Hail On The Trail

By Scott Regberg

   I don’t think we’ve ever been hiking before while being pelted by hail. Bad enough that it’s cold up there, but to then be barraged by those little wet pellets is surely Mother Nature whispering, “this isn’t fun – go home.” However, once you’re forty minutes up Chautauqua Ridge turning around isn’t an instant escape, it merely shortens the misery.
   In truth, local hikers are blessed by virtually year-round good weather. Even colder, hailing nights, like a few weeks ago, warm-up fast with the right gear. After a few minutes of uphill work, jackets and sweaters usually peel off and we’re wondering why we brought them in the first place.
   A hat is always a good idea. It’s sort of like the necessary towel in the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. A hat keeps your head warm and dry and serves nicely as a shield when you’re bowed over and pushing through the brush. Although I’m not a teenager or a would-be rapper, turning the hat backwards opens up your field of vision. It’s not a fashion statement, just one way of avoiding clunking your head on the bevy of low hanging tree limbs secreting themselves in unpredictable turns.
   It seems like most of the injuries sustained while night hiking occur when the hiker is distracted by conversation or simply not focused on what’s in his or her next step. One friend of mine walked dead straight into a large tree branch (her hat wasn’t backwards) and sustained a concussion. On another occasion, a different friend was hiking along a narrow path, took her eyes off the trail, veered just a step and slid down the hillside like a scene from Jewel of The Nile.
   There’s an art form to keeping your eyes on the trail, watching out for surprise head-threats and enjoying the general scenery – especially in the dark. That’s why trail calls are so helpful. Yelling out “Overhead,” “Step-down,” “Exposure!” etc., just as you’re stepping into the challenge (timing is important) alerts everyone behind what to look for and where. (Unfortunately, yelling out “Hail” didn’t particularly help.)
   Now that I’m an experienced hail hiker, I can say that aside from the novelty of it, hail is actually better than rain. It stings, it’s noisy and odd, but you don’t get as wet. If it ever hails again on some Monday or Wednesday evening, we’ll probably be out there, complaining like old geezers with backward hats and laughing all the way home.
   Fearless readers who are interested in free Monday and Wednesday night hikes should contact Scott Regberg at (310) 475-5735.