Hiking alone or with company is strictly a matter of personal preference. Each way has much to recommend it.

Some newcomers begin hiking with a group until they gain a measure of confidence and then choose to go solo.

Other newbies start walking solo then discover they enjoy sharing the way with a particular trail buddy, a group of hiking companions, or a whole hiking club. Many hikers like to alternate between hiking with friends and family and hiking solo.

By John McKinney

Cold weather hiking has its rewards for the hiker who makes extra preparations and takes extra precautions. One reward for hiking in the colder months is more solitude on the trail. A deciduous woodland of leafless trees sure looks different in December than it does in its fully leafed-out splendor in July. The cold air is invigorating and the vistas inspiring in the clear mountain air.

Walking sticks and hiking poles help with balance, absorb shock, and provide much-welcomed leverage for steep ascents.

There are several terms out there for products that serve—essentially—the same function: walking stick, hiking stick, walking staff, hiking pole, trekking pole, Nordic pole. Having a third, or even fourth “leg” to lean on can increase a hiker’s confidence on the trail tremendously. Added balance can be crucial when hiking over uneven terrain, on winding, narrow trails, and when crossing streams and rivers.