Silver Striders Guide Service

Hiking in April, May, September & October:
For your safety and comfort it is recommended that you NOT wear cotton clothing on hikes during these months. On warm, sunny days with no wind, wear cotton clothing if you do not have clothing of wicking materials.

Cotton is not warm or wind resistant.

Cotton gets wet with perspiration easily and quickly.

Wet cotton is cold, clammy, and slow to dry.

Cold clammy clothes lead to hypothermia.

Do wear moisture-wicking material of wool or polyester knit, fleece or pile (fabric brandnames like capilene®, polartech®, polypropylene®, etc.). Jeans are stiff and frequently not comfortable to hike or snowshoe in. Besides being cotton, jeans have metal buttons and snaps around the waist, and with belts have buckles, that dig into you once you put on a day pack with a hip belt cinched down.

Hiking in June, July & August:
On warm, sunny days with no wind, cotton clothing is fine.

Please do not wear any cotton on any of the snowshoe trips.
The reasons listed above are all the more crucial when the weather is cold.

Be prepared for cooler weather at higher elevations
Year-round, one must also take into consideration the elevation. We generally live at elevations of 2800-4000 feet in and around Bend. The elevations that we hike or snowshoe in, 3550 to 6100 feet, can mean that the temperature is 10-15 degrees cooler (especially in April, May, October and November) than the lower elevations where we live. That is why a jacket, hat and lightweight gloves are recommended for spring and fall hikes. And also why we are delighted to hike in the refreshingly cool mountain air when it is stifflingly hot in town!

More Information
More specific information regarding appropriate gear and clothing for hiking and snowshoeing is available at Silver Striders' free hiking and showshoeing orientations, or by contacting Silver Striders Guide Service at 383-8077 and strideon@silverstriders.com.