Hit the trail, not the hot-water bottle.

• Position: Crescent Moon - What's New?

When we go trailing--whether it be through the Adirondack Mountains in New York, White Mountains in New Hampshire, Green Mountains in Vermont, or Longfellow Mountains in Maine--a walking stick of the proper size, strength, and feel is a must. We used to be content--in fact, it was part of our cherished hiking routine--with testing out a number of fallen branches along the way until finally finding a couple that met our needs as walking aids. Yet, as the years (and those inevitable extra pounds) pile up, such an uncertain method no longer will do: We now need to start our journey with the right equipment, so, on the advice of friends who are avid cross country skiers and snowshoers, we turned to the Rocky Mountain region--home of the real-deal heavy-duty trailers--and Crescent Moon, Boulder, Colo.

Renowned for its can't-be-beat snowshoes--the company even designs them for fitness running (talk about dashing through the snow; what a workout that must be!)--Crescent Moon also markets outstanding trekking poles that are perfect for hiking every grade of trail...