But one thing is for certain: You'll be enjoying your hiking plans before you know it. And this month's little newsletter will help you get ready to face the challenges and rewards of being a hiker in 2025.

REI NEWS FROM HFH

I'm lucky enough to have received one to put to the test of muddy and/or snow covered trails. I'll have my review ready for you in the next newsletter.

Want to see the backpack right now? Here it is, in 2 great colors and 3 hipbelt sizes PLUS an adjustable torso length (16" - 18" and some unexpected features on a pack this size:

Traverse 35L backpack

I’ll also be reviewing a pair of hiking pants and a rain jacket, both from REI Co-op. I'll share links to the reviews in upcoming newsletters.

If you've never read a Hiking For Her gear or food review, please be assured that I do a thorough job of exploring and testing all features in varied trail conditions.

I pride myself on spotting anything that you need to know before buying the item. That's why I'm here, to help you make great hiking memories :)

I've collected together all of my reviews right here for you:

HFH hiking gear, clothing, books and food reviews

WHILE WE'RE ON THE SUBJECT

Up first, a backpack that "dampens the weight of its contents with 85% less bounce, 11% more energy".

When I read that "promise", I chuckled and moved on.

Then I started to think what if it’s really true and backpacking could be less work and how much does it cost and... then I backtracked (as any good hiker would do) to read this article.

Self lightening backpack

"You can't just buy bush stone-curlew backpacks," was the quote in the next article that caught my attention.

Curlews wearing backpacks? They're adorable.

Reintroducted curlews wear GPS backpacks

READ THIS FOR GOOD VIBES

THIS MONTH'S HIKING TIP

More folks will be fired in the coming months, so it's hard to predict trail or road conditions at this time.

So let's be proactive, because that's what hikers do!

Dump your backpack onto the floor and see how many of the Ten Essentials you currently bring on every hike.

Hint: There should be at least ten, or more like twelve if you're like me. Read the HFH view of the revered Hiking Ten Essentials here:

Hiking ten essentials

Wind storms, wildfires, floods, vegetation overgrowth and good old gravity plays havoc with our beloved trails.

So add a few items that weigh nothing but will likely be needed on the trails this year: disposable gloves and a few plastic bags you can recycle into garbage bags to fill with discarded candy wrappers and other human trail trash.

If you hike in local parks, add one of those claw grabber thingies.

Yup, you are now a trail maintenance worker in addition to being a hiker!

Want to be even more prepared? Toss a lightweight pair of clippers, foldable saw, and any other small trimming tools you may have that won't weigh you down a ton but will allow you to clean up or at least tidy up blowdowns and debris.

This is especially important if you hit the trails early in the season. You'll be helping out all hikers that follow your footsteps.

We may have to be our own trail crew this year. So let's be ready!

NOTE TO SELF

Read my tips for staying found, and I bet you can guess the Ten Essentials are in there somewhere! How to avoid or deal with being lost while hiking

I also discovered this resource with statistics and real life scenarios for hikers to ponder before heading "out there":

More tips to stay safe and found

One more resource: local in store, free or low cost classes at your nearby REI Co-op that cover the basics of being a prepared hiker.

Find one to build your skills here:

REI classes and events for 2025

TRAIL SKILLS COLLEGE

The PCTA has plenty of opportunities on the Pacific Crest Trail this summer. See them here:

PCTA volunteer trail skills college 2025

Just starting to think about learning to maintain trails? Here’s their detailed course curriculum, giving you an overview of what it takes to keep trails clear and open for hikers:

Trail Skills curriculum 2025

PCT BORDER HEADS UP

Canada has a new policy for 2025, which is now consistent with the established US policy to not permit entry across the unmaintained border via the PCT.

Northbound PCT hikers in the US must now end their hike at the Canadian/US border without entering into Canada. Backtracking will add additional mileage to the closest available US pickup point, so plan accordingly.

Here is the January 27, 2025 news release from Canada:

Canadian PCT border policy

HIKING FOR HER GIVEAWAY

The giveaway this month is a sturdy, entry level compass (one of the ... wait for it... Ten Essentials).

I know many of us want to learn navigation, want to be prepared, want to enjoy using a map-compass combo to gain new trail skills, want to stop relying on others for trail navigation.

Here's your chance!

Please don't enter for your chance to win a Brunton TruArc 3 compass unless the paragraph above describes you :)

Please do enter if you were waiting for a kindly kick in the hiking pants to get better at navigation!

The giveaway details are right here:

Hiking For Her Giveaway Details

Just a note

Nothing glamorous, just well tested over the years and very much appreciated by me on each and every hike.

MORE 2025 PREPARATION AS HIKERS

To help out, I'm going to go all in on putting great deals in front of you this year.

For example, I just got word about this pretty amazing deal from TheNomadik.

They gather together a box worth of brand name gear and send it your way at a discount, as many times a year as you'd like.

This month, you can order a Quarterly Box and get 35% OFF + a FREE Coffee Press/Tumbler.

Choose a box for yourself or as a gift, get a FREE gift, and SAVE $152. This deal is only available until 2/24/2025.

More details right here:

TheNomadik February 2025 deal

'Bye for now

Thanks for reading to the end. And you didn't even need a compass to find it ;)

Happy Trails to you,

Diane a.k.a. Happy Hiker

diane@hiking-for-her.com

Did you receive this newsletter from a friend?

Stop by these HFH pages for a little hiking inspiration! Likes, comments and shares are always appreciated.

Hiking For Her

Some of the links in this newsletter and on the Hiking For Her website may be affiliate links.

What does this mean for you?

You create a small miracle when you buy hiking gear through those links, by allowing a modest percentage of your purchase price to flow into the HFH coffers.

What's so miraculous about that?

You receive great gear that has been trail tested and approved by a seasoned hiker. You pay nothing extra. AND you help keep the free hiking tips flowing to your virtual trail buddies around the globe.

Wow!

And a sincere Thank You for your vote of confidence in Hiking For Her. It means a lot!