Elmore

A winter hike can completely transform the feel of a trail you might know well in warmer weather. On this particular hike, the sun was shining, and the temperature was 10 degrees—but with the wind chill, it felt like -24. In such extreme cold, it’s easy to overdress and end up carrying too much, which can slow you down significantly. Another common challenge is dealing with frozen water. Even with insulation, water freezes when it’s this cold.

Climbing Mount Elmore in the winter was tough for me because I overpacked and didn’t have any water to hydrate. Snow adds another layer of difficulty. Unless someone has already blazed the trail, spikes can help, but if the snow is too deep, snowshoes are essential if you want to make it to the peak. The 1,260-foot ascent to Elmore was fairly manageable, but once I reached the top, the freezing wind chill made things much harder. My eyelashes froze together, and every time I blinked, they stuck—a bizarre and frustrating experience.

At the summit of Elmore, there’s a fire tower. I wouldn’t recommend climbing it in the winter. While I’m not usually fazed by obstacles, the steps were coated with at least five inches of solid ice, and the strong wind made each step feel unstable. At one point, I felt a wave of dizziness, as if the world was spinning around me. I had to go slow, double-check every step, and hold tightly to the railing.

When I finally reached the top, the view was breathtaking. The 360-degree panorama of the Green Mountains was stunning, but I couldn’t stay up there long. Despite wearing layers, the frigid wind made me feel completely exposed. I look forward to returning in warmer weather when I can take my time and really enjoy the view.