My thermometer recorded this morning’s low at 36 degrees; no, I haven’t transposed the numbers. Four degrees above freezing on July 30, I wasn’t amused. Though cold fronts are a bummer, there is a way to cope: layers. Our mothers always told us to dress in layers in the winter, and the same philosophy applies to being outdoors in the summer as well.

Whether backpacking, biking, hiking or just having a picnic, wearing layers can keep you warm when it’s cool and allow you to shed as the temperature climbs. I always start out with a tanktop as my base layer, then pull on a long-sleeved T-shirt. If it’s still chilly, I wear a jacket or hooded sweatshirt over the top of that. The sweatshirt can be tied around my waist or lashed to my pack; the T-shirt is usually small enough to fit inside the pack. When dressing in layers, you can keep the different articles of clothing lightweight. No need for a bulky coat, just a couple layers of lighter-weight material will do a better job of keeping warm without overheating.

For those variable-weather days, I also like hiking pants with zip-off legs, which convert from pants into shorts in seconds. If I’m hiking, I also keep a disposable rain poncho and extra socks in my pack. Remember that wet socks can give you blisters, so switching to a dry pair after being soaked in a rainstorm is a smart idea. Lastly, for those really chilly mornings, a beanie and gloves feel good and help you warm up faster.

Reading material for rainy days

It’s chilly, cloudy and rainy again. For days like these when it’s hard to spend enjoying the outdoors, there are plenty of outdoor books to read. I know some people will say that you can hike or camp no matter the weather, which is true; however, I’ve found that if you want kids to enjoy the experience, nice days are important. It’s raining right now, and the forecast gives me hope that we may see the sun today, but tomorrow, our high temperature is only going to be 47 degrees with rain. That’s not the best day to take your kids up Harney; it won’t be a good experience for anyone.

In the meantime, here are some of my favorite outdoor books.

Merle’s Door: Lessons from a Freethinking Dog by Ted Kerasote

Trust me, it’s better than Marley and Me. Kerasote adopts Merle after finding him wandering alone, and thus begins a long relationship. Kerasote is an outdoor writer who lives in Kelly, Wyoming, which is within the boundaries of Grand Teton National Park. This book will satisfy outdoor enthusiasts and dog lovers alike.

Woodswoman, Woodswoman II (also known as Return to Black Bear Lake), and Woodswoman III by Anne Labastille

Ecologist Labastille has written extensively about her life in the Adirondack Mountains of New York. The narrative begins with her building her cabin on the shores of a remote lake and continues to recount her experiences through the years. Not only are these books a great read for women (and men) but also for teenage girls interested in ecology and environmentalism. Labastille is an inspirational figure, not only for her wilderness capabilities but also for her activism.

Going Alone: Women’s Adventures in the Wild edited by Susan Fox Rogers

This collection of essays by women recounting their solo experiences in the outdoors is heartening for women who want to spend more time in the wilderness. From accounts of women going for their first hike alone to backpacking solo in designated wilderness, the book tells of large and small triumphs.

Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey

What outdoor reading list would be complete without this classic? Desert Solitaire is what inspired me to visit Moab, Utah; the pull of the desert is strong. Remember that Abbey had strong opinions, and he didn’t expec or care for everyone to agree with him. This book encourages people to get out of their cars, walk, pay attention and appreciate the minutiae of nature.

For all of you who are loading backpacks and packing picnic lunches, I envy you. My weekend plans do include outside activity, but of the gardening kind. I love gardening too, checking out how nice the weather is going to be in the Hills the next few days, it still makes me a bit wistful that I’m going away instead of staying home.

A caveat about the weather, though. The temperatures are going to be quite warm, but there are thunderstorms forecast for both Saturday and Sunday, so plan accordingly. In the upper elevations, storms can pop up suddenly, taking you by surprise. The higher you are later in the afternoon, the better your chances of getting caught. Case in point: several years ago a nasty lightning storm hit just we reached the top of Crow Peak over by Spearfish. Those of you familiar with the mountain will know it’s not the best place to be during a storm, so we ended up running most of the way back down. The other storm that nailed us was after we’d climbed Harney Peak. Perfectly blue skies at the beginning, perfectly black clouds by the end. We made it to the car and almost to Hill City when the hail hit. That must have been a good year for body shops; we certainly did our part to boost their business.

The longer the hike, the earlier you should start. For a long hike such as Harney, or the Willow Creek trail to Harney, be sure to start before noon. If you can’t get on the trail before 1 p.m., wait until another day. Check the forecast before you go, and not just for home, but also for your destination. A rain jacket and extra socks are never a bad idea either, just in case.