“Looking for a perfect trip, must have sunshine every day, remote campsites with few other guests, spectacular scenery, no bugs, no bogs and lots of great hiking.” Because last year I lucked out and had this exact trip on the Dolomite circuit in late September, I now need one that will compete!  The problem is…September can be dodgy, the window of great weather we had last year was exceptional, but far from guaranteed.  September can bring dark blue skies, dry, sunny, stable weather systems or early snow, cold rain, wind and unpredictability. 

But we have a short summer season here, so doing trips early and late is part of life here on the eastern slopes.  The fall shoulder season comes with great potential that we can take advantage of if we are prepared to deal with the risks too.  Here’s a shoulder season trip planning primer.

Watch your hazards – Weather related hazards become significant as we approach the end of September and early October.  Trails up high can get slippery with overnight rain, or snow that turns to ice underfoot, passes can become snowed in sooner than expected and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been caught in an October cold snap.  -20 overnight is not only shocking to the un acclimatized, it can be dangerous if you are unprepared.

Have a safer Plan B. – when planning your trip, choose your ultimate destination, your Plan A and then something that still accomplishes your objectives but is lower, closer, shorter, less remote, or less exposed.  We are considering a trip with an optional off trail ridge walk if the weather and conditions are ideal.  But if that doesn’t pan out we can take the regular trail, which is lower, safer and less exposed.

Plan for nasty weather  – let’s hope we are going to get that ideal window of sunshiney warmth, but let’s assume that absolutely anything else can happen.  Bring the extra layer, up the fuel allotment to account for extra hot drinks, remember your mitts and toque, throw in some hand/foot warmers and pack your secret weapon.  (a dry base layer, pants, top and socks that stays in a plastic bag in your pack at all times in case of emergency)

Take your camera – Shoulder seasons can be spectacularly beautiful.  Snow on the ridges, dark blue sky, warm fall colours, and dry, crisp air.  However even in nasty weather, the camera is useful, you can spend snowed-in days in camp searching for beautiful cloudy vistas, monochromatic , clear creeks with puffy snow pillows on every rock, and little glimpses of colour poking out to remind you of summer’s glory.

Sleep warm – Keep that core body temperature up!  Average nighttime temps drop to about 3 degrees in September and drop below freezing in October.  Go to bed in dry clothes, tuck a hot-water bottle or hand warmer into your sleeping bag, wear your toque and dry socks, void your bladder (holding in urine costs your body energy to keep that urine at a constant temperature, energy that could be used to heat your body), lastly, climb in your sleeping bag and do 25 crunches to get that muscle metabolism up.

Enjoy your fall trips!