Winter Transition

November is upon us and that usually is about the time we see our first snowfall here in Colorado Springs, give or take a few days. As sad as it is to pack away our beloved summer gear it's also fun and refreshing to pull out our winter toys and start planning new adventures.

I find the transition of the seasons a great time to inventory my equipment and apply any maintenance that might be needed to said gear before storing it away for the upcoming months. The cleaning, care, and organization of your equipment will help prolong it's life and usage. I'll be the first to admit maintenance and organization isn't one of my strong suits, but setting aside time to do this can save you money, heart-ache, and prevent potential gear mishaps in the future. When I say maintaining your gear this does also mean cleaning your equipment before storing it as well. For example the last thing you want to do is pack away a tent or a sleeping bag that might be wet, resulting in mold on it later. After saying good bye to your toys quickly change the somber mood by busting out your jackets, skis, snow boards, snowshoes, crampons, or whatever you'll soon be playing with. Rotate these fun items to the front and start planning your cold weather adventures.

Preparedness is key. Don't wait on this one, do it now. Use this time to build a quick winter kit, with the essentials you will need to make it through the cold season in your area to keep in your vehicle. The items needed will vary pending where you live. A great place to reference for this information is your Department of Transportation. Water and food rations are key along with emergency blankets, chains, a small shovel, and anything else that might help you through a duration of time if stuck or stranded. Pictured above is a small kit I keep in my truck for the just in case situations. I keep enough supplies for two. Make sure you pack enough emergency supplies for however many people you are traveling with. I also suggest not leaving water in your vehicle for along amount of time, as will likely freeze over a cold night. Instead pack extra fresh water with you before leaving on your trip.

Don't let the winter months catch you off guard, be ready for whatever comes your way!

Menikmati,

Bunny