from Kristen in Garrett County: "Braving the Elements"

With my Monday holiday, I decided beforehand I didn't intend to accomplish anything. I was simply going hiking.
Prefaced by a conversation with my favorite cowboy friend Matt in Montana, and a good night's sleep, I strapped on a pack and entered the wide world on foot, met with full-blown winter in all its glory. I was reminded how satisfyingly secure and energizing it is to hike in a well fitted pack, especially of 30lbs or less, realizing that I hadn't actually 'packed since the Tetons in July.
Presently, the morning was cold. Before the bottom of the valley I was sure a scarf and hooded jacket would've been well-advised. But I wasn't desperate enough to backtrack so soon, mentally adding a scarf to my list of finishing touches, and making do at present with an earband and 2 high-collared jackets.
Government issue Blauer all-weather pants today were on both maiden voyage and on field trial in making the cut for March through the Smokies (which will occur under potentially similar conditions). They're coming. I look like part of the SWAT team, but they're coming - as far as Damascus or so, where my down jacket, insulated gloves, and aforementioned scarf are already slated for mailing back to my brother's place.
By the time I reached 1/2 way mark of my first leg, water in my Nalgene was exceedingly chilled, and by 3/4 mark ice was rapidly accumulating on the entire inside surface area. In temps like these I'll be carrying just one quart at a time and that inside my jacket. A hydration system (ie "Camelbak") is more convenient for regular drinking (yup, caught that), but this becomes a mute point when the hose freezes in the winter (and a potentially risky trade off when in grows green&black fuzzys in consecutive weeks of summer). This is why I'm sticking with the slightly less convenient water bottles (which carried on the outside will never soak your pack from the inside out if misthreaded).
Back at the house, thermometer read 18*F. I stopped for an extended lunch before my second leg of hiking. Outer jacket of the morning was swapped for a bit of a heavier hooded one and I continued on. Consequently, the sun had come out and I was now slightly overheated rather than half a step ahead of chilled. But given the two predicaments, I'll take it. You can always shed more easily than acquire.
All in all, my trek "around the block" and up the Continental Divide & back, totaled aproximately 10 miles and 9 decent hills, in snow with pack, no hiking poles. More ups&downs than I thought of at first, bringing to mind when me and Jeremy bagged 9 of the 7 peaks we were slated for in the Presidentials, with 3 stellar campers and 1/2 a band of mutineers.
Reading and stretching completed the day. And a shower, while I still have the luxury.