Level-up your winter hiking with a skills-building trip at Walden Pond! This trip is an opportunity to practice dialing in your winter systems for an above treeline hike but in a relatively safe setting. Everyone will learn how to do -- and practice! -- the following: * Layering and delayering * Setting up and lighting a camp stove * Setting up a winter emergency shelter * … We're also happy to cover any other skills folks are interested in! Let us know in advance if there's something you'd like to practice.

WEATHER WARNING: It’s going to be extremely cold and windy! Expect temperatures between 5F and 15F, with wind chill making it feel -5F. If it gets too cold, we will pop into the Visitor’s Center to warm up.

Even if you have winter hiking experience, this weather is extreme with very little time to frostbite. Participants should plan to bring face coverings like balaclavas and goggles.

TRIP PLAN: We’ll start nice and warm inside the Walden Pond Visitor’s Center to talk through these skills, then head out on a flat 2-mile walk around the pond, giving everyone time to work on their winter systems, practice skills, take photos, and ask questions. We’ll plan to practice setting up camp stoves (for hot chocolate!) and shelters at Wyman Meadows.

We’ll meet at MIT at 9:30AM and plan to return by 2:00PM.

Route: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/massachusetts/walden-pond-path?u=i

REQUIRED GEAR: Because of the forecast, we are requiring all participants to have insulated boots. If you do not have these, you will need to rent Sorel boots from MITOC. Also plan to bring full face coverings.

PRE-TRIP MEETING: We will meet at 6:30PM on Thursday. Because of the conditions, we will spend extra time reviewing layers.