Winter Hiking with MS

MS-Warriors Can Hike, Even During the Winter

When I got diagnosed with multiple sclerosis a few years ago, I thought my winter hiking days would be numbered. I mean, I just “knew” that MS means that it would all be downhill from here… Of course, it didn’t take long until I realized that I could fight the MS monster. That I could continue hiking just fine, even if I would be slower and less balanced than the average bear.

Notice that the tips in this article work for many other chronic illnesses too, I just have personal experience with MS, so I chose that viewpoint.

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How and Why Hike in the Winter?

Truthfully, I would prefer hiking in Atlantis, Bahamas over winter hiking, but we do live in New Hampshire. In practical terms, that means that we have a lot of winter. So however much I would like to be in Hawai’i, watching birds, instead I am reluctantly trying to find the good aspects of winter hiking.

• Advantages of Winter Hiking
  • Every Step is a Rep. Fight your MS by being active!
  • The SUN! Free source for your Vitamin D;
  • Sacred Silence;
  • Cool and Exciting Birds;
  • Find a geocache! Discover new trails;
  • Animal tracks. Meet your fellow wood creatures.
• Top Tips for Winter Hiking for MS Warrior and other Spoonies
  • Dress appropriately Being cold is miserable!
  • Be Cool with Hiking Poles. Stay balanced and grounded;
  • Stay Hot With Heating Pads. Nowadays reusable ones are a good option;
  • Use Crampons: Get a Grip!
  • Snow Shoes. Don’t sink into the snow;
  • Accept Your Limits. Yeah, that is the hardest;
  • Have FUN!
• Conclusion: Go for it!

Advantages of Winter Hiking

During the winter, especially as a spoonie with MS or other chronic condition, it is so easy and attractive to snuggle up at home with a good book and a fire. Admittedly, that should have a spot in your agenda, but also consider braving the cold and going out. Even for short periods there are so many pluses! Here are just a few.

Every Step is a Rep

After I found out about my MS, I looked around for support and discovered the MS Fitness Challenge GYM on Facebook. What an amazing community and I love their motto: “Every Step is a Rep”.

Now, every time I get my butt out of my chair to move around, however short or long, I tell myself this and I feel all accomplished. Every step you take will get you stronger and better able to function in daily life.

In 2020, I am trying to walk 2020 miles. Even if I don’t reach that total, just looking at that number motivates me to get up from the computer and walk around a bit. To put down my tea and go check on our garden. Heck, I even go outside on a winter day! Recently, I have added hula hooping to my exercise regime, mostly for short spurts of time but it all adds up.

The SUN!

Growing up in the Netherlands, we didn’t have much snow, the winter tended to be GREY. No sun, lots of fog and rain, and did I mention grey? So when I moved to New England many years ago, I was happily surprised how sunny winter days here often are.

Sure, there is too much snow. Of course it is freezing cold. But hey, the sun! Reflecting light from snowy landscapes brightens many a moody day. When I am in the house I grumble and mope about the darned winter. Then when I step outside, my posture gets more erect, my mood lifts, I take a deep breath and suddenly the winter could possibly be bearable after all.

Sacred Silence

Nothing is better than hiking in the winter and the only sounds are the crackling of the snow and the occasional distant bird. No phones, no traffic, no worries, just you and nature.

I fully believe we all need quiet contemplation times in our life, and what is a better way to achieve that than with a walk in the woods? As a bonus, you get stronger physically while you relax mentally.

Cool and Exciting Birds

As the resident bird nerd of our MS Fitness Challenge Facebook Group, I can’t resist pointing out that winter is a great time to see birds. Especially birds that you might not see at other times of the year. For example, we surprised a bald eagle having lunch and were able to watch him for at least ten minutes. What a treat!

Find a Geocache!

Have you ever found a geocache? Do you even know what geocaching is? If not, you are in for a treat. Fifteen years ago, I found my first geocache, with a baby in my sling and six other kiddies traipsing around me. In my old family blog, you can still find the post about How to get Started with Geocaching.

I encourage you to go ahead, look into geocaching (nowadays most phones have adequate GPS navigation) and explore new trails.

Animal Tracks

When we hike in the winter, we love seeing traces of the creatures we share our world with. Easily recognizable deer or moose tracks, more puzzling “something else” tracks. Yeah, I am not particularly good at figuring out these tracks, but I enjoy the feeling that there are other animals around.

Winter Hiking with MS: Top Tips

Dress Appropriately

There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.

Norwegian Saying

Not surprising, being well dressed will make all the difference in enjoying your hike or not. Personally, I like to wear layers, since I go from “Freezing!” to “I am soooooooo overheated” within a few minutes.

Be Cool: Use Hiking Poles

Since MS often comes with bonus balance problems, consider using hiking poles, even if you usually walk without them. Using hiking poles will help you conquer harder hikes than you would be able to without them. Not to mention that they are helpful locating geocaches under the snow.

Stay Hot: Heating Pads

After I posted the first version of this article, Alyssa from FightMSDaily shared that she uses heating pads to stay warm. According to her, they are very effective and keep her comfortable when she is out in the snow. Thank you, Alyssa! Go check out her blog, I especially like her Pick Me Up Thursday posts, since we always can use more positive vibes in our lives.

When I have used heating pads in the past, I always felt bad about the waste they generated. Luckily, nowadays there are many reusable options!

Get a Grip: Use Crampons

Crampons are the best invention since sliced bread. They will help you feel more stable and they will prevent possible painful and definitely embarrassing falls. Without crampons I simply don’t feel confident if there is the slightest layer of ice.

Alternatively Use Snow Shoes

When I was still actively geocaching all the time, I invested in a pair of snow shoes. Suddenly we could go out, even when there just had been a major snow storm! Not only could we go out, but we did get quite a work out because it seems to take more energy than a “normal” hike. They work well on ice also.

Know Your Limits

If you are like me, this would be the hardest thing. There just aren’t any hard and fast rules in MS. Every person is different, every day is different. Still, try not to overdo it and have to spend too much time recovering. For me vision issues are my warning sign, but frankly, they are a late warning sign when I already have overdone it.

Still, it is better to break your hike up in manageable segments, or choose a shorter hike, than having to deal with the consequences of overdoing it and being miserable. It is ok to stop early and not make the goal you set for yourself that day.

Have Fun!

Whatever you do, wherever you hike, make sure to enjoy every moment! You are out in nature, you are fighting your MS and you are lifting your mood. So much better than sitting in front of social media instead of being outside. Now you can share triumphant pictures on social media! And motivate other people to go take a hike too.

Conclusion: Winter Hiking with MS

If there is one thing I want you to take away from this article, it would be “Go for it!” Please share with me your winter hiking stories and what YOU like best about winter hiking. And if you are a spoonie, with or without MS, how do you adjust your hikes to accommodate your body’s limitations?

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