Get the latest data. Before embarking, find out about the weather forecast, forest fire status, air quality, and any closures in and around your destination. The National Interagency Fire Center (nifc.gov) has maps and updated information on forest fires. Find weather warnings and air quality information on the National Weather Service website (wetter.gov). For more localized information, visit helpful websites operated by government tourism offices, certain public land agencies, and often local equipment stores. For example, the Teton Mountaineering Local Resources section for Jackson Hole, Wyoming links to Mountain Weather Forecasts, Teton County Search and Rescue, and Grand Teton National Park (tetonmtn.com). A phone call to the public visitor centers or local tourist offices can also provide valuable information; National park officials, for example, closely monitor the weather and sharpen their range of visitors accordingly. Knowing what to expect can help you decide what to pack (e.g. extra bottles of water, sunscreen, and sun hats) and how ambitious your hiking, biking, or climbing plans are.
