Explore with Us, Hiking, Night

Sunday we fall back; here’s how to cope

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On Sunday, we turn our clocks back one hour as we leave Daylight Saving Time. That means we will no longer have the extra hour of end-of-day sunlight we’ve enjoyed since March 12. On Saturday, sunset in the Raleigh area is at 6:17:55 p.m.; on Sunday, when we switch back to Standard Time, it’s at 5:16:59 p.m. Poof! Just like that.

Here are a few things to keep in mind with the time change: 

  • We have an hour more daylight in the morning. The extra hour is nice if you like to get in a morning run, ride or walk before work. On Saturday, sunrise is at 7:38:19 a.m.; Sunday, it’s 6:39:17 a.m.
  • Plan your afternoon adventures accordingly. It’s easy to keep thinking, “Ahh, I’ll be done by 6.” But if you’re done at 6 p.m. on Sunday, the sun already set 45 minutes earlier and you’ll be 20 minutes past twilight. It will be dark. Better bring a headlamp.
  • Don’t despair: it won’t last long. We will only lose another 15 minutes of afternoon sunlight before the tide turns. Though overall daylight keeps diminishing until Dec. 21, the first day of winter, we actually start regaining afternoon sun on Dec. 7. In fact, by the time December is over we will have gained back 10 minutes of afternoon sunlight.
  • Don’t be afraid of the dark. We love going out at night, especially with the aid of today’s versatile and lightweight headlamps. It’s probably not something you want to do on your own row first time or two. Luckily, you can join us on one of our GetHiking! Fall Night Hikes, held on different trail around the Triangle. You’ll get a guide with tips for hiking at night, a map and route description of that night’s hike, a loaner headlamp, and the assurance that a guide will get you safely back to the trailhead. It’s a great way to get on the trail during winter. Learn more and sign up here.
  • March 10 is only 140 days away. March 10, at 2 a.m. — that’s when Daylight Saving Time returns.

Come explore with us on the dark side!

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GetHiking! at Night

GetHiking! Fall Night Hikes are held on different trail around the Triangle. You’ll get a guide with tips for hiking at night, a map and route description of that night’s hike, a loaner headlamp, and the assurance that a guide will get you safely back to the trailhead. There are three hikes in the series, all on Wednesdays: Nov. 8, Nov. 15, Nov. 29.

Learn more and sign up here.

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