There’s never a wrong time to head out the door. But if you’re serious about scoring the best conditions, enjoying a peaceful sunrise, or just fitting more adventure into life’s busy schedule, you’re going to need to master the art of dawn patrol (or at least give it a try). Besides, tackling a trail run or backcountry ski before breakfast sets a great tone for the day. Not a morning person? That’s OK. These top athletes have tricks to get even the sleepiest out of bed for an outing you won’t regret.
Plan Ahead
Nobody gets up at 5 a.m. on a whim. You’ve got to make a plan. Set an alarm, have an idea of where you’re headed, and organize your essentials before bed. “I prepare the night before, setting out my clothes, charging my headlamp, grinding my coffee, so I’m not looking around too much in the morning,” says , an ultrarunner from Durango, Colorado. His most essential item? s. “I use them to keep the chill off on early-morning runs, and I can easily stow them in the pockets of my shorts if it gets too warm,” he says. “They’re an ideal dawn-patrol piece.”
Have a Morning Routine
Turn on music, stretch, drink coffee—whatever you need to get going. Give yourself enough time so it doesn’t feel rushed. “I used to give myself 30 minutes to get out the door, but that felt like a whirlwind,” says , a ski mountaineer and photographer from Salt Lake City, Utah. “Now I take 45 minutes for coffee and a little breakfast, check the avalanche report, and I’m out the door.”
Know Before You Go
If you’re heading into avalanche territory, triple-check your safety kit before you head out and make sure you’re familiar with all of it. “At the beginning of every season, I’ll do some practice with my avalanche safety gear, with friends or by myself,” says McIntyre. “I’ll practice pulling everything out of my pack and see how quickly I can assemble my shovel and probe.” She uses the , which is very user-friendly for how advanced it is, and the and —“they’re sturdy and strong and can handle a big, deep snowpack.”
Set a Date with a Friend
If you have an agreement to meet someone early in the morning, you’re likely to stick to it. “Backcountry skiing, you need a partner anyway, but having a friend also helps with accountability,” McIntyre says. “Don’t be late. When I was getting into dawn patrolling, a friend told me, ‘Waiting for a friend for ten minutes at 5 a.m. feels like waiting an hour later in the day.’”
Make It Fun
You want to make the outing feel like an adventure, not an obligation; otherwise you’ll be more tempted to hit snooze. “Make whatever you’re going out to do feel approachable and fun, so it’s compelling enough to get out of bed,” Grant says. “Maybe that means running a new trail or running your favorite loop in reverse.”
Watch Your Step
Grant’s go-to headlamp is the , Black Diamond’s smallest and lightest rechargeable light, which is plenty bright for even the darkest mornings. And to get a grip on slippery trails midwinter, he uses . “I make sure those things are right next to my shoes, by the door, so I don’t forget them,” he says.
Keep Your Expectations Light
The predawn hours may not be the time for personal records or uncharted routes. Come up with a mellow plan and be willing to adapt if you’re not feeling it. “The fact that you’re getting up is already a win. Don’t put too many other pressures on it,” Grant says. “If the workout isn’t your best, you still made those steps.” A lightweight ski, like the , makes each step a bit more effortless. “You’re often trying to squeeze in one run before work, so you might be hustling,” says McIntyre. “When you have less weight on your feet, going uphill faster becomes easier.”
It’s All About the Post-Mission Breakfast
If you need to, eat something small to energize you before you head out—a piece of toast, a banana—or pack a bar for the skin track or trail. But keep it light, because the best part of dawn patrol is treating yourself to a breakfast burrito and coffee on your way in to work afterward. “I love stopping at a good bakery for a pastry when I’m done with dawn patrol,” McIntyre says.
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