As we begin the winter season, hikers can learn how to prepare for winter conditions.
Hiking connects you with the great outdoors any time of year, but snow on Mount Rose has created some tricky conditions.
"It's sticking. It's melting a little bit, but it's not really going away. It's just getting icy," said Daniel Corona, Communications Manager for the Tahoe Rim Trail Association (TRTA).
The TRTA maintains trails around the lake. Corona says you should double-check conditions before your climb but know they could change at any moment.
"I was backpacking in June at Star Lake and got caught in a snowstorm that wasn't in the forecast," he said. "That could happen at any time of the year without any prior warning."
One local on the trail Sunday has been hiking and snowshoeing in the area for 35 years.
"Such beautiful views from the Mount Rose area," said Laurie O'Shaughnessy.
She says in snow and ice, the best thing a hiker can have is something to stick to the trail.
"Whether it's micro spikes or whether it's snowshoes or if you're a skier, you may even need your ski crampons," O'Shaughnessy said, "and poles are great. That's what I would recommend."
O'Shaughnessy says cell service is unreliable in some areas, so a satellite GPS is a great backup. Corona says a paper map is also good, as well as food and water in case you get lost.
Once your equipment is sorted out, put on some layers. Corona says there's one part of the body you can't forget about.
"Make sure that your boots are well insulated, and that you've got enough layers on your feet," he said. "Your feet can get very cold, and hypothermia is no joke. Frostbite is no joke."
O'Shaughnessy says cell service is unreliable in some areas, so a satellite GPS is a great backup. Corona says a paper map is also good, as well as food and water in case you get lost.
Once your equipment is sorted out, put some layers on. Corona says there's one part of the body you can't forget about.
"Make sure that your boots are well insulated, and that you've got enough layers on your feet," he said. "Your feet can get very cold, and hypothermia is no joke. Frostbite is no joke."
