First of all, it’s way too soon to start whining about the cold. Let’s all agree that by March, if we’re still getting hammered by ferocious winds, driving snow and frigid temps, then a little complaining might be in order, but come on, we’re barely into the New Year, so suck it up.

Anyway, when the phone rang shortly after 7 the other morning, with the thermometer dipping perilously close to zero and the wind whipping about 20 mph, I didn’t bother checking Caller ID. I knew it would be my buddy and longtime running partner Bob, just back from a family visit to Florida.

“What time?” I asked.

“Half an hour.”

“See you out there.”

Winter is no excuse to stop running — or hiking, kayaking, or most any other outdoor activity, except perhaps swimming. As I’ve often said (and I think Nike or some other sporting outfitter also used in an ad slogan: There’s no such thing as bad weather — only inappropriate clothing.

Donning proper gear, of course, is only one component of year-round active pursuits. The most important factor is attitude. An old, long-lost pal embraced that sentiment years ago with his favorite phrase our circle adopted as a mantra: “Gotta do it!”

“Hey, I’m thinking of climbing Mt. Washington in February...”

“Gotta do it!”

“There’s ice on the river! Let’s see if we can break through with our kayaks!”

“Gotta do it!”

Before you pull on all those Gore-Tex, poly-pro and fleece garments and throw caution to the wind, you have to commit yourself to stepping out the door. A journey of a thousand miles, or even around the block during a blizzard, begins with a single step.

Speaking of suitable attire, I’ll spare you the laundry list of inane advice trotted out by TV meteorologists every time a polar vortex roars through (“Dress in layers; cover all exposed flesh; cotton kills ... Really? I thought shorts and a T-shirt would be plenty warm...”)

That said, you not only have to wear suitable clothes and be outfitted with appropriate equipment, you also must know your limits when embarking on any winter expedition. I also advocate traveling in a group, preparing always for the worst, and not only having a Plan B but following it if and when things start to go south.

I’ve bypassed the summit on more than one mountaineering adventure as well as paddled back to shore in stormy seas when terror trumped thrill.

So here we are in early January, and the weather is behaving exactly the way it should in New England. Why live here if you don’t enjoy snow, ice and freezing temperatures, at least for a few months out of the year?

You don’t have to scramble up a mile-high peak to enjoy the wonders of the season — even a simple, short woodland hike offers the rewards of crunching boots on frozen earth, creaking tree limbs, dazzling icicles, sparkling, frozen ponds and jet-black crows scudding across a cerulean sky.

Then the best part: Retreating indoors at dusk, watching the moon rise and sipping tea next to the wood stove.