John Mangan is a lawyer based in Carlisle, PA, who specializes in family law and civil litigation involving youth cases. In his free time, John Mangan enjoys hiking throughout the year in and around Carlisle.

For hiking during the different seasons of the year, special equipment is required for safety and enjoyment of the activity. For a cold winter season, a hike requires additional preparation. For example, snow and ice have adverse affects to a hiking trail, such as loss of friction between hiking boots and the ground. In this case, the boots should have sufficient traction. Also, the boots should not be heavily worn where the sole has reduced treads, therefore leading to a reduction in traction, a dangerous combination while hiking.

For extreme conditions, such as strong winds or heavy snow accumulation, one should carry a pair of ski goggles and a small mountaineering axe. A cold winter season with windy conditions can lead to ice and debris that can harm the face and eyes, and reflecting sunlight from white snow can lead to visual difficulty. Lastly, the axe can offer extra gripping power while climbing steep slopes.