Why January? T he O rigin of N ew Y ear ’ s D ay The month of January kicks off by welcoming the new year — there are countdowns, fireworks, and of course, the ball drop in a freezing-cold Times Square. But why? Why do we start our calendars when much of the U.S. is in the dead of winter? Why January? The short answer is Julius Caesar and Roman politics. The calendar had long been a political tool in Rome. Depending on who was in power, Roman pontifices would add or subtract entire weeks from the year, manually adjusting the term limits of elected officials. As you could imagine, this caused a lot of chaos, because months frequently slipped out of time with the changing seasons. After becoming emperor, Julius Caesar brought about some much-needed reforms. Inspired by the Egyptian solar calendar, Caesar fixed the Roman year at 365 days and instituted the leap year to keep months aligned with the solstices. He moved the new year from the spring to the day that elected officials traditionally began their year-long terms, Jan. 1. This choice carried spiritual significance, since January was named for Janus, god of doors and gates. What better month to celebrate new beginnings? Under Caesar and subsequent rulers, the Roman Empire expanded its reach, carrying its calendar with it. While much of Europe adopted Caesar’s calendar, New Year’s Day remained a hot-button issue for centuries. In the dead of winter, most people want to be wrapped up in a blanket at home, but there are those who’d rather march right into the wilderness to battle the ice and snow. These are winter hikers, and for their efforts, they are rewarded with a stunning view of Mother Nature at work. The extreme conditions are dangerous, but, for many winter hikers, the danger is part of the fun. Our own Len Spada has been braving the elements to hike New Hampshire’s White Mountains for the last several years. There are still a few months left in winter. If you’re thinking about giving winter hiking a try, here are three things to remember. Pack the Right Gear Packing the right gear is necessary for any outdoor activity. If you get stuck on the mountain in the summer, you can often relax until help arrives. When hiking in the winter, if you find yourself in an emergency, you better have all the essentials to survive a night in the wilderness when it’s 30 below. The Appalachian Mountain Club provides an in-depth guide on all the essential gear for winter hiking at Outdoors.org/trip-ideas-tips- resources/gear-advice/winter-gear-guide. Know Your Limits When winter hiking, you have to be honest about your physical fitness. Winter hiking isn’t a time to push yourself, especially if you’re not in the best shape. Hiking above the tree line at 4,000 feet is fun to do, but that should only be attempted by experienced hikers with the proper level of fitness. There’s plenty of beauty and challenge in winter hiking that you
Thanks in part to the spread of Christianity and to the colder conditions in Northern Europe, there was a lot of resistance to the January start date. Religious leaders saw it as a pagan holiday, and much of Europe chose to restart the calendar on March 25, during the Feast of Annunciation. Much of Catholic Europe officially recognized Jan. 1 as the start of the new year after Pope Gregory reformed the solar calendar again, correcting certain mathematical errors made in Caesar’s day. There were still holdouts, however. In fact, England and its American colonies continued to celebrate New Year’s Day in March until 1752.
So there you have it — we were very close to having our fireworks celebrations in lovely spring weather. Ultimately, the ubiquity of the Gregorian calendar won out, as the demands of our increasingly interconnected world made a shared calendar a necessity. So if you struggle to start your New Year’s resolutions this winter, blame Julius Caesar.
On Top of the White Mountains Len’s Advice for Winter Hiking
can fit to your fitness and skill level. In fact, some hikes at lower elevations in New Hampshire are equally beautiful and can be enjoyed without the associated risks that come with high altitude exposure. Don’t Go Alone This is a rule for first-time hikers and those who have been winter hiking for years. When you’re heading up a mountain, you should always go with someone who had prior winter hiking experience. Want to get into winter hiking, but don’t know anyone who can join you? Join a group where you can meet experienced hikers. The Appalachian Mountain Club is one such organization dedicated to both outdoor recreation and conservation of our natural resources. You can find a local chapter at Outdoors.org/ chapters. Winter hiking might not be for everyone, but for those who plan properly and use caution, it can be an incredible experience. There’s nothing like standing on the peak of a 4,000-plus foot mountain in the quiet of winter.
2 • SPADALAWGROUP.COM
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online