Cold, Wet, and Unprepared: What Really Happens When Winter Hikers Underestimate the Adirondacks

Winter in the Adirondacks can feel otherworldly. Snow-draped trees, hushed trails, bluebird summit days, and the kind of stillness that only comes when the temperature drops. It can also turn dangerous fast.In this episode of ADK Talks, we welcome back Jeff Berry and Elena Lumby from Search and Rescue of the Northern Adirondacks (SARNAK) for an honest, practical, and sometimes chilling conversation about the realities of winter hiking. From hypothermia and headlamp failures to summit fever and post-holing, Jeff and Elena share real stories from the field and lessons learned the hard way.This episode is essential listening if you are planning winter hikes around MLK Weekend, Presidents’ Day, or anytime snow and cold are part of the equation.What you’ll hear in this episodeWhy winter hiking is so magical and why it demands respectHow quickly hypothermia can set in, even close to the trailheadWhat “be bold, start cold” actually means in practiceWhy two headlamps are non-negotiable, and phones don’t countThe dangers of sweat, wet clothing, and poor heat managementWhy signing trail registers and sharing trip plans saves livesA true story involving a winter hike, summit fever, and a baby on CascadeHow the 10 Essentials change in winter conditionsSnowshoes, post-holing, and why it’s a ticketable offense in the High PeaksHow to build skills safely through classes, guides, and local resourcesResources:Into the Wild: Search and Rescue in the AdirondacksSARNAKHike Safe New YorkMountain ForecastAdirondack Mountain ClubPaul Smith’s College Visitor Interpretive Center (VIC)The Mountaineer (Keene Valley)High Peaks Information Center (Mount Jo area)Adirondack Interpretive Center (AIC), NewcombUp Yonda Farm Environmental Education CenterWilderness Medical AssociatesREICavu Café (Adirondack Regional Airport, Lake Clear)Left Bank Café (Saranac Lake)Origin Coffee (Saranac Lake)Capisce (Lake Placid)Produced by NOVA