get out / By Jennifer Savage

Winter Wonderful

(Jan. 5, 2012)  No matter how lovely December was — all that sunshine — you knew it wasn’t likely to last. Soon, wet winter days will have you wanting to do nothing more than curl up by the woodstove with a good book or your laptop, mug of hot chocolate by your side.

But wait!

Adrien Pritchard, in proper cold weather attire. PHOTO COURTESY OF ADRIEN PRITCHARD

GALLERY >

Just because the sun has faded into distant memory is no reason to avoid the beauty of the outdoors, muted and rain-soaked as it may be. The magnificence of the trees is no less. The drama of the ocean grows exponential as double-digit swells explode against the coastline. The mountains still strike awe into a hiker’s heart. Besides the visual reward, being outdoors in the winter in Humboldt gives you a visceral thrill. Something about the elements elicits the sensation of being fully alive — depth of feeling being relative to the extremes encountered as we move through the world.

Some activities don’t work as well as the weather rolls in. Frisbee, for example, is simply not an option in gale force winds. Romping on the beach next to double-digit swells can lead to tragedy. Casual hiking turns a lot less so when daylight is minimal and temperatures drop. To ensure fun times — and safety! — one must adequately prepare.

For the skinny on just what that preparation entails, I contacted Kokatat’s Adrien Pritchard. He’s a known outdoors addict, spending his winter weekends in snow and rain when the rest of us are hunkered in front of the computer screen debating FunnyOrDie videos.

JS: Is it crazy to camp/hike in the winter? 

AP: No, it’s definitely not crazy to do any outdoor activities in the winter here on the North Coast, but it does require individuals to take a knowledgeable look at themselves. With the proper gear, attitude and physical abilities, anyone can have a good time anywhere — although some people’s thoughts of a “good time” vary greatly.

JS: Assuming it’s not crazy, what does one need to bring? 

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