Why is winter hiking so expensive? I'm trying to sign up for a week long course, which is not that expensive, but the gear required ends up being close to 2k. I really want to do this but I don't think I can afford it.
Is hiking a rich people hobby?
Why is winter hiking so expensive? I'm trying to sign up for a week long course, which is not that expensive, but the gear required ends up being close to 2k. I really want to do this but I don't think I can afford it.
>pay someone for trying to sell you stuff
>surprise when your ass gets ripped off
the cost of entry is walking in a forest...
Because staying warm is expensive. Why would you need a course on hiking though? It's literally just walking from point A to point B. If you don't know what gear you need watch youtube videos.
Clearly you don't live in a cold climate.
I’m not him and I live in a cold climate. You don’t need to spend anywhere near two thousand on gear.
I agree. Probably closer to $1k if you want to be comfortable, and half that if you want to have a bad time but survive.
I’m going to elaborate. A person who lives in a cold climate will have at least a warm jacket, a warm hat, and warm gloves even if they don’t spend much time outside. All he needs after that are warm boots (rubber boots with felt liners, for example, will be perfectly good for him) and some (preferably merino) wool underwear. This will cost no more than 300 €/USD. To be extra warm, he can grab a pair of winter trousers which will cost an extra 100 €/USD.
Now of course, if for some reason he’s going to go on a multi day trip in a cold climate, he’ll need a warm sleeping bag and (unless there’re open shacks) a tent. Considering that he’s a complete rookie I sort of doubt it, but it should cost no more than 500 €/USD extra. We’re looking at 1000 €/USD tops.
>A person who lives in a cold climate will have at least a warm jacket, a warm hat, and warm gloves
You'd be surprised at how many people don't actually have this. I live in the city and I know lots of people who dress for fashion instead of comfort. They're only outdoors when they go from home to their car or from the parking lot into a store, so they don't really care.
As someone who used to go PrepHole in inadequate gear in the winter, the difference between a $100 walmart jacket and a $500 layered setup is the difference between a shitty time and an amazing time.
I hear you. I live in a city too, and admittedly, also dress mostly for fashion when I’m not explicitly spending time outside. Still, most people here have at least some warm jacket that’s fit for outdoor use whether it be for skiing or just for those colder winter days. If not, for example second hand skiing jackets are quite affordable and warm.
I do agree with you that having decent gear is very nice but on the other hand it riles me up that these guides have instructed total beginners to spend this much money.
>the difference between a $100 walmart jacket and a $500 layered setup is
NTA
Yeah, but you'd also notice a difference if you do a $100 layer setup.
Not saying it's as big of a difference, just that it's the layers, not the fucking jacket's price.
But I've rarely been in any temperature under -5ºC so, that's it for me.
>Hiking course
>$2k in gear for it
Clown world.
>just that it's the layers, not the fucking jacket's price.
It's both. Find me a warm jacket suitable for -20 degree weather for <$100. Down, fur, and wool are all inherently expensive. And if you're not wearing one or more of those, you're going to be cold. Cheap synthetics like polyester only go so far.
There’s always somewhere colder. I live in north eastern South Dakota and have put on a spare tire in early January on a very cold morning, and you get dressed up for things like that. But I’m glad I don’t live in North Dakota or Canada. Except there is still things of value there. Their fishing is killer, look up shore fishing walleye in ND. Anyways dress up. Makes winter more enjoyable. Layers, gloves or mittens, scarves, good socks. Etc. but that’s for serious cold. Nights still get cold without layers.
Staying warm is not expensive. I live in a cold climate (-20 F is fairly common here). Hiking is as easy as walking from point A to B.
>go to goodwill / charity shop
>pick out size-matching items for coat / pants etc
>go to next goodwill / charity shop if the one you are at has no matches
>do this until you have everything you need
alternatively:
>go to amazon
>mens winter jacket / pants / boots / etc.
>buy chinkshit as long as it has good reviews with pictures by actual outdoorsmen / hikers
>entire fit is 200 dollars or less, even if the brand name is chinkxilongdongfastyle
alternatively:
>milsurp hunt online
>combat winter milsurp
>keep looking for deals
>entire fit is government approved to survive in freezing ass weather for less than 200 dollars
If you are poor, all it takes is some time commitment. The #1 online rule for hobbies on a budget is "use google and don't be a retard'
I've owned a German military parka that's lasted me 15 years. Got drug over gravel, glass, and asphalt and it's still rock solid except for around the cuffs. It's a wall that lets zero cold through it yet insulates the fuck out of whatever's inside. Cost me maybe 40 dollars. Need some warm pants? Thermals, pajamas, jeans. Even that's overkill, just pajamas would be plenty for actual cold weather you'll probably encounter. Here in Alaska just jeans are fine except for the really fucking cold days so I don't know where you're going that you're freezing your balls off unless you're trying to camp out overnight in a bag on the floor.
I live in an area where it is now getting down to freezing temperatures overnight in canada. I still go out on to hikes lasting about 12 hours because I think enough to bring a flashlight along with me
>he neads a course
>to learn how to go outside
the industrial revolution and its consequences have been a disaster for the human race
Can you post the required gear list? Are there some items you could borrow from others? If its your first introduction to a hobby I would try to to buy used and ask around for loaners before committing huge upfront costs onto something that may be left single use...
>Can you post the required gear list?
I'm actually curious too.
I can accept that winter hiking would be kinda expensive, but 2k sounds a bit too expensive.
OP here.
Here's the list, bros.
https://www.winterschool.org/_files/ugd/954d1e_d8df5b423f72434baef2b1bb2fffcfe9.pdf
I have some opinions and suggestions.
>for gear check at start of program
Use the cheapest shit you can possibly get, which may be trash bags.
>Base layer, insulating layer
Consider milsurp.
>Compass
Buy a good one used but make sure it still works before you rely on it. A UTM grid reader on the base plate is good to have.
>Maps
Consider printing USGS topos at an office store. However if the school sells their own GIS maps w/ UTM grid it will likely be better labeled.
>Socks
Spend money here. The suggested total quantity of sets (3) is barely good for a week, if you have space take more.
>Sleeping bag and pads
Spend money here, don't buy a used sleeping bag. Look for a compression sack with crossed webbing that wraps completely around both ends of the sack, like seaLite or sea-to-summit. Look for a high R-value on the pads.
>Backpack
Buy a good one used. Torso adjustment is required. Some packs have removable tops that can be used as butt packs, which is nice when you want to drop the weight.
>pad to sit on for emergency use
I just sit on my pack, but you'll get chewed out for lacking anything outside the optional items block.
>Smart phone / GPS
If you're even just in some hills you don't need this, you'll be able to locate yourself by terrain.
>Shovel
Consider a military surplus e-tool, it's worth its weight when you gotta dig. A plastic trowel is not sufficient when the time has come and you absolutely must have a hole to shit in, I don't care what the instructor says.
>Cookware
A 16oz potcup that nests over a 1L is sufficient for the water required by a single mountain house meal. Be cheap here.
>Water purifying tablets
Water treatment is not optional. This could be in the group gear, but you will need enough water treatment in your group to resupply up to 8 liters of water per person per day. However, you are in cold weather and are expecting ice and snow, so maybe you can melt your water instead of treating it, but weather is unreliable.
>Shovel
can you guys explain how useful are they really? i saw pic related for 20 bucks second hand, thinking about getting it but not sure if it's just dead weight
the use of a shovel is to clear terrain to put your tent in, right? can't you just compress the snow with your feet? i've never slept out in winter but i want to try this year
that and for a lot of mountain area they're required in the case of avalanches
ok, i think i will buy it then although i fear i end up using it once or twice and never again.
is 20 bucks a good price for pic related? i can't find the same model online. this one is 70 cm long, weighs 600 grams
It's typically energy prohibitive to not use a shovel, and you really don't want to sweat. An e-tool is a little smaller than that, and while I've used it as a snow digger once it isn't a good one.
A limited liability statement in a contract is not enough to prevent a civil suit if you (paid expert, supervising activity) make a judgement call in the moment to allow someone who's under equipped to walk out into a potentially harmful situation (attending your winter camping school). The gear guidelines are there as a filter to because from the very onset the idea of a 'class' implies you are going to get people without the knowledge to know how to get around gear limitations.
Yeah this is not 'winter camping.' Mountaineering is a whole other beast and depending on conditions it's one where your stupidity or incapability can put other people at risk. Not only totally valid to include minimum gear but a couple thousand is pretty cheap when you're climbing mountains.
For mountaineering yeah you want a shovel. You need to clear space for the tent, clear space for gear. dig your way out of drifts, create wind barriers etc.
For cold weather hiking you can get away with a lot less. Cold temps aren't typically an issue if you have appropriate insulation and wind layers and you really can get away with a thrifted down jacket and a rain coat if doing it on the cheap. But add significant precipitation, wind etc. especially at elevation where that situation changes quickly and having specific equipment is virtual necessity. You can still do it on the cheap (snowshoes, poles, etc) but if you need it you need it.
> < 2000 meters
>Mountaineering
East Copers sure are a funny bunch.
Does that "mountaineering" course cover glacier travel, crevasse rescue, avalanche safety, and high altitude acclimatization? Because none of those things are present on the least coast. Do you even need ropes, crampons, and ice axes to "climb" those bunny hills in winter?
>Do you even need ropes, crampons, and ice axes
The answers are already in the thread but since you're too lazy to read any of them:
Crampons: yes.
Ropes: no*
Ice axe: useful, course includes instruction on proper use.
>Full (10-12 point) crampons are required. You will simply not be able to go on most trips without them, since under many conditions the group will not be able to summit unless everyone in the party has crampons. Although some will argue that an ice axe is not a strict necessity for most Adirondack peaks, in many situations it is the best tool for the job. As a Winter Mountaineering School, we strive to teach skills that will take our students beyond the Adirondacks if they so desire. We almost always include workshops and practice for proper crampon and ice axe technique in our programs. How much we actually use them on ascents in any given year depend on snow and ice conditions, but you will leave the program with knowledge of, and experience with, basic ice axe and crampon technique.
*There is one technical climb: Mount Colden via the Trap Dike. It's a beginner-level (WI2) ice climb. Ropes are sometimes used there but it's unlikely to be included as of this particular course.
Now what do you get out of this mindless shitposting? It's just idiocy. Nobody is pretending the Adirondacks are more challenging or dangerous than the Rockies or Himalayas nor does anyone believe you know anything about crevasse rescue that hasn't come from watching videos online. The ADK course is advertised for beginners and yes, you can easily die if you don't know what you are doing on Northeast mountains in the winter. Just a year ago we had a thread about a girl who died in New Hampshire. https://www.wcax.com/2022/11/23/body-missing-hiker-found-new-hampshire/
So not a proper, comprehensive mountaineering course then. Got it. Maybe for least coasters. You would get laughed at calling that mountaineering in Seattle.
A dumb roastie dying because she wasn't prepared doesn't make hiking in the Whites "mountaineering".
Call it what it is: winter hiking. There's a distinction that you and other east copers don't seem to comprehend. Until you attempt glaciated peaks with your lack of mountaineering skills and get yourselves in trouble. It happens every year in the Cascades.
It's a proper, beginner mountaineering course. Not a winter hiking course. Not a comprehensive advanced mountaineering course.
Hope that helps clear up your confusion.
>leddit spacing
>wEsTcOaSt BeSt CoAsT
>can't stop guzzling his own cum
ffs chill kid we already know you're a cockchoking homosexual lol
>reddit bad
Reddit's serious outdoor subs dunk on PrepHole so badly it's unreal. This board is only good for laughing at clueless retards and calling them naggers and homosexuals.
If you don't like it then why do you spend so much time here?
>laughing at clueless retards and calling them naggers and homosexuals
If you have to bait with coastwars shit this is definitely a lie.
Both PrepHole and reddit are short-bus tier. I won't mention the good forums though because I don't want the downies here to ruin them.
Please??
You have to go back.
>Why is winter hiking so expensive?
>Mountaineering School
Well there's your answer, retard.
You're not just winter hiking, you're beating feet in the Adirondaks.
Beyond all that, their beginner course is designed for training 3 season hikers, so if you don't already have most of that gear and you're wanting to sign up for a $500 course then you're already lost in the sauce.
They are also liable for your well-being, so they're going to suggest you get everything so you don't hurt yourself in your stupidity on their watch.
Some notes
>Humans historically don't leave shelter much in the winter. That shit kills the unprepared. Don't be surprised if a "desert summer survival course" requires extra gear.
>Needing an ice pick, lantern, and going on summit runs is a bit more than "winter hiking." You're clearly learning a variety of skills for camping and how to use tools that you wouldn't need for simple hikes.
and finally
>Yes, Mountaineering is absolutely a rich person thing most of the time.
The whole "why is specialty gear designed for existing in a hostile environment that most people avoid because it's lethal to do so without said gear just so expensive" is a silly question, and I think you're aware of that and merely complaining.
As others have mentioned, milsurp is the way to go to cut costs. You're not going to be as comfy as the people who bought the latest underbits engineered with "patented CockStroke(TM) nano-jerk weave for maximum lightweight breathable wicking and licking technology," but you will do just fine.
If you're still super concerned with upfront costs, maybe just spend that $500 bucks on replacing some of your current gear with upgraded second-hand pieces over the next year and testing them out so you're not rushing to buy a bunch of new shit and look like a complete amateur that needs daddy sherpa to hold your hand so you can feel good about sleeping in the snow "all by yourself."
Generally, people buy gear over a long period of time, not all in one go.
I'd also say winter hiking is supposed to be the final boss, not the tutorial.
>Is hiking a rich people hobby?
>Why is winter hiking so expensive?
Which is it?
last week i slept 3 nights under tarpaulin in my summer gear and temperature was between -6 and -9c
i can easily go -15 just by putting on woolen overalls and socks so there is no need for this expensive winter equipment
I understand that there's a lot of really cool tough guys in this thread, but if I was the person running a class, I would absolutely make those retards pay for an absurd amount of gear. I'm going to minimize the chances of those drooling apes somehow killing themselves or at least give myself the excuse of "This person didn't follow my guidelines, they were missing X, Y, and Z pieces of gear that I recommended which is why they had a miserable time/died".
Yeah exactly.
That's... that's how liability works. Is that a new concept to you or something?
It's a new concept to many ITT. That anon is just spelling it out for these drooling retards.
No it’s because the thread is mostly Europeans and Europe has wildly different liability than the US does. US has the most liberal tort law in the world, you can sue for shit here over things most country’s courts would laugh at.
Regardless, the original anon's point is valid and even if you live in a country with lax liability you shouldn't need to be spoonfed the concept as it overlaps with simple professionalism and responsibility. Even without leverage from civil liability, the concepts are the same.
I haven't seen OP mention the list but I kind of doubt it's just clothing. I'm betting the list includes gear for technical mountaineering in the winter: crampons, ice axe, snowshoes and/or trekking poles, plus all the standard backpacking and safety shit that you probably have and take for granted but somebody teaching a course to total newfags can't assume.
Not saying FPBP is wrong but all this blathering about winter clothing seems off the mark.
$2k is still INSANE amount of money
Not when you're starting from absolute scratch in the US using new, mid-tier, vetted gear. This is just hypothetical but lets see how close I can get using REI:
crampons - $200
backpack - $200
snowshoes - $150
trekking poles - $150
ice axe - $100
first aid kit - $50
snow goggles - $50
knife - $50
stove - $50
water filter - $50
pot&pan - $50
insulated water bottle - $25
mess kit - $25
Paracord - $10
I'm already at $1160 and haven't included any clothing or camping gear. All you need now is a winter tent ($900) and we've cleared $2000 and still don't have a tarp, clothes, saw or food. OP didn't say camping so maybe there's no pitching tents but I wouldn't be surprised for a week-long winter skills course.
>backpack - $200
>snowshoes - $150
>first aid kit - $50
>knife - $50
>Paracord - $10
Anon I
>Anon I don't get the point
I know.
But if you don't understand by now there is no hope.
most people dont need any guidance how to PrepHole because usually they inherit all knowledge and gear as old as it may it be from their father
I do get the point - that you have no idea how much gear is supposed to cost
I said I took prices from REI and selected mid-tier gear. And yes that is the fucking point you missed, retard. I am deliberately pretending to be a newfag who has no idea what gear is "supposed to cost" and with a only a vague idea about how big they should be aiming or how to get anything cheaply, so that dumbasses like you can understand how a gear for a hiking class could hypothetically require more than $2,000 worth of gear.
I could have EASILY posted the same list of gear with far more expensive options.
>I am deliberately pretending to be a newfag
Yes, for a reason you're still too stupid to understand. The problem is you not me.
Nonsense. I hiked over 25 miles on the Quehanna Trail in the middle of winter, from dark to dark, tent camping the night before, without spending anywhere near a grand on winter gear. It was below 0 and icy, and I was comfy and secure hiking with my Hillsounds and chinskit ski poles. have a nice day.
> $200 backpack
lol. if you're buying all your shit from REI, of course you're gonna spend a fortune. you don't need high-end gear for everything, only high wear items.
You don't need half of that shit. A 900 dollar tent are you out of your mind lol. You don't even need a tent. A tarp will do. You're such a baby bitch holy fuck
t. never been outside
Don't be so loud.
NTA but 900 dollars on a winter tent is retarded. Bivvy chads win for like 200 max
No I spend a lot of time outdoors. After a while you learn that you can live without all that expensive crap
>crampons - $200
I'll give you $50.
He isn't going on anything hard, it's a hiking course ffs, a pair of chinkshit crampons or used ones are fine.
>backpack - $200
Look at the rich guy...I'll give you $100, here's $90, what do you need $80 for?
>trekking poles - $150
If I wanted to be mean I'd give you $20. But I'm feeling generous, $50.
>first aid kit - $50
Go grab a $15 one off Walmart or some shit. You don't need anything fancy, again, it's a course, they'll have the important technical stuff.
>knife - $50
Here, a $15 Mora. You're lucky I don't send you with a $5 unbranded special.
>stove - $50
One word: chinkshit.
Chinkshit is the best friend of the outdoorsie poorfag.
Also he can not be a fag and just make a fire.
>pot&pan - $50
You don't need a brand name pan and pot.
You probably don't even need a pan and pot, depends on the food. Dehydrated stuff you just need a big cup of hot water.
Walmart Ozark Trail 18 Ounce Stainless Steel Cup, $5.50.
>mess kit - $25
Again, if dehydrated stuff, you can do it in the packet, but you'll need a fork/spoon/spork.
I just saved you what? Nearly $500? Saved you enough to buy a reasonable tent and sleeping bag.
OP said hiking, not Alpine mountaineering.
>snowshoes - $150
Buying new snowshoes is the pinnacle of retardation. I live in fucking Arizona and I still see skis and snowshoes in thrift stores.
>OP said hiking, not Alpine mountaineering.
I guessed that OP was wrong (by omission) and I was correct.
He's considering attending the ADK Winter Mountaineering School. Alpine mountaineering. Not just strolling through lowland trails during winter months.
>I just saved you what?
You didn't save me anything. I'm not the one shopping. All I was doing was defending the idea of having substantial gear requirements for a winter hiking course (before OP had provided details on what specific gear was required). Sorry that you didn't understand the point of the hypothetical.
>You didn't save me anything. I'm not the one shopping.
I'll have to concede you were right, the dumb cocksucker DID sign up for a mountaineering course, multiple day one, even.
>OP said hiking, not Alpine mountaineering.
Now that OP posted the requirement list
We can see it's an introductory mountaineering course for people who already have some hiking experience and equipment, not complete noobs.
https://www.winterschool.org/programs
I'm guessing OP didn't even have the decency of going for the "Day hike" course, which doesn't include overnighting (hence no fucking tent, no sleeping bag, etc.)
The courses actually seem kinda cool.
that 5 dollar starbucks every day is 2 grand a year. It's about priorities. I've always had plenty of money for quality gear, even when I was making minimum wage in high school. No then I didn't have a luxury cars worth of gear like I do now, but I still made it work.
save and buy smart. you don't save money cheaping out when you have to replace something that doesnt work.
do you want to go winter camping or ice climbing, because ice climbing is going to be more expensive.
or look at second hand stores and pawn shops and pay 25 cents on the dollar. maybe less.
pretty much any mcjob pays 15 bucks an hour now. work 200 hours and 3,000 dollars appears. again, priorities. the average hobo i see downtown probably has 3 to 5 grand worth of gear. hell i saw one wearing an arcteryx jacket this week, that alone is probably 1,000 bucks. or maybe he paid 10 bucks for it at good will.
crampons and ice axe is getting into mountaineering. i never use crampons for hiking. microspikes or snowshoes sure.
Yep, and if you're taking a class they're going to be teaching you skills.
>do you want to go winter camping or ice climbing
In this case, the OP is actually considering a mountaineering course which will include instruction on proper use of an ice axe.
I spent a quarter of that on a sleeping pag
lol @ everyone here acting like you have to spend all that money to camp or enjoy the outdoors. ask anyone who HAS bought a ton of shit thinking they will need it... most will tell you that they end up rarely if ever using 75% of it, and actually prefer to go light without all that shit. these people who buy all this gear before ever even going out that much are just victims of the consoooooooomer marketing. you will learn what you NEED by going out and wishing you had it.
only thing I learned today was that nu out cannot sew old clothes back into a functional state
what is all this? why is there so many of the same post?
That's you.
i sew my wool socks yesterday morning because there was a hole but then again im not nu-out
>hiking
>course
wtf? hiking for 99% of people is just uphill walking on trails, who pays for this shit? you sound like the kind of dumb fuck that endorses monthly subscriptions for ordinary car features
>taking a class to learn how to hike
how fucking helpless are you?
serviceable day hiking cold weather gear is cheap. lightweight multi-day backpacking cold weather gear is expensive.
Clearly OP did not read the required student handbook:
>Participants:
>Participants must make every effort to be fully prepared for the program. Past experience shows that participants best equipped to learn are those who are in excellent aerobic condition. If you have any doubt about your ability to either run 5 miles or hike 10 miles over hilly terrain and feel good the following day, you need to improve your stamina. It is not realistic to believe that your participation in the school will “whip you into shape”. The demands made upon the body by the cold and necessarily strenuous activity are constant during the session. Poorly conditioned participants lose muscular reserves each day, and become prime candidates for serious injury.
>Participants who have difficulty keeping up with their assigned group will be shifted to a less
strenuous group for the safety of the participants. Remember: the hiking party goes as fast as its slowest member.
>Due to the nature of the program and the conditions under which it is run, all participants must be prepared for both physical and psychological challenges.
All I do is hiking
t. Guys that lives in the bed of a 90s chevy silverado
you dont need any fancy gear or classes bro if its winter just wear a coat
I’m irrationally mad at this post, you have to be European.
whatever, life jackets are sexy as fuck
Here's an example of the kind of trails this mountaineering course very likely hikes:
Still can’t believe OP didn’t hit that
Your entry equipment for winter hiking:
- Boots (150-300 €)
- Merano wool socks (~30€)
- Fleece west (100-200€)
- Weather-proof hardshell jacket (150-300€)
You can literally wear jeans with that. You don't even really need a backpack for a half-day tour.
So the lowest entry investment is below 500 €. This should get you anywhere up to 2000 meters, which is more than enough for starting out.
You don't wear jeans while PrepHole. If you don't know what you're talking about then don't be so loud about it.
you can if you are not a pussy
Thank you.
If you don't know what you're talking about then don't be so loud about it.
Might work for people who live in mild climates. Won’t work for people who live where it gets cold.
let nu-out argue about it, it's entertaining
No it's not
Gear queen (I know you're just trolling).
>winter hiking
>jeans
fucking hell the zoomers can't help themselves lol
I'm 38.
I've been winter hiking in jeans for years.
You sound like a consoomer.
What's it like living in Florida?
Apparently you haven’t been hiking in places where temperatures lower than -20 degrees celsius are common in winter.
>$2K
is this a fucking mountianeering course? for normal hiking the closest specialty gear you might need are microspikes
shoulda kept reading
Post more of this fat chicks ass won't you
Anon. She's a land whale.
Don't care, love a fat ass roastie.
Yeah?
Just go walk outside you weirdo the hiking trails are right out there
I tow a pulk. It alone costs nearly a grand. Snow shoes 250. Poles 100. Add the other gear listed above, a quality sleeping bag, and an Insight and the total is more like 3000. But I bushwhack and like to be comfy.
I skim read that list and my take is that you can pay as much or as little for most of these items as you want.
Half could probably be aquired second hand from people who went winter camping one time and never went again, quiet a few are genetic items you probably already own.
I've noticed when buying outdoors gear that the retail price is often a total joke, they expect everyone to wait until things get marked down. The retail price is a tax on new players.
Sleeping bag is a big deal, I've got a goose down one from the 80s that stinks but is almost too hot for most seasons. Take the temperature range and quality seriously here. Also take your shell jacket seriously, getting wet is a serious risk in cold weather
>needs a $2000 class to teach him how to walk on a trail
....why?
Because the "trails" include wet, snowy, and icy slopes to exposed summits with near-zero to sub-zero (Fahrenheit) temperatures and 25-30 mph sustained winds. These can be dangerous scenarios if you lack the proper gear or don't know how to use it. There's real risk of hypothermia and frostbite, slipping/falling and hurting yourself or getting stuck. The course also includes practice regionally-relevant planning and executing wilderness mountain ascents.
None of these skills are particularly difficult or advanced, but the average summer hiker does not possess them and attempting to climb any of the Adirondack High Peaks in the winter would be tempting fate. Most people don't even try, despite these peaks requiring no real skill to summit during the good-weather months.
Ackchyually...the course is ~$550.
Which is pretty accessible for an introductory mountaineering course, with classes and a night stay and all that.
Problem is OP, henceforth "dumbass cocksucker", signed up (or plans to sign) for what is a relatively advanced course while being a complete noob with no gear to speak of.
>going for a walk in the woods with camping gear
>is it for the rich?
Walking in the woods is for all. Paying for the bagged farts experience for a few thousand for some guy to tell you how to go for a walk in the woods for the upper crust, to be sure.
YEAH
Imagine the smell of that ass after it braps
You can do this without a huge amount of overhead. Start out with a warm jacket and decent clothing. If you live in a cold region you already probably have cold weather clothing. Need a backpack if you're going to do anything more than a few hours, and then it just goes from there