Winter in the higher elevations is pretty extreme for a first outing.
Might I suggest a compromise?
First, take a friend. Maybe someone who has been on a few outings and knows their way around a mountain, so to speak.
Also, before simply hiking "off the beaten track" , try something a little more of a controlled environment. There are plenty of State and Federal campgrounds, where you can pitch a tent, be close to your vehicle, and near a little piece of civilization. You can have a camp fire, and endure as much as you want, but, if you find it too cold, too wet, or too uncomfortable, you can easily bail out, re-assess the good & the bad, make the appropriate adjustments to your clothing, skills, gear, etc. Then go it again.
They typically have trail systems, so you can go out for an hour or two at a time, but still come back to your vehicle, and permanent "base camp".
To anyone, I would say, you first need to prove to yourself you can set up camp, in any weather, and take care of all of the "routine chores" that are mandatory in a controlled setting, before further exscursions into the wilderness.
Take a walk before running.
The other part of this, is simply, you don't want it to be a compelte failure, which could really turn you off of the whole experience, and leave you with $100s of dollars of equipment piled in your garage or basement, that only brings back bad memories. there are piles of camping ewquipment across North America that have been used only once.
Once you master campground camping, then try something a little more challenging.
And Grampa is right, wintertime in the Pac NW is no joke.
You could get 2 to 3 feet of snow overnight, and it could make hiking out, even 2 miles, practically impossible.
Take some time to plan, and learn, it will make your outing that much more rewarding and enjoyable. Allow yourself a safety net.
For orienteering skills, get a map and compass, and find your local trails.
They are usually well marked, and you can build up some modest skills before taking on "uncharted" territory.
Might I suggest a compromise?
First, take a friend. Maybe someone who has been on a few outings and knows their way around a mountain, so to speak.
Also, before simply hiking "off the beaten track" , try something a little more of a controlled environment. There are plenty of State and Federal campgrounds, where you can pitch a tent, be close to your vehicle, and near a little piece of civilization. You can have a camp fire, and endure as much as you want, but, if you find it too cold, too wet, or too uncomfortable, you can easily bail out, re-assess the good & the bad, make the appropriate adjustments to your clothing, skills, gear, etc. Then go it again.
They typically have trail systems, so you can go out for an hour or two at a time, but still come back to your vehicle, and permanent "base camp".
To anyone, I would say, you first need to prove to yourself you can set up camp, in any weather, and take care of all of the "routine chores" that are mandatory in a controlled setting, before further exscursions into the wilderness.
Take a walk before running.
The other part of this, is simply, you don't want it to be a compelte failure, which could really turn you off of the whole experience, and leave you with $100s of dollars of equipment piled in your garage or basement, that only brings back bad memories. there are piles of camping ewquipment across North America that have been used only once.
Once you master campground camping, then try something a little more challenging.
And Grampa is right, wintertime in the Pac NW is no joke.
You could get 2 to 3 feet of snow overnight, and it could make hiking out, even 2 miles, practically impossible.
Take some time to plan, and learn, it will make your outing that much more rewarding and enjoyable. Allow yourself a safety net.
For orienteering skills, get a map and compass, and find your local trails.
They are usually well marked, and you can build up some modest skills before taking on "uncharted" territory.
)
