and accessibility through community partnerships, environmental stewardship, and educational programming directed at reducing barriers to outdoor recreation."  

When I read this, I just had to touch base with them. Recently I sat down with Alexa Shapiro , the executive director (and Director of Trailblazing), to learn more about their programs and focus. A warm and open person, she has a Masters in Recreational Management, is a Wilderness First Responder and has over 5000 miles of backpacking on her boots, along with a variety of outdoor experiences. I asked her how the Collaborative came about.

Syd and Alexa, cofounders
Image WOC website

Originally started in 2019 as a women-centered collaborative, that first volunteer group created events where women could find - and give - support to each other as well as be part of safe and inclusive outdoor opportunities. By 2020, cofounders Alexa Shapiro and Sydney Bockelman, created the nonprofit Winona Outdoor Collaborative, expanding their focus to include "all marginalized identities in outdoor recreation." 

Image WOC website

The collaborative holds monthly events, meetups and workshops on the outdoors including hiking, backing, paddling and rock climbing. They also have outdoor equipment rentals at a very affordable cost (average cost $4 for 24 hours of rental) and guided experiences in southeastern MN's Driftless region. They hold gear swaps periodically as well (a great way to re-purpose your no longer-needed gear or pick up needed used gear at a great price).

Image WOC website

One of the new exciting projects being worked on is Bigger Hearts Adaptive Cross Country Ski program. Designed for youth from 4-17 years old with cognitive and intellectual disabilities, the goal is to offer these young people a chance to an accessible winter outdoor experience.

Funded by memberships, donations, grants and modest program fees, the group works hard to create a creative and supportive culture that recognizes and celebrates the importance of representation. The Collaborative's focus on inclusion, integrity, collaboration, environmental education and conservation speaks to their values and aspirations. They work hard on equity and inclusion issues and do thoughtful strategic brainstorming to overcome barriers so that representation truly happens..

As someone who has long noted the preponderance of male perspectives in outdoor recreations and groups associated with the outdoors, the inclusive and collaborative focus of the Winona Outdoor Collaborative is a refreshing change. I hope you consider supporting this group with your membership or donation, volunteer time or by taking part in their activities. They are truly open to all!

Be sure to explore their website to learn more.

Get in Gear - It's Winter!

Finally our temps are heading in the right direction for winter play times. I want to share some thoughts on  gear and resources to keep you warm and upright while we snow play during the cold and icy months.

My Five Favorite Pieces of Winter Gear:

MICROSPIKES

My spikes!

Once I started using these babies, I was hooked. It completely changed my winter hiking (more, more, more!) and had me outdoors even more when the snow wasn't deep enough for snowshoeing  - a frequent occurrence as our climate warms.

Spikes in action while bushwhacking

I went with Kahtoola microspikes. They are tough, long lasting, grip your boots and have worked on ice, sugar snow, slopes, hills and slippery leaf hiking bluff adventures. They come in a little sack you can easily drop that in your backpack so you can have them on the trails in any situation. They fit tightly so I recommend going to the next size up when purchasing - you won't regret it when getting the strong rubber up and around your insulated boots. They are worth every penny of their price and will keep you hiking in the worst snow-covered and icy trail conditions.

SNOWSHOES

Insanely easy bindings

While I loved my old wooden and rawhide Iversons, I finally made the switch a few years ago to a smaller, lighter aluminum model featuring heel lifts, crampons and insanely simple yet tough bindings (Atlas Elektras). There are plenty of good brands out there. 

My advice here: really look at the bindings and make sure they are quick enough to get into, tighten and release - it will save you seriously frozen fingers. If you are hiking up any bluffs or climbing while you snowshoe, I highly recommend making sure your snowshoes have heel lifts that can be popped up to support your heel and keep your foot flatter when climbing. Your Achilles tendons and calves will thank you!

BOOTS

You know when you are in inadequate winter boot - your feet are freezing! Keeping tootsies warm is easy when you have waterproof, insulated boots. I found a pair of Merrill hiking boots that are less bulky than my old Sorrels and are mid height. It gives my foot lots more flexibility, while winter hiking, provides ankle support and keeps my feet toasty warm in even below zero temps. Best of all they work great for hiking and snowshoeing!

LAYERS

Typical gear for all winter fun
Image - Lloyd Lorenz

Tops and bottoms, it's all about layers. I always start with a thin Merino wool base layer on top and add additional thin layers as temps plunge. That gives me flexibility and maneuverability without feeling like I'm an over-stuffed doll. If I heat up, I can quickly shed a top layer and I'm good to go.

For bottoms, I swear by Smartwool's Intranet Thermal Bottom. These are warm and flexible yet light. I can wear wind-resistent cross country ski leggings over them while hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. It really helps not to feel I am dragging pounds of clothing on me and helps me when I am climbing and scrambling.  If it's blisteringly cold and windy I will sometimes add a light polypro bottom over the the Smartwool thermals as a third layer and voila - toasty!

GAITERS

I have had my bright blue Outdoor Research gators for decades. They have kept the snow out of my boot tops and socks when skiing and hiking. It makes all the difference in being able to stay out for as long as I want without feeling damp and cold. 

I could go on but I wanted to touch on the five major areas that have changed my approach to winter hiking. If you want more suggestions, I recommend this post from This Big Wild World blog by MN's Susan Gleissner. She delves even further into recommendations on hats, gaiters, jackets and more and has some great tips and recommendations!

What's your favorite winter gear? Let me know in the comments.

Below zero? I don't care.
Image - Kris Lawson

Images - Marge Loch-Wouters, unless noted

Get in Gear - Mosquito/Tick Attack!

As I mentioned in yesterday's "I Spy on the Trails" post, we had some mighty fierce mosquito and tick action on our hikes in northern WI this past week. While on the trails, we were prepared and so came out at the end of each hike in pretty good shape with few to no bites and only a tick or two on our clothes.

Everyone has a formula for success here - from drenching ourselves in bug spray to eschewing sprays and simply picking off ticks as we hike and after and not itching any mosquito bites gotten during the hike.

I'm a bit of a middle-roader here. Some chemicals, some clothes choices and always a post-hike body check. I'm a peace-of-mind kind of gal so prevention is high on my list of hiking comforts!

Here's the gear I rely on to keep me worry (and tick and mosquito)-free. 

First, the non-chemical

Head net over my hat. Newer nets almost make you forget you have a fine mesh in front of your face. My go to is a Sea to Summit bug net that is compact and can be carried in a pocket. With a cord at the bottom, it easily keeps bugs off you face and neck. It's a great non-chemical way to hike through clouds of skeeters.

Full gear both chemical and non-chemical
Image - Michele Besant

Rynoskin long- sleeve shirts, pants and socks - I heard about these from a Canadian canoeist who did alot of spring canoe trips. You wear them under your clothes - the pants are more like light, long-undies. So no chemicals needed against your skin.  They are very lightweight and have reinforced elbows and knees and have a tight band at wrists and ankles to prevent crawlers.

I rely on these in particular from March to mid-June when ticks are at their most active and I am apt to be on grassy trails or bushwhacking off trail. I will also wear them during summer evening/early morning hikes when mosquitoes are at their most active. My Rynoskins are light and white so the shirt gives me protection from the sun - and I can skip sun screen on my arms (for the win)!  While pricey, I haven't had ticks on my skin or mosquito bites through my shirt after a year of hiking with them.

Chemical Means to an End

Permethrin Spray - in March, we spray a lightweight & light colored t-shirt, hiking pants, long sleeve weight & light colored shirt and grey sweatshirt. Those clothes we use only for hiking. The soaking lasts for about 6 weeks or 6 washes. We re-spray again after that. We also wash these in separate loads from our regular wash. The spray is very effective at deterring ticks and dampening the enthusiasm of mosquitoes. I do appreciate that I wear the permethrin clothes over my Rynoskin so no chemicals next to my skin.  You can also use the spray on your gear. 

Tick gaiters - my pair is permethrin-protected from Outdoor Research and I will use this ankle-height pair in short grass in high tick season especially if I plan to step off the trail (hello morels!). There are also knee high gators which are pricey but I am temped since I do some tall grass hiking in prairie areas.

Bug Sprays - Bug sprays containing DEET or picaridin are my go-to. Picaridin is less smelly and oily but I find either effective. I always spray my boots pre-hike during tick season (March-Oct). When it's too hot for the Rynoskin shirt and long-undies, I use sprays on my arms and face and hat and tuck my socks into my pants and give them a spritz too. On the trail, I carry a small bottle of bug dope in case I manage to sweat it all off .

In an April post I shared some pre- and post- hike tips that are less gear involved to help you prevent bug-latching.  Between preparation and prevention, you can almost hike worry-free!

What is your gear of choice or strategy that helps you avoid insect bites or at least grin and bear it? Share in the comments!

Images, unless noted - Marge Loch-Wouters

Get in Gear - Boot Cleaner

Periodically, I will be posting about some of my favorite gear. 

If you've done any hiking, you know the lugs on the bottoms of your boots (think of them as tire treads) can quickly fill up with dirt, gravel, seeds and debris from the trail. Many state parks and some trailheads provide a fixed boot brush on a stand to help you clean your boots before and after a hike. Unfortunately, those brushes wear down pretty fast. 

I have found a light and handy tool that not only works on horses' hooves, but is fabulous for quickly cleaning your boot bottoms. I was first introduced to these through my MN Master Naturalist training. We all received these handheld bootbrushes from PlayCleanGo®. 

The pickhead easily gets through the narrowest parts of your lugs. The stiff bristle brush head quickly brushes out any sandy/silty dirt. You might note that this very portable brush is exactly like a hoof pick and does the same job.

Using the boot cleaner helps you avoid bringing invasives on your boots from trail to trail. And, of course, it also helps you keep your boots house-worthy after a particularly wet walk!

In this photo, the boot on the right is fairly caked with mud. After a quick clean with the boot pick, the boot on the left is free of debris and ready to take me back on the trails. On hikes in fragile environments, I take a few minutes to pre-clean my boots so I don't bring invasives in.

Best of all, it's easy to stow away in my backpack or in my trunk. Taking a few minutes post-hike to clean my boots means I'm ready to hit the trail next time!

Images - Marge Loch-Wouters