# SectionHiker > Unbiased hiking and backpacking gear reviews, FAQs, and education articles for thru-hikers and backpackers. We help hikers, backpackers, and thru-hikers, at all levels of experience, understand the pros and cons of different products and the environmental conditions that they are optimized for. We receive many questions and provide prompt answers to help readers in our comment or by publishing FAQs to explain concepts in depth. - Brand: SectionHiker, SectionHiker.com, Philip Werner --- # Appalachian Trail Source: https://sectionhiker.com/appalachian-trail/ ## Appalachian Trail Guides & Maps - [The A.T. Guide](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079LBNV2N/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B079LBNV2N&linkId=b44b3b88e9d3192e59cb265651764242) (everyone planning or hiking the trail carries pages from this book) - [Guthooks Guide App - iPhone/Android App for AT, also excellent](https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/app/at-hiker-guthooks-guide/id605447532?mt=8") - [National Geographic Appalachian Trail Maps](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01B3JDON6/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B01B3JDON6&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkId=TNG3A3S4QOWVGODP) - [Appalachian Trail Conservancy Maps](https://www.atctrailstore.org/) ## Appalachian Trail Planning Resources - [How to Section Hike the Appalachian Trail: Beginner Advice](https://sectionhiker.com/how-to-section-hike-the-appalachian-trail-beginner-advice/) - [Advantages and Disadvantages of Section Hiking the Appalachian Trail](https://sectionhiker.com/the-pros-and-cons-of-section-hiking-the-appalachian-trail/) - [Planning an Appalachian Trail Section Hike](https://sectionhiker.com/planning-an-appalachian-trail-section-hike/) - [How to Hike the 100 Mile Wilderness (in Maine)](https://sectionhiker.com/how-to-hike-the-100-mile-wilderness/) - [Appalachian Trail Parking Guide](https://appalachiantrail.rohland.org) - [Appalachian Trail Cell Phone Guide](https://sectionhiker.com/appalachian-trail-cell-phone-guide/) ## Section Hiker's Appalachian Trail Journals My trip reports are listed from north to south, even though I dart around from state to state and switch directions all the time. Most of my hikes have been solo with a few exceptions. I started section hiking the AT in 2007 and continue to this day. I've hiked about 1400 miles so far (updated April, 2016). ## Maine - [100 Mile Wilderness](https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-100-mile-wilderness/) - [Monson to Maine Highway 27](https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-monson-to-maine-highway-27/) - [Maine Highway 27 (Stratton) to Rangely](https://sectionhiker.com/section-hike-stratton-to-rangeley-on-the-maine-appalachian-trail/) - [Grafton Notch to Gentian Pond](https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-grafton-notch-to-gentian-pond/) ## New Hampshire - completed in 2010 - [Rt 2 to Gentian Pond](https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-hogan-rd-to-lower-gentian-pond/) - [Rt 2 to Zeta Pass](https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-rt-2-to-zeta-pass/) - [Zeta Pass to Mt. Washington, Day 1](https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-zeta-pass-to-mt-washington-day-1/) - [Zeta Pass to Mt. Washington, Day 2](https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-zeta-pass-to-mt-washington-day-2/) - [Zeta Pass to Mt. Washington, Day 3](https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-zeta-pass-to-mt-washington-day-3/) - [Westside Trail to Edmands Path](https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-westside-trail-to-edmands-path/) - [Edmands Path to Crawford Notch](https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-edmunds-path-to-crawford-notch/) - [Crawford Notch to Ethan Pond Shelter](https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-crawford-notch-to-ethan-pond-shelter/) - [Zealand Pond to Ethan Pond](https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-zealand-pond-to-ethan-pond/) - [Zealand Pond to South Twin](https://sectionhiker.com/walking-on-the-treetops/) - [Gale River Trail to South Twin](https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-gale-river-trail-to-south-twin/) - [Mt Garfield to Gale River Trail](https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-mt-garfield-to-gale-river-trail/) - [Skookumchuck Tr to Mt Garfield](https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-mt-garfield-to-skookumchuck-trail/) - [Franconia Notch to Skookumchuck Tr](https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-franconia-notch-to-skookumchuck-tr/) - [Franconia Notch to Kinsman Pond](https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-franconia-notch-to-kinsman-pond/) - [Kinsman Pond to South Kinsman](https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-south-kinsman/) - [Reel Brook to South Kinsman](https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-reel-brook-to-south-kinsman/) - [Mt Wolf to Reel Brook](https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-mt-wolf-to-reel-brook/) - [Kinsman Notch to Mt Wolf](https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-kinsman-notch-to-mt-wolf/) - [Kinsman Notch to Glencliff](https://sectionhiker.com/moosilauke-magic/) - [Mt Cube, New Hampshire](https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-mt-cube-new-hampshire/) - [Atwell Rd to Glencliff](https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-atwell-rd-to-glencliff-nh/) - [Hannover to Atwell Rd. ](https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-hannover-nh-to-atwell-rd/) ## Vermont  - completed in 2009 Note: The southernmost 100 miles of The Long Trail overlap with the Appalachian Trail in Vermont. The two trail split at Maine Junction, about a mile north of Rt 4, where the AT continues north another 45 miles before reaching the New Hampshire border. - [Hannover, NH to Rt 4](https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-hannover-to-killington/) - [Clarendon Gorge to Rt 4](https://sectionhiker.com/long-trail-trip-report-clarendon-gorge-to-middlebury-gap-part-2/) - [Clarendon Gorge to Rt 9](https://sectionhiker.com/long-trail-trip-report-clarendon-gorge-to-bromley-mountain/) - [Rt 9, Bennington to Rt 11/30, Manchester](https://sectionhiker.com/trip-report-may-24-26-atlt-rt9-to-rt-1130/) ## Massachusetts - completed in 2009 - [Dalton, MA to Rt 9, VT](https://sectionhiker.com/atlt-trip-report-gulf-rd-ma-to-rt-9-vt/) - [Lee to Dalton](https://sectionhiker.com/trip-report-mass-at-lee-to-dalton/) - [Lee to Sheffield](https://sectionhiker.com/trip-report-mass-at-lee-to-housatonic-riversheffield/) - [Guilder Pond to Sheffield](https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-guilder-pond-to-sheffield/) - Bear Mountain (CT) to Guilder Pond,  April 2007 ## Connecticut - completed in 2011 - [Bear Mountain to Rt 7](https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-bear-mountain-to-rt-7/) - [Cornwall Bridge to Rt 7](https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-cornwall-bridge-to-us-rte-7/) - [Ten Mile Lean-to to Cornwall Bridge](https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-ten-mile-lean-to-ct-to-rt-4-cornwall-bridge/) ## New York - completed in 2011 - [Greenwood Lake (NY) to Ten Mile Lean-to (CT)](https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-greenwood-lake-ny-to-ten-mile-lean-to-ct/) ## New Jersey - [Mohican Outdoor Center to Greenwood Lake (NY) ](https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-mohican-outdoor-center-to-greenwood-lake/) ## Pennsylvania - [Mason Dixon Line to US 30 near Fayetteville](https://sectionhiker.com/section-hiking-pennsylvania-appalachian-trail/) - [US 11 Footbridge to Peters Mountain Shelter](https://sectionhiker.com/section-hiking-pennsylvania-appalachian-trail/) ## Maryland - completed in 2016 - [Harper's Ferry Railway Bridge to Mason Dixon Line](https://sectionhiker.com/section-hiking-the-appalachian-trail-through-maryland/) ## West Virginia - completed in 2016 - [Keys Gap to Harper's Ferry Railway Bridge](https://sectionhiker.com/section-hiking-the-appalachian-trail-front-royal-virginia-thru-harpers-ferry-west-virginia/) ## Virginia - [Daleville to Sunset Field, Blue Ridge Parkway](https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-daleville-va-to-sunset-field-blue-ridge-parkway/) - [Petite Gap to Rt 60 (Buena Vista)](https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-petite-gap-to-buena-vista-rt-60/) - [Rt 60 (Buena Vista) to Rockfish Gap](https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-rt-60-buena-vista-virginia-to-rockfish-gap/) - [Rockfish Gap to Rt 522, Front Royal (including the Shenandoah National Park](https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-rockfish-gap-to-front-royal-including-shenandoah-national-park/) - [Front Royal to Keys Gap](https://sectionhiker.com/section-hiking-the-appalachian-trail-front-royal-virginia-thru-harpers-ferry-west-virginia/) ## Health and Safety - [Blister Prevention and Treatment for Hikers](https://sectionhiker.com/blisters_and_hiking/) - [Ticks, Lyme, and Permethrin](https://sectionhiker.com/ticks-lyme-and-permethrin/) - [Chemical Free Insect-Bite Prevention](https://sectionhiker.com/chemical-free-insect-bite-prevention/) - [Lightning Storm Safety for Backpackers](https://sectionhiker.com/lightning-storm-safety-for-backpackers/) - [Treating your Clothes with Permethrin](https://sectionhiker.com/treating-your-clothes-with-permethrin/) - [Zinc Oxide: A First Aid Kit Essential](https://sectionhiker.com/zinc-oxide-a-first-aid-essential/) - [Hunting Season and Hikers](https://sectionhiker.com/hunting-season-and-hikers/) --- # Subscribe to the SectionHiker Newsletter Source: https://sectionhiker.com/subscribe-to-the-sectionhiker-newsletter/ ### Honest Gear Reviews, Great Raffles, How-to Articles, and Friendly Comments! If you enjoy reading [sectionhiker.com](https://sectionhiker.com), sign up for my weekly newsletter which includes links to my latest articles so you never miss a post. You can opt out of receiving the newsletter at any time and I will not pass your details on to any other party. No spam and rare enough so as not to annoy. [mailmunch-form] --- # Directory of Cottage Industry Backpacking Gear Companies Source: https://sectionhiker.com/cottage-gear-manufacturer-directory/ ![Cottage Industry Backpacking Gear Company Directory](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2020/06/Cottage-Industry-Backpacking-Gear-Company-Directory.jpg) A cottage industry backpacking gear company is one that designs and manufactures its own products. They'll often customize them for a fee, as well. Cottage gear companies often make backpacking gear that can't be obtained from mainstream manufacturers because it's very specialized and relatively few people need it. They're often at the forefront of many fabric or material innovations in their respective industries because they can make one piece of gear at a time and don't need to inventory large amounts of raw materials. Most can't anyway because they don't have the cash reserves or credit lines of larger businesses. ## Cottage Backpacking Gear Directory - [Aardwolf Gear Company](https://sectionhiker.com/out/elv0gr3n): UL backpacking accessories - [Aarn Packs:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/lvebbl77) Balanced backpacks that distribute pack weight across the front and back of your torso. - [Adotec](https://adotecgear.com/?ref=PHILIPWERNERTHESECTIONHIKER): Canadian UL gear manufacturer - [Adventure Medical Kits](https://sectionhiker.com/out/jewhxd73): Commercial medical kits for outdoor recreation. - [Alaska Gear Company](https://sectionhiker.com/out/azp3irzh): Outdoor gear for Alaska. - [allmansright](https://sectionhiker.com/out/ycb0kqdz) - Ultralight backpacking gear, made in the Bronx, NY - [Alpacka Rafts:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/8y74e1it) Leading packraft manufacturer. - [Alpha Pak](https://sectionhiker.com/out/afik2e8g): Dog backpacks and trail gear. - [Alpenglow Gear](https://sectionhiker.com/out/jpgnps3t): UL gadget manufacturer. - [Alpine Fit](https://sectionhiker.com/out/u3pkxuza) - Alaskan-based baselayers and garments for wilderness expeditions. - [Alpine Gremlins](https://sectionhiker.com/out/ttujt35b): UL backpacking accessories. - [Alpine Luddites:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/omhlog7z) Custom backpack maker specializing in classic alpine and climbing backpack reproductions. - [Altra Running](https://sectionhiker.com/out/87k43qdb): Popular zero-drop hiking shoes and trail runners. - [Amok Equipment:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/kozhihau) Manufacturer of a unique horizontal hammock. - [Anti-Gravity Gear:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/bb3jntrm) Small retailer, mainly focused on the Appalachian Trail, that makes their own products and sells maps, guides, ultralight gear, and other essentials. - [Apex Giant](https://apexgiant.com/): Titanium camping gear. - [Appy Trails:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/6nli134e) Inexpensive-shaped tarps. - [Argali Outdoors](https://sectionhiker.com/out/2152rcin): Ultralight tents, sleeping bags, and titanium wood stoves for backpack hunting. - [Arms of Andes](https://sectionhiker.com/out/7cekd7uv): Alpacka woolwear - [Arrowhead Equipment:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/usox6lbh) Hammock gear and quilt manufacturer and one of the few to offer synthetic insulated quilts. - [Atom Packs:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/l6m1cxw9) UK ultralight backpack manufacturer. - [Atwood Rope](https://sectionhiker.com/out/exzvk7ew): Rope and cordage manufacturer. - [Bear Vault](https://sectionhiker.com/out/rdvyyh9a): Bear canisters. - [Been Campin](https://sectionhiker.com/out/2k99l3ux): UL accessories - [Black Diamond](https://sectionhiker.com/out/mrjf23xe): Apparel, trekking poles, tarps, and fastpacks. - [Blind Banana Bags](https://sectionhiker.com/out/84zmhh2j) - Danish UL backpack maker. Looks pretty good. - [Blizzard Survival:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/umikc5on) Emergency blankets and bivy sacks. - [Big Sky International:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/6bdcv8yp) Ultralight tents and accessories. Take 10% Off with Code "SECTIONHIKER". - [Bonfus](https://sectionhiker.com/out/rh1r4zks) - Ultralight backpacks and shelters, made in Italy, but shipped worldwide. - [Borah Gear:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/z9s7s6wk) Ultralight tarps and bivies. - [Brautigam Expedition Works](https://sectionhiker.com/out/4lw392j0): Titanium accessories. - [Brunton](https://sectionhiker.com/out/7ozmkwbg): Compasses and navigation gear - [Brynje](https://sectionhiker.com/out/lbperjh1): Famous fishnet long underwear (wool or synthetic) that keeps you warm. - [Burgeon Outdoors](https://sectionhiker.com/out/gw8bjgro): Outdoor apparel. - [Cams Backpacking Gear](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=6220&awinaffid=222549&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.etsy.com%2Fshop%2FCamsBackpackingGear): Clever ultralight backpacking accessories - [Cascade Wild](https://sectionhiker.com/out/ldw313pp): Lightweight camping furniture. - [Cascadia Coffee Roasters](https://sectionhiker.com/out/9n0rem0g): Instant coffee. - [Cave Creek Hammock](https://sectionhiker.com/out/g8sf6dn4): Hammocks, tarps, and quilts. - [Chicken Tramper Ultralight Gear:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/rkktdal5) Ultralight backpacks. - [Clickstand:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/6fzitazd) Backpacking stoves and windscreens. - [Cloud Gear](https://sectionhiker.com/out/23v6vs0p): Ultralight dry bags. - [Cloudline Apparel](https://sectionhiker.com/out/9yrvdido): Outdoor clothing. - [Cnoc Outdoors](https://sectionhiker.com/out/pbd572dk): Water reservoirs and trekking poles - [Coast Headlamps](https://sectionhiker.com/out/z18iswf4): Premium headlamp maker - [Cold Cold World Backpacks:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/lq3bjkkm) Climbing and mountaineering backpacks. - [Cooke Custom Sewing: ](https://sectionhiker.com/out/zm2gxwww) Tarps, backpacks, and canoeing supplies. - [Coros](https://sectionhiker.com/out/5a6rzm40): GPS-enabled smartwatches. - [Counter Assault](https://sectionhiker.com/out/vytipk4d): bear spray. - [CragDog](https://sectionhiker.com/out/ep80mmgr) - Custom dog equipment. - [Crescent Moon](https://sectionhiker.com/out/bmwuv2p5) - Lightweight snowshoe manufacturer. - [Culoclean](https://sectionhiker.com/out/j3rofga0): Portable bidet. - [Cumulus:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/7x1waxa4) Sleeping bags. - [Darn Tough Socks](https://sectionhiker.com/out/6odeeo5u): The BEST, most durable hiking socks. - [Deliberate Life Designs](https://sectionhiker.com/out/k732zhpv): Custom minimalist sport sandals. - [Dirty Girl Gaiters:](https://www.dirtygirlgaiters.com/) Gaiters for running and hiking. - [D.I.Y. Gear Supply: ](https://www.diygearsupply.com/) DIY Fabric and component supplier. - [DIY Packrafts:](https://www.diypackraft.com/) Packraft kits - [Dragontail Tenkara](https://sectionhiker.com/out/4n5zai3u): Ultralight fly fishing gear for backpackers. - [Dream Hammock:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/4zprva2l) Custom hammocks and tarps - [Durston Gear](https://sectionhiker.com/out/q1lx0j4z): Makers of the famed X-Mid and X-Mid Pro UL tents. - [Dutchware Gear:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/dnpl2ium) Offer a wide range of hammock gear. - [eclipse:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/ppmaqoja) Sun-protective clothing - [El Coyote Quilts](https://sectionhiker.com/out/6piyuwvk): Ultralight custom quilts - [Emberlit:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/pkt3ut64) Wood stoves, flints, and survival gear. - [Enlightened Equipment:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/6x5371ts) Backpacking quilts and apparel. - [Epiphany Outdoor Gear:](https://pocketbellows.com/) Fire-starting tools - [Etowah Outfitters:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/9sae9pfp) UL backpacking gear - [Evolved Supply Company](https://sectionhiker.com/out/20mhusze): Packs and apparel - [Exped](https://sectionhiker.com/out/8ym801ct): UL sleeping pads, packs, and accessories. - [Farm to Summit](https://sectionhiker.com/out/xdcpzhtq): Sustainable dehydrated meals. Take 20% Off with Code "SECTIONHIKER". - [FarPointe Outdoor Gear](https://sectionhiker.com/out/ody6kh0g): Small-batch outdoor clothing - [Feathered Friends](https://sectionhiker.com/out/9q9xmz4e): Down sleeping bags and quilts. - [Featherstone Outdoor](https://sectionhiker.com/out/9ut3z7te): Low-cost lightweight quilts and tents. - [Flat Cat Gear:](https://www.flatcatgear.com/) Ultralight stoves and accessories. - [FlexTail](https://sectionhiker.com/out/2wx1tj61): UL gadgets and electronics - [FlipFuel](https://sectionhiker.com/out/bs4sy5i0):  Camping gas management - [Foot Kinetics](https://sectionhiker.com/out/mv6ai4hh): Blister prevention creams. - [Forty Below:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/85aarbnh) Neoprene insulation for mountaineering. - [Fox River](https://sectionhiker.com/out/p2qnv6l8): Socks and sock monkeys! - [Fractel](https://sectionhiker.com/out/0tebz3nf): Hiking and running hats - [Frau Fowler](https://sectionhiker.com/out/hkfxtund): Oral tooth care for the trail. - [Frogg Toggs](https://sectionhiker.com/out/6hpexe87): Ultralight rain gear and apparel - [Frye-Bake](https://sectionhiker.com/out/s98sk4rh): Backpacking cooking pots. - [Garmin](https://sectionhiker.com/out/0mo8qu6p): GPS satellite messengers and navigation gear. - [Gear Aid](https://sectionhiker.com/out/728583y0): Gear repair and maintenance supplies - [Gear Bags and More](https://sectionhiker.com/out/jkfo561i): Dyneema stuff sacks and pockets - [Glacial Gear](https://sectionhiker.com/out/gittyr5v): Wool clothing and accessories. - [Glad Rags](https://sectionhiker.com/out/haj0u9ka): Eco-friendly pads and menstrual cups - [Good To-Go: ](https://sectionhiker.com/out/ha66x92b)Gourmet dehydrated camping meals. - [Goose Feet:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/bmu05ruo) Down apparel. - [Gossamer Gear](https://sectionhiker.com/out/km9i5sc4): Ultralight backpacks, shelters, and accessories. - [Grayl](https://sectionhiker.com/out/mogt5fty): Innovative water purifiers perfect for day hiking and international travel - [Greenbelly](https://sectionhiker.com/out/64azzw0w): High-calorie meal bars for thru-hiking. - [Green Goo](https://sectionhiker.com/out/qgu0obrg): Hand sanitizer and skin lotions. - [Gryphon Gear:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/shpllh5v) Down quilts and sleeping bags. - [Hammock Bliss:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/6x2husbe) Hammocks. - [Hammock Gear](https://sectionhiker.com/out/0582m1im): Hammocks and quilts - [Hanchor](https://sectionhiker.com/out/cmv8x0a8): Lightweight backpacks. - [Hang Tight Shop](https://sectionhiker.com/out/i3er0ac6): Low-cost down quilts with silver heat reflective liner. Amazing! - [Hartford Gear Company](https://sectionhiker.com/out/rrtm264p): Ultralight accessory stuff sacks and bags - [Harmony House](https://sectionhiker.com/out/8npxsomq): dehydrated fruits and vegetables in small quantities and bulk. Save 10% with  coupon code "PHILIPWERNER". - [Hawbuck Wallets](https://sectionhiker.com/out/cf0jvsgo): Minimal ultralight wallets. - [Heather's Choice](https://sectionhiker.com/out/iamuffhx): Lightweight, packable meals for camping and backpacking. - [Hennessy Hammock:](https://www.hennessyhammock.com/) All-in-one hammock tents. - [Helinox](https://sectionhiker.com/out/exsvv21u): Ultralight chairs and camp furniture. - [High Tail Designs](https://sectionhiker.com/out/czvxmyvs): Funky ultralight stuff sacks, dry bags, clothing and accessories. - [Hilleberg](https://sectionhiker.com/out/8el0hy3d): Fantastic, bombproof tents. - [Hill People Gear: ](https://www.hillpeoplegear.com/) Backpacks and hunting accessories. - [Himali](https://sectionhiker.com/out/s9t733lv): Mountaineering layers and clothing. - [Hillsound](https://sectionhiker.com/out/jxk3f43e): Winter traction devices, crampons, and gaiters - [Hilltop Packs](https://sectionhiker.com/out/0j90hnqb): Cool Ultralight backpacks, food bags, and stuff sacks - [Hoffman Outdoor Gear Supply:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/36ycz1iq) DIY Materials and accessories. - [Holey Hiker](https://sectionhiker.com/out/waep67h6): Backpacker bidet - [Houda Trail](https://sectionhiker.com/out/9xodq49m): Polartec Alpha Hoodies - [HydroBlu](https://sectionhiker.com/out/4uw3o8i6) - Water filter that's better than a Sawyer. - [HYKLYF](https://sectionhiker.com/out/3v5yius3): Hydration accessories - [Hyperlite Mountain Gear:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/kl5boslv) Ultralight backpacks and shelters. - [Igneous Gear](https://igneousgear.com/): UL backpacking accessories - [Imlay Canyon Gear:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/5zek59qb) Canyoneering Packs and equipment. - [Injini](https://sectionhiker.com/out/yc1xmjv7): Toes socks for blister prevention. - [Insect Shield: Insect shield (Permethrin) your clothes. ](https://sectionhiker.com/out/rjohkwux) - [Jacks 'R' Better:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/uj1q5ngr) Hammocks, quilts, and tarps. - [Jereko Gear](https://www.jerekogear.com/): UL accessories - [Jolly Gear](https://jollygear.com/): Hiking Shirts. - [JustinsUL](https://sectionhiker.com/out/y1uvafr1): Wildly popular water bottle sleeves. - [Kahtoola](https://sectionhiker.com/out/ci62i478): Traction aids, microspikes, and crampons - [KAM Outdoors](https://sectionhiker.com/out/hwu5nrg6): Ultralight sternum pouches and wallets - [Kammok](https://sectionhiker.com/out/m9g7cn5i): Hammocks, quilts, tarps. - [Katabatic Gear:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/j1uo7uaf) Fantastic Backpacking quilts. - [Kates Real Food:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/3y34olvy) Yummy food bars. - [Kifaru International:](https://www.kifaru.net/) Hunting backpacks and shelters. - [Klymit](https://sectionhiker.com/out/rs0caad3): Sleeping pads mainly. - [Kokopelli Packrafts:](https://kokopelli.com/)Packrafts. - [KS Ultralight Gear:](https://www.ks-ultralightgear.com/) Custom ultralight backpacks. - [KUIU](https://sectionhiker.com/out/rgop4gq7) - Ultralight backpack hunting packs, tents, and clothing. - [Kula Cloth](https://sectionhiker.com/out/wbinl6ke) - Pee cloths for women - [Lawson Outdoor Equipment:](https://lawsonequipment.com/cart.html) Cordage and accessories. - [Lawson Hammock](https://amzn.to/4dO3lvj): Popular bridge-style hammock - [Leki USA](https://sectionhiker.com/out/7paaa3ts): Trekking poles - [Lifestraw](https://sectionhiker.com/out/ij4ws7b9): Water filters. - [Light Heart Gear:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/ap8qs82j) Ultralight tents and apparel. - [LiteAF:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/lywpmklw) Ultralight backpacks. - [Lite Outdoors:](https://www.liteoutdoors.com/) Titanium stoves and tarps. - [Liteway Equipment](https://sectionhiker.com/out/u0d3cqtv): UL Packs, Mids, and Apparel - [little bug](https://littlbug.com/)[:](https://littlbug.com/) Backpacking stoves - [Locus Gear:](https://locusgear.com/?lang=en) Ultralight tarps and tents. - [Loco Libre Gear:](https://www.locolibregear.com/) Hammock quilts. - [Loksack](https://sectionhiker.com/out/f8gekcej): Odor proof plastic bags - [LoopAlien](https://sectionhiker.com/out/uoc0w21x): No knot hardware - [Luno](https://sectionhiker.com/out/qlmp6cu7): Air mattresses for camping in your car at trailheads and on the road. - [LuminAid](https://sectionhiker.com/out/df6l87ja): Solar powered lanterns and lightning - [McHale Alpine Packs:](http://www.mchalepacks.com/index.htm) Custom backpacks. - [Matador](https://sectionhiker.com/out/7gmswzsc): Backpacking and travel accessories - [Maven Optics](https://sectionhiker.com/out/y7ffzf7o) - Super high-quality binoculars and scopes made in the USA. - [Melanzana:](https://melanzana.com/) Clothing - [Minus 33](https://sectionhiker.com/out/r0yt11nx): New Hampshire-based merino wool clothing for men and women - [Montem](https://sectionhiker.com/out/kvde50qc): Low-cost carbon fiber trekking poles. - [Morsel](https://sectionhiker.com/out/5mu28546): Sporks - [Mountain Laurel Designs:](https://mountainlaureldesigns.com/) Ultralight backpacking gear. - [Mountainsmith](https://sectionhiker.com/out/bhnf6wev): Old school backpacking company that's quietly reinvented itself - [MSR](https://sectionhiker.com/out/8p03n3om): Stoves, tents, hydration - [Mystery Ranch:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/kzfoxxrn) Backpack manufacturer that focuses on wilderness backpacking - [Nanga](https://sectionhiker.com/out/ke9yf33b): Down Sleepings Bag, Quilts, and Clothing - [Napacks](https://sectionhiker.com/out/6nxeurns): Storage accessories. - [Nashville Packs](https://sectionhiker.com/out/8b01lk2u): Ultralight Backpacks - [Near Zero](https://sectionhiker.com/out/w26iala4): Lightweight tents, packs, and gear - [NEMO Equipment](https://sectionhiker.com/out/rbgfccob): Tents, packs, sleeping bags, quits, chairs, and pads. - [Neve Gear](https://sectionhiker.com/out/i0qryrq0): Quilts, sleeping bags and backpacks - [Nitecore](https://sectionhiker.com/out/uvpgd4pb): Lightweight headlamps and flashlights favored by hikers and hunters. - [Nomad Nutrition](https://sectionhiker.com/out/y0evldwa): Plant-based dehydrated backpacking meals - [North45](https://sectionhiker.com/out/85hte6up): Fog-free balaclavas for skiing and winter sports - [Northern Lites:](https://northernlites.com/) Ultralight snowshoes. - [Northern Ultralight:](https://www.northernultralight.com/) Canadian Ultralight backpack manufacturer. - [Norrona](https://sectionhiker.com/out/pgzsdkft): Norwegian outdoor clothing and gear manufacturer. - [NWAlpine:](https://www.nwalpine.com/collections/mens) Hiking and climbing apparel. - [Nunatak:](https://www.nunatakusa.com/) Ultralight quilts. - [Ombraz Sunglasses](https://sectionhiker.com/out/yiezl74x): Armless sunglasses. - [Outdoor Element](https://sectionhiker.com/out/6xy0wnot): Multi-tools and survival gear. - [Outdoor Herbivore:](https://outdoorherbivore.com/) Vegetarian backpacking food. - [Outdoor Vitals](https://sectionhiker.com/out/ud4h789o): UL gear and apparel - [Outdoor Wilderness Fabrics:](https://owfinc.com/) DIY Fabric and component supplier. - [Oware:](https://bivysack.com/) Tarps and shelters. - [OnX](https://sectionhiker.com/out/wrt7rjyi): Backcountry mapping app. - [Packback Designs](https://sectionhiker.com/out/9apqmdom): Ultralight backpacks, accessory pockets, and stuff sacks. - [PacerPole:](https://www.pacerpole.com/) The people who make Philip's incredible trekking poles. - [Pa'lante Packs:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/ta0awkcv) Ultralight backpacks. - [Peak First Aid](https://sectionhiker.com/out/i3w05pc1): First aid kits. - [Peter Limmer and Sons:](https://www.limmercustomboot.com/) Custom leather hiking boots. - [PHD:](https://www.phdesigns.co.uk/) Down clothing, quilts, and sleeping bags. - [Pillow Strap](https://sectionhiker.com/out/z09z26rl): Pillow case. - [Pinnacle Food](https://sectionhiker.com/out/t5dbf45m)s: Delicious freeze-dried backpacking meals. - [Platypus](https://sectionhiker.com/out/411t3idn): Water filters, soft bottles, and hydration systems. - [Ponds Edge](https://sectionhiker.com/out/qnau7yrg): Ultralight stuff sacks and ditty bags. - [Princeton Tech](https://sectionhiker.com/out/7gf9rp61): High quality headlamp manufacturer. - [Pstyle](https://sectionhiker.com/out/tqqahcn9): Personal urinary device - [Purcell Trench:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/54apyy1p) Camping grills. - [Purple Rain Adventure Skirts:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/uqpqwmgh) Hiking apparel. - [QiWiz](https://sectionhiker.com/out/6o4lj9my): Ultralight titanium trowels and stoves - [Ragged Mountain Equipment:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/g7njhk3k) Hiking and climbing apparel. - [Ray Way Products:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/glqdgv8g) DIY Tarp Kits. - [RBH Designs:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/zixh64nw) Vapor barrier clothing. - [Red Paw Packs](https://sectionhiker.com/out/4k46q96z): Ultralight backpacks, fanny packs, and sewing patterns - [Rindge Merino](https://sectionhiker.com/out/u5fubys8): Merino apparel. - [Ripstop by the Roll:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/ew2sw6t9) DIY fabric supplier for small lot manufacturers and individuals. - [Rivendell Mountain Works:](https://www.rivendellmountainworks.com/) Backpacks. - [Rock Front](https://sectionhiker.com/out/n8bs1s36): Innovative UL quilts and clothing from Ukraine. Very affordable. - [Rumpl](https://sectionhiker.com/out/58q8eimv): Puffy cozy blankets. It all started in the back of a van on a cold morning when it wouldn't start - [Sagebrush Dry Gear](https://sectionhiker.com/out/rtbca7d3): Really waterproof backpacks and sacks - [Samaya Equipment](https://sectionhiker.com/out/f5lp5qbp): Ultralight mountaineering tents and backpacks. - [Sambob](https://sectionhiker.com/out/wg1ic160): Hoodies. Lots of hoodies. - [Sawyer](https://sectionhiker.com/out/fnrdkl0q): Water filters - [Sea-to-summit](https://sectionhiker.com/out/gu5pkmbf): Sleeping gear - from pads to pillows. - [Seek Outside](https://sectionhiker.com/out/57cj22mg): Backpack manufacturer - [Senchi Designs](https://sectionhiker.com/out/pwl0ewi3):  Small batch Polartec clothing - [Shamma Sandals](https://sectionhiker.com/out/67ag1ajp): minimalist footwear - [Sheltowee Hammock Company](https://www.sheltoweehammockcompany.com/) Insulated hammocks. - [Sierra Madre Research:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/fnnhr77x) Hammocks, quilts, and camping accessories. - [SilverAnt](https://sectionhiker.com/out/tyk8npao): Titanium Cookware. - [simBLISSity:](https://www.simblissity.net/) Gaiters. - [Simple Outdoor Solutions](https://www.simpleoutdoorstore.com/index.html) Ultralight backpacking accessories. - [Simply Light Designs:](https://www.simplylightdesigns.com/catalog/index.php) Hammocks and tarps. - [Six Moon Designs:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/cy99wixx) Ultralight backpack and tent manufacturer. - [Skygoat](https://skygoatusa.com/): Hoodies and casual clothing - [SlingFin](https://sectionhiker.com/out/928fnag9): Innovative lightweight tent manufacturer. - [Smelly Proof](https://sectionhiker.com/out/zmygz9ve): Odor proof plastic bags. - [Soto Outdoors](https://sectionhiker.com/out/xvbx348u): Premium ultralight stoves. - [Space Bear Bags](https://sectionhiker.com/out/j9xxvs69): UL punches and bags. The company is named after a cat. - [Snowtrekker Canvas Tents:](https://www.snowtrekkertents.com/index.html) Canvas tents. - [Squak](https://sectionhiker.com/out/6z008e9l): Polartec Alpha and Grid fleece hoodies. Take 15% Off with Code "[PHILIPWERNER](https://sectionhiker.com/out/6z008e9l)". - [Stone Glacier](https://sectionhiker.com/out/mx8cvmvt): Ultralight hunting gear and apparel. - [Strapworks](https://sectionhiker.com/out/9ut3z7te): Largest supplier of buckles and plastic hardware. Great for gear repair! - [Sulgear](https://sectionhiker.com/out/fw9lw42a): Wallets and tarp stuff - [Suluk 46:](https://suluk46.com/) Ultralight backpacking accessories. - [Supai Adventure Gear:](https://www.supaiadventuregear.com/) Ultralight packrafts. - [Superior Hammock:](https://superiorgear.com/) Insulated hammocks. - [Superior Wilderness Designs](https://sectionhiker.com/out/vvzav0zm): Ultralight backpacks. - [Symbiosis Gear](https://sectionhiker.com/out/buw32cc1): Ultralight backpacking gear for women - [Superfeet](https://sectionhiker.com/out/zihxo57e): Shoe insoles - [Tarptent:](https://www.tarptent.com/) Extremely well-designed ultralight tents. - [Tentsmiths: ](https://tentsmiths.com/)Historic tents for re-enactors. - [The Tentlab](https://sectionhiker.com/out/ztuc13jk): Makers of tents and trowels - [Thermarest](https://sectionhiker.com/out/xetqlggb): UL sleeping pads, sleeping bags, and quilts - [Thrupack](https://sectionhiker.com/out/llv6sfi4): fanny packs and stuff sacks - [Ticket to the Moon:](https://www.ticketothemoon.com/) Hammocks and tarps. - [Tier Gear:](https://www.tiergear.com.au/) Tasmanian Ultralight backpacking gear. - [Timmermade](https://sectionhiker.com/out/qy6c6egb): Insulated clothing and quilts. - [Town Shirt](https://sectionhiker.com/out/dc6uuj81): Hoodies and hiker apparel - [ToughCutie](https://sectionhiker.com/out/7tzjt9jc): Socks for women - [Toaks](https://sectionhiker.com/out/3px0p51e): Titanium cookware. - [Trail Designs:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/f6kwdb6i) Manufactures stove windscreens that optimize fuel efficiency. - [Trailheads:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/4zti9gve) Hats. - [Trailstuff](https://sectionhiker.com/out/zsb3wac2): Ultralight toothbrush - [Trailtopa Adventure Foods](https://sectionhiker.com/out/b7u9lfbl): Inspiring backpacking meals - [Tread Labs ](https://sectionhiker.com/out/idlv0dlf)- Innovative replaceable insoles going head-to-head against Superfeet. - [Trekker Joes](https://sectionhiker.com/out/rf0afc62): Fanny packs and accessory pockets - [UGQ Outdoors:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/vc5oi9hk) Hammock quilts and tarps. - [ULA Equipment:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/hojhohvl) Ultralight backpacks. - [Ultimate Direction](https://sectionhiker.com/out/7ssypwgp): Trail running and fastpacking gear. - [UltraliteSacks](https://sectionhiker.com/out/libfmebp): Ultralight stuff sacks - [Ultra Gam](https://sectionhiker.com/out/7itrhzi7): Cool hiking gaiters and headbands. - [Ursack:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/1wmmeo5m) Lightweight bear-resistant bear bags. - [Vado ](https://sectionhiker.com/out/l6r4c66l)[Appare](https://sectionhiker.com/out/l6r4c66l)l: Polartec Alpha hoodies and apparel - [Vargo Outdoors](https://sectionhiker.com/out/n9f10kcl): Titanium backpacking gear - [Vaucluse](https://sectionhiker.com/out/11cawj33): Backpack frames - [Virga Packing Gear](https://sectionhiker.com/out/qz4eye0x) - ultralight backpacks - [Voormi](https://sectionhiker.com/out/qasinvkd): Outdoor adventure clothing - [Wander Woman Gear](https://sectionhiker.com/out/j5ifvfeo): Reusable pee rags and cloths - [Warbonnet Outdoors:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/m6rbea5d) Hammocks, tarps, and quilts. - [Westbound (WEBO) Gear](https://sectionhiker.com/out/zhyl7krj): UL pockets - [Whyld River](https://sectionhiker.com/out/yut5awjz): Ultralight insulation for dogs - [Wiggy's](https://sectionhiker.com/out/ctt58jbt): Climashield sleeping bags and cold-weather gear. - [Wild Ideas:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/nx0bakry) Ultralight bear canisters. - [Wild Thing Outdoor Technology](https://sectionhiker.com/out/yag3ucdb): Canister stve wind screens. - [Wintergreen Northern Wear:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/ralxy0g8) Apparel. - [Wool-it:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/eyfmuyxm) Blister prevention - [XOSkin](https://sectionhiker.com/out/tzkg2lcu): Baselayers - [YAMA Mountain Gear:](https://www.yamamountaingear.com/) Ultralight tents and tarps. - [Yankee](https://tidd.ly/3xY2bur)[ Mak](https://tidd.ly/3xY2bur)[er](https://tidd.ly/3xY2bur): Maker of the One Bottle Hydration System. - [YAR.gear](https://sectionhiker.com/out/094xqlnp): Ultralight backpacks - [Yonah Packs:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/sqqsfw4j) Tenkara fishing packs and bags. - [Zenbivy](https://sectionhiker.com/out/gsqhxzxy): Ultralight draft-free quilts - [Zimmerbuilt Custom Backpacks](https://sectionhiker.com/out/alcdv5d7)[:](https://www.zimmerbuilt.com/) Ultralight backpacks. - [Zpacks:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/rxnankt4) Ultralight backpack, tent, quilt, and sleeping bags. --- # A Thirteen Falls Backpacking Loop Source: https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/a-thirteen-falls-loop/ ![Backpacking a Thirteen Falls Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2018/03/Backpacking-a-Thirteen-Falls-Loop.jpg) A 2-3 day, 31-mile scenic loop that journeys into the most remote part of the Pemigewasset Wilderness below Franconia Ridge, climbing 3 four-thousand-footers: Mt Garfield, Owls Head Mountain, and Mt Galehead. The route runs along the major watercourses of "The Pemi" past cascades, pools, and gorgeous swimming holes, providing plenty of opportunity to kick off your shoes and soak your feet in the clear mountain streams or jump in. ![Thirteen Falls Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2023/06/Thirteen-Falls-Loop.jpeg) [**Download PDF Map**](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2019/08/Thirteen-Falls-Loop-Guidebook.pdf) ### Rating ### Distance/Elevation Gain 30 miles w/7500' of cumulative elevation gain ### White Mountain 4000 Footers - Garfield - Owlshead - Galehead ### Recommended Duration 2-3 days ### Season mid-June thru October ### Permits Required None. ### Regulations [Backcountry Camping Regulations for the White Mountain National Forest](https://sectionhiker.com/out/em1x9n6l) A substantial portion this route passed through the Pemigewasset Wilderness Area. Please observe the [Pemigewasset Wilderness Food Storage Requirement](https://sectionhiker.com/out/xkxau5wc) and all other [wilderness area restrictions. ](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/whitemountain/wilderness) ### Trailhead Directions While this is a loop hike, there is a short 1.5 mile gravel-topped road walk required from the Galehead Trail Parking Area to the Garfield Trail Parking Area at the end of the hike. If you have two cars, you may opt to leave one at the Galehead Parking Area to avoid the road walk. [Garfield Trail Trailhead](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/whitemountain/recreation/garfield-trailhead) [Gale River Trail Trailhead](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/whitemountain/recreation/gale-river-trailhead) ### Maps ### Trail Sequence The route follows these trails in sequence. - Garfield Trail 4.8 miles - Garfield Ridge Trail 0.2 miles (to Mt Garfield Summit) - Garfield Ridge Trail 0.2 miles (back) - Garfield Ridge Trail 0.5 miles - Franconia Brook Trail 2.2 miles - Lincoln Brook Trail 3.5 miles - Owls head Path 1.1 miles (up) - Owls head Path 1.1 miles (down) - Lincoln Brook Trail 3.4 miles - Franconia Brook Trail 3.5 miles - Twin Brook Trail 2.7 miles - Frost Trail 0.5 miles (up) - Frost Trail 0.5 miles (down) - Garfield Ridge Trail 0.6 miles - Gale River Trail 4.0 miles - Gale River Loop Road 1.5 miles ### Scenic Highlights The following list provides cumulative distances on the route to each view or landmark. - 5.0 miles - Mt Garfield Summit and fire tower foundations - 5.2 miles - Mt Garfield Campsite - 7.9 miles - Thirteen Falls and Tentsite - 11.4 miles - Owls Head Slide - 12.5 miles - Owls Head Summit - 20.5 miles - Thirteen Falls Tentsite (again) - 23.2 miles - Galehead Hut - 23.7 miles - Galehead Summit - 28.8 miles - Galehead Trail Parking - 30.3 miles - Garfield Trail Parking ### Camping/Shelter Options - [AMC Garfield Ridge Shelter and Tent Platforms ($) Caretaker fee required in-season. Lean-to, two single tent platforms, and five double tent platforms. First-come, first-served. ](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/whitemountain/recreation/garfield-ridge-shelter) - [AMC Thirteen Falls Tentsite ($) Caretaker fee required in-season. Twenty-four tentsites.](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/whitemountain/recreation/thirteen-falls-tentsite) - [AMC Galehead Hut ($$$) - Advance reservations recommended](https://www.outdoors.org/destinations/new-hampshire/galehead-hut/) ### Water Natural water sources are plentiful in the White Mountains, although you may need to descend to them from ridgelines along side trails if you run short. There is usually abundant water along this route. In addition, when the AMC Huts are in season, anyone can stop in and resupply their water for free from the small sink located near the hut kitchen. In any case, carry a detailed topographic map and don't rely on the overview map in this trip description to find water sources. ### Weather Cautions There are numerous stream crossings on this route, and you're bound to get your feet wet. Many of the larger stream crossings may become hazardous after heavy rains, so use caution when crossing, wait for the water level to drop, or seek an alternate route. Water levels tend to drop lower in the summer, but the best way to avoid high water is to postpone hikes after major rain events or to check recent trip reports about water levels at [NETrailConditions.com.](https://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/) ## On The Trail Start at the Garfield Trail parking area on Gale River Loop Rd and follow the Garfield Trail for 4.8 miles, gradually climbing up an old forest road through open forest until you reach the Garfield Ridge Trail junction. The trail climbs gradually, with a few small stream crossings that are rock-hoppable, although there are often muddy stretches where the trail has eroded. Continue on the Garfield Ridge Trail for 0.2 miles to the Mt Garfield summit, hiking across several open ledges to the foundation of an old fire tower to admire the view. You can clearly see the Twins, the Bonds, Owls Head, Mt Carrigan, and Franconia Ridge from this vantage point. Retracing your steps, descend to the Garfield Trail Junction and follow the Garfield **Ridge **Trail, passing the spur trail to the Garfield Shelter and Tentsite on your left. There's a good water source at the spur trail junction, but filtering or purification is recommended given the mountain's popularity. Continue past the spur trail for 0.5 miles, down a steep and rocky drop that often has a small stream running through it. Grab onto the trees and rocks to your right and take your time descending. Turning around and climbing down the drop backward, like on a ladder, can be helpful if you're carrying a heavy pack. Turn right onto the Franconia Brook Trail and follow it 2.2 miles beside a stream to Thirteen Falls, the site of a series of waterfalls over open rock ledges. Be careful around slippery rocks if you venture onto the open ledges, as the current can be quite strong after rainfall. From here, you have a number of options. You can follow a short spur trail to the Thirteen Falls Tentsite and call it a day if you're tired or want to do a little swimming, or you can continue on toward the base of the Owls Head Path and camp in a dispersed wilderness setting. ![Bog bridges along the Lincoln Brook Trail](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2018/03/Bog-bridges-at-the-base-of-Franconia-Ridge.jpg) If you continue towards Owls Head, look for the Lincoln Brook Trail on the opposite side of the falls. This used to be the hardest trail to follow in the White Mountains because it was kept wild and lightly maintained by trail crews. However, there's been substantial work done on the trail in recent years, and it is now quite easy to follow. Continue along the Lincoln Brook Trail until you come to the base of the Owls Head Path, which is not technically a trail, but an avalanche slide that you'll scramble up to the Owls Head summit. The bottom of the slide is usually marked by a rock cairn, but it may be missing if the Forest Service has dismantled it. Because it is a wilderness area, man-made structures are forbidden, but local hikers often rebuild the cairn in an endless tug-of-war with the Forest Service. If the cairn is missing, you can usually still guess where you are. The area at the bottom of the slide has been severely overused by campers, as evidenced by the denuded trees and the pressed-earth campsites. A GPS or GPS Phone App can also be quite useful for finding the path. If you decide to camp in the area, please follow the [Backcountry Camping Regulations for the White Mountain National Forest](https://sectionhiker.com/out/em1x9n6l) and Leave No Trace so others can enjoy this spot in the future. The Owls Head Path climbs very steeply up an avalanche slide made up of loose gravel and unstable rock. It's relatively safe to climb and descend, but you want to avoid dislodging rocks on any hikers coming up the path below you. The path is not officially marked, but it climbs up to a well-beaten herd path that angles left to the summit, which is also marked with a rock cairn. Once you've summited, retrace your steps down the Owls Head Path to the Lincoln Brook Trail. As you descend, you can catch a glimpse of the Lincoln Slide, another avalanche track on the west face of Mt Lincoln along Franconia Ridge. When you reach the bottom of the Owls Head Path, turn left (south) onto the Lincoln Brook Trail. Follow it 3.5 miles to the Franconia Brook Trail, crossing Lincoln Brook several times before finally crossing Franconia Brook. Some of these crossings may be difficult in high water, so exercise caution. I've always found it easiest and most stable to just walk across them, still wearing my shoes, since many are too wide to rock-hop. I view it as a way to wash my shoes and socks, which invariably get muddy along the trail. Turn left onto the Franconia Brook Trail for 3.5 miles, this time headed north and looping around the west side of Owls Head Mountain. This section of the Franconia Brook Trail is easy to hike, with a gentle grade back up to Thirteen Falls. Turn right (northeast) onto the Twin Brook Trail and climb 2.7 miles to the AMC Galehead Hut. This trail runs above Twin Brook, which you can often hear, but not see through the trees. When you get to the hut, resupply your water if you need more, and hang out on the porch a bit to visit with the people sitting there. It's not unusual to run into a northbound or southbound Appalachian Trail thru-hiker because they like to stop at the huts and enjoy a little hospitality. From the hut, follow the Frost Trail 0.5 miles to the viewless summit of Mt Galehead. A side path on the way leads to a small ledge with a view of the hut and South Twin Mountain, which towers above it. Retrace your steps back to the hut and take the Garfield Ridge Trail, around the rear of the hut, for 0.6 miles to the Gale River Trail. Turn right on the Gale River Trail and follow it, steeply at first, along an old railroad grade to the trailhead parking area at the end. From the lot, turn left onto the Gale River Loop Road and walk 1.6 miles to the start of your journey at the Garfield Trail trailhead, where you parked your car. #### About the author --- # Polartec Alpha Fleece FAQ Source: https://sectionhiker.com/polartec-alpha-fleece-faq/ ![Polrtec Alpha Fleece](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2026/06/Polrtec-Alpha-Fleece.jpg) Q: What is Polartec Alpha fleece? A: Polartec Alpha fleece is a high-performance insulating fabric designed for active insulation with excellent breathability and warmth. Q: How does Polartec Alpha fleece work? A: It uses continuous filament yarns that trap air, providing warmth while allowing moisture and heat to escape, keeping you dry and comfortable. Q: What makes Polartec Alpha different from other fleeces? A: Polartec Alpha is designed for active use, balancing warmth with breathability better than traditional fleece materials. Q: Is Polartec Alpha fleece waterproof? A: No, Polartec Alpha fleece is not waterproof but offers some water resistance depending on the outer fabric treatment. Q: Can Polartec Alpha fleece be worn as an outer layer? A: It is primarily used as an insulating mid-layer but can be worn as an outer layer in mild weather. Q: Is Polartec Alpha fleece windproof? A: It has some wind resistance but is not fully windproof unless combined with a windproof shell. Q: How warm is Polartec Alpha fleece compared to down? A: It provides comparable warmth to down in active conditions but performs better when wet and breathes better. Q: Is Polartec Alpha fleece lightweight? A: Yes, it is lightweight and designed for high activity levels. Q: How breathable is Polartec Alpha fleece? A: It is highly breathable, which helps regulate body temperature during exercise. Q: Can Polartec Alpha fleece be machine-washed? A: Yes, it can be machine-washed following the manufacturer's care instructions. Q: Does Polartec Alpha fleece dry quickly? A: Yes, it dries faster than down insulation and many other synthetic insulations. Q: Is Polartec Alpha fleece durable? A: Yes, it is made with strong yarns designed to withstand active use and repeated washing. Q: What types of clothing use Polartec Alpha fleece? A: It is used in jackets, vests, gloves, hats, and other outdoor and athletic apparel. Q: Can I use Polartec Alpha fleece for hiking? A: Yes, it is ideal for hiking and other outdoor activities requiring warmth and breathability. Q: Is Polartec Alpha fleece environmentally friendly? A: Polartec offers versions made with recycled materials, contributing to sustainability. Q: How does Polartec Alpha compare to traditional fleece? A: It provides better warmth-to-weight ratio and improved breathability for active use. Q: Can Polartec Alpha fleece be layered with other fabrics? A: Yes, it works well as a mid-layer underneath shells or over base layers. Q: Does Polartec Alpha fleece retain heat when wet? A: It retains more heat compared to down when wet but less than some specialized synthetic insulations. Q: Is Polartec Alpha fleece suitable for extreme cold? A: It is best suited for moderate to cold conditions but may need layering in extreme cold. Q: How thick is Polartec Alpha fleece? A: Thickness varies by product but generally ranges from lightweight to midweight insulation. Q: Does Polartec Alpha fleece pill easily? A: It has good anti-pilling properties compared to traditional fleece fabrics. Q: What is the best way to care for Polartec Alpha fleece? A: Follow washing instructions carefully; avoid fabric softeners and high heat drying. Q: Can Polartec Alpha fleece be repaired if damaged? A: Minor damage may be repairable with fabric patches; consult manufacturer guidelines. Q: Is Polartec Alpha fleece flame resistant? A: No, it does not have inherent flame-resistant properties. Q: How does Polartec Alpha fleece perform in wet conditions? A: It maintains insulation better than down but can lose some insulating power when soaked. Q: Does Polartec Alpha fleece have UV protection? A: It provides minimal UV protection; additional sun protection may be needed outdoors. Q: Is Polartec Alpha fleece hypoallergenic? A: It is generally hypoallergenic and suitable for most skin types. Q: Can children wear Polartec Alpha fleece clothing? A: Yes, it is safe and effective for children’s outdoor clothing. Q: How does Polartec Alpha fleece compare to PrimaLoft insulation? A: Both are synthetic insulations but Polartec Alpha offers better breathability during high activity. Q: Can Polartec Alpha fleece be used in gloves or hats? A: Yes, it is commonly used in insulated gloves and hats for warmth without bulk. Q: What colors are available with Polartec Alpha fleece products? A: Colors vary by brand and product; many options are available from neutral to bright colors. Q: Does Polartec Alpha fleece smell after sweating? A: It has good odor resistance but should be washed regularly to maintain freshness. Q: What brands use Polartec Alpha fleece? A: Many outdoor brands like Arc'teryx, Patagonia, The North Face, and others use this fabric. Q: Can Polartec Alpha fleece be used for sleeping bags? A: Yes, some sleeping bags incorporate Polartec Alpha insulation for active warmth. Q: Is Polartec Alpha fleece expensive? A: It tends to be more costly than basic fleeces due to its advanced technology. Q: How sustainable is the production of Polartec Alpha fleece? A: Polartec has initiatives for recycled materials and responsible manufacturing practices. Q: What is the typical lifespan of Polartec Alpha fleece products? A: With proper care, products can last several years of regular use. Q: Does Polartec Alpha fleece compress well for packing? A: Yes, it compresses reasonably well compared to down but less than thin synthetic sheets. Q: Are there different versions of Polartec Alpha fleece? A: Yes, the technology evolves with various weights and finishes for different uses. Q: Where can I buy clothing made with Polartec Alpha fleece? A: Available at outdoor retailers, brand stores, and online marketplaces worldwide. --- # 10 Best Winter Sleeping Bags of 2025 Source: https://sectionhiker.com/10-best-winter-sleeping-bags/ ![10 Best Winter Sleeping Bags](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2022/09/10-Best-Winter-Sleeping-Bags.jpg) The most important attributes of a sleeping bag for winter camping and backpacking are warm insulation, compressibility, low weight, and ample interior space to store gear and water so it doesn't freeze overnight. Cost is also a factor, although a good winter sleeping bag will last fifteen years or more if maintained and stored properly. For winter backpacking and other mobile pursuits such as backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering, we recommend you get a down-insulated winter sleeping bag because it packs up much smaller and is much lighter weight. We think the best bang for your buck is a 0-degree sleeping bag since you can boost its warmth with a low-cost sleeping bag liner like the [Sea-to-Summit Reactor](https://sectionhiker.com/out/e48k5vsk) if you need to sleep in colder temperatures than that. But a -20 or -40 bag is also a good bet if you're a cold sleeper or determined to sleep in more extreme conditions. Here are our top 10 recommended down-filled winter sleeping bags for cold-weather backpacking. For more information and answer to common questions, see our evaluation criteria and buying advice below. ### 1. Marmot Lithium Sleeping Bag ### 2. The North Face Inferno 0 Sleeping Bag ### 3. NEMO Sonic 0 Down Sleeping Bag ### 4. Sea-to-Summit Spark 0 Down Sleeping Bag ### 5. Western Mountaineering Kodiak 0 Down Sleeping Bag ### 6. Feathered Friends Snowbunting ES 0 Sleeping Bag ### 7. Mountain Hardwear Phantom 0 Down Sleeping Bag ### 8. Therm-a-Rest Polar Ranger -20 ### 9. Western Mountaineering Puma MF -25 ### 10. Feather Friends Snow Goose ES -40 ## Winter Sleeping Bag FAQs ### Mummy Sleeping Bag or Quilt? A mummy sleeping bag is warmer and more comfortable than an ultralight down quilt under 20 degrees Fahrenheit. While quilts are popular for warm weather use, mummy bags are far less drafty when the mercury drops below 20 degrees. They also provide a warm overnight space where you can keep water, filters, and footwear overnight to prevent them from freezing. This is harder to do with an ultralight quilt, which is usually shorter and sized narrow to save weight. Sleeping in temperatures below freezing definitely changes your behavior and requires a different skillset and gear list than regular three-season camping or backpacking in warmer weather. ### Down vs. Synthetic Insulation Down insulation is more compressible and warmer by weight than synthetic insulation. How much warmer? The best synthetic insulation is only equivalent to 600 fill power down. What about moisture accumulation inside the bag? If you're just going out for one night or a few nights in zero-degree weather, it's unlikely that you'll perspire enough to significantly reduce the insulation value of a down bag. It's a very different story if you're on an expedition where you're sleeping out in -40 degree weather every night for weeks on end. Even then, most mountaineering guides and explorers still opt for down-filled sleeping bags over synthetic ones because they're warmer, pack up much smaller, and are much lighter weight to carry. You can also dry out a sleeping bag during a trip in the sun to rid of it any extra moisture. People do it all the time. ### Waterproof Down vs Non-Waterproof Down There's no such thing as waterproof down. While so-called down waterproofing treatments allow down to dry faster if it gets damp from perspiration, most premium sleeping bag makers won't use it because it reduces the perceived insulation value of 800, 850, 900, ad 950 fill power goose down. ### Temperature Rating What is the best sleeping bag temperature rating to get for winter backpacking? While there are bound to be regional differences, a zero-degree sleeping bag is usually a good baseline temperature to aim for because you can easily make it warmer by 20 degrees by wearing insulated clothes or by using a sleeping bag liner, which can save you a chunk of money. A zero-degree bag can also be used in warmer temps up to about 20-30 degrees by cracking open the zipper or loosening up the hood and venting it if you're too warm. The weight and packability of a zero-degree sleeping bag is also pretty reasonable compared to a  minus 20-degree bag or minus 40-degree bag and usually doesn't require the purchase of a larger backpack to carry. ### Best Type of Insulation If you plan to do any winter backpacking, you're going to want a down-insulated sleeping bag because it's the warmest insulation available by weight. It compresses very well, making it very packable. Aim for down fill powers of 800, 850, or 900: the higher the better. Higher fill power down traps more warmth by weight than lower fill power down. People often wonder whether goose down is better than duck down. All down is graded the same way, in a species-independent manner. In other words 800 fill power goose down is as good as 800 fill power duck down, only more expensive because there's a smaller supply. ### Sleeping Bag Dimensions It is common to sleep with boot liners or boots, water bottles, and other items, like water filters, that should not freeze overnight. This means you'll want some extra space in a cold-weather sleeping bag to store the gear while still maintaining your personal comfort. In addition to added shoulder, hip, and foot width, some people get a longer sleeping bag so they can store gear below their feet. Winter nights are long and it pays to be comfortable, especially if you have to sleep with cold, damp boots and water bottles. ### Gender Most zero-degree winter sleeping bags are unisex. The one exception to this is [Featured Friends](https://sectionhiker.com/out/9q9xmz4e) which makes seven women's specific sleeping bags by our last count including [0, -10, and -25 degree winter sleeping bags](https://sectionhiker.com/out/9q9xmz4e). ### Must-have Features Winter sleeping bags should have a draft collar, zipper draft tubes, and snag-free zippers at a minimum. Partial length zippers, continuous baffles, vents, and even water-resistant down are all nice-to-haves, but you can get by without them to save on cost or because they're not strictly necessary. #### Draft Collar Most winter sleeping bags have draft collars and I consider it a cold-weather essential. A draft collar is a tube of insulation that drapes over your chest and neck and seals in the bag's warmth. Without it, the warm air inside the bag will rush out around your neck when you move around inside. The simplest draft collar is a down tube that covers the front of your chest. Higher-end bags add a second draft collar around the back of your shoulders and neck and provide additional controls, so you can tighten or loosen it. #### Zipper Draft Tubes Draft tubes are down-filled tubes of fabric that cover up the side zipper so your legs don't come in contact with it (because it's cold). They also prevent cold air from leaking into the bag through the needle holes that are created when sewing the zipper to the bag. Most winter bags have at least one zipper draft tube, although some have two, both top and bottom, that fall into place when you zip up your bag. #### Snag Free Zipper Snag-free zippers prevent the side zipper's teeth from tearing the shell fabric of your bag and spilling its insulation. The zipper is usually bordered by stiff fabric tape, to keep it away from the down baffles and prevent it from getting snagged on the bag's outer shell. ### Nice-to-have features #### Water-Resistant Down Water-resistant down is a nice to have, not a must-have in a winter sleeping bag. The truth is most people can keep their sleeping bags dry. If you notice moisture on the outside of your sleeping bag in the morning, it doesn't mean that the down inside is wet. Simply drape it over your tent in the sun while you eat breakfast and it will dry in no time. #### Continuous baffles Continuous baffles usually run horizontally across a bag. They allow you to shake the down in the baffles and move it to a different location. For example, if you're too warm, you could shake the down so it fell down the sides of the bag, rather than keep it on your chest. While continuous baffles let you customize the distribution of down for different needs, many people prefer baffles that keep the down in one place reliably and permanently. It's one less thing to worry about. #### Partial length zippers Partial length zippers are often used as a weight-saving feature, however, they can reduce use across a wider temperature range by limiting your venting options. #### Vents Vents like NEMO's Thermogills can increase the temperature range of a sleeping bag, but they're just one way of accomplishing this goal. ### Which is better in winter, a mummy sleeping bag, or a rectangular sleeping bag? Mummy bags tend to be lighter weight because they're form-fitting, making them better for winter backpacking when you want a lightweight, compressible sleeping bag. Rectangular sleeping bags can be just as warm, but they're more appropriate for winter camping, not backpacking, because they're not as form-fitting, they're heavier, and have less efficient hoods to keep your head warm. ### Can you use a quilt instead of a sleeping bag in winter? It really depends on how cold you want to go. Most people switch from quilts to mummy sleeping bags at about 20 degrees Fahrenheit because sleeping bags are much better at blocking cold drafts than quilt-pad attachment straps. A quilt can certainly work down to 0 degrees if you augment it with a[ down hood](https://sectionhiker.com/out/j4mq6091) (effectively replicating a mummy bag hood and draft collar) to keep your head, neck, and upper chest warm. Below zero, you can try stacking quilts but I highly recommend testing out this strategy at home before trying it someplace where it counts. ### What's the best insulation, down or synthetic? If you're interested in winter backpacking, your best bet is to get a down sleeping bag with the highest down fill power (see below) you can afford because it is ounce-for-ounce lighter weight and more compressible than a winter sleeping bag filled with synthetic insulation. Winter backpacking gear is very heavy when you add up the weight of insulated boots, a high-capacity backpack, a four-season tent, winter sleeping pad(s), a liquid fuel stove, fuel, snowshoes, crampons, etc. so it really does pay to save as much weight and pack space as you can by using the lightest and smallest winter sleeping bag that will keep you warm. ### Which is better, waterproof down, or regular untreated down? So-called waterproof down isn't actually waterproof, but water-resistant. If you dunk it in water, it will fail to insulate, although it will dry faster than untreated down. Therefore, if you plan on sleeping in snow caves or out in the open in a bivy sack, waterproof down is probably a better option since the down will dry faster if the fabric shell of your bag gets wet. If you're sleeping in a cozy tent with a waterproof floor, it probably doesn't matter that much, except if you're on a multi-day trip where the accumulation of perspiration passing through your insulation and out the breathable shell of your sleeping bag can accumulate in the down, degrading its loft and ability to retain warmth. Waterproof down would be better in those circumstances. ### What is down fill-power? Down consists of fluffy filaments that are a lot like human hair. A single ounce of average quality down contains about 2 million of these filaments which interlock to keep warm air in and cold air out. This layer is very springy so you can scrunch it up by compressing it, but it will spring back into shape almost immediately. Fill power measures the lofting power of goose down which is its ability to trap air. To measure fill power, one ounce of down is compressed in a small glass cylinder. When the weight is removed, the down’s ability to spring back can be measured. Down with a higher fill power rating is more resilient to compression, lofts better, and can trap more air. Besides being warmer, this also means that sleeping bags or parkas with higher fill ratings require less insulation by weight to provide the same level of warmth than an item made with lower quality down. ### Is there a warmth difference between goose down and duck down? No. Fill power is measured the same way across different animals and species. In other words 750 fill power goose down provides the same level of insulation as 750 fill power duck down. ### Is there a cost difference between different down fill-powers? Yes. The higher the fill power, the more expensive it will be. Prices have dropped in recent years however since there is a worldwide surplus of down, the higher fill powers remain the most expensive. ### What's the best down fill-power for a winter sleeping bag? The lightest weight, most compressible winter sleeping bags are insulated with 800, 850, 900, or 950 fill power down. A 950 fill-power down bag is top of the line. ### How trustworthy are winter sleeping bag temperature ratings? While warm weather sleeping bag ratings have become much more objective in recent years with the adoption of international temperature rating standards and third-party testing, the same can't be said about winter sleeping bag temperature ratings. While the EN and ISO temperature ratings published for warm weather sleeping bags rated to 10 degrees and higher have proven to be reliable, studies have shown that it is not a statistically reliable way to rate the temperature rating of sleeping bags rated below 10 degrees, including all winter sleeping bags. Instead, sleeping manufacturers rate their own sleeping bags by having people sleep in cold rooms, basically walk-in freezers, to see if they stay warm at different temperature settings. This can generate very subjective results depending on who does the testing, whether they're male or female, what their body weight is, how well a sleeping bag fits them, the warmth of the long underwear they're wearing, whether they're wearing a hat or not, what sleeping pad they're using, when they last ate, and so on. So who can you trust? Your best bet is to buy a winter sleeping bag model that's been on the market for a while and has a loyal following of people who will attest to the accuracy of its temperature rating. Feathered Friends and Western Mountaineering have built their business around word-of-mouth testimonials, which is why people prefer their winter sleeping bags over all others. No one else provides the range of selection or technical features provided by these two manufacturers. ### Can you use a 0-degree winter sleeping bag instead of a -20 degree winter sleeping bag? There are all kinds of tricks to extend the range of a 0-degree sleeping bag for colder weather, especially if gear weight or bulk is a big concern: - by wearing insulated clothing inside your sleeping bag in order to boost its effective temperature rating - sleeping with hot water bottles - sleeping with chemical hand warmers - using a sleeping bag liner - stuff all of your spare clothing inside so your body has to heat less open space - eat a heavy dinner with lots of fat and protein before going to bed - and so on... It is best to experiment with these in your backyard or within walking distance of your car before you need to count on them in a wilderness survival situation. If you are on a major expedition and your guide requires a -20 degree or -40 degree bag for sustained frigid weather, you should consult with them about using a winter sleeping bag rated for warmer temperatures. Many guides rent cold-weather bags, which can save you the expense of buying one for one-time use. Another option is to cancel trips where you know the weather will be too cold for your sleeping bag. As a winter backpacking trip guide, my partners and I routinely cancel trips where the weather forecast calls for -20 nighttime temperatures since it's really no fun to sit outside and melt drinking water in weather like that. There's no shame in bailing on a trip when it's too cold outside to enjoy yourself. ### Do women need warmer winter sleeping bags than men? Women tend to sleep colder than men, so it's recommended that they get a sleeping bag that is 10 degrees warmer when buying a unisex or men's sleeping bag. For example, women should buy a -10 degree winter sleeping bag in order to stay as warm as a man in a 0-degree winter sleeping bag. However, that's not the case, if you buy a winter sleeping bag designed for a woman. A women's 0-degree winter sleeping bag should keep you as warm as a men's 0-degree sleeping bag. ### What's the difference between men's and women's sleeping bags? Women's sleeping bags are often shorter in length, narrower in the shoulders, and wider in the hips. They may also have extra insulation over the chest, in the hood, and in the footbox, since women have a harder time keeping their heads, hands, and feet warm. ### How do you size a winter sleeping bag? Sleeping in a winter sleeping bag is different from sleeping in a three-season or summer sleeping bag because you need to sleep with some of your gear from freezing overnight (boots, water bottles, electronics) or because you need to wear additional insulated clothes in your sleeping bag like a down parka and down-filled pants. To size up, people typically get a longer-sized sleeping bag or one that has a wider shoulder girth. Shoulder girth measures the circumference of the sleeping bag at shoulder height. When fitting a winter sleeping bag, you want to minimize the amount of extra interior free-space that your body has to heat up while not compressing the loft of your insulation by getting a bag that's too tight. For example, a 5' 10" tall man might opt to get a 6' 6" long bag instead of a 6' long sleeping bag in order to store some of his gear in the sleeping bag foot box. Alternatively, you can opt to get a bag with wider shoulders or chest measurements so you can hug your extra gear at night to keep it warm or tuck it behind your back (if you're a side sleeper.) That's always been my preference, instead of getting a longer-length sleeping bag. How do you determine your needs and preferences? Try on lots of sleeping bags while wearing your overnight gear, even if it means buying bags and returning them to retailers if they don't fit. ### What are the most important features to look for on winter sleeping bags? After fit, the most important features are having a draft collar, draft tubes, zipper guards, and a well-fitting hood. It's also important to get a sleeping bag with a breathable external shell that can vent perspiration but is water-resistant. Sleeping bags with waterproof/breathable shells are often less breathable than those without a waterproof/breathable external fabric. ### What is a draft collar? A draft color is an insulated tube of insulation that covers the top of your chest and back and seals in all of the warmth below it in your bag so it can't escape. It prevents what's called the "bellows effect", where the warm air around your legs and core is forced out through the top of your sleeping bag when you move around at night. You can achieve a similar effect by wrapping a weather or down jacket around your upper chest or neck as well. ### What is a draft tube? A draft tube is an insulated tube of insulation that runs along the zipper and prevents cold air from leaking in your sleeping bag or warm air from leaking out. Some sleeping bags like the Western Mountaineering Puma -25 have two interlocking draft tubes, one above and one below the zipper. ### What is a zipper guard? A zipper guard is a piece of fabric or stiffened fabric tape that runs along a zipper and prevents it from snagging on the inside lining of your sleeping bag. It's an important feature of a sleeping bag since it eliminates snags that can prevent you from closing the zipper in frigid weather. ### What is a sleeping bag baffle? A baffle is a fabric tube containing down or synthetic insulation. They're usually oriented horizontally or vertically in sleeping bags. ### What are continuous baffles? Continuous baffles are fabric tubes filled with down insulation that usually run horizontally around a sleeping bag. They let you shake the down inside them to move it where you want it, usually to the top of a sleeping bag, or down the sides. Found in high-end quilts and sleeping bags like those from Feathered Friends or Western Mountaineering, continuous baffles are a highly desirable feature for some people that lets you move the insulation to the parts of you that are cold. For others, it’s a curse, because the down insulation can shift where you don’t want it to go, creating cold spots. ### What are block baffles? Blocking baffles, also called side block baffles or V-block baffles are used in high loft, winter expedition sleeping bags to prevent down from shifting from the top of a sleeping bag to its sides. ### What are the pros and cons of sleeping bags that have waterproof breathable exterior shells like Gore-tex? Unfortunately, they're mostly cons. The idea of covering a sleeping bag with a waterproof/breathable shell fabric is appealing because it would mean that you don’t need to carry a bivy sack to sleep in a snow shelter or worry about getting internal condensation on the outside of your sleeping bag when you touch your tent’s walls at night. But experience has shown that covering the exterior of a sleeping bag with a waterproof breathable shell tends to trap more perspiration inside the insulation of a sleeping bag than one with a much lighter shell fabric. Contrary to what you’d expect, waterproof/breathable fabrics are actually far less breathable than most of the non-waterproof shell fabrics used on the exterior of sleeping bags today. You can get the same waterproof benefit by spraying a DWR coating on the outside of these lighter-weight, more breathable fabrics, which will repel water droplets that fall onto the outside of the bag, causing them to bead and roll off, just like a rain jacket. Most sleeping manufacturers already do this at the factory. But if the DWR coating wears off, you can apply it at home using Nikwax TX Direct or similar products. In addition, most sleeping bag manufacturers don’t tape or seam seal all of the seams in their bags, which is really required for true waterproofing. Think about all of the tiny needle holes in the baffling of a down bag. Taping or seam sealing them all would be very costly. In contrast, most bivy bags made with waterproof/breathable fabrics have taped seams or can be easily sealed with a seam sealer. You really can’t do the same with a sleeping bag. ### What is the best external fabric for a winter sleeping bag? You want an external shell fabric that is tough enough to be durable and has good breathability, with a tight enough weave and/or a DWR coating that will make water roll off its surface. Pertex Shield and microfiber calendared nylon are good examples of fabrics with these properties. ### How should a winter sleeping bag hood fit? This is an area of personal preference, but you want a hood that will fit around your head without any air gaps that leak warmth. It should be easy to adjust (many aren't), move with you if you roll onto your side, and not become saturated with water vapor when you exhale at night through your mouth. The best way to determine hood fit is to get inside a sleeping bag and try it out. It's important to get a hood that you can spend 12 hours or more in comfortably since winter nights are so long. ### How important is a high R-value sleeping pad? A winter sleeping bag without a high R-value sleeping pad is like a sheep without wool. Without one, your body heat will be sucked into the cold ground. We recommend using a sleeping bad with an R-value of 5 or better. R-values are additive, so you can also use two sleeping pads, one stacked on top of the other to achieve a higher composite R-value. Many winter backpackers will carry a foam pad, which can be used as a seat when cooking or snow melting, in addition to an inflatable sleeping pad for comfort. When choosing winter pads, we recommend using ones that have been rated using the new sleeping bag standard, such as the [Therm-a-Rest XTherm](https://sectionhiker.com/out/6tx35bfj), which has an R-value of 6.9 #### About the author --- # 5 Best Leave No Trace Trowels for Backpacking and Camping Source: https://sectionhiker.com/5-best-leave-no-trace-trowels/ ![5 Best Leave No Trace Trowels of 2018](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2018/01/5-Best-Leave-No-Trace-Trowels-of-2018.jpg) Using a Leave No Trace trowel is one of the most responsible things you can do to preserve the backcountry for others to enjoy. While there's nothing quite as satisfying as having a good bowel movement outdoors in the crisp morning air, surrounded by white-capped mountains and wild flowers, it's important to leave no trace of your "passage." In order to preserve that wilderness feeling for others, you should bury your poo, so it can biodegrade properly and not become an eyesore. But many Leave No Trace trowels sold today are too flimsy for backcountry use. That's why this list of trowels includes many metal ones, which are durable and can dig through tough ground filled with rocks and roots. ## BEST LEAVE NO TRACE TROWELS ## 1. The TentLab Dirtsaw Deuce #2 Trowel ## 2. Vargo Titanium Dig Dig Trowel [The Vargo Titanium Dig Dig Tool](https://sectionhiker.com/out/xhh7xk95) is a multi-purpose titanium trowel designed by Brian Vargo, a backpacker and titanium manufacturing specialist who's probably designed more titanium backpacking gear than anyone else on the planet. While heavier than the other titanium trowels listed above, the Dig Dig is by far the easiest to use as a tent stake or snow anchor, a dual-use benefit that is seldom realized by other Leave No Trace trowels. ## 3. Bogler Ultralight Trowel The Bogler Company Ultralight Trowel ## 4. QiWiz Big Dig Trowel [The QiWiz Big Dig](https://sectionhiker.com/out/t2a7fh7i) (pronounced "chee-wiz") is a handmade titanium trowel made by Leave No Trace Master Educator, Rob Kelly. Considered the "Yoda of trowels", Rob, who's trail name is QiWiz, is passionate about teaching people how to minimize their impact when backpacking and camping. A chronic tinkerer, Rob made a titanium trowel for himself out of scrap metal for his personal use. When other hikers saw it on the trail, they offered to buy one from him and now he’s sold hundreds to backpackers and thru-hikers. Super hard and durable, but ultralight, the titanium Big Dig will last a lifetime and can serve double duty as a tent-stake. **MORE**: QiWiz sells two other handmade titanium trowels. The "Original" weighs less than 0.4 oz and is 6" long and the MEGA DIG which weighs just under 1 oz and is 8.25" long. ## 5. GSI OutDoors Cathole Sanitation Trowel [The GSI Outdoors Cathole Sanitation Trowel ](https://sectionhiker.com/out/r64lt7d3)is one of the most popular and least expensive backpacking trowels sold today and often used by Leave No Trace educators when teaching LNT awareness sessions. It's made from recycled plastic, making it strong enough for the less demanding soil conditions found in many designated campgrounds and recreation areas. A full 10.3" long, it's easier to dig with than shorter trowels, especially for children.   ## SELECTION CRITERIA **PRICE** - Leave No Trace Trowels are not that expensive, but I provide a full range of options below if you want to save money and still get a good product. **WEIGHT** - Owning a lightweight trowel increases the probability that you'll bring it with you on your trips. Heavy trowels are a "pain in the ass." Pun intended! **COLOR** - Trowels should be brightly colored so you don't lose them in wilderness settings. It's easy to put down a trowel and lose it against a background of green or brown, but less so if it has a garish color that's not normally found in nature. **MATERIAL** - The material that a trowel is made from matters. If preserving the wilderness is your goal, it doesn't make much sense to buy a product made from petrochemicals that won't decompose if you throw it in a landfill. **DIGGING EDGE** - A good Leave No Trace trowel needs to be able to dig through a variety of different soil types from ones with dense root networks to hard-packed soil and mud. Having a durable edge, capable of busting through tough soil conditions and levering out rocks is a must. **LENGTH** - The recommended depth of a Leave No Trace cathole is 6-8" deep. To dig that deep, you need a trowel that has a long enough handle and blade. **DURABILITY **- A trowel is a critical piece of backcountry gear that should withstand years of harsh use, UV damage, and when you accidentally drive over it with your car. **MADE IN USA - **Let's face it: The United States is on the way to becoming a third-world country because we've off-shored our manufacturing base. If remaining the most powerful nation on earth is important to you, you'll buy products made in the USA. **BUYING ONLINE** - Check the seller's return policy before you buy, but you can almost always return an unused trowel within a certain timeframe after purchasing. I recommend buying your top choice, testing it at home, and returning/exchanging it if it doesn’t feel quite right. **LEAVE NO TRACE** - Learn more about [leave no trace](https://lnt.org/) and wilderness ethics. Disclosure: I have received some of the products listed above from manufacturers while purchasing others with my own money. I am a Leave No Trace Master Educator and teach Leave No Trace awareness classes. --- # Home Page Source: https://sectionhiker.com/ --- # Alan Sloman’s LEJOG Route Source: https://sectionhiker.com/alan-slomans-lejog-route/ Alan has left the room, but his path remains - preserved here for posterity. I've created a canonical link to the original post so that Google and the world know it's a copy. I've copied it because I want to study how Alan walked his LEJOG. And Alan - thanks for keeping a link to SectionHiker on the home page of your blog. I suspect you're still keeping up with the TGO crowd after all this time. You were a lovely man, and your smile continues to warm me even after all this time. WALKING DAY / DATE / ROUTE / DISTANCE (km) 1 / Thursday 01-Mar / Land's End - Penzance / 16.1 2 / Friday 02-Mar / Penzance - Porthleven / 22.6 3 / Saturday 03-Mar / Porthleven - Lizard / 21.3 4 / Sunday 04-Mar / Lizard - Gweek / 19.1 5 / Monday 05-Mar / Gweek - Truro / 25.5 6 / Tuesday 06-Mar / Truro - Indian Queens / 23.0 7 / Wednesday 07-Mar / Indian Queens - St Breward / 32.4 8 / Thursday 08-Mar / St Breward - Launceston / 35.6 Friday 09-Mar / DAY OFF / TOTAL SO FAR / 195.6km 9 / Saturday 10-Mar / Launceston - Bridestow / 27.7 10 / Sunday / 11-Mar / Bridestow - South Zeal / 21.1 11 / Monday 12-Mar / South Zeal - Crediton / 22.9 12 / Tuesday 13-Mar / Crediton - Tiverton (Sampford Peverill?) /23.5 13 / Wednesday 14-Mar / Tiverton (SP?) - Taunton (West Monkton) / 37.6 14 / Thursday 15-Mar / Taunton (West Monkton) - Street / 35.3 15 / Friday 16-Mar / Street - Midsomer Norton / 31.9 16 / Saturday 17-Mar / Midsomer Norton - Bath / 23.9 Sunday 18-Mar / DAY OFF / TOTAL SO FAR / 419.5km 17 / Monday 19-Mar / Bath - Alveston / 35.4 18 / Tuesday 20-Mar / Alveston - St Briavels / 28.9 19 / Wednesday 21-Mar / St Briavels - White Castle / 29.4 20 / Thursday 22-Mar / White Castle - Hay on Wye / 34.2 21 / Friday 23-Mar / Hay on Wye - Kington / 24.1 22 / Saturday / 24-Mar / Kington - Knighton / 21.7 Sunday 25-Mar / DAY OFF / TOTAL SO FAR / 593.2km 23 / Monday 26-Mar / Knighton - Brompton Crossroads / 24.1 24 / Tuesday 27-Mar / Brompton Crossroads - Buttington Bridge / 19.5 25 / Wednesday 28-Mar / Buttington Bridge - Llanymynech / 16.4 26 / Thursday 29-Mar / Llanymynech - Chirk Mill / 22.4 27 / Friday 30-Mar / Chirk Mill - Llandegla / 25.7 28 / Saturday 31-Mar / Llandegla - Bodfari / 28.5 29 / Sunday 01-Apr / Bodfari - Prestatyn - Trelogan / 29.0 30 / Monday 02-Apr / Trelogan - Chester / 37.1 Tuesday 03-Apr / DAY OFF / TOTAL SO FAR / 795.9km 31 / Wednesday 04-Apr / Chester - Broken Cross / 35.0 32 / Thursday 05-Apr / Broken Cross - Bollington / 31.0 33 / Easter Friday 06-Apr / Bollington - Edale / 24.7 Easter Saturday 07-Apr / DAY OFF / TOTAL SO FAR / 886.6km 34 / Easter Sunday 08-Apr / Edale - Crowden / 26.1 35 / Easter Monday 09-Apr / Crowden - Standedge / 18.1 36 / Tuesday 10-Apr / Standedge - Hebden Bridge / 24.6 37 / Wednesday 11-Apr / Hebden Bridge - Ponden / 18.2 38 / Thursday 12-Apr / Ponden - Thornton in Craven / 18.0 39 / Friday 13-Apr / Thornton - Malham / 17.2 Saturday 14-Apr / DAY OFF / TOTAL SO FAR / 1008.8km 40 / Sunday 15-Apr / Malham - Horton in Ribblesdale / 23.8 41 / Monday 16-Apr / Horton - Hawes / 21.6 42 / Tuesday 17-Apr / Hawes - Keld / 19.8 43 / Wednesday 18-Apr / Keld - Baldersdale / 23.9 44 / Thursday 19-Apr / Baldersdale - Langdon Beck / 22.7 45 / Friday 20-Apr / Langdon Beck - Dufton / 20.5 46 / Saturday 21-Apr / Dufton - Alston / 30.4 Sunday 22-Apr / DAY OFF / TOTAL SO FAR / 1171.5km 47 / Monday 23-Apr / Alston - Greenhead / 25.8 48 / Tuesday 24-Apr / Greenhead - Bellingham / 34.2 49 / Wednesday 25-Apr / Bellingham - Byrness / 24.5 50 / Thursday 26-Apr / Byrness - Refuge Hut / 29.2 51 / Friday 27-Apr / Refuge Hut - Morebattle / 19.1 52 / Saturday 28-Apr / Morebattle - Newton St Boswell /32.7 Sunday 29-Apr / DAY OFF / TOTAL SO FAR / 1337.0km 53 / Monday 30-Apr / Newton St Boswell - Stow / 23.3 54 / Tuesday 01-May / Stow - Penicuik / 33.4 55 / Wednesday 02-May / Penicuik - Broxburn / 31.5 56 / Thursday 03-May / Broxburn - Falkirk / 28.7 57 / Friday 04-May / Falkirk - Milton of Campsie / 29.1 58 / Saturday 05-May / Milton of Campsie - Drymen / 26.0 59 / Sunday 06-May / Drymen - Rowardenan / 18.4 60 / Mon May Day 07-May / Rowardenan - Toman Biorach / 30.6 61 / Tuesday 08-May / Toman Biorach - Glen Noe / 27.5 62 / Wednesday 9-May / Glen Noe - Oban / 28.3 Thursday 10-May / DAY OFF / TOTAL SO FAR / 1,613.8km 63 / Friday 11-May / Oban - Loch Etive / 25.0 64 / Saturday 12-May / Loch Etive - Coire na Caime / 28.0 65 / Sunday 13-May / Coire na Caime - Gorton Bothy / 23.7 66 / Monday 14-May / Gorton Bothy - Meall nan Sac / 23.1 67 / Tuesday 15-May / Meall nan Sac - Kinloch Rannoch / 16.1 68 / Wednesday 16-May / Kinloch Rannoch - Blair Atholl / 28.5 69 / Thursday 17-May / Blair Atholl - Loch nan Eun / 31.2 70 / Friday 18-May / Loch nan Eun - Braemar / 22.5 71 / Saturday 19-May / Braemar - Stan's / 9.0 72 / Sunday 20-May / Stan's - Shielin of Mark / 22.9 73 / Monday 21-May / Shielin of Mark - Tarfside / 17.9 74 / Tuesday 22-May / Tarfside - North Water Bridge / 26.1 75 / Wednesday 23-May / North Water Bridge - Montrose / 14.4 Thursday 24-May / DAY OFF / TOTAL SO FAR / 1902.2km 76 / Friday 25-May / Montrose - Fettercairn / 18.6 77 / Saturday 26-May / Fettercairn - Water of Feugh / 28.7 78 / Sunday 27-May / Water of Feugh - Ballater / 27.2 79 / Spring Bank Monday 28-May / Ballater - Braemar / 28.8 80 / Tuesday 29-May / Braemar - R Feshie / 28.2 81 / Wed 30-May R Feshie - Kingussie (Derek & Marian's) / 25.2 82 / Thursday 31-May / Kingussie - Garve Bridge / 32.5 83 / Friday 01-Jun / Garve Bridge - Ft Augustus / 27.1 Saturday 02-Jun / DAY OFF / TOTAL SO FAR / 2118.5km 84 / Sunday 03-Jun / Ft Augustus - Cougie / 24.8 85 / Monday 04-Jun / Cougie - Glen Gaorsaic / 26.4 86 / Tuesday 05-Jun / Glen Gaorsaic - Strathcarron / 31.8 87 / Wednesday 06-Jun / Strathcarron - Coire Mhic Nobuil / 25.7 88 / Thursday 07-Jun / Coire Mhic Nobuil - Cromasaig / 17.4 Friday 08-Jun / DAY OFF / TOTAL SO FAR / 2244.6km 89 / Saturday 09-Jun / Cromasaig - Loch an Nid / 19.7 90 / Sunday 10-Jun / Loch an Nid - Past Inverlael / 26.1 91 / Monday 11-Jun / Inverlael - Oykel Bridge / 28.9 92 / Tuesday 12-Jun / Oykel Bridge - Inchnadamph / 30.4 93 / Wednesday 13-Jun / Inchnadamph - Kylesku / 21.3 Thursday 14-Jun / DAY OFF / TOTAL SO FAR / 2371.0km 94 / Friday 15-Jun / Kylesku - Loch a' Garbh-bhaird Mor / 24.9 95 / Saturday 16-Jun / Loch a' G-b M - Blairmore / 18.1 96 / Sunday 17-Jun / Blairmore - Cape Wrath - Kearvaig / 27.8 97 / Monday 18-Jun / Kearvaig - Strath Dionard / 23.4 98 / Tuesday 19-Jun / Strath Dionard - Strath More / 21.6 99 / Wednesday 20-Jun / Strath More - Tongue / 24.4 Thursday 21-Jun / DAY OFF / TOTAL SO FAR / 2511.2km 100 / Friday 22-Jun / Tongue - Skelpick Burn / 27.0 101 / Saturday 23-Jun / Skelpick Burn - Strath Halladale / 23.2 102 / Sunday 24-Jun / Strath Halladale - River Thurso / 29.2 103 / Monday 25-Jun / River Thurso - Dunnet Campsite / 32.2 104 / Tuesday 26-Jun / Dunnet Campsite - Carisbay YH / 28.8 105 / Wed 27-Jun / Carisbay YH - JOG & Duncansby Head / 8.6 TOTAL DISTANCE / 2660.2 km (1663 miles) TOTAL ASCENT / 71,120m (233,333 feet / 44 vertical miles) --- # 10 Best Ultralight Backpacking Tents (2026) Source: https://sectionhiker.com/10-best-ultralight-backpacking-tents/ ![Best Ultralight Backpacking Tents](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2025/05/Best-Ultralight-Backpacking-Tents-640x427.jpg) Ultralight backpacking tents are a good option when you're trying to reduce the weight of your backpacking gear but you're unwilling to give up the comfort of a tent and sleep under a tarp without insect protection. The lightest-weight ultralight backpacking tents are often made with Dyneema Composite Fabrics (DCF) or Siliconized Polyester (silpoly) and use trekking poles instead of tent poles to save weight. Here are the 10 best ultralight backpacking tents that we recommend. While many are single-wall tents and more prone to internal condensation, some are double-wall tents or hybrids of the two. But don't discount tents made with more conventional fabrics that are freestanding, more windworthy, longer for tall people, or more spacious, especially for couples. There has never been a better time than now to buy an ultralight tent. See our advice at the bottom of the page for advice about how to choose between these different options. ### 1. Hyperlite Mountain Gear Crosspeak 2 ### 2. Durston X-Mid-1 ### 3. Zpacks Pivot Solo Tent ### 4. Tarptent ProTrek (1P) ### 5. Zpacks Duplex Pro Tent (2P) ### 6. Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo (1P) ### 7. Tarptent Double Rainbow Tent ### 8. Hyperlite Mountain Gear Mid-1 (1P) ### 9. Durston X-Dome 1+ ### 10. 3F UL Lanshan Pro 1 ## Ultralight Backpacking Tent Selection Guide Backpacking tent manufacturers who make ultralight tents use a wide range of materials and designs. When shopping for a tent, it's important to understand the tradeoffs of the models you're considering and how they can complement your adventures. ### Ultralight Tent Materials and Price Points Trekking pole tents are available in a variety of different materials and at different price points. Dyneema DCF is the lightest-weight material and the most expensive, in part because it requires specialized manufacturing processes. Tents made with Silpoly, Silnylon, and PU-coated Silnylon are much less expensive than Dyneema because they can be sewn using conventional methods. They're also roughly comparable in price. It'd be difficult to say which fabric is best for making tents because fabric quality varies widely depending on the manufacturer and the specifications to which it is made. That said, ultralight tentmakers are beginning to switch away from silnylon to silpoly because it has less stretch than silnylon and absorbs less water. - Tents made with Dyneema DCF are very expensive, but also very lightweight, waterproof, and strong. They are more prone to long-term damage from sunlight, but that's seldom an issue for most people. Dyneema tents must be folded when packed, not stuffed, but can still be surprisingly bulky despite their low weight. - Tents made with siliconized polyester (silpoly) are an attractive alternative to Dyneema DCF because they don't stretch much overnight or when they get wet from rain. They're also far less expensive, and some are seam-taped, so you can use them out of the box without any seam sealing. - Tents made with PU-coated silnylon are generally more waterproof than those made with regular silnylon, but you need to compare their waterproofing specs to be sure. The chief benefits of the PU coating over regular silnylon are improved UV resistance and the ability to be factory seam-taped. - Tents made with silnylon are still common because it's an easy material for manufacturers to work with. While silnylon does stretch at night and when it gets wet, it's not as big a deal as people make it out to be. Silnylon tents must be manually seam-sealed before they can be used in rainy weather. While you can do this yourself, my advice is to pay the manufacturer to do it for you so you get a tent that's ready to use when it arrives. ### Single-wall vs Double-wall Tents Ultralight backpacking tents are available in single-wall and double-wall models, with separate inner tents. While both are susceptible to internal condensation, the advantage of a double-wall tent is that moisture collects on the underside of the rainfly rather than on a wall that comes into contact with your sleeping bag, quilt, or other gear. The inner tent and rainfly on many double-wall tents can also be used independently, for example, as a standalone tarp or a bug bivy, which can extend their utility. The advantage of a single-wall tent over a double-wall one is usually reduced weight. If tent condensation ever becomes an issue for you, we recommend carrying a [small absorbent face towel](https://sectionhiker.com/out/448vk8pt) to wipe it away. Tent condensation is a small price to pay for reduced gear weight, and it won't kill you unless you're a witch (wizard-of-Oz reference). ### Headroom Many ultralight backpacking tents, pole tents have a pyramid shape, which can limit the amount of headroom and foot room available under the sloping ceiling. Lying on your back and staring at a ceiling that's three inches from your face can be unpleasantly claustrophobic. Make sure you examine the length of the tents you're considering, as well as their peak heights. Trekking pole tents that require two poles to set up usually have two peaks, which can increase the amount of livable space overhead, compared to a one-pole tent. Some tent manufacturers also reduce the ceiling slope to create more headroom. The best example of this is Tarptent's use of carbon fiber end struts to increase the amount of room under the ceilings at the head and foot ends of their tents. The downside of these end struts is that it can make tents harder to pack horizontally in a backpack. ### Vestibules Vestibules are good for gear storage, especially wet gear storage, and for cooking under cover in windy or rainy weather. Most one-pole tents have a single vestibule, while two-pole tents generally have two. When buying a two-person tent, you'll definitely want two doors and two vestibules so you can each have your own entrance and gear storage area. It can also be quite useful to have two doors and two vestibules on a one-person tent, especially if you anticipate stormy weather and might have to hunker down in your tent for a day. For that matter, many people use two-person tents as solo tents, something that's feasible without a major weight penalty since most ultralight backpacking tents are quite lightweight. ### Pole Length When you choose a trekking pole tent, make sure it is compatible with the make and model of trekking pole you use, if you have a preference. Fixed-length poles that are not adjustable can be difficult to use with trekking pole tents, which have very specific height requirements. In addition, make sure your trekking pole handles are compatible if they have a non-standard grip. --- # Philip Werner Bio Source: https://sectionhiker.com/philip-werner-bio/ ![Philip Werner backpacking down the Moriah Brook trail in the Wild River Wilderness](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2015/07/Backpacking-down-the-Moriah-Brook-trail-in-the-Wild-River-Wilderness.jpg) Philip Werner is a full-time outdoor author and backpacker who resides in New England. The name of this site, Section Hiker, refers to Vermont's 272-mile "The Long Trail" which I section hiked in 2008 in addition to hiking 1400 miles of the Appalachian Trail. I've also hiked and thru-hiked the TGO Challenge (Coast-to-Coast across Scotland) twice, and I'm currently section hiking the Cape Wrath Trail, also in Scotland. But my heart belongs to New Hampshire's White Mountains and Vermont's Green Mountains, where I split my time and do most of my hiking and backpacking. I'm the 36th person to finish hiking all 1440 miles of the White Mountain National Forest trail system and the 3rd person to do it twice. I've also climbed all 48 of the 4000 footers in the White Mountains 12 times (576 summits) once in each calendar month of the year. While I love hiking trails and backpacking, I am also a compulsive off-trail hiker and enjoy spending the day Tenkara fly fishing on mountain streams you can only walk to. ## Stewardship and Volunteer Activities I'm a volunteer hiking leader and board member of the Green Mountain Club. I've also been a four-season hiking and backpacking leader for the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC), Treasurer of the AMC Boston's Hiking and Backpacking Committee, and a hiking leader for the AMC's Cold River Camp in Evans Notch, New Hampshire. ## Outdoor Certifications and Training I am a Leave No Trace Master Educator. In addition, I am a former guide for Andrew Skurka Adventures and have WFA, CPR/AED, and Level 1 AIARE Certifications. I'm also certified to perform trail maintenance in the White Mountain National Forest with an axe. ## Publications This website, sectionhiker.com, has been in operation since 2007. During that time, I've published over 3000 articles, including gear reviews and instructional content. I've also had articles published by major magazines, websites, and newspapers, including Backpacker Magazine, Outdoors Magazine Online, and The Guardian Newspaper. In addition, I contributed two chapters to [Hiker's Stories from the Appalachian Trail](https://amzn.to/414NtAN), edited by Kathryn Fulton. In 2025, I published my first instructional book, available in paperback and as an eBook titled:  [Hiking Over 60: A Modern Guide to Hiking Gear and Techniques for Active Adults](https://philipwerner.com/). A companion book is in progress. ## More Biographical Information - [What will happen to Philip Werner?](https://sectionhiker.com/what-will-happen-to-philip-werner/) - [Why I left high-tech to become a full time writer and backpacker](https://sectionhiker.com/my-independence-day/) - [Hyperlite Mountain Gear published a good bio of me that you might also find interesting. ](https://www.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=app&ti=1019&mi=13582&pw=3816&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hyperlitemountaingear.com%2Fblogs%2Fultralight%2Fhike-your-own-hike-q-a-with-philip-werner) ## Contact Information If you’d like to ask Philip a backpacking, hiking, camping, or business-related question, please submit it using this form. *Note: Philip gets so many requests for help planning AT section hikes and hikes in the White Mountains that he can’t respond to them all. * - If you need help planning a hike on the Appalachian Trail, most answers (parking, shuttles, campsites, etc) can be found in [The Appalachian Trail Guide](https://amzn.to/4fvEnm2) - If you need help planning a hike in the White Mountains, most answers (parking, shuttles, campsites, trails, etc) can be found in [The White Mountain Guide. ](https://amzn.to/45Nx43X) If you are writing to me about one of the following topics, I’m likely to delete your email so don’t bother sending me a message. - I don’t publicize online fundraising campaigns. - I don’t sell backlinks or publish sponsored articles written by other people. - No, I'm not interested in selling sectionhiker.com. For serious questions about gear, skills, or media and business inquiries, fill in this form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. --- # Privacy Policy Source: https://sectionhiker.com/privacy-policy/ This privacy policy describes Greenliner Publishing LLC's (owner) privacy practices for the [sectionhiker.com website](https://sectionhiker.com/)**,** including what types of information we gather and track, how we use the information, and with whom we share the information. By using the sectionhiker.com website or/and our services, you agree to be bound by the terms of this Privacy Policy, its [Terms and Conditions](https://sectionhiker.com/terms-and-conditions/), and consent to the Processing of your Personal Data as described below. ### Table of Contents - Definitions used in this Policy - Data protection principles we follow - What rights do you have regarding your Personal Data - What Personal Data we gather about you - How we use your Personal Data - Who else has access to your Personal Data - How we secure your data - Information about cookies - Contact information - The California Consumer Protection Act (CCPA) ### Definitions **Personal Data** – any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person. **Processing** – any operation or set of operations which is performed on Personal Data or on sets of Personal Data. **Data subject** - a natural person whose Personal Data is being Processed. **Child** - a natural person under 16 years of age. **Data controller** - a natural person or organization that determines the purposes and means of the processing of Personal Data. **We/us/sectionhiker.com** (either capitalized or not) – a website owned and operated by Greenliner Publishing LLC, a company incorporated in New Hampshire, United States. ### Data Protection Principles We promise to follow the following data protection principles: - Processing is lawful, fair, transparent. Our Processing activities have lawful grounds. We always consider your rights before Processing Personal Data. We will provide you information regarding Processing upon request. - Processing is limited to the purpose. Our Processing activities fit the purpose for which Personal Data was gathered. - Processing is done with minimal data. We only gather and Process the minimal amount of Personal Data required for any purpose. - Processing is limited with a time period. We will not store your personal data for longer than needed. - We will do our best to ensure the accuracy of data. - We will do our best to ensure the integrity and confidentiality of data. ### Data Subject's rights The Data Subject has the following rights: - Right to information – meaning you have to right to know whether your Personal Data is being processed; what data is gathered, from where it is obtained and why and by whom it is processed. - Right to access – meaning you have the right to access the data collected from/about you. This includes your right to request and obtain a copy of your Personal Data gathered. 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Accordingly, we urge you to frequently review this Privacy Policy, and, if you do not agree to the terms of this or any revised policy, please exit the sectionhiker.com website immediately. **Last modification was made 3/24/26.** --- # What is monorail? Source: https://sectionhiker.com/what-is-monorail/ Monorail is a trail condition, typically found in spring, when the trail looks like a narrow balance beam or monorail of ice, with bare earth or soft snow on either side. If you fall off the monorail, you're likely to posthole on one of its sides, which can be quite exhausting. The monorail is formed when hundreds of hikers hike in the center of the trail all winter long, compressing the middle section into a dense layer of snow and ice. The sides of the trail are less heavily used and less compacted, so they melt off faster in spring when the weather gets warmer. Related Posts: - [Backpacking Footwear Selection for Spring Conditions](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-footwear-selection-for-spring-conditions/) - [Insulated Winter Hiking Boot FAQ](https://sectionhiker.com/mountaineering-winter-hiking-boots-faq-expert-advice/) --- # What is barebooting? Source: https://sectionhiker.com/what-is-barebooting/ ![Barebooting up the Tuckerman Ravine Trail to the base of Mt Washington](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2011/11/bareboot.jpg) In winter, it’s common to wear snowshoes, microspikes, or crampons when hiking for additional flotation in deep snow or traction on icy trails. The downside of wearing these flotation and traction aids is that they add weight to your feet and legs, so you tire more quickly. Barebooting is where you hike without snowshoes or traction aids, usually on packed powder, and only rely on the lugs in your boot soles for traction. It’s basically an energy saving technique. Related posts: - [Winter traction and when to wear it](https://sectionhiker.com/winter-traction-and-when-to-wear-it/) --- # What is a draft collar? Source: https://sectionhiker.com/what-is-a-draft-collar/ ![The Flicker](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2016/07/The-Flickers-down-filled-draft-collar-molds-around-your-neck-sealing-in-heat-so-it-cant-escape-when-you-move-around-at-night-640x280.jpg) A draft collar is a tube of fabric, usually filled with goose or duck down, located just below the hood of a sleeping bag or the head end of a backpacking quilt. It's designed to wrap around the top of your chest and your shoulders like a collar to prevent warm air from escaping when you move around at night. Called the "bellows effect", the hot air inside your sleeping bag which your body heat has heated, is forced out of the top of your sleeping bag when you move around at night. A draft collar prevents this by sealing the top of the bag around you and is a very desirable feature usually found on premium sleeping bags designed for cooler weather camping and backpacking. Here are some links to gear reviews about the sleeping bags and quilts that have draft collars. Check them out to see more photos of what draft collars look like: - [Western Mountaineering Ultralite 20 Sleeping Bag Review](https://www.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=el&merchant_id=b5770911-39dc-46ac-ba0f-b49dbb30c5c7&website_id=b0ba1427-4c42-46db-99a7-ab509ae38ce7&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.backcountry.com%2Fwestern-mountaineering-ultralite-sleeping-bag-20-degree-down-wes0031%3Fs%3Da%26avad%3D3816_c23a3ff69%26utm_medium%3DAffiliate%26utm_source%3Dsectionhiker.com%26utm_campaign%3Dapp%26utm_term%3Dcontent-review/) - [Feathered Friends Flicker UL 40 Quilt Sleeping Bag Review](https://sectionhiker.com/feathered-friends-flicker-40-ul-quilt-sleeping-bag/) - [NEMO Sonic 0 Sleeping Bag Review](https://sectionhiker.com/nemo-sonic-0-down-sleeping-bag-review/) - [Katabatic Gear Flex 40 Quilt Sleeping Bag Review](https://sectionhiker.com/katabatic-gear-flex-40-quilt-style-sleeping-bag-review/) --- # The 10 Most Influential Books in My Life Source: https://sectionhiker.com/the-10-most-influential-books-in-my-life/ ![The Man Who Walked Through Time by Colin Fletcher](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2014/09/The-Man-Who-Walked-Through-Time-by-Colin-Fletcher.jpg) A hiking friend and insatiable reader recently challenged a group of us to name the 10 books that have the biggest influence on our lives, and to then challenge 10 more friends to the same task. Chain challenges being all the frenzy, this one appealed to me, a lover of the written word, more than the Ice Bucket Challenge or the Liebster award. My wife and I love books and our house is full of them. I stopped counting at 26 bookcases years ago and if the Kindle and iPad hadn't come along, our second floor have probably collapsed under the weight of the books that we've purchased over the years. Truth be told, I married my wife in part because she was the first woman I'd ever dated who said she'd rather stay at home and read books on a Friday night together instead of going out. Here goes. The 10 most influential books in my life, in no particular order: - [Crossing the Chasm by Geoffrey Moore](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0062292986/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0062292986&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkId=5CWYULBTGQ66OROC) - [Dune by Frank Herbert](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0441172717/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0441172717&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkId=P7EW25EVU6LE4FHS) - [The Man who Walked through Time by Colin Fletcher](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0679723064/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0679723064&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkId=RGRVOAEC4LMQ5P7H) - [The Complete Walker IV by Colin Fletcher](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0375703233/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0375703233&linkId=e5eca1b2ef8b244acc6b7ffabb40eb8b) - [The Microbe Hunters by Paul de Kruif](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0156027771/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0156027771&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkId=CIW3LAENHJ54THDX) - [The Once and Future King by T.H. White](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0441627404/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0441627404&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkId=ADEYUKPMWGMMMLAA) - [Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0140436588/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0140436588&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkId=OROB22O7CGBPDH2U) - [The End of Eternity by Isaac Asimov](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0765319195/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0765319195&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkId=WUQ5HEKV447D4WVT) - [The White Mountain Guide, compiled and edited by Steve Smith and Mike Dickerman](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1934028851/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1934028851&linkId=43a5ea2d0fd2b943f0957a22193e6c49) - [Losing the Garden: the Story of a Marriage by Laura Waterman](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1593760485/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1593760485&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkId=TIADS2FYDS424JZB) Disclosure: The author owns these books. --- # Winter Hiking Gear for New Hampshire Source: https://sectionhiker.com/recommended-winter-hiking-gear-list/ ![Winter Hiking Gear for New Hampshire](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2024/11/Winter-Hiking-Gear-for-New-Hampshire.jpg) When gearing up for winter day hiking in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, as well as Maine and Vermont,  you need footwear, clothing, and traction aids that can be used across a wide range of temperatures, wind speeds, sun, precipitation types, and surface conditions. For example, typical winter weather includes: - Temperatures: from 40 degrees down to 20 below zero (Fahrenheit) - Wind speeds: up to 40 mph (over that, you get knocked down) - Sunlight: from intense sunshine and snow glare to heavy clouds or dense forest cover - Precipitation types: including blowing snow, freezing fog, sleet, freezing rain, and rain - Surface conditions: ranging from deep snow to bare rock, bare ground, packed trails, powder, frozen bodies of water, and soft or hard ice ## Layering Clothes In addition, you need to dress for a wide range of activity levels, such as when you are exerting yourself and generating lots of body heat or when you are at rest and need to bundle up. The recommended approach for winter dressing is to add clothing layers when you get cold and take off layers when you start to sweat. Sweating should be avoided in winter because damp clothing, particularly baselayers, will chill you when you stop moving. Take off layers if you start to sweat or slow down your pace to generate less body heat. When starting a hike in winter, you'll probably be wearing gloves, a hat, long sleeve jersey, long underwear, boxer jocks, hardshell or softshell pants, a fleece pullover, a hardshell jacket, warm socks, insulated boots, and high gaiters. After about 15 minutes, you'll probably take off your hardshell and unzip your pants to vent body warmth. That's called layering and it occurs when someone in your group shouts out "layer break!" ## Winter Day Hiking Gear List The following day winter day hiking clothing and gear will keep you safe and comfortable in below-treeline conditions. Below-treeline hikes are usually protected by forests and are warmer and less windy than above-treeline hikes, which are on top of exposed mountains or ridgelines. - Footwear Insulated hiking boots - Warm socks - High gaiters - Hats Lightweight fleece or wool hat - Heavyweight fleece or wool hat - Gloves Lightweight fleece or wool gloves - Waterproof shell mitts or gloves, with insulated liners - Jackets Puffy insulated jacket with attached hood - Waterproof and windproof jacket with attached hood - Pants Rain pants that are waterproof and windproof - Softshell pants that are moderately windproof - Base-Layer Insulation (wool or synthetic only) Long sleeve jersey - Long underwear (good for people who run cold) - Boxer jock underwear to prevent chafing - Mid-Layer Insulation Fleece jacket, fleece pullover, fleece vest, insulated vest, or softshell jacket (at least one, possibly several) - Winter traction aids Microspikes - Snowshoes (depending on conditions) - Crampons (depending on conditions) - Water Bottles Two or three 1-liter wide-mouth water bottles (hydration system hoses freeze up and should be avoided) - Water bottle insulation, if bottles are stored outside your backpack - Backpack 35-45 liter backpack with side compression straps or a shovel pocket for attaching snowshoes and microspikes to the pack - Extra webbing straps as needed for attaching more gear - 10 Essentials Map - Compass - Whistle - Headlamp (1 or 2) - Personal first aid kit - Fire starting materials (wax in paper egg containers make the best firestarter) - Small knife or multi-tool - Gear repair supplies (duct tape, jeweler's wire to fix broken microspikes) - High-energy snacks that won't freeze - Sunglasses and sunscreen - Toilet paper - Survival Gear - this can be distributed among hiking group members, or carried if hiking alone Sleeping bag - Sleeping pad - Lightweight bivy sack or tent body without tent poles - White gas stove, fuel, pot, stove base - Group first aid kit ### Extra Gear for Above-Treeline Day Hikes If you're headed above treeline on a day hike, you'll often want to carry extra wind protection for your face and beefier traction aids, like full crampons. Avalanche tools are rarely needed in New Hampshire or Vermont unless you are hiking in high-risk mountain areas such as Mt Washington, Tuckerman Ravine, and the northern Presidentials. - A face mask or a combination face mask/balaclava - Snow goggles - Crampons - Ice ax (depending on the route) - Avalanche shovel, beacon, and probe in hazardous terrain ## Winter Hiking Clothing and Gear Guide While gear lists are useful, I've also provided some advice below on what to look for when purchasing winter hiking gear to help you determine the capabilities you want. I've used every single item listed below so I know what's good and what's not good. ### Insulated winter boots Most people day hike in "soft" insulated winter hiking boots that do not have a removable liner and are compatible with microspikes, snowshoes, and crampons for non-rigid boots.  These are available with 400-gram insulation and 200-gram insulation. This refers to the thickness of the insulation used, not its weight. Boots with 400-gram insulation will keep you warm to 20 degrees below zero (F), while boots with 200-gram insulation are good to about 10-20 degrees above zero (F). These temperatures assume you are walking, not standing around. If you plan on hiking where temperatures get below 10°F-20°F, I recommend 400g insulated winter boots. Otherwise, a 200g insulated boot should be sufficient. Here are some recommendations: - [Oboz Bridger 10" (men)](https://sectionhiker.com/out/vkucluqm) and [Bridger 9" (women)](https://sectionhiker.com/out/prxefu3c) insulated winter boots - 400g - [KEEN Revel IV insulated high polar boots](https://sectionhiker.com/out/zbnakbke) for men and [women](https://sectionhiker.com/out/cozv5t3u) - 400g - [Oboz Bridger 8" (men)](https://sectionhiker.com/out/vwjjb5ky) and [Bridger 7" (women)](https://sectionhiker.com/out/4mmg17gn) insulated winter boots - 200g - [Columbia Bugaboot III-men](https://sectionhiker.com/out/w92izfh0) and [Bugaboot III- women](https://sectionhiker.com/out/4y7mckps) insulated winter boots - 200g You can also wear mountaineering boots, which have a rigid sole compatible with crampons for ice climbing and mountaineering. These are harder to walk in for any distance, but some are available with removable liners, which are useful for winter backpacking because you can dry them in a sleeping bag at night. Avoid so-called Pack Boots, which are less comfortable for vigorous hiking and are too large for use with microspikes and most snowshoes. ### Warm socks Most hikers wear heavier wool socks in winter than in other seasons, but this is a matter of personal preference, and the sock "systems" people use vary widely. Sock liners are optional but can be beneficial if you are prone to blisters. Whatever combination you use, make sure that there is plenty of space in your boots to wiggle your toes around, as this increases blood circulation and foot warmth. We recommend: - [Darn Tough Mountaineering Over the Calf Socks](https://sectionhiker.com/out/DT-MTN-XTRA-OTC-M-GR) - [REI Lightweight Merino Hiking Socks](https://sectionhiker.com/out/9kyx68n4) - [REI Merino Wool Expedition Socks.](https://sectionhiker.com/out/1cc31fwn) ### High gaiters High gaiters help prevent snow from entering your boots and keep your socks dry, and they provide extra insulation below your knee. If you use crampons, they also protect your ankles from self-inflicted wounds when you tire. Avoid gaiters that close with zippers because they break quickly. Look for gaiters that seal around your leg using velcro or snaps instead. We recommend: - [Outdoor Research Crocodile Gaiters](https://sectionhiker.com/out/la4oubfi) - [Pike Trail High Gaiters ](https://amzn.to/4apQ9Mj)(better closure, much less expensive) ### Hats A minimum of two hats is recommended for winter day hikes: a lightweight wool or synthetic hat for high-exertion activities and a warmer, heavier-weight hat for later in the day when temperatures drop. You'll probably sweat at least one of them out. We recommend: - [REI Polartec Fleece Beanie (midweight)](https://sectionhiker.com/out/pyimdtma) - [Skida High Pile Polartec Fleece Hat (heavyweight)](https://sectionhiker.com/out/exzvant1) - [A Polar Buff, which can be used as a scarf, a hat, or a face mask](https://sectionhiker.com/out/ql5icnvu) - [Fleece headband (great if you run hot)](https://sectionhiker.com/out/t1rcam6c) ### Gloves A minimum of two pairs of gloves is recommended, though hikers often bring three or four if their hands sweat a lot. Experiment with this. You'll be glad to have extras if you sweat out your gloves. One pair of gloves should be modular with an unlined outer waterproof/breathable shell layer and an inner insulating glove liner. Mitts provide more warmth than gloves, but gloves provide more dexterity. One approach is to use an insulating fleece liner glove inside a waterproof mitten shell to provide dexterity and warmth. When purchasing a modular mitten system (mitten plus liner) or a mitten shell, I recommend getting ones with wrist gauntlets, which will insulate your wrists and keep your hands warmer. If your hands are too warm with a mitten shell and liner and they start to perspire, you can remove the mitten shell and pack it away until it's needed. I recommend the following modular mitt systems and mitten shells: - [Outdoor Research Revel Shell Mittens](https://sectionhiker.com/out/reszu8c7) (shell only) - [Outdoor Research Mt Baker Modular Mitts](https://sectionhiker.com/out/liajgckz) (includes insulated glove insert) - [Ragged Mountain Alpine Mitts](https://sectionhiker.com/out/1roy3c6d) (shell only) I usually carry multiple pairs of [inexpensive REI fleece gloves](https://sectionhiker.com/out/3496f7ou) so I can swap them out if one pair gets wet or soaked by perspiration. *Hint*: Buy multiple pairs in the same color so you can swap in a replacement if you lose one or wear one out. If you need to grip an ice axe on your hikes, you'll also want to shop around for an insulated high-dexterity glove so you hold the pick in the ice axe-ready position. A mitten shell doesn't provide enough dexterity to wrap your fingers around the pick, and a glove liner doesn't provide enough insulation from the cold metal. Black Diamond has some good gloves that are appropriate, including the [Black Diamond Punisher Glove.](https://sectionhiker.com/out/vfd07v53) ### Puffy Insulated Hooded Jacket When you're taking a break during a winter hike and have stopped moving, it's best to pull a big puffy insulated jacket out of your backpack and wear it over your other clothes to stay warm. You'll want a parka-weight jacket and not a lightweight 3-season jacket. This coat should be sufficiently warm that you could stand around in it for a few hours if someone in your group has an accident and you need to stay with them until help arrives. You want something with an integrated hood that will keep you toasty warm in frigid weather. We recommend: - [REI Magma 850 Down Hooded Jacket](https://sectionhiker.com/out/yb15brsr) - [Rab Electron Pro Hooded Down Jacket](https://sectionhiker.com/out/6i5me27m) - [Feathered Friends Helios Hooded Down Jacket](https://www.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=app&ti=1019&mi=14101&pw=3816&url=https%3A%2F%2Ffeatheredfriends.com%2Fcollections%2Fmidweight-down-apparel%2Fproducts%2Fhelios-hooded-down-puffer-jacket%3Fvariant%3D43930374799559&ctc=Helios%20Hooded%20Down%20Jacket) Lightweight insulated jackets like the [Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Jacket ](https://sectionhiker.com/out/cjyrjkz4)are too lightweight. ![Mt Israel, December](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2022/10/Mt-Israel-December.jpg) ### Hard Shell or Rain Jacket You also want to carry a windproof and waterproof rain jacket/or hardshell with an adjustable hood that can be worn while you are hiking. They don't have built-in insulation, but they'll shield you from high winds and trap the heat held by your mid-layer garments. Look for jackets with at least two exterior pockets to stash hats and gloves. Hardshell jackets or rain jackets with pit zips provide the most flexibility for regulating your temperature. The [Outdoor Research Foray 3L ](https://sectionhiker.com/out/yvb8851h)with full torso-length side zips is an excellent option that I use in winter. The women's version is called the [Outdoor Research Aspire 3L.](https://sectionhiker.com/out/bvjrcpyx) The [Patagonia Torrentshell 3L](https://sectionhiker.com/out/qcj8qvbf) is another option. ### Hard Shell Pants or Rain Pants Hardshell or rain pants are completely windproof and waterproof. Many people find it helpful to wear pants with full zippers along the sides to vent excess heat while hiking. Ankle zips are required at a minimum, so you can put them on or take them off without removing your boots. *Test this out before you hike with them*. Some hikers wear hardshell pants as their primary pant layer, with long underwear underneath for warmth. [Marmot Precip Full Zip Pants](https://amzn.to/4fm5A9V) are an excellent, economical full-zip waterproof pant option. ### Softshell Pants Many hikers, myself included, prefer wearing softshell pants in winter because they are more breathable and form-fitting than full-zip hardshell pants. If that's the case, you still need to bring a pair of hard-shell pants for protection against sustained precipitation and high winds, since most softshell pants are water and wind-resistant but not waterproof or windproof. Softshell pants tend to be much warmer than hardshell pants, so you often don't need to wear long underwear with them except in very cold weather. REI makes an economical softshell pant called the [Men's Activator Pant](https://sectionhiker.com/out/fmzopyp3) (and [Women's Activator Pant](https://sectionhiker.com/out/o4zldb88)) that I use and recommend. Here are the [other softshell pants for winter hiking and snowshoeing](https://sectionhiker.com/best-winter-hiking-and-snowshoeing-pants-of-2025-2026/) I recommend. ### Base layer insulation Most winter hikers wear a wool or synthetic base layer consisting of a long-sleeve jersey, long underwear pants, and some kind of boxer or bikini underwear under that. All of your base layers must be synthetic or wool, not cotton, because they'll dry faster and won't cause chafing if they get damp. The most important factor in choosing a base layer is that it should be wicking, so it transports sweat away from your skin to the next outer layer of your clothing. Lightweight, thin layers do this better than heavier ones, but again, this is a matter of personal taste. [Patagonia Capilene Cool](https://sectionhiker.com/out/uyb9x5wq), available in jerseys and long underwear, is an excellent option that I use. [A Smartwool Merino 150 LS Baselayer shirt](https://sectionhiker.com/out/wf8fwr7t) is also a good choice. If you run really cold, try a [fishnet-style jersey from Brynje](https://sectionhiker.com/out/ddmaphet). They really do work! ### Mid-Layer Insulation The function of your mid-layer is to wick moisture out of your baselayer and to provide insulation so you'll be warmer. There are many options available, but fleece or wool jackets, hoodies, or jackets usually work best and can sometimes be worn as an outer layer in warmer weather. You can also augment a mid-layer with a softshell jacket or an insulated vest for more warmth, depending on whether you run hot or cold. We recommend(in order of increasing warmth): - [Patagonia R1 Fleece Pullover Hoodie](https://sectionhiker.com/out/z0hki0pp) - [Far Pointe Polartec Alpha Cruiser Hoody](https://sectionhiker.com/out/odmn08g1) - [ZPacks Octa Fleece Hoody](https://sectionhiker.com/out/xexk940q) - [Patagonia R1 Air Full-Zip Fleece Hoodie](https://sectionhiker.com/out/f2vc26b0) - [Outdoor Research Polartec 200 Hoodie Jacke](https://sectionhiker.com/out/dvx5s4l4) ### Winter Traction-Aids The traction aids that you bring on a hike are likely to vary, depending on the weather and whether you are hiking on a trail that others have hiked previously and packed down. Most hikers carry microspikes on all hikes because they provide extra traction on packed snow and ice and they're quite lightweight. Snowshoes may also be required, particularly on less traveled trails or after a snowfall. Heavier-duty crampons may also be required for steep routes covered with rock or thick ice, while snowshoes provide floatation for hiking through unconsolidated snow. It's not uncommon for you to have to carry some or all of these on a hike, depending on where you go and how many other people use the trails you follow. When buying snowshoes for mountainous terrain you want ones that have a televator lift under the heel, which makes it easier to climb hills. We recommend the following traction aids, which are compatible with all types of winter boots. - [Kahtoola Microspikes](https://sectionhiker.com/out/kqhqtfr6) or [Hillsound Trail Crampons](https://sectionhiker.com/out/haztkgpd) - [Hillsound Trail Crampon Pros](https://amzn.to/3CKj7rp) or [Black Diamond Contact Strap Crampons](https://sectionhiker.com/out/xjpjmat0) - [MSR Evo Ascent Snowshoes (Indestructible)](https://sectionhiker.com/out/ccqmtfwe), [MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoes](https://sectionhiker.com/out/ry8e8gxm), or [Tubbs Flex VRT Snowshoes](https://sectionhiker.com/out/g3jh4hck) ### Water Bottles/Water Bottle Insulators Hydration reservoir hoses freeze very easily in cold temperatures, so it's best to carry two or three 1-liter wide-mouth bottles on winter hikes since narrow-mouth bottles also freeze shut more easily. If you carry your water bottles outside of your backpack, it's best to store them upside down in an insulated sleeve so the cap won't freeze shut. [White wide-mouth Nalgene bottles](https://amzn.to/3T8qy13) are the best for winter use because they don't crack. For insulation, try [insulated Nalgene water bottle sleeves](https://amzn.to/481vUTu) or [40 below Neoprene Bottle Boots](https://sectionhiker.com/out/flx135x5). [Insulated Hydroflask 32oz metal bottles](https://sectionhiker.com/out/gt3ezzct) also work but are heavier. You can also store your bottles in a wool sock inside your pack, surrounded by your down parka. Boil your water before putting it into the bottles and it will stay warm for a good part of the day. Add tea, electrolytes, or other flavorings to make it desirable to drink so you stay hydrated. ### Winter Dayhiking Backpacks You'll want a 30-50 liter backpack for winter day hiking because you'll be carrying more extra clothes, food, and water than the rest of the year. Winter packs should have many external attachment points, daisy chains, and side compression straps to which you can attach traction aids such as snowshoes, crampons, or microspikes. These are either too large to pack inside a backpack, have sharp points that can slice up your extra-packed clothing, or will be encrusted with snow and are best kept separate. A full complement of traction aids can add 6-8 pounds to your backpack load, so you'll want a pack with a frame that carries the extra weight on your hips, not on your shoulders. Daisy chains, which are webbing loops found on shoulder straps or the sides of a pack, are good for hooking gear, including water bottles or Nalgene bottles filled with bite-sized snacks that you can shake into your mouth. It's also convenient to have a top lid on a winter backpack with one or more pockets to store gear you want easily at hand, like your headlamp, extra hats, more snacks, and gloves. The following backpacks are excellent for winter day hikes: - [Osprey Mutant 38](https://sectionhiker.com/out/kxlorjs3) - [REI Traverse 35](https://sectionhiker.com/out/lcx60iwx) - [Osprey Kestrel 38](https://sectionhiker.com/out/7p5s543k) / [Kyte 38](https://sectionhiker.com/out/46y8ze6a) - [Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ice Pack 40](https://sectionhiker.com/out/k905r1de) - [Osprey Talon 44](https://sectionhiker.com/out/xd1lexru) / [Tempest 40](https://sectionhiker.com/out/ary5bx5n) - [Cold Cold World Valdez 40](https://sectionhiker.com/out/7mzcyxwz) - [Cold Cold World Chernobyl 50](https://sectionhiker.com/out/8l4cnni5) ### 10 Essentials The 10 essentials are just as important in winter as during the rest of the year, perhaps more so, since winter hiking requires more self-sufficiency. A map and compass are important because it's easy to lose one's way, trail blazes are often buried in snow, and there are far fewer landmarks visible in winter when everything is covered in white. A plastic whistle is better than a metal one, which will freeze to your lips, and is useful if you get lost because it is louder than a human voice. You should use lithium batteries in your headlamp and other electronic devices because they are resistant to cold temperatures; nickel-metal hydride and alkaline batteries drain much faster in cold weather. Rechargeable headlamps are also okay since most have lithium batteries. You might also want to carry two headlamps, since there are so few hours of daylight. While you can buy commercial first aid, gear repair, and fire-starting kits, they're also easy to make by yourself at home. It also helps to bring a multi-tool or some plastic ties on a winter hike to repair gear, especially traction aids, which take a lot of abuse. Sun protection, including sunglasses and sunscreen, is important to carry because it's very easy to get a sunburn from light reflected off the snow. ### Survival Gear If you're winter day hiking alone, it's important to bring extra insulation including a sleeping bag and sleeping pad in order to prevent hypothermia if you are immobilized and you need to survive until help arrives. A 20-degree sleeping bag, a foam accordion sleeping pad like a [Therm-a-rest Zlite](https://sectionhiker.com/out/ogj0pp6y), and a lightweight bivy sack will usually suffice to keep you alive if you also put on all of the clothing you're carrying. These can be split among different hikers if traveling as a group. If you have to spend an unexpected night out, you also need a way to melt snow to make drinking water. While carrying a liquid-fuel stove like an [MSR Whisperlite](https://sectionhiker.com/out/7j62sjws) and a cookpot is the most reliable way to do this, a Jetboil can also work if you can keep the fuel canister warm. Hypothermia is accelerated by dehydration and can have dire consequences. When hiking in a group, this gear is usually distributed between group members; otherwise, you'll probably need a bigger backpack to carry it all. ### Extra Gear for Above Treeline Hikes For above-treeline hiking, your biggest priorities are extra wind protection for your face and extra traction to prevent uncontrolled slides on ice and snow. The easiest way to protect your face is to use a balaclava with a fully integrated facemask like the [Serius Comboclava](https://sectionhiker.com/out/kgvzvqdr). You'll need to combine that with ski goggles to protect your eyes from blowing snow and prevent them from freezing shut. *Practice wearing these before you get above treeline as they can fog easily.* For extra traction, you'll want to buy toothier crampons and possibly an ice ax. This is a fairly advanced stage of winter day hiking, so it's best to learn how to use these tools from a qualified instructor, either a mountaineering guide or in one of the winter hiking schools run by outdoor clubs in the northeast such as the [Appalachian Mountain Club](https://www.outdoors.org/) or [the Adirondack Mountain Club.](https://adk.org/) ### See Also: - [Winter Hiking Boot FAQ](https://sectionhiker.com/winter-hiking-boots-fequently-asked-questions/) - [Winter Hiking Hard Shell Jacket Guide](https://sectionhiker.com/winter-hiking-hard-shell-jacket-guide/) - [Winter Pant Layering for Hikers That Sweat](https://sectionhiker.com/winter-pant-layering-for-hikers-who-sweat/) - [Winter Hiking in a Thin Baselayer](https://sectionhiker.com/winter-hiking-in-a-thin-baselayer/) - [Layering Hacks for Cold Weather and Winter Hiking](https://sectionhiker.com/advanced-layering-temperature-regulation-hacks-for-cold-weather-and-winter-hiking/) #### About the author Updated November 2025. --- # Ultralight Frameless Backpacks: Gear Guide Source: https://sectionhiker.com/10-best-ultralight-frameless-backpacks/ ![](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2023/02/10-Best-Ultralight-Frameless-Backpacks.jpg) As ultralight backpacking gear has gotten lighter weight, so have ultralight frameless backpacks. So much so, that many thru-hikers, section-hikers, and long-distance backpackers can now carry frameless ultralight backpacks for their adventures. Designed for loads of 20-25 pounds or less (including food, water, and fuel), these backpacks and their manufacturers have proven to be wildly innovative in their use of cutting-edge materials, colors, and features.  While backpacking this light isn't for everyone, the increased availability of ultralight backpacking gear and access to know-how through social media has made it more achievable than ever. Here are the 10 frameless ultralight backpacks that we recommend that embody these qualities. Be sure to read our Frameless Ultralight Backpack Selection Guide below which explains these tradeoffs in greater detail. ### 1. Zpacks Nero Ultra (38L) ### 2. Gossamer Gear Kumo (36L) ### 3. Mountainsmith Zerk (40L) ### 4. Pa'lante Packs V2 (31-37L) ### 5. Hyperlite Mountain Gear Contour (35L) ### 6. Durston Gear Wapta 30L ### 7. Mountain Laurel Designs Burn (38L) ### 8. Gossamer Gear G4-20 (42L) ### 9. Six Moon Designs Flight 30 Backpack ### 10. ULA Ultra CDT (54L) ## Frameless Ultralight Backpack Selection Guide ### How to Go Frameless If your aim is to reduce the weight of your backpack to close to a pound or less, here are some ways of achieving that goal. - Use a frameless backpack, since you don't need the added support or weight of a frame or even a hip belt for loads under 20-25 pounds. - Reduce the volume of your pack to 40L or less. which forces you to use lighter-weight and more compact gear. - Pick backpacks made with ultralight fabrics like Dyneema DCF, Ultra, or EcoPak which are waterproof and highly durable. ### Custom vs. Off-the-Shelf Backpacks Many frameless ultralight backpacks are made by hand by cottage manufacturers and can be customized in terms of colors, fabric, or features. Some of the more established backpack manufacturers or retailers listed above only offer "stock" backpacks with a fixed set of features. The advantage of purchasing a stock backpack is that it's usually available immediately without a long wait time. If you decided to go the custom route, be sure to contact the manufacturer if you have any questions before you order. Most custom backpacks are non-returnable. ### Frameless Ultralight Backpack Volume How much volume do you need in an ultralight backpack, when you're trying to get your TOTAL pack weight below 20 pounds? It's hard to make a blanket recommendation because it ultimately comes down to the climate you plan to hike in and what your clothing, sleep insulation, shelter, nutrition, and water needs will be. For general three-season conditions, most UL backpackers find that a 40L pack provides more than enough volume for a 3-5 day trip, including gear, food, fuel, and water. It gets much more difficult to fit everything you need into a 30L backpack, however, unless you can resupply more frequently, you go stoveless, or you don't need to carry much water. However, given the list of packs above, there's not a huge weight penalty for carrying a higher volume pack than you need, since they're all so lightweight and you can compress them using a roll-top closure or side compression. ### Massive External Storage Frameless ultralight backpacks tend to have a lot of external storage which is accessible while you're still wearing the backpack. This is as much a mantra as a design philosophy with the underlying goal of hiking as many miles as possible (like all day) without ever having to stop and take your backpack off. Many frameless ultralight packs come with pockets sewn onto their shoulder straps, bottom stretch pockets so you can reach underneath a pack when worn to pull out snacks or deposit used wrappers, and accessible side pockets. ### Ultralight Backpack Fabrics Most ultralight backpacks are made with Dyneema Composite Fabrics (DCF), XPac, Nylon (Robic, Cordura, Dyneema X, etc.) In terms of durability, Ultra is usually the most durable in terms of abrasion resistance, then EcoPak, XPac and LiteSkin, then DCF, and finally Nylon, although it depends on the denier or weight of the material used. DCF and XPac revolutionized UL backpack manufacturing because they're so lightweight, but are being quickly overtaken by newer waterproof fabrics like EcoPak and Ultra which are even more robust and ecologically sustainable products. The biggest areas of wear and tear on a backpack is the base, where you put it down on the ground, and the side pockets, especially if they're made with mesh. Most UL pack makers have switched to more durable mesh, use more durable stretch mesh that has finer holes and is less prone to snagging, or have switched to making external pockets with solid fabrics for better durability. DCF, XPac, ECOPAK, Ultra, and LiteSkin are all waterproof materials so they won't absorb water when it rains. DCF has the advantage that it can be seam-taped which greatly increases the waterproofing of a backpack. While XPac, ECOPAK, and Liteskin can be seam-sealed, most people don't bother and line their packs with trash compactor bags or use waterproof stuff sacks. Very little water will get in anyway. It's much the same with Robic Nylon and other high-tenacity nylons although they will soak thru, can make your gear wet, and take a while to dry out. See the following FAQs for more advice and reader discussion: - [Dyneema Composite Fabrics FAQ](https://sectionhiker.com/dyneema-composite-fabrics-faq/) - [DCF vs X-Pac for Ultralight Backpacks: Pros and Cons](https://sectionhiker.com/dcf-vs-x-pac-for-ultralight-backpacks-pros-and-cons/) - [Do You Need a Backpack Rain Cover?](https://sectionhiker.com/do-you-need-a-backpack-rain-cover/) - [How to Keep Your Backpacking Gear Dry with Trash Compactor Bags](https://sectionhiker.com/how-to-keep-your-backpacking-gear-dry-with-trash-compactor-bags/) ### Hip Belts on Frameless Backpacks The hip belts found on frameless backpacks are not load-bearing because there's no frame to transfer to load to the hips. This explains why many ultralight packs don't have them, they're removable, or stowable, and only made with webbing if they're included at all. Their only real purpose is to provide an anchorage for hip belt pockets or to prevent the pack from bouncing against your torso if you walk fast. Since the hip belts are not load-bearing, all the weight will rest on your shoulders. When choosing packs, you should consider how much shoulder strap padding you prefer and the strap width that you find most comfortable. ### Shoulder Straps An increasing number of frameless pack makers are including S-shaped backpack straps on their packs, which are more comfortable for women because they accommodate breasts more comfortably.  Many men also find them more comfortable than the J-shaped shoulder straps that were used previously. There's also an increasing use of vest-style shoulder straps on many backpacks which can take some getting used to if you were born and bred on more conventional shoulder straps. The added width and pocket storage on vest-style packs makes them an attractive feature and can help distribute the load across your shoulders, especially if your pack lacks a hip belt. ### Torso Length Shorter torso lengths are also increasingly available to accommodate women, who on average, aren't as tall as men. However, matching your exact torso length is less critical on a frameless backpack because the hip belt is not load-bearing. The fitting process is actually more similar to fitting a daypack (without a hip belt) than a regular framed backpack, although matching your torso length is still a good benchmark to aim for. --- # Mount Prospect, Squam Mountains Quad Source: https://sectionhiker.com/mount-prospect-squam-mountains-quad/ Drive past a private school on Mount Prospect Road. I seem to remember it being just before the road goes to dirt. The trailhead is unsigned. Look for boulders blocking vehicular access and a small parking space with room for 2 or 3 cars. Hiked up a trail and just kept going uphill. The trail is fairly well blazed. It was still icy when I hiked this trail. I passed a vernal pool sign but the versal pool was still frozen solid. The summit is a loop so it doesn't matter which way you go. I found the canister which looks like a wooden bat house. There really aren't views from the summit. Hiked back down. Said hello to an older woman who was hiking up.   --- # Hersey Mountain, Bristol Quad Source: https://sectionhiker.com/hersey-mountain-bristol-quad/ Parked at the Class 6 Rd sign on Carter Mountain Rd and decided not to drive down it. That was a smart move. It was muddy and covered with ice. The route to Hersey Mountain is not entirely obvious. Hiked up the road which is a winter snowmobile trail to a raised earth berm, climbed it, and started heading uphill up an old logging road. Saw a cairn, figured I'd branch off and follow it since it headed in the right direction. There's intermittent blazing and flagging from here on out. [![Hersey Mountain](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2021/05/Hersey-Mountain1-556x720.jpg)](https://sectionhiker.com/hersey-mountain1/) Popped out at the summit cabin. Checked it out and hiked back down. Cool destination. The logbook is on the table in the cabin. Saw no one else. --- # Peakbaggers Hiking Adventure Gift Guide Source: https://sectionhiker.com/peakbaggers-hiking-adventure-gift-guide/ ![Peakbaggers Hiking Adventure Gift Guide](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2022/11/Peakbaggers-Hiking-Adventure-Gift-Guide-640x480.jpg) Peakbagging is the oldest and most elemental of all hiking pursuits. Best defined as an insatiable desire to climb a list of mountains, it's certainly one of the toughest forms of hiking requiring physical fitness, mental toughness, and dogged persistence. Many peakbaggers hike year-round including winter, following hiking trails, driving down logging roads to remote trailheads, pulling sleds of gear on skis into Wilderness areas, or bushwhacking to peaks along border swaths between the United States and Canada. Whether you high point, climb the Colorado fourteeners, the Adirondack 46, the New Hampshire 4000 footers, or some other club list, this gift guide is for you! ### 1. Kestrel 1000 Wind Meter ### 2. Garmin inReach Mini 2 Satellite Messenger ### 3. Mystery Ranch Bear Spray Holster ### 4. GaiaGPS Navigation App Subscription ### 5. Wiggy's Waders ### 6. Suunto M-3D Compass ### 7. Gorilla Grip Gloves ### 8. Nitecore NU33 Rechargeable Headlamp ### 9. SOL Escape Lite Bivy ### 10. Ski Pulk ### 11. MSR Evo Ascent Snowshoes ### 12. Outdoor Research Crocodile Gaiters ### 13. Outdoor Research Sombiolet Wide Brimmed Sun Hat ### 14. Outdoor Research Active Ice Sun Gloves ### 15. Brynje Wool “Fishnet” Long Underwear ### 16. Darn Tough Micro Screw Merino Wool Socks ### 17. Outdoor Research Alti II Mitts ### 18. Maxtrax Vehicle Recovery Traction Boards ### 19. Luno Car/Truck Camping Air Mattress ### 20. Yeti Roadie 24 Cooler #### About the author --- # Hiking Survival Essentials Gear Gift Guide Source: https://sectionhiker.com/hiking-survival-gear-guide/ ![Hiking Survival Gear Guide](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2019/11/Hiking-Surivial-Gear-Gift-Guide.jpg) Every hiker should carry some survival gear so they can stay alive long enough for search and rescue teams to arrive. Here are 10 pieces of survival gear that every hiker should have in their backpack or share within a group when they go hiking or backpacking. ## 1. Garmin inReach Mini 2 Satellite Messenger ### 2. SOL Escape Lite Bivy ## 3. NEMO Switchback Folding Foam Sleeping Pad ### 4. Mountain Series Backpacker First Aid Kit ### 5. Wilderness First Aid Class (WFA) ### 6. Water Purification Tablets ### 7. Suunto A10 Compass ### 8. Black Diamond Spot-R Headlamp ### 9. Anker PowerCore 10000 Battery Pack ### 10. Emergency Whistle --- # Thru-Hiker and Backpacking Gift Guide: Under $200 Source: https://sectionhiker.com/thru-hikers-backpacking-gift-guide-under-200/ ![Thru-hiker and Backpacking Gift Guide](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2024/11/Thru-hiker-and-Backpacking-Gift-Guide.jpg) The thru-hiker or backpacker in your life is probably busy saving for their next hiking adventure, and we can pretty much guarantee they have a long list of items on their wish list. This collection of thru-hiker and backpacking gift ideas under $200 is a good place to start. We’ve listed a variety of gift ideas, from technical backpacking gear to treat-yourself dehydrated meals, to unique gifts that will help commemorate their adventures. ### 1. Black Diamond SPOT-R Headlamp ### 2. MSR PocketRocket 2 ### 3. Darn Tough Micro Crew Merino Wool Socks ### 4. Hyperlite Mountain Gear Dyneema Shoulder Pocket ### 5. Sea to Summit Aeros Ultralight Pillow ### 6. Cocoon Merino Wool Liner ### 7. Six Moon Designs Silver Shadow Carbon Trekking Umbrella ### 8. Enlightened Equipment Torrid Jacket ### 9. Zpacks Bear Bagging Kit ### 10. UltraliteSacks UL Compression Sack ### 11. Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter ### 12. Hyperlight Mountain Gear Packing Pods ### 13. TentLab Dirtsaw Deuce of Spades #2 Trowel ### 14. Good To-Go Backpacking Meals ### 15. Chicken Tramper Gear Water Bottle Sleeve ### 16. Dirty Girl Gaiters ### 17. BearVault BV500 Bear Canister ### 18. Leatherman Micra Multi-Tool ### 19. Counter Assault Cross Draw Bear Spray Holster ### 20. Gossamer Gear LT5 Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles ### About the author --- # Appalachian Trail Hikers Gift Guide 2026 Source: https://sectionhiker.com/appalachian-trail-hikers-gift-guide/ ![Appalachian Trail Hikers Gift Guide](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2021/10/Appalachian-Trail-Hikers-Gift-Guide-640x480.jpg) Here is a selection of must-have gifts for the Appalachian Trail Thru-hiker or Section Hiker in your family. It doesn't matter if they hike the trail end-to-end all at once or in stages, they'll appreciate these gifts and think of you when they use them every day. We’ve listed a variety of gift ideas across a range of price points, from backpacking gear to luxury items that will help them enjoy their adventures. Chances are they're busy saving for their next thru-hike or section hike, and we can pretty much guarantee that some of the items below are listed on their wish lists. ### 1. Nitecore NU25 UL ### 2. MSR PocketRocket 2 ### 3. Enlightened Equipment Revelation 20 Quilt ### 4. Zpacks Duplex Zip 2P Tent ### 5. Sea to Summit Aeros Ultralight Pillow ### 6. Katabatic Gear Alsek 22 Quilt ### 7. Sea-to-Summit Ether Light XT Insulated Pad ### 8. Enlightened Equipment Torrid Jacket ### 9. Zpacks Bear Bagging Kit ### 10. UltraliteSacks UL Compression Sack ### 11. Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter ### 12. Hyperlight Mountain Gear Packing Pods ### 13. TentLab Dirtsaw Deuce of Spades #2 Trowel ### 14. Hammock Gear Wanderluxe Ultralight Hammock Kit ### 15. Vargo BOT 700 ### 16. Darn Tough Micro Crew Merino Wool Socks ### 16. Hyperlite Mountain Flat Tarp ### 18. Gossamer Gear LT5 Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles ### 19. Garmin inReach Mini 2 Satellite Messenger ### 20. Durston X-Mid Pro 1 --- # 25 Great Backpacking Gifts for $25 or Less Source: https://sectionhiker.com/25-great-backpacking-gifts-for-25-or-less-2/ ![25 Great Backpacking Gifts for $25 or Less](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2021/10/25-Great-Backpacking-Gifts-for-25-or-Less.jpg) Backpacking gear has gotten very expensive. But here are 25 backpacking gifts for $25 or less, that any backpacker would love to receive. Many are made by smaller backpacking gear manufacturers including Mountain Blaze, ### 1. Dyneema Spoon Covers ![Dyneema Spoon Cover](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2025/11/Dyneema-Spoon-Cover.jpg) ### 2. Micro-Scissors with Cover ![Microscissors](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2025/11/Microscissors.jpg) Micro Scissors are super small, super light, and super safe. You’ll find lots of backcountry uses where scissors perform better than a knife and make the job easier. And at just 0.17 oz (4.7 g), they’re definitely worth their weight. The precision-ground stainless steel blades start sharp and stay sharp. The finger holes are oversized and elongated for use with or without thin gloves. A silicone safety cover keeps the sharp tips from stabbing you and your gear. The cover is tethered to the handle, so you’ll never lose it. ### 3. Compression Cord Set ![Compression Cord Set](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2025/11/Compression-Cord-Set.jpg) Elastic cords for attaching your bear can or a sleeping pad to the outside of your backpack because it won't fit inside. Available in multiple colors, each elastic cord has reflective stripes. Each cord comes with 4 lightweight mini cord-locks. ### 4. Chicken Tramper Cold Soak Jar ![Cold Soak Jar](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2025/11/Cold-Soak-Jar-.jpg) Cold Soaking Jars offer a revolutionary way to enjoy your favorite trail meals without the fuss of traditional cooking. Simply add water to your food and let it soak for 30-60 minutes while you hike. No stove, no boiling water, no cleanup. It's that easy. This leak-proof jar is made of FDA-compliant high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic, which is rigid and has good impact and chemical resistance. Its translucent design, smooth inner walls, and ribbed lid make for easy access and cleaning. ### 5. Wooden Mouse Traps [![Wooden Mouse Traps](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2023/11/Wooden-Mouse-Traps-344x480.jpg)](https://amzn.to/40wLp31) If you're buying a gift for an Appalachian Trail thru-hiker or section hiker, there's a pretty good chance that they sleep in trail shelters that have mice. If you want to tickle their funny bone and protect their food bag, give them a set of old-school mouse traps to bring along on their backpacking trips. Just bait them with cheese or peanut butter. I once met an Appalachian thru-hiker named "Stretch" who carried mouse traps from shelter to shelter and would surround his sleeping pad with them each night.  Needless to say, I didn't see many mice in the shelters on that section hike. ### 6. One Ounce Bottles (set of 4) ![1 oz bottles](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2025/11/1-oz-bottles.jpg) These handy squeeze bottles were easy to buy when REI sold them, but they've been hard to find since. They each hold 1 fluid ounce (29.5 ml) and great for repackaging small quantities of shampoo, conditioner, sunscreen, moisturizer, hand sanitizer, and other cosmetics. ### 7. Folding Foam Sit Pads ![Folding Foam Sut Pads](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2025/11/Folding-Foam-Sut-Pads.jpg) The ultimate in simplicity, this folding pad is your go-anywhere, do-anything comfort companion. Whether you're taking a trailside break or enjoying a picnic in the park, this pad has your back (and your backside). Lightweight, waterproof, and moisture-resistant, it folds up small and stashes easily in your pack or pocket. ### 8. Tent Platform Anchors [![Fishbone Tent Anchors](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2021/10/Fishbone-Tent-Anchors.jpg)](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07SN211SD/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B07SN211SD&linkId=8a1a4a1433988fa001542ba91b3a0af5)This 10-pack of ultralight tent platform anchors makes it a snap to set up a tent on a wooden tent site platform. The anchors slide in between the boards and provide a secure anchor to tie down a tent. The highly visible red color also makes them hard to lose. ### 9. CuloClean Soda Bottle Bidet [![CuloClean](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2021/10/CuloClean.jpg)](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07L448T4K/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B07L448T4K&linkId=3958ef7b4f63c013b9aacc2b69821a17)Reduce the amount of toilet paper used in the backcountry while preventing the dreaded chafing and "monkey butt" that results when your crack isn't clean. This handy bidet attachment screws onto regular plastic water/soda bottles so you can clean up anywhere, even at the office. Very popular with thru-hikers! ### 10. Injinji Liner Crew Toe Socks [![Injini socks](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2024/11/Injini-socks-474x480.jpg)](https://sectionhiker.com/out/2prw5bq8) Banish blisters forever with these ingenious [Injinji Liner Crew Toe Socks](https://sectionhiker.com/out/2prw5bq8). Wear these light and breathable liner socks under thicker outer socks as a first line of defense against moisture and blisters, or wear them alone as your go-to socks for everyday adventures. Made with Coolmax, these synthetic socks wrap each toe individually, preventing the friction that causes blisters. ### 11. Hiker Wallet ![Hiker wallet WEBO](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2023/11/Hiker-wallet-WEBO.jpg) Hikers don't need or want to carry a thick wallet when hiking or backpacking because they only need to carry a driver's license, a credit card or two, an insurance card, and some cash. The WEBO Hiker's Wallet is made with XPac waterproof fabric and has a waterproof zipper to keep valuables dry. It's available in a wide range of bright colors, making it easy to locate inside a backpack when it's needed. ### 12. Long-Handled Titanium Spoon with Polished Bowl ![Spoon 2](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2025/11/Spoon-2.jpg) Ideal for eating, stirring, or scraping the last scraps from your dehydrated meal pouch, the TOAKS Titanium Long Handle Spoon with Polished Bowl is a durable, light addition to your ultralight kit. ### 13. Cork Massage Ball [![Cork Massage Ball](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2023/11/Cork-Massage-Ball.jpg)](https://amzn.to/47sayxR) If there's one thing all hikers and backpackers have in common, it's sore feet. If there's no one around willing to give you a foot massage, especially after a long day of hiking, you can carry an ultralight cork massage ball to work out the knots and help relax your aching feet. Weighing a bit more than one ounce, this 2.5" cork massage ball is the size recommended by massage therapists and physical therapists for soothing myofascial tissue pain and plantar fasciitis, loosening sore muscles, and improving mobility. So have a ball and give your feet a break. ### 14. Cathole Sheath ![Shovel Sheaf](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2025/11/Shovel-Sheaf.jpg) Handy organizer for holding all your toilet essentials, including a cathole trowel, sheewee, tissues, and plastic bags if you need to pack out your waste. Made with Dyneema, it is expertly crafted for durability and convenience on the trail. With a spacious, seam-taped main pocket, this bag offers water resistance for items like toilet paper, wipes, or tent stakes. ### 15. Counter Assault Cross Draw Bear Spray Holster ### 16. Gossamer Gear Shoulder Strap Pocket ![Gossamer Shoulder Strap Pocket](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2025/11/Gossamer-Shoulder-Strap-Pocket-380x480.jpg) This simple, easy-to-use shoulder strap pocket fits most packs. It attaches securely and easily with one vertical strap and two horizontal wrapping wings. A front mesh stretch pocket makes it the perfect extra storage pocket. Available in two sizes, both under $25. ### 17. Tyvek Groundsheet [![tyvek-groundsheet-angle-l_800x](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2021/10/tyvek-groundsheet-angle-l_800x.jpg)](https://sectionhiker.com/out/jr7b2gft)This 5' x 9' Tyvek groundsheet is incredibly useful for protecting the bottom of your sleeping pad from splinters or nails if you sleep in Appalachian or Adirondack shelters. This type of Tyvek folds up small but is tough as hell. It also works well as a tent footprint. ### 18. Kula Cloth Pee Cloth [![Kula Cloth](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2021/10/Kula-Cloth.jpg)](https://sectionhiker.com/out/rzi3wxhz)A Kula is a reusable antimicrobial pee cloth for anybody who squats when they pee. It's self-sterilizing and dries when clipped to the outside of your backpack, eliminating the need to bury toilet paper in the wilderness. Female hikers swear by it. ### 19. Reusable Waterproof Pack Liner [![Six Moon designs Pack Liner](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2023/11/Six-Moon-designs-Pack-Liner-366x480.jpg)](https://amzn.to/3FTiZXA)Hikers and backpackers usually line the inside of their backpacks to prevent rain from leaking through the backpack seams and making their gear and clothing wet. They often use plastic bags which eventually find their way into landfills. It'd be much better and environmentally friendly if they could reuse the same waterproof pack liner, like this one from Six Moon Designs, again and again. Their pack liner is a 50L waterproof rolltop bag with taped seams that many hikers and backpackers use to safeguard their gear from moisture. Its brightly colored exterior helps make things easier to find inside a dark backpack. ### 20. TentLab Dirtsaw Deuce of Spades Trowel ### 21. Merino Wool Beanie [![Minus 33 beanie enhanced](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2021/10/Minus-33-beanie-enhanced.jpg)](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FLRIYM8/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B00FLRIYM8&linkId=192d2a42974d1e966d0d9d8bea2c8e18)Hikers and backpackers share wilderness areas with hunters and it helps when hikers wear highly visible blaze orange clothing during hunting season so hunters can see them more easily. This lightweight Minus 33 Merino beanie is super warm and can be used for hiking or sleeping in cool weather. One size fits most. It's also available in a wide range of colors. ### 22. Vargo Titanium Ultralight Tent Stakes [![Vargo Titanium tent Stakes](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2022/09/Vargo-Titanium-tent-Stakes.jpg)](https://amzn.to/3FagvEz)This 6-pack of ultralight Vargo Titanium tent stakes combines the classic Shepherds Hook design with the lightness and durability of titanium. Weighing just 8 grams each, they have a fluorescent orange head, making them hard to lose. These tent pegs add almost no weight to your backpack while their titanium construction assures they'll hold up to hard use. ### 23. Swiss Army Classic Pocket Knife [![Swiss-Army-Classic-Knife](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2017/04/Swiss-Army-Classic-Knife-275.jpg)](https://sectionhiker.com/out/r0d95nuv)The Swiss Army Classic pocket knife is a longtime hiker favorite because it's super lightweight but packs many of the tools that hikers need daily, ranging from a small pair of sharp scissors and a knife to a nail file, toothpick, and tweezers. Weighing just 0.7 ounces, it's easy to clip to the outside of your backpack with a mini-biner for easy access. Replacement toothpicks and tweezers are also available since they're usually the first thing you lose. ### 24. Black Diamond Astro 300 Headlamp Black Diamond is not known for making headlamps with trivial (easy-to-remember) controls, but the rechargeable and dual fuel Astro 300 breaks the mold. This single-lens single-switch headlamp has a white light and three brightness levels: high, medium, and low, with full strength, dimming, and strobe modes. It can be powered by three AAA batteries or a 1500 mAh Lithium-ion rechargeable battery that recharges with a micro-USB charge port and has an IPX4 rating, stormproof to withstand rain and sleet from any angle. ### 25. No Sink Feet Helinox Chairs ![No sink feet](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2025/11/No-sink-feet.jpg) Tired of your Helinox Chair sinking into the ground? These no-sink feet will prevent the dreaded slow sink of these great chairs. Fits Chair One, Chair Zero,   --- # Long Distance Hiking Trails Source: https://sectionhiker.com/long-distance-hiking-trails/ ![The Profanity Trail - Mount Mansfield - The Long Trail, Vermont.](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2008/01/The-Profanity-Trail-on-the-Long-Trail-Mount-Mansfield-Vermont.jpg) This is a list of long-distance trails in the US that are at least 100 miles in length and are primarily footpaths. Most of these trails are maintained by hiking clubs and outdoor recreational organizations. Please consider joining these organizations, becoming a trail maintenance volunteer, making a donation, or purchasing merchandise from their website stores. These are all great trails, so get out there and hike them. ## Appalachian Trail ![Appalachian Trail Sign](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2020/04/1024px-Appalachian_Trail_sign_in_Pennsylvania.jpeg) Probably the best known long-distance trail in the US, the Appalachian Trail spans 2,178 miles from Maine to Georgia. Many local trail organizations contribute time and effort to maintaining sections of the trail. ## Allegheny Trail The Allegheny Trail is a 287.81-mile north-south trail starting at the PA/ WV state line running north/south on roads and trails through the Allegheny Highlands including the Monongahela NF in WV and the George Washington & Jefferson NF in VA ending on the Appalachian Trail. Volunteer workers maintain all sections of the Allegheny Trail, which is marked by 2"x 6" yellow blazes. Visit the West Virginia Scenic Trails Association for more information. A guidebook is available in their online store. ## Arizona Trail ![Arizona Trail](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2020/04/ArizonaTrail-01.jpg) The Arizona Trail is a primitive long-distance trail, nearly 800 miles long, that traverses the state of Arizona from Mexico to Utah. The rail is broken into 43 sections that are 11 to 35 miles in length. The AZT is maintained by the Arizona Trail Association which publishes The Arizona Trail Guide (which is also available for the kindle). ## Benton MacKaye Trail The Benton MacKaye Trail runs through the Appalachian Mountains of the southeast US for nearly 300 miles and passes through some of the most remote backcountry of Georgia, Tennessee and North Carolina. ## Buckeye Trail The Buckeye Trail forms a circuit around the state of Ohio and is neat 1,444 miles in length. There are 26 section to the Buckeye trail each named after a town or trail feature. ## Cohos Trail The Cohos Trail is a 162 mile trail in northern New Hampshire that stretches across the state's most remote and unpopulated terrain. ![Colorado Trail Map](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2020/04/Colorado-Trail-Map.jpg) ## Colorado Trail Stretching almost 500 miles from Denver to Durango, the Colorado Trail travels through the spectacular Colorado Rocky Mountains amongst peaks with lakes, creeks and diverse ecosystems. Trail users experience six wilderness areas and eight mountain ranges topping out at 13,334 feet. The Colorado Trail is maintained by the Colorado Trail Foundation. They publish the definitive Colorado Trail Guidebook w/Maps as well as the Colorado Trail Databook. ## Continental Divide Trail The Continental Divide Trail links Mexico to Canada, passing through the states of Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico. At this time, the CDT is not yet completed although significant portions have been completed in all 4 states. The Continental Divide separates the rivers and streams that flow east to the Atlantic Ocean from those that flow west to the Pacific. ## Finger Lakes Trail The Finger Lakes Trail is 562 miles long and connects the Catskills with the Allegheny Mountains passing through remote sections of New York State. ## Florida Trail The Florida Trail stretches the length of the State of Florida for nearly 1,400 miles. Portions of the trail that cross private land can only be hiked if you are a member of the Florida Trail Association, so join now. ## Foothills Trail The Foothills Trail is a 76 mile woodland path along the Blue Ridge Escarpment in northwestern South Carolina. ## Horseshoe Trail The Horse-Shoe Trail is a 140-mile hiking and equestrian trail that runs from Valley Forge to the Appalachian Trail in southeastern Pennsylvania. The trail runs roughly parallel to the I-76 turnpike from Harrisburg to Valley Forge. ## Ice Age Trail The 1,000 mile Ice Age Trail is located entirely within the state of Wisconsin. The Trail goes through mixed forests, open prairies, marsh and wetland areas, along wide gravel rail-trails and established state park trails. It traverses farm fields, urban and residential areas, small communities and remote state and national forests. ## John Muir Trail The John Muir trail runs for 211 miles from Yosemite Valley to Mt. Whitney, in California. The trail is considered one of the most picturesque hikes in the US and trail elevation ranges from 8,000 feet to nearly 15,000 feet. Wilderness Permits are required to camp on the trail. ## Lone Star Hiking Trail The Lone Star Hiking Trail is the only long-distance National Recreation Trail in Texas. At 128 miles (including loop trails), it is also the state’s longest continuously marked and maintained footpath. The trail meanders through flat and gently rolling forests of pine, oak, and mixed hardwood, and cypress swamps and bayous in the famed Big Thicket area in east Texas, in the Sam Houston National Forest. ## Long Path The Long Path is a 326 mile hiking trail extending from the George Washington Bridge, north to John Boyd Thacher Park near Albany. Future plans are to extend the trail to the Mohawk River and eventually into the Adirondaks. ## Long Trail Built by the Green Mountain Club between 1910 and 1930, the 272 mile Long Trail is the oldest long-distance trail in the United States. The Long Trail follows the main ridge of the Green Mountains from the Massachusetts-Vermont line to the Canadian border as it crosses Vermont's highest peaks. It was the inspiration for the Appalachian Trail, which coincides with it for one hundred miles in the southern third of the state. ## Mason Dixon Trail The 193 mile Mason Dixon Trail connects the Appalachian Trail with the Brandywine Trail. The trail starts at Whiskey Springs on the Appalachian Trail, in Cumberland County, PA and finally then heads northeast to its eastern terminus at Chadds Ford, PA on the banks of the Brandywine River. ## Midstate Trail of Pennsylvania The 285 mile Midstate Trail is the longest continuous footpath in Pennsylvania running from the Mason Dixon Line to the Pennsylvania/New York State border. The trail features spectacular vista from mountaintops and the remoteness of wild forests and streams. ## Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway The Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway is a 50 mile hiking trail linking Mount Monadnock with Mount Sunapee in southwestern New Hampshire. The trail winds along the Monadnock Highlands that separate the Connecticut and Merrimack River watersheds. ## Mountains to Sea Trail ![Mountains to the Sea Trail](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2020/04/Mountains-to-the-DSea-Trail.jpg) The Mountains-to-Sea Trail is a simple footpath stretching almost 1,000 miles across North Carolina from Clingmans Dome in the Great Smoky Mountains to Jockey’s Ridge on the Outer Banks. More than just a walk in the woods, the trail traces the diversity that is North Carolina. Experience ancient mountains and small Piedmont farms, coastal swamps and colonial towns, changing textile villages and barrier islands. More than 500 miles of footpath are now completed. With temporary routes on backroads and bicycle paths, hikers can now follow the trail on an adventure across North Carolina. ## New England Trail The New England National Scenic Trail (NET) is a 215-mile trail route that has been in existence for over half a century. It travels through 39 communities in Connecticut and Massachusetts, and is comprised primarily of the historic Mattabesett, Metacomet, and Monadnock (M-M-M) Trails.The route showcases classic New England landscape features: long distance vistas with rural towns as a backdrop, agrarian lands, un-fragmented forests, and large river valleys.  ## North Country Trail The North Country Trail is nearly 4,600 miles long and passes through 7 states from New York to North Dakota, linking 7 states, 10 national forests, and more than 150 public lands. ## Northville Placid Trail The 133 mile Northville Placid Trail* *passes through what many consider the wildest and most remote parts of the Adirondack Park, notably the high plateau that encompasses the Spruce, West Canada, and Cedar lakes area, along with that of the Cold River.  The highest point the N-P Trail reaches (3008 ft) is at the crest of the ridge to the E of Blue Mt. and of Tirrell Pond. ## Ouachita Trail The Ouachita Trail stretches 223 miles through the beautiful Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas and Oklahoma. ## Ozark Highlands Trail The Ozark Highlands Trail is 165 miles long and is located in northwest Arkansas. ## The Ozark Trail The Ozark Trail is 350 miles of trail that wind through the Missouri Ozarks, part of a 25-year-old concept to run a trail from St. Louis to the Arkansas border and eventually connect with the Ozark Highland Trail in Arkansas to create a 700-mile through-trail. ## Pacific Crest Trail The Pacific Crest Trail is 2,650 miles long and zigzags its way from Mexico to Canada through California, Oregon and Washington. The trail passes through a wide variety of habitats including desert, old-growth forest and alpine back country. ## Pacific Northwest Trail The Pacific Northwest Trail is 1,200 miles long and runs from the Continental divide to the Pacific, passing through the Rocky Mountains, the Selkirk Mountains, Pasayten Wilderness, the North Cascades, the Olympic Mountains and the Wilderness Coast. ## Sheltowee Trace Trail The Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail traverses nearly 290 miles across narrow ridges and deep ravines in the Daniel Boone National Forest and is considered the “backbone” of an expansive interconnecting trail system. Many other trails link to the Sheltowee Trace enabling easier day hiking loops and challenging multi-day backpacking trips. From north to south, the trail travels from the Knobs region to the Cumberland  Plateau in southern and eastern Kentucky. Old homesteads, oil and gas wells and logging tracts can be seen along the trail, representing the remnants of past land uses that have occurred over time. In 1979, the Sheltowee Trace was officially dedicated as part of the Daniel Boone National Forest trail system. The trail is named in honor of Daniel Boone. Sheltowee (pronounced shel-toe-ee) is the name given to Boone by Chief Blackfish of the Shawnee tribe, meaning “Big Turtle.” ## Superior Hiking Trail The Superior Hiking Trail is a 205 mile long footpath that follows the rocky ridgeline above Lake Superior in northeastern Minnesota from Two Harbors to the Canadian border. The trail has trailheads with parking lots every 5 to 10 miles, making it ideal for section hikers, including 92 fee-free campsites. ## Tahoe Rim Trail The Tahoe Rim Trail is a 165 mile loop around Lake Tahoe. About 50 miles of the trail overlap with the Pacific Crest Trail. ## Tuscarora Trail The Tuscarora Trail was originally created as a new route for the Appalachian Trail. It departs the Appalachian Trail at the top of Blue Mountain in Deans Gap and travels along ridge tops, southwesterly, to Maryland, where it connects to the Big Blue Trail before joining the Appalachian Trail again in Shenandoah National Park. The trail is over 250 miles in length, with 110 miles in Pennsylvania. It is maintained,  in part, by volunteers from the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club.    [prli-product-display type="product"] --- # 10 Best Thru-Hiking Tents of 2026 Source: https://sectionhiker.com/10-best-thru-hiking-tents/ ![10 Best Thu-Hiking Tents](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2021/01/10-Best-Thu-Hiking-Tents.jpg) What are the best tents for thru-hiking? The first major option is choosing between a tent that comes with tent poles or a trekking-pole tent. Tents that have their own tent poles are usually easier to set up than trekking pole tents but often weigh more. Trekking pole tents utilize your trekking poles for the structure of the shelter, and are often single-wall, which means increased condensation. That said, there are plenty of hybrid shelters that mix and match the two as well. You’ll also be considering the following factors: livable space, weight, durability, ease of pitch, and protection. When you take all of these into consideration, there is no perfect tent. If you’re opting for lighter weight, you’re probably sacrificing durability. If you want more livable space and protection, it’s likely a heavier tent. Your best thru-hiking tent is the one that matches your hiking style. If you’re not an ultralight hiker, you probably won’t be happy with a minimalist tarp. Conversely, if you have a sub-10-pound base weight, chances are you aren’t carrying a freestanding two-person freestanding tent. Here are our top picks for the best thru-hiking tents to fit a variety of thru-hiking styles and preferences. ### 1. Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 ### 2. Gossamer Gear "The One" ### 3. Zpacks Duplex ### 4. Dan Durston X-Mid 1 ### 5. Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL2 ### 6. NEMO Hornet Elite OSMO 2 ### 7. Zpacks Plex Solo ### 8. Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo ### 9. Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 2 (2P) ### 10. Tarptent Double Rainbow ## Thru-Hiking Tent Selection Guide Here’s a summary of factors to keep in mind when choosing your thru-hiking tent. ### Freestanding tents vs. trekking pole shelters These are the two main categories of backpacking tents, and there are pros and cons to both. Ultralight hikers are more apt to choose trekking-pole shelters, which are primarily single-wall units. These are held up by trekking poles, which the design assumes you already carry, thus no added weight of a pole system. These take some practice pitching: if they’re pitched correctly, they are very sturdy, but they definitely have the potential for poor pitches. A freestanding tent or semi-freestanding tent, depending on how you define it, usually consists of a tent body and a separate rain fly. A separate set of poles creates the structure, and most of these models have to be staked out at the corners and fly for the best pitch. These tents can offer more resistance to condensation and a faster, sturdier pitch on a variety of surfaces, but they are typically bulkier and heavier than trekking-pole models. ### Livable space and capacity There’s a saying that gets thrown around with thru-hiking tents, something along the lines of: a two-person tent is one-person-plus-gear, and a three-person tent is a two-person-tent-plus gear. Just because you’ve hiked with a partner and used a two-person tent, it doesn’t mean you want to live in it with them for up to six months at a time. If you and your partner like to be able to sit up, spread your gear out, and stay away from the tent walls, consider a three-person model for your extended hike. Whichever size you choose, hiking with a partner means you should choose a model with two doors and two vestibules. ### How much does weight-saving matter to you? With very few exceptions, an ultralight shelter is going to compromise something else in the name of saving weight. It might be a single-wall trekking pole shelter that feels finicky to set up and collects condensation, or it might be an ultralight freestanding tent that isn’t as durable as other models. Thinner materials in ultralight shelters need more care, and ultralight poles have to be handled with care as well. A lighter tent might have less interior space, which can feel cramped in bad weather. Before you go for the lightest shelter out there, consider your preferences as a hiker. You might take a compromise on weight but will end up with a tent best suited for yourself and your hiking style. That said, you don’t want to be carrying any more than a three or four-pound tent on your own. If you’re splitting a tent with a partner, both people shouldn't have to carry more than two pounds each. ### Durability and materials This goes hand in hand with weight savings. Before you jump on the Dyneema Composite Fabric bandwagon, know that you’ll have to take extra care of the shelter should you go this route. DCF is the darling of the ultralight world, and it has a ton of benefits as a tent material. It’s taut, waterproof, and tear-resistant. But the fact that it has no give means it can be prone to failure if stretched too much, and some earlier models of DCF tents tried to use too lightweight material, and the DCF tore on high-profile testing trips. If you know you’re hard on tents and you don’t usually carry a footprint, go for a heavier model, or at least something with a reinforced floor. Lighter models have thinner fly fabric and mesh also, with a tendency to get caught in door zippers. Be aware of this, and know that just because your tent cost an arm and a leg, it doesn’t guarantee it’ll stand up to continuous abuse over thousands of miles. #### About the author --- # 10 Best Thru-Hiking Backpacks of 2026 Source: https://sectionhiker.com/10-best-thru-hiking-backpacks/ ![10 Best Thru-hiking Backpacks](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2021/01/10-Best-Thru-hiking-Backpacks.jpg) What are the best backpacks for thru-hiking? A thru-hiking pack needs to be comfortable, durable, and have enough capacity to hold the gear needed to live on the trail for up to six months at a time, as well as long food and water carries. There’s no “perfect” backpack for thru-hiking, and no one-size-fits-all. What it comes down to is understanding the type of hiker you are (camp comfort, ultralight, or somewhere in the middle) and what matters most to you. Is it weight savings? Organization? Padding? For the most part, our recommendations for a thru-hiking backpack are: - between 50 and 65 liters in volume - can comfortably carry at least 25 pounds of gear, water, and food - have the organization options and durability necessary for an extended thru-hike. Our picks include brands and models that range from more padded to ultralight and simplified. We’ve also answered some questions below the listings to help you choose the best backpack for your hike. ### 1. Osprey Exos Pro 55/Eja Pro 55 Backpack ### 2. Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 ### 3. Hyperlite Mountain Gear 3400 Southwest ### 4. Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60 ### 3. Granite Gear Crown 3 60 Backpack ### 7. Gossamer Gear G4-20 ### 8. Superior Wilderness Designs Long Haul 50 ### 9. Osprey Atmos AG 65 ### 10. Mountain Laurel Designs Exodus 55 ## Thru-Hiking Backpack Selection Criteria There are a lot of backpacks out there. We chose a variety to suit hikers of all experience levels, needs, and gear preferences. When shopping, keep in mind that some of the smaller brands listed might have a long lead time on custom packs if they don’t have stock models available. Larger brands (Osprey, Hyperlite Mountain Gear, Gossamer Gear) will usually have most models in stock. If you want a custom pack from a cottage brand, just plan ahead. Here are a few tips for choosing the best thru-hiking pack for yourself. ### Organization and convenience This takes accessibility and pockets into consideration. Being able to organize your pack to your preferences makes life a lot easier on the trail. If you’re happy using a variety of pack pods and stuff sacks for your smaller items, you will be set with a simpler pack that doesn't have a lot of external and internal pockets. If you’d rather keep your small and easy-access items on hand, choose a pack with a shoulder pocket, good hip belt pockets, and even a zippered top lid like the Exos. When you try the pack on or take it for a shakedown, see if you can reach your water bottles without taking the pack off and if it’s easy to adjust on the go. ### Load limit The urge to go low-capacity or ultralight is tempting. Some of the trendiest packs forgo hip belts and even internal frames. If you have a sub-10-pound base weight and never have to carry more than 25 lbs total, you can confidently go in the direction of an ultralight pack. Most people will fall somewhere in the middle, like the Gossamer Gear Mariposa or Hyperlite Mountain Gear 3400 Southwest. We’ve included the recommended load limit, but keep in mind every hiker’s comfort level is different. In our experience, some brands can be “generous” in their load recommendations and hikers might find their maximum recommendations to be too heavy for the pack. ### Durability and weatherproofing Extended backpacking trips take a toll on packs, from buckle failures to abrasion to mesh tearing. The packs we included on this list are all durable, but be aware that stretchier mesh pockets (like the Gossamer Gear G4-20) are more prone to tearing than the non-stretch, hefty pockets on a pack like the Hyperlite Mountain Gear 3400 Southwest. DCF is also waterproof and abrasion-resistant, but you’ll be paying a premium for that pack material as opposed to something like Cordura or Robic nylon. XPac is a waterproof fabric that is more abrasion resistant than DCF and less expensive, but the pack markers who use it don't seal the seams like the manufacturers who use DCF. If your pack isn’t waterproof, we recommend a pack liner [(see our favorites)](https://sectionhiker.com/5-backpack-liners-compared/). ### Fit This one should go without saying, but be sure the fit and convenience of a pack works for you. A small discomfort, like shoulder straps sitting too low, will be exacerbated over thousands of miles. Additionally, consider what you’re going to want to do while hiking. Can you reach your water bottles without taking the pack off. If you can’t try the pack on in a store, take it on a test hike once you receive it, and always be aware of different sizing specifications across the different brands. You might be a medium torso in one brand and a small in another. ### Ventilation Some hikers don’t mind having the pack sit right up against their backs, others will prefer a suspended mesh. Packs like the Hyperlite Mountain Gear models sit flush against your back, while models like the Osprey Exos or Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra have a mesh suspension system for ventilation. On an extended thru-hike you’ll be wearing this pack in a variety of climates and temperature ranges, but if you have to hike in humid weather like on the AT, we'd recommend going with a ventilated frame. #### About the author --- # 10 Best Thru-Hiking Sleeping Bags and Quilts Source: https://sectionhiker.com/10-best-thru-hiking-sleeping-bags-and-quilts/ ![10 Best Thru-Hiking Sleeping Bags and Quilts](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2021/01/10-Best-Thru-Hiking-Sleeping-Bags-and-Quilts.jpg) When choosing the best sleeping bag or quilt for your thru-hike, you want it to be warm enough for the lowest temperatures you might encounter on your hike, pack down small, and not be too big or heavy to carry for weeks or months on end. The major factors to consider are as follows: - Down vs synthetic insulation. Down bags pack down much smaller than synthetic ones, so you can carry more water or food between resupplies. - Warmth-to-weight ratio. High fill-power down will pack smaller and stay warmer with a lower weight but will also cost more. - Sleeping bag vs quilt. This is all about preference. Quilts offer more freedom of movement but can be drafty. Sleeping bags are more protected but can be bulkier and more confining. Here are the best sleeping bags and quilts for thru-hiking, listed in no particular order. ### 1. REI Magma 15 ### 2. Western Mountaineering Versalite 10 ### 3. Enlightened Equipment Revelation 20 Quilt ### 4. Sea-to-Summit Ascent 15 Sleeping Bag ### 5. Katabatic Gear Alsek 22 Quilt ### 6. Zenbivy Ultralight Bed ### 7. Feathered Friends Flicker UL 20 ### 8. Feathered Friends Egret UL 20 (women's) ### 9. Enlightened Equipment Convert ### 10. Marmot Helium 15 ## Thru-Hiking Sleeping Bag and Backpacks Quilts ### Temperature ratings Like we said above, most three-season thru-hikers will be perfectly comfortable with a 20-degree sleeping bag—be sure to check the R-value of your sleeping pad to make sure it complements the bag’s rating. If the weather gets colder, you can throw on a beanie or a jacket in the sleeping bag. If it gets warmer, unzip the bag for venting. We’ve listed mostly 20-degree bags in this roundup, and since the majority of models have a high-loft fill, you aren’t getting a major weight penalty by going warmer than a 32-degree bag. It's important to understand the nuances of sleeping bag temperature ratings. Most companies two ratings for sleeping bags: a comfort limit rating and lower limit rating. - **Comfort rating** indicates the temperature at which a cold sleeper might feel comfortable. This is the temperature rating most brands use on women’s bags. - **Lower limit rating** (which is always lower than the comfort rating) indicates the temperature at which a warm sleeper might still feel comfortable. This is the temperature rating brands use on men’s bags. Many manufacturers use the lower limit in the model name, which can make this somewhat confusing. For instance, when you read the fine print, the Therm-a-Rest Hyperion 20 actually has a lower limit of 20 degrees, and a comfort limit of 32 degrees. So when you buy the Hyperion 20, you probably won't be super warm at 20 degrees. There's always a grey area in temperature ratings. Some people sleep colder, some like to wear a down coat to sleep in no matter what. Aside from checking the ratings and making sure you know what the bag's comfort limit is, spend time reading the reviews and ensuring it's accurately rated. Be aware that some companies do not publish comfort and limit ratings for their sleeping bags. The two most notable of these are Western Mountaineering and Feathered Friends. These are both small companies that can't afford the testing process. Rest assured that their sleeping bags are as warm as they say they are. Both are arguably the best sleeping bag manufacturers in the business and are favorites with thru-hikers and backpackers alike. Unlike sleeping bags, there isn't an independent standardized test to measure the warmth of a backpacking quilt. If you sleep cold, we recommend getting a quilt rated 10 or even 20 degrees colder than you expect to need or to be reading to augment the warmth of your quilt with a sleeping bag liner or extra insulated clothing. ### Warmth-to-weight ratio A higher loft down will pack smaller and stay warmer with a lower weight, but they will also cost more. Most of the top-end sleeping bags are at least 850-fill down these days, with some of the pricier models packing 900 or 950-fill down. The fill weight means how much down is inside the bag, and the fill power refers to the cubic inches of down loft that one ounce of that fill produces. If one ounce of fill results in more loft, that’s the higher-quality down. Synthetic sleeping bags are less common, as they don’t compress as small as down, though they do have the benefit of maintaining insulating properties when wet. Unless you’re in a very wet climate, most people will be fine with down insulation. Treated down and a water-resistant face fabric will also help keep you dry. [The Enlightened Equipment Revelation APEX](https://sectionhiker.com/out/7oa3fisb) is an example of a synthetic-fill quilt. ### Sleeping bags vs backpacking quilts This is all about preference. Quilts offer more freedom of movement, but be aware of the width and know that some of the “standard” sizes might be too narrow to pull all the way around you. The idea behind a quilt is that the down underneath a sleeper isn’t actually doing anything to insulate, and the sleeping pad is all you need. You can save weight and bulk by choosing an open quilt without a full zipper. Be wary of the temperature rating with quilts, as some users find a 20-degree rated quilt will not be as warm as a 20-degree fully enclosed sleeping bag. Sleeping bags offer more protection, but some people find them constricting, and would rather be able to sprawl in their sleep. However, down fill and zipper weights are so advanced these days, that often the weight penalty of the enclosed bag and zipper is negligible, and worth the added protection. ### Women’s sleeping bags vs men’s sleeping bags A women’s-specific sleeping bag will often be shorter and more narrow than a men’s bag. This means less space to keep warm, and increased thermal efficiency overnight. The less effort you expend trying to keep your sleeping bag space warm with body heat, the more energy you’ll conserve. Women’s bags can also have different fill based on where women lose body heat and are shaped differently to accommodate women’s bodies. They can be narrower in the shoulders and wider in the hips, whereas men’s bags tend to narrow towards the hips and be wider in the shoulders. #### About the author --- # 10 Best Snowshoes for Winter Hiking Source: https://sectionhiker.com/10-best-snowshoes-winter-hiking/ ![10 best snowshoes for winter hiking](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2021/10/10-best-snowshoes-for-winter-hiking-pepper.jpg) For winter snowshoeing on hiking trails and in the backcountry, you want a winter hiking snowshoe that is durable, with aggressive crampons for traction and a secure binding system that locks your boots to the snowshoes. If you're interested in getting off the grid and snowshoeing through backcountry terrain, these are the 10 best snowshoes we recommend. For more information, see our buying advice below. ### 1. MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoes ### 2. MSR Evo Ascent Snowshoes ### 3. Tubbs Flex VRT Snowshoes ### 4. Tubbs Flex ALP Snowshoes ### 5. TSL Symbioz Elite Snowshoes ### 6. Tubbs Mountaineer Snowshoes ### 7. Atlas Range BC Snowshoes ### 8. MSR Revo Explore Snowshoes ### 9. MSR Evo Trail Snowshoes ### 10. Crescent Moon Big Sky 32 Snowshoes ## How to Buy Winter Snowshoes Winter hiking snowshoes serve two key functions: they provide traction on icy trails and when climbing steep terrain, and they provide flotation over snow, so you don't sink or posthole, which can be quite exhausting. While all of the winter hiking snowshoes listed above satisfy both of these requirements, some excel in the traction department, like the MSR Lightning Ascents, MSR Evo Ascents, Tubbs Flex VRTs, and TSL Symbioz Elites, while others emphasize flotation, like the Tubbs Mountaineers and the Northern Lites. As a rule of thumb, tear-drop shaped snowshoes with synthetic riveted decks tend to emphasize flotation, while rectangular-shaped snowshoes are more traction-focused. If you're going to be climbing ice-covered mountains predominantly, you'll probably want a snowshoe that emphasizes traction, while snowshoes that focus on flotation, will be a better fit for areas where deep, powdery snow is the norm. If you're trying to choose between different snowshoes, there are four key properties that should guide your decision-making: - Packability - Weight - Bindings - Sizing ### Packability Most winter hikers carry multiple traction devices and switch between them during the day. If you're hiking a packed trail, you might start out in bare boots, relying on your boot treads for traction because the less weight you have on your feet, the slower you'll fatigue. If you encounter slick or icy terrain you might switch to microspikes, and then snowshoes, if you encounter fresh snow that hasn't been packed down or is mixed up with slush. In order to have these traction aids when you need them, you need to carry them. While microspikes are pretty easy to pack, snowshoes aren't because they're big and bulky. The bulk comes from their length, width, and thickness, which is primarily a function of the style of binding they use. Lay flat bindings like the simple straps on the MSR Lightning Ascent and the MSR Evo Ascent are the easiest snowshoes to attach or carry in a backpack, while snowshoes with Boa binding systems tend to be the bulkiest and most difficult to pack. ### Weight Weight is also a key factor when choosing which snowshoe to buy. Most snowshoes weigh four to five pounds, and they're probably going to be the heaviest thing in your backpack, after water. That weight adds up during the course of a day, regardless of whether it's in your backpack or on your feet. ### Bindings We've already considered the packability of snowshoe bindings, but there are other factors you should consider when making a selection, such as comfort, security, ease of use while wearing gloves, whether the binding can freeze and become inoperative, and how easy it is to repair if it does break. For example, some people worry that Boa closure systems can freeze up if they get wet and will cease to operate until they can be defrosted. It's a valid concern. One of their advantages, however, is that they are easy to use while wearing gloves and provide a secure grip that's unlikely to come undone once set. Contrast that to the flat straps used on MSR snowshoes. They'll never freeze up, they're easy to replace if torn or lost, but they can be hard to attach when wearing gloves, and they tend to pop open once or twice during a hike. ### Sizing Snowshoes come in a wide variety of sizes. These are determined by the total weight you want to carry (bodyweight + pack weight) and the amount of flotation you require. Men's sizes are usually larger than women's sizes, because men are taller and heavier, while women's snowshoes tend to be narrower than men's because their gait isn't as wide. If you're buying a snowshoe that's more traction oriented, you can sometimes drop a size below the manufacturer's recommended sizing, especially if you're hiking in an area that doesn't get a lot of snow or you're hiking on trails that have been broken out by other hikers. Sizing is directly correlated to gear weight and this is a tactic you can use to lighten your load. If flotation is a priority, you can sometimes buy tails, which are add-on snowshoe extensions that make them longer and increase their surface area. This is another way to cut down on the weight of a snowshoe because you can bring your tails when you need more flotation, but carry a lighter weight snowshoe in less challenging conditions. --- # 10 Best Sleeping Bag Stuff Sacks Source: https://sectionhiker.com/10-best-sleeping-bag-stuff-sacks/ [![10 Best Sleeping Bag Stuff Sacks](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2021/06/10-Best-Sleeping-Bag-Stuff-Sacks.jpg)](https://sectionhiker.com/10-best-sleeping-bag-stuff-sacks-of-2021/10-best-sleeping-bag-stuff-sacks/) Stuff sacks are an essential piece of backpacking and camping gear that keep sleeping bags or quilts dry, organized, and compressed. However most of the manufacturer's stuff sacks that come with sleeping bags or quilts are designed for uncompressed storage, not field use, and it's often necessary to purchase a separate compression sack, roll-top stuff sack, or waterproof dry sack to serve these functions. Here are the 10 best sleeping bag stuff sacks that we recommend and rely on to protect our backpacking quilts and sleeping bags. Why the variety? Different types of sleeping bags and quilts require different size sleeping bag stuff sacks. Be sure to read our sleeping bag stuff sack selection guide below. ### 1. Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Drysack ### 2. Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Compression Sack ### 3. Sea to Summit Evac Compression Dry Bag ### 4. Hyperlite Mountain Gear Roll-Top Stuff Sacks ### 5. REI Lightweight Compression Sack ### 6. Outdoor Products 3-Pack All Purpose Dry Sacks ### 7. Sealine Blocker Dry Sack ### 8. Hyperlight Mountain Gear Packing Pods ### 9. Six Moon Designs Packing Pods ### 10. SealLine Discovery View Dry Bag ## Sleeping Bag Stuff Sack Guide There are all kinds of tradeoffs to be made when choosing a sleeping bag stuff sack, which we detail below. ### Types of Stuff Sacks There are basically three kinds of stuff sacks appropriate for packing sleeping bags and backpacking quilts. - Roll-top Dry Bags - Compression Sacks - Purgeable Stuff Sacks, either roll-top or compression **Roll-top Dry Bags** are best for lightweight sleeping bags and quilts, usually, down-insulated, that are easy to compress with little effort. A roll-top closure is more durable than a zipper and the rolling process makes it very difficult for water to pass through the top of the stuff sack. **Compression Sacks** are best for larger and bigger sleeping bags and quilts, such as winter sleeping bags or sleeping bags and quilts insulated with synthetic insulation which is harder to compress. Compression sacks have buckles and webbing straps that help you make the size of the stuff sack smaller, so it takes up less room in your backpack. Compression sacks with four webbing straps are easier to use and compress better than those with three webbing straps. **Purgeable Stuff Sacks** have purge values or breathable fabric panels that vent air from the stuff sack when it is compressed, but don't let it back in. They can be roll-tops or compression sacks. They're useful when you feed to get the maximum compression possible by forcing all of the air out of your sleeping bag and preventing its return. ### How to Size a Sleeping Bag Stuff Sack What is the best size stuff sack for a sleeping bag or quilt? Sleeping bags and quilts that have synthetic insulation usually require large stuff sacks than those insulated with down, which compresses more easily. The volumes required for quilts will be at the lower end of the range because they don't come with a hood and take up slightly less volume than sleeping bags. In most cases, you'll want to get a sleeping bag stuff sack that is just large enough to close easily, but not capture too much excess air, which will increase the packing space it requires. If the stuff sack has a roll-top closure, you'll also want enough slack fabric on top so you can roll the stuff sack three times to close it. This is the ideal number of turns to prevent water from leaking through the top opening. ### Water Resistance Vs Waterproofness Most backpacking and camping stuff sacks are water-resistant and not fully waterproof for immersion underwater. If they have zippers or seam-taped seams, water can leak through them. They will still protect your sleeping bag from moisture, but your best bet is to pack them inside a backpack that is lined with a plastic bag or covered with a rain cover to prevent rain from reaching them. Fully waterproof stuff sacks intended for rafting, kayaking, or canoeing have welded seams that don't leak when immersed and are usually made with tougher materials. ### Color Coding Multi-colored stuff sacks can make it much easier to organize your gear and find it inside a backpack. Transparent fabrics or panels can serve a similar function, allowing you to see the contents so you know what they contain. ### Stuff Sack Weight While stuff sacks can make it much easier to organize and locate your gear in a backpack, they can add significant extra weight to your gear list if you go overboard with them. Be sure to compare the weights of different options. For example, Dyneema DCF stuff sacks vs those made with PU-coated nylon. In some instances, there's less of a weight difference than you might expect, but there is a huge price difference! ### Durability vs Weight There's usually a tradeoff between durability and weight when it comes to stuff sacks that's worth considering when selecting a sleeping bag stuff sack or dry bag. If you plan to store your sleeping bag inside another bag like a backpack, there's often less of a need for a heavy-duty, abrasion-resistant, or waterproof sleeping bag stuff sack when a lighter-weight one will function just as well. --- # 10 Best Hard Shell Jackets for Winter Hiking Source: https://sectionhiker.com/10-best-hard-shell-jackets-for-winter-hiking/ ![10 Best Hard Shell Jackets for Winter Hiking](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2024/10/10-Best-Hard-Shell-Jackets-for-Winter-Hiking.jpg) Hard shell jackets are a burly type of rain jacket used for winter hiking as a windproof and waterproof clothing layer. They have a richer set of temperature regulation and storage features than warm weather rain jackets to help you avoid perspiration and carry extra gloves, hats, and navigation instruments. Hard shell jackets are also heavier and thicker than many rain jackets, especially minimalist rain jackets where the emphasis is on low weight. In addition to better durability, a thicker hard shell jacket will be significantly warmer than a thin rain jacket which you'll appreciate on cold days. ### Recommended Men's and Women's Hard Shells What then are the most important features to consider when buying a hard shell jacket for winter hiking? ## Hard Shell Jacket Guide The following features are especially important for winter hikers and backpackers to look for in a hard shell: - Fully adjustable hood - Hip-belt compatible pockets - Lots of large zippered pockets - Temperature management features Pit zips or torso zips - Two-way front zipper - Adjustable hook and loop (velcro) wrist closures - Drawcord hem closure ### Fully Adjustable Hood When choosing a hard shell for winter hiking, try to avoid ones that are "helmet compatible" unless you have a huge Godzilla-sized head.  Unfortunately, most hard shell jackets are intended for skiers and climbers who wear protective helmets, not winter hikers. Oversize hoods rob your head of warmth, they can be difficult to control in the high wind, and retard your side vision. You should look for a fully adjustable hood with a rear volume adjustment so you can shrink the hood size to fit your head, side pulls so you can adjust the size of the face opening to block the wind, and a high collar that covers your neck and mouth. These features will help protect your face from frostbite and help you stay warmer. ### Hipbelt Compatible Pockets Additionally, look for hard shell jackets that have chest or side pockets that are higher up in the torso so you can access them when wearing a backpack hip-belt. This can be a hard feature to find on hard shell jackets, so look carefully. Hard shell jackets from Outdoor Research and Rab are often pretty safe bets in this regard, but be sure to check before purchasing one. ### Lots of Zippered Pockets You can't have too many hard shell pockets in winter. They're great for carrying spare gloves and hats and keeping navigation tools within easy reach. If stored next to your body, they're also good for keeping snacks from freezing. I view my hard shell jacket pockets as an extension of my backpack because the extra storage cuts down on the number of times I have to stop to get clothes or food out of my pack. In winter, you have to keep moving to stay warm and to get to your destination before nightfall. ### Temperature Management Features In winter, you want to limit the amount you perspire by actively managing your warmth level. The key to doing this involves venting excess warmth by venting or removing layers. A good hard shell should provide several ways for you to dump excess heat without having to take it off completely, including: - Pit zips or torso zips that you can open to release excess heat so you sweat less. - Adjustable hook and loop wrist closures: These help regulate the body heat at your wrists where the blood flows close to the surface of your skin. You can open them to let cold air reach your wrists or pull your sleeves up to vent heat. If you're cold, you can wrap the closures around the gauntlets of your gloves to prevent heat from escaping. - Two-way front zipper: If you pull the bottom half up, you can dump a lot of excess torso heat, poncho-style. - Hem drawcord: Cinch it closed to keep the wind or snow from blowing up between your legs and robbing your torso heat. ### What about Breathability Ratings? Your mileage may vary, but I don't think premium breathability ratings are all that important on winter hiking hard shells if you get a jacket that has good temperature regulation features and you actively manage your warmth and perspiration level when hiking. High levels of breathability can't hurt, but I don't think paying extra for them is really worth it. If you get too hot, venting your hard shell is going to keep you a lot drier and a lot faster than waiting for water vapor to move across a breathable membrane. Moreover, getting a hard shell that's NOT made with a waterproof/breathable fabric is virtually impossible these days. Just remember that the features on these jackets are far more important than their breathability ratings. Stay focused on that and you'll get yourself a good hard shell jacket that you can hang onto for a while for winter hiking and backpacking. ### Purchase Advice You can spend an arm and a leg on a winter hard shell jacket if you want. But if you're willing to forego the allure of Arcteryx's overpriced jackets, you can find comparatively less expensive shells that have fully adjustable hoods, lots of pockets for storing extra hats and gloves, and temperature options like pit-zips or torso zips. We think the jackets from **[Outdoor Research](https://sectionhiker.com/out/9vqktw14)** provide the best balance in terms of features and price, but everyone has different preferences and sizing needs. No jacket is perfect in all respects, so you'll probably have to make some tradeoffs during your selection process. --- # 10 Best Mountaineering and Winter Backpacks Source: https://sectionhiker.com/10-best-winter-backpacking-packs/ ![10 Best Mountaineering and Winter Backpacks](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2024/10/10-Best-Mountaineering-and-Winter-Backpacks.jpg) Mountaineering and Winter Backpacking packs are more specialized than regular three-season backpacks, with a stronger emphasis on carrying heavier weight loads, external attachment points, and durability for handling bulky gear with sharp points, such as snowshoes, skis, ice axes, and crampons. They also favor more pockets and the ability to access and put away gear quickly, so you can avoid standing around between gear transitions and getting cold. Pack volumes can vary anywhere from a minimum of 40L to 80L. Here are our picks for the best winter backpacking backpacks: ### 1. Osprey Mutant 52L Backpack ### 2. Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ice Pack ### 3. Black Diamond Mission Backpack ### 4. Mountain Hardware Direttissima 55 ### 5. Cold Cold World Chaos Backpack ### 6. Cilogear MOB Worksack ### 7. Exped Lightning ### 8. Hyperlite Mountain Gear Halka Backpack ### 9. Mammut Trion 50 ### 10. Granite Gear Blaze 60 Backpack ## How to Choose a Winter Backpacking Pack Backpacks tailored for mountaineering and winter backpacking use have a different feature set than most 3 season packs. What follows are the features that I've found most useful for winter trips in mountainous terrain. While I think these translate fairly broadly across winter locales, you need to be the judge on the features you believe are most relevant for your needs. ### Volume and Weight If you plan on taking weekend-length cold-weather trips, you'll probably want a pack with 55-80 liters of internal capacity. The sweet spot is approximately 70 liters, but you may be able to reduce it to as low as 50 liters if you carry less gear or require less insulation. Try to get a pack that has adequate compression so you can shrink its volume if not needed, while keeping the weight of an empty pack under 5 pounds. Pack and gear weight is even more important in winter conditions than at other times of the year because you'll be wearing and carrying a lot more of it. #### External Attachment Points Mountaineering and winter backpacking packs require multiple external attachment points to carry sharp, pointy, or bulky gear (microspikes, crampons, shovels, and snowshoes) that won't fit inside the main storage compartments of a backpack. The most useful external attachment points include compression straps, daisy chains, hip belt webbing or gear loops, and ice ax loops with shaft holders. #### Compression Straps Compression straps serve two purposes: to help compress a load and bring the weight closer to your core muscles, where it can be carried more easily; and to attach sleeping pads, snowshoes, avalanche shovels, or skis to the sides of your pack instead of the front, so that the load doesn't pull you backward and off-balance. When choosing a backpack, try to find ones that have two or three tiers of compression straps that run horizontally across the sides of the pack. The compression straps should be adjustable and easy to undo while wearing gloves, so you can slide winter tools under them. Avoid packs that have compression straps that zig-zag back and forth on the backpack, using one strap to save weight. These are very difficult to use, especially when wearing gloves. #### Daisy Chains Daisy chains are often sewn onto mountaineering and winter packs and can be used to lash extra gear to the back or sides of the pack using canvas or velcro straps. They usually have many loops sewn into them that run the length of your pack from top to bottom. #### Ice Ax Loops There are two kinds of ice axes in this world - straight walking axes and curved climbing axes. If you need to carry a walking ax, look for a pack that has at least one ice ax loop at the base of the pack and a shaft holder, both off-center along the back of the pack. The shaft holder can be a simple cord lock like those found on many Osprey packs, or a more robust buckle. If you plan on carrying two climbing axes, look for packs with two ice ax loops and shaft holders. #### Hip Belt Webbing and Gear Loops Some climbing-oriented packs feature canvas or plastic gear loops on the outside of the hip belt, allowing you to clip climbing carabiners to them. While not a substitute for a proper sit-harness, these loops can be quite convenient to rack climbing gear. #### Crampon Pockets Crampon pockets are a convenient and safe place to store crampons when you're not wearing them. Located on the side of the pack farthest away from you, they keep the crampon points away from your arms and legs, your head, and your gear, where they can do real damage. #### Floating Lids In winter, it can be very helpful to have a backpack that can expand in volume to carry more gear. One way to do this is to buy a pack with a floating lid, typically featuring a top pocket that can detach from the main body of the pack but remains secured by four straps. Extra gear, say a coil of rope, can be sandwiched between the pocket and the top of your pack in this manner. #### Zipper Access Zipper access to the front or side of the backpack is a highly desirable feature for winter use because it makes for much faster stops, eliminating the need to pop open a top lid and dig around your backpack looking for gear You don't want to stand around for very long on winter trips, but to get moving so your body can generate heat to stay warm. --- # 10 Best Backpack Accessory Pockets Source: https://sectionhiker.com/10-best-backpack-accessory-pockets/ ![10 Best Backpack Accessory Pockets](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2022/05/10-Best-Backpack-Accessory-Pockets.jpg) Many hikers and backpackers like to attach extra accessory pockets to their shoulder straps and hip belts to provide extra storage and help organize their gear so it can be accessed quickly without removing their backpacks. Extra water bottle sleeves, chest packs, fanny packs, camera bags, phone pockets, or hip belt pockets are available and commonly used for this purpose, including ones that come from companies other than your pack's manufacturer. Most accessory backpack pockets are designed so they can be used on any backpack but it's important to understand how they're attached, whether they'll stay bounce-free and secure, and how easy they are to remove or switch to another backpack. Here are the top 10 backpack accessory pockets we recommend. ### 1. Hyperlite Mountain Gear Shoulder Strap Pocket ### 2. Gossamer Gear Shoulder Strap Pocket ### 3. Chicken Tramper Gear Water Bottle Sleeve ### 4. Hyperlite Mountain Gear Versa Fanny Pack ### 5. Counter Assault Cross Draw Bear Spray Holster ### 6. Mountain Laurel Designs Pack Pocket ### 7. PackbackDesigns Companion Pouch ### 8. Thrupack Summit Bum Classic Fanny Pack ### 9. Zpacks Multi-Pack ### 10. High Tail Designs UL Fanny Pack ## Backpack Pocket Attachment Systems There are several different ways to attach extra pockets to a backpack shoulder strap or hip belt. Some of these are universal in that they can be attached to any backpack and some are limited by the anchor points available on the backpack shoulder straps or hip belts such as daisy chains. In any event, you can often overcome these limitations with a small of cord to secure a pocket or prevent it from bouncing too much. --- # Sawyer Pond Backpacking Trip Plan Source: https://sectionhiker.com/sawyer-pond-backpacking-trip-plan/ ![Sawyer Pond Backpacking Trip Plan](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2020/08/Sawyer-Pond-Backpacking-Trip-Plan-640.jpg) Sawyer Pond is a picturesque backcountry pond on the east side of the White Mountain National Forest, near Crawford Notch and Bartlett, NH. It's easy to hike into, making it an ideal destination for families, small groups, or couples who want a quiet place to camp without undertaking a huge backpacking trip. The pond is 40 acres in size and quite scenic with a great view of nearby Mt Tremont and a smaller peak called Owls Cliff. The pond has 6 large campsites (max 8 people per site), fire rings, two outhouses, and nearby lean-to shelter that can sleep another 6 people. Camping is free, but the campsites are first-come, first-serve. The pond is stocked with trout and fishing is permitted with a [New Hampshire fishing license](https://sectionhiker.com/out/qjx8rhbo). You can also swim or mountain bike on nearby forest roads, XC, and snowmobile trails. On the clear nights, the star-gazing from Sawyer Pond can't be beat. There's no light pollution and the large open space above the pond provides an unobstructed view of the heavens. Fall foliage is a particularly beautiful time to visit when the trees and surrounding hillsides have turned a golden yellow, orange, and red. ![Backpacking to Sawyer Pond Map](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2023/09/Backpacking-to-Sawyer-Pond-Map.jpeg) ## Rating/Difficulty Easy ## Distance/Elevation Gain 1.5 miles with 150 ft of elevation gain. ## Recommended Duration 1 night/2 days ## Season June thru October ## Permits Required None. ## Regulations [Backcountry Camping Regulations for the White Mountain National Forest](https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5363715.pdf). No Fires or Camping except at Designated Campsites in the Sawyer Pond Scenic Area ## Trailhead Directions - Sawyer Pond Trail Trailhead.  Sawyer River Road is a gravel forest road (FR 34) located 1.6 miles north of Sawyer Rock Picnic Area on Rt 302. Turn left from Rt 302 onto Sawyer River Road and drive 3.8 miles to its end, where there will be a parking area on your right. This is 1.8 miles past the Signal Ridge Trail parking area, which you'll pass earlier on the road. - Note: The south (other) end of the Sawyer Pond Trail leaves from Rt 112, the Kancamagus Highway. The directions above are from the north end of the trail, which is where you want to start the trip. ## Trail Sequence The route follows the following trails in sequence. Refer to the [AMC White Mountains Trail Map 3: Crawford Notch-Sandwich Range (2017 ed)](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1628420758/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1628420758&linkId=449877b3bc92c8946e67acb1fae9d540),  although I’d recommend buying the complete [AMC White Mountain Waterproof Map Set (2017 ed)](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1628420774/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1628420774&linkId=4f6994ef3ded1a6a3bf07a0aa08dea56) rather than one map at a time, because it’s less expensive that way. Detailed trail descriptions can also be found in the [AMC White Mountain Guide (2017 ed)](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1934028851/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1934028851&linkId=b98b2c3e6cefc193b4995dc627dba945), which is considered the hiking bible for the region. Take photos of the relevant pages using your phone for easy reference, instead of carrying the entire book with you on hikes. - Sawyer Pond Trail - 1.5 miles from parking lot to campsites ## Camping and Shelter Options Sawyer Pond has 6 campsite platforms capable of holding multiple tents. There is a maximum of 8 people per campsite. An adjacent lean-to can house an additional 6 people. Campsites are first-come, first serve. Each campsite has a fire ring. There are two outhouses. If the campsites are full, you must hike a quarter-mile away before camping at a dispersed site. Fires are prohibited in the Sawyer Pond Scenic Area except at designated fire rings. Please observe all [White Mountains Backcountry Camping Regulations](https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5363715.pdf) and leave no trace. ## Water Water is plentiful on this route which parallels a small mountain stream before it arrives at Sawyer Pond. The use of a backcountry water filter or purification device is strongly recommended. ## On the Trail There's a kiosk next to the trailhead parking lot, which has room for about 10 cars. Pass the kiosk and turn left onto the small pedestrian bridge across the Sawyer River to begin hiking up the Sawyer Pond Trail. The trail enters forest and climbs gently over assorted rocks and tree roots, in other words, a typical White Mountain trail. The trail is well beaten down and very easy follow, with intermittent yellow blazes painted on trees. The 1.5 miles to the pond should take you anywhere from one to two hours to hike, depending on your pace and how much pack weight you're carrying. There's no need to load up with too much water for this short stretch and carrying one liter should be sufficient, provided you have a filter or purifier with you to process more water when you reach the pond and the campsite. You'll soon hear a brook on your right as it flows through the forest. It runs along the trail for most of the way to the campsite and drains into the Sawyer River, near the bridge you crossed earlier. Just before you reach the campsite, you'll take a right-hand turn at a well-marked sign that has a diagram of the campsite locations. ![Campsite map](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2018/09/Campsite-map.jpg) When you reach a small stream fed by the adjacent pond, turn left 270 degrees, before crossing it. After you've turned, the pond will be on your right, and you'll soon see Mt Tremont and Owls Cliff beyond its far shore. They're two round knobs with distinctive profiles. The lean-to shelter is another .15 miles down the spur trail. It's in remarkably good condition and perfectly suitable for sleeping in. The best time to visit the Sawyer Pond campsites is during the week when there are few people around and there's little competition for campsites. The campsites become busier on weekends because they're such a short hike in from the road. Access to the pond becomes much more difficult in late fall and winter because Sawyer River Road is closed to vehicles in winter and usually only opens in late spring. #### About the author ### More Easy Backpacking Trips in the White Mountains --- # Permethrin Clothing Source: https://sectionhiker.com/permethrin-clothing/ ![Pre-treated Permethrin Clothing is available from many companies](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2015/05/Pre-treated-Permethrin-Clothing-is-available-from-many-companies.jpg) The most effective way to prevent infection by disease-carrying insects including ticks and mosquitoes is to wear insect repellent clothing pre-treated with Permethrin. Invisible and odorless, it has no unpleasant smell or feel. It can be washed and dried just like a normal garment and is approved by the Environmental Protection Agency for safe use on clothing. While you can buy [Permethrin in spray or liquid form](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CD9NFB4/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B07CD9NFB4&linkId=41f67d97aa4769c3b7d2b785cf193512) and use it to treat your own clothing, it will only remain effective for 3-6 washings. Factory pre-treated Permethrin Clothing is guaranteed by manufacturers to retain its effectiveness for 70 washings (the average lifetime of most garments), making it far more convenient for most consumers. ## PROVEN EFFECTIVENESS The EPA requires extensive effectiveness data to prove a product's ability to repel insects. Many species and varieties of these insects have been tested including Lyme Disease carrying ticks, Malaria, and Encephalitis carrying mosquitoes, ants, flies, chiggers, and midges. Factory pre-treated Permethrin Clothing offers protection that is invisible, odorless, and as easy as putting on your clothes. It has no unpleasant smell or feel. It can be washed and dried just like a normal garment (just don’t dry clean it, as this removes the treatment). --- # Pacific Crest Trail Backpackers Gift Guide (2026) Source: https://sectionhiker.com/pacific-crest-trail-hiker-gift-guide/ ![Pacific Crest Trail Backpackers Gift Guide](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2022/10/Pacific-Crest-Trail-Backpackers-Gift-Guide-630x480.jpg) Here is a selection of must-have holiday gifts for the Pacific Crest Trail thru-hiker or section hiker in your family. Chances are they're busy saving for their next long-distance adventure, and we can pretty much guarantee they have a long list of items on their wish list. This collection of thru-hiker and backpacking gift ideas is a good place to start. We’ve listed a variety of gift ideas, from technical backpacking gear to treat-yourself dehydrated meals, to unique gifts that will help commemorate their adventures. ### 1. Hyperlite Mountain Gear 3400 Southwest Backpack ### 2. MSR PocketRocket 2 ### 3. Enlightened Equipment Revelation 20 Quilt ### 4. Zpacks Duplex Zip 2P Tent ### 5. Sea to Summit Aeros Ultralight Pillow ### 6. Katabatic Gear Alsek 22 Quilt ### 7. Sea-to-Summit Ether Light XR Insulated Pad ### 8. Enlightened Equipment Torrid Jacket ### 9. Cocoon Merino Wool Liner ### 10. UltraliteSacks UL Compression Sack ### 11. Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter ### 12. Hyperlight Mountain Gear Packing Pods ### 13. TentLab Dirtsaw Deuce of Spades #2 Trowel ### 14. Leatherman Micra Multi-Tool ### 15. Vargo BOT 700 ### 16. Darn Tough Micro Crew Merino Wool Socks ### 17. Hyperlite Mountain Flat Tarp ### 18. Gossamer Gear LT5 Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles   ### 19. Garmin inReach Mini 2 Satellite Messenger ### 20. Durston X-Mid Pro 1 --- # Event Calendar Source: https://sectionhiker.com/event-calendar/ ![Taking in the view form the summit of Mansfield after ascending the Profanity Trail](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2024/10/Taking-in-the-view-form-the-summit-of-Mansfield-after-ascending-the-Profanity-Trail-640x480.jpg) #### (October 2) New Haven Community Library (VT) Author Event with Philip Werner: Hiking Over 60, 6:00-7:00 pm. Join Philp Werner, Bristol resident and author of the new book [Hiking Over 60: A Modern Guide to Hiking Gear and Techniques for Active Adults](https://philipwerner.com/), who will bring you up to date on the latest advancements in hiking gear, clothing, and know-how that can make hiking easier and safer for senior hikers. Philip will bring examples to demonstrate some of the dramatic changes that have occurred in the hiking “gear-scape” and will answer any questions you might have. Signed Copies of Hiking Over 60 will be available for sale ($15) after Philip's talk. Attendance is Free. Address: New Haven Community Library, 78 North St, New Haven, VT 05472 #### (October 4) Green Mountain Club - Over 60 Hike Series: Mt Pisgah Join Green Mountain Club board member Philip Werner in this installment of the Over 60 Hike Series to Mt. Pisgah, overlooking Lake Willoughby. This hike is for anyone over 60 who wants to incorporate more hiking into their lives. Any level of experience is welcome. Attendance is free, [but please register because space is limited](https://app.tickettailor.com/events/greenmountainclub/1856858). Mount Pisgah has stunning clifftop views of Lake Willoughby and Mt Hor on the other side of the lake. Sculpted by glaciers, the sides of Pisgah and Hor drop dramatically to the lake and then continue underwater to form the deepest lake that is entirely in the state of Vermont (over 300 feet in places.) We will follow the South Trail, past Pulpit Rock, and up to the summit and return by the same route. Total distance 3.9 miles with 1590 feet of elevation gain. Hike time: 3 hours. Limit of 8 participants. Meet at [Mount Pisgah South Trailhead](https://maps.app.goo.gl/dtNvCM7K9p7mwTxt7) in Orleans, near Lake Willoughby. Philip Werner is the author of *Hiking Over 60: A Modern Guide to Hiking Gear and Techniques for Active Adults*. He’s an experienced hiking guide who has hiked and backpacked extensively in Vermont and New Hampshire. #### (October 7) Isley Public Library (Middlebury, VT) Hiking Over 60: 6:00pm Join Philip Werner, author of the new book [*Hiking Over 60: A Modern Guide to Hiking Gear and Techniques for Active Adults*,](https://philipwerner.com/) will bring you up to date on the latest advancements in hiking gear, clothing, and know-how that can make hiking easier and safer for senior hikers. Philip will bring examples to demonstrate some of the dramatic changes that have occurred in the hiking “gear-scape” and will answer any questions you might have. Signed Copies of Hiking Over 60 will be available for sale ($15) after Philip's talk. Attendance is free. NBM Meeting Room at the back of the Library. 30 Main Street, Middlebury, VT 05753. [Click for directions.](https://www.ilsleypubliclibrary.org/about-us/hours-and-locations/) #### (October 19) Green Mountain Club - Over 60 Hike Series: Mt Haystack Join Green Mountain Club board member Philip Werner in this installment of the Over 60 Hike Series to Haystack Mountain in Wilmington (near Brattleboro/Bennington). This hike is for anyone over 60 who wants to incorporate more hiking into their lives. Any level of experience is welcome. Attendance is free, [but please register because space is limited.](https://buytickets.at/greenmountainclub/1857878) The Mount Haystack Trail is wooded and begins in a hardwood forest before transitioning into a stand of pines near the top, where we will enjoy autumn views of Southern Vermont and Southwestern New Hampshire. Total distance 4.2 miles with 1,000 feet of elevation gain. Hike time: 3 hours. Meet at [Mount Haystack Trailhead](https://maps.app.goo.gl/zv2uSHpyez4E2rPN9) in Wilmington. Philip Werner is the author of *Hiking Over 60: A Modern Guide to Hiking Gear and Techniques for Active Adults*. He’s an experienced hiking guide who has hiked and backpacked extensively in Vermont and New Hampshire. #### (October 23) White Birch Books (North Conway, NH) Author Event: Hiking Over 60 with Philip Werner 4:00pm-5:30 pm Join Philip Werner, author of the new book [*Hiking Over 60: A Modern Guide to Hiking Gear and Techniques for Active Adults*,](https://philipwerner.com/) will bring you up to date on the latest advancements in hiking gear, clothing, and know-how that can make hiking easier and safer for senior hikers. Philip will bring examples to demonstrate some of the dramatic changes that have occurred in the hiking “gear-scape” and will answer any questions you might have. Signed Copies of Hiking Over 60 will be available for sale after Philip's talk. Attendance is free. [Directions](https://www.whitebirchbooks.com/contact-hours) #### (October 28) Lincoln Library (Lincoln, NH) Author Event: Hiking Over 60 with Philip Werner 6:00pm -7:30pm, Sponsored by the Mountain Wanderer Bookstore Join Philip Werner, author of the new book [*Hiking Over 60: A Modern Guide to Hiking Gear and Techniques for Active Adults*,](https://philipwerner.com/) will bring you up to date on the latest advancements in hiking gear, clothing, and know-how that can make hiking easier and safer for senior hikers. Philip will bring examples to demonstrate some of the dramatic changes that have occurred in the hiking “gear-scape” and will answer any questions you might have. Signed Copies of Hiking Over 60 will be available for sale after Philip's talk. Attendance is free. --- # Hyperlight Mountain Gear 4400 Porter Pack (Expedition) Source: https://sectionhiker.com/hyperlight-mountain-gear-4400-porter-pack-expedition/ --- # Backpacking Mt Carrigain and Mt Nancy Source: https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/mt-carrigain-and-mt-nancy/ ![Backpacking Mt Carrigain Mt Nancy](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2018/08/Backpacking-Mt-Carrigain-Mt-Nancy.jpg) This trip has it all: great views, an epic ridge walk, a fire tower, two alpine lakes, moose habitat, waterfalls, and cascades. Mt Carrigain is at the geographic center of the White Mountains and on a clear day you can see over 30 of the other 4000 footers from its summit fire tower. From Carrigain, you'll journey deep into the heart of Pemigewasset Wilderness before visiting two high elevation ponds at the foot of Mt Nancy. The site of the Nancy Brook Research Natural Area, the area surrounding the ponds is prime moose habitat and one of the largest tracts of virgin forest in New England. From there you have the option to climb Mt Nancy (3926'), a New England Hundred Highest Peak which has a fantastic view of Mt Washington and the Dry River Valley, before passing Nancy Cascades, a 300 waterfall that drops into a shallow pool where you can soak your feet on a hot day. ![Carrigain Nancy](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2023/06/Carrigain-Nancy.jpeg) [**Download PDF Map**](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2018/08/Carrigain-Nancy-PDF.pdf) ## Rating ## Distance/Elevation Gain 16 miles w/5300' of cumulative elevation gain ## White Mountain 4000 Footers - Mt Carrigain ## Recommended Duration 2 days ## Season June thru October ## Permits Required None. ## Regulations [Backcountry Camping Regulations for the White Mountain National Forest](https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5363715.pdf). No Fires in Nancy Brook Research Natural Area ## Trailhead Directions - Signal Ridge Trail Head, Sawyer Pond Rd - Sawyer River Road is a gravel forest service road, located 1.4 miles south of the Nancy Pond Trail head (directions below) on Rt 302. Drive up it 2 miles to the Signal Ridge Trail Head parking lot. - [Nancy Pond Trail Head Parking, Rt 302](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recarea/?recid=74903) ## Maps ## Trail Sequence The route follows the following trails in sequence. - Signal Ridge Trail - 5.3 miles - Desolation Trail - 1.9 miles - Carrigain Notch Trail 0.8 miles - Nancy Pond Trail - 7.1 miles - Mt Nancy Herd Path - 1.2 miles (roundtrip) ## Scenic Highlights The following list provides cumulative distances on the route to each view or landmark. - Signal Ridge - 4.8 miles - Carrigain Summit and Fire Tower - 5.2 miles - Carrigain Brook - 7.1 miles - Norcross Pond - 12.7 miles - Mt Nancy Summit - 13.3 miles - Nancy Pond - 14.5 miles - Nancy Cascades - 15.6 miles ## Camping and Shelter Options There aren’t any designated campsites on this route, so it’s all wild backcountry camping. Please observe the [White Mountains Backcountry Camping Regulations](https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5363715.pdf) and leave no trace. See [How to Find a Dispersed Campsites for Backpacking](https://sectionhiker.com/how-to-find-dispersed-pre-existing-campsites/) for some tips on how to go about this. ## Water Natural water sources are plentiful in the White Mountains although you may need to descend to them from ridgelines along side trails if you run short. In any case, carry a detailed topographic map with you and don’t rely on the overview map provided with this trip description to find water sources. I also recommend purchasing the WMNF Pemigewasset Wilderness Map in Guthook Guide’s New England Hiker Smartphone App ([IOS](https://atlasguides.com/new-england-hiker/), [Android](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.highsierraattitude.newenglandhiker&hl=en)) which is a GPS guide to all of the trails, trailhead, shelters, campsites, views, and water sources in the White Mountains National Forest. I use it all the time and it is much more complete and current than using the maps bundled with the[ Gaia Smartphone App](https://www.gaiagps.com/discounts/#_r_philip-58). ## Weather Advice While the open ridge (Signal Ridge) below the Mt Carrigain fire tower is well-marked by rock cairns, it is highly exposed to bad weather and is best hiked on a clear day, when cloud cover does not obscure the view. I'd recommending postponing your hike if rain is in the forecast, and because the subsequent descent of the Desolation Trail becomes considerably more difficult when the rocks are wet. Snow also lingers in the Norcross and Nancy Pond areas well into spring, so I would not advise hiking this route until June, to avoid deep postholing and spruce traps. ## On the Trail The start of the trail climbs parallels Whiteface Brook, providing access to many fine swimming holes and cascades. The trail has been rerouted in recent years and is well blazed, making it easy to follow. At 1.7 miles, you'll come to a wide, but shallow stream crossing with Carrigain Brook, which is the last place to top of your water bottles until you reach the other side of Mt Carrigain, about 6 miles distant. While the brook is often rock-hoppable in low water, there's a good chance that your shoes will get wet at other times of year. The next 3.5 miles of trail leading to the summit of Carrigain are quite rocky and steep, so give yourself plenty of time to climb it. As you ascend, you will be able to catch glimpses of the avalanche-scarred face of Mt Lowell on the other side of Carrigan Notch to the east. At 4.8 miles, you'll pop above treeline on Signal Ridge for a short stretch. There are a few good rocks to sit on here, so rest your legs, and admire the view. Looking ahead, you'll just be able to make out the first tower on the actual summit. Re-enter a short stretch of trees, and climb 200' higher to the base of the fire tower. It's accessed by a sturdy set of stairs and provides 360 degree views of the Whites. The views are really incredible from this point and you can easily spend an hour or more soaking them in. *Hint*: Bring a camera that shoots panorama photos. Leave the tower via the Desolation Trail which  begins at the base of the fire tower and enters the Pemigewasset Wilderness. The first 1000 feet of the descent are quite steep and rocky, but the trail levels out nicely after than and becomes quite pleasant to hike. Take your time scrambling down the top of the trail though, sit on your butt to slide down when it's warranted, and you'll get down it without much trouble. The Desolation Trail ends when it reaches Carrigain Brook and the well-signed Carrigan Notch Trail trail junction. Water is plentiful from this point forward on the route. Turn right onto the Carrigain Notch Trail for 0.8 miles, traveling towards the Nancy Brook Trail. This is a pretty stretch of trail that follows the old logging roads and skid ways that were used to harvest timber before the creation of the White Mountain National Forest. Turn left onto the Nancy Pond Trail when you reach the trail junction, crossing three streams in quick succession. The surrounding area is the best place on this route in which to find a nice campsite. My advice would be to walk up one of these streams a few hundred yards and find yourself an open, secluded area to pitch your tent or shelter. This area is quite rich in wildlife, especially moose, so I'd avoid making camp directly adjacent to the streams where the animals cross them at night. This is easy to determine by examining the ground and surrounding vegetation and avoiding highly trafficked areas. Continue along the Nancy Pond Trail, which climbs gradually to Norcross Pond at the foot of Mts Nancy and Anderson. The west end of the pond has some nice rocks to sit on and admire the view. If you look to the west, you'll be able to see Franconia Ridge and the eastern face of Bondcliff and Mt Bond. If you opt to climb Mt Nancy, it's accessed by an unmarked and un-maintained side trail that's easy to follow to the summit (it's now a decommissioned hiking trail, but still used quite frequently.) If you're facing Norcross Pond, turn left and cross to the shore. From where you're standing, you should see three paths. The rightmost one, closest to the shore, is the Nancy Pond Trail. To reach the Mt Nancy herd path, follow the leftmost path. You'll know you're on the correct path when you see a bare wooden board at head height near the bottom. The Forest Service posts a sign here warning people about the fines associated with illegal trail maintenance, but it's frequently missing. The path is also encoded on the GeoPDF map and GPX file included above for this hike, which you can import into a GPS device or phone app like [Gaia GPS.](https://www.gaiagps.com/discounts/#_r_philip-58) The Mt Nancy herd path is a calf burner, climbing 850' in 0.6 of a mile. But it's easy to follow as it runs through forest, before climbing steeply next to (but not on) an avalanche slide, and then climbing again through spruce to a signed summit view. When you reach the summit, there's great view of Mt Washington, the Oakes Gulf headwall, and the Dry River Valley which leads up to it. To descend Mt Nancy, retrace your steps back to the beginning of the herd path and turn left onto the Nancy Pond Trail, which heads east along the shore of Norcross Pond. This section of trail travels over many bog bridges as it leaves Norcross Pond and passes smaller Nancy Pond, also on your right. By this point, the trail runs along a stream on your left, colored a deep tannic red by decomposing leaves and vegetation. As the stream grows in size, it becomes a series of cascades culminating in a tall 300 foot waterfall named the Nancy Cascades. The trail turns right at the top of the waterfall and descends steeply along a series of switchbacks to the bottom of the falls, where you can leave the trail and scramble over rocks to a shallow pool at its base. Use caution here, because the water is falling from a great height and cause injury. The Nancy Pond Trail continues on the right hand side of Nancy Brook for a short distance before a stream crossing, which may become difficult in high water. The trail climbs ascends after the crossing around an obstruction, passing the remains of an old mill building, before recrossing Nancy Brook in 0.6 of a mile. The trail continues for another 1.6 miles through open forest over a series of gravel logging roads, until it ends at the Nancy Pond Trail head on Rt 302. #### About the author --- # Backpacking an Oakes Gulf Loop Source: https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-an-oakes-gulf-loop/ ![Oakes Gulf Loop Backpacking Trip Plan](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2020/07/Oakes-Gulf-Loop-Backpacking-Trip-Plan.jpg) Oakes Gulf is a glacial cirque on the south side of Mt Washington, similar in size and scale to Tuckerman Ravine, but much harder to access because it's so far from a paved road. Home to the avalanche-scarred Dry River, which isn't dry at all, it's located in the Presidential-Dry River Wilderness Area which is the wildest of the six designated wilderness areas in the White Mountain National Forest. This 2-3 day loop traces the perimeter of Oakes Gulf, climbing a 5492' sub-peak of Mt Washington called Boott Spur, Mt Monroe, Mt Eisenhower, and Mt Isolation, before looping back to Pinkham Notch through another cirque called the Gulf of Slides. With nearly 7 miles of above-treeline hiking, this route is best hiked in good weather conditions to fully appreciate the grandeur of the surroundings. ![Oakes Gulf Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2023/06/Oakes-Gulf-Loop.jpeg) [**Download PDF Map**](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2020/07/Oakes-Gulf-Loop-Trip-Plan.pdf) ## Rating ## Distance/Elevation Gain 21.2 miles w/8000' of cumulative elevation gain ## White Mountain 4000 Footers - Monroe - Eisenhower - Isolation ## Recommended Duration 2-3 days ## Season July thru October ## Permits Required None. ## Regulations [Backcountry Camping Regulations for the White Mountain National Forest](https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5363715.pdf). Most of this route passes through the Presidential-Dry River Wilderness Area. Please observe all [wilderness area restrictions. ](https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/whitemountain/specialplaces/?cid=stelprdb5186453) ## Trailhead Directions [Pinkham Notch Visitors Center](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recarea/?recid=74505) ## Maps ## Trail Sequence The route follows the following trails in sequence. - Tuckerman Ravine Trail - o.4 miles - Boott Spur Trail - 2.9 miles - Davis Path - 0.7 miles - Camel Trail - 0.7 miles - Crawford Path - 0.2 miles - Monroe Loop - 0.7 miles - Crawford Path - 1.2 miles - Mt Eisenhower Trail - 2.4 miles - Eisenhower Loop - 0.6 miles - Eisenhower Loop - 0.6 miles - Dry River Cutoff - 0.3 - Dry River Trail - 0.3 - Isolation Trail West - 2.4 miles - Davis Path - 1.2 miles - Davis Path - 2.8 miles - Glen Boulder Trail - 2.8 miles - Direttissima Trail - 1.0 miles ## Scenic Highlights The following list provides cumulate distances on the route to each view or landmark - Split Rock - 2.0 miles - Boot Spur Link Junction and stunning view into Tuckerman Ravine - 2.2 miles - Mt Boot Spur Summit - 3.3 miles - Lakes of the Clouds Alpine Tarns - 4.7 miles - AMC Lakes of the Clouds Hut - 4.8 miles - Mt Monroe Summit - 5.3 miles - Dry River River Crossing - 10.8 miles - Mt Isolation Summit - 14.7 miles - The Glen Boulder - 18.3 miles ## Camping Shelter Options - AMC Lakes of the Clouds Hut ($$$) - Designated campsites along the Mt Eisenhower Trail, the Dry River Trail, and the Isolation Trail (East) indicated on the overview map provided above. While these are signed by the Forest Service, they are usually not listed on printed maps of the White Mountains so that the Forest Service can periodically relocate them to limit overuse. Mt Eisenhower Trail - there are designated campsites along the river below the crossing - Dry River Trail - there is a designated campsite a short way north of the Isolation West Junction - Isolation Trail - there are designated campsites just east of the Davis Path trail junction ## Water Natural water sources are plentiful in the White Mountains although you may need to descend to them from ridgelines alongside trails if you run short. In any case, carry a detailed topographic map with you, and don’t rely on the overview map provided with this trip description to find water sources. ## Weather Cautions This route is sensitive to seasonal and weather conditions which can make it hazardous. Much of the route is above treeline, so avoid hiking the route when there is a threat of thunderstorms or winds in excess of 45 mph. Historically, August is the best time to watch for good weather on or near Mt Washington because it has the most favorable wind speed, temperature, and precipitation averages of any calendar month ([see Mt Washington Normal, Means, and Extremes](https://www.mountwashington.org/experience-the-weather/mount-washington-weather-archives/normals-means-and-extremes.aspx)). There is also potentially difficult water crossing on the Dry River at the bottom of the Dry River Cutoff Trail which may become difficult to cross in high water. The best way to avoid high water levels is to check the weather and postpone your hike if heavy precipitation is forecast during or a few days before your hike.  Be sure to check the [Weather.gov](https://www.weather.gov/) and [Mt Washington Observatory Higher Summits forecasts](https://www.mountwashington.org/experience-the-weather/higher-summit-forecast.aspx) before your hike. ## On the Trail Leave the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center and get on the Tuckerman Ravine Trail, passing the Avalanche Forecast sign on your right. Continue for 0.4 miles, before turning onto the Boott Spur Trail. The Boott Spur Trail is much smaller than the Tuckerman Ravine Trail with just enough room for one person to clamber up the rock scrambles. It’s a pretty climb through lush forest with several side trails to viewpoints. When backpacking above-treeline on a sunny day, it’s important to pack extra water because the trail is made of up rocks and boulders that heat up and radiate heat back at you. You might not feel yourself sweating, but you are getting dehydrated and it’s important to drink more water. The trail climbs over several false summits and as you approach treeline and there are some viewpoints to your right which are worth checking out. The most notable is a straight shot view into Tuckerman Ravine at 4037'. It's hard to appreciate the scale of this giant glacial cirque, even when you're on Boott Spur, which forms Tuckerman's southwestern headwall. When you're below the summit of Boott Spur, you are in its "lee", which provides protection from the prevailing southeasterly wind. But once you summit the peak at 5492', you might consider layering up. I frequently put on a wind shirt or rain jacket here if it's cool. Don't let the temperature down in Pinkham Notch fool you. Temperatures above treeline are always cooler. ### The Davis Path The Boott Spur Trail leads to the Davis Trail Junction and an area called the Bigelow Lawn, an expanse of alpine grassland that runs between the base of Mt Washington and Oakes Gulf. Mt Jefferson has a similar grassland area called the Monticello Lawn. The area to the left of the Davis Path is Oakes Gulf and the Dry River Valley, which you'll descend into after climbing Mt Eisenhower. Continue along the Davis Path for 0.1 miles, before following the Camel Trail which forks to the left. ### The Camel Trail The Camel Trail runs past the Lakes of the Clouds, two alpine tarns (ponds) that host an amazing variety of life in such a harsh landscape. Soon, the AMC Lakes of the Clouds Hut will come into view where passing hikers can stop to refill their water bottles or use the restroom. You don't have to be an overnight guest or an AMC member to enter. It's also a good place to check the weather forecast which is posted on the wall, the wind speed, and the hut barometer. ### Crawford Path When you exit the hut, turn right onto the Crawford Path for 0.2 miles until you reach the Monroe Loop Trail on your right. The Crawford Path continues around Mt Monroe, while the Monroe Loop climbs it and Mt Franklin, which is a subpeak of Monroe. ### Monroe Loop The Monroe Loop climbs steeply to the summit of Mt Monroe, where there is a fine view of Mt Washington. It's only a 350' climb from the hut and while it is steep, it's really quite a short walk. From the summit, continue down the backside of Monroe, over Mt Franklin, and back down to rejoin the Crawford Path. ### Crawford Path Continue along the Crawford Path, which is the oldest continuously maintained hiking trail in the United States. This section of the trail coincides with the Appalachian Trail and is easy to follow. The trail continues for 1.2 miles, also above-treeline, until you come to the Mt Eisenhower Trail junction. Continue past this junction to the Eisenhower Loop Trail. ### Eisenhower Loop The Eisenhower Loop Trail leads to the large summit cairn on the top of Eisenhower. It's 0.4 miles to the summit and you'll do an out and back to bag this peak before backtracking to the Mt Eisenhower trail junction that you just passed. While the summit is treeless, it's important to stay near the cairn and within the screen walls that mark the trail to avoid trampling the fragile alpine vegetation on the rest of the peak. Eisenhower is covered with snow most of the year, so the tiny plants that grow on its summit have very little time to grow and reproduce. If you trample on them, they won't have enough time to repair the damage and will die. ### Mt Eisenhower Trail Turn down (east) onto the Mt Eisenhower Trail passing a Presidential-Dry River Wilderness boundary sign. From here on, none of the trail signs in the Dry River Valley area will have mileages marked on them. This is done in order to heighten the wilderness experience. The top of the Mt Eisenhower Trail descends through scrub before gradually descending through forest to the Dry River Cuttoff Trail. It isn't a heavily used trail but is very well maintained and easy to follow. The Mt Eisenhower Trail passes the Dry River Cutoff Trail junction and continues for 0.3 miles to the river's edge. There are a few campsites along the south side of the river here. Just look for the herd path leading to them. This is the first spot you can camp on this route and you'll probably want to plan your hike so you reach it before sundown. There is also a designated campsite on the other side of the river,  just north of the Isolation West Trail junction. There are two ways you can do the Dry River crossing. You can choose to rock hop across if you don't mind hopping over big rocks or you can wade the river. I'd recommend that latter and to find a shallower place to cross below the cairned crossing. That's always been my preference. It will still be a high-calf ford, but I think it's a lot lower consequence than falling off a big wet rock in the middle of a wilderness area. This crossing is also fairly high up on the river, where the flow is lower because the catchment area isn't as large as it is downstream. You still want to avoid crossing the Dry River for a day or so after or during a heavy rainfall, which is another reason why I advocate doing this trip during a sunny dry spell rather than a wet one.  Once across, you'll hike to the Dry River Trail junction. ### Dry River Trail Turn right (south) onto the Dry River Trail and processed for 0.3 miles to the Isolation West Trail junction. There is a designated campsite on your right, down a short side trail that is easy to miss. The sign for it is at ankle height. The water source is a small stream just past the spur trail on your left. ### Isolation West Trail The Isolation Trail is definitely the wildest trail on this route. It links the Dry River Valley to the Montablin Ridge and can be a little tricky to follow in one or two spots where small avalanches have obscured the trail or uprooted trees. This trail was closed for several years after Hurricane Irene knocked down so many trees, that the trail became impassable. But the trail crews have been through to clear the blowdowns (using saws and axes only because it's in a wilderness area) and the trail has an active volunteer trail maintainer. I suggest topping your water along this trail before the final leg of the route. While there is water down the Isolation East Trail (requires a detour), there are few water sources between this point and well down the Glen Boulder Trail. ### Davis Path Just before you reach the Isolation/Davis Trail junction you'll pass through an area with many downed trees, probably caused by a microburst. The trail can be tricky to follow here, so use care. When you reach the Davis Path junction turn right (south) and follow the trail for 1.2 miles to the Mt Isolation spur, which climbs a short distance to an open summit. The summit of Mt Isolation is open rock ledge with wide-ranging views. The biggest mountain on the horizon is the rocky cone of Mt Washington and below it, the yawning chasm of Oakes Gulf. Mt Monroe is visible to Washington's immediate left. Boott Spur is to its right. You'll pass by North Isolation, a trailless summit, on the next leg of the hike below the Glen Boulder trail junction. From Mt Isolation, head north, backtracking to the Isolation West Trail junction for 1.2 miles. Keep going straight for another 1.6 miles breaking above treeline again, to the Glen Boulder Trail junction. ### Glen Boulder Trail The Glen Boulder Trail runs down the south side of another glacial cirque called the Gulf of Slides which is popular with backcountry skiers in the winter. If you're running low on water, there is a signed spring 0.8 miles from the Davis Trail junction where you can top of your tank. The Glen Boulder is so-named for a large and picturesque boulder that overlooks Pinkham Notch. Time permitting, this is good spot to hang out, rest, rehydrate, and take in the view. The descent below the boulder is a steep and challenging, so go slow and watch your footing. ### Direttissima Trail Turn left onto the Direttissima Trail which runs for a 1.0 mile to the Pinkham Notch parking lot. It's a pleasant and forested hike which avoids a one-mile road walk along Rt 16. A Direttissima in the White Mountains is a continuous hike over all 48 of the White Mountain 4000 footers. It's a tough journey, but several hikers have completed it in recent years. #### About the author --- # Backpacking the Cannonball Loop Source: https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-the-cannonball-loop/ ![Backpacking the Cannonball Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2018/05/Backpacking-the-Cannonball-Loop.jpg) The Cannonball Loop is an epic 2 day, 15 mile loop hike that climbs THREE 4000 footers, visits three lakes, and provides outstanding views of Cannon Cliff and Franconia Notch. Don't let the short distance of this loop hike fool you. It traverses gnarly mountain terrain with steep climbs and rocky scrambles. But it's a fun route with lots of opportunities for swimming in alpine lakes, a visit to a high mountain hut, and even some excellent fly fishing. ![Cannonball Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2023/06/Cannonball-Loop.jpeg) **[Download PDF Map](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2019/08/Cannonball-Loop-PDF.pdf)** ## Rating ## Distance/Elevation Gain 15 miles w/5000' of cumulative elevation gain ## White Mountain 4000 Footers - Cannon - North Kinsman - South Kinsman ## Recommended Duration 2 days ## Season June thru October ## Permits Required None. ## Regulations [Backcountry Camping Regulations for the White Mountain National Forest](https://sectionhiker.com/out/em1x9n6l). ## Trailhead Directions - [Cannon Mountain Tramway Parking Lot (Exit 34B, I-93)](https://www.cannonmt.com/park-directions.html) ## Maps ## Trail Sequence The route follows the following trails in sequence. - Kinsman Ridge Trail (to South Kinsman) - 7.1 miles - Kinsman Ridge Trail (back to Kinsman Junction) - 1.6 miles - Kinsman Pond Trail (out and back to Kinsman Pond Campsite and Shelter) - 0.2 miles - Fishin Jimmy Trail - 2.0 miles - Cascade Brook Trail - 0.8 miles - Lonesome Lake Trail - 0.8 miles - Pemi Trail - 2.0 miles ## Scenic Highlights The following list provides cumulate distances on the route to each view or landmark - Cannon Mountain Summit and Fire Tower - 2.0 miles - Northeast Cannonball - 3.0 miles - Kinsman Pond - 5.6 miles - North Kinsman Summit - 6.2 miles - South Kinsman Summit - 7.1 miles - Kinsman Shelter and Tent Platforms 8.7 miles - AMC Lonesome Lake Hut/Lonesome Lake - 10.8 miles - Cannon Cliff View (from Franconia Notch)- 14 miles - Profile Lake - 14 miles ## Camping and Shelter Options - [Kinsman Pond Shelter ($)](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recarea/?recid=74663) - Appalachian Trail Shelter and Tent Platforms, Caretaker in-season. - [Lafayette Place Campground ($)](https://www.reserveamerica.com/camping/lafayette-place-campground/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NH&parkId=270044) - Busy campground managed by State of New Hampshire (w/ showers) - [AMC Lonesome Lake Hut ($$$)](https://www.outdoors.org/lodging-camping/huts/lonesome) - Rustic mountain hut on Lonesome Lake ## Water Natural water sources are plentiful in the White Mountains although you may need to descend to them from ridgelines along side trails if you run short. In any case, carry a detailed topographic map with you and don’t rely on the overview map provided with this trip description to find water sources. ## On the Trail Leave from the designated hikers parking lot at the southeast corner of the Cannon Tramway Lot. Look for the sign that reads "Kinsman Ridge Trail". The trail leaves from a clearing at the end of a short service road and leaves from the left side, climbing into woods. After a gradual start, the trail begins to climb steeply across heavily eroded trail, gaining 2100' of elevation in the first 2 miles.Blazed in blue, the trail crosses a ski trail several times as it climbs. Take your time on this stretch and exercise caution as you cross rocky ledges which are slippery when wet. A spur trail branches off at the top of this climb and descends over ledges at the top Cannon Cliff for a fine view of the Franconia Ridge on the other side of the Notch. Return to the main trail and climb to the fire tower at the summit of Mt Cannon. The Cannon fire tower is a metal structure open to hikers with a large viewing platform on top. The tower is usually quite busy because tourists can reach it by taking the nearby aerial tram to just below the summit. Originally built in 1938, the Cannon Mountain Tram was the first passenger tram in North America and is a great way to show friends and family the splendor of the mountains without making them climb the mountain on foot. While the fire tower has 360 degree views, most people are riveted by the sight of Franconia Ridge on the other side of Franconia Notch. On a clear day, Mts Lafayette, Lincoln, Little Haystack and Liberty look close enough that you can reach out and touch them. Descend from the tower and continue along the Kinsman Ridge Trail, being careful not to take another side trail off the summit. The next stretch of trail runs over three small mountains, called the Cannonballs, each separated by small cols. The first Cannonball (the northeast peak) has an elevation of 3769' and is one the New Hampshire 100 Highest List, a fact worth noting if you ever decide to peakbag this list. It also overlooks Lonesome Lake, which is on the return route for this trip. The next two Cannonballs have elevations of 3,693 feet and 3,660 feet. The trails dips between each in turn and requires some scrambling. The Kinsman Ridge Trail climbs one final hump before arriving at Kinsman Junction junction near Kinsman Pond, where it meets the Fishin' Jimmy Trail and the Kinsman Pond Trail. The Kinsman Pond Campsite and Shelter are located nearby. Continue right at the junction headed toward North and South Kinsman, passing the Mt Kinsman Trail which branches to the right. Climb a steep ledge, arriving at the summit of North Kinsman in 0.4 miles. A short spur trail to the left has a tremendous view of Franconia Ridge on the other side of Franconia Notch. Retrace your steps, turning left onto the Kinsman Ridge Trail toward South Kinsman. Descend a steep and rocky col before climbing through scrub to a large cairn at the summit of South Kinsman Mountain. This peak is quite exposed, so use caution in bad weather. From the cairn, retrace your steps back to the North Kinsman and Kinsman Junction beyond that, turning right onto the Kinsman Pond Trail where you'll reach the Kinsman Pond Shelter and Tent Platforms in just 0.1 miles. Kinsman Pond, is just behind the shelter, below the North Kinsman summit. Kinsman Pond freezes in winter, so the word is that it doesn't hold trout. While the pond is good for a quick dip on a hot day, it's best to wear wading shoes if you plan to do a little swimming as the bottom is mucky and there may be leeches in the water. While the water in Kinsman Pond is drinkable, filtering or water treatment is recommended. Return to Kinsman Junction and turn right onto the Fishin Jimmy Trail, a rocky and rolling mountain trail that runs to the Lonesome Lake Hut. Be sure to visit the hut which is open to day hikers. In addition to clean water, there are bathrooms and baked goods for sale. If you want to swim in Lonesome Lake there's a beach area below the hut. The lake fishing is also very good here, with trout rising the snatch the hatch. Leave from the lake side of the hut and hike down to Lonesome Lake, following the Cascade Brook Trail for 0.8 miles over boardwalks to the Lonesome Lake Trail. Continue on the Lonesome Lake Trail, descending to a trailhead parking lot in Franconia Notch, next to the Lafayette Place Campground. Turn left when you reach the lot before quickly turning right onto campground entrance road, headed west, away from the campground. The Pemi Trail soon turns left, crosses the river, and then runs north through the upper part of Franconia Notch, parallel to I-93. A fine view of Cannon Cliff will soon be visible to your left. This is a popular rock climbing spot and you may encounter climbers making their way to routes along the cliff face. Continue north along the Pemi Trail, passing Profile Lake on your right. This is a great lake for fly fishing, although the best fishing requires waders or a boat. Imagine standing at the bottom of a great mountain pass surrounded by cliffs and casting a fly rod. You get the picture. Hike past the end of the lake until the Pemi Trail ends, continuing north along a short stretch of pavement until you reach the Cannon Mountain Tram parking lot, where the route ends. #### About the author --- # White Mountains Redlining Trail Maps Source: https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/white-mountains-hiking-trail-maps/ ![White Mountains Hiking Trail Maps](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2021/03/White-Mountains-Hiking-Trail-Maps.jpg) One of the first things you'll discover about hiking all 653 trails in the [AMC's White Mountains Guide](https://amzn.to/46fuGE6) is that a lot of them are not on the [AMC White Mountain National Forest Map Set](https://amzn.to/46bqGVn) that the AMC sells to go with the book. Some of the trails aren't even in the White Mountain National Forest, but it's still customary to hike them because they've been mentioned in the text. ### Driving Directions First and foremost, you want to buy a copy of the latest, [31st edition of the AMC White Mountain Guide](https://amzn.to/46fuGE6). It has very accurate driving directions to get to every roadside trailhead. The White Mountain Guide does not currently publish GPS coordinates for these trailheads, and even if it did, Google Maps would probably get you lost because many of them are down seasonal, gated, logging, or private roads that the Google mapping bot never visits or doesn't list as existing. I actually own two copies of the White Mountain Guide and keep one at home for planning and one in the car for directions. I would also recommend buying the [Delorme New Hampshire/Vermont Gazetteer](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0899334415/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0899334415&linkId=07620fe48d5aae8f8613989853ea4c39) and the [Delorme Maine Gazetteer](https://amzn.to/3Se4pAw) because they have good maps of the backcountry roads and information about campsites and other recreational opportunities not listed on hiking maps. Depending on where you live, it may take you 5 hours to drive to some of the far-flung trailheads in Northern New Hampshire, and you may want to stay for a few days when you head up north. I recommend you keep these Gazetteers in your car, too. ### Trail Descriptions The AMC White Mountain Guide has very good trail descriptions. It's worth reading these carefully before any hike you take to avoid any nasty surprises, like finding out that the day hike you planned has many more thousand feet of elevation gain or tough water crossings you weren't expecting. Even worse, that there are view spurs you might miss. ### Paper Maps Here are the paper maps that many White Mountains Hikers accumulate as they work through the trail list: - [AMC White Mountains Map Set](https://amzn.to/46bqGVn) - Hanover, NH Town Trail Maps - [Randolph Mountain Club’s Randolph Valley and Northern Peaks of the Presidential Range Trail Map](https://www.randolphmountainclub.org/stuffwesell/onlineoutlet.html?redirect=false#trailmap) - [Chatham Trails Association Trail Map](https://chathamtrails.org/store.html) - [WODC Trail Map and Guide to the Sandwich Range Wilderness](https://sectionhiker.com/out/6z4lr9g6) - [Cross Rivendell Trail Maps](https://sectionhiker.com/out/a5ps2myd) - [Shelburne Trail Club Hiking Map](https://www.facebook.com/notes/shelburne-trails-club/shelburne-trails-map/941911919284427/) - [Grafton Loop Trail Map](https://sectionhiker.com/out/0nc5njv2) - [Grafton Notch State Park and Mahoosuc Public Lands (great map)](https://sectionhiker.com/out/v1uio4wl) - [Weeks State Park Map](https://sectionhiker.com/out/lk8azpzl) - Red Hill Conservation Area Map - [West Rattlesnake Mt Trails](https://www.nh.gov/nhdfl/documents/westratt2.pdf) ### GPS Apps w/ Maps Many White Mountains hikers like to carry GPS Phone apps when hiking in order to find trails, stay on them, and record a track for future reference. They're particularly helpful for some of the more obscure trails you'll encounter and in winter, when trails are covered with snow and trail blazes are buried. Map quality varies across these apps, so you can't trust them absolutely, especially when the trail maps are crowdsourced by users. - [Gaia GPS](https://sectionhiker.com/out/won2ss7r): Contains many different maps including USGS, Historic USGS, USFS, and other licensed maps. Overall fairly current. [Annual subscription](https://sectionhiker.com/out/won2ss7r). - [Guthooks Guide, New England Hiker:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/su9ppsl3) Very accurate and current because they've been mapped by White Mountains hikers (including Arlette Laan) carrying GPS units. These maps include water source information which is very helpful on long hikes and backpacking trips. Fantastic for winter use. [One time subscription fee (not annual)](https://sectionhiker.com/out/su9ppsl3). Priced by region. - [Avenza Maps:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/jt89oxrf)  GPS-encoded version of the 2017 AMC White Mountains Mapset. $5.99 per map. One time fee. Purchase in app. ### Route Planning Tools Route planning tools can come in very handy for comparing different routes in terms of distance and elevation gain, especially when planning loops. If you're not familiar with these tools, you might want to add them to your skillset. - [Caltopo](https://sectionhiker.com/out/9tjec229): Free online planning tool with a variety of free authoritative and crowdsourced maps. Good for plotting estimated mileage and elevation gain. You can also create GPS-encoded maps with it that can be imported and used by the Avenza Maps app. - [Garmin BaseCamp](https://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=4449): Mainly used by Garmin GPS users. Free to download. Maps cost extra. #### About the author --- # Backpacking The Fire Warden’s Loop Source: https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-the-fire-wardens-loop/ ![Backpacking a Firewardens Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2018/06/Backpacking-a-Firewardens-Loop.jpg) The Fire Warden's Loop is a 2-3 day, 18 mile backpacking route that climbs four 4000 footers: Hale, Zealand, South Twin, and North Twin. All four of these peaks surround the Little River Valley but aren't normally climbed together as a group by day hikers because there isn't an obvious loop to follow. While there's a trail from the North Twin Trailhead to North Twin Mountain, there's not a well-known trail linking Hale to the valley floor. However, there used to be a fire tower on Hale (removed in 1972) and a road leading to it that was named the Mt Hale Trail. It's known today as the Fire Warden's Trail and is still used by winter hikers and backcountry skiers to climb Hale when the roads to trails on the other side of the mountain are closed in winter. That old trail has been kept open (although it's not listed in the White Mountain Guide or Appalachian Mountain Club Maps) and makes it possible to climb all four peaks in a continuous loop. This isn't atypical in the Whites. There are a lot of old logging roads and herd paths used by hikers that aren't "officially" recognized but are still widely used. Their routes are frequently available in apps and online mapping programs that incorporate open-source GPS data like the [GaiaGPS app](https://www.gaiagps.com/discounts/#_r_philip-58) and [Caltopo.com](https://sectionhiker.com/caltopo-a-great-online-mapping-and-planning-tool-for-hikers/). ![Firewardens Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2023/06/Firewardens-Loop.jpeg) [**Download PDF Map**](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2018/06/Fire-wardens-Loop-PDF-v2.pdf) This trip starts with an ascent of Hale on the Fire Warden's Trail, before dropping down to the AMC's Zealand Hut on the Lend-a-Hand Trail. From there, it climbs to an open cliff called Zeacliff, which has a great view of Zealand Notch and the Whitewall Mountain Cliffs. After passing a small alpine lake called Zeacliff Pond, hikers summit Mt Zealand, followed by Mt Guyot. Next, the route follows the Twinway to South Twin Mountain, before traveling out to North Twin Mountain and dropping steeply down to the route's beginning in the Little River Valley. ## Rating ## Distance/Elevation Gain 18 miles w/5600' of cumulative elevation gain ## White Mountain 4000 Footers - Hale - Zealand - South Twin - North Twin - West Bond, Mt Bond, Bondcliff (optional extension) ## Recommended Duration 2-3 days ## Season June thru October ## Permits Required None. ## Regulations [Backcountry Camping Regulations for the White Mountain National Forest](https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5363715.pdf). ## Trailhead Directions - [North Twin Trailhead (Haystack Rd)](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=74689&actid=50) ## Maps ## Trail Sequence The route follows the following trails in sequence. - North Twin Trail - 1.0 miles - Fire Warden's Trail - 2.1 miles - Lend-a-Hand Trail - 2.7 miles - Twinway to Zealand Mountain Spur Tr - 2.8 miles - Zealand Mountain Spur Tr - 0.2 miles (out and back) - Twinway to Bondcliff Trail Junction - 1.3 miles - Twinway to South Twin Summit - 2.0 miles - North Twin Spur Trail - 1.3 miles - North Twin Trail - 4.3 miles 18 miles with 5500' elevation gain. ## Scenic Highlights The following list provides cumulative distances on the route to each view or landmark. - Mt Hale Summit - 3.1 miles - Zealand Hut - 5.8 miles - Zeacliff - 7.0 miles - Zeacliff Pond - 7.4 miles - Zealand Summit 8.7 miles - Mt Guyot Summit - 10 miles - South Twin Summit - 12 miles - North Twin Summit - 13.3 miles ## Camping and Shelter Options - [AMC Zealand Falls Hut ($$$)](https://www.outdoors.org/lodging-camping/huts/zealand) - Large Pre-existing Campsite off Ethan Pond Trail (Free) - This campsite is located near the Forest Protection Area perimeter boundary surrounding Zealand Falls approximately 1/2 mile south on the Ethan Pond Trail and is predominantly used by Appalachian Trail Thru-hikers. It's flat and has space for many tents, but it isn't very pretty. - [Guyot Shelter and Tentsite (Platforms) ($)](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recarea/?recid=74645) - [AMC Galehead Hut ($$$)](https://www.outdoors.org/lodging-camping/huts/galehead) ## Water Natural water sources are plentiful in the White Mountains although you may need to descend to them from ridgelines alongside trails if you run short. In any case, carry a detailed topographic map with you, and don’t rely on the overview map provided with this trip description to find water sources. ## On the Trail Follow the North Twin Trail for 1.0 miles to the first river crossing. Just before the trail reaches the riverbank, turn left onto an unmarked side path and follow it for 0.4 miles, staying close to the hillside on your left. Look for an unmarked path and turn left, hiking uphill, to continue on the Fire Warden's Trail. Use the GaiaGPS app which has the trail clearly marked on the Gaia Topo map layer, if only to keep track of your mileage before making the left turn. The Fire Warden's Trail, like many trails in the White Mountain National Forest, is largely unblazed. However, the trail is still heavily used and the path is easy to follow. Running along an old roadbed, the trail is a well-beaten path, with surprisingly few rocks to clamber over as it climbs uphill. If you encounter a tree blocking the path (called a blow-down), just detour around it and the path will continue heading uphill on the other side. As you approach the summit of Hale, there's a good view through trees of Mt Washington's east side and the ridgeline between Mt Jefferson and Mt Monroe. The Fire Wardens Trail runs directly to the Hale summit which is viewless. It has a large rock cairn at the top, with magnetic rocks that can play tricks on your compass. From the Hale summit, follow the signed Lend-a-Hand Trail which runs down to the Appalachian Mountain Club's Zealand Hut. When you reach the section of this forest trail that has wooden boardwalks, slow your pace way, way down to avoid slipping and falling on them if they're wet. If you do fall, try to land on the base of your backpack where you're sleeping bag is packed because it will cushion the fall. When you arrive at the hut, drop your pack on the porch and go inside to visit with the crew. You don't have to be a paying guest to visit and it's a good place to stop for a rest and refill water bottles from the indoor taps. The Hut is also a good place to spend the night if you want to follow this route at a leisurely pace. Reservations are highly recommended though, especially in the summer and autumn. All of the huts, major junctions, and fragile areas of the Whites are surrounded by Forest Protection Areas (FPA), usually 1/4 to 1/2 mile in diameter, where camping is prohibited. They're all marked by signs nailed to trees that announce when you're entering or leaving them. While I can't recommend it, there is also large pre-existing campsite on the Ethan Pond Trail, south of the Zealand Hut, near the perimeter of the FPA surrounding Zealand Falls. Heavily used by AT Thru-hikers, it's not the prettiest campsite by a long shot, but you can camp there for free in a pinch. Leave Zealand Hut and climb up the Twinway Trail to Zeacliff, a cliff face that overlooks Zealand Notch and the Whitewall Mountain cliffs on its far side. The climb up to Zeacliff is steep and rocky, ascending 900 feet in 1.2 miles, but it's the last significant climb on the route. At the top of the climb, follow a signed side trail to the viewpoint. There's a good view of Mt Willey in addition to the cliffs. From the cliff, head north along the Twinway which is the major trunk trail along the northern rim of the Pemigewasset Wilderness. It also coincides with the Appalachian Trail, so you're likely to run into thru-hikers between July and September as they head towards Maine. As you approach Zealand Mountain, you'll pass a 0.1 mile side trail to tiny Zeacliff Pond on your left. Depending on the year and the time of season, Zeacliff Pond may be beautiful or just plain nasty. It does have a great view of Mt Carrigan in the distance though, which is well worth checking out. Local naturalist Alex MacPhail has a wonderful description of the pond's origins on his [White Mountain Sojourn Blog](https://whitemountainsojourn.blogspot.com/2008/10/zeacliff-pond-shelter-in-july-1959.html), that's worth a quick read if you're interested in mountain pond ecology and the geological forces that help create them. For instance, I learned that the difference between a pond and a lake is whether or not sunlight can reach the bottom. Continue along the Twinway until you reach the 0.1 mile spur trail that leads to the Zealand Mountains summit. The summit is viewless and hemmed in by spruce, with barely enough space to get your photo under the sign. While it may feel like you're not on a 4000 footer, rest assured, you're at 4260' of elevation. That's the beauty of ridge walks, something that the White Mountains has in abundance. Once you climb to a ridge crest, you can hike along it picking off one summit after another, with less incremental effort. Continue along the Twinway towards Mt Guyot (pronounced Gee-oh, with a hard 'g'.) The mountain is named after Professor Arnold H. Guyot (1807–1884), who's credited with drawing the first map of the White Mountains. Guyot is a 4000 footer although it's not on the AMC 4000 footer list because its summit is too close to other peaks that are. That’s the funny thing with peakbagging lists, they are not a literal reflection of the landscape (The Adirondack 46ers 4,000 footer list contains several peaks less than 4,000 feet in height), but very much a man-made abstraction. For example, Guyot is considered a 4000 footer on another White Mountains peakbagging list called the [Trailwrights 72](https://sectionhiker.com/the-trailwrights-72/), which lists 24 additional mountains that are 4000 feet or higher, beyond the 48 peaks included on the AMC 4000 footer list. If you want a challenge, that's the list. Guyot is a pretty peak with a graceful bald summit dome topped with rock cairns. It's also a major crossroads linking the Bondcliff Trail to the Twinway, putting the Bonds (West Bond, Mt Bond, and Bondcliff) within spitting distance if you want to add them to this route. The Bondcliff Trail also leads to the AMC's Guyot Shelter and Tent Platforms in 0.8 miles, which is a good place to camp (the only nearby place to camp) or refill your water if you're running low. From the Guyot summit, continue northwest on the Twinway, passing through dense woods, to the summit of South Twin Mountain, where the view of Franconia Ridge and Mt Garfield more than makes up for the lack of views on Mts Hale and Zealand. On clear summer days, you can even see hang gliders soaring above Franconia Ridge on the hot air thermals. From South Twin, turn right onto the North Twin Spur Trail, reaching the summit of North Twin in 1.3 miles, passing open ledges with more great views. There's also a short side trail from the summit cairn to another ledge overlooking Mt Garfield and its sub-peaks, which is a great place for lunch or to admire the view. Continue onto the North Twin Trail, which descends steeply down to the Little River Valley for 4.3 miles. The descent requires three stream crossings, which can be difficult in high water. Being a steep and narrow valley, the Little River can flash up quickly during a heavy rain event, so check the weather during the dates of your hike to avoid heavy rain. If you do find yourself unable to cross safely during high water, wait for the water level to drop until it's safe to cross. The Little River has a small watershed and the levels will drop quickly. After the final water crossing, it's a short walk back to the North Twin Trailhead where this route began. If it's warm out, there are many fine cascades and pools along the river where you can swim and cool off. I haven't found any trout yet in this section of the Little River, but your luck may be better. #### About the author --- # Backpacking the Howker Ridge Loop Source: https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-the-howker-ridge-loop/ ![The Howker Ridge Loop Trip Plan](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2018/05/The-Howker-Ridge-Loop-Trip-Plan.jpg) The Howker Ridge Loop is a 2 day, 18 mile loop that climbs all of the peaks in the Northern Presidential Range: Mounts Madison, Adams, and Jefferson. The route passes several unusual geological features including small peaklets known locally as Howks, an alpine tarn called Star Lake, and towering rock spires called castles. After climbing Madison and Adams, we recommend spending the night at one of the Randolph Mountains Club's huts or campsite, close to treeline. The next day begins with a short hike to Edmands Col before climbing Mt Jefferson and then a looping descent past numerous waterfalls to the valley below. ![Howker Ridge Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2023/06/Howker-Ridge-Loop.jpeg) [**Download PDF Map**](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2019/08/Howker-Ridge-Loop-PDF.pdf) ## Rating ## Distance/Elevation Gain 18 miles w/6600' of cumulative elevation gain ## White Mountain 4000 Footers - Madison - Adams - Jefferson ## Recommended Duration 2 days ## Season June thru October ## Permits Required None. ## Regulations [Backcountry Camping Regulations for the White Mountain National Forest](https://sectionhiker.com/out/em1x9n6l). ## Weather Cautions This route is sensitive to seasonal weather which can make it hazardous. Most of this route is above-treeline and travels across exposed terrain where high wind, cold temperatures, fog, thunderstorms, lightning, and hail storms are common during the summer months. The best way to avoid difficulties or injury is to time your hike to avoid poor weather (by checking the [Weather.gov](https://www.weather.gov/) and [Mt Washington Observatory Higher Summits Forecasts](https://www.mountwashington.org/experience-the-weather/higher-summit-forecast.aspx)) and to bring proper clothing, equipment, and navigational aids. If you're inexperienced with above-treeline backpacking, I'd also recommend bringing a more experienced friend or guide to show you the ropes. ## Trailhead Directions - [Randolph East Trailhead](https://www.randolphmountainclub.org/trailsinfo/trailheads.html); easiest access is from Rt 2, just south of the Appalachia Trailhead. Turn left onto Pinkham Notch 'B' Rd and look for the parking lot on your right. ## Maps ## Trail Sequence The route follows the following trails in sequence. - Howker Ridge Trail - 4.1 miles - Osgood Trail - 0.8 miles - Star Lake Trail - 1.o miles - Lowes Path - 1.2 miles - Gray Knob Trail - 1.2 miles - Randolph Path  - 0.7 miles - The Gulfside Trail  - 0.2 miles - Jefferson Loop - 0.3 miles - Castle Trail - 1.5 miles - The Link - 5.0 miles - Sylvan Way  - 1.0 mile - Randolph Path - 0.7 miles ## Scenic Highlights The following list provides cumulate distances on the route to each view or landmark - First Howk - 2.7 miles - Fourth Howk - 3.5 miles - Mount Madison Summit - 4.4 miles - Madison Hut - 4.9 miles - Star Lake - 5.2 miles - Mt Adams Summit - 5.9 miles - Thunderstorm Junction - 6.2 miles - Mt Abigail Adams (Adams 4) -6.6 miles - Gray Knob Cabin & The RMC Camps - 7.4 miles - Edmands Col - 9.3 miles - Mt Jefferson Summit - 9.6 miles - The Castles - 10.6 miles - Cold Brook Falls - 16 miles ## Camping and Shelter Options - [USFS Valley Way Campsite (Free)](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recarea/?recid=74537) – Located on a short spur off of the Valley Way Trail 3.1 miles from the Appalachia Trailhead. - [AMC Madison Spring Hut ($$$) – Advance reservations recommended](https://www.outdoors.org/lodging-camping/huts/madison) - [RMC Crag Camp Hut ($)](https://www.randolphmountainclub.org/sheltersinfo/cragcamp.html) – Walk-ins only. Crag Camp is located about 1 mile northwest of Thunderstorm Junction, near to Gray Knob and The Perch. The easiest way to reach all of the RMC shelters from Thunderstorm Junction is to follow Lowes Path to treeline and to then follow protected paths to the destination of your choice. The Log Cabin is also located off Lowes Path but with more elevation loss. - [RMC Gray Knob Hut ($)](https://www.randolphmountainclub.org/sheltersinfo/grayknob.html) – Walk-ins only. (see above) - [RMC The Perch Lean-to and Tent Platforms](https://www.randolphmountainclub.org/sheltersinfo/theperch.html) ($) – Walk-ins only (see above). - [RMC The Log Cabin Lean-to ($)](https://www.randolphmountainclub.org/sheltersinfo/logcabin.html) – Walk-ins only (see above). ## Water Natural water sources are plentiful in the White Mountains although you may need to descend to them from ridgelines along side trails if you run short. In any case, carry a detailed topographic map with you and don’t rely on the overview map provided with this trip description to find water sources. ## On the Trail This route starts at the [Randolph East parking lot](https://www.randolphmountainclub.org/trailsinfo/trailheads.html), which is down a short side road called Pinkham B, just east of the famous Appalachia Trailhead on Rt 2. At the trailhead, follow signs for the Howker Ridge Trail, which runs through hardwoods and past several small waterfalls before it begins to climb up the east ridge of Mt Madison. The RMC or Randolph Mountain Club maintains many of the trails and shelters that you'll use on this hike. They're a small local club with a storied history of trail building in the Northern Presidentials and worth supporting. You also get a much reduced nightly rate at their shelters and camps if you're a member ([click for membership](https://www.randolphmountainclub.org/jointheclub/membershipinfo.html)). ![Howker Ridge Trail](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2012/01/P1050264.jpg) After passing several waterfalls and cascades, the Howker Ridge Trail begins climbing the northeast ridge of Mount Madison with many ups and downs. There are four howks as they're called, or peaklets on the ridge, which are look like rounded humpish hills, when you're looking down on the trail from above. The first of these occurs after 2.3 miles and the second at 3.0 miles. The Pine Link Trail joins the Howker Ridge Trail on the left and the two coincide for 0.3 miles, climbing to the third howk which has a good view of Madison. The two trails diverge again and the Howker Ridge Trail continues to climb, passing the fourth howk at mile 3.5 (4315'). The trail soon ascends above treeline where it is completely exposed to the wind and weather. Continue climbing, before turning SW onto the Osgood Trail which follows the ridgeline over the Mt Madison summit. The view  from Mt Madison is quite spectacular and affords descent wind protection if you hunker down behind the rocks near the summit sign. Looking to the southeast, you should see a long, curving, boulder-covered ridge descending to Pinkham Notch. This is also the Osgood Trail, but headed in the opposite direction from where you'll be going. Turning to the southwest is Mt Adams, the second highest mountain in the Whites, on the other side of the Madison Col. Beyond that in the distance, you can just make out Mt Jefferson as well. From the Madison summit sign, follow the Osgood Trail west to the AMC's Madison Springs Hut. Located in the col between Madison and Adams, the hut is a good place to top off your water bottles, use the rest room, or buy a snack. Day hikers are welcome to come inside even if they're not overnight guests. The hut is also a good place to check on the wind speed, barometer, and latest forecast, which is updated every morning. From the hut, follow the Star Lake Trail a short distance passing a small alpine tarn (pond). While it usually has some water in it, the level varies by season and weather conditions. Bear right past the tarn and continue following the Star Lake Trail which scrambles, steeply at times, to the summit of Mt Adams. When you crest the peak, be prepared for a blast of wind from the prevailing northwesterly prevailing winds that scour this exposed summit. Like Madison, the views from Adams are sublime. Look down into the Great Gulf, the great glacial cirque at the foot of the northern Presidentials ,and across it to "George", as Mt Washington is known locally. From the Adams summit, follow the Lowes Path for 0.3 miles across a boulder field to the huge cairn at Thunderstorm Junction, which is visible below in clear weather. This section of the Lowes Path is marked with rock cairns and must be followed carefully. When you arrive at  Thunderstorm Junction, I'd recommend calling it a day and heading down below treeline to stay at the RMC's Gray Knob or Crag Camp Self-Service Cabin or The Perch Tentsite for the night. All three of these options are far less expensive than staying in the AMC's Mountain Springs Hut, but are also self service. Gray Knob is a pleasant self-service hut to stay at overnight with mattresses on the floor and a small eating area. The RMC's Crag Camp, a similar hut, is a short walk. If you prefer to camp, the RMC's The Perch Campsite has a three-sided lean-to and tent platforms that are also available.  All require payment of a small overnight fee, and now accept Paypal, in addition to cash. See the shelter description links above for details. All of the RMC Huts and Campsites can be reached by continuing along the Lowes Path for 1.2 miles. This trail is marked by quartz-topped cairns and best hiked in daylight. There is a small rock scramble 0.3 miles below Thunderstorm Junction over a sub-peak of Mt Adams called Mt Abigail Adams (also called Adams 4 on older maps), before the trail continues to a junction with the Gray Knob Trail and The Perch Path.  Both the Gray Knob and Crag Camp Cabins are located along the short Gray Knob Trail, while the Perch Path leads to The Perch lean-to and tent site platforms. Resume the next morning by following the Perch Path almost due south, towards Mt Jefferson. Turn left at the Israel Ridge Path Trail Junction. In 0.4 miles, the Israel Ridge Trail meets the Randolph Path, and the two trails coincide for 0.1 miles. Continue along the Randolph Path for another 0.7 miles until its junction with the Gulfside Trail in Edmand's Col, a sheltered windbreak in the lee of Mt Jefferson. Once the site of a rescue cache, Edmands Col has a plaque dedicated to J. Rayner Edmands, one of the great trail architects of the interconnected White Mountain Trail system. When hiking in the Northern Presidentials, you can still see evidence of his handiwork today. A stickler for precision, he built many of the major trails using carefully fitted stones, so they're easy to follow across the rough, rock-strewn terrain. From Edmands Col, turn right onto the Gulfside Trail (bearing southwest) and follow it for 0.2 miles, turning right onto the Jefferson Loop Trail. Follow it for 0.4 miles, passing a large rock cairn, just below the summit which is a short scramble to the summit sign. Jefferson is one of the windiest spots in the Whites, short of the Mt Washington summit, so hold onto your hat, lest it blow into the Great Gulf. Descend to the large rock cairn, following the Jefferson Loop Trail to the Castle Trail, which runs down the mountain's north side. Like the Howks, the Castle Trail is topped by rocky outcroppings known as castles, which tower above Castle Ravine below. There are two castles, just below 4500' of elevation. You'll dip below treeline after the second castle, near "The Link" trail junction. Turn right onto The Link, which is a long looping descent around the back of the Northern Presidential range. It passes through hugely varied terrain, beginning with steep descents, waterfalls, and several easy water crossings, followed by forested hardwoods. The Link is fairly well blazed and easy to follow, but seldom hiked by day hikers, so less heavily used than the trails running up to the peaks. Follow The Link for 5.3 miles, passing many trail junctions, until you cross over the pretty wooden Memorial Bridge, below Cold Brook Fall. Jog right onto the Sylvan Way, a pretty forested path for 1.0 mile, before turning left onto the Randolph Path for the remaining 0.7 miles back to the Randolph East parking lot and the end of the route. #### About the author --- # Backpacking The Kate Sleeper Loop Source: https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-the-kate-sleeper-loop/ ![The Kate Sleeper Loop Trip Plan](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2018/06/The-Kate-Sleeper-Loop-Trip-Plan.jpg) The Kate Sleeper Loop is a 2 day, 20-mile backpacking route that climbs four 4000 footers: North and Middle Tripyramid, Whiteface and Passaconaway. The Tripyramids and Whiteface/Passaconaway are usually climbed on separate days by day hikers, but they're linked together by the Kate Sleeper Trail, and make a nice backpacking route that only requires one substantial climb to bag all four peaks. The Kate Sleeper Trail runs over two peaks in its own right, West and East Sleeper. The latter is on the New England Hundred Highest peak list, which many 4000 footer graduates go on to complete. The trail was recently damaged by a severe storm that knocked over many of trees on the ridge that it runs over. While the trail has been cleared, evidence of the surrounding devastation is still readily apparent and serves as a reminder of the wild weather that can be unleashed in the White Mountains. Who is Kate Sleeper? Ms. Sleeper was a 19th-century farmer and innkeeper from Wonalancet, NH, in the heart of the Sandwich Mountain Range, at the foot of these mountains. She was the driving force behind the creation of the local trail system, which she reasoned would draw visitors and commerce to the area. She also organized the Wonalancet Out Door Club (note the oddly spelled name), the local trail organization that built the trails and maintains them to this very day. They're a wacky, quirky bunch that exudes character but are very competent and dedicated trail stewards ![Kate Sleeper Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2023/06/Kate-Sleeper-Loop.jpeg) [**Download PDF Map**](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2019/08/The-Kate-Sleeper-Loop-PDF.pdf) ### Rating ## Distance/Elevation Gain 20 miles w/5000' of cumulative elevation gain ## White Mountain 4000 Footers - North Tripyramid - Middle Tripyramid - Mt Whiteface - Mt Passaconaway ## Recommended Duration 2 days ## Season June thru October ## Permits Required None. ## Regulations [Backcountry Camping Regulations for the White Mountain National Forest](https://sectionhiker.com/out/em1x9n6l). Most this route passes through the Sandwich Range Wilderness Area. Please observe all [wilderness area restrictions. ](https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/whitemountain/specialplaces/?cid=stelprdb5186453) ## Trailhead Directions - [Sabbaday Falls Observation Site](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recarea/?recid=74927) - Oliverian Brook Trailhead Parking (2.2 miles east of the Sabbaday Falls Observation Site on Rt 113, the Kancamagus Highway. While perfectly walkable, you may want to spot a car here at the end of your hike. There's a big parking lot and there are large USFS campgrounds nearby with hot showers. ## Maps ## Trail Sequence The route follows the following trails in sequence. - Sabbaday Falls Trail - 0.5 miles - Sabbaday Brook Trail - 4.4 Miles - Mt Tripyramid Loop - 1.9 miles - Kate Sleeper Trail - 3.4 miles - East Sleeper Spur Trail - 0.1 miles - Rollins Trail - 2.4 miles - Dicey's Mill Tr 0.9 miles - Walden Tr - 0.7 miles - Square Ledge Tr 0.7 miles - Passaconaway cutoff 1.7 miles - Oliverian Brook Tr - 1.9 miles - 2 mile road walk back to car 20 miles with 5500' elevation gain. ## Scenic Highlights The following list provides cumulative distances on the route to each view or landmark. - Sabbaday Falls - 0.25 miles - North Tripyramid Summit - 5.4 miles - Middle Tripyramid Summit - 5.9 miles - South Tripyramid Summit and Avalanche Slide - 6.3 miles - East Sleeper Spur Trail and Summit - 8.3 miles - Mt Whiteface ledges - 10.1 miles - Mt Whiteface Summit Cairn - 10.3 miles - Mt Passaconaway Summit - 13.6 miles - Mt Passaconaway View Spur - 13.9 miles ## Camping and Shelter Options - Camp Rich Tentsite (Free) - Maintained by the Wonalancet Out Door Club, on Dicey's Mill Trail, 0.1 miles past the East Loop Trail Junction - There are limited options for backcountry camping on this route given the terrain (if you don't have a backpacking hammock). Your best bet for finding a wild tent site will be along the Kate Sleeper Trail between Downe's Brook and the Rollins Trail or along the Oliverian Brook Trail. Please observe all [White Mountains backcountry camping rules](https://sectionhiker.com/out/em1x9n6l) and wilderness regulations and leave no trace. ## Water Natural water sources are plentiful in the White Mountains although you may need to descend to them from ridgelines along side trails if you run short. In any case, carry a detailed topographic map with you and don’t rely on the overview map provided with this trip description to find water sources. ## On the Trail Leave the Sabbaday Falls Observervation Site Parking Area and follow a gravel tourist path for a quarter-mile. A side trail branches left that will take you to a viewing area for the falls, a popular tourist destination, before looping back to the main path. The tourist path leads to the start of the Sabbaday Brook Path, hugging the right side of Sabbaday Brook. This section of trail is heavily eroded but passable and soon turns into a wider path that follows an old logging road. The Sabbaday Brook Trail is an easy trail to hike, although it does require 7 water crossings. The lower three are the widest and most difficult, but they become much easier if you expect to get wet feet when you cross them. By that I mean, it's easier to cross them if you don't mind walking through some water to get to the other side. If you try to rock hop though, you'll probably hurt yourself if you slip off a slippery rock. The upper four crossings are much narrower and easier. The last one, at about 2960', is a good place to fill up, because the trail is dry until you reach the Downe's Brook Trail Junction on the other side of the Sleepers. The Sabbaday Brook Trail follows old eroded logging roads for most of its length and the path taken by the trail is quite evident.  While there are often blazes at the stream crossings, there are few along the trail because you enter a Wilderness Area soon after leaving the trailhead, and remain in it until nearly the end of the route. The trail climbs gradually and runs parallel to Sabbaday Brook until 3000'. From there it climbs steeply over rock ledge, past several blow-downs to meet the Tripyramid Loop Trail between Middle and North Tripyramid. When you reach the Tripyramid Trail Junction, turn right and climb North Tripyramid, which is just 0.5 miles west. Retrace your steps back and climb Middle Tripyramid which is 0.3 miles east. Continuing east, summit South Tripyramid, which is 0.4 miles further. While the South peak is 4090' tall, it's not considered a distinct 4000 footer because it's too close to the Middle Peak to count as a separate summit. Continue east past the summit, before descending steeply down an avalanche slide and section of loose stone. It's often easier to down-climb the rock ledges if you have a good handhold, rather than tackling them head-on. The Kate Sleeper Trail branches left off the slide about 200 yards down, but the trail intersection is easy to miss because the sign looks like the tree than it's nailed to. Someone has painted a yellow trail junction arrow on a rock, which makes it easier to find though. The start of the Kate Sleeper trail also runs down an avalanche slide, until it disappears into thick woods. The trail follows an old logging road through open forest, but there's little sign of blowdowns along the route on this side of the ridge. The West Sleeper summit is unmarked and you may pass by it without noticing it. The density of blowdowns in the surrounding woods increases as you near the East Sleeper summit. When you reach a sign indicating the direction to Mt Whiteface, a short spur trail leaves the trail and runs to the East Sleeper summit 0.1 miles away. The spur may be blocked by a fallen log, but you can ignore that and step over it. What you can't ignore are the 25 massive trees that have fallen over the spur trail and block it. A faint herd path is visible to your left that loops around the obstruction and will lead you to the summit sign. Retrace your steps to the Kate Sleeper Trail and continue east towards Mt Whiteface. You'll see an immediate increase in the number of blowdowns on either side of the trail. The trail has been cleared of debris, but the sight of all the downed trees is sublime. Continue to the Downe's Brook Trail junction. If you need water when you reach the Downe's Brook Trail junction, turn left and walk about 20 yards down the trail. The stream access is better here than at the trail junction, where the water flows underground. Continue east on the Kate Sleeper Trail headed, climbing gradually to Mt Whiteface and the Rollins Trail on 0.8 miles. When you reach the trail junction turn left onto the Rollins Trail. If you want to take a short detour, turn right and walk 0.1 miles to a fantastic view of Mt Passaconaway and the Lake District to the south from open rock ledges. Continue north and then east along The Rollins Trail, while follows the long ridge connecting Whiteface to Mt Passaconaway. It encircles "The Bowl," a protected amphitheater of old-growth forest far below and the source of the Wonalancet River. Turn left onto the Dicey's Mill Trail in 2.4 miles, which climbs steeply to the Mt Passaconaway summit. There is an unmarked spur trail about 0.1 mile above the junction on your left that leads to the WODC Camp Rich tentsite if you wish to camp. There are also a large number of pre-existing campsites just off the trail above the trail junction. While they may seem attractive to camp at, I'd urge you to use the Camp Rich tent site to concentrate your impact on a hardened tent site reserved for that purpose. Otherwise, continue climbing to the mountain's summit. When you reach the summit of Passaconaway, there is a signed spur trail marked "View". Dicey's Mills Trail ends here, and the Walden Trail begins, running steeply down the east side of Passaconaway. Make sure you follow the right sign on the descent. Continue down the Walden Trail for 0.6 miles until you reach a three-way junction with East Loop and the Square Ledge Trail. Turn onto the Square Ledge Trail. Continue for 0.7 miles, passing a small avalanche slide on the right, before following a sign to the Passaconaway Cutoff Trail. Turn onto the Passaconaway Cutoff Trail and follow it for 1.7 miles. The summit of Passaconaway is visible through the trees if you glance over your shoulder. It's a unique view, that shows just how steep the mountain is from below. The Passaconaway Cutoff Trail runs high above a stream that you'll hear far below. The stream is easily accessible on your left when you reach level ground and a good place to resupply your water if you're short. Continue following the trail through open forest, until you reach the Oliverian Brook Trail Junction. Turn left onto the Oliverian Brook Trail and follow it for 1.9 miles to the trailhead parking lot, leaving the Sandwich Wilderness. The trail follows an old logging road along beautiful Oliverian Brook, a wild mountain stream with good swimming. Near the end of the trail, you'll pass by a flooded area that's been colonized by a hardy beaver family. Turn right onto the dirt road at the end of the trail, which leads to the trailhead parking lot in about 50 yards. If you've left a car here, the route is finished. If you've left a car at the Sabbaday Falls Observation Area, walk about 100 yards further to Rt 113 (Kancamagus Highway) and turn left. It's an easy and flat 2.2 mile road walk on a two-way, two lane road back to your car. #### About the author --- # Backpacking the Rocky Branch Ramble Source: https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-the-rocky-branch-ramble/ ![Mt Isolation Rocky Branch Ramble](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2022/06/Mt-Isolation-Rocky-Branch-Ramble.jpg) Mt Isolation is a remote 4000-footer located in the Presidential Range-Dry River Wilderness south of Mt Washington, with outstanding views of Washington, the Southern Presidential Range, the Oakes Gulf Headwall, and the Dry River Valley. Moderate in both length and difficulty, this is a good trip to cut your teeth on backpacking in the White Mountains with free pre-established US Forest Service campsites, easy access to water, and numerous opportunities to swim in the Rocky Branch River. There are five stream crossings along this route but they're usually easy rock hops in summer, so you can keep your shoes dry. While the distance of this route may appear short, you shouldn't underestimate the challenge of hiking the rocky trails leading out to Mt Isolation. While experienced White Mountain hikers do hike the entire round trip distance in one day, it is a very long and strenuous day, that would be better broken up with at least one overnight to relax and enjoy some excellent stargazing. ![Isolation](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2023/06/Isolation.jpeg) [**Download PDF Map**](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2022/06/Mt-Isolation-Out-and-Back.pdf) ## Rating ## Distance/Elevation Gain 14.6 miles w/3350' of cumulative elevation gain ## White Mountain 4000 Footers - Isolation ## Recommended Duration 1-2 nights ## Season June thru October ## Permits Required None. ## Regulations [Backcountry Camping Regulations for the White Mountain National Forest](https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5363715.pdf). Most of this route passes through the Presidential Range-Dry River Wilderness Area. Please observe all [wilderness area restrictions. ](https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/whitemountain/specialplaces/?cid=stelprdb5186453) ## Trailhead Directions The northern Rocky Branch Trail Trailhead (not to be confused with the southern trailhead at the end of Jericho Rd) is a parking lot with space for about 25 cars on the west side of Rt 16, about 5.5 miles north of Jackson NH, just past the highway bridge over the Ellis River. This is a no-fee lot. ## Maps ## Trail Sequence The route follows the following trails in sequence. - Rocky Branch Trail (West) - 3.7 miles - Isolation Trail (North) - 2.6 miles - Davis Path (South) - 0.9 - Davis Path (North) - 0.9 - Isolation Trail (South) - 2.6 miles - Rocky Branch Trail (East) - 3.7 miles ## Scenic Highlights The following list provides cumulate distances on the route to each view or landmark - Rocky Branch River  - 3.7 miles - Mt Isolation - 7.2 miles ## Camping Shelter Options There are three designated USFS tent sites along the route, as marked on the attached map above. All are free. None of them have bear boxes, so you should be prepared to hang a bear bag, use an Ursack, or carry a bear canister to store your food and smellables at night. There are also numerous pre-existing campsites along this route if the designated camping areas are full. Try to camp out of sight of the trail and be sure to leave no trace. This entire area is ideal for hammock camping as an alternative to carrying a tent. ## Water Natural water sources are plentiful in the White Mountains although you may need to descend to them from ridgelines along side trails if you run short. In any case, carry a detailed topographic map with you and don’t rely on the overview map provided with this trip description to find water sources. ## Weather Cautions This route is sensitive to seasonal and weather conditions which can make it hazardous. There are five water crossings of the Rocky Branch River on this route which may become difficult to cross in high water. The best way to avoid high water levels is to check the weather and postpone your hike if heavy precipitation is forecast during or a few days before your hike.  Be sure to check the [Weather.gov](https://www.weather.gov/) and [Mt Washington Observatory Higher Summits forecasts](https://www.mountwashington.org/experience-the-weather/higher-summit-forecast.aspx) before your hike. ## On the Trail After parking at the trailhead, begin hiking up the Rocky Branch Trail, which leaves from the north end of the lot, passing the trailhead kiosk. This trail climbs 1950 feet of elevation in the next 2.8 miles, which is pretty tame by White Mountain standards but can be challenging if you have a heavy pack. It is the only significant climb on this route, as the rest of the route is quite gradual. There are two cross-country ski trails, blazed with blue diamonds that intersect the trail at 0.5 miles (on the left) and 0.7 miles (on the right) from the trailhead. Pass by them both and continue straight up the Rocky Branch Trail through a lush open forest. At mile 2.3, you'll pass a sign marking the Presidential Range-Dry River Wilderness boundary, finally reaching the top of the initial climb at mile 2.8. The trail continues on a level grade through a muddy area, before descending gradually to the Rocky Branch River at mile 3.7. The lower section of this descent is often wet and some rock hopping may be required to avoid water flowing between the rocks underfoot. It's called the Rocky Branch Trail for a reason! There is a short path on trail-left leading to a tent site just before the first stream crossing, which is marked as the Rocky Branch Shelter #2 on old maps. The shelter has been removed. Cross the stream and climb up the far bank (the stream is only about 30 feet wide) and look for the sign below, turning right to follow the Isolation trail. The trail follows an old logging road, coming to a second stream crossing in 0.4 miles which is much easier than the previous one. Cross the stream and turn left on the other bank. The trail runs alongside the Rocky River which narrows to a tiny stream, proving plenty of opportunities for a quick soak, as you continue north. When the trail begins heading northwest, you'll pass by two designated campsites. The first of these has easy access to water, while the second is northwest of a reliable stream that crosses the trail. There are also numerous pre-existing (bootleg) campsites along this stretch, although the two designated sites are much nicer, drier, and worth camping at if there's space. The trail becomes increasingly wet and rocky as it continues north, traveling through a stand of fallen timber through which a path has been cut. This entire area has experienced significant damage from multiple hurricanes and microbursts in the past decade, making the route all that more interesting to hike through. When you reach the Davis Path junction turn left (south) and follow the trail 0.9 miles to the Mt Isolation spur trail, which is clearly signed and climbs a short distance to the open summit. The summit of Mt Isolation is open rock ledge with wide-ranging views. The biggest mountain on the horizon is the rocky cone of Mt Washington and below it, is the yawning chasm of Oakes Gulf, a deep glacial valley at the head of the Dry River. Mt Monroe is visible to Washington's immediate left. Boott Spur is to its right, a 5000+ foot subsidiary summit of Washington, located atop the southern wall of Tuckerman Ravine. North Isolation, is just a short distance away, also off the Davis Path. Camping on open summits or above treeline is not permitted in the White Mountain National Forest in order to preserve the fragile alpine vegetation that lives in these alpine areas. To return the way you came, descend the spur path that climbs to the Isolation and turn left when you reach the Davis Path, retracing your route back along the Isolation Trail and the Rocky Branch Trail to the trailhead on Rt 16. #### About the author --- # Long Trail Source: https://sectionhiker.com/the-long-trail/ I am a former Long Trail Mentor for the Green Mountain Club and am happy to give you advice about how to hike the Long Trail or what to expect. Thru-hiking or section hiking the Long Trail is a life-changing experience. ### Overview and How To - [How to Hike the Long Trail](https://sectionhiker.com/how-to-hike-vermonts-long-trail/) - [Sleeping in Shelters on the Long Trail](https://sectionhiker.com/sleeping-in-shelters-on-the-long-trail/) ### My Long Trail Journal - [Long Trail Southern Terminus to Rt 9. Northbound](https://sectionhiker.com/2008/10/13/atlt-trip-report-gulf-rd-ma-to-rt-9-vt/): October 11-12, 2008. Solo. - [Rt 9 to Rt 11/30. Northbound](https://sectionhiker.com/2008/05/27/trip-report-may-24-26-atlt-rt9-to-rt-1130/):  May 23-26, 2008, NY/NJ AMC Trip. - [Clarendon Gorge to Rt. 11/30](https://sectionhiker.com/2008/06/08/long-trail-trip-report-clarendon-gorge-to-bromley-mountain/). Southbound, June 6-7, 2008, Solo. - [Clarendon Gorge to Middlebury Gap](https://sectionhiker.com/2008/07/04/long-trail-trip-report-clarendon-gorge-to-middlebury-gap-part-2/): Northbound, June 26-29, 2008, Solo. - [Middlebury Gap to Appalachian Gap](https://sectionhiker.com/2008/07/21/long-trail-trip-report-middlebury-gap-to-appalachian-gap/): Northbound, July 18-20, 2008, Solo. - [Jonesville to Appalachian Gap](https://sectionhiker.com/2008/08/03/long-trail-trip-report-jonesville-to-appalachian-gap/): Southbound, August 1-2, 2008, Solo. - [Jonesville to Johnson](https://sectionhiker.com/2008/08/25/long-trail-trip-report-jonesville-to-johnston/), Northbound, August 22-24, 2008, Solo. - [Journey’s End to Johnson](https://sectionhiker.com/2008/09/17/long-trail-trip-report-journeys-end-to-johnson/): Southbound: September 11-14, 2008, Solo. ### Recommended Guides and Maps - [The Long Trail End to Ender's Guide: Helpful Hints and Information](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1888021349/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=1888021349) - [Green Mountain Club Long Trail Guide](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1888021187?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1888021187) - [The Long Trail Waterproof Hiking Map](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1888021462/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1888021462&linkId=173d7d51e93a39a1b0b8bd4610126539) ### Long Trail Planning Resources - [Hiker Resupply and Mail Drops](https://sectionhiker.com/hiker-resupply-and-mail-drops/) - [Mud, Glorious Vermont Mud](https://sectionhiker.com/mud-glorious-vermont-mud/) - [Black Fly Season](https://sectionhiker.com/black-fly-season/) ### SectionHiker Gear Lists - [Long Trail Backpacking Gear List: Section 3](https://sectionhiker.com/long-trail-backpacking-gear-list-section-three/) - [Gear List: Long Trail Section Two](https://sectionhiker.com/gear-list-long-trail-section-2/) - [Long Trail Gear List: Section One](https://sectionhiker.com/long-trail-gear-list/) - [Long Trail Gear List: Section 4](https://sectionhiker.com/long-trail-gear-list-section-4/) - [Long Trail Gear List: Section Six](https://sectionhiker.com/long-trail-gear-list-section-six/) ### Health Advice - [Blister Prevention and Treatment for Hikers](https://sectionhiker.com/blisters_and_hiking/) - [Ticks, Lyme, and Permethrin](https://sectionhiker.com/ticks-lyme-and-permethrin/) - [Chemical Free Insect-Bite Prevention](https://sectionhiker.com/chemical-free-insect-bite-prevention/) - [Lightning Storm Safety for Backpackers](https://sectionhiker.com/lightning-storm-safety-for-backpackers/) - [Bodyglide: Skin Chafing Prevention](https://sectionhiker.com/bodyglide-skin-chafing-prevention/) - [Treating your Clothes with Permethrin](https://sectionhiker.com/treating-your-clothes-with-permethrin/) - [Zinc Oxide: A First Aid Kit Essential](https://sectionhiker.com/zinc-oxide-a-first-aid-essential/) ### Long Trail History - [The Long Trail End-to-End Historical Archive](https://sectionhiker.com/the-long-trail-end-to-end-historical-archive/) --- # Winter Backpacking Gear List Explained Source: https://sectionhiker.com/winter-backpacking-gear-list-in-depth/ ![Winter Backpacking Gear List Explained](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2021/01/Winter-Backpacking-Gear-List-Explained.jpg) Winter backpacking is very different from three-season backpacking. It requires more gear, good decision-making, and many new skills. It's almost like backpacking on a different planet because so many things you take for granted during the rest of the year are different. For example, you need to melt snow to make drinking water and to keep your boots in your sleeping bag at night so they don't freeze. You need extra flotation so you don't sink into the snow and extra traction to avoid sliding on icy surfaces. You have to use special stoves and fuel for cooking that you don't use the rest of the year, and the list goes on. One of the best ways to understand the differences between winter and three-season backpacking is to look at the differences in the kind of gear you need to carry. I've done this in the form of an annotated gear list below, organized around the core activities that make up a winter backpacking trip. There's a lot of information packed into this post about winter backpacking activities, gear requirements, and alternatives that I think you'll find useful if this is new to you. If you have questions, ask them in the comments. I'm happy to respond. ![Winter Tent](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/IMG_1645.JPG) This winter backpacking gear list is designed for use in temperatures down to zero degrees Fahrenheit for camping in protected campsites. At just under 27 pounds, without food, fuel, or water, it's a good example of a lightweight winter backpacking gear list and the tradeoffs that you can make to reduce the weight of your winter gear without skimping on comfort or taking too many risks. For colder temperatures, you'd want to bring a heavier sleeping bag and a warmer mid-layer garment. I've broken the gear list into the following sections: - Worn clothing for hiking - Carried clothing for layering - clothing for camp - hydration - cooking - navigation - electronics - first-aid - packing - shelter - sleeping - traction - Extras specialized gear for more advanced trips ## Clothing for Hiking You don't want to dress too warmly for winter hiking.  You'll be carrying a much heavier pack than in summer, wearing heavier boots, and possibly snowshoes or crampons. Sweat is bad because it will accumulate in your clothes and cool you whenever you stop moving. This can snowball in crappy conditions and lead to hypothermia. If you start to sweat, strip off layers or slow down so your body generates less heat. It's not unusual for me to backpack stripped down to my baselayer shirt, especially when hiking uphill. Normally, I can usually get by with a fleece hoody for top insulation when hiking or snowshoeing, but I'll layer up with a shell if the wind picks up. Down under, I rarely wear long johns under my softshell pants because I get too hot when we're moving. It has to get really cold and windy for me to layer rain pants over them. [My Baffin Borealis winter backpacking boots](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BOVPJ8Q/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B01BOVPJ8Q&linkId=625f1069586217a04ff40f1a06d6772b) require some explanation. Called double insulated boots, they have removable liners. This is desirable in winter so you can sleep with your liners in your sleeping bag and not your entire boots. You do this to prevent the liners from freezing at night using your body heat. These Baffin Borealis boots are a real find because they're super lightweight and you can walk easily in them. If your winter boots don't have removable liners, you should be prepared to sleep with them in your sleeping bag. Another alternative is to wear a [vapor barrier liner](https://sectionhiker.com/out/r8lvm2gb) or a plastic bag ([Vapor Barrier Socks Using Reynolds Oven Bags](https://sectionhiker.com/vapor-barrier-socks-using-reynolds-oven-bags/)) in a single layer boot, but you still may need to sleep with your boots if the liner leaks perspiration. ![The Baffin Borealis Boot has a translucent TPU shell and separate insulated liner](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2016/12/The-Baffin-Borealis-Boot-has-a-translucent-TPU-shell-and-separate-insulated-liner.jpg) ## Clothing for Layering External temperatures or wind chill can vary widely on a winter backpacking trip, depending on the time of day, your location, and the amount of surrounding vegetation. It's best to carry additional layers that you hold in reserve so you can layer up or off as conditions change. This is normal on winter hikes and backpacking trips, with people calling for layer breaks all the time. Your extra layers should be easy to put on or take off and they should be packed where they're easy to access in your backpack. This includes extra hats, extra gloves, jackets, pants, a buff (neck gaiter),  sunglasses, or goggles. If you wear big boots, bring rain pants than you can put on or take off without taking your boots off - usually pants with full or 3/4 side zips. My boots are small enough that I can put them on with just boot zip rain pants. It will be rare for you to need your camping clothes during the day, with the exception of your big puffy jacket, if you stop for a snack or water break. But you have those warm extra layers in reserve if you need them. My REI Drypoint GTX raincoat/winter shell deserves a little explanation. Other than the fact that it has a fully adjustable hood and velcro wrist cuffs, it's nothing special. I use it mainly to block the wind. It's much thicker and heavier than an ultralightweight 3-season raincoat like my [Montbell Versalite Jacket,](https://sectionhiker.com/out/5m2hzxq3) which is a little too cold to use in winter. I bought the Drypoint on the cheap, used from REI last year, for bushwhacking (which destroys clothing) and have been using it a lot this winter. ## Clothing for Camp Winter backpacking involves a lot of sitting around in the cold so you can cook and melt snow for drinking water. We do this to be social (because it's fun) and to avoid dying from carbon monoxide poisoning in our tents or burning them down around us. When melting snow or cooking dinner, you're not moving, so you need to pile on the insulated clothing to stay warm. This typically includes a heavily insulated jacket, insulated pants, warm gloves, and head-gear, layered over your day time clothing if it's dry or your sleeping clothes. You'll often wear your regular winter boots in camp, but some people bring down booties to keep their feet warm. Most of these extra "camp" layers are too warm to wear when you're hiking, but you do need to carry them nonetheless. However, they can be used to augment the warmth of your sleeping bag: I use mine that way so I can take my zero-degree sleeping bag down to -10 degrees. I'm not that interested in camping in anything colder because it's kind of unpleasant. It took me many years to admit this to myself, but when I did I was able to switch from a -25 degree sleeping bag to a much less expensive and lighter weight, a zero-degree sleeping bag. ## Hydration The amount of water you carry on a winter backpacking trip usually varies between two and three liters, so you don't have to stop and melt more using a stove during the day. You should shoot to have a half-cup of water left at the end of the day as a starter for melting more snow. If you try to melt snow in a dry pot, you'll burn it and maybe hole your pot. You'll want to carry one bottle in an insulated container (foam or neoprene) outside your pack for easy access, positioned upside down so the cap doesn't freeze. You can store the other bottles inside your backpack, snuggled among your insulating layers in order to save weight on added bottle insulation. You should carry your water in wide-mouth bottles which are less likely to freeze and easier to open if they do. I like to carry soft propylene wide-mouth 1L [Hunersdorf bottles in winter](https://sectionhiker.com/out/6gv0gauh), which won't crack if frozen and are easy to open while wearing mittens. If you can't find these in stock, [Nalgene's White Polyethylene Bottles](https://sectionhiker.com/out/23ce3f7z) are also excellent and lighter weight than regular 32 oz transparent Nalgene bottles. You'll probably want to carry three of them. If you can find water in liquid form, you still have to purify it. Boiling is an effective way to do this since you'll want to heat it up anyway to keep it from freezing overnight. A Steripen can also be used. Chemical reactions are too slow in the cold and filters break if they freeze. ## Cooking All this boiling and melting snow take a lot of time and stove fuel. I like to use a liquid fuel stove for winter because liquid fuel (white gas) is the highest BTU fuel available and it will burn down to -40F. While you can use a canister stove in winter, it becomes increasingly difficult to use under 20F. You can push that down to about 0 degrees with a special inverted canister stove like the [Kovea Spider](https://amzn.to/3UqUyIH). But liquid fuel is still the best all-around solution in my opinion and makes it easy to share fuel in a group since so many other people use liquid fuel stoves in winter. Stoves fail in winter and that extra redundancy is nice. Packing space is at a real premium in winter, but winter cooking gear can be bulky. With the exception of my fuel bottle and insulated cup, my entire cook system fits in my stove pot, which keeps it nice and compact. At 1.3 liters, the pot is about as small as you can go for melting snow since you can only melt one bottle's worth at a time. ## Navigation Navigation needs can vary widely in winter. While a map can suffice if you're on a well-used trail system and visibility is good, trails become more difficult to find in winter when they're covered in snow, the horizon is fogged in, or the snow is so deep that the blazes are buried under your feet. I always carry a compass for route finding, but it takes some practice to be able to use it effectively in winter. I also carry a whistle, something I carry all year, which is good for signaling companions when you can't see them, like in dense fog or heavy vegetation. A whistle carries farther than the human voice and you can blow on it without becoming exhausted. While I do use an iPhone and the [GaiaGPS App](https://sectionhiker.com/out/eq3a5xih), amongst others, for GPS navigation during the rest of the year, mostly I just use a map in winter and a compass. ## Electronics I always bring a digital camera because I take a lot of photos, as well as a [Garmin inReach Mini 2](https://sectionhiker.com/out/ka2othis). The Mini lets me send out periodic "OK" messages and would be useful in an emergency to contact Search and Rescue if I'm out of cellphone range. I also carry a smartphone because it's a better way to contact search-and-rescue if a cell phone signal is available. I also use my phone to read books and to take notes. A few years ago, I replaced my headlamp, camera, and satellite messenger with products that are USB compatible so that I don't have to carry device-specific batteries for them. I now carry a single 10,000 mAh battery pack and a few different cords so I can recharge them if needed. Standardizing around USB rechargeable devices has simplified my trip preparation and eliminated the need to throw out partially used batteries after each trip. ## First-Aid I use the exact self-assembled first-aid kit in the winter that I carry the rest of the year. Nothing special: Benedryl, Aspirin, Advil, earplugs, Leuoktape for blister prevention. Some other odds and ends. You can find a complete list of my first aid contents here: [Homemade Ultralight First Aid Kit. ](https://sectionhiker.com/homemade-ultralight-first-aid-kit/)Commercially sold first aid kits are a complete ripoff. ## Packing One of the keys to reducing your winter gear weight is to keep the volume of the backpack you need as small as possible. That means carrying highly compressible gear and learning how to attach gear to the outside of your backpack using its [external attachment system](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-external-attachment-guide-how-to-carry-gear-on-the-outside-of-a-backpack/). The weight of your gear is important of course, but if you can keep the volume of your pack under 60 liters, you're going to be way ahead of the game. This may require some compromises on your part, for example, not backpacking when temperatures are less than zero degrees, but you can't have it both ways. My winter backpack is a Dyneema DCF [Hyperlite Mountain Gear Halka 55 Backpack](https://sectionhiker.com/out/ckoidi5w). I can fit all of the gear, food, fuel, and water I need for winter backpacking inside it or attached to the outside of the pack with extra room to spare. I've used slightly larger and heavier backpacks in the past, but this one weighs just over two pounds. Dyneema backpacks are not waterproof because you must make holes in the fabric to sew on the shoulder pads and hip belt. I line my pack with a white trash compactor bag to keep its contents dry, and while I use stuff sacks or Ziploc baggies to organize gear, I pack many clothes loose in my pack. This reduces the pack space my clothes require, eliminating the air gaps between other bulkier items inside my backpack. Experiment with this and see what you prefer. ## Shelter My goto shelter in winter is a freestanding [Black Diamond Firstlight Tent](https://sectionhiker.com/black-diamond-firstlight-tent) which I think is the best lightweight all-round winter backpacking tent made because it's truly freestanding, making it easy to set up anywhere. It has very steep walls that shed snow well, good headroom, and has plenty of interior space since it's designed for two (very friendly) people. I have an older model that weighs 43 ounces: the current version weighs in at 48 ounces. I don't carry any tent stakes to pitch this tent. If I need anchors, I take apart my poles and use them as stakes (shown) or anchor the other guy out loops with other gear I carry, like snowshoes, crampons, or an ice ax. I rarely even bother to sinter (harden) the snow under the tent and just set it up. Since it's freestanding, I can pitch it in less than 2 minutes, climb in, and change into dry clothes without standing around and getting cold. Freestanding tents are priceless in winter but few truly freestanding tents are made. ## Sleeping It's not unusual to sleep for 12 hours on a winter backpacking trip, so you might as well make the most of it and be comfortable and warm. The key to this is bringing a warm sleeping bag and a thick sleeping pad with a high R-value. Many people like to bring two sleeping pads in winter and combine them to get the R-value (which is additive) that they need. In 2020, several sleeping pad manufacturers including Therm-a-Rest, Sea-to-Summit, NEMO, and Big Agness rolled out a [standard measure of R-values (called ASTM 3340)](https://sectionhiker.com/sleeping-pad-r-values/) so you can compare their pads to one another. That standard has not been uniformly adopted by other manufacturers yet so you need to be cautious when comparing the sleeping pad R-values of other manufacturers with each other. Be especially wary of manufacturers who "estimate" the R-value of their sleeping pads. That said, R-values are often the only way to measure the thermal insulation of pads, so they remain useful for guidance. For winter camping and backpacking, you want an R-value of 5 or 6, so that's the amount of sleeping pad insulation I shoot for, and experience has proven this out. I bring an insulated [Therm-a-Rest XTherm NXT inflatable mattress](https://www.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=el&merchant_id=e295c418-295a-447c-b265-734e25f82503&website_id=b0ba1427-4c42-46db-99a7-ab509ae38ce7&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rei.com%2Fproduct%2F171689%2Ftherm-a-rest-neoair-xtherm-sleeping-pad) (R-value = 7.3 ) for comfort and a shortened foam [Therm-a-Rest Zlite Sol sleeping pad](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005I6R0WC/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B005I6R0WC&linkId=9a5abdd0ac3cc167274d0ece81f9fc91), which serves as my sit pad during dinner when we sit on snow to cook and melt snow for drinking water. You don't want to forget a sit pad on a winter backpacking trip or you'll freeze your ass off! I put the Zlite under the XTherm at night for additional insulation or use it as a doormat that I can kneel on. Foam pads like this are also preferred for shielding accident victims from hypothermia from the ground, which is why you see so many winter day hikers and backpackers carrying them on the trails. It's good to have at least one in your group. As I mentioned previously, I downgraded from a -25 degree sleeping bag to a 0-degree sleeping bag, when I realized that I don't really enjoy backpacking in sub-zero temperatures. It took me a long time to realize this - nearly a decade. But after I switched to a 0-degree bag, I was able to switch to a smaller volume backpack, and so on, shaving more weight from my gear list. I still carry enough extra insulated clothing that I can take my 0-degree bag down to -10, but I'm also likely to postpone a backpacking trip if the weather forecast is that cold at night. ## Traction I always bring microspikes, snowshoes, and trekking poles on winter backpacking trips, so they have a permanent spot on my winter gear list. It's important to replace the summer baskets on your trekking poles with snow baskets for winter travel. They really are an essential flotation aid for winter hiking. [The MSR Evo Ascent Snowshoes](https://www.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=app&ti=1019&mi=10248&pw=3816&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rei.com%2Fproduct%2F888797%2Fmsr-evo-ascent-snowshoes-mens) I use are intended for climbing mountains and have a televator wire that lifts up under the heel to make them easier to climb slopes with. Their unibody plastic snowshoe is also much better off-trail than a snowshoe with an attached fabric deck because branches can't become caught between the deck and the frame. I do a lot of off-trail hiking in winter and there's a slight weight penalty (just a few ounces) for using these snowshoes instead of decked ones that are slightly lighter. ## Extra Gear - As Needed When I don't need this extra gear, I'll leave it at home. It consists of extra traction, navigation, and a shovel for digging out camp kitchen or vestibule trenches in deep snow. The decision on whether to bring crampons or a GPS has a lot to do with the terrain where we plan to hike, the weather forecast, and trip reports that document local conditions that are posted by other hikers and backpackers. ## Wrap Up This 27-pound winter backpacking gear list is pretty streamlined and lightweight and should provide you with a good template of the gear required for winter backpacking and camping.  My advice - figure out what is right for you to be safe and comfortable, and suck it up if it weighs a bit more than you'd like. Winter backpacking gear IS heavier than three-season hiking gear, but if you can get your full-out pack weight for a two night trip under 40 pounds, including food, water, and fuel, that's a good target weight to shoot for. ### See Also: - [Winter Backpacking on a Budget](https://sectionhiker.com/winter-backpacking-on-a-budget-gearing-up-without-breaking-the-bank/) - [Winter Sleeping Bag FAQ](https://sectionhiker.com/winter-sleeping-bag-faq-expert-advice/) - [External Attachment Guide](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-external-attachment-guide-how-to-carry-gear-on-the-outside-of-a-backpack/) --- # Backpacking a Willey Range Loop Source: https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-willey-range-loop/ ![Backpacking 4000 Footers Willey Range Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2018/03/Backpacking-4000-Footers-Willey-Range-Loop.jpg) A Willey Range Loop is a moderate 2-3 day, 22-mile loop that climbs four 4000-footers: Mts Tom, Field, and Willey in the Willey Range, before looping past the magnificent Thoreau Falls, Zealand Falls and climbing Mt Hale on the opposite side of the Zealand Valley. The route follows several quite scenic, but seldom-used trails that provide an intimate glimpse of the Lincoln Woods Scenic Area. This is an exceptionally pretty route in autumn when the trees in Crawford Notch and the Pemigewasset Wilderness are ablaze in color. ![TOM-FIELD-WILLEY-HALE LOOP](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2023/06/TOM-FIELD-WILLEY-HALE-LOOP.jpeg) [**Download PDF Map**](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2023/06/Tom-Field-Willey-Hale-Loop.pdf) ### Rating ### Distance/Elevation Gain 22 miles w/5500' of cumulative elevation gain ### White Mountain 4000 Footers - Tom - Field - Willey - Hale ### Recommended Duration 2-3 days ### Season mid-June thru October ### Permits Required None. ### Regulations [Backcountry Camping Regulations for the White Mountain National Forest](https://sectionhiker.com/out/em1x9n6l). The area around Thoreau Falls is in a Wilderness Area. Please observe all [wilderness area regulations](https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/whitemountain/specialplaces/?cid=stelprdb5186443). ### Trailhead Directions [Zealand Trailhead](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recarea?recid=74783) ### Maps ### Trail Sequence The route follows the following trails in sequence. - Zealand Trail - 2.3 miles - A-Z Trail - 2.7 miles - Mt Tom Spur - 0.6 miles - Mt Tom Spur - 0.6 miles - Willey Range Trail - 3.4 miles - Ethan Pond Trail - 3.5 miles - Thoreau Falls Tr - 0.5 miles - Thoreau Falls Tr - 0.5 miles - Ethan Pond Trail - 2.1 miles - Twinway - 0.2 miles (to Zealand Falls Hut) - Lend-a-Hand Trail - 2.7 mile - Hale Brook Trail - 2.2 miles - Zealand Rd - 1.0 mile Roadwalk ### Scenic Highlights The following list provides cumulate distances on the route to each view or landmark. - 2.0 miles - Zealand Valley Beaver Ponds - 5.6 miles - Mt Tom Summit View - 7.1 miles - Mt Field Summit View - 8.5 miles - Mt Willey Summit View - 10.6 miles - Ethan Pond, Lean-to, and Campsite - 13.1 miles - Thoreau Falls - 13.9 miles - Whitewall Mtn Rockfall - 15.3 miles - Zealand Falls Spur Trail - 18.1 miles - Mt Hale Summit ### Camping/Shelter Options - [USFS Ethan Pond Shelter and Campsite](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recreation/recarea?recid=74629&actid=34) (Small Fee in Season) - 8 person lean-to, five tent platforms - [AMC Zealand Falls Hut ($$$) - Reservations Recommended](https://www.outdoors.org/lodging-camping/huts/zealand) ### Water Natural water sources are plentiful in the White Mountains although you may need to descend to them from ridgelines along side trails if you run short. In any case, carry a detailed topographic map with you and don't rely on the overview map provided with this trip description to find water sources. ## On the Trail [The Zealand Trailhead](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recarea?recid=74783) is located in the parking at the end of gravel-topped Zealand Road, off Rt 302. From the trailhead, follow the Zealand Trail for 2.3 miles along an old railroad grade that was used to haul lumber out of the Zealand River Valley. The trail is easy to hike and passes a variety of beaver meadows and ponds. Most of the stream crossings and wet areas have bridges or boardwalks, although the trail can become wet after very heavy rains. This trail leads the AMC Zealand Falls Hut, so it's very well maintained and a popular route. At the A-Z Trail Junction, turn left and climb gently at first, then more steeply, to the col between Mt Tom and Mt Field in 2.7 miles. This less traveled trail provides a convenient back-way between the AMC Highland Center in Crawford Notch and the Zealand Falls Hut, although it's seldom used by day hikers. The trail crosses a wet area over planked bog bridges, which can be slippery if wet. When crossing bog bridges, go slow and avoid building momentum, since it's very easy to slip if you try to stop abruptly. If you're running low on water, there are a few small streams along this stretch where it'd be good to resupply, since the trails are dry from this point on, until you descend the south side of Mt Willey. When you reach the Willey Range Trail Junction, stay on the A-Z Trail for another 80 yards until you come to the Mt Tom Spur Trail. Turn left onto it and ascent to the Mt Tom summit in 0.6 miles until you reach the summit cairn. There are several viewpoints off the trail that have been cut in recent years, including a south-facing one with a view of Mt Washington. Retrace your steps to the beginning of the Mt Tom Spur Trail and turn right onto the A-Z Trail, hiking back 80 yards to the Willey Range Trail Junction. Turn left and head toward Mt Field, 0.9 miles down the trail, climbing gradually through the forest, until you come to the summit cairn. There are two views just before the summit, one overlooking Mt Washington and Crawford Notch to the east and the other to the west, overlooking Mt Zealand and the Bonds. From Mt Field, continue along the Willey Range Trail to the Mt Willey summit, past several cols and false summits until you reach the short summit spur trail. The best view is on the south side of the summit from an open ledge overlooking Crawford Notch. There is an expansive view of the Saco River Valley and the Notch from this viewpoint, including the dramatic cliffs of Mt Webster on the other side of the valley. The word "Notch" is synonymous with a mountain pass in the local parlance. Continue down the south side of Mt Willey, descending a series of wooden ladders that look like they're props in an M.C. Escher painting. I've always found it easiest to walk down them like walking down stairs, knowing that I can always sit down if I'm feeling unsteady. Once again, try to avoid building any momentum and take your time in descending. There's a stream at the very bottom where you can resupply your water if needed. You'll soon arrive at the Ethan Pond Trail junction. Turn right onto the trail and climb to height of land. Continue through the forest for one mile to the spur trail leading to the Ethan Pond Lean-to and campsite. This is a good place to stop and camp for the night. Moose frequent the pond at the foot of the campsite, which also has good fishing. Dispersed camping beyond this point, along the Ethan Pond Trail is rather poor, so it really is your best bet for a comfortable night. From the campsite spur trail, turn right onto the Ethan Pond Trail hiking through dense and mossy forest over occasional bog bridges. This area drains into the North Fork of the Pemigewasset River which is hidden to your right, beyond the trees. The water in the river is colored a deep red from leaf tannins. Hike 2 miles, passing the Shoal Pond Trail on your left, until you come to the Thoreau Falls Trail. Turn left onto it and pass the Wilderness Boundary, where you'll soon come to a large ledge at the top of a beautiful curving waterfall that drops 80 feet in a series of cascades and slides. There is a good view of Mt Bond from the top of the falls, but be cautious when walking out on the ledge, which can be slippery when wet. Backtrack to the Ethan Pond Trail, turning left at the junction, crossing to enter Zealand Notch. In 0.8 miles, you'll pass the Zeacliff Trail on your left, which climbs 1200 feet to a ledge overlooking the valley. Avalanche debris from Whitewall Mountain on your right litter the valley floor. Continue straight ahead for another 2 miles over easy trail, turning left at the Twinway Trail junction, and hike 0.2 miles to the AMC's Zealand Falls Hut. There's a short spur trail on your left before reaching the hut, which brings you to the base of Zealand Falls. When you get to the hut, drop your pack on the porch and go inside to look around. The Hut crew (spelled locally as "croo") sells drinks and baked goods during the day for passing hikers. Potable water is also available for free, along with a bathroom. Exit right from the hut porch and follow the Twinway a short distance, turning right onto the Lend-a-Hand Trail, which climbs 2.7 miles through forest to the summit of Mt Hale, the fourth 4000-footer on this route. The summit of Hale is open with limited views. But it has a large rock cairn, with magnetized rocks that can temporarily throw a magnetic compass off-kilter. Descend from Mt Hale on the Hale Brook Trail which leaves from the north side of the summit, and winds moderately down the mountain, until you reach the trailhead on Zealand Road. When you reach the road, turn right and walk about a mile back to the Zealand Trailhead, where your car is parked, and this journey ends. #### About the author --- # Backpacking a Twins/Bonds Traverse Source: https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-twins-bonds-traverse/ ![Backpacking the 4000 Footers Twins/Bonds Traverse](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2021/08/Backpacking-the-4000-Footers-TwinsBonds-Traverse.jpg) A Twins/Bonds Traverse is a 2-3 day, 20-mile traverse of North Twin, South Twin, West Bond, Mt Bond, and Bondcliff Mountains. This route is an alternative to the [classic Bonds Traverse](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-bonds-traverse/) which approaches the Bondcliff Trail from the east over Mt Zealand. While the Twins/Bonds Traverse is a more strenuous and challenging route, it's also considerably more scenic with far-reaching views of the Presidential Range and the Pemigewasset from the open summits of North and South Twin. ![Twins Bonds Traverse](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2023/06/Twins-Bonds-Traverse.jpeg) [**Download PDF Map**](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2021/08/Twins-Bonds-Traverse.pdf) ### Rating ## Distance/Elevation Gain 20.8 miles w/6000' of cumulative elevation gain ## White Mountain 4000 Footers - North Twin - South Twin - West Bond - Bond - Bondcliff ## Recommended Duration 2-3 days ## Season June thru October ## Permits Required None. ## Regulations [Backcountry Camping Regulations for the White Mountain National Forest](https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5363715.pdf). ## Trailhead Directions This trip begins at the North Twin Trail Parking Area and ends at the Lincoln Woods Trailhead. You'll want to drop a car at the end. - [North Twin Trail Parking on Haystack Rd (FR 304)](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recarea/?recid=74689) - [Lincoln Woods Trailhead](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recarea/?recid=74669) Both of these trailhead parking lots get very crowded on weekends and in summer. Parking is permitted on the left-hand side of Haystack Rd (FR304) as you approach the North Twin Trail parking lot. Overflow parking is also permitted west of the Lincoln Woods lot towards Lincoln, NH along the Kancamagus Highway (Rt 113). When parking along Rt 113, make sure all of your wheels are off-pavement, including the emergency lane. Otherwise, you may get a ticket. ## Maps ## Trail Sequence The route follows the following trails in sequence. - North Twin Trail - 4.3 miles - North Twin Spur - 1.3 miles - Twinway - 2.0 miles - Bondcliff Trail - 0.6 miles - Guyot Shelter Trail - 0.2 miles - Bondcliff Trail - 0.2 miles - West Bond Trail - 1.0 miles (out and back) - Bondcliff Trail - 7.9 miles - Lincoln Woods Trail - 2.9 miles ## Scenic Highlights The following list provides cumulate distances on the route to each view or landmark - North Twin Summit - 4.3 miles - South Twin Summit - 5.6 miles - Mt Guyot Summit - 8.6 miles - West Bond Summit - 9.9 miles - Mt Bond Summit - 10.8 miles - Bondcliff Summit - 12 miles - Franconia Falls (side path) - 18.2 miles ## Camping Shelter Options - [Guyot Shelter and Tentsite (Platforms) ($)](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recarea/?recid=74645) - [AMC Galehead Hut ($$$) Advanced reservations recommended.](https://www.outdoors.org/lodging-camping/huts/galehead) ## Water There aren't any water sources between mile 1.9 on the North Twin Trail and the Guyot Shelter and Tentsite, a distance of 7.3 miles, so be sure to pack extra. While that doesn't sound like a long distance, that initial section of the trip involves climbing over 3000' which can make you quite thirsty on a hot day. While natural water sources are plentiful in the White Mountains, you may need to descend to them from ridgelines via side trails if you run short. In any case, carry a detailed topographic map with you, and don’t rely on the overview map provided with this trip description to find water sources. ## On the Trail Leave the North Twin Trail parking area and begin a gradual climb within earshot of the Little River. There are three river crossings along the trail before you begin a steep climb to the North Twin Mountain summit. They're fairly easy rock hops, but they can be more challenging after heavy rain. Note: if you don't see a sequence of rocks you like, try moving up or down the bank a bit to find a set you do like. You can also bypass the first two of the water crossings by following a herd path that bears left and straight before the first water crossing and continues up the left-hand side of the river. While it is unblazed, it is quite heavily traveled and easy to follow. It is also described in the AMC's White Mountain Guide entry for the North Twin Trail, for more information. After the third water crossing, which is the easiest of the three, begin climbing to North Twin Mountain gaining 2300' of elevation in the next 2.4 miles. The trail increases in difficulty as you climb, becoming quite eroded and rocky in its final mile before you reach the treeline. From there, the trail continues through Krumholz (dwarf spruce) providing limited protection from the elements in bad weather, before reaching a view, marked with a cairn and sign at 4.2 miles, and the summit at 4.3. From the summit, there are great views of Mt Zealand fr0m an unusual angle, Mt Washington, Mt Carrigan, and South Twin. Continue past the North Twin summit to South Twin Mountain along the North Twin Spur Trail. This is a quite pleasant trail that passes through a stunted forest, dipping into a shallow col before climbing back up to South Twin. This section of the trail can be quite muddy after it rains. The South Twin summit area is much larger than North Twin's and there are many large boulders where you can sit and admire another excellent view. The North Twin Spur Trail also intersects the Twinway here, which is a major trunk trail around the Pemigewasset Wilderness, making it a natural meeting place for hikers. Turn left onto the Twinway and hike 2 miles to Mt Guyot (Pronounced with a hard 'G' as in gee-oh) and the Bondcliff Trail Junction. This section of the Twinway runs along the top of South Twin, running over boardwalks and through a lush forest. South Twin is a huge mountain that overlooks the heart of the Pemigewasset Wilderness, although there are few views of it along the trail. The Appalachian Trail follows this section of the Twinway Trail and you can meet dozens of thru-hikers in July and August making their way to Maine. Turn right onto the Bondcliff Trail and follow it a short distance, at first through Krumholz, to the summit of Mt Guyot. Guyot (pronounced Gee-oh with a hard 'G') is covered with low-lying shrubs and blueberry bushes in summer. The peak is named after Alfred Guyot, a geography and geology Professor at Princeton University who is credited with making the first accurate map of the White Mountains. The summit of Mount Guyot consists of two bald domes of nearly equal height, but the south dome is considered the summit and has a large summit cairn built on top. Continue along the Bondcliff trail for 0.6 miles to the side trail for the Guyot Shelter and Tent site. The spring at this tent site is the only water source for miles and you don't have to stay if all you want is to refill your water supply. In summer, the tent site (platforms) is often full, and since platform spots are first come first serve, it's best if you arrive by 4:00 pm to get a spot. Even then expect to share the platform with other people who aren't part of your group. Overflow camping is available along the Bondcliff Trail, within the Forest Protection Area surrounding the tent site, but it's not free and you're likely to be charged the current Guyot per person fee for the night. The West Bond Spur Trail leaves the  Bondcliff Trail just 0.2 miles past the side trail to the Guyot Shelter and Tentsite. The open summit is a short hike through stunted trees. This is probably the best viewpoint in the White Mountains to admire Bondcliff's graceful ridge and a wonderful spot to enjoy the sunset or sunrise. Just be sure to bring a headlamp. Backtrack to the Bondcliff Trail and turn right to summit Mt Bond in just 0.5 miles. Mt Bond also has great views.  It is high enough at 4698' that you can see the Presidential Range to the northeast and Franconia Ridge to the West. While West Bond and Mt Bond have been easy to climb so far, the same can't be said about Bondcliff Mountain. Leaving Mt Bond, the Bondcliff Trail descends steeply down a boulder choked trail that's slow going until you reach the first open ledges about 1 mile away. This is also a very hot section of the trail in summer when the sun beating down on the rocks. Be sure to carry plenty of water and to stay hydrated. Also, use caution when hiking along the cliff in fog or high winds. The steep valley below the cliffs is called Hellgate. Midway down the cliff, there's a prow-like ledge that juts out from the cliff and is the perfect place to stand for a portrait with West Bond and Mt Bond in the background. Countless hikers have had their photos taken here and it's a right-of-passage for many 4000 footer peakbaggers When you're ready to leave Bondcliff, proceed down the ridge towards treeline, scrambling down a 15-foot rock ledge called "Hillary's Step." I've found the best way to climb down this is backward, so you can maintain a firm grip on the handholds. From here, the trail drops steadily back down to the Pemigewasset River passing through the forest with a few easy stream crossings. These may be dry in summer, so don't count on finding water at them. Significant portions of this trail have been heavily eroded from recent storms, so take your time in descending. Take a hard right turn at the base of the descent, continuing along the Bondcliff Trail, following an old railroad right of way. Many of the railroad ties are still in evidence to this day. After crossing a bridge over Franconia Brook, there's a short spur trail to your right which leads to Franconia Falls, one of the most scenic waterfalls and swimming holes in the Whites. There is a series of cascades, slides, and pools here that you can frolic in or just soak your feet in the river to cool them off. If you decide to bypass the spur trail, continue along the Lincoln Woods Trail along the Pemigewasset River, which also provides numerous swimming opportunities. Cross a suspension bridge over the river in 2.9 miles, which leads to the Lincoln Woods Trailhead and the end of this route. #### About the author --- # Backpacking a Tunnel Brook Loop Source: https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-tunnel-brook-loop/ ![](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2019/08/Backpack-the-White-Mountains-4000-Footers-Guidebook-A-Tunnel-Brook-Loop.jpg) Tunnel Brook is a lush, steep-walled valley on the west side of Mount Moosilauke (4802'). Seldom visited by day hikers, it's a quiet and secluded place to observe wildlife and witness the avalanche and flash flood damage that Moosilauke and neighboring Mount Clough (pronounced Cluff) experience during major rainstorms and hurricanes.  This loop hike climbs one of Moosilauke's many sub-peaks, Hurricane Mountain (3015'), before heading up the Tunnel Brook Trail where there are excellent dispersed camping opportunities. It climbs to a protected point just below the Moosilauke summit on the pretty Benton Trail before climbing to the summit sign. From the summit, the route visits Moosilauke's popular South Peak (4523'), before returning to Dartmouth's Ravine Lodge at the beginning of the loop. ![Tunnel Brook Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2023/06/Tunnel-Brook-Loop.jpeg) [**Download PDF Map**](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2019/08/Tunnel-Brook-Loop.pdf) ### White Mountain 4000 Footers - Moosilauke (4802', 10th highest in the AMC 4000 footer list) - South Peak, Moosilauke  (4523', not on the AMC 4000 footer list) ### Rating ### Distance/Elevation Gain 18.6 miles w/5200' of cumulative elevation gain ### Recommended Duration 2-3 days ### Season mid-June thru October ### Permits Required None. ### Regulations [Backcountry Camping Regulations for the White Mountain National Forest](https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5363715.pdf). Camping is prohibited on Mt Moosilauke east of the Appalachian Trail, except at lean-tos. This includes the Hurricane Trail, the Carriage Road Trail, the Beaver Brook Trail, and the Glencliff Trail on land which is owned and maintained by Dartmouth College. It's ok to camp 200 ft off the Tunnel Brook Trail and the Benton Trail, per the regular White Mountain National Forest Backcountry Camping regulation linked above. ### Parking/Trailhead Directions Ravine Lodge Rd. (unpaved) leaves NH 118, 5.8 miles east of NH25, outside of Woodstock, NH and 7.2 miles west of NH 112, outside of Warren, NH. Parking is prohibited in the last 0.2 miles of the Ravine Lodge Rd. which is reserved for lodge guests. Hikers should park in the west side of the road, south of the service road that diverges left 1.4 miles from the intersection of NH118. Dartmouth has also added additional diagonal parking spaces closer to NH 118 that may be used by the public. Ravine Lodge Rd. is closed in winter to vehicle traffic. ### Maps ### Trail Sequence The route follows the following trails in sequence. - Gorge Brook Trail- 0.5 miles - Hurricane Trail - 4.3 miles - Glencliff Trail (AT) - 0.4 miles - High Road (paved) - 100 yards - Forest Road 19 - 0.4 miles - Tunnel Brook Trail - 5.2 miles - Benton Trail - 3.2 miles - Beaver Brook Trail - 0.4 miles - Carriage Road Trail - 2.1 miles - Snapper Trail - 1.1 miles - Gorge Brook Trail - 0.8 miles ### Scenic Highlights The following list provides cumulate distances on the route to each view or landmark. - Hurricane Mountain Viewpoint - 3.2 miles - Mud Pond - 6.7 miles - Beaver Ponds - 7.5 miles - Little Tunnel Ravine Outlook -- 12.1 miles - Moosilauke Summit - 14.6 miles - Moosilauke, South Peak Summit - 15.5 miles ### Camping/Shelter Options - [Dartmouth College's Ravine Lodge](https://outdoors.dartmouth.edu/services/ravine_lodge/) ($), open to the public - [Beaver Brook Shelter](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recarea/?recid=74569) (on the AT, free) - [Jeffers Brook Shelter](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=74659&actid=34) (on the AT, free) ### Water Natural water sources are plentiful in the White Mountains although you may need to descend to them from ridgelines along side trails if you run short. In any case, carry a detailed topographic map with you and don't rely on the overview map provided with this trip description to find water sources. I also recommend purchasing the WMNF Pemigewasset Map in Guthooks Guide’s New England Hiker Smartphone App ([IOS](https://sectionhiker.com/apps/guthooks-guides), [Android](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.highsierraattitude.newenglandhiker&hl=en)) which is a GPS guide to all of the trails, trailhead, shelters, campsites, views, and water sources in the White Mountains National Forest. I use it all the time and it is much more complete and current than using the maps bundled with the[ Gaia Smartphone App](https://sectionhiker.com/gaia-navigation-app). ## On the Trail ### The Gorge Brook Trail The Gorge Brook Trail begins at the end of Ravine Road just beyond the turnaround area. Follow the signs to the Gorge Brook Trail, passing near the Ravine Lodge cabins, and crossing over a rocky stream, until you see the sign below. The Hurricane Trail forks left shortly after it. ### Hurricane Trail The Hurricane Trail heads south along the east side of Moosilauke, within earshot of the rocky stream below. The trail climbs gently before curving back down to streamside, passing several swimming holes that you might want to revisit at the end of your trip. This stream has its origin two miles upstream in one of Moosilauke's western ravines. Downstream, it widens into the mighty Baker River, which flows into the Pemigewasset River near Plymouth, NH The trail veers away from the stream and climbs gradually for 1.0 mile until it reaches a junction with the Moosilauke Carriage Road. The carriage road was originally used to transport guest to a hotel which was opened on the Moosilauke Summit in 1860 but burned down in 1942.  It's a backcountry ski trail in winter, while its above-treeline section is frequented year-round by hikers and backpackers. The Hurricane Trail joins the Carriage Road Trail for 0.3 miles before splitting apart, turning right, and climbing a hill. The trail is blazed in blue because it links the Appalachian Trail (starting at the Glencliff Trail Junction) with Dartmouth's Ravine Lodge. Despite that, you're unlikely to meet anyone except the occasional moose bedded down in the moist grass on the east side of the trail. The trail climbs gradually through open forest to a signed viewpoint in 1.7 miles, over a number of rerouted and expertly reconstructed trail sections. The viewpoint spur trail leads to an open rock ledge with southeast views of the Hubbard Brook Research Area, a research forest operated by the US Forest Service but open to outdoor recreation. There's excellent backpacking there too. The Hurricane Trail passes the unmarked Hurricane Mountain summit before descending gradually to a junction with the Glencliff Trail. This section of teh Glencliff Trail coincides with the white-blazed Appalachian Trail. ### Glencliff Trail Turn left from the Hurricane Trail onto the Glencliff Trail and follow it as it passes through an open field. Bear left down a signed side path towards the Townline Trail and Jeffers Brook Shelter. The Glencliff Trail ends when it reaches a paved road called High Street, which is also called Sanatorium Road in older guides. Turn left and walk downhill about 100 yards, passing a small wooden bridge (in the weeds) on your right. Turn right on the first road (unpaved), continuing to follow signs for the Appalachian Trail. You can ignore the road closed signs, which prohibit vehicles use but not walkers. This is FR 19, also known as Long Pond Road. Continue past the Forest Service Road 19 sign on your right, passing another sign on your left pointing to the Jeffers Brook Lean-to and tent site (unless you want to camp there.) Hike over a gated bridge and continue slightly uphill, still on the gravel road, for 0.4 miles until you see the Tunnel Brook Trailhead sign on your right. ### Tunnel Brook Trail Turn right onto the Tunnel Brook Trail which follows an old logging road at first, before narrowing. The Tunnel Brook area is narrow valley between the east side of Mt Clough and the west side of Moosilauke, that gets wider and more open as you travel north.  Water is easily accessible for the length of the trail, although the dispersed camping is better on the northern half near and slightly beyond the beaver ponds, where there is a better view of the nighttime sky and the exposed cliffs on both mountains. At 1.1 miles, the Tunnel Brook Trail reaches a small reservoir used by the Glencliff Home for the Elderly, formerly the Glencliff Sanatorium, which was originally opened in the early 1900s to treat tuberculosis patients. Care should be taken not to pollute the reservoir which is still in use. The trail runs to the left of the reservoir, which isn't entirely obvious and should probably be better marked. A series of ponds begins at 2.3 miles, as the valley widens and the views become more open. The trail is marked in places with plastic tape and must be followed carefully around several flooded areas. This a much wilder natural area than many places in the White Mountains and a good place to soak in some solitude if that's what you're looking for. The trail becomes rockier and more wooded as you continue north until you come to an active logging road at mile 4.4. Bear left when you leave the forest and continue 0.8 miles down the grassy and mysteriously mowed lane to the Benton Trail Junction. ### Benton Trail The start of the Benton Trail performs an odd U-turn and leads you back along the direction you just came, before turning toward Tunnel Brook. Ford the stream, which is spanned by rocks if you want to *try* to keep your shoes dry, and begin to climb the trail up the west side of Moosilauke. The Benton Trail is one of the easier ways to climb Moosilauke, with a gradual incline and soft tread. It's another trail that you're unlikely to meet anyone on despite the fact that Moosilauke is one of the most popular mountains on the AMC's 4000 footer list. In 1.3 miles, you reach the Little Tunnel Ravine outlook, a cliffside ledge with a great view into one of Moosilauke's many side ravines. The roaring of Little Tunnel Brook, which runs through the ravine, can be clearly heard below. When you reach the top of the Benton Trail, turn right onto the Beaver Brook Trail, which also coincides with the Appalachian Trail. ### Beaver Brook Trail The Beaver Brook Trail climbs 0.4 miles to Mossilauke's summit, breaking into full exposure as soon as you leave the protection of the trees. Moosilauke is often quite windy, so dress appropriately. Hikers are asked to stay on the trail above treeline, which is marked by scree rock borders and large rock cairns. The grass and vegetation on the top of Moosilauke are very fragile and easily damaged if hikers walk over them. The summit area is covered with snow much of the year and damaged plants die because they don't have enough time to recover before snowfall covers them again. The Moosilauke summit sign is surrounded by the old hotel foundations and there are plenty of places to sit at the top and admire 360-degree views. On a clear day, you can see Franconia Ridge to the east and the mountains of Vermont to the west. ### Carriage Road Trail The Mossilauke Carriage Trail leaves from the south side of the summit in full exposure but reaches the shelter of Krumholz within 0.2 miles. The trail comes to a junction with the Glencliff Trail in 0.7 miles. Turn right onto the Glencliff Trail for just a few steps, and you will see a small sign on your left for the South Peak Spur Trail. ### South Peak Spur Follow the spur trail for 1/10 of a mile, along a boulder-filled trail, until you reach the large summit cairn on your right. The South Peak has the best view of the Moosilauke summit and should not be skipped. As you retrace your steps to the Glencliff Trail, you can see glimpses of the Tunnel Brook Valley between the west side of Moosilauke and Mt Clough, far below. Turning right onto the Glencliff Trail for a few steps, and right again to get back onto the Moosilauke Carriage Road Trail. There are numerous signs to help steer you in the right direction. ### Carriage Road Trail The first thing you'll notice when you step on the Carriage Road Trail is how easy it is to walk on. While it isn't paved, it's much less rocky than the other trails on Moosilauke and easy on the feet. The trail is easy to follow and widens as is loses elevation. In 1.2 miles, you'll come to a well-marked junction with the Snapper Trail. ### Snapper Trail Turn left onto the Snapper Trail, which descends through open forest and reaches the Gorge Brook Trail in 1.1 miles. ### Gorge Brook Trail Turn right onto the Gorge Brook Trail which reaches the Baker River in 0.3 miles. If you'd like to visit Ravine Lodge for refreshments follow the signs up to the Lodge from the river or continue along the Gorge Brook Trail to Ravine Rd and your car. #### About the author --- # Backpacking A Presidential Traverse Source: https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/a-presidential-traverse/ ![Backpacking a Presidential Traverse](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2018/03/1-Backpacking-a-Presidential-Traverse.jpg) A Presidential Traverse is one of the most famous and strenuous hikes in the White Mountains. This 2-3 day route is 21.4 miles in length with a cumulative elevation gain of 9,000 feet. It climbs eight 4000-footers with 14 miles of above-treeline hiking. - Madison - Adams - Jefferson - Washington - Monroe - Eisenhower - Pierce - Jackson While many people attempt to hike this route in a single day traverse, there's a lot to be said for breaking it into a two or three-day backpacking trip to savor the incredible views, camp high above treeline, and watch the stars at night. While camping above treeline is illegal, there are several inexpensive huts and tent sites along the route that are a lot of fun to stay at, in addition to the Appalachian Mountain Club's all-inclusive ($$$) huts. ![Presidential Traverse SectionHiker](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2023/06/Presidential-Traverse-SectionHiker.jpeg) [**Download PDF Map**](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2022/07/Presidential-Traverse-SectionHiker.pdf) ### Rating ### Distance/Elevation Gain 21.4 miles w/9000' of cumulative elevation gain ### Recommended Duration 2-3 days ### Season June thru October ### Permits Required None. ### Regulations [Backcountry Camping Regulations for the White Mountain National Forest](https://sectionhiker.com/out/em1x9n6l), specifically no camping above treeline where trees are less than 8' in height (except on two feet of snow) or within 1/4 mile of Huts and trail junctions. ### Trailhead Directions [Appalachia Trailhead](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recarea/?recid=74419) - Parking is available for about 100 cars. If the lot is full, you can park along Rt 2, however, NH state law requires that all tires be off the pavement. This is a busy trailhead that has a lot of traffic passing by, so parked cars are generally safe. [Crawford Path Trailhead](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recarea/?recid=74607) - Parking is available for about 50 cars. If the lot is full, there is hiker parking across from the eastern end of pond-size Saco Lake at the top of the Notch. Do NOT park in the AMC Highland Center Lot, which is for overnight guests only. ### Maps ### Trail Sequence The route follows the following trails in sequence. - Valley Way Trail 3.8 miles - Osgood Trail 0.5 miles (to Madison summit) - Osgood Trail 0.5 miles (back to Madison Springs Hut) - Gulfside Trail 0.3 miles - Airline Trail 0.6 miles - Lowes Path 0.3 miles - Gulfside 1.4 miles - Jefferson Loop 0.6 - Gulfside 2.3 miles - Crawford Path (up to Washington) 0.2 miles - Crawford Path (down to Monroe Loop) 1.6 miles - Monroe Loop 0.7 miles - Crawford Path 1.5 miles - Mt Eisenhower Loop 0.8 miles - Crawford Path 1.2 miles - Webster-Cliff Trail 0.9 miles - Webster Cliff Trail 1.6 miles (south) - Mizpah Cuttoff 0.7 miles - Crawford Path 1.7 miles - Crawford Connector 0.2 miles ### Scenic Highlights The following list provides cumulate distances on the route to each view or landmark. - 3.8 miles - AMC Madison Springs Hut - 4.3 miles - Mt Madison Summit - 5.7 miles  - Mt Adams Summit - 6.0 miles - Thunderstorm Junction - 7.4 miles - Edmands Col - 7.7 miles - Jefferson Summit - 8.7 miles - Sphinx Trail Junction - 10.1 miles - Mt Washington Summit - 11.4 miles - AMC Lakes of the Cloud Hut - 11.7 miles - Mount Monroe Summit - 13.9 miles - Mt Eisenhower Summit Cairn - 15.5 miles - Mt Pierce Summit - 17.9 miles - Mt Jackson Summit ### Camping/Shelter Options - [USFS Valley Way Campsite (Free)](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recarea/?recid=74537) - Located on a short spur off of the Valley Way Trail 3.1 miles from the Appalachia Trailhead. - [AMC Madison Spring Hut ($$$) - Advance reservations recommended](https://www.outdoors.org/lodging-camping/huts/madison) - [RMC Crag Camp Hut ($)](https://sectionhiker.com/out/bpoea1uy) - Walk-ins only. Crag Camp is located about 1 mile northwest of Thunderstorm Junction, near to Gray Knob and The Perch. The easiest way to reach all of the RMC shelters from Thunderstorm Junction is to follow Lowes Path to treeline and to then follow protected paths to the destination of your choice. The Log Cabin is also located off Lowes Path but with more elevation loss. - [RMC Gray Knob Hut ($)](https://www.randolphmountainclub.org/sheltersinfo/grayknob.html) - Walk-ins only. (see above) - [RMC The Perch Lean-to and Tent Platforms](https://www.randolphmountainclub.org/sheltersinfo/theperch.html) ($) - Walk-ins only (see above). - [RMC The Log Cabin Lean-to ($)](https://www.randolphmountainclub.org/sheltersinfo/logcabin.html) - Walk-ins only (see above). - [USFS Hermit Lake Shelters and Tentsite ($)](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recarea/?recid=74473) - Requires significant elevation loss. Purchase permit at Pinkham Notch Visitors Center. - [AMC Lakes of the Clouds Hut ($$$) - Advance reservations recommended.](https://www.outdoors.org/lodging-camping/huts/lakes) - [AMC Mizpah Spring Hut ($$$) - Advance reservations recommended.](https://www.outdoors.org/lodging-camping/huts/mizpah) - [AMC Nauman Tent Platforms ($) - Caretaker in Summer. No reservations.](https://www.outdoors.org/lodging-camping/campsites/campsites-profile) - [AMC Highland Center ($$$) - Advance reservation recommended. ](https://www.outdoors.org/lodging-camping/lodges/highland) ### Water Natural water sources are plentiful in the White Mountains although you may need to descend to them from ridgelines along side trails if you run short. When the AMC Huts are in season, there is a faucet outside where you can get potable water. When the huts are closed, you're on your own. In any case, carry a detailed topographic map with you, and don't rely on the overview map provided with this trip description to find water sources. ### Weather Cautions This route is sensitive to seasonal and weather conditions which can make it hazardous. This is particularly true for the above-treeline portions of the trip which are completely exposed to the elements. The chief hazards are high wind (above 40 mph) which can make walking difficult, rain and cold temperatures which can lead to hypothermia, being struck by lightning, and poor visibility which can make trail finding difficult if you're not a strong navigator. If the weather deteriorates or is bad, get below treeline, consider ending your trip, or changing your route to where there is more vegetation. Be sure to check the [Weather.gov](https://www.weather.gov/) and [Mt Washington Observatory Higher Summits forecasts](https://www.mountwashington.org/experience-the-weather/higher-summit-forecast.aspx) before your hike. Updated weather conditions are also posted at all of the AMC Huts along the route and at the Mt Washington observatory. The weather in the Presidential Range is frequently poor and it's not unusual for experienced White Mountain hikers to postpone above-treeline trips and hike alternate, less exposed routes on bad weather days. The month with the greatest thunderstorm danger is July. ### On the Trail Leaving the Appalachia Trailhead, begin climbing the Valley Way Trail, which is the safest way to climb to treeline and one of the primary routes to Mt Madison. Valley Way in a pretty trail which passes some marvelous falls and pools near its base along Snyder Brook before veering away and climbing up to the ridge. The trail passes numerous well-signed trail junctions so be sure to follow the signage carefully. At 3.1 miles, a side path leads to the Valley Way tent site, which is a good place to camp if you decide to spend the night after climbing Mt Madison. The campsite does not have a water source and I would recommend carrying water down from Madison Spring Hut or hiking down one of the side trails a short distance to Synder Brook to get some. The Valley Way Trail ends when it meets the Gulfside Trail, which continues another 35 yards to the AMC's Madison Spring Hut. Stop in and buy a snack or have a drink. Day hikers are welcome to come inside and have a look around or rest at the dining tables inside. You can also resupply your water at the faucet outside when the hut is open. From the Madison Spring Hut, follow the Osgood Trail 0.5 miles to the Mt Madison summit, which has excellent 360 degrees. All of the trails above treeline are marked with rock cairns and you'll want to keep on the lookout for them so you don't accidentally wander off into the boulder fields that surround the above-treeline peaks. Retrace your steps back to the Madison Spring Hut on the Osgood Trail and turn left onto the Gulfside Trail. Follow it 0.3 miles uphill (west) to the Airline Trail. Turn left onto the Airline Trail and climb 0.6 miles to the summit of Mt Adams, the second-highest 4000 footer in the White Mountains. This section of the trail runs across a boulder field, so take your time climbing it and watch your step. From the Mt Adams summit, follow the Lowes Path Trail (0.3 miles) to Thunderstorm Junction, a huge rock cairn that is a major above-treeline crossroads. From Thunderstorm Junction, make a left and follow the Gulfside Trail 2.2 miles to Edmands Col, which is just below Mt Jefferson, and a good place for a short rest. There's a memorial plaque here to JR Edmands, who oversaw the construction of many of the Randolph Mountain Club's trails in the Presidential Range. From Edmands Col climb 0.2 miles and make a right onto the Jefferson Loop Trail which climbs 0.4 miles to the Jefferson Summit. Mt Jefferson is the windiest peak in the Presidential Range which is frequently blasted by prevailing winds from the west. Bad weather usually approaches from the east, so take heed if you experience a shift in wind direction. The Jefferson Loop then descends 0.3 miles to the Gulfside Trail on Monticello Lawn, a grassy above-treeline meadow. This is one of my favorite spots on Jefferson to stop and linger. Rock cairns mark the trails here, often capped with a large piece of white rock quartz. If the visibility is poor, a compass bearing can be helpful for following the trails. You want to avoid dropping to the west off the ridgeline or the east into the Great Gulf, the huge glacial cirque below Mt Washington's north side. Don't worry, you won't encounter any sheer cliffs if you stay on the trails. Continue along the Gulfside Trail heading South towards Mt Washington, passing the Sphinx trail on your left in 1.3 miles. The rocks on the sides of the trail sign here form a good windbreak. In another 0.1 miles, you'll come to the Mt Clay Loop trail junction. Mt Clay is a 5000-foot sub-peak of Mt Washington with a great view down into the Great Gulf, the glacial valley at the foot of Mt Washington's northern headwall. If the weather is good, follow the Clay Loop Trail south. Otherwise, continue on the Gulfside Trail which converges with the south end of the Clay Loop in 1.1 miles. The most straightforward way to the Mt Washington Summit is to stay on the Gulfside Trail for another 2 miles until it intersects the Crawford Path. Turning left onto Crawford Path, climb 0.2 miles to the Washington summit. If you lose the Gulfside Trail before then or accidentally turn onto a smaller trail, you can follow the elevated Cog Railway Line to the Washington Summit and get back onto the route there. The Cog is a vegetable-oil powered tourist train that climbs to the summit of Mount Washington and back. You can smell its french-fry odor for miles. Mt Washington can be a bit of a circus because there's a road the people can drive on to get to the summit. There's also a cafeteria on the summit in season (friends recommend the chili dogs), with bathrooms and a water fountain where you can refill your water bottles. There's even a post office if you want to mail a postcard! Stop at the summit sign and get your photo taken. Descend Washington via the Crawford Path for 1.5, headed southwest, to two alpine tarns and the AMC's Lakes of the Clouds Hut.  Even if you're not a guest, I'd encourage you to pop into the hut for a visit. There's water available here, snacks, bathrooms, and lots of information scattered around. This hut houses up to 96 guests per night and serves them two meals per day, so it's pretty cushy. There are also weather instruments in the hut and an updated forecast posted which are worth checking before you proceed on the second half of this journey. If the wind is blowing over 40 miles per hour (hurricane force) at the hut, you're going to have a long day hiking down the Southern Presidential Range back to Crawford Notch. Ask the hut crew for advice if the weather is bad. If you do need to boogie off the ridge, it's best to head down the west side rather than the east because it has better road access and requires a shorter hike out if you decide to bail. The best west-side escape routes are the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail, the Edmands Path, and the Mizpah Cutoff/Crawford Path. There's also parking at the end of all of these trails if you decide to spot a car there. Leaving the hut, you'll follow the Crawford Path 0.1 miles to the Monroe Loop trail, which climbs Mt Monroe and a sub-peak behind it, before rejoining the Crawford Path. Monroe an easy 350' climb from the hut, despite the fact that it's the fourth-highest 4000 footer, at 5384'. That's the beauty of a ridgeline walk and the secret to hiking multiple 4000 footers on one hike. Once you climb a ridgeline, you can pick off one peak after another, on the same hike, with relatively little incremental effort. Many of the 4000 footers are on common ridgelines and its a thrill to bag several on the same walk. If you're a purist, there are other White Mountain peakbagging lists that only credit you one peak per hike, so you can only count one at a time. Those are fun too! The Monroe Loop Trail rejoins the Crawford Path in 0.7 miles at a well-marked junction. Follow the Crawford Path (heading southwest) for 2.2  miles to the Eisenhower Loop Trail, which climbs another 350' to the large rock cairn that marks the Eisenhower summit. Mt Eisenhower is named after US President Dwight Eisenhower, presumably because they share the same bald dome. Continue past the Eisenhower cairn and rejoin the Crawford Path and follow it 1.2 miles to the summit of Mt Pierce, a rocky summit that just above treeline. The views are almost continuous along this stretch, so take time to stop and daydream. From the summit of Mt Pierce, take the Webster Cliff Trail 0.9 miles to the Mizpah Hut, where you can also pop in for water, a bathroom break, or refreshments. Baked goods and leftovers are usually available for purchase in the huts during the day and can provide a welcome break. Hint: buy the fresh-baked bread that's often available. While a big slice of bread costs money, the butter is often free, so lather it on for some extra calories. The AMC's Nauman Tent site is situated next to the Mizpah Spring Hut and is the only campsite along the Southern Presidential Ridge where you can camp overnight. The tent site is overseen by a caretaker in season and a small fee is charged. You can get water at the hut. Continue southwest down the Webster-Cliff Trail to Mt Jackson which is another knobby peak that just pokes above treeline. If you stayed at the Nauman Campsite or Mizpah Hut, or you've parked a car at the Crawford Path Trailhead off the Crawford Connector on Mt Clinton Rd, my advice would be to do a quick out and back to Mt Jackson and then resume hiking down the Crawford Path via the Mizpah Cutoff to your vehicle. This also avoids a less-than-inspiring road walk at the end of the hike which can be dangerous in poor weather or darkness. Jackson is also considered an optional peak on a Presidential Traverse, at least by hikers who aren't purists. But if you're already on the ridge, you might as well bag it, especially if you can't visit the White Mountains frequently. #### About the author --- # Backpacking a Pemi Loop Source: https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-pemi-loop/ ![Backpacking a Pemigewasset Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2018/03/Backpacking-a-Pemigewasset-Loop.jpg) A Pemi Loop, as it's known locally, is a 33-mile loop hike that follows the ridgeline encircling the Pemigewasset Wilderness. This 2-3 day route climbs TEN 4000 footers with 9000 feet of elevation gain and has long stretches of above-treeline travel, including a Bonds Traverse and a Franconia Ridge Traverse, two of the most scenic walks in the White Mountains. You can also bring the total number of 4000 footers climbed to TWELVE, by adding in a few short side trips to nearby summits. This is a tough hike, but one that you're unlikely to forget for the rest of your life. Some hard-core White Mountain peakbaggers try to hike the entire loop in 24 hours, but my preference is to spread the experience out over multiple days to fully enjoy the awe-inspiring views and star-filled skies at night. The route described below runs in a counter-clockwise direction around the Pemi because it provides better campsite opportunities for backpackers. You can also hike it counter-clockwise by reversing the directions. [![BWM4K-Pemi-Loop-PDF](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2021/04/BWM4K-Pemi-Loop-PDF.jpg)](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-pemi-loop/bwm4k-pemi-loop-pdf-3/) [**Download PDF Map**](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2019/04/BWM4K-Pemi-Loop-PDF.pdf) ### Rating ### Distance/Elevation Gain 33 miles w/9000' of cumulative elevation gain ### White Mountain 4000 Footers - Bondcliff - Mt Bond - West Bond - Zealand (optional side trip) - South Twin - North Twin (optional side trip) - Galehead - Garfield - Lafayette - Lincoln - Liberty - Flume ### Recommended Duration 2-3 days ### Season mid-June thru October ### Permits Required None. ### Regulations [Backcountry Camping Regulations for the White Mountain National Forest](https://sectionhiker.com/out/em1x9n6l). Most of this route passes through the Pemigewasset Wilderness Area. Please observe all [wilderness area restrictions. ](https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/whitemountain/specialplaces/?cid=stelprdb5186453) ### Trailhead Directions [Lincoln Woods Trailhead](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recarea/?recid=74669) ### Maps ### Trail Sequence The route follows the following trails in sequence. - Lincoln Woods Trail - 2.9 miles - Bondcliff Trail - 7.9 miles miles - West Bond Spur - 1.0 miles (out and back) - Guyot Shelter Spur - 0.4 miles (out and back) - Bondcliff Trail - 0.8 miles - Twinway East (optional out and back) - 2.6 miles - Twinway West - 2.0 miles - North Twin Spur - 2.6 miles (optional out and back) - Twinway - 0.8 miles - Frost Trail - 0.8 miles (out and back) - Garfield Ridge Trail - 6.4 miles - Franconia Ridge Trail - 5.0 miles - Osseo Trail  - 4.1 miles - Lincoln Woods Trail - 1. 4 miles ### Scenic Highlights The following list provides cumulate distances on the route to each view or landmark. - Franconia Falls (optional side trip) - 2.9 miles (plus optional 0.4 mile side trail) - Bondcliff Mountain Summit - 9.1 miles - Mt Bond Summit - 10 miles - West Bond Summit - 11 miles - Guyot Summit - 12.3 miles - Zealand Mtn - (optional 4K side trip) 1.3 miles from Mt Guyot - South Twin Summit - 14.3 miles - North Twin Summit (optional 4K side trip) - 1.3 miles from South Twin - Galehead Hut - 15.1 miles - Mt Gale Summit - 15.5 miles - Garfield Lean-to and tentsite - 18.6 miles - Garfield Summit - 18.8 miles - North Lafayette Summit - 21.9  miles - Lafayette Summit - 22.5 miles - Greenleaf Hut (optional side trip) - 1.1 miles from Mt Lafayette - Lincoln Summit - 23.5 miles - Little Haystack Summit - 24.2 - Liberty Summit - 26 miles - Mt Flume Summit - 27.5 miles ### Camping/Shelter Options - [USFS Franconia Brook Tentsite](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recarea/?recid=74631) (Free) 20 tentsites available for overnight use. Caretaker in-season. First come, first served. - [AMC Guyot Lean-to and Tentsite](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recarea/?recid=74645) ($) The Lean-to accommodates 12, with 6 tent platforms. Caretaker in-season. First come, first served. - [AMC Galehead Hut ($$$) Advanced reservations recommended.](https://www.outdoors.org/lodging-camping/huts/galehead) - [AMC Thirteen Falls Tentsite](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recarea/?recid=74739) ($)  9 tent pads. Caretaker in-season. First come, first served. - [AMC Garfield Ridge Campsite](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recarea/?recid=74635) ($) 12 person lean-to and 7 tent platforms. Caretaker in-season. First come, first served. - [AMC Greenleaf Hut ($$$) Advanced reservations recommended.](https://www.outdoors.org/lodging-camping/huts/greenleaf) - [AMC Liberty Spring Tentsite](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recarea/?recid=74667) ($) 10 tent platforms. Caretaker in-season. First come, first served. ### Water Natural water sources are plentiful in the White Mountains although you may need to descend to them from ridgelines along side trails if you run short. In any case, carry a detailed topographic map with you and don't rely on the overview map provided with this trip description to find water sources. There are also several stretches along this route where it may be prudent to carry extra water. These include: - Franconia Falls Trail Junction to Guyot Shelter and Tentsite - Garfield Shelter Spur Trail to the Liberty Spring Tentsite ### Weather Cautions This route is sensitive to seasonal and weather conditions which can make it hazardous. This is particularly true for the above-treeline portions of trip which are completely exposed to the elements. The chief hazards are high wind (above 40 mph) which can make walking difficult, rain and cold temperatures which can lead to hypothermia, being struck by lightning, and poor visibility which can make trail finding difficult if you’re not a strong navigator. If the weather deteriorates or is bad, get below treeline, consider ending your trip, or changing your route to where there is more vegetation. Be sure to check the [Weather.gov](https://www.weather.gov/) and [Mt Washington Observatory Higher Summits forecasts](https://www.mountwashington.org/experience-the-weather/higher-summit-forecast.aspx) before your hike. Updated weather conditions are also posted at all of the AMC Huts along the route. It’s not unusual for experienced White Mountain hikers to postpone above-treeline trips and hike alternate, less exposed routes on bad weather days. The month with the greatest thunderstorm danger is July. ## On the Trail Leave the Lincoln Woods trailhead and cross the suspension bridge over the East Branch Pemigewasset River. Turn right at the other end and walk 2.9 miles down the Lincoln Woods Trail until you reach the Franconia Falls Trail junction. Before crossing the bridge over Franconia Brook to the Bondcliff Trail, you might want to take a short detour to check out nearby Franconia Falls, 0.4 miles down the side trail, on your left. Franconia Falls is a wonderful swimming hole, well worth returning to at some future point. Crossing the wooden bridge to the beginning of the Bondcliff Trail, follow it down an old railroad grade that was once used to pull lumber out of the forest using horse teams and steam engines. At 4.7 miles, turn left and start climbing, still following the Bondcliff Trail, as it climbs alongside Black Brook, with several easy stream crossings. The last time I hiked this route, those stream crossings were unexpectedly dry so you might want to bring extra water, or check [NETrailConditions.com](https://netrailconditions.com/) for recent trip reports, to see if they mention water availability. The next reliable water is at the Guyot Lean-to and Tent site at 12.3 miles. At 8.8 miles, you'll scramble up a rock ledge that's often called "Hillary's Step" before emerging above treeline on Bondcliff Mountain, one of the most scenic cliffside traverses in the Whites. To the west (left), spreads Franconia Ridge, Owls Head Mountain, and the heart of the Pemigewasset Wilderness. This is a sight to behold and many people linger for hours absorbing the view. Since Bondcliff is a cliff, use caution if you're accompanied by children or a pet. The trail is marked by rock cairns, which should be followed carefully, to avoid disturbing the sensitive alpine flora along the east side (rear) of the mountain. Stay well to the right (east) if it's windy, visibility is poor, or darkness has fallen. There's a reason the region below the cliffs is called Hellgate. The trail runs along the top of Bondcliff for about a mile before climbing steeply up a boulder-choked trail to Mt Bond, which also has tremendous views to the east, including Mt Washington. Continuing north, descend the Bondcliff Trail to the West Bond Trail spur on your left, and follow it 0.5 miles to the West Bond Summit. The morning and evening views of Bondcliff from this viewpoint are quite breathtaking and it's well worth hiking from the nearby Guyot Shelter and Tent site to experience them. While walking along the ridgeline of Bondcliff is quite an experience, seeing its rakish profile from West Bond is equally awe-inspiring. Return to the Bondcliff Trail, turning left, until you reach the Guyot Shelter Spur Trail. This is good place to camp because it has water and bear boxes, tent platforms, and a lean-to. During the summer months, you'll meet Appalachian Trail Thru-hikers who also stop to camp here. Climb back up to the Bondcliff Trail from the Guyot Shelter Spur Trail and continue north towards Mt Guyot, an exposed dome-shaped peak, until you reach the Twinway Trail junction. If you want to climb nearby Zealand Mountain, also on the 4000 footer list, you can turn right (east) at the junction and hike 2.6 miles, out and back, to bag the peak. If not, turn left (northwest) and continue towards South Twin Mountain, in 2.0 miles, passing through the dense woods that border the trail. The Twinway pops back up above treeline at the South Twin summit, which also has tremendous views. In summer, you can often see glider pilots soaring on the thermals above. If you want to climb nearby North Twin Mountain, also on the 4000 footer list, follow the North Twin Spur Trail for 2.6 miles, out and back. If not, continue along the Twinway, descending steeply for 0.8 miles down a rocky trail, before arriving at the AMC's Galehead Hut. Day hikers are welcome to enter and visit the huts, where you can get out of the weather, check the forecast, and purchase snacks prepared by the hut crew. Water and bathrooms are also available. From the Galehead Hut porch, it's just 0.4 miles up the Frost Trail to the Gale Mountain summit. There's also a nice ledge viewpoint on the left near to summit sign. Return to the AMC Galehead hut and make your way to the Garfield Trail/Twinway Trail junction, at the end of the spur trail leading to Galehead Hut. Turn left onto the Garfield Ridge Trail and follow it over a series of small peaks for 2.9 miles to the Garfield Shelter Spur junction, where a piped water source is available on the immediate right. The trail is quite rough and rocky in this section, and often wet, so take your time hiking it. Continue climbing the Garfield Ridge Trail, bearing left where the similarly named Garfield Trail enters from the right, and scramble over open ledges to the Garfield summit which has an old fire tower foundation. From Garfield, you can see the east side of Franconia Ridge, your next destination. South Twin Mountain, Owls Head, Bondcliff, and many others can be seen from this fine viewpoint. Retrace your steps to the Garfield Ridge Trail and dip below treeline again, heading southwest. Follow the ridgeline for 2.9 miles, climbing past the Skookumchuck Trail, which enters on the right. Ascend the north knob of Mt Lafayette, also called North Lafayette, once again climbing above treeline. Follow the cairns to the Mt Lafayette summit in 0.8 miles, where the Franconia Ridge Trail begins. From Lafayette, you can see the Kinsman Range and Mt Cannon to the west, on the other side of Rt 302. On a clear day, you should be able to see all of the peaks to the west that you climbed earlier on this route, including Bondcliff. When hiking the Franconia Ridge it's important to remain between the scree walls that demarcate the trail to avoid stepping on fragile alpine vegetation and potentially harming it. These slow-growing plants are buried in snow for all but a few months each year and have a hard time recovering if they're trampled and damaged. While it's tempting to roam over the open ledges on the east and west sides of the ridge, this trail is so popular in summer, that these plants are in serious jeopardy of disappearing forever. Follow the Franconia Ridge South as it travels over Mt Lincoln and Little Haystack until it reaches the Liberty Spring Trail Junction. If you need water, there's a spring down this trail at the AMC's Liberty Spring Tentsite in 0.3 miles. Continue south on the Franconia Ridge Trail for another 0.3 miles to the summit of Mt Liberty, which has a small but open summit. The trail follows a ledge down the south side, dropping into a col, before climbing again to the summit of Mt Flume in 1.1 miles. The Franconia Ridge Trail ends 0.1 miles south of the Flume summit, at a trail junction, where the Osseo Trail begins. The Osseo Trail runs down Flume gradually at first and then more steeply, climbing down steep wooden staircases at points. In 4.1 miles, it reaches the Lincoln Woods Trail. Turn right at this junction and follow the Lincoln Woods Trail for 1.4 miles, turning left at the suspension bridge over the East Branch Pemigewasset River to the starting point of this route. #### About the author --- # Backpacking a Mt Isolation Loop Source: https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-mt-isolation-loop/ ![Backpacking a Mt Isolation Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2018/04/Mt-Isolation-Loop.jpg) Mt Isolation is a remote 4000 footer located south of Mt Washington with impressive views of the Southern Presidentials and the "rock pile", as Washington is often referred to locally. This 2-3 day route follows trails seldom hiked by day hikers and is ideal for backpackers who want to experience the wilder side of the White Mountain National Forest. It visits several open summits and viewpoints en route, including Mt Crawford, Mt Resolution, Mt Davis, and the Giant Stairs, which have equally impressive views. Small stream fishermen will also appreciate hiking along the avalanche-scarred Rocky Branch River, a steep-gradient mountain stream with excellent trout habitat. ![Isolation Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2023/06/Isolation-Loop.jpeg) [**Download PDF Map**](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2019/10/Isolation-Loop-PDF.pdf) ## Rating ## Distance/Elevation Gain 25.5 miles w/6000' of cumulative elevation gain ## White Mountain 4000 Footers - Isolation ## Recommended Duration 2-3 days ## Season June thru October ## Permits Required None. ## Regulations [Backcountry Camping Regulations for the White Mountain National Forest](https://sectionhiker.com/out/em1x9n6l). Most this route passes through the Presidential-Dry River Wilderness Area. Please observe all [wilderness area restrictions. ](https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/whitemountain/specialplaces/?cid=stelprdb5186453) ## Trailhead Directions [Davis Path Trailhead](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recarea/?recid=74827) ## Maps ## Trail Sequence The route follows the following trails in sequence. - Davis Path - 2.2 miles - Mt Crawford Spur - 0.6 miles (in and out) - Davis Path - 1.5 miles - Mt Parker Trail - 1.0 miles (in and out) - Davis Path 0.3 miles - Stairs Col Trail - 1.8 miles - Rocky Branch Trail - 4.1 miles - Isolation Trail - 2.6 miles - Davis Path (South) - 2.1 miles - Mt Davis Spur - 0.4 miles (in and out) - Davis Path (South) - 4.1 miles - Giant Stairs Spur - 0.4 miles (in and out) - Davis Path - 4.4 miles ## Scenic Highlights The following list provides cumulate distances on the route to each view or landmark - Mt Crawford Summit - 2.5 miles - Mt Resolution Summit - 4.8 miles - Stairs Col - 5.5 miles - Rocky Branch Shelter - 7.3 miles - Rocky Branch River - Next 4.1 miles - Mt Isolation Summit - 14 miles - Mt Davis Summit - 15.4 miles - Giant Stairs Cliff, Viewpoint, Campsite - 19.7 miles ## Camping Shelter Options - [Rocky Branch Shelter #1 and Tent Platforms (lean-to which sleeps 6-8 and 3 tent platforms)](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recarea/?recid=74919) - Designated campsites along the Rocky Branch Trail, Isolation Trail, and Davis Path, indicated on the overview map provided above. While these are signed by the Forest Service, they are usually not listed on printed maps of the White Mountains so that the Forest Service can periodically relocate them to limit overuse. ## Water Natural water sources are plentiful in the White Mountains although you may need to descend to them from ridgelines along side trails if you run short. In any case, carry a detailed topographic map with you and don’t rely on the overview map provided with this trip description to find water sources. There is one stretch along this route where it may be prudent to carry extra water. - One mile east of the Isolation Trail/Davis Path Trail junction to a stream just north of Giant Stairs Spur Path ## Weather Cautions This route is sensitive to seasonal and weather conditions which can make it hazardous. There are four water crossings of the Rocky Branch River on this route which may become difficult to cross in high water. The best way to avoid high water levels is to check the weather and postpone your hike if heavy precipitation is forecast during or a few days before your hike.  Be sure to check the [Weather.gov](https://www.weather.gov/) and [Mt Washington Observatory Higher Summits forecasts](https://www.mountwashington.org/experience-the-weather/higher-summit-forecast.aspx) before your hike. ## On the Trail ![The Davis Path Sign](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2018/04/The-Davis-Path-Sign.jpg) After parking in the large Davis Path Trailhead, cross the Saco River over a wide suspension bridge, passing several private residences on your right, before arriving at the Davis Path sign. Built in 1845, the Davis Path is one of the oldest trails in the White Mountains, originally cut as a bridle path  to bring sightseers to Mt Washington by horse. After passing this sign, the trail begins a steep 2100' climb up a rocky trail to Mt Crawford, passing a wilderness campsite on the right, signed with a wooden post that has a small carved tent on it. There are several such sites along this route (see overview map for locations), but they can be easy to walk past because the wooden posts indicating their presence are below knee height and colored to blend into the forest. While the climb to Mt Crawford is admittedly steep, 1000' per mile elevation gains are not unusual in the White Mountains trail system. Switchbacks, on the other hand are rare, so gird yourself for climbing straight uphill. When climbing, take your time and stop to rest when you need to catch your breath. Stop at level spots, as this will reduce the strain on your calf muscles. Using the rest step ([read about the rest step](https://sectionhiker.com/the-rest-step-winter-hiking-footwork/)), can also reduce leg fatigue by transferring load onto your skeletal structure and off your musculature. As you approach the top of the climb, the trail breaks out over open rock ledge, marked by faint painted blazes and rock cairns. Most of the cairns are quite small, just a few rocks stacked one on top of the other. These are called "ducks". It's worth lingering on the ledges which have many fine views and provide a nice place to sit on a warm day. Follow the indicated path to the Mt Crawford Spur Trail and hike out to the summit viewpoint, which has fantastic 360 views. This is one of the best peaks to climb in autumn when Crawford Notch is ablaze in autumn color. Return to the Davis Path (turning left) and continue toward Stairs Col until you reach the Mt Parker Trail on your right. Follow it for 0.5 miles over more open ledge to the summit area of Mt Resolution. While there is a summit cairn on Resolution (there are actually several), it can be hard to locate since the mountain summit is covered with short trees and shrubbery. Don't worry about it too much. If you made the effort to get here, it still counts. :-) Reverse your route, hiking north along the Mt Parker Trail, to return to the Davis Path. Turn right and continue to Stairs Col. A col is a small mountain pass in the local vernacular, and Stairs is a wild one, with moss-covered trees and thick shrubbery. Hike east along the col to the top of the Stairs Col Trail, continuing straight, and descending down to its junction with the Rocky Branch Trail. There's a lean-to and campsite on the river here, if you want to call it a day. Turn left onto the Rocky Branch Trail which follows the river north, crossing back and forth, several times. Most of these stream crossings are quite easy in normal conditions, provided you don't mind getting your shoes and socks wet. The river is fairly wide though, and rock hopping is often not an option. Bring a pair of crocs or water shoes if you want to keep your shoes and socks dry. The Rocky Branch Trail was closed for several years after Hurricane Irene due to avalanches along the river bank which wiped out large sections of trail. The trail has since been repaired and in some cases rerouted. Following the trail north can still be challenging at points because this trail is in a lightly blazed Wilderness Area. The trail tread is usually easy to find and you'll always be headed in the right direction if you remember that the trail follows the river upstream. If you're a fisherman, especially a Tenkara fisherman, you'll find that the Rocky Branch is a fun river to fish for trout. Being a mountain stream, the fish aren't big, but they are feisty! Be sure to purchase a [New Hampshire fishing license](https://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/licensing/) if you don't already have one. The Rocky Branch Trail meets the Isolation Trail 4.1 miles north of the Rocky Branch Shelter #1. The trail junction is on the same side of the river. and loops around the north side Mt Isolation before joining the Davis Path, which leads you to the summit. There are several additional stream crossings north of this trail junction, as well. When the trail begins heading northwest, you'll pass by two designated campsites. The first of these has easy access to water, while the second is northwest of a fairly reliable stream that crosses the trail. There are also numerous bootleg campsites along this stretch, although the two designated sites are much nicer, drier, and worth camping at if there's space. Just before you reach the Isolation/Davis Trail junction you'll pass through an area with many downed trees, probably caused by a microburst. The trail can be tricky to follow here, so use care. When you reach the Davis Path junction turn left (south) and follow the trail to the Mt Isolation spur trail, which climbs a short distance to an open summit. The summit of Mt Isolation is open rock ledge with wide-ranging views. The biggest mountain on the horizon is the rocky cone of Mt Washington and below it, the yawning chasm of Oakes Gulf, a deep glacial valley at the head of the Dry River. Mt Monroe is visible to Washington's immediate left. Boott Spur is to its right, a 5000+ foot subsidiary summit of Washington, located atop the southern wall of Tuckerman Ravine. North Isolation, which is a very short bushwhack, is just a short distance away, also off the Davis Path Descend Isolation back to the Davis Path and continue south through lush forest and prime moose habitat. The next few miles of trail are seldom travelled by day hikers and quite remote. Continue south until you reach a short spur trail to Mt Davis on your left. Scramble up this trail a short distance to the summit cairn on Mt Davis. This peak, like Isolation, is an above-treeline and covered by low shrubbery called krummholz, german for twisted tree, to describe the short and gnarled trees. Reverse your route down from Mt Davis and turn left when you reach the Davis Path. Hike south for another 4.1 miles until you reach the Giant Stair Spur Path on your left. Follow it for 0.2 miles, past another designated campsite, to a cliff face with an imposing view. Don't get too close to the edge: it really is a very steep drop! The campsite here is a very popular spot to spend the night and view the stars. Water is very limited however, so be sure to carry in what you need. Backtrack to the Davis Path and continue through Stairs Col toward Mt Crawford and eventually Rt 302 through Crawford Notch. This portion of the hike is identical to the beginning of the route, just in reverse. I'd still recommend hiking out to the Mt Crawford summit again. That view can't be beat. #### About the author --- # Backpacking a Moriah Loop Source: https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-moriah-loop/ ![Backpacking the White Mountain 4000 Footers - A Moriah Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2018/06/Backpacking-the-White-Mountain-4000-Footers-Moriah.jpg) The Moriah Loop is a 2-3 day, 24 mile backpacking route that climbs Mount Moriah and its graceful sister peak, Shelburne Moriah, before dropping down to the Wild River. From there, the route loops back through the heart of the Wild River Wilderness on the Moriah Brook Trail, passing countless cascades and pools that make for great backcountry swimming. Seldom visited by day hikers, this wilderness area is remote and lightly blazed, requiring good map-reading skills and navigation experience. ![Moriah Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2023/06/Moriah-Loop.jpeg) [**Download PDF Map**](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2018/06/Moriah-Loop-PDF.pdf) ### Rating ## Distance/Elevation Gain 24 miles w/5800' of cumulative elevation gain ## White Mountain 4000 Footers - Moriah ## Recommended Duration 2-3 days ## Season June thru October ## Permits Required None. ## Regulations [Backcountry Camping Regulations for the White Mountain National Forest](https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5363715.pdf). Most this route passes through the Wild River Wilderness Area. Please observe all [wilderness area restrictions. ](https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/whitemountain/specialplaces/?cid=stelprdb5186453) ## Trailhead Directions - [Stony Brook Trailhead](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recarea/?recid=74523) - [Carter Moriah Trailhead (very limited parking - see parking recommendation below)](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recarea/?recid=74429) This trip starts the Carter Moriah Trailhead and ends nearby at the Stony Brook Trailhead. These are separated by a 1.3 mile road walk, all downhill, that takes about 20-25 minutes. If you only have one car, I'd recommend leaving it at the Stony Brook lot and getting the road walk out of the way up front. Turn left from the Stony Brook parking lot onto Rt 16 and walk 1.3 mile, turning right into the Libby Pool parking lot on Mill Street. Leave the parking lot on Mill Street and turn right onto a bridge in 0.2 miles. Cross the bridge and take a right onto Bangor Street, which quickly leads to the Carter Moriah Trailhead. You can also park at the Libby Pool lot (the sand covered part) if you have two cars, instead of trying to park at the Carter Moriah Trailhead, which has very limited parking. ## Maps ## Trail Sequence The route follows the following trails in sequence. - Carter Moriah Trail - 4.5 miles - Kenduskeag Trail - 5.1 miles - Shelburne Tr - 3.4 miles - Highwater Tr - 1.7 miles - Moriah Brook Trail - 5.5 miles - Stony Brook Trail - 3.6 miles ## Scenic Highlights The following list provides cumulative distances on the route to each view or landmark. - Mt Surprise Summit - 2.0 miles - Carter Moriah Summit - 4.5 miles - Shelburne Moriah Summit - 7.2 miles - Wild River - 11.6 miles - Moria Brook Gorge - 13.9 miles - Moriah Brook Cascades - 15.4 miles ## Camping and Shelter Options - Imp Lean-to and Tent Platforms ($) - Wild River Campground ($) - There are limited options for backcountry camping on this route given the terrain. Your best bet for finding a campsite is along the Shelburne Trail (below 1800'), the Highwater Trail, or the lower half of the Moriah Brook Trail. Please observe all [White Mountains backcountry camping rules](https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5363715.pdf) and wilderness regulations and leave no trace. ## Water Natural water sources are plentiful in the White Mountains although you may need to descend to them from ridgelines along side trails if you run short. In any case, carry a detailed topographic map with you and don’t rely on the overview map provided with this trip description to find water sources. ## On the Trail Begin climbing the Carter Moriah Trail which climbs 3250' feet over 4.5 miles to the summit of Mount Moriah. The trail is easy to follow, but this is a significant climb so take your time in ascending. Water is also scarce, as noted above, so pack extra. At 2.0 miles you'll come to a rock ledge known as Mt Surprise which has a good view of Pine Mountain on the other side of Rt 16. From this point onward, the trail to Moriah switches from forest duff to rock ledge, gaining elevation steeply in places. Continue climbing until you come to a spur trail on your right to the Moriah Summit. There are very fine views of Mt Washington and the northern Presidentials from the summit. If you turn and look to the north, you can see the summit ledges on your next destination, Shelburne Moriah Mountain. Once you summit that peak, you'll follow the ridge on its righthand side down to the Wild River Valley. Return to the Carter Moriah Trail and turn right. In a few steps, you'll come to a rock chimney that you need to down-climb. The best way I've found to descend these is to go down backward, like climbing down a ladder, grabbing hand and footholds as you climb down. At the bottom, turn left onto the Kennduskeag Trail where you'll encounter numerous boardwalks on the way to Shelburne Moriah Mountain. This first section of the Kenduskeag Trail coincides with the Appalachian Trail and you're like to encounter thru-hikers or section hikers until the AT turns off at the Rattle River Trail Junction, 1.4 miles distant. Continue on the Kenduskeag Trail past the Rattle River Trail junction, walking on more bog bridges until you pop out above treeline near Shelburne Moriah Mountain. The views from the top of this [52-with-a view peak](https://sectionhiker.com/new-hampshire-52-with-a-view/) (3735') are probably the best in the Carter Moriah Range. There's a fine view looking back at Mt Moriah and Middle Moriah to its right. In clear weather, you can also see Mts Washington, Jefferson, Adams, and Madison. Turning north, you can see the entire Mahoosuc Range, which is also on the Appalachian Trail, and the Androscoggin River below it. Head east from the Shelburne Moriah Summit, descending steeply to the Shelburne Trail Junction. Until now, the route has skirted the Wild River Wilderness, following its northwestern boundary. When you reach the junction, turn right, where you'll be greeted by the Wild River Wilderness boundary sign. Hang gliders are not permitted in the wilderness area, so leave yours at the boundary. If you're low on water, there is a small stream at 2300' and another larger one at 1800'. If you're beat for the day and ready to camp, there are lots of locations on either side of the trail to camp in the open woods. The next major stream crossing at 1400' is also a good area to find a backcountry site. At 1400' you'll pass outside the designated wilderness area. Continue to the Highwater/Shelburne Trail junction where Bull Brook meets the Wild River. This junction can be a little confusing because the sign you need to follow is hard to see as you come down the trail.  When you see the sign announcing a Forest Protection Area on your right, turn right and look for sign that says "Highwater Trail, Moriah Brook 1.4." From here, there are two small stream crossings separated by a small island. Chances are you'll need to bushwhack to the left around the island and back around the other side because dead trees from the annual spring floods get hung up on it, blocking the trail. Look for a small wooden sign, nailed to a tree, on the other side of the second stream crossing to find the continuation of the Highwater trail. The Highwater Trail runs along the west bank of the Wild River for 1.4 miles, occasionally climbing above the river, before it turns onto the Moriah Brook Trail. While the Forest Service tries valiantly to keep this trail open year after year, the Wild River erodes the river bank each spring or after heavy rain events. So don't be surprised if the riverside sections of trail disappear for short stretches because it's been washed away. If you keep the Wild River to your left, bushwhack these areas, until you find the trail on the other side of the washout. You can't overshoot the Moriah Brook Trail junction, as long as you stay in sight of the Wild River. Shortly before you come to the Moriah Brook trail junction, you'll pass a sign pointing to the Wild River Campground. This is the site of a former suspension bridge, which was closed in 2016 and has since been washed away. But the sign is a good indicator that you're still on the right track. The Highwater trail is intact from this point on, until you turn right onto the Moriah Brook Trail in 0.3 miles. Moriah Brook is a rocky mountain stream that runs up a narrow river valley for 5.5 miles. The place has a lost world feel to it, with countless cascades and pools that make for excellent swimming and relaxing. Few people venture down the Moriah Brook Trail, although it is a local favorite among backpackers. After a mile, you'll come to the Moriah Brook Gorge, a small canyon that drops 300 feet to the Wild River below. The top pool below the water crossing is a great place to take a dip and cool off. The rest of the gorge is accessible, but requires considerable effort to explore. Cross the river at the top of the river and hike upstream through open forest. Like the Wild River, portions of the Moriah Brook Trail are periodically washed out by seasonal flooding, so don't be surprised if sections are obscured by blowdowns or flood debris. If you lose the trail, just remember that it runs alongside the brook. While the trail leads to many attractive swimming holes, there are portions of Moriah Brook that you can only get to if you're willing to hike off-trail to access them. If you have the time and inclination, it's well worth spending an extra day along the Moriah Brook to investigate them. There is also a sparse trout population in the stream, making it a fun place to Tenkara fish if you have the patience. As you hike higher along the Brook, the valley begins to narrow and the trail starts to weave back and forth across the stream. Some of these stream crossings are obscure, so pay close attention to your map to avoid getting pulled off the trail by a herd path to pre-existing campsites.  The valley narrows as you approach the southern cliffs of Mt Moriah. This section can be muddy, but you soon climb out of it reaching the Carter Moriah Trail. Take a left at the Carter Moriah Trail and follow the boardwalk 20 yards to the Stony Brook Trail junction. Take a right onto the Stony Brook Trail which descends steeply at first but then moderates. Follow it for 3.6 miles, past a gorgeous stream, with numerous swimming holes, until you reach the trailhead parking lot at the end of this route. #### About the author --- # Backpacking a Mad River Notch Loop Source: https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-mad-river-notch-loop/ ![Osceola Backpack](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2018/04/Osceola-Backpack.jpg) The White Mountain landscape is defined by its mountain passes (called Notches), perhaps even more than its peaks. Crawford Notch, Pinkham Notch, and Franconia Notch are just a few of the great valleys that channel visitors from one region of the White Mountain National Forest to the next. This 2-day route runs through Mad River Notch, a lightly traveled mountain pass that links Mt Tecumseh with East Osceola and Mt Osceola, and runs past interesting geologic formations, an old logging camp, and two pristine mountain ponds. ![Mad River Notch Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2023/06/Mad-River-Notch-Loop.jpeg) [**Download PDF Map**](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2018/04/Mad-River-Notch-Loop-PDF.pdf) ## Rating ## Distance/Elevation Gain 22 miles w/6000' of cumulative elevation gain ## White Mountain 4000 Footers - Tecumseh - East Osceola - Osceola ## Recommended Duration 2 days ## Season June thru October ## Permits Required None. ## Regulations [Backcountry Camping Regulations for the White Mountain National Forest](https://sectionhiker.com/out/em1x9n6l). No Camping in Greeley Ponds Scenic Area ## Trailhead Directions - Mt Osceola Trailhead off Tripoli Rd (FR 30) - 7.0 miles east of I-93 or 2.9 miles west of the Livermore Parking area on West Branch Rd. Tripoli Rd is gated closed in winter but is usually open by mid-May. ## Maps ## Trail Sequence The route follows the following trails in sequence. - FR 30 - 1.9 miles (Short rd walk up a pretty fire road) - Mt Tecumseh Trail - 3.5 miles - Mt Tecumseh Trail - 2.2 miles - Pipeline XC Trail - 0.4 miles - Livermore Road -0.3 miles - Greeley Pond Trail - 0.7 miles - Goodrich Rock Trail - 1.6 miles (out and back) - Timber Camp Trail - 3.0 miles (out and back) - Greeley Ponds Trail - 2.6 miles - Mt Osceola Trail - 5.7 miles ## Scenic Highlights The following list provides cumulate distances on the route to each view or landmark - Mt Tecumseh Summit - 5.4 miles - Sosman Trail Viewpoint - (optional side trail) - Goodrich Rock - 9.8 miles - High Camp w/ view of Painted Cliffs - 12.1 miles - Lower Greeley Pond - 14.9 miles - Upper Greeley Pond - 15.4 miles - East Osceola Summit - 17.3 miles - Mt Osceola Summit - 18.3 miles ## Camping Shelter Options - High Camp on the Timber Camp Trail - this is a good location for camping on this route, near a reliable brook. ## Water Natural water sources are plentiful in the White Mountains although you may need to descend to them from ridgelines along side trails if you run short. In any case, carry a detailed topographic map with you, and don’t rely on the overview map provided with this trip description to find water sources. ## On the Trail Leave the Mt Osceola Trail parking area and turn right onto Tripoli Rd (FR 30), hiking 1.9 miles until you see the Tecumseh Trail on the left. There is [roadside camping along Tripoli Rd](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recarea/?recid=74753) (west) of this point if you're looking for a nearby place to camp before or after the trip. This short road walk up front eliminates the need for a soul-crushing walk at the end of this magnificent route, so you finish on a high note, descending from Mt Osceola Trail back to your car. At the Tecumseh trailhead turn left and cross a small stream. There's no easy water for the next 6 miles or so, so be sure you have enough for the climb to Mt Tecumseh and back down again. This western portion of the trail is climbed less frequently, so it has a wilder aspect. Begin climbing through dense forest, eventually passing a false summit at 3700'. Continue through dense forest to 4000', where you'll emerge at the Tecumseh summit viewpoint. There is a loop trail around the Tecumseh summit which can be confusing, so make sure you hike in the correct direction when leaving the summit area. From the top of Tecumseh, you can see the Tripyramids almost due east, a set of three adjacent peaks. North and Middle Tripramid are also 4000 footers, but South Tripyramid isn't. The three peaks are fun to climb (at another time) on a loop hike via the Tripyramid Trail, which climbs up an avalanche slide (short for landslide) up the north peak, along the adjoining ridge to the Middle and South summits, and back down from the south peak on another avalanche slide. From the Tecumseh summit viewpoint, there's a short side path called the Sosman Trail that heads south for 0.6 miles to the top of the adjacent Waterville Valley Ski Area. It follows a nice woodland path and provides an excellent view of Mt Osceola from the top of the slopes. To return to the trip route, reverse directions and follow the Sosman Trail back to the Tecumseh summit area, this time descending down (to your right) on the Tecumseh Trail headed east. Tecumseh is a popular peak because it is the "shortest" 4000 footer, with an elevation of just 4003'. The trail is also usually well packed out in winter, when skiers and snowboarders hike up it and ski down the adjacent ski slopes. In recent years, this section of the trail has been virtually rebuilt with numerous stone staircases to prevent erosion. Descend the Tecumseh Trail for 2.2 miles. There are two small stream crossings on the trail which are normally easy to cross except after heavy rain. The bottom of the trail ends at the Waterville Valley Ski Area parking lot. Bear left and follow the edge of the lot a short distance to the Pipeline XC trail. Turn left onto the trail and follow it until you reach Tripoli Road. Make a right onto the road and left at the next paved road. Cross over a short bridge and you’ll see the Livermore Trail Head Parking Sign. Turn left at the sign and follow the logging road that leaves from the rightmost side of the lot. This area can be a little confusing because the ski resort has put up its own signs and their trail names differ from those used by the Forest Service. There are maps of the ski trail system posted at most of the trail junctions, so you should still be able to find your way if you get turned around. The Forest Service Trail Signs are always engraved in wood, which is one way to tell them apart from the Ski Resort's XC Trail names. From Livermore Road parking area, the trail passes a kiosk, before turning left and becoming a wide gravel road called the Livermore Trail. Follow it, passing through an open field and crossing a wooden bridge over the Mad River, before turning left onto the Greeley Pond Trail in 0.3 miles. This trail was severely damaged by Hurricane Irene when a wall of water poured down the Mad River, which runs beside the trail. The entire trail has only been recently reopened after being closed for several years while repair efforts were underway. While the section shown here is well-graded gravel, the trail takes on a more natural and weathered appearance after it passes the Timber Camp and Kancamagus Brook Ski trails further up the Mad River valley. Portions of the Greeley Pond Trail coincide and intersect with backcountry cross-country ski trails in this area. When following trails, note that hiking trails are blazed in yellow, while the cross-country ski trails are generally marked with blue diamonds. At 1.2 miles, the Goodrich Rock Trail climbs the west side of the valley, weaving through a "boulder field" of huge glacial erratics called the Davis Boulders. The trail ends at the largest erratic, a huge boulder named Goodrich Rock, that you can climb via a wooden ladder. The top of the boulder has views of Mt Tecumseh and other Sandwich area peaks. If you're running short on time, you can skip this side trip to Goodrich Rock and continue to a campsite on the nearby Timber Camp Trail, returning to this point the next morning. Retrace your steps back to the Greeley Pond Trail and turn left. The Timber Camp Trail branches to the left in 0.8 miles. Turn onto it and begin climbing gradually. The trail leads to a clearing with a large cairn in about 0.9 miles. This is the best place to camp in the area, with easy access to the adjacent Greeley Brook. The site of an old lumber camp, the Timber Camp Trail leads to the area below Painted Rock, a huge cliff face that towers over the trail and the Mad River Valley. While the trail ends at 2544' at a cairn next to some old lumber artifacts, there is a herd path that continues up the slope beyond it. Steve Smith, the editor of the White Mountain Guide, has written about his adventures on the [Timber Camp Trail, in this trip report](https://mountainwandering.blogspot.com/2010/12/timber-camp-trail-121610-i-decided-to.html). Hike back down to the Greeley Pond Trail, and turn left for the Lower and Upper Greeley Ponds, which lie below the southern cliffs of giant Mt Kancamagus. Camping is not permitted in the area surrounding the ponds. Both Ponds are stocked with trout, however, and fishing is permitted with a [New Hampshire fishing license](https://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/fishing/index.php). Hike for 2.6 miles past the ponds, until you reach the Mt Osceola Trail Junction. Turn left and begin climbing to East Osceola Mountain. While the climb is gradual to start, it soon becomes very steep, crossing an avalanche slide at one point. The wooded summit of East Osceola is viewless and marked by a small cairn. East Osceola and the main peak, Mt Osceola are connected by a narrow ridge. Partway across, there's a narrow 20' chimney that you must climb, although there's now an easy bypass route to the side that provides surer footing. After the chimney, climb gradually to a large open ledge at the top of Mt Osceola, which has expansive views of the Tripyramids and peaks in the Sandwich and Pemigewasset Wilderness Areas. The site of a former fire tower, this ledge is an excellent place to eat lunch and hang out in the sun. From the Osceola summit ledge, turn southwest and follow the rocky Mt Osceola Trail down Breadtray Ridge for 3.2 miles back to the Osceola Trailhead on Tripoli Road, where your car is parked. #### About the author --- # Backpacking a Kilkenny Ridge Traverse Source: https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-kilkenny-ridge-traverse/ ![Backpacking a Kilkenny Ridge Traverse](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2018/03/1-Backpacking-a-Kilkenny-Ridge-Traverse.jpg) The Kilkenny Ridge Traverse is a moderate 2-3 day, 27-mile scenic traverse of some of the wildest and most remote scenery in the White Mountains. It's a particularly attractive route for backpackers interested in avoiding the crowds of day hikers who frequent the southern and central Whites. Bearded trees, their branches, and trunks festooned with moss and fungus line the ridgeline, battered by wind and storms. Open ledges and summits provide magnificent views of the entire ridge as it undulates north to south, past vast stands of forest shrouded in mist and cloud, with scant evidence of a human presence. Hikers climb two White Mountain 4000-footers, Mt Cabot and Mt Waumbek, in addition to several smaller peaks called The Bulge, The Horn, and Mt Starr King, at the south end of the route. Side trips to a narrow canyon named the Devil's Hopyard, Roger's Ledge, Unknown Pond, and the Mt Cabot Fire Warden's Cabin add to the novelty of this less-visited region. ![Kilkenny Ridge Trail Traverse](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2023/06/Kilkenny-Ridge-Trail-Traverse.jpeg) **[Download PDF Map](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2018/03/Kilkenny-Ridge-Traverse-Guidebook.pdf)** ### Rating ### Distance/Elevation Gain 27 miles w/8000' of cumulative elevation gain ### White Mountain 4000 Footers - Cabot - Waumbek ### Recommended Duration 2-3 days ### Season mid-June thru October ### Permits Required None. ### Regulations [Backcountry Camping Regulations for the White Mountain National Forest](https://sectionhiker.com/out/em1x9n6l). ### Maps ### Trailhead Directions [South Pond Recreation Area](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recarea/?recid=74519): (From the White Mountain Guide 3oth ed, p. 569) "South Pond Rd, the 1.8 miles access road to the South Pond Recreation Area and the northern terminus of the Kilkenny Ridge Trail, leaves NH 110 14.4 miles west of Berlin and 10 miles east of US 3 in Groveton, NH. Bear right at a fork 0.7 miles from NH110; just beyond this ford, there is a WMNF gate, which is locked from 8:00 pm to 10:00 am during the summer/fall season when the beach and picnic area are open. A fee is charged for day use, although in the past there has been no charge for parking of hikers' vehicles with a WMNF parking pass. Hikers should park in one of the first two lots on the left past the gatehouse. When the beach and picnic area are not open, the gate is usually locked necessitating a 1.1-mile walk to the start of the trail. (Park outside the gate, not blocking it, with all wheels off the road/pavement.) Foot travel is always permitted. Check with the Androscoggin Ranger District Office of the WMNF for details. " [Starr King Trailhead](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recarea/?recid=74521): There is additional hiker parking across from the road leading to the Starr King Parking Lot along Rt 2 next to a stone monument. ### Trail Sequence The route follows the following trails in sequence. Refer to the [AMC White Mountain Trail Map 6 - North Country, Mahoosuc Range](https://amzn.to/44N8Ups), which is the best waterproof map available for this region, although I'd recommend buying the complete [AMC White Mountain Waterproof Map Set](https://amzn.to/43Ip8Pv) rather than one map at a time. More detailed trail descriptions can be found in the [AMC White Mountain Guide](https://amzn.to/3XZV7tv), which is considered the hiking bible for the region. Take photos of the pages using your phone for easy reference, instead of carrying the entire book with you on hikes. - Kilkenny Ridge Trail 0.7 - Devils Hopyard Trail 0.6 miles (in) - Devils Hopyard Trail 0.6 miles (out) - Kilkenny Ridge Trail 19.9 miles - Starr King Trail 3.6 miles ### Scenic Highlights The following list provides cumulate distances on the route to each view or landmark. - 1.3 miles - Devils Hopyard - 5.3 miles - Rogers Ledge - 8 miles - Unknown Pond Campsite - 9.7 miles - The Horn/The Bulge - 10.8 miles - Mt Cabot Summit - 11.2 miles - Mt Cabot Cabin - 16.9 miles North Weeks Mountain - 19.3 miles South Weeks Mountain - 22.2 miles - Mt Waumbek Summit - 23.2 miles Mt Starr King Summit - 25.8 miles Starr King Trail Head ### Camping/Shelter Options - USFS Rogers Ledge Tent site (Free) - Four tent pads and an outhouse. No web page. Marked on most maps. - [USFS Unknown Pond ](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recarea/?recid=74535)Tent site (Free) - There is an outhouse, 6 designated camping spaces including a group site near the entrance) and reliable water from the pond or stream. - [USFS Cabot Firewarden's Cabin](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recarea/?recid=74493) (Free) - There is an outhouse and space for 8 on bunks in the cabin. It's not exactly super clean inside with peeling paint and assorted debris, but you can sleep inside in a pinch. I did it once myself. ### Water Natural water sources are plentiful in the White Mountains although you may need to descend to them from ridgelines along side trails if you run short. In any case, carry a detailed topographic map with you and don't rely on the overview map provided with this trip description to find water sources. Guthook Guides does not have a map of the North Country yet (as of 3/18), so you'll need to rely on the USGS maps in the Gaia Smartphone App or a GPS Receiver if you want digital mapping support. While the topographic information found on USGS maps for this area is quite accurate, be aware that the trail information is frequently out of date or omitted. Carrying the AMC maps listed above is really your best option. There are also several dry stretches along this route where it may be prudent to carry extra water. These include the stretch of trail between Unknown Pond and the York Pond Trail (the spring below Mt Cabot is difficult to locate and may be dry) and between the York Pond Trail and the Starr King Trailhead. If you don't find water directly on the Kilkenny Trail, it's usually just a short distance down one of these side trails. ### Weather Cautions This route experiences frequent blowdowns (trees knocked over by wind and snow) in winter, which may obscure the trail each spring, before trail crews can remove them. The greatest damage usually occurs along the stretch from the Kilkenny Ridge Trail/York Pond Trail junction south to Mt Waumbek. The trail is usually quite obvious despite these obstacles and blazed in yellow. Other than that, this route is almost entirely below treeline and well protected from the weather. ## On the Trail The Kilkenny Ridge Trail starts at the south end of the South Pond Recreation Area. The trail enters the woods and quickly comes to a junction with the Devil's Hopyard Trail. This side trail leads to a gorge with steep sidewalls and "huge boulders set in picturesque confusion." While not up to the caliber of Mahoosuc Notch farther north (also in the White Mountains), it is still a fun diversion and provides one with a first glimpse of the unusual foliage and scenery found along the rest of the Kilkenny Ridge Trail. After you've hiked to the end of the Devil's Hopyard, retrace your steps to the Kilkenny Ridge Trail junction and continue south. Continue through birch forest before climbing moderately to Rogers Ledge at 5.3 miles, a large south-facing cliff with a huge view of the Pliny Range to your right. You can even the see high peaks of the Presidential Range from this vantage point, far to the south, on a clear day. Descending Rogers Ledge, you'll pass a spur trail to the Roger's Ledge campsite in 0.5 miles, followed shortly by the Mill Brook Trail Junction. Continue past it heading south along the Kilkenny Ridge Trail, entering a boggy area near Kilback Pond. Hike over bog bridges before climbing the shoulder of Unknown Pond Peak, a 3500' trail-less mountain before dropping down to the Unknown Pond Campsite at the junction of the Unknown Pond Trail. This pond is a pretty place to camp and a great place to watch the sunset over The Horn. However, camping is only permitted at the designated campsite and not within 0.25 miles of the pond or along its shore. Return to the Kilkenny Ridge Trail which runs along the north side of the pond before climbing to The Horn and The Bulge, two distinct viewpoints before Mt Cabot. A short spur trail leads to The Horn, which is topped by a rocky ledge. The best way to climb it is around the back side, although it can be a difficult solo scramble. Retrace your steps to the Kilkenny Ridge Trail and resume hiking south to the summit of The Bulge, before climbing steeply to Mt Cabot, passing a summit sign at 10.8 miles. Beyond the summit, the trail passes a side path that leads to an unreliable and often hard-to-find spring (it's best not to count on this water source) before arriving at the former Mt Cabot Fire Wardens Cabin. The interior of this cabin has two rooms: a kitchen eating area with a table and a small bunk room with space for 4-6. While you can sleep in the cabin, most people just stop in to sit down and have a snack out of the weather or hang out on the porch. There's also a nearby privy. There's been a rain barrel situated outside in the cabin in the past, but I'd be very hesitant to drink water out of it, even filtered water. Continue along the Kilkenny Ridge Trail, descending by switchbacks, passing the unmaintained Mt Cabot Trail (which has been closed in a landowner dispute), to a junction with the Bunnell Notch Trail. Continue right, climbing Terrace Mtn, passing a short spur trail to its southernmost peak (3665'), before dropping down into Willard Notch and the York Pond Trail junction. There is a primitive campsite just before the junction on the right (see the White Mountain Guide, p. 573) near a small brook. Passing through the junction, continue heading south towards North, Middle, and South Weeks Mountains, passing through fern-carpeted forest and moss-covered trees. The forest here is unlike any other area in the White Mountains. There is an intermittent stream south of North Weeks, but that's the only potential source of water along this section of trail until the bottom of the Starr King trail.  Continue along the ridge to Mt Waumbek at 22.2 miles. While the summit is viewless, there is a small, east-facing opening just north of the summit, with a view of the Crescent Range near Randolph, NH. The Kilkenny Ridge Trail ends on Mt Waumbek in a typical New England fashion, far from a road or trailhead. Continue straight (south) along the Starr King Trail toward Jefferson, NH, reaching the summit of Starr King Mountain (3907') in 1 mile.  This peak is named after Thomas Starr King, author of [The White Hills: Their Legends, Landscape, and Poetry](https://books.google.com/books/about/The_White_Hills.html?id=9DUTAAAAYAAJ), an influential description of the natural history of the White Mountains published in 1859. While Mt Starr King has a view, it's probably best known for the stone chimney on its summit, the remains of an old cabin. From the summit, continue south, through the forest as the trail drops gradually and soon parallels a noisy mountain stream that empties into the Israel River. Near the bottom of the trail, you'll pass an old stone well, before arriving at the trailhead parking lot and the end of this journey. Updated July 2023. #### About the author --- # Backpacking a Carter Wildcat Traverse Source: https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-carter-wildcat-traverse/ ![Backpacking a Carter Wildcat Traverse](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2018/08/Backpacking-a-Carter-Wildcat-Traverse.jpg) A Carter Wildcat Traverse is a 2-3 day, 20 mile traverse of the entire Carter and Wildcat Mountain Ranges, including Mounts Moriah, North Carter, Middle Carter, South Carter, Hight, Carter Dome, and Wildcats A, B, C, D, and E. Hikers are treated to fantastic views of Mt Washington, The Great Gulf, Mt Jefferson, Adams, and Madison to the west, and the Baldface Range to the east, on this epic ridge walk. ![Carter Wildcat Traverse Full](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2023/06/Carter-Wildcat-Traverse-Full.jpeg) [**Download PDF Map**](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2021/09/Carter-Wildcat-traverse.pdf) ## Rating ## Distance/Elevation Gain 20 miles w/7500' of cumulative elevation gain ## White Mountain 4000 Footers - Mt Moriah - Middle Carter - South Carter - Carter Dome - Wildcat (also called Wildcat A) - Wildcat D ## Recommended Duration 2-3 days ## Season June thru October ## Permits Required None. ## Regulations [Backcountry Camping Regulations for the White Mountain National Forest](https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5363715.pdf). ## Trailhead Directions - [Carter Moriah Trailhead (very limited parking – see parking recommendation below)](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recarea/?recid=74429) - [AMC Pinkham Notch Trailhead and Visitors Center](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recarea/?recid=74505) This trip starts the Carter Moriah Trailhead which has very limited parking, in a Gorham, NH neighborhood. As a courtesy to the residents, I'd recommend parking on the gravel lot at the nearby Libby Memorial Pool (a spring-fed pond) on Mill Street, about a mile south of Gorham on Rt 16. Leave the parking lot on Mill Street and turn right onto a pedestrian bridge in 0.2 miles. Cross the bridge and take a right onto Bangor Street, which quickly leads to the Carter Moriah Trailhead on your left. The Pinkham Notch Visitor's center, at the end of this hike, is 10 miles south of the Libby Memorial Pool on Rt 16. You can drop a second car at Pinkham or hitch back to the Libby Memorial Pool. ## Maps ## Trail Sequence The route follows the following trails in sequence. - Carter Moriah Trail - 13.8 miles - Wildcat Ridge Trail - 4.9 miles - Lost Pond Trail 0.9 miles ## Scenic Highlights The following list provides cumulative distances on the route to each view or landmark. - Mt Moriah Summit - 4.5 miles - Imp Shelter Spur Trail - 6.6 miles - North Carter Summit - 8.5 miles - Middle Carter Summit - 9.1 miles - South Carter Summit - 10.4 miles - Zeta Pass - 11.2 miles - Mt Hight Summit - 11.8 miles - Carter Dome Summit - 12.6 miles - Carter Notch/19 Miles Brook Trail Junction - 13.8 miles - AMC Carter Notch Hut 13.9 miles - Wildcat A Summit -14.8 miles - Wildcat D Summit - 16.8 miles - Wildcat E Summit - 18.9 miles - Lost Pond - 19.8 miles ## Camping and Shelter Options - [Imp Lean-to and Tent Site ($)](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recarea/?recid=74481) - First Come, First Served. Caretaker on duty in summer - [AMC Carter Notch Hut ($$$)](https://www.outdoors.org/lodging-camping/huts/carter) - Reservations Recommended ## Water Natural water sources are plentiful in the White Mountains although you may need to descend to them from ridgelines along side trails if you run short. In any case, carry a detailed topographic map with you, and don’t rely on the overview map provided with this trip description to find water sources. ## On the Trail Begin on the Carter Moriah Trail which climbs 3250' feet over 4.5 miles to the summit of Mount Moriah. The trail is easy to follow, but this is a significant climb so take your time in ascending. The first reliable water is at the Imp Shelter, so be sure to pack enough to get there. At 2.0 miles you'll come to a rock ledge known as Mt Surprise which has a good view of Pine Mountain on the other side of Rt 16. From this point onward, the trail to Moriah switches from forest duff to rock ledge, gaining elevation steeply in places. Follow the signs to the Moriah Summit, a rocky knob with good 360 degree views. Return to the Carter Moriah Trail and turn right. In a few steps, you'll come to a rock chimney that you need to down-climb. The best way I've found to descend these is to go down backwards, like climbing down a ladder, grabbing hand and footholds as you climb down. At the base of this short chimney, turn right, continuing on the Carter Moriah Trail. From here on out, you'll be following the route of the Appalachian Trail south, marked with white blazes. The next 1.4 miles of trail run in and out of krummholz, the stunted and weather-mangled trees that inhabit the alpine zone. Be careful to follow the rock cairns along this section, particularly if visibility is bad in fog and mist. After a mile, you'll reach Mount Moriah's southern ledges. The trail because quite steep here and can be difficult to traverse without butt sliding if it is wet. From the ledges, you can look out across the Wild River Wilderness and into the Moriah Brook Gorge, a deep stream valley that boasts excellent waterfalls, cascades, and swimming holes. The Moriah Brook Trail is quite wild however and can be hard to follow, so you might want to hold off and explore it on a subsequent trip.[ See A Moriah Loop Trip Plan](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-moriah-loop/). Pass the Stony Brook Trail junction, walking over boardwalk to protect the fragile vegetation at your feet. Continue for 0.7 miles until you reach the spur trail for the Imp Shelter and Tent site on your right. There's a good stream along a short path behind the shelter as well as tent platforms where you can camp. The next sure water is Carter Notch, although a small trickle may be available in Zeta Pass. Pack extra water, particularly in summer. From the shelter, hike back to the Carter Moriah Trail, turning right towards the Carters: North, Middle, and South. The ascent up North is steep and often wet, but the Middle and South Peaks are comparatively easy to climb. The peaks are marked with cairns rather than signs since this area borders a designated Wilderness Area. While the trail passes over Middle Carter, there is a short summit spur trail to South Carter on the right. When you reach South Carter, you can just make out Carter Dome to the southeast. Continue along the Carter Moriah Trail for 0.2 miles, passing through an area of blown down trees, the casualty of winter storms. These have been cleared by trail crews, but there are still plenty of debris along the trail. Zeta Pass is a major trail junction and a good place to take a rest on the rustic log bench located there. There is a very small stream, really a trickle of water flowing from the moss besides the trail, but it is intermittent and may be dry in summer. If you do need water, you can hike down the Carter Dome Trail toward the 19 Mile Brook Trail for about a mile, losing about 1000 feet of elevation before coming to a stream. From Zeta Pass, continue along the Carter Moriah Trail to the summit of Mt Hight, which has the BEST views along the route, and some would argue the White Mountains as a whole. The summit is completely open and you can sit here for hours in fine weather gazing at the surrounding mountains to the beyond. Return to the Carter Moriah Trail, turning left, towards Carter Dome which is just 0.4 miles away. There isn't much of a view from the summit sign, despite the fact that it's the highest peak on the route at 4832'. The fun begins just past the summit on the steep and rocky descent into Carter Notch, dropping 1500' in 1.2 miles. When you get to the bottom, you'll arrive at the larger of the two Carter Notch Ponds. Turn left for 0.1 mile to reach the Carter Notch Hut, and right to follow the 19 Mile Brook Trail, which climbs for 0.2 miles to the Wildcat Ridge Trail. The AMC's Carter Notch Hut is an ideal place to spend the night during this traverse if you'd rather sleep indoors and have your meals catered to. While advance reservations are almost always needed to stay overnight, anyone is welcome walk-in during the day to refill their water or buy snacks. Camping is forbidden in the Forest Protection Area surrounding the hut, but you can usually find pre-existing campsites, off-trail a ways, on either side of the 19 Mile Brook Trail or the Wildcat River Trail. Turn left from the 19 Mile Brook Trail onto the Wildcat Ridge Trail. The first 0.7 miles of this trail gain 1100' of elevation as it climbs Wildcat Mountain, which is still shown on older maps as Wildcat A. The Wildcat Ridge Trail also follows the Appalachian Trail and is white blazed. Continuing south, the Wildcat Ridge Trail runs over the B, C, D, and E peaks before descending into Pinkham Notch. While there are dips between each of the subsequent peaks on the trail, they're easier and shorter than that first climb up Wildcat A. The hardest portion of this trail is the descent from the E peak to Pinkham Notch, which drops 2000 feet in 2.1 miles. Make sure to give yourself plenty of daylight to hike down this segment of trail. I'd also recommend avoiding it altogether in wet or rainy weather because it travels down steep, unprotected sections of open ledge. When you reach the top of Wildcat (A) Mountain, there's a fine view overlooking Carter Notch and the pond below, on your left. Continue to the B, C, and D summit, passing over bog bridges. When you reach Wildcat D, you'll pass a wooden viewing platform at the summit, which has a fine view of Mt Washington on the other side of Pinkham Notch. Continue past the platform down to the top of the Wildcat Mountain Ski Area and its gondola chair lift. Pass a small house (the ski area aid station), keeping it to your left and continue across a series of open rock ledges to the continuation of the Wildcat Ridge Trail as it enters forest. The trail begins a gradual descent, then drops steeply down a series of pitches and open ledge. While this section is an arduous descent, coming down it is far better than climbing up it. When you reach the bottom of Wildcat E, turn right onto the Lost Pond Trail at the signed trail junction. It runs beside Lost Pond and an upper section of the Ellis River for 0.8 miles, passing the Square Ledge Trail on your right. When you reach a wooden bridge, cross the Ellis River, and continue along the boardwalk to Rt 16 and the AMC's Pinkham Notch Visitor's Center. #### About the author iliate"] --- # Backpacking A Carter Moriah (Long Way) Loop Source: https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/carter-moriah-the-long-way-loop/ ![Cairn at Bald Knob below South Baldface](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2018/02/Cairn-at-Bald-Knob-below-South-Baldface-640x360.jpg) This 3-4 day, 41-mile scenic loop climbs the Baldfaces, Carter Dome, South Carter, Middle Carter, and Mount Moriah, before looping back to Evans Notch through the Wild River Wilderness. It begins in Evans Notch and passes through the Wild River Wilderness, climbing Carter Dome at the southern end of the Carter Moriah Trail. From there, it runs along the top of the Carter Moriah ridgeline, passing over South Carter, Middle Carter, and Mount Moriah, before looping back down the Moriah Brook Trail and the Black Angel Trail to Evans Notch from the north. The route includes approximately 6 miles of above-treeline travel across open terrain and is best hiked in dry and clear weather. It features several best-in-class views and swimming holes in a wilder, less-traveled portion of the White Mountains National Forest. ![Carter Baldface Long Way Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2023/06/Carter-Baldface-Long-Way-Loop.jpeg) [**Download PDF Map**](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2020/06/Carter-Moriah-Long-Way-Loop.pdf) ### Rating ### Distance/Elevation Gain 41.4 miles w/10,500' of cumulative elevation gain ### White Mountain 4000 Footers - Moriah - Middle Carter - South Carter - Carter Dome ### Recommended Duration 3-4 days ### Season June thru October ### Permits Required None. ### Regulations [Backcountry Camping Regulations for the White Mountain National Forest](https://sectionhiker.com/out/em1x9n6l), specifically no camping above treeline where trees are less than 8' in height (except on two feet of snow.) A substantial portion this route passes through the Wild River Wilderness Area. Please observe all [wilderness area restrictions. ](https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/whitemountain/specialplaces/?cid=stelprdb5186473) ### Trailhead Directions [The Baldface Trailhead Parking Lot is located on NH 113 in Chatham, NH at Lat/Lon (44.238373, -71.016777). ](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recreation/recarea?recid=74793&actid=50) ### Maps ### Trail Sequence The route follows the following trails in sequence - Baldface Circle Trail - 6.1 miles - Eagle Link - 2.7 miles - Wild River Trail - 3.0 miles - Rainbow Tr - 2.5 miles - Carter Moriah Trail - 7.9 miles (northeast to Mount Moriah) - Carter Moriah Trail - 1.4 miles (back to Moriah Brook Trail Junction) - Moriah Brook Trail - 5.2 miles - Highwater Trail - 2.6 miles - Black Angel Trail - 2.3 miles - Basin Rim Trail - 1.4 miles - Meader Ridge Trail - 2.0 miles - Baldface Circle Trail - 3.1 miles ### Scenic Highlights The following list provides cumulate distances on the route to each view or landmark. - 0.7 miles - Emerald Pool (short .1 mile spur trail) - 2.5 miles - Baldface Shelter - 3.7 miles - South Baldface Summit (3570') - 4.9 miles - North Baldface Summit (3610') - 11.0 miles - Perkins Notch Campsite - 13.3 miles - South Carter Dome Knob (4274') - 14.3 miles Carter Dome Summit (4832') - 15.1 miles - Mt Hight (4675') - 15.7 miles - Zeta Pass - 16.5 miles - South Carter Summit (4430') - 17.8 miles - Middle Carter Summit (4610') - 20.3 miles - Imp Shelter and Tent Platforms (3350") - 21.0 miles - Moriah Brook Trail Junction - 22.4 miles - Mount Moriah Summit (4049') - 23.8 miles - Moriah Brook Trail Junction - 31.6 miles Black Angel River Crossing - 33.9 miles Blue Brook Campsite - 34.4 miles Rim Junction - 37.9 miles Eagle Crag - 40.7 miles Emerald Pool - 41.4 miles Baldface Trailhead Parking ### Camping/Shelter Options - [USFS Baldface Shelter (Free)](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=74791&actid=34) - Lean-to, heavily used - USFS Perkins Notch Campsite (Free) - Tentsites, water from nearby pond - [AMC Carter Notch Hut ($$$)](https://www.outdoors.org/lodging-camping/huts/carter) - Advance reservations recommended - [AMC Imp Tentsite and Shelter ($)](https://www.outdoors.org/lodging-camping/campsites/campsites-profile) - Tent platforms and a primitive shelter, caretaker in summer, water from nearby stream, fills up fast on summer weekends, first come - first served - [USFS Wild River Campground ($)](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recarea/?recid=74549) - Advanced reservations recommended. Host on-site. Accessible by gravel road and a good place for car spot at the adjacent trailhead parking lot, parking fee required. - USFS Spruce Brook Campsite (Free) - Tent sites, water from the nearby river - USFS Blue Brook Campsite (Free) - Tent sites, water from a nearby stream - [USFS Basin Pond Campsite ($)](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recreation/recarea?recid=74795&actid=29) - Advanced reservations recommended. Accessible by gravel road and a good place for car spot at the adjacent trailhead parking lot. There is parking at Basin Pond. (I think). ### Water Natural water sources are plentiful in the White Mountains although you may need to descend to them from ridgelines along side trails if you run short. The only sustained dry stretch on this route is between the Perkins Notch Campsite and the Imp Campsite, a distance of 9 miles. Carry a detailed topographic map with you and don't rely on the overview map provided with this trip description to find water sources. ### On the Trail This trip starts at the bottom of Baldface Circle Trail and climbs South and North Baldface, two bald summits at the south end of Evans Notch. The trail is marked with signs and stone cairns, which should be followed with care above treeline. It's recommended that you postpone your hike if thunderstorms are forecast, as there is a very real danger of being struck by lightning on these peaks, which are devoid of vegetation. The trail runs past the Baldface Shelter at 2.5 miles, ascending over a series of open ledges, which are slippery when wet or icy. You can bypass the ledges by taking the Slippery Brook Trail and the Baldface Knob Trail, which join the Baldface Circle Trail below the South Baldface summit. The trail climbs across 3 miles of open ledge over South and North Baldface with incredible views of Evans Notch, before descending to the well-marked Eagle Link trail junction at 6.1 miles. Turn west (left) onto the Eagle Link Trail, passing the Wilderness Boundary. Please adhere to Wilderness Regulations. Portions of this trail can be quite wet and muddy. Continue for 2.7 miles through the forest to the Wild River Trail. This area was once clear-cut by logging but has recovered fully, one of the miracles of the White Mountains. Turn south (left) at the Wild River Trail, continuing past the East Branch Trail junction at 1.5 miles. Continue for an additional 0.7 miles until you come to the Perkins Notch Tent site at No Ketchum Pond, the source of the Wild River. This is a good place to call it a day and relax for the evening. Continue west on the Wild River Trail for 0.8 miles and turn onto the Rainbow Trail which climbs to Carter Dome. After 1.5 miles you'll come to the open summit of a sub-peak that has a great view of Mt Washington. Continue on the Rainbow Trail to the summit of Carter Dome. Turn north (right) on the Carter Moriah Trail and follow it to Mt Hight, which is one of the best viewpoints in the White Mountains. Mt Hight is a good place to stop for a snack and enjoy a rest break. Continue north on the Carter Moriah Trail which descends to Zeta Pass and reaches a trail junction with the Carter Dome Trail. Be sure to continue north on the Carter Moriah Trail headed toward South Carter Mountain, which is 0.8 miles away. After South Carter, continue north for another 1.3 miles to Middle Carter Mountain. Continue north for approximately 3 miles, passing the North Carter Trail on your left, until you reach the Imp Campsite Spur Trail, which has a good water source, tent platforms, and a shelter. This is a good place to stop and claim a tent platform for camping. Time permitting, you can drop most of your gear and go watch the sunset from Mount Moriah before returning to the campsite. Mount Moriah is approximately 2 miles north of the Imp Campsite Spur Trail. From the campsite, turn north (left) onto the Carter Moriah Trail, passing the Moriah Brook Trail junction on your right, before continuing to the summit. After you've climbed Moriah, backtrack south to the Moriah Brook Junction, turning east (left) onto the Moriah Brook Trail. Follow the Moriah Brook Trail 5.2 miles east to the Highwater Trail Junction. The top of this trail can be muddy and hard to follow in places, particularly in June before the trail crews can get to it and clear out any winter debris. The trail runs adjacent to the stream that runs down the middle of this narrow valley, past numerous pools and cascades. This is considered one of the prettiest trails in the Whites and is a fine place for a swim. Turn south (right) when you reach the Highwater Trail. Follow it for 2.6 miles as it runs along the Wild River until you reach the Black Angel Trail where you'll ford the river. Your feet are probably going to get wet in the process. Once across, look for the Black Angel Trail which climbs uphill. The signage on the far side of this crossing can be confusing, so make sure that you're headed east (toward Blue Brook) and climbing uphill. Follow the Black Angel Trail for 2.3 miles, passing the Blue Brook campsite on your left, before reaching Rim Junction. Find the sign for the Basin Rim Trail and head south (right) for 1.4 miles passing the minor summit of Ragged Jacket. Continue south (bearing right) where the trail ends and the Meader Ridge Trail begins. Follow it for 2 miles passing Eagle Crag, just before reaching the Bicknell Trail junction. This is a gorgeous stretch of open ridgeline walking, the perfect coda to a wonderful walk. Turn left and head down the Bicknell Ridge Trail which descents from the ridge back to the floor of Evans Notch. The top of the trail has good views of South and North Baldface before dropping down below treeline. In 2.3 miles, you'll come to a short 0.1-mile trail leading to Emerald Pool, a popular swimming hole. From here it's just 0.7 miles back to the trailhead parking lot and the end of the route. #### About the author --- # Backpacking a Bonds Traverse Source: https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-bonds-traverse/ ![Backpacking a Bonds Traverse](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2018/06/Backpacking-a-Bonds-Traverse.jpg) A Bonds Traverse is a 2 day, 20 mile traverse of Zealand Mountain, West Bond, Mt Bond, and Bondcliff Mountain. Bondcliff is one of the most picturesque mountains on the 4000 footers list and many hikers like to pose for photos on its western cliff. While it is possible to day hike this route on a very long day, it's much nicer to take your time, stargaze from Mt Bond, and watch the sunset or sunrise over Bondcliff. ![Bonds Traverse](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2023/06/Bonds-Traverse.jpeg) [**Download PDF Map**](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2018/06/Bonds-Traverse-PDF.pdf) ## Rating ## Distance/Elevation Gain 20 miles w/3700' of cumulative elevation gain ## White Mountain 4000 Footers - Zealand - West Bond - Mt Bond - Bondcliff ## Recommended Duration 2 days ## Season June thru October ## Permits Required None. ## Regulations [Backcountry Camping Regulations for the White Mountain National Forest](https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5363715.pdf). This route passes through the Pemigewasset Wilderness Area. Please observe all [wilderness area restrictions. ](https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/whitemountain/specialplaces/?cid=stelprdb5186453) ## Trailhead Directions - [Zealand Trailhead](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recarea/?recid=74783) - [Lincoln Woods](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recarea/?recid=74669) ## Maps ## Trail Sequence The route follows the following trails in sequence. - Zealand Trail - 2.3 miles - Ethan Pond Trail - 0.2 miles - Twinway - 3.1 miles - Zealand Mountain Spur Trail 0.2 miles (out and back) - Twinway - 1.3 miles - Bondcliff Trail - 0.8 miles - West Bond Spur - 1.0 miles (out and back) - Bondcliff Trail - 7.9 miles - Lincoln Woods Trail - 2.9 miles 20 miles with 3700' elevation gain. ## Scenic Highlights The following list provides cumulative distances on the route to each view or landmark. - Zealand Hut/Zealand Falls - 2.7 miles - Zeacliff Viewpoint - 4.2 miles - Zealand Summit - 5.8 miles - Mt Guyot Summit - 7.1 miles - West Bond Summit - 8.4 miles - Mt Bond Summit - 9.4 miles - Bondcliff Summit - 10.5 miles - Franconia Falls - 16.9 miles ## Camping and Shelter Options - [AMC Zealand Falls Hut ($$$)](https://www.outdoors.org/lodging-camping/huts/zealand) - [Guyot Shelter and Tentsite (Platforms) ($)](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recarea/?recid=74645) ## Water Natural water sources are plentiful in the White Mountains although you may need to descend to them from ridgelines along side trails if you run short. In any case, carry a detailed topographic map with you and don’t rely on the overview map provided with this trip description to find water sources. ## On the Trail This route starts at the Zealand Trailhead at the end of Zealand Road. Follow the Zealand Trail towards the AMC's Zealand Hut passing through forest and across a few easy stream crossings. While hidden by trees, the Zealand River runs besides the trail with numerous pools and cascades where you can swim or wade in hot weather. You soon enter a wetland area, where the trail crosses numerous beaver ponds over wooden walkways and bridges. The foliage here is breathtaking in Autumn, when the valley and surrounding hills explode in seasonal color. After passing a trail junction with the A-Z Trail, the Zealand Trail ends. Continue along the Ethan Pond Trail for 0.2 miles toward the AMC's Zealand Hut. Turn right when you reach the Twinway Trail junction and continue 0.2 miles to the hut. Before you reach it, there is a short spur trail on your left to Zealand Falls which is pretty, especially after rainfall. Drop your pack on the porch and go inside the hut to check it out. While reservations are required for overnight guests, anyone can pop into an AMC hut during the day and buy snacks, top off water bottles or use the facilities. All of the huts post daily forecasts and have weather instruments that you can check, along with maps, and guidebooks. From the hut, continue along the Twinway, climbing steeply for 1.2 miles to Zeacliff, a cliff-side viewpoint down a short side trail (signed) overlooking Zealand Notch that has a great view of Mt Carrigain in the distance. Continue along the Twinway toward Zealand Mountain, passing another trail to your left to Zeacliff Pond, a small alpine pond, which also has a good view of Carrigain. In 1.0 miles, you'll come to another spur trail on your right which leads to the viewless Zealand Mountain summit and its hand-carved summit sign. Retrace your steps and turn right when you reach the Twinway,  heading toward Mt Guyot. Guyot (pronounced Gee-oh with a hard 'G') is a bald dome covered with low lying shrubs, called [krummholz](https://sectionhiker.com/what-is-krumholz/), a German word used to describe the stunted trees that grow on exposed mountain tops above treeline. The Twinway continues over Guyot and leads to the Bondcliff Trail junction. Turn left onto the Bondcliff Trail and follow it 0.8 miles to the Guyot Shelter and Tentsite Spur. I'd recommend that you stay here overnight because it the only spot with a reliable water source for some distance. The West Bond Spur Trail leaves the  Bondcliff Trail just 0.2 miles past the side trail to the Guyot Shelter and Tentsite. The open summit is a short hike through stunted trees. This is probably the best viewpoint in the White Mountains to admire Bondcliff's graceful ridge and a wonderful spot to enjoy the sunset or sunrise. Just be sure to bring a headlamp. Backtrack to the Bondcliff Trail and turn right to summit Mt Bond in just 0.5 miles. Mt Bond also has great views.  It is high enough at 4698' that you can see the Presidential Range to the northeast and Franconia Ridge to the West. While West Bond and Mt Bond have been easy to climb so far, the same can't be said about Bondcliff Mountain. Leaving Mt Bond, the Bondcliff Trail descends steeply down a boulder choked trail that's slow going until you reach the first open ledges on about 1 mile away. This is also a very hot section of trail in summer when the sun beating down on the rocks. Be sure to carry plenty of water and to stay hydrated. Also use caution when hiking along the cliff in fog or high winds. The steep valley below the cliffs is called Hellgate. Midway down the cliff, there's a prow-like ledge that juts out from the cliff and is the perfect place to stand for a portrait with West Bond and Mt Bond in the background. Countless hikers have had their photos taken here and it's a right-of-passage for many 4000 footer peakbaggers When you're ready to leave Bondcliff, proceed down the ridge towards treeline, scrambling down a 15 foot rock ledge called "Hillary's Step." I've found the best way to climb down this is backwards, so you can maintain a firm grip on the handholds. From here, the trail drops steadily back down to the Pemigewasset River passing through forest with a few easy stream crossings. These may be dry in summer, so don't count on finding water at them. Significant portions of this trail have been heavily eroded from recent storms, so take your time in descending. Take a hard right turn at the base of the descent, continuing along the Bondcliff Trail, following an old railroad right of way. Many of the railroad ties are still in evidence to this day. After crossing a bridge over Franconia Brook, there's a short spur trail to your right which leads to Franconia Falls, one of the most scenic waterfalls and swimming holes in the Whites. There are a series off cascades, slides, and pools here that you can frolic in or just soak your feet in the river to cool them off. If you decide to bypass the spur trail, continue along the Lincoln Woods Trail along the Pemigewasset River, which also provide numerous swimming opportunities. Cross a suspension bridge over the river in 2.9 miles, which leads to the Lincoln Woods Trailhead and the end of this route. #### About the author --- # A Carter Dome Wild River Loop Trip Plan Source: https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-carter-dome-wild-river-loop/ ![Backpacking a Carter Dome Wild River Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2018/10/Backpacking-a-Carter-Dome-Wild-River-Loop-1.jpg) Carter Dome is the ninth tallest White Mountain 4000 footer with an elevation of 4832 feet. It's located almost due east of Mount Washington and has the distinction of being the highest mountain in the Carter Moriah Range. Most of the peakbaggers who climb Carter Dome approach it from the west and climb to the summit via Zeta Pass. This 2 day, 21-mile loop takes a less-traveled approach and climbs Carter Dome from the east, before descending to the Wild River Wilderness and returning through Perkins Notch. One of the highlights of this route is the open summit of the South Knob of Carter Dome, which at 4274 ft, is a 4000 footer in its own right, even though it's not listed on the official AMC 4000 footer list. It has an excellent view of Mt Washington, which makes up for the viewless Carter Dome summit. From Carter Dome, the route drops back into the Wild River Wilderness down the Black Angel Trail, one of the prettiest and most remote trails in the Whites. This loop is especially beautiful to hike in early October when the leaves begin to change color. ![](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2023/06/Carter-Dome-Wild-River.jpeg) [**Download PDF Map**](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2018/10/Carter-Dome-Wild-River-Loop.pdf) ## Rating ## Distance/Elevation Gain 21 miles with 4400' of elevation gain ## White Mountain 4000 Footers - Carter Dome ## Recommended Duration 2-3 days ## Season June thru October ## Permits Required None. ## Regulations [Backcountry Camping Regulations for the White Mountain National Forest](https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5363715.pdf). ## Trailhead Directions - Bog Brook Trailhead - Follow Carter Notch Road 5.4 miles from the junction of NH16B and NH16A in Jackson, NH. This turns into a gravel road at it approaches the end of the road. Pass by a large parking lot on your left at the top end of Carter Notch Rd, and continue down a short hill onto FR 233 for about half a mile, passing a back woods shack (we call them camps) labelled "Camp Gout." The Bog Brook Trailhead parking area will be on your right shortly. ## Map ## Trail Sequence The route follows the following trails in sequence. - Bog Brook Trail - 2.8 miles - Wild River Trail - 0.7 miles - Rainbow Trail - 3.5 miles - Carter Moriah Trail - 0.4 miles - Black Angel Trail - 4.9 miles - Wild River Trail - 5.8 miles - Bog Brook Trail 2.8 miles ## Scenic Highlights The following list provides cumulative distances on the route to each view or landmark. - Rainbow Trail Birch Tree Grove - 3.5 miles - South Knob of Carter Dome Summit and Viewpoint - 6.0 miles - Carter Dome Summit - 7.0 miles - Wild River Trail Junction - 12.3 miles - Spruce Brook Tentsite - 13.1 miles - No Ketchum Pond - 16.5 miles - Perkins Notch Tentsite - 17 miles ## Camping and Shelter Options - USFS Spruce Brook Campsite (Free) - pressed earth tent pads, water - USFS Perkins Notch Campsite (Free) - pressed earth tent pads, water ## Water Natural water sources are plentiful in the White Mountains although you may need to descend to them from ridgelines on side trails if you run short. In any case, carry a detailed topographic map with you, and don’t rely on the overview map provided with this trip description to find water sources. Note: There is no water from the north end of the Bog Brook Trail until about halfway down the Black Angel Trail along this route and you may want to carry a bit extra. ## On the Trail Begin at the Bog Brook Trail trailhead. There are three water crossings in the first two miles that are usually rock hopable but may be difficult to cross in high water. You can also bypass them by following the gated FR 233 road to the intersection of the Bog Brook trail with the road. While slightly longer, your feet will stay dry. I'd recommend staying on the trail though, since it is quite pretty and the road walk is boring. Merge onto the Wild River Trail for a short distance until you come to the Rainbow Trail Junction. Turn left onto the Rainbow Trail and follow it through a grove of birch trees and berry bushes (in the summer months) which are popular with moose and bear. Most of the birch trees are dead due to climate change and disease but are quite a sight nonetheless. If you're concerned about a large animal encounter, make a lot of noise and hike with a partner or small group. The animals are afraid of you and will leave the area if you alert them to your presence. Continue ascending through scrappy woods until you reach the open summit of the South Knob of Carter Dome, also referred to as South Carter Dome. On a sunny day, you can clearly see Mt Washington and its glacial cirques, Tuckerman Ravine and Huntington Ravine, to the west. Proceed through the summit krummholz (dwarf trees) for an additional mile to the open summit of Carter Dome. The site of an old fire tower, you can still see the tower foundations and find assorted historical debris from when it was taken down, in the nearby woods. One man's trash is another man's treasure: these items are considered archeological artifacts and it is against the law to disturb or remove them. From the summit trail junction, hike north along the Carter Moriah Trail towards Mt Hight. Turn right onto the Black Angel Trail after 0.4 miles before you reach Hight and descend for 4.9 miles down to the Wild River Trail. The Black Angel Trail is considered to be one of the most beautiful trails in a region full of beautiful trails. Most of it is easy hiking, but there are a few rock scrambles along the top of the trail which can be sketchy if the rocks are wet or covered with ice. The trail crosses into the Wild River Wilderness shortly after leaving the Carter Moriah Trail and while it is lightly blazed, the trail can be more difficult to follow in autumn when leaves cover the obvious trail tread. When you reach the Wild River Trail, the path follows closely beside the upper reaches of the river to its source in No Ketchum Pond. They say that the wild trout fishing along this section of the river is out of this world. It also takes a heck of a walk to get to, which probably keeps the fishery so vibrant and wild. In 0.8 miles, you'll reach the Spruce Brook Tentsite spur trail which climbs steeply uphill to several packed earth tent pads. The fire ring is located near the entrance sign along the Wild River Trail, down where the old lean-to used to be before it was removed. The pads are spaced widely apart and there's plenty of privacy. If you plan to hike the route in two days, this is an excellent place to stop for the night. Continue south along the Wild River Trail, crossing a stream just beyond the Spruce Brook Tentsite. It is rock hopable, although you may want to hike upstream a bit to find an easier crossing point. Continue past the Eagle Link Trail Junction, following old logging skid roads and over newly constructed bog bridges. Passing the East Branch Trail Junction, just before another stream crossing. No Ketchum Pond will soon come into view on your right, followed by the Perkins Notch Tentsite on your left. Continuing east along the Wild River trail, you'll soon arrive at the Rainbow Trail junction you passed previously before climbing up to Carter Dome. Retrace your steps from the previous day along the Wild River and Bog Brook Trails back to the trailhead parking lot. #### About the author --- # Backpacking the White Mountain 4000 Footers Guidebook Source: https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/ ![Backpacking the White Mountain 4000 Footers - A Free Guidebook ](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2020/06/Backpacking-the-White-Mountain-4000-Footers-A-Free-Guidebook-640.jpg) Welcome to Backpacking the White Mountain 4000 Footers. This is a freely published list of detailed trip plans including maps, campsites, detailed itineraries, and advice for hiking the 48 mountains on the Appalachian Mountain Club's 4000 footer list. In addition to climbing the 4000 footers, it provides hikers with a rich sampling of the marvelous scenery and solitude that the White Mountain National Forest has to offer. Many of the hikes listed below are loops for convenience, although there are also several traverses that require car spots. While several book publishers have contacted me to publish this set of trip plans as a guidebook, I've decided to let people access it for free because I love hiking in the White Mountains and want to help preserve it for others to enjoy. The best way to accomplish this, in my experience, is to help people plan backpacking trips that help them prepare them for the rigors of hiking in the Whites and educate them about the backcountry camping regulations that the Forest Service has put in place help preserve the forest. I've worked as a professional backpacking guide in the White Mountains, a volunteer trail maintainer, and have completed many of the big peakbagging and trail lists here including 12 rounds of the 4000 footers (one round in each calendar month of the year) and hiking all 650 trails (1460 miles) twice in the White Mountain Guide. Take it from me, you'll love hiking and backpacking in the Whites. Most people do. ## Trip Plans - [**Presidential Traverse**](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/a-presidential-traverse/): A Presidential Traverse is one of the most famous and strenuous hikes in the White Mountains. This 2-3 day route is 21.4 miles in length with a cumulative elevation gain of 9,000 feet. It climbs eight 4000-footers including Mt Madison, Adams, Jefferson, Washington, Monroe, Eisenhower, Pierce, and Jackson, with 14 miles of above-treeline hiking. - [**Pemigewasset Loop**](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-pemi-loop/): A Pemi Loop, as it's known locally, is a 33-mile loop hike that follows the ridgeline encircling the Pemigewasset Wilderness. This 2-3 day route climbs TEN 4000 footers with 9000 feet of elevation gain and has long stretches of above-treeline travel, including a Bonds Traverse and a Franconia Ridge Traverse, two of the most scenic walks in the White Mountains. You can also bring the total number of 4000 footers climbed to TWELVE, by adding in a few short side trips to nearby summits. - [**The Carter Moriah (Long Way) Loop**](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/carter-moriah-the-long-way-loop/): A 3-4 day, 41-mile scenic loop that climbs the Baldfaces, Carter Dome, South Carter, Middle Carter, and Mount Moriah, before looping back to Evans Notch through the Wild River Wilderness. This route includes 6 miles of exposed above-treeline travel with many marvelous views and swimming holes. - [**Southern Presidential Loop**](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/southern-presidential-range-loop/): A 2-3 day, 22-mile scenic loop that travels up the Dry River Valley and climbs the Oakes Gulf headwall to a set of alpine lakes at the foot of Mt Washington. From here, hikers climb Mt Monroe, Mt Eisenhower, Mt Pierce, and Mt Jackson in sequence, before descending the Webster Cliff Trail back to Crawford Notch. This route has close to 10 miles of above-treeline hiking and unparalleled views of Mt Washington, the Dry River Wilderness, and Crawford Notch. - [**Thirteen Falls Loop**](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/a-thirteen-falls-loop/): A 2-3 day, 31-mile scenic loop that journeys into the most remote part of the Pemigewasset Wilderness below Franconia Ridge, climbing 3 four thousand footers: Mt Garfield, Owls Head Mountain, and Mt Galehead. The route runs along the major watercourses of "The Pemi" past cascades, pools, and gorgeous swimming holes, providing plenty of opportunities to kick off your shoes and soak your feet in the clear mountain streams or jump in. - [**Kilkenny Ridge Traverse**](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-kilkenny-ridge-traverse/): A moderate 2-3 day, 27-mile scenic traverse of some of the wildest and remote scenery in the White Mountains. It's a particularly attractive route for backpackers interested in avoiding the crowds of day hikers who frequent the southern and central Whites, in a wilder section of the National Forest that's a good place to see wildlife, particularly moose. Hikers climb two White Mountain 4000-footers, Mt Cabot and Mt Waumbek, in addition to several smaller peaks called The Bulge, The Horn, and Mt Starr King. - [**Willey Range Loop**](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-willey-range-loop/): a moderate 2-3 day, 22-mile loop that climbs four 4000-footers: Mts Tom, Field, and Willey in the Willey Range, before looping past the magnificent Thoreau Falls, Zealand Falls and climbing Mt Hale on the opposite side of the Zealand Valley. The route follows several quite scenic, but seldom used trails that provide an intimate glimpse of the Lincoln Woods Scenic Area. This is an exceptionally pretty route in autumn when the trees in Crawford Notch and the Pemigewasset Wilderness are ablaze in color. - [**Mt Isolation Loop**](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-mt-isolation-loop/): Mt Isolation is a remote 4000 footer located south of Mt Washington with impressive views of the Southern Presidentials and the “rock pile”, as Washington is often referred to locally. This 2-3 day route follows trails seldom hiked by day hikers and is ideal for backpackers who want to experience the wilder side of the White Mountain National Forest. It visits several open summits and viewpoints, including Mt Crawford, Mt Resolution, Mt Davis, the Giant Stairs, which have equally impressive views. - [**A Mad River Notch Loop**](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-mad-river-notch-loop/): The White Mountain landscape is defined by its mountain passes (called Notches), perhaps even more than its peaks. Crawford Notch, Pinkham Notch, and Franconia Notch are just a few of the great valleys that channel visitors from one region of the White Mountain National Forest to the next. This 2-day route runs through Mad River Notch, a lightly traveled mountain pass that links Mt Tecumseh with East Osceola and Mt Osceola and runs past interesting geologic formations, an old logging camp, and two pristine mountain ponds. - [**The Desolation Loop:**](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-the-desolation-loop/) The Desolation Loop is a moderately strenuous 41-mile backpack through the eastern half of the White Mountain’s Pemigewasset Wilderness, bounded by the Bonds, Ethan Ridge, Carrigan Notch, and Hancock Notch. There are three 4000 footers on this route (North and South Hancock and Carrigan), but they’re easy to bypass if you want a more relaxing hike with less elevation gain. The entire route can be backpacked in 2-4 days, depending on your fitness level and available time. - [**The Cannonball Loop**](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-the-cannonball-loop/): This is an epic 2 day, 15-mile loop hike that climbs THREE 4000 footers, visits three lakes, and provides outstanding views of Cannon Cliff and Franconia Notch. Don't let the short distance of this loop hike fool you. It traverses gnarly mountain terrain with steep climbs and rocky scrambles. But it's a fun route with lots of opportunities for swimming in alpine lakes, a visit to a high mountain hut, and even some excellent fly fishing. - [**The Howker Ridge Loop**](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-the-howker-ridge-loop/) is a 2 day, 18-mile loop that climbs all of the peaks in the Northern Presidential Range: Mounts Madison, Adams, and Jefferson. The route passes several unusual geological features including small peaklets known locally as Howks, an alpine tarn called Star Lake, and towering rock spires called castles. After climbing Madison and Adams, we recommend spending the night at one of the Randolph Mountains Club's huts or campsite, close to treeline. The next day begins with a short climb to Edmands Col before summiting Mt Jefferson and then a looping descent past numerous waterfalls to the valley below. - [**The Kate Sleeper Loop**](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-the-kate-sleeper-loop/) is a 2 day, 20-mile backpacking route that climbs four 4000 footers: North and Middle Tripyramid, Whiteface, and Passaonaway. The Tripyramids and Whiteface/Passaconaway are usually climbed on separate days by day hikers, but they're linked together by the Kate Sleeper Trail, and make a nice backpacking route that only requires one substantial ascent in order to bag all four peaks. - [**The Moriah Loop**](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-moriah-loop/) is a 2-3 day, 24-mile backpacking route that climbs Mount Moriah and its graceful sister peak, Shelburne Moriah, before dropping down to the Wild River. From there, the route loops back through the heart of the Wild River Wilderness on the Moriah Brook Trail, passing countless cascades and pools that make for great backcountry swimming. Seldom visited by day hikers, this wilderness area is remote and lightly blazed, requiring good map-reading skills and navigation experience. - **[The Fire Warden's Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-the-fire-wardens-loop/)** is a 2-3 day, 18-mile backpacking route that climbs four 4000 footers: Hale, Zealand, South Twin, and North Twin. All four of these peaks surround the Little River Valley but aren't normally climbed together as a group by day hikers because there isn't an obvious loop to follow. While there's a trail from the North Twin Trailhead to North Twin Mountain, there's not a well-known trail linking Hale to the valley floor. However, there used to be a fire tower on Hale (removed in 1972) and a road leading to it that was named the Mt Hale Trail. It’s known today as the Fire Warden’s Trail and is still used by winter hikers and backcountry skiers to climb Hale when the roads to trails on the other side of the mountain are closed in winter. That old trail has been kept open (although it’s not listed in the White Mountain Guide or Appalachian Mountain Club Maps) and makes it possible to climb all four peaks in a continuous loop. - [**A Bonds Traverse**](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-bonds-traverse/) is a 2 day, 20-mile traverse of Zealand Mountain, West Bond, Mt Bond, and Bondcliff Mountain. Bondcliff is one of the most picturesque mountains on the 4000 footers list and many hikers like to pose for photos on the western cliffs. While it is possible to day hike this route on a very long day, it's much nicer to take your time, stargaze from Mt Bond, and watch the sunset or sunrise over Bondcliff. - [**A Twins/Bonds Traverse**](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-twins-bonds-traverse/) is a 2-3 day, 20-mile traverse of North Twin, South Twin, West Bond, Mt Bond, and Bondcliff Mountains. This route is an alternative to the [classic Bonds Traverse](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-bonds-traverse/) which approaches the Bondcliff Trail from the east over Mt Zealand. While the Twins/Bonds Traverse is a more strenuous and challenging route, it's also considerably more scenic with far-reaching views of the Presidential Range and the Pemigewasset from the open summits of North and South Twin. - [**A Carter Wildcat Traverse**](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-carter-wildcat-traverse/) is a 2-3 day, 23-mile traverse of the entire Carter and Wildcat Mountain Ranges, including Mounts Moriah, North Carter, Middle Carter, South Carter, Hight, Carter Dome, and Wildcats A, B, C, D, and E. Hikers are treated to fantastic views of Mt Washington, The Great Gulf, Mt Jefferson, Adams, and Madison to the west and the Baldface Range to the east, on this epic ridge walk. - [**Mt Carrigain and Mt Nancy**:](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/mt-carrigain-and-mt-nancy/) This 2-day, 16-mile trip has it all: great views, an epic ridge walk, a fire tower, two alpine lakes, moose habitat, waterfalls, and cascades. Mt Carrigain is at the geographic center of the White Mountains and on a clear day you can see over 30 of the other 4000 footers from its summit fire tower. From Carrigain, you'll journey deep into the heart of Pemigewasset Wilderness before visiting two high elevation ponds at the foot of Mt Nancy. The site of the Nancy Brook Research Natural Area, the area surrounding the ponds is prime moose habitat and one of the largest tracts of virgin forest in New England. From there you have the option to climb Mt Nancy (3926'), a New England Hundred Highest Peak which has a fantastic view of Mt Washington and the Dry River Valley, before passing Nancy Cascades, a 300 waterfall which drops into a shallow pool where you can soak your feet on a hot day. - [**A Carter Dome Wild River Loop**:](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-carter-dome-wild-river-loop/) This 2-day, 21-mile loop climbs Carter Dome from the west, before descending to the Wild River Wilderness and returning through Perkins Notch. One of the highlights of this route is the open summit of the South Knob of Carter Dome, which at 4274 ft, is a 4000 footer in its own right, even though it’s not listed on the official AMC 4000 footer list. - [**A Tunnel Brook Loop**](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-tunnel-brook-loop/): This 2-day, 19-mile loop hike climbs one of Moosilauke’s many sub-peaks, Hurricane Mountain (3015'), before heading up the Tunnel Brook Trail where there are excellent dispersed camping opportunities. Tunnel Brook is a lush, steep-walled valley on the west side of Mount Moosilauke (4802'). Seldom visited by day hikers, it’s a quiet and secluded place to observe wildlife and witness the avalanche and flash flood damage that Moosilauke and neighboring Mount Clough (pronounced Cluff) experience during major rainstorms and hurricanes.  It then climbs to a protected point just below the Moosilauke summit on the pretty Benton Trail before climbing to the summit sign. From the summit, the route visits Moosilauke’s popular South Peak (4523'), before returning to Dartmouth’s Ravine Lodge at the beginning of the loop. - [**An Oakes Gulf Loop**](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-an-oakes-gulf-loop/): This 2-3 day, 21-mile loop traces the perimeter of Oakes Gulf, climbing a 5492' sub-peak of Mt Washington called Boott Spur, Mt Monroe, Mt Eisenhower, and Mt Isolation, before looping back to Pinkham Notch through another cirque called the Gulf of Slides. With nearly 7 miles of above-treeline hiking, this route is best hiked in good weather conditions to fully appreciate the grandeur of the surroundings. - [**Rocky Branch Ramble**](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-the-rocky-branch-ramble/): This 1-2 night, 14.6 mile route travels to Mt Isolation, one of the most remote 4000 footers, located south of Mt Washington in the Presidential Range-Dry River Wilderness. Moderate in both length and difficulty, this is a good trip to cut your teeth on backpacking in the White Mountains with free pre-established US Forest Service campsites, easy access to water, and numerous opportunities to swim in the Rocky Branch River. ## Mountain/Trip Index - **Washington** [A Presidential Traverse](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/a-presidential-traverse/) - **Adams** [A Presidential Traverse](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/a-presidential-traverse/) - [A Howker Ridge Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-the-howker-ridge-loop/) - **Jefferson** [A Presidential Traverse](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/a-presidential-traverse/) - [A Howker Ridge Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-the-howker-ridge-loop/) - **Monroe** [A Presidential Traverse](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/a-presidential-traverse/) - [Southern Presidential Range Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/southern-presidential-range-loop/) - [An Oakes Gulf Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-an-oakes-gulf-loop/) - **Madison** [A Presidential Traverse](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/a-presidential-traverse/) - [A Howker Ridge Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-the-howker-ridge-loop/) - **Lafayette** [A Pemigewasset Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-pemi-loop/) - **Lincoln** [A Pemigewasset Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-pemi-loop/) - **South Twin** [A Pemigewasset Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-pemi-loop/) - [The Firewarden's Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-the-fire-wardens-loop/) - [A Twins/Bonds Traverse](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-twins-bonds-traverse/) - **Carter Dome** [The Carter Moriah (Long Way) Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/carter-moriah-the-long-way-loop/) - [A Carter Wildcat Traverse](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-carter-wildcat-traverse/) - [A Carter Dome wild River Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-carter-dome-wild-river-loop/) - **Moosilauke** [A Tunnel Brook Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-tunnel-brook-loop/) - **Eisenhower** [A Presidential Traverse](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/a-presidential-traverse/) - [Southern Presidential Range Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/southern-presidential-range-loop/) - [An Oakes Gulf Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-an-oakes-gulf-loop/) - **North Twinn** [A Pemigewasset Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-pemi-loop/) - [The Firewarden's Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-the-fire-wardens-loop/) - [A Twins/Bonds Traverse](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-twins-bonds-traverse/) - **Carrigan** [The Desolation Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-the-desolation-loop/) - [Mt Carrigan and Mt Nancy](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/mt-carrigain-and-mt-nancy/) - **Bond** [A Pemigewasset Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-pemi-loop/) - [The Firewarden's Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-the-fire-wardens-loop/) - [A Bonds Traverse](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-bonds-traverse/) - [A Twins/Bonds Traverse](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-twins-bonds-traverse/) - **Middle Carter** [The Carter Moriah (Long Way) Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/carter-moriah-the-long-way-loop/) - [A Carter Wildcat Traverse](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-carter-wildcat-traverse/) - **West Bond** [A Pemigewasset Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-pemi-loop/) - [The Firewarden's Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-the-fire-wardens-loop/) - [A Bonds Traverse](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-bonds-traverse/) - [A Twins/Bonds Traverse](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-twins-bonds-traverse/) - **Garfield** [A Pemigewasset Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-pemi-loop/) - [A Thirteen Falls Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/a-thirteen-falls-loop/) - **Liberty** [A Pemigewasset Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-pemi-loop/) - **South Carter** [The Carter Moriah (Long Way) Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/carter-moriah-the-long-way-loop/) - [A Carter Wildcat Traverse](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-carter-wildcat-traverse/) - **Wildcat** [A Carter Wildcat Traverse](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-carter-wildcat-traverse/) - **North Hancock** [The Desolation Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-the-desolation-loop/) - **South Kinsman** [The Cannonball Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-the-cannonball-loop/) - **Field** [A Willey Range Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-willey-range-loop/) - **Osceola** [Mad River Notch Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-mad-river-notch-loop/) - **Flume** [A Pemigewasset Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-pemi-loop/) - **South Hancock** [The Desolation Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-the-desolation-loop/) - **Pierce** [A Presidential Traverse](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/a-presidential-traverse/) - [Southern Presidential Range Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/southern-presidential-range-loop/) - **North Kinsman** [The Cannonball Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-the-cannonball-loop/) - **Willey** [A Willey Range Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-willey-range-loop/) - **Bondcliff** [A Pemigewasset Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-pemi-loop/) - [The Fire Warden's Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-the-fire-wardens-loop/) - [A Bonds Traverse](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-bonds-traverse/) - [A Twins/Bonds Traverse](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-twins-bonds-traverse/) - **Zealand** [A Pemigewasset Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-pemi-loop/) - [The Fire Warden's Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-the-fire-wardens-loop/) - [A Bonds Traverse](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-bonds-traverse/) - **North Tripyramid** [The Kate Sleeper Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-the-kate-sleeper-loop/) - **Cabot** [Kilkenny Ridge Traverse](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-kilkenny-ridge-traverse/) - **East Osceola** [Mad River Notch Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-mad-river-notch-loop/) - **Middle Tripyramid** [The Kate Sleeper Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-the-kate-sleeper-loop/) - **Cannon** [The Cannonball Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-the-cannonball-loop/) - **Hale** [A Willey Range Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-willey-range-loop/) - [The Firewarden's Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-the-fire-wardens-loop/) - **Jackson** [A Presidential Traverse](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/a-presidential-traverse/) - [Southern Presidential Range Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/southern-presidential-range-loop/) - **Tom** [A Willey Range Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-willey-range-loop/) - **Wildcat D** [A Carter Wildcat Traverse](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-carter-wildcat-traverse/) - **Moriah** [The Carter Moriah (Long Way) Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/carter-moriah-the-long-way-loop/) - [A Moriah Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-moriah-loop/) - [A Carter Wildcat Traverse](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-carter-wildcat-traverse/) - **Passaconaway** [The Kate Sleeper Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-the-kate-sleeper-loop/) - **Owl's Head** [A Thirteen Falls Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/a-thirteen-falls-loop/) - **Galehead** [A Pemigewasset Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-pemi-loop/) - [A Thirteen Falls Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/a-thirteen-falls-loop/) - **Whiteface** [The Kate Sleeper Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-the-kate-sleeper-loop/) - **Waumbek** [Kilkenny Ridge Traverse](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-kilkenny-ridge-traverse/) - **Isolation** [Rocky Branch Ramble](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-the-rocky-branch-ramble/) - [Mt Isolation Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-mt-isolation-loop/) - [An Oakes Gulf Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-an-oakes-gulf-loop/) - **Tecumseh** [Mad River Notch Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-mad-river-notch-loop/) --- # SectionHiker Source: https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking/ --- # Terms and Conditions Source: https://sectionhiker.com/terms-and-conditions/ Agreement between User and https://sectionhiker.com Welcome to https://sectionhiker.com. 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You will be asked to provide such consent when you enter the sectionhiker.com website, each time you enter the sectionhiker.com website, you leave a comment, or you fill out a form hosted by our website. --- # 50 Best Backpacking Gifts: $50 or Less Source: https://sectionhiker.com/50-best-backpacking-gifts-under-50-dollars/ ![50 Best backpacking Gifts $50 or Less](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2024/10/50-Best-backpacking-Gifts-50-or-Less.jpg) It can be difficult to pick good backpacking gifts if you're not an expert backpacker or hiker. That's why we've pulled together this list of great backpacking gifts for $50 or less to help you get your backpacking friends gifts that they'll appreciate. If you want to spend more, we suggest giving them a gift card so they can pick out the gear they want. ### Backpacking Gifts for $25 up to $50 - [Sawyer Sqeeze Water Filter System](https://sectionhiker.com/out/gr-sawyer-squeeze): ($46) Most popular backpacking water filter. Includes two 1L soft bottles. Also works with soda and bottled water bottles. - [Hyperlite Mountain Gear WP Backpack Shoulder Pocket:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/tubzp715) ($49) Waterproof Dyneema Smartphone pocket that doubles as a wallet. A backpacker's favorite. - [OR Waterproof Billed Rain Cap](https://sectionhiker.com/out/vhedihq3): ($50) Billed ball cap to augment a rain jacket hood and keep rain out of your eyes while providing sun protection for your eyes. - [Six Moon Silver Shadow Trekking Umbrella](https://sectionhiker.com/out/5quwtyw1):($45) Ultralight sun and rain protection when hiking. - [Black Diamond Astro 300-R Headlamp](https://sectionhiker.com/out/2a08iv21): ($45) Rechargeable headlamp with easy-to-remember control sequence. - [Daycap in-Bottle Water Filter](https://sectionhiker.com/out/osc541aa): ($45) Water filter that replaces the cap of a wide-mouth Nalgene bottle with an integrated filter so you can safely drink from a stream or pond without getting sick. Brilliant! - [Thermacell Backpacker Mosquito Repeller](https://sectionhiker.com/out/55biq3yh): ($40) Ultralight sanity for summer camping. Highly effective. - [Six Moon Designs Ultralight Packing Pods](https://sectionhiker.com/out/xj4huzwl): ($40) 3-pack of packing organizers designed to maximize backpack space. They also make great toiletry bags for travel. - [Buff UV and Insect Shield Neck Gaiter](https://sectionhiker.com/out/g03jjlc5): ($34) Double the protection from sun and insects. - [Possum Down Gloves:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/hxtwfdvh) ($30) Super warm, lightweight wool gloves from New Zealand. A cult favorite. - [Fire Maple G3 Petrel UL Heat Enchanger Pot](http://Petrel Ultralight G3 HX Pot 600ML): ($30) Ultralight 600ml (184.5g) cookpot that retains heat, minimizing fuel use. - [Darn Tough Hiker Boot Cushion Hiking Socks:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/s3qlw9ub) ($28) Backpacker favorite. Super durable and comfortable. - [Polartec Alpha Camp Socks from Far Pointe](https://sectionhiker.com/out/5wsm5fc1) ($25): Cozy, warm alpha fleece socks that boost quilt or sleeping bag comfort. - [Six Moon Designs Pack Liner](https://sectionhiker.com/out/vjdz15be): ($25) Long-lasting reusable pack liner to keep contents dry for use in any backpack. Almost everyone gets the 50L size. ### Backpacking Gifts over $10 and up to $25 - [CNOC Vecto 2L Squeezable Water Bottle](https://sectionhiker.com/out/5s37p348): ($24) Compatible with all Sawyer filters. A backpacker favorite. - [Swiss Army Knife Classic:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/b5ee7vp9) ($24) Smallest Swiss Army Knife with scissors. Thin and lightweight. - [Brunton Truarc 3 Compass](https://sectionhiker.com/out/3ktu4q8i): ($24) Good baseplate compass that is perfect for learning how to use one. - [Gossamer Gear Shoulder Strap Pocket](https://sectionhiker.com/out/qialyhsw): ($22) Great little pocket for holding a phone and wallet. Compatible with all backpacks. - [Kula Cloth Reusable Antimicrobial Pee Cloth](https://sectionhiker.com/out/rzi3wxhz): ($20) For women. A zero-waste alternative to dry yourself without toilet paper. It's a sensible gift that will be appreciated. - [Jetboil Coffee Press](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B082XXZ36S/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B082XXZ36S&linkId=3ca175823038ee19e28120dfc40c5e88). ($23) Turns a Jetboil stove into a French coffee press. Pure luxury. - [Dirtsaw Poo Trowel](https://amzn.to/3TdkVB8): ($21) Tough ultralight trowel for digging catholes in rugged or rocky ground. - [The Stanley Wildfire Camp Cookset](https://amzn.to/4qOf7gu): ($20) Great little cookpot w/ two cups for boiling water or making coffee. - [Matador Waterproof Pill Canister](https://sectionhiker.com/out/fj3ve3y0) ($20): 7-day waterproof backpacking pill organizer for medications. Priceless! (Did you know that 50% of Americans have a daily prescription?) - [Platypus 70 oz Water bottle](https://sectionhiker.com/out/ct7g5vua): ($20) Softbottle that rolls up when empty and stands up by itself when full. A classic. I've been using them for over 20 years! - [Chicken Tramper Gear Hiker Wallet](https://sectionhiker.com/out/a3ipwnar) ($19): Ultralight wallet for securely carrying cash, ID, and credit cards. - [Counter Assault Bear Spray Holster](https://sectionhiker.com/out/ajahlwi0): ($17) Attaches to any backpack hipbelt or shoulder strap and is compatible with 8.1 and 10.2 oz bear spray canisters. A must-have in bear country! - [Aquamira Chlorine Dioxide Drops](https://sectionhiker.com/out/dyajm2rv) ($15): Ultralight chlorine water purification drops to make backcountry water safe to drink. Another classic that never goes out of fashion. - [Leukotape P Sports Tape](https://amzn.to/478emnZ) ($13): Great blister-prevention tape popular with all hikers and backpackers. - [Injinji Liner Socks:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/2prw5bq8) ($12) Socks with distinct toes that stop hiking blisters in their tracks.Gossamer Gear - [Gossamer Gear Thinlight 1/8" foam pad](https://sectionhiker.com/out/fwi68lrw): 2.7-inch foam pad to insulate and protect inflatable sleeping pads or use for trail yoga! Very popular. - [Morsel Spork:](https://amzn.to/4neWhwH) ($17) Combination fork and spoon, with an edge that is strong enough to cut. - [Replens Silicone Lubricant:](https://amzn.to/3QEKlXE) ($15) Dual-use silicone lubricant to prevent skin chafing. - [pStyle Personal Urination Device](https://amzn.to/46WoT5Z): ($13) This reusable device lets women pee standing up like a man. Very useful for backpacking or porta-potties when you don't want to sit down on the seat. - [Nite Ize LED Micro Lantern](https://sectionhiker.com/out/ilxo2gx8): ($18) Clips to a hammock ridgeline or to gear loops in a tent. - [BRS 3000T Ultralight Titanium Stove](https://amzn.to/4p7QWbr): ($18) Tiny, but durable, titanium stove popular with backpackers trying to minimize the weight of their cooking system. - [Smelly Proof Reusable Plastic Bags](https://sectionhiker.com/out/z2aup3jg): ($16) Used to line bear canisters and bear bags to prevent bears and rodents from stealing food. ### Backpacking Gifts for $10 or less - [Dehydrated Sriracha Hot Sauce](https://sectionhiker.com/out/hitdqxrn) ($6): A must-have addition to spice up bland camping meals. - [Folding Foam Sit Pad](https://sectionhiker.com/out/rjhman7n): ($10) Keeps your bum clean and dry when you sit on a rock to rest. - [Gossamer Gear Bamboo Long-Handle Spoon](https://sectionhiker.com/out/ysmcs6fh): ($7) Unlike metal, bamboo does not conduct heat, stain, or absorb flavors. - [CuloClean Portable Bidet](https://sectionhiker.com/out/z6eeoxe2): ($10) Screws onto a soda bottle, for washing the salt and stink off at night. - [Platform Tent Stakes](https://amzn.to/4fdKvi3): ($10) Special tent stakes designed to secure tents on wooden platforms. These are a godsend that few hikers know about, but need. - [Hanging Tent Organizer](https://sectionhiker.com/out/0z2xa4p5): ($10) 4-pocket mesh hanging organizer for tents. Handy for glasses, phones, etc. - [Toaks Titanium Long Handled Spoon](https://amzn.to/3LxfA6P): ($10) Ultralight long spoon for digging backpacking food out of freeze-dried meal bags and freezer bags. - [Swiss Army Knife Replacement Tweezers:](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0016CTAZC/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B0016CTAZC&linkId=aa197560e1a5ef869b1ef059466c7263) ($9) A 6-pack of Swiss Army Knife replacement tweezers. These are the first things you lose, but boy, are they essential! - [4-Pack of 1 oz liquid squeeze bottles](https://sectionhiker.com/out/z76w406g): ($8) Handy for repackaging bug dope, hand sanitizer, sun tan lotion, etc. Why carry more if you'll never use it? - [Jetboil Fuel Can Stabilizer:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/e5zjwtyv) ($8) Prevents cooking pot tip-overs. Works with any fuel canister. Totally worth the weight. - [Cold Soak Jar from Chicken Tramper Gear](https://sectionhiker.com/out/1fnvvskq) ($6): Rehydrate meals without cooking. Very popular in the summer. - Hands-Free Umbrella Clamp from Gossamer Gear ($6): Attach a trekking umbrella to your backpack shoulder strap to keep the sun and rain at bay. - [Rite in the Rain Waterproof Notebook](https://sectionhiker.com/out/yw296ykl): ($5) Great for writing a trail journal. Stands up to humidity. - [Dr. Bronner's Soap:](https://sectionhiker.com/out/19l2nx8m) ($4) A minty revelation. The 2 oz size is perfect for backpacking. --- # Winter Hiking Gift Guide (2025) Source: https://sectionhiker.com/winter-hiking-gift-guide/ ![Winter Hiking Gift Guide](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2022/11/Winter-Hiking-Gift-Guide-640.jpg) Winter is a great time to gear up and get out for some cold-weather hiking, mountaineering, or snowshoeing adventures. The bugs are gone and so are the crowds, leaving the mountains and the hills to those who can't live without their weekly dose of sun and snow. Here are 20 expert gift recommendations for the winter hiker and backpacker in your life. ## 1. Patagonia Classic Retro-X Jacket ## 2. Black Diamond Alpine Start Hoody ## 3. Black Diamond LT1100 Headlamp ## 4. Oboz Bridger 400g Insulated Hiking Boots ## 5. Garmin inReach Mini 2 Satellite Messenger ## 6. Dachstein Classic Boiled Wool Mittens ## 7. Sea-to-Summit Ether Light X Extreme Sleeping Pad ## 8. Feathered Friends Snowbunting ES 0 Sleeping Bag ## 9. outerU faceGlove ## 10. Forty Below Water Bottle Insulator ## 11. Outdoor Research Prevail Heated Mittens ## 12. NEMO Switchback Folding Foam Sleeping Pad ## 13. CAMP USA Corsa Ice Axe ## 14. Outdoor Research Crocodile Gaiters ## 15. SkiPulk Paris Pulk ## 16. Reversible Polar Buff ## 17. Feathered Friends Eos Down Jacket ## 18. GooseFreet Gear Down Socks ## 19. Hillsound Trail Crampon Ultra ## 20. Darn Tough Mountaineering Socks --- # Endorsement Disclosure Source: https://sectionhiker.com/endorsement-disclosure/ sectionhiker.com adheres strictly to the [Federal Trade Commission Guidelines in Endorsements and Product Reviews](https://youtu.be/DBMlq3R85Xk), which requires US-based bloggers and online media to disclose whether a manufacturer or 3rd party has provided free products or compensation to a reviewer. If such a relationship exists, you will find a disclosure statement at the bottom of sectionhiker.com reviews, including reviews written by guest posters. Personally, I take great care to review products carefully and truthfully on sectionhiker.com because I know that readers rely on my opinion. I wish all outdoor bloggers and online writers followed the FTC Guidelines, not just in the United States where they are Law, but internationally. I think it would help protect you, our readers, and help boost the low opinion that many readers have about the trustworthiness of the outdoor media. ### Third-Party Relationship Disclosures I am self-employed and do not have any gear sponsors. ### Affiliate Fees sectionhiker.com is in part financed by affiliate fees.  These are a form of advertising where an online retailer pays SectionHiker a commission if you click on a hyperlink that takes you to their store and you purchase a product from them. These fees are paid entirely by online retailers and not by readers. These commissions are not tied to specific product purchases, but any product that you purchase from the online retailer. --- # Best Lightweight Backpacks for Women Source: https://sectionhiker.com/best-lightweight-backpacks-for-women/ ![](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2020/05/Best-Lightweight-Backpacks-For-Women-640-1.jpg) Women have a better selection of female-specific lightweight multi-day backpacks weighing less than 3 pounds than ever before. With more and more women on the trails and in the hills, major backpack companies have responded by building new products for this rapidly growing segment of the backpacking population. Gone are the days of "shrink it and pink it," in this latest generation of lightweight women's backpacks. ### Women's Lightweight Backpacks Women have narrower shoulders, breasts, wider hips, shorter torsos, and different proportions than men and need backpacks that more anatomically appropriate for their sex. Backpack manufacturers including Osprey, Gregory, REI, Granite Gear, Mountainsmith, Exped, and Kelty now make women's specific backpacks with shoulder straps, hip belts, and torso-lengths designed specifically for women. ## What do Women Backpackers Want? While some women can make-do with a smaller sized unisex backpack that was originally designed for man, there's a crying need for backpacks designed specifically for curvy female bodies, with S-shaped shoulder straps, female-specific hip belts, and shorter torso sizes. ### S-Shaped Shoulder Straps For example, backpack shoulder straps with an S-curve are often more comfortable and a better fit for women, especially for women with larger breasts. Male-oriented J-curve shoulder straps often land in the middle of the breast, squashing it. The pressure can be quite painful, and if you loosen the straps, the pack moves from side to side, defeating the intent to hold the backpack's weight close to the body. Some men actually prefer S-curve straps, particularly those with athletic builds, as it results in more freedom of movement around the armpit, and a shorter sternum strap. ### Women's Hip Belts Hip belts designed for women need to be more rounded and contoured to accommodate wider hips, flaring upwards at the end so they sit higher up on the hip bones than men's hip belts. They also need to be available in shorter lengths than men's hip belts, with properly positioned hip belt pockets, since many women have smaller hip circumferences. These modifications help keep the majority of a pack's weight on women's hips where it belongs and make a big difference in all-day comfort. ### Torso Sizes Women tend to have shorter torso lengths than men, necessitating a different range of available sizes, including ones that are much shorter in length. While most women's specific packs have fixed length torsos, adjustable-length frames are often the best option, since you can dial in a personalized fit that may fall between traditional sizes. ### Lightweight Unisex Backpacks with Women's Options Some backpack manufacturers including ULA, Zpacks, and Six Moon Designs make unisex backpacks that have S-shaped shoulder straps by default, or the option to swap out certain features for more female-friendly components or sizing. That's not quite the same as a female-specific backpack since it doesn't change the other dimensions such as back panel width,  back panel length, hip belt length, hip belt pocket placement, or the torso lengths offered for their unisex backpacks, but it can make their products more comfortable for some women. For example, most of Zpacks backpacks have female-friendly S-shaped shoulder straps but are still only available in larger (male-targeted) torso lengths and hip belt sizes. ## Conclusion The number of women's specific backpacks available today has grown significantly in the past 3 years since I last did a round-up of the options available. We've also brought on several expert female backpackers at sectionhiker.com to help review women's backpacks and I'd encourage you to read their [gear reviews](https://sectionhiker.com/category/gear-reviews-2/backpack-reviews/womens-backpacking-backpack-reviews/). If there are specific women's packs you'd like us to review, leave a comment below and we'll get right on it. As RBG said once, the lack of female-specific backpacking gear "[is scandalous in this day and age](https://sectionhiker.com/rbg-takes-leave-of-absence-from-the-supreme-court-to-hike-the-appalachian-trail/)." We agree and with your help, we can bring more visibility to address this issue, while helping steer women to backpacking gear that is designed for their comfort. --- # 10 Best Women’s Sleeping Bags of 2023 Source: https://sectionhiker.com/10-best-womens-sleeping-bags/ ![10 Best Women’s Sleeping Bags](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2019/03/10-Best-Women’s-Sleeping-Bags.jpg) Sleeping bags are still the most popular nighttime insulation option with backpackers because they're warmer in cold, damp, or drafty weather, especially below freezing. While mummy sleeping bag designs still prevail, there's a lot more variety in the types of sleeping bags that have become available in the past five years, including women's specific sleeping bags. Is it worth buying a women's specific bag sleeping bag? You betcha, but they're not as widely available as sleeping bags for men. Here are our top 10 sleeping bag picks made especially for women. ### 1. REI Magma 30 - Women's Sleeping Bag ### 2. Sea to Summit Attitude At1 25 - Women's Sleeping Bag ### 3. NEMO Riff 30 - Women's Sleeping Bag ### 4. NEMO Disco 15 - Women's Sleeping Bag ### 5. Feathered Friends Egret UL 20 - Women's Sleeping Bag ### 6. Marmot Phase 20 - Women's Sleeping Bag ### 7. Marmot Xenon 15 - Women's Sleeping Bag ### 8. Sea-to-Summit Flame 15 Women's Sleeping Bag ### 9. Kelty Galactic 30 - Women's Sleeping Bag ### 10. Sierra Designs Backcountry Bed 20 - Women's ## How to Choose Women's Sleeping Bags Here is a list of the most important factor to consider when purchasing a sleeping bag for backpacking, so it fits your needs and preferences. ### What to Look for in a Sleeping Bag When choosing a sleeping bag for backpacking, you want one that's warm, lightweight, and highly compressible since you're going to have to haul it in a backpack. Sleeping bags insulated with 800, 850, 900, and 950 goose down or duck down are the best in terms of warmth by weight, but you'll pay a premium at the top end. Fit is also important, both width and length, especially if you're a short woman or have a smaller build. If a bag is too large, it will feel colder than one that fits closely, since your body needs to work harder to fill the extra space with hot air. ### Female-Specific Sleeping Bag Needs Women require more insulation than men because they have less body mass to generate body heat. Add another 10 degrees if you're female and decide to buy a "unisex" sleeping bag instead of a women's specific bag. Women also tend to have colder extremities, like feet, hands, and heads and require more insulation in those areas. They also have narrower shoulders and are predominantly shorter, requiring sleeping bags that are cut differently than their male counterparts. ### How to Understand Sleeping Bag Temperature Ratings The introduction of standardized sleeping bag temperature ratings by the outdoor industry substantially improved their reliability. Bags tested with the European Norm (EN) 13537 get two ratings: a Comfort rating and Lower limit rating. The Comfort rating is the lowest temperature at which the bag will keep the **average woman** (or "cold sleeper") comfortable, and the Lower Limit rating is the lowest temperature at which the bag will keep an **average man** (or “warm sleeper”) comfortable. The difference in the Comfort and Lower Limit ratings is usually about 10 degrees since women feel colder than men when sleeping. If you're a woman and decide to buy a men's or unisex bag, get one that's 10 degrees warmer than you need so you're comfortable at night. ### Female Sleeping Bag Sizing The fit of a sleeping bag is usually measured in terms of length and girth. Girth measures the maximum internal circumference of the bag, usually at the shoulders, hips, and feet. Measure yourself at these points and compare them to the girth to see if the bag will fit tightly or loosely. People with bigger shoulders or side sleepers tend to feel more comfortable in bags with higher shoulder girths, while women typically need a shorter length bag and a smaller shoulder girth because they have narrower shoulders than men. It's important to get a bag that minimizes the amount of unoccupied interior space relative to your measurements, so your body has less air to heat up to stay warm. ### Insulation and Compressibility High-quality goose and duck down with fill powers of 800, 850, 900, and 950 provide excellent insulation by weight and are widely preferred by backpackers and base campers because they’re so lightweight. Some manufacturers only offer down that’s been treated with a water-repellent coating, while others prefer to offer it unadulterated. Down is naturally water-resistant so the jury is still out on whether “treated” down makes a difference in the long-term since it's easy to keep your sleeping bag dry with a little care. ### Sleeping Bag Weight While gear weight is important, be careful not to sacrifice your comfort by selecting a sleeping bag that won’t keep you warm or dry in the conditions you need it to.  When choosing between bags with different outer shell fabrics, consider their breathability, so they will vent perspiration that can degrade your insulation, and whether they have a DWR coating, which can be important if the foot of your quilt gets wet regularly. ### Sleeping Bag Features Most sleeping bags are pretty similar when it comes right down to it, but there are some features that set premium sleeping bags apart from non-premium bags. These include draft collars, continuous baffles, very high fill-power goose down, non-snagging zippers, draft tubes positioned behind zippers to seal out the cold, ventable foot boxes, and full-length zippers that help extend the range of a bag in warmer weather. --- # Subscribe to the Newsletter Source: https://sectionhiker.com/subscribe/ --- # What is the difference between a backpack frame and frame stays? Source: https://sectionhiker.com/difference-backpack-frame-frame-stays/ Many ultralight backpacks come with frame stays instead of a full backpack frame. These are usually one or two aluminum rods that slot into channels in inside the back of a pack. Their primary benefit is that they're lighter weight than a full frame, but they can usually be bent to customize the backpack to fit your body shape better than a full manufactured frame. Frame stays also help prevent the collapse of a frameless backpack when you load it up with gear. Called torso collapse, the use of frame stays helps prevent the pack torso length from shortening, which can result in poor load transfer to your hips. #### See also: [How to Bend Backpack Frame Stays](https://sectionhiker.com/how-to-bend-backpack-frame-stays/) --- # Is there a fill power difference between duck down and goose down? Source: https://sectionhiker.com/is-there-a-fill-power-difference-between-duck-down-and-goose-down/ ![Is Duck down better than goose down?](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2018/02/Duck-down-goose-down-640x192.jpg) The insulation values of duck and goose down, known as its fill power, are measured using an identical standard technique. This is why high fill power duck down can provide more insulation value (warmth retention) than lower fill power goose down. Fill power measures the lofting power of down, which is its ability to trap air. To measure fill power, one ounce of down is compressed in a small glass cylinder. When the weight is removed, the down’s ability to spring back can be measured.  Down with a higher fill power rating is more resilient to compression, lofts better, and can trap more air. Besides being warmer, this also means that sleeping bags or parkas with a higher fill ratings require less insulation by weight to provide the same level of warmth retention than an item made with lower quality down. Why is duck down perceived by people as being lower quality than goose down? Advertising and history, mainly. Bedding and clothing manufacturers have spent decades promoting the virtues of goose down to get you to buy products made with it. Duck down has only been recently introduced as a lower cost alternative (because ducks are easier to farm and managed than geese) and doesn't have the same track record as goose down as a luxury product. In reality, consumers can't tell the difference. When comparing duck down and goose down, compare the fill power ratings of the two. The fill power ratings consumer products generally range from 550 fill power to 950 fill power. The higher the fill power, the less down (by weight) it takes to provide the same warmth retention. In other words, a jacket filled with 650 duck down will insulate better than the jacket filled with 600 fill power goose down. ### See also: - [Down Fill Power Ratings: The Low Down on Goose Down](https://sectionhiker.com/fill-power-ratings-the-low-down-on-goose-down/) Written 2018. --- # Liability Disclaimer Source: https://sectionhiker.com/liability-disclaimer/ The author of this site is not responsible any damage, personal injuries or death as a result of the use of any information, maps, routes, advice, gear or techniques discussed on this blog and web site. All outdoor activities are carried out at your own risk. --- # White Mountains Hiking and Backpacking Source: https://sectionhiker.com/white-mountains-peaks-and-trails/ ## Hiking in the White Mountain National Forest Where does my fascination with hiking and backpacking in the White Mountain National Forest come from? I fell in love with the trail system when I started hiking the New Hampshire Appalachian Trail in 2007 because the mountains and scenery are so wonderful. I still section hike the AT a few weeks each spring, but I spend most weekends hiking, skiing, and fishing in the Whites since they're a stone's throw from my home. To date, I've hiked over 1400 miles of trails in the White Mountain National Forest and climbed most of its mountains. - [White Mountain Hiking Guides and Maps](https://sectionhiker.com/hiking-guide-to-the-white-mountain-national-forest/) - [Appalachian Mountain Club Huts](https://sectionhiker.com/appalachian-mountain-club-huts/) - [Appalachian Mountain Club 4000 Footers](https://www.amc4000footer.org/) - [Why are the White Mountains So Tough?](https://sectionhiker.com/why-are-the-white-mountains-so-tough/) ## Epic Day Hiking and Backpacking Routes - [A Presidential Traverse](https://sectionhiker.com/great-hikes-a-presidential-traverse/) [Presidential Traverse Lodging and Campsite Options](https://sectionhiker.com/presidential-traverse-lodging-and-campsite-options/) - [Presidential Traverse Route and Time Control Plan](https://sectionhiker.com/time-control-plan-for-a-presidential-traverse/) - [Franconia Ridge Traverse (Long)](https://sectionhiker.com/great-hikes-franconia-ridge-traverse/) [The Franconia Ridge Loop (Short)](https://sectionhiker.com/the-franconia-ridge-loop/) - [The Bonds](https://sectionhiker.com/great-hikes-the-bonds/) - [The Kilkenny Ridge Traverse in Northern New Hampshire](https://sectionhiker.com/the-kilkenny-ridge-traverse-in-northern-new-hampshire/) - [Tripyramid Loop including the North Tripyramid Slide](https://sectionhiker.com/great-hikes-mt-tripyramid-loop-w-the-north-and-south-slides/) - [The Desolation Loop in the Pemigewasset Wilderness](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-the-desolation-loop-in-the-pemigewasset-wilderness/) - [Wild River Wildernes and Baldface Range Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-the-wild-river-wilderness-and-the-baldface-range/) - [Paugus Chocorua Loop Backpack](https://sectionhiker.com/paugus-chocorua-loop-backpack/) - [Royce-Speckled Mountain Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-the-royce-speckled-mountain-loop/) - [The Moriah Brook Trail in the Wild River Wilderness](https://sectionhiker.com/great-hikes-the-moriah-brook-trail-in-the-wild-river-wilderness/) - [Speckled Mountain and the Blueberry Ridge Trail](https://sectionhiker.com/great-hikes-speckled-mountain-and-the-blueberry-ridge-trail/) - [Ice Gulch Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/ice-gulch-loop-hike/) ## Hikes to the White Mountain 4000 Footers - [Mt Osceola](https://sectionhiker.com/mount-osceola-and-middle-osceola-bushwhack/) - [Wildcat A](https://sectionhiker.com/hiking-wildcat-mountain-in-autumn/) - [Adams and Jefferson](https://sectionhiker.com/adams-and-jefferson-in-high-wind-and-freezing-rain/) - [Zealand Mountain ](https://sectionhiker.com/zealand-mountain-back-in-the-whites/) - [South Twin Mountain](https://sectionhiker.com/hiking-south-twin-mountain-in-autumn/) - [Franconia Ridge](https://sectionhiker.com/hiking-franconia-ridge/) - Mt Garfield to Gale River Trail - [Backpacking Kinsman and The Cannon Balls](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-kinsman-and-the-cannon-balls/) - [The Kilkenny Ridge Traverse in Northern New Hampshire](https://sectionhiker.com/the-kilkenny-ridge-traverse-in-northern-new-hampshire/) - [Mount Washington and the Northern Presidential Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/mount-washington-and-the-northern-presidential-loop/) - [AMC Beginner Backpacking Trip to the Hancocks](https://sectionhiker.com/amc-beginner-backpacking-trip-to-the-hancocks/) - [Mt Pierce Winter Trip for Beginners](https://sectionhiker.com/winter-camping-for-beginners-amc-instructional-trip/) - [Wildcat Traverse](https://sectionhiker.com/wintry-wildcat-traverse/) - [Backpacking the Bonds](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-the-bonds/) - [Mt Jefferson and the Castle Trail](https://sectionhiker.com/mt-jefferson-and-the-castle-trail/) - [Howker Ridge Trail – Lowe’s Path Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/howker-ridge-trail-lowes-path-loop/) - [Mt Garfield to Skookumchuck Tr](https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-mt-garfield-to-skookumchuck-trail/) - [Mt Isolation Backpack](https://sectionhiker.com/mt-isolation-backpack/) - Kilkenny Solo Backpack - [Backpacking the Northern Presidentials](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-the-northern-presidentials/) - [Mt Washington and the Great Gulf Trail](https://sectionhiker.com/mt-washington-and-the-great-gulf-trail/) - [Bluebird Weekend in the Presidential Range](https://sectionhiker.com/blue-bird-weekend-in-the-presidential-range/) - [Mount Moosilauke and South Moosilauke Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/mount-moosilauke-and-south-moosilauke-loop/) - [Bondcliff, Mount Bond, and West Bond](https://sectionhiker.com/bondcliff-mount-bond-and-west-bond/) - [The Franconia Ridge Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/the-franconia-ridge-loop/) - [Mount Moosilauke and South Moosilauke](https://sectionhiker.com/south-peak-mt-moosilauke/) - [Mount Moosilauke and Mt Jim](https://sectionhiker.com/mt-jim-and-moosilaukes-subpeaks/) - [Mt Cannon](https://sectionhiker.com/mt-cannon-in-franconia-notch/) - [Kinsman Notch to Mt Wolf](https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-kinsman-notch-to-mt-wolf/) - [Mt Passaconaway](https://sectionhiker.com/mount-passaconaway/) - [South Kinsman](https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-south-kinsman/) - [Owls Head Mountain](https://sectionhiker.com/owls-head-revisited/) - [Middle Tripyramid and the Sleepers](https://sectionhiker.com/middle-tripyramid-and-the-sleepers/) - [Bondcliff, Mount Bond, West Bond](https://sectionhiker.com/hiking-the-bonds/) - [North Hancock](https://sectionhiker.com/mt-hancock-north-peak/) - [Mt Whiteface](https://sectionhiker.com/climbing-mt-whiteface/) - [North Tripyramid](https://sectionhiker.com/north-tripyramid-ascent/) - [Mt Tom](https://sectionhiker.com/climbing-mt-tom-in-winter/) ## Other White Mountain Hikes and Backpacks - [Black Angel Backpack in the Wild River Wilderness and Baldface Range](https://sectionhiker.com/black-angel-backpack/) - [Scouting the Twinway](https://sectionhiker.com/scouting-the-twinway/) - [Three Ponds w/ Andrew Skurka](https://sectionhiker.com/andrew-skurkas-white-mountains-backpacking-fundamentals-trip-2013/) - [Climbing Imp Face and North Carter Mountain](https://sectionhiker.com/climbing-imp-face-and-north-carter-mountain/) - [Backpacking The Wild River Wilderness and the Baldface Range](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-the-wild-river-wilderness-and-the-baldface-range/) - [Backpacking North Isolation Mountain](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-north-isolation-mountain/) - [Paugus Chocorua Loop Backpack](https://sectionhiker.com/paugus-chocorua-loop-backpack/) - [Rt 2 to Zeta Pass](https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-rt-2-to-zeta-pass/) - [Hogan Road to Lower Gentian Pond](https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-hogan-rd-to-lower-gentian-pond/) - [Grafton Notch to Gentian Pond](https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-grafton-notch-to-gentian-pond/) - [Carr Mountain and Three Ponds Adventure](https://sectionhiker.com/carr-mountain-and-three-ponds-adventure/) - [Mount Abigail Adams in The Northern Presidential Range](https://sectionhiker.com/climbing-mount-abigail-adams-in-the-northern-presidential-range/) - [Mt Tremont](https://sectionhiker.com/mt-tremont-return-to-the-white-mountains/) - [Slide Peak](https://sectionhiker.com/climbing-slide-peak/) - [Mt Crawford, Mt Martha, and Owlshead](https://sectionhiker.com/short-hikes-in-the-whites-mt-crawford-mt-martha-and-owlshead/) - [Boot Spur – Gulf Peak Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/boot-spur-gulf-peak-loop/) - [Mount Clay and the Great Gulf](https://sectionhiker.com/mount-clay-and-the-great-gulf/) - [Mt Hedgehog](https://sectionhiker.com/hedgehog-mountain/) - [Mt Wonalancet and Hibbard Mountains](https://sectionhiker.com/mt-wonalancet-hibbard-mountain/) - [Sandwich Dome and Jennings Peak](https://sectionhiker.com/sandwich-dome-jennings-peak/) - [Mt Wolf to Reel Brook](https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-mt-wolf-to-reel-brook/) - [Skookumchuck Trail](https://sectionhiker.com/skookumchuck-on-ice/) - [Mt Osceola and East Osceola](https://sectionhiker.com/mt-oseola-and-east-oseola/) - [South Twin Mountain](https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-gale-river-trail-to-south-twin/) - [Mt Carrigan](https://sectionhiker.com/peaking-and-peeping-on-carrigan/) - [Crawford Notch to Ethan Pond Shelter](https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-crawford-notch-to-ethan-pond-shelter/) - [Westside Trail to Edmunds Path](https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-westside-trail-to-edmands-path/) - [Reel Brook to South Kinsman](https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-reel-brook-to-south-kinsman/) - [Franconia Notch to the Skookumchuck Trail](https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-franconia-notch-to-skookumchuck-tr/) - [Franconia Notch to Kinsman Pond](https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-franconia-notch-to-kinsman-pond/) - [Big Attitash (West Moat)](https://sectionhiker.com/a-short-backpack-to-west-moat-mountain/) ## Bushwhacking Trip Reports - Middle and East Scar Ridge - [Jeffers and the Hogsback Ridge](https://sectionhiker.com/bushwhacking-mt-jeffers-and-the-hogsback-ridge/) - [Black (Jackson)](https://sectionhiker.com/bushwacking-mt-black-jackson/) - [Sachem Peak](https://sectionhiker.com/sachem-peak-and-the-smarts-brook-trail/) - [East and West Garfield](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-the-three-garfields-in-the-pemigewasset-wilderness/) - [Stub Hill, North Stub, Salmon, and Diamond Ridge](https://sectionhiker.com/stub-hill-and-north-stub-hill-diamond-ridge-and-salmon-mountain/) - [North and South Flat Mountain](https://sectionhiker.com/flat-mountain-pond-backpack/) - [Mt Deception](https://sectionhiker.com/bushwhackos-on-mt-deception/) - [Mt Anderson](https://sectionhiker.com/bushwhack-bailout/) - [Little Wildcat](https://sectionhiker.com/amc-map-and-compass-course/) - [Loon Mountain](https://sectionhiker.com/loon-mountain-autumn-views/) - [Little Wildcat](https://sectionhiker.com/amc-map-and-compass-course/) - [Wolf Cub and Blue, North Ridge (Lincoln)](https://sectionhiker.com/canister-fever-wolf-cub-and-north-peak-blue-ridge-mountain/) - [The Captain](https://sectionhiker.com/climbing-the-captain/) - [East, South and Middle Hitchcock](https://sectionhiker.com/the-fourth-hitchcock/) - [Shoal Pond Peak](https://sectionhiker.com/shoal-pond-peak-bushwhack/) - [Bear Mountain](https://sectionhiker.com/bear-mountain-bushwhack-sometimes-the-bear-gets-you/) - [Peak Above the Nubble](https://sectionhiker.com/bushwhacking-peak-above-the-nubble/) - [Big Coolidge](https://sectionhiker.com/bushwhacking-big-coolidge/) - [Vose Spur](https://sectionhiker.com/bushwhacking-vose-spur/) - [West Scar](https://sectionhiker.com/bushwhacking-vose-spur/) - [Southwest Twin](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-and-bushwhacking-southwest-twin-mountain/) - [Big Bickford](https://sectionhiker.com/bushwhacking-big-bickford-and-scarface-mountains/) - [Eagle Cliff](https://sectionhiker.com/eagle-cliff-bushwhack/) - [West Osceola](https://sectionhiker.com/osceola-ridge-traverse-attempt/) - [Mt Nancy](https://sectionhiker.com/mt-nancy-bushwhack/) - [Southwest Twin](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-and-bushwhacking-southwest-twin-mountain/) - [Southwest Twin (Attempt)](https://sectionhiker.com/southwest-twin-mountain-bushwhack-attempt/) - [Mt Blue](https://sectionhiker.com/climbing-mount-moosilauke-and-mount-blue/) - [Northwest Hancock](https://sectionhiker.com/bushwhacking-northwest-hancock/) - [Bald Cap](https://sectionhiker.com/bald-cap-peak-bushwhack-via-the-peabody-brook-trail/) - [Middle Osceola](https://sectionhiker.com/mount-osceola-and-middle-osceola-bushwhack/) - [Scaur Peak and The Fool Killer](https://sectionhiker.com/scaur-peak-and-the-fool-killer/) - [Mt Kancamagus](https://sectionhiker.com/mount-kancamagus-bushwhacking-instructional-trip/) - [Mt Lethe](https://sectionhiker.com/mount-lethe-bushwhack/) - [West Field](https://sectionhiker.com/west-field-bushwhack/) - [Mt Hale and South Hale](https://sectionhiker.com/mount-hale-and-south-hale-bushwhack/) - Kineo and East Kineo (Attempt) - [Mt Bemis](https://sectionhiker.com/bushwhacking-mt-bemis/) - [Chandler and Sable](https://sectionhiker.com/bushwhacking-sable-and-chandler/) - [Greens Cliff](https://sectionhiker.com/bushwhacking-greens-cliff/) - [Middle and East Scar](https://sectionhiker.com/bushwhacking-middle-and-east-scar/) ## Winter Hiking Trip Reports - [Mount Garfield](https://sectionhiker.com/a-winter-hike-to-mount-garfield/) - [North and Middle Tripyramid Mountains](https://sectionhiker.com/a-winter-hiking-trip-to-north-and-middle-tripyramid-mountains/) - [A Winter Bonds Traverse](https://sectionhiker.com/a-winter-bonds-traverse/) - [The Tom, Field, and Avalon Loop in Crawford Notch](https://sectionhiker.com/the-tom-field-and-avalon-loop-in-crawford-notch/) - [Galehead Mountain and South Twin](https://sectionhiker.com/a-winter-hike-to-galehead-mountain-and-south-twin/) - [Middle and South Carter](https://sectionhiker.com/six-feet-deep-on-the-appalachian-trail-hiking-middle-and-south-carter-in-april/) - [Mt Jefferson](https://sectionhiker.com/mud-and-blood-on-mount-jefferson/) - [Isolation, Cabot, and Moriah](https://sectionhiker.com/winters-end-isolation-cabot-and-moriah/) - [Mt Carrigan](https://sectionhiker.com/breaking-triail-to-mount-carrigan/) - [Mt Osceola and East Osceola](https://sectionhiker.com/mount-osceola-and-east-osceola-in-february/) - [Field and Willey](https://sectionhiker.com/mount-field-and-mount-willey-in-february/) - [Mt Garfield](https://sectionhiker.com/mount-garfield-in-february/) - [North and South Kinsman](https://sectionhiker.com/north-and-south-kinsman-mountains-in-january/) - [Owlshead](https://sectionhiker.com/owls-head-mountain-in-december/) - [Mt Hight and Carter Dome](https://sectionhiker.com/winters-end-mt-hight-and-carter-dome/) - [Mt Cannon](https://sectionhiker.com/mt-cannon-in-winter/) - [Franconia Ridge in Winter](https://sectionhiker.com/franconia-ridge-in-winter/) - [North and South Hancock](https://sectionhiker.com/climbing-north-and-south-hancock-in-winter/) - [Mt Waumbek](https://sectionhiker.com/mount-waumbek-winter-instructional-trip/) - [Middle and South Carter](https://sectionhiker.com/middle-and-south-carter/) - [North and Middle Tripyramid Attempt](https://sectionhiker.com/north-and-middle-tripyramid-attempt/) - [Moosilauke](https://sectionhiker.com/mount-moosilauke-in-winter/) - [Mt Jackson](https://sectionhiker.com/mount-jackson/) - [Mt Field](https://sectionhiker.com/mount-hale-and-south-hale-bushwhack/) - [Mt Cabot](https://sectionhiker.com/mt-cabot-trip-report/) - [Mt Monroe](https://sectionhiker.com/climbing-mt-monroe-in-winter/) - [East Osceola](https://sectionhiker.com/climbing-east-osceola-in-winter/) - [Mt Pierce](https://sectionhiker.com/climbing-mt-pierce-in-winter/) - [Mts Jackson and Webster](https://sectionhiker.com/climbing-mt-jackson-and-webster-in-winter/) - [Mt Pemigewasset](https://sectionhiker.com/indian-head-mt-pemigewasset/) - [Mt Washington](https://sectionhiker.com/climbing-mt-washington-with-the-ems-climbing-school/) - [Mt Liberty](https://sectionhiker.com/climbing-mt-liberty-in-winter/) - [South Doublehead](https://sectionhiker.com/climbing-south-doublehead/) - [Mt Willard](https://sectionhiker.com/mt-willard-in-crawford-notch/) - [Mt Tecumseh](https://sectionhiker.com/climbing-mt-tecumseh/) - [South Hancock](https://sectionhiker.com/chillin-up-south-hancock/) - [Mt Flume](https://sectionhiker.com/a-flume-with-a-view-mt-flume-in-winter/) - [Nancy Pond](https://sectionhiker.com/nancy-pond-snowshoe-and-ascent/) - [North Moat](https://sectionhiker.com/climbing-north-moat-mountain-in-winter/) - [Mt Washington and Mt Monroe](https://sectionhiker.com/a-mt-washington-and-mt-monroe-winter-climb/) - [Coppermine Trail and Bridal Veil Falls](https://sectionhiker.com/the-coppermine-trail-and-bridal-veil-falls/) - [North and South Kinsman](https://sectionhiker.com/thanksgiving-on-the-kinsmans/) ## Peakbagging Lists - [White Mountain 4000 Footers (48/48)](https://sectionhiker.com/the-white-mountain-4000-footers/) - [White Mountain 4000 Footers in Winter (48/48)](https://sectionhiker.com/the-winter-white-mountain-4000-footers/) - [Trailwrights 72 (72/72)](https://sectionhiker.com/the-trailwrights-72/) - N[ew Hampshire Hundred Highest (82/100)](https://sectionhiker.com/new-hampshire-hundred-highest/) - [New Hampshire 3000 Footers (114/175)](https://sectionhiker.com/the-new-hampshire-3000-footers/) - [52 with a View 41/52](https://sectionhiker.com/new-hampshire-52-with-a-view/)   --- # Best Backpacks in the White Mountains Guidebook Source: https://sectionhiker.com/best-backpacks-in-the-white-mountains-guidebook/ This is a placeholder for a longer list of easy to moderate backpacking trips. Backpacking Sawyer Pond: An easy 1.5 mile route to a scenic backcountry pond and campsite at the foot of Mt Tremont and Owls Cliff. This trip is perfect for families, small groups, and couples who want to camp out at a remote spot but don't want to undertake a huge backpacking trip to get there. --- # Do Not Sell My Personal Information Source: https://sectionhiker.com/do-not-sell-my-personal-information/ > sectionhiker.com does not sell your Personal Information and has no intention of selling your Personal Information in the future. For example, we do not provide information based on your Personal Information for targeted advertising such as an IP address, email address, name, browsing history, geolocation information, or social media information, nor do we sponsor raffles, sweepstakes, or promotions with third parties in exchange for your email address or other Personal Information for direct marketing purposes. > > Because sectionhiker.com does not sell Personal Information it shall be deemed that you have already validly submitted a request to Opt Out. For more information, see our [Privacy Policy](https://sectionhiker.com/privacy-policy/) and [Cookie Policy](https://sectionhiker.com/cookie-policy/). --- # Correspondence Source: https://sectionhiker.com/correspondence/ If you'd like to ask Philip Werner a backpacking, hiking, or camping related question, please submit it using this form. If you are writing to me about one of the following topics, I WILL DELETE your email so don't bother sending me a message. - I don't publicize fundraising or Kickstarter campaigns. - I don't accept unsolicited guest posts. - I don't sell backlinks or post content with paid backlinks. - I don't sell any gear or products and don't want to sell yours. For serious questions about gear, skills, or media and business inquiries, fill in this form and we'll get back to you as soon as possible. --- # Contact SectionHiker Source: https://sectionhiker.com/got-a-backpacking-hiking-or-camping-question/ If you'd like to ask Philip Werner a backpacking, hiking, or camping-related question, please submit it using this form. *Note: Philip gets so many requests for help planning AT section hikes and hikes in the White Mountains, that he can't respond to them all. * - If you need help planning a hike on the Appalachian Trail, most answers (parking, shuttles, campsites, etc) can be found in [The Appalachian Trail Guide. ](https://amzn.to/488LHAx) - If you need help planning a hike in the White Mountains, most answers (parking, shuttles, campsites, trails, etc) can be found in [The White Mountain Guide. ](https://amzn.to/3sXOr3m) If you are writing to me about one of the following topics, I WILL DELETE your email so don't bother sending me a message. - I don't publicize Kickstarter fundraising campaigns. - I don't accept PAID guest posts and I don't publish posts written by people I don't know. - I don't sell backlinks or post content with paid backlinks. - I don't sell any gear or products and don't want to sell yours. For serious questions about gear, skills, or media and business inquiries, fill in this form and we'll get back to you as soon as possible. --- # CCPA Request Source: https://sectionhiker.com/ccpa-request/ If you are a California resident, you have a right to know what information sectionhiker.com collects about you and a right to have it deleted, if you choose. To make such a request, please fill out the form below. Please allow up to 45 days for us to process your request. You may submit such a request twice per year. [bestwebsoft_contact_form]   --- # Southern Presidential Range Loop Source: https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/southern-presidential-range-loop/ ![Backpacking the White Mountain 4000 footers Southern Presidential Range Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2020/08/Backpacking-the-White-Mountain-4000-footers-Southern-Presidential-Range-Loop.jpg) A 2-3 day, 22 mile scenic loop that travels up the Dry River Valley, climbing the Oakes Gulf headwall, to a set of alpine lakes at the foot of Mt Washington. From here, hikers climb 4 four thousand footers in sequence: Mt Monroe, Mt Eisenhower, Mt Pierce, and Mt Jackson, before descending the Webster Cliff Trail back to Crawford Notch. This route has close to 10 miles of above-treeline hiking and unparalleled views of Mt Washington, the Dry River Wilderness, and Crawford Notch. ![Southern Presidential Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2023/06/Southern-Presidential-Loop.jpeg) [**Download PDF Map**](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2020/08/Southern-Presidential-Loop-Overview.pdf) ### Rating ### Distance/Elevation Gain 22 miles w/6000' of cumulative elevation gain ### White Mountain 4000 Footers - Monroe - Eisenhower - Pierce - Jackson ### Recommended Duration 2-3 days ### Season July thru October ### Permits Required None. ### Regulations [Backcountry Camping Regulations for the White Mountain National Forest](https://sectionhiker.com/out/em1x9n6l), specifically no camping above treeline where trees are less than 8' in height (except on two feet of snow.) A substantial portion this route passed through the Dry River Wilderness Area. Please observe all [wilderness area restrictions. ](https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/whitemountain/specialplaces/?cid=stelprdb5186453) ### Trailhead Directions [Webster Cliff Trailhead Directions](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recarea/?recid=74949) (44.10148, -71.23164) - Parking is available for a few cars across Rt 302 from the trailhead. NH state law requires that all tires be off the pavement. This is a busy trailhead that has a lot of traffic passing by, so parked cars are generally safe. ### Maps ### Trail Sequence The route follows the following trails in sequence. - Webster Cliff Trail - 0.3 miles - Saco River Trail - 1.7 miles - Dry River Trail - 9.1 miles - Crawford Path - 0.1 miles - Monroe Summit Loop - 0.7 - Crawford Path - 1.5 miles - Mt Eisenhower Loop - 0.8 miles - Crawford Path - 1.2 miles - Webster Cliff Trail - 6.8 miles ### Scenic Highlights The following list provides cumulate distances on the route to each view or landmark. - 3.2 miles - Dry River Suspension Bridge - 7.8 miles - Dry River Shelter #3 - 11.0 miles - Lakes of the Clouds (two alpine ponds) - 11.1 miles - AMC Lakes of the Cloud Hut - 11.2 miles - Mount Monroe Summit - 13.1 miles - Mt Eisenhower Summit Cairn - 14.7 miles - Mt Pierce Summit - 17.1 miles - Mt Jackson Summit - 18.4 miles - Mt Webster Summit ### Camping/Shelter Options - USFS Wilderness Campsite (Free) - at the bottom of the Mt Eisenhower Trail on the west side of the Dry River. Requires fording the Dry River to reach (and get back to the other side of the river the next day), which can be difficult in high water. Look for an ankle-high wooden marker with a tent carved in it. Not marked on maps because it's not a permanent campsite. - USFS Wilderness Campsite (Free) - just north of the Isolation Trail West/Dry River Trail junction. Look for a spur trail with an ankle-high wooden on the west side of the trail. Not marked on maps because it's not a permanent campsite. - USFS Dry River Shelter #3 (Free) - Lean-to, limited space for tents - [AMC Lakes of the Clouds Hut ($$$) - Advance reservations recommended](https://www.outdoors.org/lodging-camping/huts/lakes) - [AMC Mizpah Spring Hut ($$$) - Advance reservations recommended](https://www.outdoors.org/lodging-camping/huts/mizpah) - [AMC Nauman Tent Platforms ($) - Caretaker in Summer. ](https://www.outdoors.org/lodging-camping/campsites/campsites-profile) - [AMC Highland Center ($$$) - Advance reservation recommended. ](https://www.outdoors.org/lodging-camping/lodges/highland) ### Water Natural water sources are plentiful in the White Mountains although you may need to descend to them from ridgelines along side trails if you run short. The longest stretch of dry trail on this route runs from the Nauman Tentsite and Mizpah Spring Hut to the base of the Webster Cliff Trail in Crawford Notch. However, when the AMC Huts are in season, anyone can stop in and resupply their water for free from the small sink located near the hut kitchen. In any case, carry a detailed topographic map with you, and don't rely on the overview map provided with this trip description to find water sources. ### Weather Cautions This route is sensitive to seasonal and weather conditions which can make it hazardous. There is a river ford at the Dry River Shelter that can be hazardous in high water. Wait a few days for water levels to drop after significant rainfall (more than 1-2") before hiking the Dry River Trail. The second half of the route from Lakes of the Clouds to Crawford Notch has close to 10 miles above-treeline travel and is hazardous to hike if thunderstorms or high winds are forecast. The top of the Dry River Trail in Oakes Gulf is usually clear of winter snow by mid-June, but patches of snow may linger into July. ### On the Trail Cross Rt 302 and begin the trip on the Webster Cliff Trail. Pass the first Saco River Trail junction at 0.2 miles on your left (running north) and continue to the second one at 0.3 miles on your right (running south). Follow the Saco River Trail and proceed for 1.7 miles through the forest, parallel to the Saco River. This is a section of the river is near its headwaters at the top of Crawford Notch, so the stream is quite small here. On your left, you'll soon see the tail of a large landslide that fell from Webster Cliff, which towers above, though hidden by the tree canopy. Turn left at the junction with the Dry River Trail, heading in an easterly direction. You'll be on this trail for the next 9.1 miles until you reach the AMC's Lakes of the Clouds Hut. The Dry River Trail is in the Presidential-Dry River Wilderness, and the trail can be challenging to follow in places because it's purposefully not as well maintained or signed as other trails. ![Wilderness Area Sign](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2018/02/Wilderness-Area-Sign-640x360.jpg) The trail also suffered major damage from Hurricane Irene in 2011 which resulted in numerous landslides and stream bank erosion, that are still in evidence today. While the trail has been rerouted over and past the landslides (that wiped it out), the newer segments of trail aren't as well marked by traffic as the older sections that were untouched by the storm. Don't let this deter you from backpacking this route, especially since this is one of the most remote (lost world) spots in the White Mountains, despite its proximity to Mt Washington and Crawford Notch. In 1.2 miles, you'll come to the Dry River Suspension Bridge and cross over it to the other side of the river. This is a good spot to linger and take in the sublime magnificence of the Dry River, its huge boulders, eddies, pools, and rapids.  You'll catch glimpses of the river as you hike upstream, from the river's edge and high above it, looking down its steep side slopes. Fly fishermen will recognize all the signs of a fun river to fish. Just make sure you have a New Hampshire fishing license and adhere to daily limits, since the native trout are on the small side and subject to enormous environmental pressure in this small watershed. Finish crossing the bridge and turn left at the end, hiking up the Dry River Trail towards Mt Washington.  After 1.2 miles, you'll pass a sign to the Mt Clinton Trail on your left (and stay on the Dry River Trail). Hiking the Mt Clinton Trail requires a ford across the Dry River followed by a  climb to the Mizpah Hut, below Mt Pierce, formerly named Mt Clinton. The Mt Clinton Trail was for many years one of the hardest trails to follow in the White Mountains due to lack of maintenance. It has recently been taken over by a new trail adopter, who I'm told has made it easier to follow. Continue along the Dry River Trail. In 2.0 miles, you'll come to a trail junction with the Isolation Trail, which provides access to Mt Isolation on a less-traveled route. Pass through the junction and continue on the Dry River Trail, continuing straight past the Mt Eisenhower Trail on your left, 0.3 miles farther along. The Mt Eisenhower Trail also requires a ford, before climbing to the Crawford Path below Mt Eisenhower. In 0.2 miles, you'll ford the Dry River to the north side, near the Dry River Shelter #3, shown below. If you don't have previous experience fording rivers, this crossing can be a little intimidating. But it's not a wide crossing or a high volume crossing (except after significant rainfall) because it's so high up the river valley, where there's less water flowing into the watershed. You can't rock hop it though. Unbuckle your backpack belt so you can jettison your pack if you fall (and it fills up with water dragging you under) and walk across. I'd recommend keeping your boots or shoes on to protect your feet and ensure solid footing as you cross. In 0.7 miles, you'll arrive at the Dry River Shelter #3, which is a good place to call it a day and rest before the climb up the Oakes Gulf headwall at the top of the Dry River Valley. There's limited space for tents here, but the shelter is still in decent shape, and there are lots of trees around to hang a hammock. Dry River Shelter #1 and #2 were removed years ago and #3 will be next when it's in need of major repairs. Though controversial, the USFS is removing lean-tos in Wilderness Areas to comply with the Wilderness Act, which prohibits most man-made structures in these areas. When you leave Dry River Shelter, the trail enters a heavily wooded area called Oakes Gulf which is subject to blowdowns and lingering snow that can make the trail hard to follow, particularly in spring before the trail crews have visited. Snowmelt also often flows down portions of the trail which can be muddy too, early in the season. The trail climbs the headwall until it reaches height-of-land on the Southwest shoulder of Mt Washington. After leaving the Dry River Shelter, this is a not-so-insignificant 2400' ascent, so take your time. Oakes Gulf is a sibling to the other great ravines that surround Mt Washington, including Tuckerman Ravine, Huntington Ravine, The Great Gulf, and the Ammonoosuc Ravine. They all have their own headwall trails too. When you crest the headwall, you pass a large cairn. Just beyond it are two alpine tarns called the Lakes of the Clouds, and beyond them, the AMC Lakes of the Clouds Hut. Even if you're not a guest, I'd encourage you to pop into the hut for a visit. There's water available here, snacks, bathrooms, and lots of information scattered around. This hut houses up to 96 guests per night and serves them two meals per day, so it's pretty cushy. There are also weather instruments in the hut and an updated forecast posted which are worth checking before you proceed on the second half of this journey. If the wind is blowing over 40 miles per hour at the hut, you're going to have a long day hiking down the Southern Presidential Range back to Crawford Notch. If there are thunderstorms in the area, I'd recommend descending off the ridge completely because it's completely exposed without any cover and there's a very real risk of being struck by lightning directly or indirectly by ground current transmitted through the rocks. I don't mean to scare you off this route, but it is important to plan this hike around a few good weather days, both in the Dry River Valley and up above treeline. The views are also much better. If you do need to boogie off the ridge, it's best to head down the west side rather than the east because it has better road access and requires a shorter hike out if you decide to bail. The best west-side escape routes are the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail, the Edmands Path, and the Mizpah Cutoff/Crawford Path. There's also parking at the end of all of these trails if you decide to spot a car there. Leaving the hut, you'll follow the Crawford Path 0.1 miles to the Monroe Loop trail, which climbs Mt Monroe and a sub-peak behind it, before rejoining the Crawford Path. Monroe an easy 350' climb from the hut, despite the fact that it's the fourth-highest 4000 footer, at 5384'. That's the beauty of a ridgeline walk and the secret to hiking multiple 4000 footers on one hike. Once you climb a ridgeline, you can pick off one peak after another, on the same hike, with relatively little incremental effort. Many of the 4000 footers are on common ridgelines and its a thrill to bag several on the same walk. If you're a purist, there are other White Mountain peakbagging lists that only credit you one peak per hike, so you can only count one at a time. Those are fun too! The Monroe Loop Trail rejoins the Crawford Path in 0.7 miles at a well-marked junction. Follow the Crawford Path (heading southwest) for 2.2  miles to the Eisenhower Loop Trail, which climbs another 350' to the large rock cairn that marks the Eisenhower summit. Mt Eisenhower is named after the former US President Dwight Eisenhower, presumably because they share the same bald dome. Continue past the Eisenhower cairn and rejoin the Crawford Path and follow it 1.7 miles to the summit of Mt Pierce, a rocky summit that juts above treeline. The views are almost continuous along this stretch, so take time to stop and daydream. From just below the summit of Mt Pierce, take the Webster Cliff Trail 0.9 miles to the Mizpah Hut, where you can also pop in for water, a bathroom break, or refreshments. Baked goods and leftovers are usually available for purchase in the huts during the day and can provide a welcome break. Hint: buy the fresh-baked bread that's often available. While a big slice of bread costs money, the butter is often free, so lather it on for some extra calories. The AMC's Nauman Tent site is situated next to the Mizpah Spring Hut and is the only designated campsite along the Southern Presidential Ridge where you can camp overnight. The tent site is overseen by a caretaker in season and a small fee is charged. Continue southwest down the Webster-Cliff Trail to Mt Jackson which is another knobby peak that just pokes above treeline. Continue southwest along the Webster-Cliff Trail for 1.3 miles to Mt Webster. DO NOT take the Jackson Branch or Webster Branch Trails from Mt Jackson, but remain on the Webster-Cliff Trail. Mt Webster is at the top of the Webster Cliff, along the east side of Crawford Notch. To your immediate west, you can see the slide-scarred east face of Mt Willey on the other side of a great abyss, as well as the valley below. Follow the Webster-Cliff Trail, turning left (south) onto it after Mt Webster, and hike along the top of the cliff, before descending back to the valley floor. This section has several rocky scrambles, so take your time descending and don't hesitate to scooch down on your butt if circumstances warrant it. After 3.4 miles, you'll return to the valley floor and the start of your journey. Updated 2023. #### About the author --- # Backpacking the Desolation Loop Source: https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-the-desolation-loop/ ![Backpacking the White Mountain 4000 Footers. The Desolation LoopJPG](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2018/05/Backpacking-the-White-Mountain-4000-Footers.-A-Desolation-LoopJPG.jpg) The Desolation Loop is a moderately strenuous 41-mile backpack through the eastern half of the White Mountain's Pemigewasset Wilderness, bounded by the Bonds, Ethan Ridge, Carrigain Notch, and Hancock Notch. There are many excellent swimming holes and wilderness campsites along the route, which will appeal to more experienced backcountry adventurers interested in a loop hike with many possible side trips. There are also three 4000-footers on this route (North and South Hancock and Carrigain), but they're easy to bypass if you want a more relaxing hike with less elevation gain. The entire route can be backpacked in 2-4 days, depending on your fitness level and available time. This is my favorite backpacking route in the White Mountains because of the solitude it provides, the sublime geologic features encountered, and its historical significance to the region. ![Desolation Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2023/06/Desolation-Loop.jpeg) [**Download PDF Map**](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2018/05/Desolation-Loop-PDF.pdf) ## History of the Desolation Region The east side of the Pemigewasset Wilderness is called “Desolation” because loggers clear-cut the forest between 1890 and 1940, leaving behind huge quantities of slash. This wood caught fire and burned uncontrollably for years, casting black smoke clouds over the entire White Mountain region and polluting the watersheds. The fires and smoke are vividly described in early versions of the AMC White Mountain Guide and other regional guidebooks. Once stripped of its raw materials, the Pemigewasset and other areas of the Whites were famously called “The lands no one wanted” until passage of the Weeks Act made it possible for the US Forest Service to purchase the land from the logging companies and put it under the protection of the Wilderness Act. After 75 years of regeneration, the forest has largely recovered. This recovery is the great miracle of the 800,000 acre White Mountain National Forest, which is visited by more than 12 million people annually, more than Yosemite and Yellowstone National Parks combined. ## Rating ## Distance/Elevation Gain 41 miles w/7600' of cumulative elevation gain ## White Mountain 4000 Footers - South Hancock - North Hancock - Carrigain ## Recommended Duration 2-4 days ## Season June thru October ## Permits Required None. ## Regulations [Backcountry Camping Regulations for the White Mountain National Forest](https://sectionhiker.com/out/em1x9n6l). Wilderness Area Restrictions - A substantial portion of this route passes through the Pemigewasset Wilderness Area. ## Trailhead Directions - [Hancock Trailhead Parking Area](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recarea/?recid=74651) ## Maps ## Trail Sequence The route follows the following trails in sequence. - Park at the Hancock Trail Head Lot (hairpin turn on the Kancamagus Highway) - Hancock Notch Trail: 1.8 miles - Cedar Brook Trail: 0.7 miles - Hancock Loop: 4.8 miles - Cedar Brook Trail: 4.8 miles - Wilderness Trail: 1.5 miles - Thoreau Falls Trail: 5.1 miles - Ethan Pond Trail 0.5 miles - Shoal Pond Trail 4.0 miles - Carrigain Notch Trail 0.8 miles - Desolation Trail 1.9 miles - Signal Ridge Trail 5.0 miles - Sawyer Pond Road 2 .0 miles - Sawyer River Trail 1.2 miles - Hancock Notch Trail 5.1 miles - Hancock Notch Trail 1.8 miles ## Scenic Highlights The following list provides cumulate distances on the route to each view or landmark - South Hancock Summit - 4.1 miles - North Hancock Summit - 5.5 miles - Thoreau Falls Bridge Abutments (this is now a stream crossing)- 13.6 miles - Thoreau Falls - 18.7 miles - Shoal Pond - 19.5 miles - Stillwater Junction - 23.2 miles - Carrigain Brook - 24.0 miles - Carrigain Summit - 25.9 miles - Hancock Notch - 34 miles ## Camping Shelter Options - There is a designated USFS Campsite about 200 feet below the summit of Mt Carrigain, but it's dry so you'll want to bring extra water to camp there. Although there is an old well fire warden's well several hundred yards down the signal Ridge Trail from the summit, I'd advise against drinking water from it as there have been past reports of contamination. - There are two nearby campsites that may be of interest, but both are off the route a short distance. Both are marked on the GeoPDF overview Map provided above as well as on the AMC maps and in Guthook's App. [Ethan Pond Shelter and Tentsite](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recarea/?recid=74629) ($) - [Sawyer Pond Shelter and Tentsite (Free)](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recreation/recarea?recid=74929&actid=34) ## Water Natural water sources are plentiful in the White Mountains although you may need to descend to them from ridgelines along side trails if you run short. In any case, carry a detailed topographic map with you and don’t rely on the overview map provided with this trip description to find water sources. ## Stream Crossings There are numerous stream crossings on this route, too many to account for in the trail description below. Most are quite benign and easily crossed by stepping on rocks or shallow calf-high fords. However, a handful of these crossings can be challenging or downright dangerous in high water, so it's best to check the weather before your trip and postpone it if a heavy rain event is forecast. The AMC's White Mountain Guide and the Far Out Guide provide detailed descriptions of all water crossings and are good references to carry on your hike, in addition to detailed maps. ## On the Trail Leave the Hancock Trail Head Overlook Parking Area at the north end of the lot and cross the Kancamagus Highway to the start of the Hancock Trail. Follow it for 1.8 miles, turning left at the Cedar Brook Trail Junction. The Hancock Trail is a well-marked gravel trail that is easy to follow. You'll encounter a few small stream crossings along the route, with intermittent views of the North Fork of the Sawyer River on your left between the trees. This was once an extremely muddy trail but trail crews have done a great job building erosion control structures which are a marvel of construction. Follow the Cedar Brook Trail for 0.7 miles, crossing more streams, before turning right onto the Hancock Loop Trail. This trail climbs two 4000-footers, South Hancock and North Hancock. The climb up South Hancock is very steep, gaining 1600' in 1.6 miles, but has been improved in recent years with more stonework to control erosion. There's a small viewpoint at the summit with partially obstructed views of Mt Carrigain and its subsidiary ridges. Turn left at the South Hancock summit and continue along the ridge for 1.4 miles to the top of North Hancock, where a ledge to the west of the summit sign provides a view of the Sandwich Range. Descend steeply from North Hancock for 1800', passing a flat area at the bottom and climbing slightly to the loop trail before it climbs South Hancock. Turn right and retrace your steps for 1.1 miles, turning right when you reach the Cedar Brook Trail again. Follow the Cedar Brook Trail for the next 4.8 miles. After leaving the Hancock Loop Trail Junction, you'll soon cross the Pemigewasset Wilderness Boundary, before climbing a wet and muddy section of trail to height-of-land, the highpoint between two watersheds. As you descend towards the East Branch Pemigewasset River, you'll begin to catch glimpses of Cedar Brook a wild mountain stream on your left. This stream runs along the east side of the Hitchcocks, a group of five trail-less 3000-footers that are a popular bushwhacking destination. The Cedar Brook streambed has been ravaged by floods and landslides in recent years, which is a recurring theme on this hike. Hancock Notch, farther along the route, is also the site of devastation. The Cedar Brook trail passes through several clearings with old logging camps that contain rusting historic artifacts, evidence of the region's industrial past. Please do not disturb or remove these so future visitors can admire them. They're also protected by federal law, which is strictly enforced in the White Mountains. If you're interested in learning more about how the loggers lived in these remote logging camps, I suggest reading [Tall Trees, Tough Men](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0393319172/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0393319172&linkId=4e95671c9c689ce9947009d48090375d), which recounts the history of logging and log driving in New England (now on Kindle, too). The end of the Cedar Brook Trail merges into the Wilderness Trail and follows it for 1.5 miles, before turning left onto the Thoreau Falls Trail. The signage at these trail junctions can be a little confusing, so make sure you double-check your bearings with your map before proceeding. Trail reroutes due to flood damage have altered routes in the area, so be sure you have the latest map. **Note**: The Thoreau Falls Bridge was removed in 2018, so you'll need to cross the stream here, although it's not difficult to ford. In summer, the water is usually shallower and calmer on the west side of the old bridge abutments, but I'd recommend against crossing here if the water depth is higher than mid-thigh. If that's the case, hike upstream to a shallower point and cross there, bushwhacking back along the shoreline to the continuation of the Thoreau Falls Trail on the other side. After crossing the river, follow the Thoreau Falls Trail north for 5.1 miles. The trail follows an old logging road until the end where it climbs to picturesque Thoreau Falls, one of the most scenic sites in the White Mountain National Forest. This section of trail travels beside the North Fork Pemigewasset River, with good wilderness camping starting about halfway up the trail. The best camping is on the far side of the North Fork, which is easily forded. This area is in the heart of the Pemigewasset and is an excellent place to experience the solitude of the wilderness area. When the trail reaches the falls, you need to leap over a narrow stream of water onto the ledges at the tops of the falls. It's not a huge jump, but this isn't a stretch of water you want to ford because it's very close to the top of the waterfall. This can be a dangerous crossing in high water and there may be a safer point to cross upstream by bushwhacking up the stream bank. Water flows in summer are normally safe unless there's been heavy rain (over 2") in the previous one or two days. It's always best to postpone backcountry backpacking trips in the Whites for a few days after major storms to let water levels drop if your route involves major stream and river crossings (or pick an alternate route.) Once across, it's worth taking a break and enjoying the view from the top of this 80' waterfall where you can see the Bonds on the horizon. Camping is not permitted in the vicinity of Thoreau Falls, which is a protected area that receives a large amount of day use. Continue north along the Thoreau Falls Trail for a short distance until you reach a trail junction, turning right on the Ethan Pond Trail. Follow it briefly for 0.5 miles, turning right onto the Shoal Pond Trail, which you'll follow for 4.0 miles to Stillwater Junction. The Shoal Pond Trail soon passes Shoal Pond, which is stocked with trout. A fisherman's favorite, it's not unusual to see people fishing the waters from inflatable rafts. Mt Carrigain, your next big destination can be seen in the distance. The top of the Shoal Pond Trail is usually quite muddy and vegetation choked, but soon opens up and follows a pleasant old logging road back into the Pemigewasset Wilderness. This trail has received a lot of attention from volunteer and professional trail maintainers in recent years and is quite easy to follow. The Shoal Pond Trail ends at Stillwater Junction, which usually requires a shallow stream ford to the other bank. Turn left onto the Carrigain Notch Trail and follow it for 0.8 miles. The upper part of this trail follows Carrigain Branch, a lovely high-gradient mountain stream fed by Carrigain Pond, a remote and inaccessible pond on Mt Carrigain's southwest shoulder. Follow the Carrigain Notch Trail to the Desolation Trail, which climbs to the summit of Mt Carrigain and the Mt Carrigain Firetower. The 4700-foot mountain is the most centrally located 4000-footer and has views of 42 of the other 48 peaks on the 4000-footer list! Turn right onto the Desolation Trail and climb 2500' over 1.9 miles to the mountain's summit. Parts of this ascent require rocky scrambles, but strategically-placed rock steps ease the climb. The trail meets the Signal Ridge Trail at the base of the metal fire tower, which is open to hikers. From the fire tower, descend Carrigain via the Signal Ridge Trail, soon passing the old Firewardens well, covered by wood. The trail soon emerges from the trees, providing impressive views of avalanche-scarred Mt Lowell on the other side of Carrigain Notch. If you wish to skip the climb up Mt Carrigain, you can loop around the base of the mountain on the Carrigain Notch Trail and rejoin the Signal Ridge Trail on the other side of the mountain. This is also an enjoyable route through a high mountain pass, that passes an impressive avalanche slide at the base of the mountain. Continue along the Signal Ridge Trail, past the Carrigain Notch Trail Junction to Sawyer River Road and the Signal Ridge parking lot. This is a good place to spot a car if you want to end your hike early. Turn right on the gravel topped Sawyer River Road and hike two miles to the Sawyer Pond Trailhead parking lot. This isn't a bad road walk as road walks go, since this road is infrequently used. If you wish to bypass the road walk, you can also follow an overgrown fire road called FR 85, which leaves the Signal Ridge Trail 1.7 miles up the trail. This is an easy bushwhack, which crosses a stream at its end, before reaching Sawyer River Road about 1/4 mile from the Sawyer Pond Lot. You can also camp along this old fire road if you're looking for a secluded wilderness site. When you arrive at the Sawyer Pond Parking lot (at the end of Sawyer River Road), continue straight past the metal bridge over the Sawyer River, following the Sawyer River Trail. This trail coincides with a snowmobile trail at the start but makes a hard right at the end of a wooden bridge and it's easy to miss the wooden trail sign. It runs next to the Sawyer River for 1.2 miles, which should be on your right, before reaching a trail junction with the Hancock Notch Trail. Continue straight onto the Hancock Notch Trail, bearing slightly right at the junction, and follow it for the next 5 miles. The beginning of this trail follows an old logging road and is easy hiking. You'll know you've arrived at the Notch proper when you see the landslides, eroded banks, and destruction before you. There's one significant water crossing in the Notch. While it's marked with cairns, use your judgment about whether it's the best place to cross, as there may be better places farther up or down the stream. I've stepped over a rock in the middle of the stream in the past without any issues, but the stream bed is dynamic and changes frequently. The trail through Hancock Notch has been rerouted and blazed after the most recent bout of major destruction, making it much easier to follow. The Notch narrows as it works its way up to height-of-land at 2820' and can be quite wet in places. Once past the highpoint, continue 0.8 miles to the junction of the Hancock Notch Trail and Cedar Brook Trails, where you passed on your initial approach to the Hancock Loop at the beginning of the hike. Continue straight along the Hancock Notch Trail for 1.8 miles back to the trailhead on the Kancamagus Highway and the Hancock Trailhead parking lot, where your chariot (car) awaits. Last updated: September 2022. #### About the author --- # Sorry That Page Does Not Exist Source: https://sectionhiker.com/sorry-that-page-does-not-exist/ ![](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2021/02/Turn-right-onto-the-first-road-to-your-right.-Ignore-the-road-closed-signs..jpg) Looks like you took a wrong turn there. Let us help you find what you're looking for. ### Website Sections - [SectionHiker's Backpacking and Hiking Gear Guide](https://sectionhiker.com/sectionhiker-gear-guide/) - [Hiking and Backpacking Gear Reviews](https://sectionhiker.com/category/gear-reviews-2/) - [Hiking and Backpacking FAQs](https://sectionhiker.com/category/frequently-asked-questions/) - [Winter Hiking How-Tos](https://sectionhiker.com/category/backpacking-skills/winter-hiking/) - [White Mountain Hiking and Backpacking Trip Reports (there are a lot!)](https://sectionhiker.com/white-mountains-peaks-and-trails/) ### Free Guidebook for Backpacking the White Mountain 4000 Footers [![Backpacking the White Mountain 4000 Footers - A Free Guidebook](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2020/06/Backpacking-the-White-Mountain-4000-Footers-A-Free-Guidebook-640.jpg)](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/) ### Latest Hiking and Backpacking Gear Discounts ### About Philip Werner --- # Beware The Last Ten Percent Source: https://sectionhiker.com/beware-the-last-ten-percent/ ![The Mahoosuc Trail](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2020/08/Redlining-the-Mahoosuc-Trail.jpg) There are 651 trails in the [AMC's White Mountain Guide](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1934028851/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1934028851&linkId=1d111ab57fff64c5cbeeb13336fa9f33) which add up to about 1460 miles of trails and anywhere from 2200 to 2800 miles of actual hiking. A handful of hikers aim to hike them all, a process that can take years and require thousands of miles of driving to obscure trailheads in New Hampshire and Maine because many of the trails are not contiguous.  It's a really fun but challenging trail list to complete and takes you far from the crowds that mob the White Mountain 4000 footers on summer weekends. Most White Mountains Guide hikers take years to finish the list but there is no small measure of joy and camaraderie in the struggle. When you get started on the White Mountain Guide trail list, it's easy to rack up miles and trails. But as you get farther along, it gets increasingly difficult to make rapid headway for a variety of reasons. Many trails are inaccessible in winter and spring because they're covered in snow. Work and family obligations get in the way. Travel times to and from distant trailheads can become onerous. Cars break down. Bridges and roads are washed out. Injuries can put you out of action for months. Old age slows you down. If this sounds a lot like section hiking a triple crown trail, that's no accident. But the hardest part of the White Mountain Guide trail list is the final 10% of trails and trail miles: there's no set order of hikes, so this trail list is different for everyone. But invariably, this final set of trails takes the most effort to drive to, the most effort to climb in terms of elevation, or distance to hike. Bill Robichaud, another White Mountain Guide finisher, hit the nail on the head when he said: "Beware the last 10%". I'm living those final 10% of trails myself at the moment. As I write this, I have 46 trails left in my second White Mountains Guide round. Over two-thirds of them are in the Northern Presidentials, on the sub-peaks of Mt Washington, and in the Mahoosuc Range which are some of the toughest trails on the list.  I'm four years into this round and I have my hopes set on finishing it this year, but it's going to be close. Three months of injuries slowed me down this year as well as the Pandemic, which shut down the trails for a month. Although it's still August, frost, icing, and high winds have started to occur on the high peaks which limits the days when the trails and peaks are safe to climb. If I'm lucky there will be enough weather windows before the end of October to get in the hikes I need, but after that, all bets are off. I'm going to plug away and see how far I can get, but I'm starting to doubt whether I'll be able to finish this year. That's a hard pill to swallow because the thought of hiking those trails kept me going all those months I was on the bench. It's also humbling, but the mountains will be there another day. #### About the author --- # The 10 Best Appalachian Trail Books for Hikers Source: https://sectionhiker.com/the-10-best-appalachian-trail-books-for-hikers/ #### 1. A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson The Appalachian Trail trail stretches from Georgia to Maine and covers some of the most breathtaking terrain in America-majestic mountains, silent forests, sparking lakes. If you're going to take a hike, it's probably the place to go. And Bill Bryson is surely the most entertaing guide you'll find. He introduces us to the history and ecology of the trail and to some of the other hardy folks he meets along the way-and a couple of bears. Already a classic, "[A Walk in the Woods](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0307279464/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0307279464&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkId=QHYY5LEWGURPLTA4) " will make you long for the great outdoors.) #### 2. Stumbling Thru by Digger Stolz Walter is the first person to thru-hike against his will. He is out-of-shape, out-of-sorts and, now that his wife has decided enough is enough, he’s out of the house too. It’s that classic scenario: Hike or ELSE! Since the poor, morose Walter can’t figure an ‘ELSE’ he sets off on the longest walk of his life. While braving the great Eastern woods, Walter meets an eclectic cast of hopeful thru-hikers. As they journey northward, this rollicking band suffers through every hardship that America’s premiere hiking trail can throw at them. #### 3. AWOL on the Applachian Trail by David Miller In 2003, David Miller left his job, family, and friends to fulfill a dream and hike the Appalachian Trail. [AWOL on the Appalachian Trail](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0547745524/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0547745524&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkId=OB5AAODAQODEF3W7) is Miller's account of this thru-hike along the entire 2,172 miles from Georgia to Maine. On page after page, readers are treated to rich descriptions of the valleys and mountains, the isolation and reverie, the inspiration that fueled his quest, and the life-changing moments that can only be experienced when dreams are pursued. #### 4. Walking with Spring by Earl Schaffer In April 1948, Earl Shaffer had cjust ome home from war in the Pacific. He needed to walk it off, and he did with the most primitive of gear. In four months, he walked with the merging spring from Georgia to Maine, bushwhacking to find the route more often than not, becoming the first to report a complete, single-journey trek on the Appalachian Trail, #### 5. Grandma Gatewood's Walk by Ben Montgomery Emma Gatewood was the first woman to hike the entire Appalachian Trail alone, as well as the first person—man or woman—to walk it twice and three times, and she did it all after the age of 65. This is the first and only biography of Grandma Gatewood, as the reporters called her, who became a hiking celebrity in the 1950s and ’60s. #### 6. Becomming Odyssa by Jennifer Phar Davis After graduating from college, Jennifer isn't sure what she wants to do with her life. She is drawn to the Appalachian Trail, a 2175-mile footpath that stretches from Georgia to Maine. Though her friends and family think she's crazy, she sets out alone to hike the trail, hoping it will give her time to think about what she wants to do next. The next four months are the most physically and emotionally challenging of her life. With every step she takes, Jennifer transitions from an over-confident college graduate to a student of the trail, braving situations she never imagined before her thru-hike. The trail is full of unexpected kindness, generosity, and humor. And when tragedy strikes, she learns that she can depend on other people to help her in times of need. #### 7. Three Hundred Zeros by Dennis Blanchard Never living very far from the Appalachian Trail, Dennis was always aware of the seductive siren's call to hike it. In the sixties Dennis made a promise to his brother that haunted him for over forty years. Finally, when there were no more excuses, he set out 2007 on the Appalachian Trail to fulfill that promise. #### 8. Skywalker: Close Encounters on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Walker Why would a middle-aged businessman, who had never even spent a single night outdoors, attempt to hike the entire Appalachian trail in one year? Bill Walker, a former commodities trader in Chicago and London, and an avid walker, had developed a virtual obsession to thru-hike the 2,175 mile AT. In the spring of 2005 he set off, determined to hike this Georgia-to-northern Maine wilderness trail before the arrival of winter. Immediately, he realized he had plunged into a whole new world. Walker's near 7-foot height earned him the trail name, Skywalker, and drew envious raves from fellow hikers. #### 9. Hiking Through by Paul Stutzman After Paul Stutzman lost his wife to breast cancer, he sensed a tug on his heart--the call to a challenge, the call to pursue a dream. Paul left his stable career, traveled to Georgia, and took his first steps on the Appalachian Trail. What he learned during the next four and a half months changed his life--and will change readers' lives as well. #### 10. A Walk for Sunshine by Jeff Alt Jeff Alt takes you along every step of his 2,160-mile Appalachian Trail adventure filled with humorous, frightening and inspirational stories including, bears, bugs, blisters, skunk bed mates and hilarious food cravings.As Alt walked through freezing temperatures, driving rain and sunny skies, he was constantly buoyed by the knowledge that his walk was dedicated to his brother who has cerebral pals --- # What is a backpack brain? Source: https://sectionhiker.com/what-is-a-backpack-brain/ When people refer to a backpack brain, they're talking about a top lid that fits over the top of the main compartment. Most top lids have at least one zippered pocket in them although some backpacks have two, one on top and another on the underside of the lid. People typically keep their maps and navigation tools (compass, gps) in the top lid, which is another reason it's called the brain.       --- # TGO Challenge Source: https://sectionhiker.com/tgo-challenge/ ![The TGO Challenge](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2020/03/The-TGO-Challenge.jpg) The TGO Challenge is an annual self-supported hiking event across the Highlands of Scotland, west coast to east coast. It started in 1980 and was the brainchild of the well-known UK writer and mountaineer, Hamish Brown. The Challenge is held every May and is sponsored by TGO, the UK equivalent of Backpacker Magazine in the US before they watered down the adventure and became a glorified travel magazine. ## TGO Challenge Overview - [Scotland's TGO Challenge](https://sectionhiker.com/scotlands-tgo-challenge/) ## Trip Journals - [2013 TGO Challenge Journal, Part 1](https://sectionhiker.com/tgo-challenge-2013-trip-report-part-1/) - [2013 TGO Challenge Journal, Part 2](https://sectionhiker.com/tgo-challenge-2013-trip-report-part-2/) - [2010 TGO Challenge Journal, Part 1](https://sectionhiker.com/tgo-challenge-trip-report-part-1/) - [2010 TGO Challenge Journal, Part 2](https://sectionhiker.com/tgo-challenge-trip-report-part-2/) - [Hiking from Strathcarron to Torridon](https://sectionhiker.com/hiking-from-strathcarron-to-torridon/) - [Torridon Hills: Liathach and Mullach an Rathan](https://sectionhiker.com/torridon-hills-liathach-and-mullach-an-rathan/) ## Peculiarities of Scottish Hiking and Backpacking - [TGO Challenge Tips for Yanks and Non-Residents ](https://sectionhiker.com/tgo-challenge-tips-for-yanks-and-non-residents/) - [How to Hike Across Peat Bogs](https://sectionhiker.com/how-to-hike-across-peat-bogs/) - [Mountain Bothies](https://sectionhiker.com/bothies-and-baked-beans/) - [Hiker's Guide to Gaellic Mapping Words](https://sectionhiker.com/hikers-guide-to-gaelic-mapping-words/) - [Mail Drops for Hiker Resupply in the United States and the UK](https://sectionhiker.com/hiker-resupply-and-mail-drops/) ## Recommended Planning References - [The Munros: Scotland's Highest Mountains](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0947782508/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0947782508&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkId=UEAOY6U7ENZF2H7Q) - [The High Mountains of Britain and Ireland: v.1: A Guide for Mountain Walkers (Vol 1)](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1898573638/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1898573638&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkId=3F24SDKT6FYY6ZOI) - [Scotland (World Mountain Ranges)](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007H605W8/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007H605W8&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkId=2ZYA4JKO5JZZULDD) - [Scottish Hill Tracks by Scottish Rights Of Way And Access Society](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GOHLOMQ/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00GOHLOMQ&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkId=EQURLCSFMTJZIRJQ) - [Hostile Habitats - Scotland's Mountain Environment: A Hillwalkers' Guide to Wildlife and the Landscape](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0907521932/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0907521932&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkId=HXXONL6CUBMVBRTR) ## Recommended Maps and Planning Software - [Ordnance Survey Maps ](https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/) - [Geograph British Isles ](https://www.geograph.org.uk/) - [Quo Mapping Software](https://www.mapyx.com/) - [TGO Challenge Community Map](https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&t=p&msa=0&msid=102044424731982890577.00045bf2c6891e1c7743b&ll=56.773798,-3.977051&spn=2.655097,5.608521&z=8) ## Scotland Hiking Resources - [Walk Highlands ](https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/) - [Munro Magic](https://www.munromagic.com/MountainResults.cfm?UseMyMountain=0) ## Scotland Weather - Mountain Weather Information Service - Met Office #### About the author --- # What is the difference between a high gaiter and a low gaiter? Source: https://sectionhiker.com/difference-high-gaiter-low-gaiter/ High gaiters are usually worn in winter to protect your socks and lower legs from becoming wet in snow and to protect your lower legs from self-inflicted crampon strikes. Low gaiters are worn in warmer weather, usually with low trail shoes, to keep dirt and leaf litter out of your shoes. #### See Also: - [What are hiking gaiters?](https://sectionhiker.com/hiking_gaiters/) - [High Gaiters, Low Gaiters](https://sectionhiker.com/high-gaiters-low-gaiters/)   --- # Why do you need to seam seal ultralight tents? Source: https://sectionhiker.com/need-seam-seal-ultralight-tents/ You don't need to seam seal all ultralight tents, just the ones made with silicone coated nylon, commonly called silnylon. Seam sealing is required to fill in the needle holes that are formed when the tent is sewn together. You don't normally have to seam seal ultralight tents made with cuben fiber or silpoly (polyurethane coasted silnylon) because they can be seam-taped by the manufacturer. Silnylon tents can't be seam taped because the fabric is too slippery and seam tape doesn't stick to them. See [How to Seam Seal a Tent](https://sectionhiker.com/how-to-seam-seal-a-tent-or-tarp-by-martin-rye/) for in-depth instructions on how to do an expert seam sealing job. --- # Why is camping prohibited above treeline in the White Mountains? Source: https://sectionhiker.com/camping-prohibited-treeline-white-mountains/ The area above-treeline is called the Alpine Zone in the White Mountains, and while it looks like a bunch of rocks, there are quite a few plants that grow there. Many of these plants are rare, and have very short growing seasons because they're covered in snow most of the year. Camping is quite disruptive and harms the plants because people walk, lie, and cook on top of them. Imagine if someone broke the branches off some of the small plants for firewood because they wanted a campfire. They'd never recover in the short growing season they have and die. Therefore, camping above treeline in the alpine zone is forbidden by the US Forest Service which oversees the White Mountain National Forest except when there are two feet of snow (or more) on the ground. This is enough to protect the plants from human disruption during the winter. [See the Backcountry Camping Rules for the White Mountain National Forest for more information. ](https://sectionhiker.com/out/em1x9n6l) --- # What is the difference between freeze dried and dehydrated food? Source: https://sectionhiker.com/difference-freeze-dried-dehydrated-food/ Freeze-drying removes 98% of the water in food while dehydration removes about 80% giving freeze-dried products a much longer shelf-life. Freeze-dried food is flash frozen and then exposed to a vacuum, which causes all the water in it to vaporize. This requires expensive equipment and isn’t something you can do at home, but it makes it possible to store freeze-dried foods for 20 to 30 years, compared to dehydrated ones, which typically last one to five years. ### See also: [Freeze Dried vs. Dehydrated Backpacking Meals and Ingredients](https://sectionhiker.com/freeze-dried-vs-dehydrated-backpacking-meals-and-ingredients/) [Dehydrating Backpacking Meals with the L’Equip 528](https://sectionhiker.com/dehydrating-backpacking-meals-with-the-lequip-528/) [No Cook Backpacking](https://sectionhiker.com/no-cook-backpacking-by-kim-safdy-of-outdoor-herbivore/) --- # How to keep water bottles from freezing in winter Source: https://sectionhiker.com/keep-water-bottles-freezing-winter/ If you carry your water in water bottles in winter, it's going to freeze unless you take precautions. It's easy to get dehydrated in winter unless you force yourself to drink liquids because  you lose moisture with every breath and don't notice when you're thirsty. Furthermore, resupply can be difficult if all the water around you is frozen solid as ice and snow unless you melt it with a stove. Before you go hiking, boil your water to make it really hot. Then place it inside a wool sock inside your backpack and surround it with the insulated clothing items you carry in your pack to keep it warm. You can also purchase a neoprene or [foam water bottle parka](https://www.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=app&ti=1019&mi=10060&pw=3816&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.backcountry.com%2Foutdoor-research-water-bottle-parka) and pack it in that instead. If you carry a bottle of water on the outside of your backpack in a neoprene or foam insulating sleeve, turn it upside down. This will prevent the cap from freezing shut. Don't use a hydration pack/hose or metal water bottles. They freeze up and are impossible to use afterwards. In addition, don't use Nalgene bottles with narrow necks in winter. Use wide mouth bottles, preferably white-mouth polyethylene bottles that can "take" rapid temperature changes (pouring boiling water into a very cold bottle) without cracking. The best wide mouth bottles are called [Hunerdorf or Relag bottles](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001OPMD9Q/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B001OPMD9Q&linkId=fa191a71f102e4002f95802a26a6dea6) and have an untethered top that is easy to unscrew even if you're wearing mittens. If you are camping in winter, boil your water before retiring and sleep with the bottle(s) in your sleeping bag to prevent them from freezing. #### See also: [Winter Hiking, Hydration, and Insulated Water Bottle Jackets](https://sectionhiker.com/winter-hiking-hydration-insulated-water-bottle-jackets/) [Cold Weather Water Treatment and Purification](https://sectionhiker.com/cold-weather-water-treatment-and-purification/) --- # Confirmation Page Source: https://sectionhiker.com/confirmation-page/ You are now subscribed to our newsletter. For daily updates, be sure to [like sectionhiker.com on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/SectionHikerBlog) or [subscribe to our RSS feed](https://sectionhiker.com/feed/). Thanks! Philip Werner, Editor and Founder sectionhiker.com --- # Backpacking Stove Safety Source: https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-stove-safety/ Backpacking stoves can greatly increase your comfort and safety on multi-day trips and in challenging weather conditions. There's nothing like hot food at dinner to warm you up after hiking in the rain all day or hot coffee after sleeping in a shelter after a cold night. However, backpacking stoves can also be very dangerous if used carelessly. Here are a few guidelines to keep you safe and your tummy happy. - Most backpacking tents are highly flammable and cooking inside them or near them should be avoided. Bring along food than can be eaten without cooking for periods of heavy rain or snow. One spark and you could quickly become a crispy critter or lose your shelter. - If it is raining or snowing and you must use your stove to get warm, try using your tent's rain fly or your tent footprint as a tarp and suspend it well away from your stove. - If you are using a fuel like isobutane, be careful how much gas you let out before you light your stove. Too much gas can cause a big flame-up and could burn you or set your clothes on fire. Be very careful if your stove has a built in piezo sparker because your hand will be closer to the gas explosion. - Do not cook without adequate ventilation. Backpacking stoves generate carbon monoxide and if you cook in your tent you risk death by asphyxiation. - Bears and other scavengers are attracted by the smell of food. Avoid storing food or cooking in or near your tent. Otherwise, you could have a very unwelcome visitor at night. - Only use a backpacking stove on a level surface to avoid spilling liquid fuel on the surrounding area or yourself, and to avoid having your food fall on the ground and possibly burn you - Be very careful if you are cooking while it is still daylight. The flames generated by certain fuels, particularly denatured alcohol, are very difficult to see in daylight and you can easily burn yourself or catch you clothes on fire if you are careless. - Let your stove cool after use and before you put it away. Otherwise you can burn yourself. - Avoid leaving your stove fuel in full sun because it could explode or expand into gas and become dangerous if you open it near an open flame or spark. - Carefully inspect all of the hoses on your stove (if it has them) to make sure that they are in good condition. If not replace or repair them. - Be very careful when lighting a stove while wearing gloves since you will have less dexterity than normal. Be safe. Written 2008. Updated 2015. --- # How to Prepare for a Big Summertime Backpacking Trip Source: https://sectionhiker.com/how-to-prepare-for-a-big-summertime-backpacking-trip/ Summer is here and you probably have a big backpacking trip planned for July or August. Maybe it's the first backpacking trip you've ever taken with your son, daughter, or family, or maybe it's the trip of a lifetime like thru-hiking the[ John Muir Trail](https://www.pcta.org/discover-the-trail/john-muir-trail/) or [Maine's 100 Mile Wilderness.](https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-100-mile-wilderness/) I get a lot of email from readers about how to prepare for trips like these and I always respond that same way. Go on at least one practice overnight before your trip - kind of like a full dress rehearsal. Take all of the gear you plan on carrying on your real trip and make sure you know how to use it. Even more important, make sure you really need it. Further carry all of the food - at least in terms of weight - although packing the identical bulk is also useful - that you need to carry on your big trip too. There's nothing quite like carrying a full expedition pack to bring you to your senses and get you committed to a training regime in advance! Unfortunately, too few people take the time to do overnight practice hikes and pay the consequences after they've invested heavily in travel and outfitting expenses. We see it every summer: backpackers who quit less than 5 miles from the trailhead because they had no idea how ridiculous it is to carry the loads they've brought with them or how arduous the terrain is going to be. They're weighed down with all kinds of electronics and photography equipment, some of it bought just for the occasion.  It's just tragic. I'm not sure where the disconnect is, but  I have this longstanding hunch that "people" (in the collective sense) have forgotten what going into the wilderness means: that they can't imagine a place so indifferent to their needs. Or like me, memories of my youth cloud any comprehension about what my true physical limits are now that I'm in my early 50's. Whatever the cause - if you want to finish your big summertime backpacking trip, go prepared. Practice will make it real and provides its own reward. ### See also: [Hiking Route Planning and Local Knowledge](https://sectionhiker.com/hiking-route-planning-and-local-knowledge/) --- # Alcohol Stove Boil Time Videos: Theater of the Absurd? Source: https://sectionhiker.com/alcohol-stove-boil-time-videros-theater-of-the-absurd/ What do alcohol stove boil time test videos done in peoples' kitchens, basements, and backyards tell you about the real world performance of your alcohol stove? PRECIOUS LITTLE You can't measure stove performance indoors unless you take into account all of the real-world factors that can affect boil times and fuel efficiency (arguably the more important measure.) Even then there are a gazillion variables that make these tests crude approximations, at best. Here are a few of the most important variables that will completely change the boil time or fuel efficiency performance of an alcohol stove in real conditions. - Wind speed because wind will kill the boil time or fuel efficiency performance of a stove, even when it's protected by a wind screen. - Cook pot shape. Cylindrical pots can waste heat by venting it up their sides while flatter pots capture more of the heat generate by a stove. It's always important to match the shape and circumference of your stove with the right pot shape so you don't waste fuel. - Pot lids. Beware of tests that don't us a pot lid because they waste so much heat. Pot lids also differ in whether they vent heat through colander holes or fit tightly on a pot. - Distance between the bottom of the pot and the top of the flame: The hottest part of a flame is at its top so a pot stand may be required to get optimal heat transfer for different pot/stove combinations. - Type of material that the pot is made out of. Different metals conduct energy better than others: Aluminum pots conduct heat better than stainless steel, which conduct heat better than titanium. - Stove priming times. Alcohol and white gas stoves take time to prime and it is difficult to determine when the priming phase is over and the boiling/fuel efficiency test should begin. - Fuel quality: There is a great deal of variability in the composition and purity of denatured alcohol from different manufacturers that will affect boil time and fuel efficiency performance. - Environmental factors including barometric pressure, water temperature, air temperature, and the temperature of the surface that the stove is sitting on will all affect boil times and fuel efficiency. Is there any value in of all those alcohol stove boiling time tests on Youtube? ### What do you think? --- # Winter Conditioning for Hiking and Snowshoeing Source: https://sectionhiker.com/winter-conditioning-for-hiking-and-snowshoeing/ Winter day hiking and snowshoeing require a higher degree of physical fitness than hiking during the rest of the year because you need to carry more clothes, gear, emergency supplies, food and all of the water you need in sub-freezing weather. How much more depends on the type of terrain, weather, and distance you plan to cover, but you should probably prepare for a 100 - 200% increase over your 3 season pack weight. That can be quite a shock if you're used to carrying under 20 pounds for 3 season hiking. Besides carrying a heavier pack, you will also be wearing much heavier footwear, gaiters, and traction. That's the real killer for me. I'm not used to wearing heavy boots and traction and it's hard to train for it when there's so little snow near my house. For example: - Snowshoes weigh between 4 pounds per pair - Crampons weigh between 1 to 3 pounds per pair - Microspikes weigh 12 ounces - Technical, knee-high gaiters weigh about 10 ounces - Sorel pack boots weigh 3 - 4 pounds a pair - Mountaineering boots weight 3 - 5 pounds per pair One rule of thumb is that one pound on your feet feels like the 5 more pounds in your pack, so wearing 8 pounds of footware (boots + snowshoes, for example), is the equivalent of carrying an additional 40 pounds of gear in your pack. Add in a couple thousand feet of elevation change, and it's no wonder that winter hiking is a lot more strenuous. ### Getting in Shape Outdoors The best way to get into shape for winter hiking and snowshoeing is to do it. Start slow if you're not used to carrying the extra weight in your pack or on your feet and build up your endurance over time. For me the end-goal is to be able to hike 8 hours days with about 3,000 feet of elevation gain, but your mileage may vary if you're not a winter peakbagger. It can be challenging to get in shape however if there isn't sufficient snow, elevation change, daylight, or you don't have enough free time to get out and hike in full winter gear several days per week. I think that describe most of us, unfortunately! Instead, I make a point to get out at least once a week for a major day hike, which in my case is usually an all-day peakbagging trip with about 8 miles of hiking and 2,000 feet of elevation change.  I start with smaller mountains and shorter hikes earlier in the season and try to peak (a pun) by early to mid February so that I'm in shape to go after more strenuous peaks with 3,000 - 4,000 feet of elevation gain or multi-day backpacking trips. If we get snow in Boston, which is two hours south of the mountains, I make a point to go snowshoeing or hiking two additional days per week with a full pack in the woods near my house. I can do a 7 mile loop hike there with about 1,000 feet of elevation gain in a few hours, but I am lucky to have a schedule that permits me to take afternoons off. ### Getting in Shape in the Gym If you can't work weekday training hikes and snowshoes into your schedule, gym workouts can be just as effective as long as you are consistent with them and ratchet up their intensity. I try to do over 60 minutes of fairly strenuous cardio a few days a week and switch off between a number of different machines including a stationary bike, rowing machine, and an elliptical within the same workout. I used to do a lot more weight training than I do today, but these exercises, particularly the rowing machine, provide me with plenty of resistance to add leg strength and endurance at the same time. In addition, I swim laps a few days a week to work out my upper body. I also do functional exercises that work my core muscles because they help me stabilize a heavier winter pack. I do a lot of planks and plank variants with a bosu ball, knee raises, weighted russian twists on an incline board, hyper-extensions to work my hamstrings and lower back, and some kettle bell work to develop explosive power in my hips.This combination works pretty well for me, but I am constantly changing it up to prevent my body from getting used to one workout. #### How do you get in shape for winter hiking and snowshoeing? --- # I Am Not Lost. I Am Bushwhacking Source: https://sectionhiker.com/i-am-not-lost-i-am-bushwhacking/ Bushwhacking is a form of off-trail hiking where you need to navigate through dense vegetation to locate your destination. Getting really good at it is an art form that takes years of practice and lots of hikes in all kinds of different terrain. Bushwhacking is not for everyone and about 90% of the people who try it for the first time hate it. They think it's insane. Bulldozing through dense spruce that tears up your clothing and gear, scratches your skin, and makes you bleed is not for the faint of heart. But the benefits can be tremendous. If you go hiking to get away from all of your worldly problems and recharge yourself by getting close to nature, bushwhacking provides a much deeper level of immersion than trail hiking. You also get to come home covered in sawdust, with small twigs in your hair, and smelling like a spruce car freshener. Bushwhacking is much more difficult than trail hiking because you need to do all of your own navigation using a combination of maps, an altimeter, or if you are "lazy", a GPS. But it's not like you can just set a compass direction and follow it, because you need to walk around obstacles and dense brush while staying on your bearing. Teamwork and good group communications skills are essential and a fun part of the experience. Bushwhacking can also be far more strenuous than trail hiking because you may need to bulldoze your way through dense vegetation or manueuver around huge piles of blow-downs blocking your path.  And you often don't make your objective because you run out of time, the terrain is more difficult than what can be depicted on a map, or the ground cover is too thick to get through. Getting used to "failure" or not meeting your goal might sound like a downer to trail hikers and peakbaggers who always make theirs, but it's far less important to me than the cameraderie and sense of adventure that I experience when I go bushwhacking with a group. Something to ponder if you're sick of climbing the same peaks week after week and want a richer outdoor experience. ### Do you bushwhack? Do you like it or think bushwhackers are "cracked'? --- # Navigating Without a Compass Source: https://sectionhiker.com/navigating-without-a-compass/ Most people don't know how to use a compass to navigate and while it's a very useful skill to have, you can get by without it if you have a good map and hike on well marked trails. Even then, you do want to develop your map reading skills, particularly those where you figure out your location on a topographic map, by identifying landmarks and geographic features in the world around you and matching them to those shown on your map. Called terrain-to-map association, this is an excellent skill to master and one that hikers use most of the time because it's faster than using a compass (even when you hike off-trail). ## A Few Examples ### Mountains The top picture in this post show two kettle shaped mountains, [the Doubleheads](https://sectionhiker.com/hiking-north-and-south-doublehead/), which are connected by a shallow ridge, while the picture above shows what they look like when depicted by contour lines on a topographic map. This is what I mean by terrain-to-map association. In this map example, the contour lines on the map get close together, which indicates a steep incline when accompanied by increasing elevation labels. The Doubleheads are a very distinctive land form, so if you can see them you can work out where you are on a topographic map, based on other land forms you can and cannot see in front of you. ### Valley Here's another example, the view of a deep valley and mountain pass seen from [Mt Willard](https://sectionhiker.com/mt-willard-in-crawford-notch/), and what the view looks like when depicted on a topographic map. The dense contour lines shown on the map on both sides of the Saco River indicate a steep-sided valley or mountain pass, which has a road going through it as well as a railroad line. If for some reason, you ended up on Mt Willard but didn't know where you were, you could look at the valley in front of you and figure out where you were standing on your topographic map, based on the view before you. ### View From a Summit If you hike in mountainous country, it's fun to identify the surrounding peaks that you can see from a mountain top. If you know where you are and you can recognize one of the peaks in the distance by its shape, in this case the Doubletops, you can name all of the other visible peaks on your topographic map: Rainbow Ridge (on the Rainbow Trail), Black Mountain, and Keararge North in the far distance. You can [click on this topographic map](https://caltopo.com/m/4R3H), which is hosted on Caltopo, and drill down into it for more detail. ## Limitations of Terrain-to-Map Association While being able to associate what you see in front of you with a topographic map and vice versa is a very powerful skill for knowing where you are and staying found, it falters when you can't see anything, like in fog or a whiteout or when you're hiking in featureless landscape like a desert or open plains. That's when knowing how to use a compass to navigate is important. But if you hike in mountainous country on a good trail system, you can do an awful lot of navigation with just a topographic map. ### See Also: - [The Essential Wilderness Navigator](https://sectionhiker.com/the-essential-wilderness-navigator/) - [53 Bushwhacking Tips for Off-Trail Navigation](https://sectionhiker.com/53-bushwhacking-tips-for-off-trail-navigation/) --- # Topographic Maps and Route Visualization Source: https://sectionhiker.com/topographic-maps-and-route-visualization/ Some people can read a topographic map and visualize what the landscape should look like based on the shape of the contours lines shown. It's a real skill to do it well, and while I'm pretty good at it,  I can miss details unless I really concentrate. I compensate through careful trip planning using a variety of information sources, including the use of different electronic mapping tools to help me visualize my routes. While these tools are great for planning, you can also use them to practice map-to-terrain visualization in order to sharpen your map reading skills. Let me show you what I mean. I'll use Caltopo.com, a free online navigation tool, that I highly recommend you check out. You can print out maps using it and bring them on your trips [(see also: Intro to Caltopo.com)](https://sectionhiker.com/caltopo-a-great-online-mapping-and-planning-tool-for-hikers/). Here's a link to the map that I've used for all of my examples below. [https://caltopo.com/m/340C](https://caltopo.com/m/340C) ## Different Views of the Same Route The map shown at the top of this post was drawn using a standard USGS (US Geological Survey) Topographic Map. One of the great features with Caltopo is that you can quickly replot the same route using different maps and views or layers, which emphasize different aspects of the terrain you'll be hiking. Using the same map, I can apply a map layer over the original called Fixed Slope Shape, which uses darker colors to emphasize steep slopes. It's the same map as before, but the colored shading forces my eyes to recognize the implications of close contour lines. The dark areas shown above are very steep ledges, probably mixed with cliffs. I can change the view again by switching to a different map of the same area called Google Terrain, which provides an enhanced 3-D representation of the route that makes it easier to see the depth of the valley that the route passes through. Looking at this representation, you see that the northwest end of the route drops steeply from a ridge to the valley below. The Google Satellite layer provides a view of the route as seen from outer space. Some features like the cliffs, shown above, are visible from within the valley and can provide a good clue about where you are if you can see them while you are hiking. You can even switch to a historic map of an area, which can clue you into old trails or rail road lines that are no longer maintained. This can be really helpful for cross-country wilderness travel. For example, on the 1915-1945 map above, there's a trail shown on the map which has since been abandoned, but might still be passable with less effort than a full-on, cross-country bushwhack. I hope these Caltopo.com examples illustrate some of the techniques you can use to better visualize hiking trails and routes on topographic maps. Reading topographic maps and gleaning all of the information they contain takes a lot of practice if you want to become an expert navigator. These different tools and views of the same route provide a powerful way to learn what's important to see when you look at a map, but must be followed up with lots of hiking to make it stick in your mind. --- # Aiming Off – A Compass Navigation Technique Source: https://sectionhiker.com/aiming-off-a-compass-navigation-technique/ Aiming off is a cross-country navigation technique for finding a destination like a shelter or a landmark that is located along a natural or man-made landscape feature (also called a linear feature) like a stream, a ridge, or a path. Instead of setting a bearing directly for your target destination, the idea is to follow a bearing that is deliberately set to the right or left of it, so you know which way to turn when you reach the linear feature. This is a particularly useful technique in bad weather such as mist or rain when you can't see your destination, when your view of the destination is blocked by tree cover, or the contour of the land is relatively flat and you can't use slope angle to determine which way to turn when you reach the linear feature. Most off-trail hikers also experience a 0-4 degree drift when following a compass bearing that makes it unlikely that you'll hit a point on the map dead-on instead of walking past it to the side. Aiming off helps negate the impact of this variability and puts you at a known location close to your target To illustrate, let's say we're standing on top of a peak named Ragged Jacket and we want to hike off-trail to the Blue Brook Shelter*. If we set a direct course to the shelter, we'd be walking along the 330 degree true bearing on the left, above. If we miss the shelter by walking past it on either side and reach the trail it's on (dashed line), we don't know whether to turn left or right to get to it. If instead we aim off, and follow the right-hand 350 degree true bearing shown above, we'll intersect the trail that the shelter is on to its right, and from there we know then to turn left to reach the Blue Brook Shelter. Cool, huh? ** This is an old map and should not be used for navigation purposes. The Blue Brook Shelter shown here has been dismantled and moved to another location in the White Mountain National Forest. *   --- # What is Height of Land? Source: https://sectionhiker.com/what-is-height-of-land/ The navigation term** Height of Land** is a phrase you'll often encounter when reading hiking trip reports, trail descriptions, or guidebooks. But it's very difficult to get a clear definition of what it means unless you ask someone who knows. Height of land is used to mean a local high point on a trail, road, or along a ridge where you stop going up and start going down. It's basically used to describe a high-point that's not a summit. For example, take a look at the topographic map above. The Cedar Brook Trail is marked in red and climbs gradually from both the north and the south until it reaches a local high-point at 3,000 feet, circled in blue. This is a local height-of-land. Height-of-land is a useful navigation term because you can use it as a landmark when describing a location to someone else as in "the trailhead is at the height-of-land on the Jefferson Notch road." Historically, there's some evidence that height-of-land was used as a boundary to circumscribe the territory of Indian tribes or nations. The term is also used to describe the boundary between watersheds, although that meaning is not necessarily accurate or relevant when talking about hiking trails or roadways. --- # What luxury items do you bring on backpacking trips? Source: https://sectionhiker.com/luxury-backpacking-gear/ Here are the 10 most popular items that Section Hiker readers bring along on trips: - [Zeiss Binoculars](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BD52432/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00BD52432&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkId=3CUEU2MR5DFDQ7OK) - [Frisbeee](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009TNFI6/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0009TNFI6&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkId=CUA4RQHD6O2B4PZR) - [Hip Flask](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UTKKGOQ/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00UTKKGOQ&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkId=GM3LSEMYISQZJSBE) - [Kindle](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OQVZDJM/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00OQVZDJM&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkId=R3Y36JT66M356VSZ) - [GSI Outdoors French Press Coffee Maker](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001LF3I3Y/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B001LF3I3Y&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkId=6DGVX2ZIA3SMZYGC) - [Helinox Camp Chair](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007ZGOWZQ/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B007ZGOWZQ&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkId=PQZA34VLBPN24O73) - [Therm-a-Rest Z Seat](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00453UPQ2/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00453UPQ2&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkId=HQSXPPBYG2EXMO4X) - [UCO Candle Lantern](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BS05XS/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000BS05XS&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkId=FYEES6YHRLHEFGUG) - [NEMO Camping Pillow](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00QZFVAJE/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00QZFVAJE&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkId=BJ5RHF6JMJKMH7TF) - [Exped extra thick sleeping pad](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0047BTUEK/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0047BTUEK&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkId=SLP3SOC3KBUNP5I6) This was a popular survey. Check out the other responses below. --- # The Hiking Engine: A Maintenance Manual for your Feet and Legs Source: https://sectionhiker.com/the-hiking-engine-a-maintenance-manual-for-your-feet-and-legs/ After many years of hiking and hiking with other people, I've concluded that the shoe industry is fundamentally broken and the cause of untold suffering in the hiking world. There are huge individual differences between people's feet: people have hammer toes, bunions, calluses, corns, thickened nails,bone spurs, flat feet, one foot bigger than another, etc. These people aren't the minority, but the majority. They're us. [The Hiking Engine: a hiker's guide to the care and maintenance of feet and legs by Stuart Plotkin](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0897324056/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0897324056&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20) is a book about preventing and alleviating the foot, ankle, knee, and leg issues that plague hikers and backpackers. Published in 2001, this book is undeniably dated with information about leather boot selection from a bygone era when leather boots were still primarily made by hand But, this book is not without merit . The second half of the book catalogs every foot ailment you can imagine (see below), along with symptoms, recommended prevention, and treatment suggestions. - Achilles Tendon pain - Athletes foot - Bleeding under toe nails - Blisters - Bone spurs - Broken Sesamoids - Broken toes - Bunions - Calluses - Corns - Dislocated toes - Hammer toes - Heel spurs - Metatarsal fractures - Plantar Fasciitis - Thickened toe nails - Turf Toe Having suffered from many of these ailments on and off over the years and dealing with a mild case of Hammer Toe today, there's nothing out of date about the information or recommendations provided by Plotkin when it comes to feet and how to address each of these common foot problems. If you love to hike, but are plagued by chronic foot pain and discomfort, The Hiking Engine might be able to give you some answers and relief, or at least set you on the right path to getting the help you need. *Disclaimer: Philip Werner (sectionhiker.com) received a sample copy  of [The Hiking Engine](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0897324056/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0897324056&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20) from Menasha Ridge Press for this review.* --- # Backpacking Meals and Cooking Preferences Source: https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-cooking-style/ What's your cooking style on backpacking trips? Do you prefer to mix up your own freezer bag meals using store ingredients or ingredients you've dehydrated at home? Or do you like eating soupy, one-pot meals that easy to heat and clean up? Many hikers like buying commercial dehydrated dinners from companies like Mountain House since they're easy to rehydrate in the bag and don't require any clean up. And others like eating normal food that they can buy in the store, like cheese, bread, salami, peanut butter, tortillas, or pasta. In order to find out what backpackers really do, we asked 280 backpackers about their food preparation preferences on backpacking trips. As you can imagine, we got a wide variety of responses, which you can browse below. It makes for pretty interesting reading if you're looking for good ideas about what to eat on a backpacking trip! ### See also: - [10 Ultralight Backpacking Foods](https://sectionhiker.com/10-ultralight-backpacking-foods/) - [Low Sodium Backpacking Meals](https://sectionhiker.com/low-sodium-backpacking-meals/) - [Backpacking Spice Kit Ingredients](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-spice-kit-ingredients/) --- # Planning a Hike: Sunrise and Sunset Times Source: https://sectionhiker.com/planning-a-hike-sunrise-and-sunset-times/ No matter how fast you hike, the distance you can walk in a day is largely a function of the number of hours of daylight you have at any given time of year. This is an especially important consideration in autumn and winter, when there are so few hours of daylight. While it's possible to hike in the dark, it can be difficult to see in the dark on a rough or snow-covered trail, or worse on a bushwhack. Whenever possible, I like to get to camp before sunset to take care of tasks that are best done with some daylight such as finding a good campsite, gathering wood, resupplying my water and hanging a bear bag. To put this into perspective, I recently had a hiker email me to ask whether if he and his buddy could hike 17 miles in one day in late October on the first leg of a backpacking trip in the Wild River Wilderness in New Hampshire's White Mountains. *The first question I asked him was whether he knew how many hours of sunlight he had per day and when sunrise and sunset were. * He prattled off about his route and how fast he and his buddy can hike, but he never answered my question - which lends me to believe that they were probably "*benighted*," a somewhat dated term used to describe the unpleasant experience of hiking after sunset. Web Page: [https://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneDay.php](https://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneDay.php) While hiking after sunset with LED headlamps is a lot less consequential today than when it was before headlamps or flashlights were invented, it's a hardship that I prefer to avoid. Granted, I do my share of alpine starts in winter, where we get up, eat breakfast, and break camp well before dawn, but it's different when you know that sustained daylight is just an hour or two in your future. In addition to knowing the time of sunrise and sunset, it's good to know when twilight is because it might provide just enough extra daylight to take care of your evening chores if you're not in the shadow of big hills or mountains. While using twilight to find a campsite or hang a bear bag before it gets dark is pushing your luck, I've had to do it on trips to push through a bad bit of terrain. So, whenever you plan a hike, one of the first questions you need to ask yourself is how many hours of daylight you have to hike and set up camp in. From there, you can plan out how many hours of hiking you have available, the approximate number of miles you can cover, and some possible campsite locations near the end of your day's route. --- # Backpacking Tips and Tricks: Carrying a Backup Spoon Source: https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-tips-and-tricks-carrying-a-backup-spoon/ "Oh crap. I forgot to bring my spoon," said a backpacker I'd just met at the campsite. I know that exact feeling. I've left my big plastic backpacking spoon at home on the drying rack next to the kitchen sink too many times to count. After a long day of hiking, it's a bummer when you discover that you don't have any eating utensils to shovel hot food into your mouth. The solution: carry a backup spoon. I always carry a small, plastic-wrapped spoon in my food bag so I'm never without. I pick them up at coffee shops and keep one in my food bag, along with the staples that I keep in it between trips: a few bouillon cubs for adding salt to soupy meals, a couple of packs of tea and sugar, and two tic tac boxes containing spices. "I have an extra spoon if you want it," I said, handing her my extra spoon. "Keep it." I think I made a new friend for life that day. On long multi-week hikes, it's not uncommon for me to carry several extra plastic spoons. I scarf a few every time I buy a coffee in town and drop them into my food bag. They weigh basically nothing and it's nice to have a hermetically sealed, clean spoon when my main spoon is getting grotty. I still prefer eating with a long-handled plastic spoon ($1 buck at my local REI - probably the least expensive thing in the store.) It's nice and durable, not flimsy at all. But they've stopped selling it. Yes, I pack for my fears. The fear of backpacking without a spoon. An army marches on its stomach. --- # A Bear Encounter in the North Country Source: https://sectionhiker.com/a-bear-encounter-in-the-north-country/ ![Lower Gentian Pond, Mahoosuc Trail](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/IMG_4323.jpg) I had a benign bear encounter this weekend at Lower Gentian Pond on the Mahoosuc Trail, way up in the northern part of New Hampshire, near the Maine state line. I stupidly left some beef jerky in my rain jacket which was hanging inside my tent vestibule overnight. At about 4am, I felt a big nose poke me in the back through the vestibule wall and the inner tent. I made some noises, thrashed about in my sleeping bag, and then heard a big animal trot away. At first I thought it was a moose, but when I woke up in the morning, I didn't see any moose tracks around my tent. We had a lot of rain the previous night and I'd have expected to see some sign of such a big animal. So now I'm convinced that it was a bear. I guess I was lucky. I had thought that most bears would be asleep by November 15th, but upon further research I've found that bears start to hibernate as late as December 1st in New England. I'll take that as a lesson to be more careful this late in the season, especially when I'm hiking solo. Under the circumstances, it was good that I was using an [Ursack](https://sectionhiker.com/2008/02/01/bear_bag/), lined with an [odor-proof OPsack](https://www.rei.com/product/758706), to protect the rest of my food from other critters. With sunset arriving so early in the evening at 4:15 pm, it's a pain to hang a bear bag and risk beaning myself with a rock in the dark. The last time a bear got this close to me was in the Catskills a few years ago.  A bunch of us were camping at a state campground outside of Phoenicia, NY and a bear tripped over my tent guylines at night. I remember being so paralyzed with fear that I couldn't even make a sound. This time I wasn't as much afraid, as annoyed. Maybe that's the benefit of experience with these sorts of things. I promptly fell asleep afterwards, until dawn, when my alarm went off. Mysteriously, the jerky had come out of the plastic bag it had been tucked into, so maybe the bear had some, afterall. --- # Hiking in Hurricanes Source: https://sectionhiker.com/hiking-in-hurricanes/ I backpacked the northermost section of Vermont's Long Trail during Hurricane Ike in 2008. I didn't realize that I was hiking through a hurricane at the time, even with the heavy rainfall and wind, since that kind of weather is the norm on the Long Trail, not the exception. Hell, I'd had to ford shelter spur trails on the LT because they were knee deep in runoff. No stinking hurricane was going to stop me! It was only when I'd finished my 51 mile section hike, do I learn that Hurricane Ike had passed overhead. While hiking through a hurricane is probably a bad idea, my experience raises an interesting question. How are you supposed tell whether a heavy rain event is a hurricane or not, when you've been on the trail for a few days and are completely out of touch with the media? None of the hikers I met on that section said anything about a hurricane and I doubt they even knew about it. Northern Vermont is still off the grid with spotty cell phone access to this day. ## Hurricane Dangers Hiking in hurricane force winds and heavy rain can be very dangerous because: - Dead tree tops or branches (called widow-makers)  can break off and injure or kill you - Hiking all day in the rain can be a recipe for hypothermia - Lightning strikes can hit you directly or travel across sodden ground and zap you - Whiteout conditions and fog can made above-treeline hiking very dangerous - Tornadoes associated with the storm can make open country hiking treacherous - Stream and rivers can flash flood and sweep you away or drown you in high water If you do know that a hurricane is on the way, it's probably a good idea to postpone your hike for a few days, take a zero day in a backcountry shelter or head to town for a resupply stop and a motel room. ## After the Storm Of these dangers, the one that persists well beyond the event itself is high water. Stream crossings are particularly dicey on the Maine Appalachian Trail which has few bridges and requires a lot of stream crossings. These can become so dangerous, that thru-hikers will camp at the side of a river for a day or two, waiting for the water level to drop so that they can cross safely. Two or three inches of "normal" rain are enough to cause streams to rise to dangerous levels along parts of the AT, so you can imagine what six to ten inches of rain will do and how long the impact will persist. ## Shelter from the Storm Whether you know you're in a hurricane or not, it's probably a good idea to think about the kind of weather conditions that would cause you to take a day off from hiking and hunker down to wait for a storm to blow over. Assuming it's not winter: - How strong do the winds have to be to get you off the trail? - Would you retreat to safe ground if tree tops and branches started to rain down all around you? - Where would you to seek shelter if you're not near a town or a backcountry shelter? If it were me, I'd want to find a spot below treeline, on the lee side of a hill that's still high enough to provide me with some protection from the wind. I'd look for a site without a lot of tree cover overhead but still shielded by young trees, a root ball or large boulders to provide additional wind protection. Camping alongside the shore of a pond or lake would be out because it's too exposed to the wind and is a lightning risk, since sodden ground is an excellent conductor of electricity. I'd want a site with water nearby but well above flood level and with good drainage, slightly higher than the ground around it, to prevent water from pooling underneath me. Since I mainly use a tarp, I'd want to be able to tie it to at least two trees and not rely soley on tent pegs that can pull out of soggy ground. #### See Also: --- # Winter Hike to Gentian Pond and Dream Lake in the Mahoosuc Range Source: https://sectionhiker.com/winter-hike-to-gentian-pond-and-dream-lake-in-the-mahoosuc-range/ Gentian Pond and Dream Lake are on the Appalachian Trail close to the border between New Hampshire and Maine. They're fairly remote and off the beaten path, but become extra difficult to access in winter when the Mahoosuc Range, north of Shelburne NH, is buried in snow. This section of the Appalachian Trail, from Gorham, NH up to the beginning of the 100 Mile Wilderness, is probably the most challenging section of the trail, even harder than the White Mountains. Rather than hiking up the AT, my friend Josh and I hiked two blue-blazed side trails up to Gentian Pond and Dream Lake, the Austin Brook Trail and the Dryad Fall Trail, which passes Dryad Falls, New Hampshire's highest water fall. We really lucked out with the weather for this hike, with bright sunny skies and temperatures that climbed up to 25. At the start of the day, the temperature had been just 5 degrees, with a -25 windchill. We were hiking in forest however, so we were reasonably well protected from the wind. Trail conditions were also good, a bit of a welcome surprise, since no one hikes these trails in winter. Despite substantial snow depths, between 1 and 2 feet, the snow had an icy top crust which could hold our body weight. That meant we were able to wear microspikes for most of the 10 miles hike w/3000 feet of elevation gain, only having to wear snowshoes for about 2 miles. ## The Austin Brook Trail to Gentian Pond We began this hike along North Road at the Austin Brook Trail head near Gorham, NH. There's a wooden turnstile at the gate leading to the trail, a local joke, since this trail doesn't get anywhere near the same use as the trails farther south in the White Mountains. The Austin Brook Trail is a part of the [Philbrook Farm Trail System](https://sectionhiker.com/hike-to-mt-ingalls-and-rays-pond/), a delightful network of moderate interconnecting trails that are included in the White Mountain Guide and the AMC's White Mountains Waterproof Map Set. The Austin Brook Trail follows old logging roads most of the way to Gentian Pond, only running steeply uphill in the last half mile. There was one stream crossing of consequence (on a frigidly cold day), but we were able to hike upstream and find a better crossing point after a short bushwhack. Otherwise, the trail is well blazed (in blue) and easy to follow up to that last half mile, but we lost it toward the end and had to pull out Gaia GPS to reacquire it and follow it up to the shelter. This last section is not blazed and the route is very hard to discern when covered with snow. Once we arrived, we ducked into the shelter and out of the wind, while admiring the view of Mount Moriah in the distance. Gentian Pond is located right outside the shelter and was frozen solid. This wasn't my first time visiting this shelter. I'd stayed here when I section hiked this part of the Appalachian Trail in November of 2009. God, that seems like an eternity ago. Nevertheless, the shelter and its surrounding didn't look like they'd changed one bit. Josh, it turns out, loves visiting ponds, so he was thrilled to make it up here. He's working through the list of backcountry ponds in Steve Smith's [Ponds and Lakes of the White Mountains: A Four-Season Guide for Hikers and Anglers](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0881504130/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0881504130&linkId=c6fdef8adcc115c3124cf2571b4628b9). While not yet an angler, I hope to temp him to take it up next year.  We'd made good time up to the shelter and pond and decided to continue up the Dryad Fall Trail to Dream Lake. Rather than hike to it via the Mahoosuc Trail, which follows the AT, we descended the Austin Brook Trail to its junction with the Dryad Fall Trail. I'm still not exactly sure why we did that instead of a lollipop route - probably lack of planning - because it wasn't a given that we'd hike the second trail when we started. This was also the first time I'd ever hiked with Josh or even met him in person, so I also chalk it up to unfamiliarity with each other. ![Trail Junction](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2017/03/Trail-Junction.jpg) While twice the effort, at least in terms of elevation gain, the hike up the Dryad Fall Trail was totally worth it. About 0.5 miles up the trail, we stopped at the top of New Hampshire's highest waterfall (Dryad Fall) which has a 300 foot drop. It has a very small feeder stream however, so you have to catch it after a substantial rainfall to see the waterfall in action. From there it was another mile up to dream lake, hiking up a very eroded trail. We had to put on snowshoes for this section of the hike, since the snow was too soft from this point to the lake to hike with microspikes alone. The route is a bit difficult to follow as you near the lake, due to the presence of yellow blazed trees, which are probably property line markers. We made the mistake of following some before we backtracked and picked up the blue-blazed trail to Dream Lake. Having been here before, again back in '09, I knew we'd be able to see Mt Adams (2nd highest peak in the White Mountains) from the lake. Josh was amazed, by that view, as well as the entire frozen lake spread out before us. We walked out along the shore and got an even better view of Mts Madison and Adams from the lake. It was special. Definitely worth a trip back to this point with a hammock, packraft, and fishing rod in hand. I had to pretty much drag Josh away from that view! From there, we hiked back the way we'd come in, at a fast clip, and then home. Three great destinations on one hike, and ones that's don't actually require much effort to get to. Total distance: 10.2 miles with 3000' of elevation gain. --- # McNett Aquaseal Zip Tech: Zipper Lubricant Source: https://sectionhiker.com/mcnett-aquaseal-zip-tech-zipper-lubricant/ ![McNett Aquaseal Zip Tech](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/IMG_0375.jpg) There's nothing worse than having a having a stubborn rain jacket zipper that won't zip when it starts to rain heavily. To prevent this, I lubricate all of the zippers on my hiking coats, sleeping bags, and shelters at least once a year [McNett Aquaseal Zip Tech](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GKBEJA/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B000GKBEJA&linkId=b5aff5563db54852efdfcd47999f91eb) --- # New Hampshire Hundred Highest Source: https://sectionhiker.com/new-hampshire-hundred-highest/ The New Hampshire Hundred Highest list includes the 48 White Mountain 4000 footers, a few lesser scenic peak, and  34 additional bushwhacks. The bushwhacks make this a hard list to complete. It's similar to the New England Hundred Highest, but much more difficult because many of the mountains are less visited. --- # Appalachian Trail Cell Phone Guide Source: https://sectionhiker.com/appalachian-trail-cell-phone-guide/ Cell phones have become a ubiquitous sight in the Appalachian Trail and for good reason. Cell phone service is pretty good along most of the trail, provided your phone is on the Verizon Network or serviced by a discount network like StraightTalk. (StraightTalk is much less expensive than Verizon but has the identical coverage.) If your cell phone service provider is AT&T, T-Mobile, or Sprint, you'll have much poorer to non-existent service. Switch. Now. ## Multi-Function Device In addition to running an Appalachian Trail app, like[ Guthook's Guide to the Appalachian Trail](https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/app/at-hiker-guthooks-guide/id605447532?mt=8), your phone can help you shave weight off your gear list by serving multiple functions, including: - phone - GPS - camera - music and movie player - email reader - web browser - book reader - weather "radio" - voice recorder - trail journal While none of those are strictly necessary to hike the Appalachian Trail, they sure make it a lot more enjoyable and take up a lot less space than bringing individual items to serve those different purposes. Cell phones can also be useful for contacting shuttle drivers, coordinating rides, reserving motel rooms and hostel space in town when you're still on the trail, or god forbid in an emergency when you need help. ## Recharging Technologies Keeping your phone charged isn't that hard either, although you do need to be smart about it by putting it into airplane mode when not in use and shutting down apps that use a lot of power to stay synched with the cloud. But forget solar power. There are to many trees on the AT and too many rainy days to count on sunlight to recharge your batteries. The best way to keep your phone charged is to carry a rechargeable battery with you to top off the battery when it gets low. I like batteries that have a wall plug and USB or Lightning jack built into the unit, so I don't have to bring along device specific chargers. It's important to get a fast charging battery, because you don't want to spend half the day in a Starbucks waiting for your battery to charge up when you could be hiking. ## Bounce Box Batteries I own a couple of rechargeable batteries and I send fully charged ones to myself in resupply mail drops that I pick up along my route. You can do the same thing if have a bounce box, recharging batteries in town, and then sending them on ahead so you can switch out a dead battery. [Anker makes really good fast-charging batteries too](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013HSQXZC/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B013HSQXZC&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkId=QZNCD3S7S6SISJ5V), which you'll want for short town stays before you hit the trail again. #### What's your experience been with cell phones on the Appalachian Trail? --- # Lightweight Backpacking for Boy Scouts – Free Video Series Source: https://sectionhiker.com/lightweight-backpacking-for-boy-scouts-free-video-series/ In 2012, I participated in lightweight backpacking seminar for boy scouts that was hosted by the Capitol Area Council in Austin, Texas. The event was organized by my dear friend, scout and lightweight backpacker Alan Graham, and featured a number of scout masters, eagle scouts, myself (venturing), and demonstrations by our friends at [Gossamer Gear](https://gossamergear.com?rfsn=2106874.7c7a83). Alan had all of the talks videoed and edited together in this wonderful series, which is[ freely available on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/user/scoutinglighter). If you're interested in lightening your gear weight for overnight trips, and doing it economically, I recommend that you watch some of these videos. It doesn't matter if you're into scouting or not, they're applicable to anyone who wants to reduce their gear weight to 20 pounds or less (down from 40 pounds or more). ### Links to the Videos on You Tube: [Video Series Introduction, Alan Graham](https://youtu.be/m9I5JHV0MEw) [Philosophy of Lightweight Backpacking and the Big Three by Philip Werner, sectionhiker.com (above)](https://youtu.be/UR17-JvRGf8) [Adult Pack Makeover -  Part 1 by Grant Sible and Dave Cutherell from Gossamer Gear](https://youtu.be/YflSOY91uS4) [Adult Pack Makeover - Part 2](https://youtu.be/_1TEuPD6RD4) [Scout Master Perspective - Sam Francis and Pat Rabun](https://youtu.be/vFo1iMW9q8g) [The Scout Perspective - Keaton Graham](https://youtu.be/pSlagcXfM7g) [Going Light at Philmont - Sam Francis and Pat Rabun](https://youtu.be/keI1-jefqsQ) [Dollars and Cents of Gear, High Adventure Light and Cheap by Alan Graham](https://youtu.be/x_kns_t98do)   --- # Remembering a Great Journey Source: https://sectionhiker.com/remembering-a-great-journey/ ![The Trees of Glen Feshie](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/P1000926.JPG) I am an emotional dishrag. I gave a talk this week, at the Appalachian Mountain Club in Boston, about my hike across Scotland last year in the [TGO Challenge](https://sectionhiker.com/tgo-challenge-trip-report-part-1/). The talk went great. I had an audience of 60 people and they had to kick us out of the auditorium afterward because so many people wanted to stay and talk to me. But writing the talk and picking through my trip photos brought back an incredible surge of memories and emotions. I'd spent over a year planning and preparing for that trip: I completely changed my gear list which involved a huge amount of gear trials and testing, I learned all about the local vegetation, geology and climate(s) of Scotland, taught myself the OS grid coordinate and mapping system used in the UK, and all kinds of other skills. That preparation was essential but it paled when compared to the actual experience. I met so many interesting people, many who I still am in contact with, and I experienced such joy and contentment during the hike itself. It was an amazing experience and became a turning point in my life. I know I felt this way last year too, but I am still surprised at how powerful my emotions have been this week. I don't think I've ever felt this strongly about a past hike before, and it makes me wonder why that journey had such an impact on me. Have you ever experienced anything like this? --- # Rain Shell Chest Pockets Source: https://sectionhiker.com/rain-shell-chest-pockets/ ## Napoleon Chest Pockets When it comes to hard shell jackets for backpacking, you really want to buy a rain jacket that has napoleon chest pockets aligned along your sternum instead of side pockets. Waist level side pockets are completely worthless because they're going to be covered up by your hip belt. I use the napoleon pockets on my rain jacket so much they act like extensions to my backpack. I store hats, a map, balaclava, face mask, snacks, and gloves in them for easy access. This is very convenient when I'm frequently changing my hat and glove density during the day for temperature regulation in cooler weather and drizzle. While there are some jackets on the market that provide one chest pocket, I'd strongly recommend that you look for jackets that have two. Once you start using napoleon chest pockets, you'll want as much front storage as possible. ## Fashion vs. Function When buying technical rain gear, it's important to distinguish between fashion and function. For some reason I can't fathom, people like to wear gear branded with outdoor company logos (The North Face, for example), even though the garments are functionally sub-standard for backpacking use. If you are serious about going lightweight, or even just getting true value for your money, make sure that everything on your rain shell can be used when you are wearing a backpack. I think the Montbell tag line "Function is Beauty" sewn onto their clothing labels sums up my perspective on this. Side pockets aren't functional, so I prefer to buy shells without them. ## Rain Jackets with Napoleon Pockets If you're on the market for a new rain jacket or windproof winter shell, I'd recommend that you take a look at jackets from Acr'Teryx, Rab, Montane, and Outdoor Research. All of these manufacturers have jackets that come with napoleon chest pockets. Here are a few examples: - [Outdoor Research Furio Jacket](https://www.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=app&ti=1019&mi=15913&pw=3816&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.outdoorresearch.com%2Fus%2Fen%2Fmens-furio-jacket%2Fp%2F2429650001010) - [Outdoor Research Realm Rain Jacket](https://www.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=app&ti=1019&mi=15913&pw=3816&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.outdoorresearch.com%2Fus%2Fen%2Fmens-realm-jacket%2Fp%2F2440540489010) - [Rab Charge Jacket](https://www.moosejaw.com/moosejaw/shop/product_Rab-Men-s-Charge-Jacket_10271692_10208_10000001_-1_) ## Rain Jackets without Chest Pockets On the flip side, rain jackets from REI, The North Face, Marmot, and Patagonia tend to have side pockets, or side pockets and one chest pocket, instead of two. Here are some sample coats that come with side pockets that I'd avoid for backpacking use. - [Arc'Teryx Alpha SL Jacket](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LTLE9EC/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B00LTLE9EC&linkId=f4b6c55f7441f87a385c7be163b6743d) - [Patagonia Torrentshell Jacket](https://www.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=app&ti=1019&mi=10248&pw=3816&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rei.com%2Fproduct%2F894313%2Fpatagonia-torrentshell-jacket-mens) - [The North Face Resolve Jacket ](https://www.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=app&ti=1019&mi=10086&pw=3816&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.moosejaw.com%2Fproduct%2Fthe-north-face-men-s-resolve-2-jacket_10332412) - [The North Face Venture Jacket ](https://www.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=app&ti=1019&mi=10086&pw=3816&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.moosejaw.com%2Fproduct%2Fthe-north-face-men-s-venture-2-jacket_10332548) ## Choosing Rain Gear By calling out Napoleon Chest Pockets as a must-have feature on rain shells, I'm not trying to be prescriptive in how you go about selecting rain gear. Let's face it, jackets that come with chest pockets instead of side pockets tend to cost more and are frequently made with more breathable materials such as eVent, Pertex, or GoreTex Paclite. If you prefer to buy low cost outerwear, don't let me stop you. My aim here is simply to call out the fantastic utility of chest pockets for three-season and winter backpacking and to call attention to the compromises that must be made if you get a rain shell that only has waist-level side pockets. --- # Hiking to the Catskills Aqueduct in the Mohonk Preserve Source: https://sectionhiker.com/hiking-to-the-catskills-aqueduct-in-the-mohonk-preserve/ Over the past few summers, I've tried to find the Catskills Aqueduct where it flows through the Shawangunks (Gunks), near New Paltz. This aqueduct, which still supplies about 40% of New York City's water supply, was completed in 1917 after 9 years of construction for $177 million dollars. It is 163 miles long and runs from the Ashokan Reservoir in Ulster County, heading southeast, under the Hudson River to New York. This, like the [Gunks Carriageways](https://sectionhiker.com/2008/08/22/a-history-of-the-gunks-carriageways/), is another marvel of early 20th century construction in the Gunks area. Although the location of the aqueduct is clearly marked on my Gunks maps, I've alway had problems finding any evidence of its existence. Upon further research, I now know that large sections of the aqueduct were constructed using a cut and cover style of construction, where the bottom half of a pipeline is buried below ground level and upper part is covered by mounded earth. This technique makes for rapid construction across areas of solid rock where burial of the pipeline would required extensive blasting. The photo above shows what the top of a cut and cover pipeline looks like. This is a view of the cover part of the Catskill Aqueduct near Duck Pond, in the [Mohonk Preserve](https://www.mohonkpreserve.org/). Here's a side view the aqueduct, where it crosses a mountain stream that must become a huge torrent of snow melt in the spring time, based on the presence of several flood control damns upstream from this point. If you look at top of the photo, you can see the earthen cover capping the pipeline in the cut and cover style of construction. Getting there: Refer to the Shawangunks map set published by the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference. From Duck Pond, hike down the Old Historic Duck Pond Path to the bridge and tunnel shown above. Please honor the sections of the Catskill's Aqueduct and surrounding area that are marked with No Trespassing signs. --- # Snowshoeing the Raymond Path on Mt Washington’s Eastern Flank Source: https://sectionhiker.com/snowshoeing-the-raymond-path-on-mt-washingtons-eastern-flank/ The Raymond Path runs along the eastern flank of Mt Washington linking the Tuckerman Ravine Trail, the Huntington Ravine Trail, and the Old Jackson Rd. It's a very pretty trail with a few challenging water crossings, but easily missed, since it's surrounded by so many famous and challenging landmarks and trails. Hiking on the Raymond Path makes a great loop hike or snowshoe in winter, particularly on days when the winds or cold on the summit of Mt Washington are too extreme. Starting at Pinkham Lodge, the loop involves hiking the: - Tuckerman Ravine Trail for 2.1 miles with 1650 ft of elevation gain - Raymond Path Trail for 2.4 miles with 50 ft of elevation gain - Old Jackson Trail for 1.7 miles with 50 ft of elevation gain. On this route, you get the serious climbing out-of-the-way up front, and it's more or less down hill from there. My friend Rick and I hiked and snowshoed this loop on a very cold winter morning, when the temperature on the summit of Mt Washington was forecast to be 15 below zero, with a negative 50 degree windchill, and winds between 50-70 mph, with gusts up to 80 mph. In other words, not a good day for a summit attempt. We met at the ready room in Pinkham Lodge, a basement room where hikers and skiers assemble at the beginning of trips up to Mt Washington or its adjacent ravines: Tuckerman Ravine, Huntington Ravine, and the Gulf of Slides. The last time I'd hiked with Rick has been in 2010 on a [winter ascent of Mt Flume](https://sectionhiker.com/a-flume-with-a-view-mt-flume-in-winter/), so we did some catching up. We started our hike wearing microspikes and headed up the Tuckerman Ravine Trail, passing the avalanche forecast kiosk which said that the days avalanche risk was low in all the ravines. I hadn't hiked up the Tuckerman Ravine Trail in some time and I'd forgotten how downright steep it is, even lower down the mountain. The trail was packed out with a shallow dusting of snow. The air was cold and very dry, but we were soon sweating as we climbed uphill. We layered off, then back on again when we got close to the Lion's Head winter trail junction and the wind picked up. When we arrived at the start of the Raymond Path, a short distance further along, we ran into two hikers coming down from Washington after turning around because of the weather. They were wearing full mountaineering regalia including plastic boots, full crampons, balaclavas, heavy mitts, but had decided that it was simply too cold to attempt the summit and were hiking out. It pays to be conservative on Mt Washington in winter. Rick and I put on our snowshoes and headed down the Raymond Path, which looked unbroken. Lucky for us, there was an inch or two of powder over a heavy crust which could hold us, so we made good time. That is until we reached the first of several hazardous water crossings. We bushwhacked around for a while trying to find a good crossing point, but gave up and took the winter bypass down the fire road that leads to Harvard (Mountaineering Club) Cabin at the base of Huntington Ravine. Harvard Cabin is a primitive cabin, only open in winter, that provides basic lodging and nearby campsites. The last time I'd been there was in 2008, but this was Rick's first visit, so we checked it out. The cabin is open between December 1st and April 1st each year of operation and is maintained by a caretaker who is present most nights. Cost is $15/person/night to stay inside, with max occupancy of 16. Campsites accommodating up to 10 campers are available nearby for $10/person/night. For more information. We followed the fire road past the cabin for a short distance, before hiking down the Huntington Ravine Trail to get back on the Raymond Path on the other side of the stream crossings. From that point on, we snowshoed northeast along the trail, again on hard crust with some powdery spots. The trail sidehills, which was a bit uncomfortable wearing snowshoes, but the forest is beautiful to walk through, with open glades and impressive, though obstructed views of Tuckerman Ravine and the Wildcat Range through the trees. We made good time and came to the Old Jackson Road which we followed back to Pinkham Lodge. It's not really a road anymore and we had to break out parts of it on the way out, but it's an interesting route in winter because it crosses so many backcountry ski trails worth exploring at some later day. Though seldom hiked, the Raymond Path makes a very attractive snowshoe loop. It took us a casual 4 hours to hike and snowshoe the 6.2 mile route, an adventure well worth the journey. --- # Breaking in Carbon Fiber Hiking Poles Source: https://sectionhiker.com/breaking-in-carbon-fiber-hiking-poles/ ![Carbon fiber trekking poles](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2009/08/Carbon-fiber-trekking-poles.jpg) I've been using ultralight (sub 8 oz) carbon fiber hiking poles this year from Gossamer Gear and Backpackinglight.com. Hiking with them is a fantastic experience. They're incredibly lightweight and easy to reposition with a flick of the wrist, greatly reducing arm fatigue. However, I've snapped 4 strapless ultralight carbon fiber poles since March (or one every 30 trail hours) and I'm beginning to wonder if I'm too rough with them or if they're better suited for a different kind of terrain than we have in New England. I've met people with broken ultralight carbon poles on the trail this year, so I know that I'm not alone on this. And the manufacturers have been most gracious, replacing my broken ones with new ones. But it's a real bummer to break a trekking pole half way through a multi-day trip. The locus of the breaks is highly consistent. On fixed length, ultralight carbon fiber poles, the tips break off just above the basket threading. The break is more of a crush than a sheer. On adjustable, ultralight carbon fiber poles, the break occurs on the upper sleeve when I catch the bottom half on an obstacle like a tree root. What's disconcerting is that they shear with the slightest lateral pressure and have no give to them at all. In all fairness, I also break aluminum adjustable poles, but at a much slower rate of 1 per year. Rather than shearing, they bend on me, when I bear down on them very hard to brace a fall on wet rock or ice. Non-ultralight, adjustable carbon fiber poles have been around for a while (my wife owns a pair from REI), but the weight difference between them and regular aluminum poles is insignificant and they suffer from all of the normal slippage problems, so I've always given them the pass. The big difference between them and ultralight carbon fiber poles is thickness and the fact that the ultralight manufacturers, including The Titanium Goat (her new pair), have universally eliminated the adjustable slippage problem. So I have some questions for you: - How prevalent is the breakage of ultralight carbon fiber poles? - Are ultralight carbon fiber poles more suitable for some types of terrain than others? - Are there changes to my hiking style that I need to make to get my ultralight carbon fiber poles last longer? I haven't seen this issue raised on the discussion boards that I lurk on like backpackinglight.com and I am hoping that I could get some feedback from you. If I'm not using the poles the way they should be used, I'd like to know. *Disclosure: Gossamer Gear provided sectionhiker.com with a complementary pair of carbon fiber hiking poles. Author purchased carbon fiber hiking poles from Backpackinglight.com using their own funds.* *Note: Backpackinglight.com no longer sells this product.* --- # 10 Frugal Thru-Hiking Tips Source: https://sectionhiker.com/10-frugal-thru-hiking-tips/ ![Frugal Thru-hiking](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2015/10/10-Backpacking-on-a-Budget.jpg)Taking time to hike the Appalachian Trail can be expensive if you don't spend your money wisely. Here are a few tips to keep your costs to a minimum without going primal. Being a frugal thru-hiker or section hiker can halve the estimated $5000 that it takes to hike a long trail. ## 1. Don't Pay for Trail Shuttles At $1 or $2 per mile, the cost of trail shuttles adds up very quickly (even more than lodging.) Don't take shuttles that you have to pay for. Hitchhike, ask for free shuttles in Facebook groups, or suck it up and hike where you need to go. ## 2. Don't Pay for Motels or Hostels If you need to go into town to resupply, get your food and head back to the trail before nightfall. If you want a shower, find someone who will give you one for free or at a discount, like at a YMCA, church, or campground. If you decide you have to stay in town, at least split the cost of a cheap motel room with other hikers. Seriously, you're spending all this time outdoors hiking: why do you need to sleep indoors when you get to town. Sleep on the trail and save your dough. ## 3. Resupply by Mail You can send boxes of food and supplies to US Post Offices where they'll hold it for you until you pick it up. It's an amazing service and a great way to save a ton of money on resupply costs, since food and sundries in small towns can be so expensive.  You can even send yourself "heavy" food that you can eat for a treat in town, like canned food, that you'd never want to carry on the trail. [Click for instructions on sending mail drops.](https://sectionhiker.com/hiker-resupply-and-mail-drops/) ## 4. Buy Food in Bulk You can save a bundle by buying your food in bulk and breaking it into meal or snack size portions at home. Splitting a big order with another hiking friend is also a great way to save. Shop around. You can usually buy large lots of raw and processed food on Amazon.com or in natural food stores. Dries beans, grains, spices, and even large lots of snickers bars and M&M's can go a long way to lowering your food costs. Food is expensive and a great place to save money. ## 5. Buy Used Gear There's no reason to pay full price for expensive backpacking gear when its easy to find lightly used gear such as backpacks, sleeping bags, tents, and tarps online. Let your fingers do your shopping on eBay, where you should be able to save 40-50% on the gear you need for a long distance hike. ## 6. Buy Thrift Store Clothing When was the last time you went into a Goodwill or Thrift Shop and checked out the clothing they have for sale. It's amazing what you can find, often at a 75% or better discount over retail clothing prices. Just make Make sure it's all synthetic (not cotton) because it will last longer and dry faster than cotton, as well as chafing less. Look for the following clothing for a long distance hike: - insulated puffy jacket - fleece sweater (100 weight is best) - rain jacket - windbreaker - button down shirts - long pants - T-shirts - nylon running shorts - goofy hat - black dress socks - these work great for hiking - boxer shorts (to prevent chafing) ## 7. Pre-Buy Multiple Pairs of Shoes You're probably going to go through a few pairs of shoes or boots on your hike. Figure getting 400-500 miles on a pair of trail runners, for instance. Try buying them all at once when they're on sale or an end-of-year clearance. You can save up to 50% off the retail price. You're feet at bound to grow a bit as you hike, so size up a 1/2 size. ## 8. Make Your Own Gear You can save a bundle on up-front gear costs by making your own gear. For example, you can make an ultralight backpacking quilt from scratch or turn a used sleeping bag into one. Tarps and bug bivies are also fairly simple to make and well as alcohol stoves, of course. Here are some good places to find MYOG instructions and kits. - [Thru-hiker.com](https://thru-hiker.com/materials/index.php) - [Zen stoves](https://zenstoves.net/Templates.htm) ## 9. Turn Off Your Utilities and Stop Paying Rent If you plan to drop out of civilization for a few months or more, you can save a lot of money turning off all of your utilities or moving out of your apartment so you don't have to pay rent while you're away. The same holds for cell phone bills: switch from a monthly plan to pre-paid one so you're not paying for minutes you won't use. ## 10. Hike Faster Perhaps the best way to save money is by hiking the trail faster. You'll definitely save more money on food and lodging if you're out for a shorter period of time. Of course, that means you'll have more time to attempt another major hike....so hiking fast may be self-defeating to your bank account in the end. ### What are other ways to save money on thru-hikes and section hikes? --- # Adirondack Gem: Pharoh Lake Wilderness Source: https://sectionhiker.com/adirondack-gem-pharoh-lake-wilderness/ A few years ago, I went on a Columbus Day Weekend (October) backpacking trip with my friend Christine Benton to the Pharoh Lake Wilderness in the Adirondack region of New York State. Christine is a trip leader for the New York - New Jersey Chapter of the AMC, one of the few remaining chapters that has backpacking trips scheduled for almost every weekend. They seem to have fallen out of favor with some chapters, which mostly do day hiking instead. Christine's an interesting person, a British expat, and one of those resourceful people who manages to find their way to the mountains each weekend, even though she lives in New York City and doesn't own a car. When I signed up for her trip, I knew that Pharoh Lake was Christine's favorite place to backpack in the autumn when the trees change and the colors come out. I'd never been to the Adirondack Park in upstate New York, but since it was a 3 day holiday weekend, I was up for the 5 hour drive from Boston. The Adirondack Park is the largest state-protected park in the lower 48. It is huge, containing 6.1 million acres of forest, ponds, lands, and mountains, including the Adirondack High Peaks, a range of 46 mountains all above 4,000 ft in height. By comparison, the White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire is only 770,000 acres in size. Our group met at the Putnam Pond Campground, west of Ticonderoga, home of the famous Revolutionary War military fortress. I arrived the night before and hung my hammock in the woods, even though the campground itself was closed for the season. I remember cooking dinner with my alcohol stove by the side of the lake, watching the mist roll over the water, and enjoying the solitude of the place. We all met the next morning and started our hike south and east around Putnam Pond to Pharoh Lake, about a 8 mile hike. Once there, we started to look for a place to camp but all of the designated campsites were taken and we were forced to scatter and stealth camp in the woods. That was fine with me, but I know it upset Christine and we locked horns over it - the one time we've had a head-to-head clash on a trip. I was happy to walk right into the woods and hang a hammock, but she wanted to find a spot where we could pitch our shelters together. I think we were both a little shocked at how stubborn we both were. It probably didn't help that it was pouring rain at the time. The next morning, we got an early start and climbed up Pharoh Mountain, the highest peak in the area, for a look at the foliage, which was picture perfect. I am still always amazed by the beauty of fall colors in the mountains. From Pharoh Mountain we hiked down to a lovely adirondack-style shelter on one of the many lakes in the area. Christine put on a brew and I set up my hammock right next to the lake shoreline. After the crowds of the previous day, we were all relieved to be alone at a beautiful camp site, surrounded by towering red spruce trees. The following morning, we walked to Rock Pond, a very picturesque lake, and had a long rest by the shore, while I experimented with photographic composition. This is one of my favorite all time backpacking trip pictures. From there we hiked a few more miles through woods, rain, and wet leaves back to our cars, I think. To tell you the truth, I can't remember if we ran a shuttle on that trip or did a loop. Anyway, if you've never been to the Adirondacks, it is a big place worth exploring. The local hiking club in the region is called the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK). They are a big club and have provide lots of trips and outdoor instruction. Pharoh Lake is located in the southeast part of the Adirondack Park and if you are interested in exploring the region, I suggest you get the National Geographic Tyvek Map (#743) of the [Lake George, Great Sacandaga Lake](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1566953634?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1566953634) region. --- # Gertrude’s Nose Source: https://sectionhiker.com/gertrudes-nose/ Gertrude's Nose is an impressive section of cliff face in The Gunks. Located within Minnewaska State Park, it's an easy walk from Lake Minnewaska, or a more challenging one if you hike along the Millbrook Ridge Trail from Trapps Bridge. I did the latter, because I wanted to climb Millbrook Mountain again to see if I could find any turkey vultures. These big birds are ever present in the area, soaring on thermals, and nesting along the cliffs. The Millbrook Ridge Trail runs along the top of a cliff for about 3 miles with sheer views to the south overlooking the Walkill Valley. Given its Dutch heritage, a lot of rivers in New York State have the word "kill" in them, hence Walkill. From the top of the cliff looking down, there are wide stretches of talus where pieces of the cliff have sheered off and piled up below. After you pass the summit of Millbrook Mountain (heading west,) there is a section of trail where you can see this process at work. Deep, seemingly bottomless, fissures can be seen plunging between sections of the rocky ridge, as natural forces work to tear apart the cliffs. As you near Gertrude's Nose, the trail traverses wide slabs of conglomerate rock with dwarf pitch pine trees growing on top of them. I hiked this section a few years ago on a much hotter, sunny day, and remember being warned to watch out for rattlesnakes that sun themselves in this area. After arriving at the Nose, which is named after the first landowner, I looped back around and walked toward Lake Minnewaska along the Millbrook Drive [Carriageway](https://sectionhiker.com/a-history-of-the-gunks-carriageways/). From there, I walked around the lake and down Sunset Path to the Trapps Carriageway and Awosting Falls. My wife and I like visiting this spot with its high waterfall and large pond. I was astonished however but how little water there was in the cascade and the pond below. Apparently the region is in the midst of a severe drought, which has brought on an extreme fire danger level. This pond usually feeds a large stream that parallels Trapps Carriageway, but it is now a bone dry stream bed. This was doubly a bummer because I was out of water and had been counting on this stream to top off my water supply. I eventually found another with running water at Coxing Kill, but it too was much lower than I remember. From here, it was just another mile or two back to my car at the West Trapps parking lot and the end of another fine walk in the Gunks. The total distance of this hike was about 10 miles in 6.5 hours. ## Directions to the Millbrook Ridge Trail and Gertrude's Nose: The Minnnewaska State Park Preserve is west of New Paltz, about 90 miles from New York City. From the New York Thruway, take Exit 18 to New Paltz and turn left after the tollbooth onto westbound Route 299. Stay on Route 299 through New Paltz toward the looming cliffs, following signs to Minnewaska State Park Preserve. After 7.2 miles, turn right at the junction with Routes 44 and 55. Drive about 2.5 miles and turn into the West Trapps parking lot. --- # Dan and Whits General Store on the Vermont Appalachian Trail Source: https://sectionhiker.com/dan-and-whits-general-store/ If you're preparing for an Appalachian Trail thru-hike or just hiking a section, and plan on passing through Norwich, Vermont, I recommend you stop at [Dan and Whit's General Store](https://www.danandwhitsonline.com/) in the center of town for a resupply. If you're hiking northbound, make a left when you come to the village green, and the store is about a hundred yards up the road, next to the exclusive Norwich Inn. You could hold on for another mile and walk into Hanover, home of Dartmouth College, but it's quite a scene there with a lot of expensive cafes, fancy restaurants and dress shops. Not exactly my cup of tea; I felt right at home in the General Store though. They've got food and adult drink, have a hiker phone for free local calls, a deli, fruits and vegetables, clothes and toys and all kinds of other stuff. David Miller writes in [The A.T. Guide](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0979708125/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0979708125&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20), that they also give hikers day-old sandwiches for free. The thing I found most appealing about the place is that they call all of their regulars by their first names, and that people come by to pick up their mail there. It felt homey. Truth is, the store has been in the hands of the same family for 110 years and passed down through the generations. That's one of the things I like about hiking the AT. It reminds you that small towns, and stores like this, still exist. --- # How to Read the Forested Landscape Source: https://sectionhiker.com/how-to-read-the-forested-landscape/ ![](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/IMG_0376.jpg) I just finished reading an incredible book called [Reading the Forested Landscape: A Natural History of New England](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0881504203/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0881504203&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20), authored by Tom Wessels, an ecologist and environmental biologist who teaches at the Antioch New England Graduate School in New Hampshire. This book teaches the reader how to look at a forest and deduce its history by observing disturbance patterns amongst its trees. Wessels describes six forms of forest disturbances common in New England, a region that was nearly clear cut by colonizing settlers and sheep herders. Each chapter focuses on a single form of disturbance, and reads like a detective mystery, drawing you into the observational and deductive methodology for reading forests invented by Wessels. The six most common forms of these disturbances include fire, pasturing, logging, blights, beavers, and blowdowns. Wessels provides readers with clues about how to recognize each of these disturbance patterns by observing defects in the bark or branching of trees, woodland species diversity, patterns of stump decay, and soil topography. For example, it's possible to deduce the effect of fire on a forest by observing the following clues: - Standing dead snags: Conifers and oaks made rot resistent by high heat that kills the tree, giving it a silvery appearance. - Discontinuity in tree ages: Fires often leaves large tress but kill medium sized ones. If a forest contains large trees and many small trees, it is likely that a fire has occurred sometime in the past. - Basal fire scars: Triangular scars at the base of trees. This is where fuel pockets form. - Multiple-trunked trees:  Many broad-leaved trees and pitch-pine grow stump-sprouts after they have been killed by heat. After reading this book, I will never look at a forest the same way again. It's helped me understand the way in which natural processes and human intervention can affect the character of a forest and I plan on referring back to it as I further develop my own observational skills for reading forests. *Disclosure: The author owns this product and purchased it using their own funds. * --- # Wicking Underwear Source: https://sectionhiker.com/wicking-underwear/ ## Hiking and Lyme Disease Last year, I switched to wearing long pants for all of my day hiking and backpacking trips to lower my risk of Lymes disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. I have an alarming number of friends who've contracted Lymes at least once, and it's something to be avoided. But the problem with wearing long pants is that you sweat a lot more in the crotch and between your legs, which can quickly lead to thigh chafing or diaper rash (monkey butt), unless you actively manage the issue. You can do this by finding long pants that have good ventilation like [Railrider's Eco-Mesh hiking pants ](https://sectionhiker.com/2008/05/18/railriders-eco-mesh-hiking-pants/)and/or by finding underwear that is effective at wicking sweat away from your body. A third approach is to proactively smear [Bodyglide](https://sectionhiker.com/2008/06/02/bodyglide-skin-chafing-prevention/) or [zinc oxide](https://sectionhiker.com/2008/03/22/zinc-oxide-a-first-aid-essential/) between your thighs and cheeks to reduce the likelihood of skin irritation. I often use all three of these strategies at once. ![](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/679957.jpg) The amount of sweat your body produces will depend on the season of the year, weather conditions, what you are wearing, what you are carrying, and your level of exertion, meaning that no one solution will address every situation you find yourself in. ## Hiking Underwear For example, for 3 season hiking and backpacking, I find that [Ex Officio mesh briefs](https://www.rei.com/product/684396) are adequate to prevent thigh chafing, although sometimes an application of Bodyglide is required. In winter, Under Armour Compression Shorts (above) are very effective at wicking moisture away from my sensitive parts. However, if I'm wearing a backpack, it will act as a vapor barrier and cause a lot of sweat to drip down my back. Under these circumstances it's sometimes useful to apply zinc oxide pre-emptively. As usual, figuring out what works took a lot of experimentation and a certain amount of skin irritation. Along the way, I tried [Ex Officio Boxer Shorts](https://www.rei.com/product/694431/exofficio-give-n-go-boxer-briefs-mens) but decided they don't breathe well enough and like Patagonia Classic Boxers, they chafe when they get saturated. In addition I tried REI MTS boxers which feel great when they are dry, but cease to work when they get soaked with sweat under rain pants. None of the boxers I tried, dried very well at night, either. In winter, I tried wearing Capiline 1 long underwear alone under a hard shell layer, but decided I needed a little more support, and tried the Under Armour compression shorts as a base layer. I came across this system almost by chance, but it is extremely effective because the compression shorts provide good leg insulation and they never feel wet under my long underwear. This is particularly useful on multi-day trips when I ah, wear the same pair of underwear for a few days in a row. *Disclosure: The author owns this product and purchased it using their own funds. * ## What is your 3 season or winter underwear solution? Please leave a comment. --- # Winter Camping, Hiking, and Backpacking Resources Source: https://sectionhiker.com/winter-camping-hiking-and-backpacking-resources/ Winter camping, hiking, backpacking and mountaineering are not without peril. If you have never done them, it's best to receive some training from your local outdoor club or a professional guiding service before you try it yourself. I just started last year myself after a three-day Intro to Mountaineering Class with a guide in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. It was an eye-opening experience. If you are in New England and are interested in becoming a 4 season hiker, there are a few winter training programs that I'd recommend you look into. The Adirondack Mountain Club hosts an annual Winter Mountaineering School near Lake Placid, New York that typically covers the following areas of instruction: - Trip planning and leadership - Snowshoe, crampon, and ice axe technique - Use of map, compass, altimeter, and GPS - On and off trail navigation - Winter backpacking skills - Constructing snow caves, igloos, and other snow shelters - Steep snow and ice climbing - Safe above-treeline travel under winter conditions - Wilderness first aid and safety - Avalanche Awareness - Hydration, nutrition, and winter backcountry kitchen skills If you live in the Boston Area, the Boston Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club has a Winter Hiking and Backpacking Program which I've taught for in the past. It includes 4 lectures and 10 hiking, backpacking and cabin trips in New England and the White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire. I already know quite a few of the instructors and trip leaders including Mark Warren who has been a guest poster on section hiker. If you want to learn more about winter camping, hiking, backpacking and mountaineering, here are a few online resources and books that I have found very helpful: - [Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0898868289?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0898868289) - [NOLS Winter Camping](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0811731839?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0811731839) - [Allen & Mike's Really Cool Backcountry Ski Book: Traveling & Camping Skills for a Winter Environment ](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0762745851?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0762745851) - [How to Build an Igloo: And Other Snow Shelters](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0393732150?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0393732150) written 2009. --- # Mt. Tom State Reservation – Western Massachusetts Source: https://sectionhiker.com/mt-tom-state-reservation-western-massachusetts/ # Hiking the Metacomet-Monadnock Trail I went for a very pleasant 5 mile ridge walk last Sunday at the Mt. Tom State Reservation in Western Massachusetts, overlooking the town of Northampton and the Connecticut River Valley. I used to live in this area about 20 years ago when I attended graduate school and this trip brought back memories of previous hikes that I've done in the area. ![](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/IMG_1379.JPG) Mt. Tom (1,202 ft) is located about 20 miles from the southern end of the Metacomet-Monadnock Trail, a 114 mile long distance trail that runs from the Connecticut/Massachusetts state line to Mt. Monadnock in New Hampshire. I've hiked many disparate sections of this trail over the years, but after today, I'm thinking it would make a mellow, end-to-end, winter backpacking project next year. ![](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/IMG_1372.JPG) Mt. Tom and the surrounding area is covered with a forest of mature oak and hemlock that is quite beautiful in winter. Steep basalt cliffs overlook Northampton to the north and there are good views of the Seven Sisters to the east. These are a series of basalt knobs between Mount Holyoke and Mount Hitchcock that offer clifftop views of the Pioneer Valley. The highest sister has an elevation of 945 feet and rises 800 feet above the valley below. The terrain is very rugged; a continuous 9 mile walk along the ridge line includes an overall elevation change of 3,700 feet. ## Gear Testing I did today's hike in crampons and plastic boots - the trail was quite steep in spots and icy, so this turned out to be a good choice. I was testing some gear, as usual, including a new ultralight mountaineering pack from Cold Cold World backpacks that I'll review later in the week. The temperature was surprisingly warm, about 40 degrees, but we experienced extremely high winds, gusting to 50 miles an hour, which cooled things down in a hurry. The wind really sounded like a freight train up on the ridge and my fleece hat felt like it was going to be blown off my head. ![](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/IMG_1380-1.JPG) I went on this trip with the Berkshire chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club but members from all of the Massachusetts' chapters attended, which is a bit unusual. This turned out to be a good group with a mix of experts and beginners, and I met some fun hikers who I expect to see later in the season on some other upcoming winter trips I've got planned before spring. If you are interested in visiting Mt Tom or the surrounding area, it's located about 115 miles west of Boston, just south of Northampton MA off Interstate 91 and Rt. 5. The best way to get there from the east is to drive west on the Mass Pike. For more information and a map of local trails, visit the official Mt. Tom Reservation web page. --- # Mt. Major – Central New Hampshire Source: https://sectionhiker.com/mt-major-central-new-hampshire/ ![Mt Major overlooking Lake Winnipausaukee in New Hampshire](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/IMG_1516.JPG) I got out Sunday for a hike up Mt. Major (~2,100) in Southern New Hampshire about 90 miles north of my house. We had a pleasant 3 hour, 5 mile hike up to the summit and down on a snow-packed treadway with patches of ice near the rocky summit. Our hike included a few minor stream crossings and an encounter with a herd of snowmobiles, but was otherwise pleasant and quiet. The weather today was overcast with temperatures in the mid-twenties, but visibility was good and we could see Mt. Washington, about 50 miles to the north, from Mt Major's exposed summit. People climb this mountain because it has the best view overlooking Lake Winnipesaukee, the 6th largest lake in the United States. Winnipesaukee is huge: it is 28 miles long, 15 miles wide, and has a circumference of 63 miles. I've sea kayaked here a few times in summer and I whitewater kayak frequently on the Class 3/4 section of Winnipesaukee River, about 30 miles to the south in Tilton, NH. Lake Winnipesaukee is an impressive site any time of year, but particularly so in winter, when it's frozen completely over and home to hundreds of ice fishing huts. Plus, if you look closely, you can see snow mobiles zipping over its surface like water bugs. This was my second hike with the NE Hiker's and Adventurer's meetup group and I met some more kindred spirits who I hope to hike with in the coming weeks. Since my last hike up [Welsh-Dickey](https://sectionhiker.com/2009/02/19/welch-and-dickey-mountain-loop-central-new-hampshire/), I've become an assistant organizer for the group and will be leading a few overnight backpacking trips for them on the Appalachian Trail in April, June, July and Augist. To get to Mt. Major, drive to Alton Bay, NH and follow Rt 11 north past the scenic overlook on the shore of Lake Winnipesaukee. Shortly after that, there is a large parking lot on your left with trail heads that lead to several loop hikes. --- # Opinion: The Limits of Volunteer Trail Maintenance in the White Mountains Source: https://sectionhiker.com/opinion-the-limits-of-volunteer-trail-maintenance-in-the-white-mountains/ I am a volunteer trail maintainer for the US Forest Service in New Hampshire's White Mountains, one of many other hikers who work to keep our local trails open despite a lack of federal funding to maintain our trail system. But volunteer trail maintainers lack the where-with-all to repair the extensive damage to the White Mountain Trail System caused by Hurricane Irene in 2011. The role of volunteer trail maintainers is to clear trails of vegetation and clean water bars, not to create or rebuild trails that have been deeply eroded, suffered landslides, or had their bridges washed away. While some Irene-related trail repairs have been completed since the storm, many trails are still in very rough shape. Out of concern, I called the local Ranger station where my volunteer crew is coordinated and talked to a local Forest Service official if there was anything I could do to help speed up their repair efforts. What she said, chilled me to my core. [quote]We have a lot of trails in the White Mountains, but we may have to close some of them because we can't afford to maintain them. [/quote] It's not like this hasn't happened before. There are a lot of trails in the White Mountains that have been closed or lost (see the White Mountains Lost Trail Project) over the years. Trail closure and change is a natural part of the any trail system. But I can't help feel that more could be done to harness the goodwill of the local hiking community to revive some of the trails damaged by Hurricane Irene without resorting to official closures. The truth is that there are more people who want to maintain trails in the White Mountains than there are trails available for them to maintain. I suspect that many of these volunteers would be interested in learning or volunteering to perform the heavier form of maintenance provided by the professional trail crews that work in the White Mountains today including crews from the Appalachian Mountain Club, [The Wonalancet Out Door Club](https://www.wodc.org/trails.htm), [the Randolph Mountain Club](https://www.randolphmountainclub.org/mountainjobs/trailcrew.html) and [the Waterville Valley Athletic and Improvement Association](https://www.wvaia.org/TrailWork.php). I'd certainly be interested in volunteering to perform heavier work as long as I didn't have to pay for a "volunteer vacation", and I suspect other people would as well. I wish the Forest Service would organize an effort like this or co-sponsor it with one of the local crews mentioned above. I think there's a significant degree of pent up demand for a stewardship initiative like this in the White Mountains and that a lot of good can come from hikers taking an even bigger role in maintaining the trail system. In the absence of federal funding, there's really no alternative except to close more trails. --- # Leading Winter Hikes for the Appalachian Mountain Club Source: https://sectionhiker.com/leading-winter-hikes-for-the-appalachian-mountain-club/ Last night was a big moment for me because my application to become a full 4 season winter leader for the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) was approved. This is not an easy qualification to get and builds on the 3 season leader qualification I'd already earned. It means a lot to me that the steering committee of my chapter voted to approve my application and I'm humbled to be part of the group that can plan trips and train co-leaders year round. Learning how to safely lead day hikes and backpacking trips in winter conditions takes a lot of technical hiking skills and people skills, something that is factored into the training that leaders interested in pursuing the 4 season qualification get. That's ok because leaning how to be an effective 4 season leader is not a qualification you can rush and  requires a lot of mentoring by leaders with decades of guiding experience behind them. It's a remarkable process to be involved in and to benefit from. If you'd asked me 3 years ago whether I'd be interested in becoming a 3 or even a 4 season hiking and backpacking leader for the AMC, I'd have probably said no because there are a few aspects of the club that I'm not too keen on. But when you get down to it, the part of the AMC I love, and have always loved, are the volunteer leaders who give so much of their time to educating and mentoring others on trips and club-sponsored activities. AMC leaders have opened up  so many opportunities for me over the past 10 years that I wanted to become one myself. Becoming a winter leader - technically a 4 season leader - is a huge responsibility, particularly in the White Mountains where winters typically last from November through April (see [Why are the White Mountains So Tough?](https://sectionhiker.com/why-are-the-white-mountains-so-tough/)) But it's also a responsibility that is shared among the other leaders in the chapter. For example, every trip has multiple leaders on it working together, and it's not uncommon for leaders not on the trip to sub for one another if one is ill or indisposed rather than cancelling a scheduled hike. Being able to count on other leaders like that seems like such a precious gift and something I'd like to be able to carry on. So what's next? I plan to start posting a few winter day hikes and backpacking trips of my own design for the end of winter  (March, April) while full winter gear is still required, including some bushwhacks and backpacking trips. For the  next few years, I think I'm going to simply focus on leading trips and honing my leadership skills, but I'd like to eventually get involved with the training that the AMC offers to people interested in becoming trip leaders. The leadership training I received from the senior leaders in my chapter was just fantastic and it's something I'd like learn how to teach myself. If you're interested in seeing what trips are on the Boston AMC hiking and backpacking schedule, click here. There are usually trips available for all levels of expertise and stamina and you don't have to be a member of the Appalachian Mountain Club to participate. See you in the mountains and on the trails! --- # Bonticou Crag Source: https://sectionhiker.com/bonticou-crag/ If you live near New Paltz, New York or are visiting the Shawangunks (The Gunks), and want a great rock scramble and day hike, try Bonticou Crag (1,194 ft). It's a knife edge style, rock ridge, located in the Mohonk Preserve, with fantastic views of the Catskills mountains. Be forewarned. This is not a hike for dogs, children, those who are afraid of heights, or lacking 4 point (hands and feet) rock scrambling confidence. Getting to the Crag requires a hike. While parking is available at Spring Farm, I prefer starting at The Mohonk Gatehouse and following the Bonticou Carriageway to the base of the Crag. The [Carriageways](https://sectionhiker.com/a-history-of-the-gunks-carriageways/) are a unique feature of this region and well worth exploring fully in the Mohonk Preserve and neighboring the Minnewaska State Park. ## Gunks Maps If you are staying at the Mountain House or are a day visitor, the maps distributed by the Mohonk Preserve are sufficient to navigate to the crag. However, if you're interested in multiple hikes in the area, I highly recommend that you get the [Shawangunk Trails Map Set](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1880775530/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1880775530&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20) published by the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference. They are printed on Tyvek and are an excellent resource for planning trips throughout this hiking Meca. ## Driving Directions Take the New York State Thruway to Exit 18 (New Paltz). Turn left onto Route 299 and drive west through the Village of New Paltz. After crossing  the Wallkill River bridge at the west end of the village, turn right onto Springtown Road, following signs for the Mohonk Mountain House. At the next intersection, turn left onto Mountain Rest Road for 3.3 miles to the entrance to the [Mohonk Mountain House](https://sectionhiker.com/mohonk-mountain-house-a-hikers-paradise/) at the top of the hill. --- # Leave No Trace Camping Source: https://sectionhiker.com/leave-no-trace-camping/ One of my facebook readers left a comment yesterday, questioning why anyone would bury the ash generated by a wood stove (see my [Solo Wood Stove Review](https://sectionhiker.com/solo-wood-stove-review/)) when it would naturally dissipate on its own. Burying my ashes is one of the things I do to practice Leave No Trace Camping. The idea is simple. When you camp at a wild site, try to leave it in the same condition as you found it so the next guy or gal to visit can experience the same level of wildness. Here's another example: When I break camp in the morning, I fluff up the compressed leaves and dirt that were under my sleeping pad at night so that they look like the rest of the forest floor. I also scatter the twigs and branches I removed the previous night on top so no one will know I'd slept there. ## Why Practice Leave No Trace? When I see ash piled on the ground, a pile of rocks built up in a funky cairn, a hastily-built and scorched fire ring, or partially burned logs at a camp site, it immediately ruins the feeling of wildness I like to experience when camping in wilderness areas. With a growing population, we can't expect our wilderness areas to survive if we don't become more conscious about our impact on them when we visit. And if we don't do it voluntarily, some government agency will step in, permit the area,  and eliminate wild camping in wilderness areas altogether (like they've done many places out west.) Here's are a few of the other things I do keep a wild campsite as wild as when I found it: - I collect all my trash, including used matches and tea-bags, and drop them in my bear bag to carry out.  - I bury grey water from washing and feces in a proper cat hole. - I don't sleep along stream to avoid harming delicate plants that grow along their banks (200 feet or 80 steps away is best practice). - I avoid pitching camp on non-durable surfaces like fragile growing plants. - I avoid walking to and from my water source over moss or other fragile vegetation. - I don't remodel a site by creating a fire ring or move rocks and logs to make better seats. - I don't break branches off trees for firewood and only use wood that's already on the ground. Adopting these practices has made me much more conscious of my potential impact on the wilderness experience of others and the quality of experience I want to enjoy when I camp in a wild area. I can't make other people practice them, but they make a lot of sense to me and have become part of the ethical framework I practice when I'm hiking and camping.   --- # Impact Monster Skit – A Leave No Trace Lesson Plan Source: https://sectionhiker.com/impact-monster-skit-leave-no-trace-lesson-plan/ The most effective way to teach Leave No Trace principles is experiential, by having participants demonstrate the principles to their peers in the context of a hiking, canoeing, or outdoor trip. However, if you need to teach LNT as part of an indoor program targeting families including younger children, role playing skits that involve audience participation are a very effective way to illustrate the principles in an immersive and inclusive manner. One popular Leave No Trace skit scenario is called the Impact Monster. In it, the behavior of campers practicing Leave No Trace principles is contrasted with an Impact Monster, an individual who is careless about the damage he inflicts on his surroundings and the people he disturbs when camping. This skit is designed so it can be performed with very few props or costumes, making it good for outdoor use or in a camp. It also provides the opportunity for younger children to play the supporting roles, which can be fun and helps them identify with the principles more strongly. But the traditional Impact Monster skit assumes the presence of multiple LNT trained confederates. What if you're the only LNT trainer present and the show must go on? Here's an adaption of the Impact Monster Skit for a single presenter. ## Characters - Narrator and Discussion Leader, played by LNT trainer - Impact Monster, played by LNT Trainer (can be the same trainer) - Tree-1 played by a participant - Tree-2 played by a participant - Flower played by a participant - Camper-1 played by a participant - Camper-2 played by a participant ## Props Intro scene: - Tree 1 has a sign around her neck that reads "Cold River Campsite" - Tree 2 has a sign around her neck that reads "No Camping" - Both trees are festooned with toilet paper in their branches - Two folding chairs arranged side by side to symbolize a tent - A coffee can which symbolizes a camping stove, place on a chair - A bandana that the narrator dons to transform into the Impact Monster Monster props - Head Phones - Black Magic Marker - Backpack containing Candy wrappers - Hatchet - Miscellaneous waste paper ## Performing the Impact Monster Skit *Introduce the skit by sharing with the audience the meaning of “minimal impact” on nature. You might say:* An impact is an action that has an effect or makes a change, so having the least impact when camping or exploring nature outdoors means leaving things as they are. If we were to all make an impact and change the outdoors, it won't stay the same way for long and other people won't be able to enjoy it like we did. What you're about to see is a short skit that shows how you can preserve the wilderness we love by practicing leave no trace techniques when you camp or hike outdoors. One of the characters is called the Impact Monster because he leave a big impact when he hikes and camps instead of helping to preserve the outdoors so others can enjoy it. Let’s see why that’s important. "Let's Introduce our actors" Tree-1, Tree-2, and Flower are already on stage... Tree-1: "I am a tree and I want to grow big and tall. You can camp under me under me", pointing to the Cold River Campsite sign tied around her neck. Tree-2: "I am a tree and I wants birds to live in my branches. Please don't camp under me", pointing to the No Camping sign tied around her neck. " Flower: "I am a beautiful flower. You can take a picture of me if you like, but please don't pick me so other people can appreciate my beauty." Camper 1 and Camper 2 walk on to the stage... Camper-1: "My son and I are going camping for the first time. I hope he enjoys this experience." Camper-2: "My dad and I are going camping. I can't wait to look at the stars at night ad sleep in a tent." Camper-1: "That was a great hike. Let's set up camp and cook dinner." (Turns to look at trees) "God I hate it when people trash behind in the woods. Let's clean this up before we set up camp." (takes toilet paper out of trees) Camper-1: "There's that's better. Where should we set up camp?" Camper-2: "Look Dad, there are signs on the trees. This one says Cold River Campsite and the other one says no camping." Camper-1: "Let's set up our tent here then" (pointing to chairs and the campsite sign) Camper-1: "Lets cook dinner using the camping stove I brought." (picking up coffee can) Camper-2: "That was good Dad. Can we look at the stars now?" (both sit down on chairs) Camper-1: "That's the north star and those are the constellations" (pointing up) Camper-2: "I'm sleepy." Camper-1: "Good night son. Sweet dreams." (Both close their eyes ad pretend to sleep) Narrator: “Here comes the Impact Monster.” *Monster saunters in, headphones on, singing to music he can only hear.* Impact Monster: (shouting) "How sweet it is to be loved by you! How sweet it is to be loved by you!" *Impact Monster pantomimes air guitar while humming. * *Impact Monster positions himself in front of campers' tent and shouts "How sweet it is to be loved by you"* Camper-1: "Can you keep it down out there? We're sleeping!" Impact Monster: (shouting into tent) "How sweet it is to be loved by you!" *Impact Monster walks under Tree-2 and points at No Camping sign. He opens his backpack pulling out wastepaper and dropping it on the ground. Then he holds up a black magic marker and crosses out the "No" on the sign. replacing it with "Monster".* Impact Monster: (shouting) "Monster Camping!" Impact Monster: "I'm hungry" (He looks in his backpack and pulls out a candy bar, ripping it out of the package and wolfing it down, before dropping the wrapper on the ground.) Impact Monster: "What a nice flower! I'll take you home for my girlfriend" (He approaches the flower, as if to pull her out of the ground.) Flower: (Flower resists) "Hands Off! Pictures only. Do not pick the flowers!" Impact Monster: "What? Ok..." (he says, slightly flustered) Impact Monster: "I want a campfire" (He looks in his backpack and pulls out a hatchet. Then he approaches Tree-1 with it) Tree-1: "Please don't cut me down. Use dead wood scattered on the ground to make your fire." Impact Monster: (surprised, Impact Monster jumps back flustered, before approaching Tree-2 and pulling on her arm.) Tree-2: (Tree 2 resists, and says) "Don't pull off my branches. Birds builds nests in them!" Impact Monster: "I don't want to camp here!" (and stomps off stage. ) Narrator: “Let’s hear it for our actors.” [Applause.] ## Talking about Impacts Time: 15 minutes ### Simplified Kids Version of Leave No Trace Principles (Adult version of principles in parentheses) You may choose to skip these and jump right to the group discussion... - Know before you go (Plan ahead and prepare) - Chose the the right path (Travel and camp on durable surface) - Trash your trash (Dispose of waste properly) - Leave what you find (Leave what you find) - Be careful with Fire (Minimize campfire impacts) - Respect wildlife (Respect wildlife) - Be kind to other visitors (Be considerate of other visitors.) ### Next, start a discussion of the seven Leave No Trace principles You might begin by asking, *Can you name something the Impact Monster did that impacted the ability for others to enjoy nature?* If you hear loud music outside, what might you not be able to notice? (Birds singing, ducks quacking, chirps that chipmunks make) If they mention picking flowers, you might ask: What creatures use flowers for food? If they mention trash, you might ask - How does seeing that make other people feel? How does it affect animals? If they mention toilet paper; "How long does that take to break down into soil." What kind of impact does chopping down a tree have? *If you'd like to use this skit for Leave No Trace training, feel free to print it out or modify it however you wish. * ### See also: - [How to Teach Leave No Trace to Beginner Hikers](https://sectionhiker.com/how-to-teach-leave-no-trace-to-beginner-hikers/) - [How to Educate Hikers Respectfully When They Harm the Backcountry](https://sectionhiker.com/how-to-educate-other-hikers-respectfully-when-they-harm-the-backcountry/) - [Biodegradable Soap in the Backcountry: the Campsuds Myth](https://sectionhiker.com/biodegradable-soap-in-the-backcountry-the-campsuds-myth/) --- # Long Distance Backpacking Meals Source: https://sectionhiker.com/long-distance-backpacking-meals/ ![Backpacking Food for a 9-day Trip](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/IMG_2674.JPG) I just finished bagging all of the food I need for an upcoming trek through the 100 mile wilderness on the Maine section of the Appalachian Trail. All together, I packed 9 days worth of food in the 2 OPSACKs you see above. Together, they weigh 14.2 lbs and contain 53 meals, snacks, coffee, and tea with an average caloric density of 110 calories per ounce. It's taken me about 3 weeks to assemble all of this food. Packing a food bag for a 3 day trip is a million times easier than planning and preparing a menu for a long distance expedition that's over one week in length. For this trip, I dehydrated a lot of the larger meals myself or used dehydrated ingredients from [Harmony House](https://www.harmonyhousefoods.com/?AffId=21) and [Packit Gourmet](https://www.packitgourmet.com/Fruit-c61.html) (PG's dehydrated banana dices are fantastic.) In the process, I learned a lot about dehydrating your own food by testing the results. In the end, I had to switch out some of the recipes I planned to use with others that fit my style of trail eating, general impatience with waiting, and desire to avoid making my pot dirty. For example, I dehydrated a lot of white rice and brown rice to use in rice pudding or as a carbohydrate with a sauce. However, in testing those dishes, I found that rice takes a long time to rehydrate without a heat source. Instead, I found that dehydrated pasta re-hydrates much faster. So I ended up replacing my rice dishes with pasta dishes and diversifying my pasta treatments to add more variety to my menu. Dehydrating your own food takes an enormous amount of effort, but it has its rewards because you can make ingredients that you just can't buy. For example, one thing I dehydrated were slices of french bread drizzled with honey. When dry, you pulverize these in a blender to create breadcrumbs which act as a sweetener and a thickener in fruit dishes. They can really make a re-hydrated fruit dish pop and add some valuable carbohydrates in the process. Here's my final meal plan then, broken out by day.  if you're interested, you can compare it with the [menu plan](https://sectionhiker.com/2009/07/06/advanced-freezer-bag-cooking-for-non-foodies/) I posted a few weeks ago before I started this process.   | **Day** | **Meal ** | **Item** | **Weight in oz.** | | ------- | ---------- | -------- | ----------------- | | 1 | Breakfast | Banana Nut Bread Pudding | 4.1 | | 1 | Snack 1 | Ginger Cookies | 2.4 | | 1 | Snack 2 | 3 Pieces Large Toblerone | 2.9 | | 1 | Lunch | Gouda and Crackers | 6.6 | | 1 | Snack 3 | Sunflower Seeds | 2.0 | | 1 | Dinner | Spaghetti with Vegetarian Sauce | 6.9 | | 2 | Breakfast | Pumpkin Bark and Raisins | 5.5 | | 2 | Snack 1 | Cranberry Almond Gorp | 3.1 | | 2 | Snack 2 | Ritter Hazelnut Sports Bar | 3.6 | | 2 | Lunch | Gouda and Crackers | 6.1 | | 2 | Snack 3 | Black Licorice | 4.1 | | 2 | Dinner | Pasta, Olive Oil, Red Pepper, Chesse | 7.6 | | 3 | Breakfast | Mashed Sweet Potatoes,Corn, Raisins | 5.7 | | 3 | Snack 1 | Chili Spiced Mango | 3.6 | | 3 | Snack 2 | TJ Lumpy Bumpy Bar | 2.5 | | 3 | Lunch | Chorizo Sausage | 4.1 | | 3 | Snack 3 | Candied Ginger | 3.4 | | 3 | Dinner | Tortilla Soup/ Cliff Bar | 4.6 | | 4 | Breakfast | Banana Nut Bread Pudding | 5.2 | | 4 | Snack 1 | Nut Mix | 3.0 | | 4 | Snack 2 | Bulk Chocolate | 2.1 | | 4 | Lunch | Justin Nut Butter & Crackers | 3.1 | | 4 | Snack 3 | Freeze-Dried Strawberry Compote | 2.7 | | 4 | Dinner | Spaghetti with Vegetarian Sauce | 7.0 | | 5 | Breakfast | Pumpkin Bark and Raisins | 5.5 | | 5 | Snack 1 | Dried Cherries and Raisins | 4.1 | | 5 | Snack 2 | Ritter Hazelnut Sports Bar | 3.6 | | 5 | Lunch | Salami and Crackers | 7.4 | | 5 | Snack 3 | Black Licorice | 4.0 | | 5 | Dinner | Spaghetti with Vegetarian Sauce | 6.8 | | 6 | Breakfast | Mashed Sweet Potatoes,Corn, Raisins | 5.6 | | 6 | Snack 1 | Cranberry Almond Gorp | 3.0 | | 6 | Snack 2 | TJ Lumpy Bumpy Bar | 2.4 | | 6 | Lunch | Salami and Crackers | 6.1 | | 6 | Snack 3 | Nut Mix | 2.4 | | 6 | Dinner | Spaghetti with Knorr Pesto Sauce | 10.1 | | 7 | Breakfast | Banana Nut Bread Pudding | 5.6 | | 7 | Snack 1 | Nut Mix | 2.3 | | 7 | Snack 2 | Ginger Cookies | 2.3 | | 7 | Lunch | Justin Nut Butter & Crackers | 3.0 | | 7 | Snack 3 | Bulk Milk Chocolate | 2.2 | | 7 | Dinner | Spaghetti with Vegetarian Sauce | 7.1 | | 8 | Breakfast | Banana Nut Bread Pudding | 4.0 | | 8 | Snack 1 | Nut Mix | 2.3 | | 8 | Snack 2 | Sunflowers Seeds | 2.4 | | 8 | Lunch | Chorizo Sausage | 4.0 | | 8 | Snack 3 | Bulk Milk Chocolate | 2.2 | | 8 | Dinner | Banana Nut Bread Pudding | 4.0 | | 9 | Breakfast | Packit Gourmet Smoothie | 3.8 | | 9 | Snack 1 | Cranberry Almond Gorp | 3.6 | | 9 | Snack 2 | Sunflowers Seeds | 2.3 | | 9 | Lunch | Justin Nut Butter & Crackers | 3.1 | | 9 | Snack 3 | Ritter Hazelnut Sports Bar | 3.7 | | | | Coffee & Tea: Days 1-4 | 3.3 | | | | Coffee & Tea: Days 5-9 | 3.7 | | | | Total oz | 227.8 |   --- # Shaw’s Lodging in Monson Maine – AT Hiker Hostel Source: https://sectionhiker.com/shaws-lodging-in-monson-maine-at-hiker-hostel/ [Shaw's Lodging in Monson, Maine](https://shawslodging.com/?area=Contact) has had over 50,000 hikers as guests, mostly Appalachian Trail thru-hikers or section hikers. I've always heard great things about it from other hikers and I wasn't disappointed when I started my 100 mile wilderness section hike there last week. Dawn and Sue, the owners, run a tight, but relaxed ship, and have lots of experience catering to the needs of long distance hikers. The Inn is also staffed by Gary, who's hiked throughout Maine and in Canada and Newfoundland and part-time volunteers Emerson (aka Dawn aka Warraghiyagey) and Jenn who are rabid hikers and come up in the summers to help out. A funny anecdote here. When I pulled into the driveway at Shaw's last Friday night and started walking into the place, someone called out "Are You Philip Werner?" Oh my god, I thought. My cover is already blown. Turns out that Jenn and I know each other. She had given me some useful advice online before my Long Trail end-to-end last year, we're Facebook friends, and she had recognized my name on the Inn's reservation list. It was good to meet her in person finally, and I also saw her about 72 miles up the trail later in the week, as she was doing a southbound. Small world. Shaw's is not like any B&B you've ever stayed at: it is totally optimized for hiker comfort and convenience. The first floor has common rooms for hanging out and eating breakfast and there's a hiker fridge and washer/dryer to clean up your gear or dry out. All of the bedrooms are upstairs or in an attached building. You can get a private room if you want but you can also stay in a bunk room with a group of other hikers if you want to save some money. All of the bathrooms are shared with free soap, feminine products, fluffy towels, and plenty of hot water in the showers. The mattresses are new and firm and the place is very clean which is an impressive feat given that filthy, muddy, foul smelling hikers are passing through all the time. Shaw's also runs relatively inexpensive shuttles in the area which is very remote and are a big help. Driving distances are hugely exaggerated due to lakes and mountains ranges and most of the backcountry roads are a maze of unmarked gravel logging roads that are easy to get lost in. They also have a small stockroom on premises with food, fuel - including canisters, and some basic gear and there's a general store in town where you can get other resupply needs including ice cream. The store owner, who's always wearing a bush hog hat, is a really nice guy who will go out of his way to help you out, and of course there's a post office in town for food drops. Breakfast at Shaw's in an institution and hikers even come from surrounding lodges to eat there before hitting the trail. Coffee is usually available by 6:30 and you can drink cup after cup with Half & Half and all the sugar you want. At about 7 AM, Sue makes the rounds and takes orders. The menu is simple: you can pick a 2, 3, 4 or 5. For example, I picked a 2 and got 2 eggs, 2 strips of bacon, 2 blueberry pancakes, 2 sausages, 2 scrambled eggs and 2 servings of hash browns. The thru-hiker across from me ordered a 5, and for seconds he ordered another 5! I forget his trail name, but he make a funny remark about what he was going to do when he finished his hike which was only about a week away. He said he wanted to put some more muscle on his arms because the lower half off his body had eaten the upper half. Monson itself is a nice little town (pop. 666) and I was lucky that I arrived on a Friday night when there is a pick up jam session at the general store. Musicians and audience started showing up around 6 pm and tuning up. Toby, one of the fiddlers, invited me inside to listen and I felt right at home. A guest book is passed around and people sign in and the musicians take turns calling songs. There were 13 gathered there that evening including 2 fiddlers, a percussionist, a flutist, a guy playing the harp, in addition to the usual gaggle of banjos and guitars. Sitting there brought back some special memories for me: a very unexpected bonus. I learned how to play the fiddle, mandolin and guitar some year back and hold Sunday jam sessions at my house, in my living room and in the garden outside. I've stopped playing because of hearing problems (put a fiddle next to your head and you'll understand), but sitting there with all those welcoming people brought back a gush of fond memories for me and about how much fun I used to have with music and my friends. The best way to contact Shaw's is by phone 207.997.3597. They have a web site and they're very good about the phone and very nice, so give them a call if you're headed up that way. --- # Preventing Trailhead Parking Break-ins Source: https://sectionhiker.com/preventing-trailhead-parking-break-ins/ ![Sectionhiker Limo](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/IMG_44861.jpg) One of my regular readers contacted me recently about a car break-in they experienced at a trailhead parking lot in the White Mountains. Unfortunately, it happens, despite the efforts of the park service to patrol these lots. Your best protection to prevent a break-in is to not leave anything in view in your car. Seriously, no yoga mats, hats, clothes, garbage, CD cases, cell phone holders, loose change, child seats, or anything that might indicate that you use your car for anything except transportation. Beyond that, try to park at a trailhead that this is visible from the road or that will have a lot of come and go foot traffic while you'll be hiking. If that's not possible and you can't catch a ride to the trailhead from someone else, make sure you leave your fancy BMW or Mercedes at home and drive your beat up car (or your partner's) instead. If you're a fanatical hiker, chances are it is already pretty grungy. If you're hiking on the Appalachian Trail, you can find out if the trailhead you plan to park in has had a history of break-ins by consulting the [AT Parking Guide](https://sectionhiker.com/appalachian-trail-parking-guide/). Some hikers think that leaving a note on taped to the inside of your window telling thieves that there are no valuables in their car can deter a felony. Others leave their car doors unlocked to prevent a smashed window. Be forewarned however, that bears know how to open unlocked car doors and have been known to trash cars that are inedible. --- # The RPH Shelter on the New York Appalachian Trail Source: https://sectionhiker.com/the-rph-shelter-on-the-new-york-appalachian-trail/ While every shelter on the Appalachian Trail has its own unique character, the RPH Shelter in New York State is unlike anything you'll encounter up and down the trail. This is truly a Hiker Hilton with takeout delivery,  lounge furniture, picnic tables, plaster walls, a clean painted floor, working windows, a nice privy, and even a small library. I had the pleasure of camping here alone, although some company would have been welcome too, back in mid-April when I hiked the [New York AT](https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-greenwood-lake-ny-to-ten-mile-lean-to-ct/). The shelter has a funny location. It's located right off the Taconic Parkway, and looks a little suspicious on the New York/New Jersey Map of the AT due to its proximity to a road. But it's in remarkably nice condition and obviously well looked after by local maintainers. Those same maintainers, including a trail adopter with the trail name "Elvis Trailsey," do a really fine job on the surrounding section of trail, which is in pristine condition and a nice hike. The RPH stands for Ralph's Peak Hikers Cabin and from what I gather, a 4 walled version of the current cabin had been originally built on the site. One wall was subsequently removed, so that it would match the other shelters on the AT, which by regulation have to have at least one open wall. I can't remember how I learned this, but that's the story I remember. ![Inside the RPH Shelter, Appalachian trail](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/aP1040736.JPG) When I spent the night there, it was raining, but I remember sitting under the covered porch and munching on peanut butter and honey sandwiches, reading a book I'd found inside. Deer had come out of the forest and were grazing unconcerned in front of me. It was all remarkably civilized and peaceful. I can still see it in my mind. --- # AT Section Hike: Daleville, VA to Sunset Field, Blue Ridge Parkway Source: https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-daleville-va-to-sunset-field-blue-ridge-parkway/ "A hiker that can't eat is a hiker who can't hike," said Ken Wallace, the trail shuttle driver who'd come and fetched me off the Appalachian Trail just below Apple Orchard Mountain. After a two days of a stomach bug, I was getting off the trail to take a zero and get better. My appetite hadn't been very good since I got on the trail in Daleville, Virginia, just outside of Roanoke, and I was getting more and more nauseous every day. It was time to get off the trail after 40 miles and go into town to recuperate before I resumed my section hike where I'd left off. I was disappointed but you have to roll with the punches that the trail throws at you. I figure I'd caught this illness from my wife, who had it just before I left Boston to come hike in Northern Virginia. I thought I'd dodged the bullet, but I reckon the strain of hiking the AT with a pack full of food and a head-full of hay fever (it is spring down south) pushed my immune system over the edge. I decided I'd rather be sick in town than on the trail and called Ken up when I got back into cell phone range. He's listed in AWOL's guide. Between the weather and my worsening illness, the hike from Daleville had been a lot harder than I'd expected. While I was hiking at about 2 miles an hour, which my normal 3 season pace, I could only sustain it for 12-13 miles a day. I wrote it off to a lack of conditioning, since we'd had such a long hard winter, and some of that is definitely true. I'd hoped to take some training trips before heading down south but there was still too much snow up north to hike with three season gear. So I was heading out on my first trip of the season and planning to get in shape during the first week or two. Anybody who says that Virginia is flat is just plain wrong, at least between Daleville and Waynesboro. All you do, like everywhere else on the AT, is climb up one hill after another and down into the gaps in between. Up and down, up and down - it's relentless, except in Virginia, they throw in switchbacks, so you have to hike farther to climb each hill, some of which are large enough to qualify as actual mountains. If they were to eliminate the switchbacks in Virginia it would probably reduce the length of the AT by 20%. These switchbacks are cut into the side of steep hills and each section between the turns climbs 100-200 feet of elevation at a time. If there's a hiker ahead of you or one behind, they look like the walkers in an M.C. Escher drawing, hiking on different tiers and in different directions inside a big building. But the switchbacks themselves aren't flat. Most are somewhat titled, for better drainage no doubt, but at an angle that strains your muscles and flesh in a weird way if you're used to walking on trails without switchbacks (switchbacks are very rare on New England trails, which is why they are so frightfully steep.) I think the blister I got on my inner heel, below my ankle, was caused by walking on these tilted trails. I reckon it came from walking along on the tilt rubbing the inside of my shoe in a funny way. I rarely get blisters, but then again my feet aren't as hard as they are a few more months into the season. I popped the blister and dried it out overnight, and covered it with Leukotape, and it hasn't come back. Northern Virginia (I'm just south of the Shenandoah National Park) is just lovely this time of year. The trees haven't leafed out yet so you can see the mountains and valleys that run along the AT ridge crest through the trees. That is at least, when the weather is clear. I spent my first 2 days hiking in thick mist with only about 25-50 yards of visibility. Not heavy rain but brief scattered showers from passing clouds, and lots of fog. It was kind of spooky, like a scene out of Smokey Hollow. There are people out on the trails. I've spent a few nights at shelters with thru-hikers and other section hikers. Elmer and Bridges, two thru-hikers from New Hampshire (Conway and Jackson) stayed with me and a section hiker named Star at the Wilson Creek Shelter on my first night out. Elmer and Bridges started at Springer Mountain in Georgia on February 25th and they are moving at a pretty blistering pace, hoping to finish the trail in 4 months. Both were very nice guys, taking time out from college to hike the Appalachian Trail. "So you can hike a section of trail any time of year? Do you have to start where you left off or go north all the time?", asked Bridges, after Elmer had recounted their freezing cold adventure in Georgia, waking up each day with frozen boots after spending 14 hours a night in sleeping bags to stay warm. "Nope," I replied. "I can cherry pick the best seasons to hike a section and hike whichever direction is convenient." Bridges looked dazed upon hearing that. It is one of the advantages of section hiking. Star (Don) had also started his section hike in Georgia and has been hiking north since 2008. He's retired from both the Navy and the TVA, and in his late 60's. From Tennessee, he starts where he last left off and hikes until he's tired before getting a ride home. I liked the sound of that. Hike until you're ready to get off without having a fixed destination. I'm thinking of adopting that attitude, at least on my multi-week section hikes because the trail has a way of unmaking the best laid plans. Take my stomach bug, for instance. It trashed my daily mileage and time estimates. From here on, I'm going to hike until I feel like stopping each day and try to stop pushing so hard. I'm not a thru-hiker and I don't have to hike the trail as fast as one, even a slow one. It's a compulsion I have, but not necessarily a good one. Don and me spent a second night together at another shelter down the trail to duck out some thunderstorms. I hadn't planned on sleeping in shelters much on this trip, but it's nice not having to pack up a wet shelter in the morning. Plus the campsites near the shelters so far have been pretty bad...dished out or on a slope. But I hadn't brought a bivy sack or piece of Tyvek with me to protect the underside of my pad from nail heads in the shelter floor. Instead, I've been using the inner nest of my tarp, since it's not sewn in and can be pitched inside the shelter without taking up more room than a bivy sack. Handy that. It also means that mice don't run over my forehead at night since it's covered with netting. While I haven't seen any ticks firsthand, I've heard people complain about them already. There are lots of bugs, especially gnats, moths, and butterflies, but no Mosquitos. In the last shelter I slept in (with Star), we had several resident carpenter bees who tolerated our presences but still dive bombed us periodically. These are big bees, the size of your high school ring, bigger than a normal bumble bee, that eat wood. They'd bored out cylindrical nests into the beams and walls of the shelter. We watched two mating in the air in front of us, coupled together while still flying. Amazing. I know I look like a dork sleeping in a shelter with an inner nest over me, but I was happy for the netting that night. The next night, I finally pitched my tarp and slept outdoors. That was at the Cornelius Creek Shelter, just below Apple Orchard Mountain. I didn't realize that I was so close to the Blue Ridge Parkway until I'd pitched up, but by then it was not worth moving on. It was a Saturday night and there was no telling who would show up at the shelter to shatter the night with a big bonfire and drinking. Shortly before dark a thru-hiker from Wisconsin, named Twisted, stopped in for the night. He'd started at Springer mountain on February 1st. Why so early? He said it was to avoid hiking in a mob and because he was eager to get started, He showed me pictures of the snowdrifts he had to posthole through in Georgia, alone. That day, my third on the trail, had been really hot and sunny and the trail had climbed about 4000 feet of elevation on top of the 12 miles I'd hiked. Without any leaves, the trees didn't shield me from the sun, although I was well covered up with a big wide hat to prevent sunburn. I hadn't been expecting temperatures to be so warm - 70 degrees in the day and 50 at night. I was feeling low, especially after dinner when all I could get down was a cup of plain white rice. I couldn't get cell service, so I emailed my wife and told her I'd decided to try to get a shuttle ride out to town. She's so supportive of me. I'm a section hiker because of love. I can't stand being away from my wife for too long and the life we share. It was the same story at breakfast, where I couldn't get any solid food down. I packed up and hiked up the hill a ways until I got cell service and started calling the shuttle drivers in AWOL's AT Guide. There are only two listed in the area and it was no sure thing that they'd be able to pick me up quickly. I left voice mails for both and Ken called me back first, being the only driver available that day. We agreed to meet in an hour, which would give me time to hike to the road crossing and him time to drive the 30 miles to fetch me. Approaching 80, Ken says his section hiking days are through. He also started on Springer Mountain and had hiked up to the NY border taking three weeks each spring and autumn to hike the trail. A former Trail Angel, Ken used to hand out cold drinks at the James River Bridge (longest foot bridge on the AT) which I hope to cross in a few days. He started giving rides to hikers then and eventually switched to driving full-time. By his account, the life of a trail shuttle driver is very busy, especially as the trail has gotten more popular. But his business includes all kinds of hikers since his patch includes the Blue Ridge Parkway and Shenandoah National Park, which are both heavily visited areas. Ken drove me down the Blue Ridge Parkway to Buena Vista, where I'd booked a room in the Budget Inn. The views on that drive were really incredible, and not ones that I'd gotten to see after days of hiking in mist or occluded by trees. There are many bell-shaped mountains that parallel the AT and verdant green valleys below them. It's my first time in this part of Virginia and I can see why the outdoors are so popular here. The Budget Inn is nothing to write home about and it's really basic (maybe a 1 star). It's clean but shabby, and located next door to a Family Dollar (food/drugs), a Subway, and a Hardees. Don't bother walking up to the Food Lion: it's a terrible hitch and a dangerous road walk, and the food selection is so-so. If you're a hiker, the Family Dollar has everything you need. Cell phone reception is good in town, but the wireless at the hotel is worthless. Too weak to get reception in your room and the air conditioner in my room didn't work. But the Budget does have a onsite laundry, which makes it worth the stay. Funny how town is so different from sleeping on the trail. You have noises from the traffic (in the hills you can only hear the trains), and people watching TV in adjacent rooms. You even go to sleep at different times: 10 pm in town and sunset in the hills. After my Nero and a Zero, I'm ready to get back on the trail again and called Ken last night for an early morning shuttle to where I left off. I'm not feeling 100% but I'm going to take it easy and only do 3 days before another town resupply stop. Until next time....hike on. --- # AT Section Hike: Petite Gap to Buena Vista (Rt 60) Source: https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-petite-gap-to-buena-vista-rt-60/ "I don't think we're going to make it to Sunset Field," I said, to Ken, my trail shuttle driver. The mist on the Blue Ridge Parkway was so thick there was no way we'd make it over Apple Orchard Mountain. "Let me at least take you to a place where the trail crosses the road," he said, pulling down a gated side road and leaving me at Petite Gap, about 7.5 miles north of the point where he'd picked me up two days earlier. I was disappointed to miss those 7.5 miles of the AT, but I'm not a purist and I couldn't sit around for a day or more for the mist to clear. Circumstances sometimes make it necessary to skip miles, and this was one of those times. That's why the certificate awarded by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy to people who finish hiking the AT is called the 2000 miler award, in recognition that you'll probably have to skip a few miles along the way due to unforseen circumstances. We said our goodbyes: Ken and I had developed a good rapport and the seeds of a friendship on our two shuttle rides together, and I stepped out of his truck into the drizzle. The mist was very thick and I could barely see the blazes on the trees before me, but my eyes adjusted and I started hiking. I'd spent the last two nights in Buena Vista, Virginia recovering from a stomach bug, and while not fully cured, I was ready to get back on the trail even if it meant hiking a few short days to nurse my way to health. It's funny how you long for town, a shower, normal food, and four walls when you're on the trail, but how town is such a let down compared to a few days in the wilderness with the good fellowship of other hikers. So many small towns along the trail have turned into hubs of fast food restaurants, gas station convenience stores, and Walmarts, that you have to question whether our collective economic "progress" is really as cracked up as it's made out to be. Starting 7.5 miles farther along than expected was a blessing in a way, because I missed a big climb that I'd been dreading for the past two days, to the summit of Apple Orchard Mountain, which has a big FAA transmitter on top. I could catch up on some of my "lost" time (really distance) in town and hike a little farther north than I had expected to reach that day. It also meant that most of my day's walk would be downhill, dropping from a maximum elevation of 3000 feet, down to 678 ft at the James River Foot Bridge, (named after William Foot) which is also the longest foot bridge on the Appalachian Trail. While it was drizzling, the temperature was warm enough that I only needed a rain jacket to hike, but no mid-layer insulation, which I often wear in spring or autumn to prevent from getting chilled when my "waterproof, breathable" jacket invariably wets out I held out on putting on my rain pants for as long as possible (since I sweat so much when I wear them), but the rain eventually started to come down heavily and I was forced to put them on. It would continue to pour until about 6 pm. I made good time, coming to Matts Creek Shelter, where I met an Israeli thru-hiker named Stretch. He was sitting in the shelter chowing down on a huge lunch of hot cocoa, with cheese, pepperoni, and tortillas. I joined him and ate a few Nutella tortillas of my own. While we were eating, he took a mouse trap out of his pack and put it in the shelter, baiting it with a piece of cheese. He's been doing this all along the trail, which may explain the notable absence of mice I've experienced in the shelters en route. I was to hear many funny stories about Stretch's mouse bedtime routine (where he surrounds his sleeping areas with traps) from other thru-hikers I met. Stretch asked me in excellent, but heavily accented English, "Vat is the difference between a National Forest and a National Park? I like the Forests so much better because there are fewer rules than in the Parks, where you can only camp at certain spots and have to get a permit." I proceeded to try to make sense of the difference between The US Forest Service which manages National Forests, and the US Park Service which manages our National Parks. I explained that the Forest Service and the Park Service belong to two different organizations in our government, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of the Interior. The mission of the Forest Service is to support multi-use recreation in the National Forests (hiking, skiing, snowmobiling, hunting, etc) while allowing some commercial activity within them such as selective lumber harvesting. The role of the Park Service is to preserve designated areas of great natural beauty or historical significance in their original form, forever, without changing them...which you can imagine is a daunting task in the face of acid rain, global warming, species extinction, and increased usage due to population and visitor growth. "That's the difference in what each does", I explained," but "I can't tell you why we have two separate branches of government that have so much overlap when it comes to overseeing wilderness areas." Try explaining this to a foreigner yourself sometime and ask yourself if the distinction between these two branches of government makes any sense Stretch finished his meal and packed up and I followed shortly, hiking the final stretch to the James River Foot Bridge which is a landmark for northbound hikers, since it's close to 1/3 the distance between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mt Katahdin in Maine. No photo, I'm afraid. It was chucking down rain when I crossed over the river. There was another shelter in about 2 miles, and I decided to head for it for the night and call it an early day, arriving close to 3pm. I was soaked (my rain gear had wetted out by this point) and figured I'd grab a spot at the shelter early before it filled up with other people. When I arrived Stretch was there talking to a Section Hiker whose trail name is "Ache-in". From South Carolina and retired, he gets on the trail for a month or two each year and slowly works his way north, shelter by shelter. I hung up all my wet gear and clothes on the hooks in the shelter and we spent the next few hours chatting and getting to know one another. Two thru-hikers, Merry and Pippin, arrived by around 5 pm, also soaked, and moved into the shelter with us for the night. In contrast to me and Ache-in, these were two ultramarathon types who've been flying up the AT, putting in 20-25 mile days, in order to finish the trail in 4 months. Merry and Pippin were a marvel to watch, since they've organized themselves as a team, rather than just hiking partners. By that I mean, they have a well choreographed routine and division of labor when they get to camp, sharing the tasks of fetching and filtering water for the night and the next day, cooking, cleaning, and record keeping. They have a single cook system that they share and they eat the same food, which they cooked and dehydrated all last winter before their hike. Ache-in and I sat there dumbfounded watching these guys eat, not one, but two heaping dinners worth of food followed by a Nutella desert. It was an astounding feet of gluttony for two short skinny runner types. Great guys, too. Both are from Wisconsin. Pippin is about to head off to grad school in Environmental Science and Merry plans to either go to grad school or get a job in Biomedical Engineering. As usual, we all crashed as soon as the sun went down. By then, it had thankfully stopped raining. The next morning, Merry and Pippin were up early, leaving the shelter by 6 am with plans for a long day, while Ache-in and I ambled out around 7:30. Ache-in planned to hike to the next shelter, about 9 mile north, but I wanted to go father, either camping about 13 miles north or continuing all the way to the next shelter, 18 miles away. I was feeling a lot better by this point, and starting to eat real food again. Back to my old self. I soon passed Ache-in on the climb and then I was passed by two thru-hikers, Yo-Yo and Tweet. We ended up spending the night together in that shelter 18 miles away. The weather was cool and overcast as I climbed up to the summit of Bluff Mountain (3372') but I finally got some decent views of the southern mountains and ridges I'd climbed since getting on the trail in Daleville. These Blue Ridge Mountains are really beautiful when it's not raining and you can get decent views. After the climb up to Bluff Mountain, the day's route was mostly downhill or level so I was able to crank up my speed. I reached Punchbowl Shelter by 1:15, just as Yo-Yo and Tweet were heading out. PunchBowl is named for the big spring-fed pond in front of the shelter. I wolfed down some food, got two liters of water from the spring, and decided to head for the next shelter, another 9 miles north for the night. It took me a little under 4 hours to make it to the Brown Mountain Creek Shelter, which is situated on a beautiful stream, just a few miles from the road into Buena Vista. I planned to pick up a mail drop in town the next day and wanted to be close to the road, so I could get an easy hitch from the morning "rush-hour" traffic into town. Along the way I met a half-dozen other Section Hikers, all headed south. I think I've met more section hikers on this trip than thru-hikers. Yo-Yo and Tweet were at the shelter already, along with another hiker named Pack Mule. Given the threat of more overnight rain, I moved into the shelter and proceeded to fetch water and cook dinner. I was tired but exhilarated from my long walk that day (almost 20 miles) and feeling like I'd finally found my trail legs again. Yo-Yo and Tweet are from Kansas City, Missouri and partnered up before they started the trail. Being that Kansas City is not a hotbed of backpacking, they did a lot of research online about what gear to buy for their hike. In the ensuing discussion, Yo-Yo asked me about my occupation and it came out that I was the author of Section Hiker, "The" Section Hiker, as they called me. They were a little surprised to meet me over dinner! Pack Mule had an interesting story too. He'd hiked south along the AT from Pennsylvania's Lehigh Gap area to Virgina, to explore the area and ended up staying and working in the area for 5 years. He's now slowly working his way up north and home, along the AT. When I first met Pack Mule, I thought he looked pretty sketchy, like a guy who's basically living on the trail. For all I know he may be doing exactly that. But he is a real hiker and he's got real, if not dated gear. He's also a kind soul and was good company in the shelter. He's called Pack Mule because he carries a lot of extra food and only resupplies occasionally, but he also gives extra food to hikers who need it. When you look at it, there's not too much difference between Pack Mule and Ache-in when it comes right down to it. They're both living on the trail, even though Pack Mule is doing it more from economic necessity rather than fun. The next morning Yo-Yo and Tweet headed out early, but not after I told them to drop me an email when they get to New Hampshire. I offered to put them  up at my group ski house and shuttle them for a resupply when they reach Crawford Notch. I headed up to Route 60 to hitch into town, but gave up after an hour. It's a terrible windy mountain road, mainly used by logging trucks, but few cars. I called up the motel I planed to stay at in Buena Vista, this time at the Buena Vista Motel instead of the Budget Inn, and they sent a driver to come fetch me for a $15 shuttle fee to town. Gary, the shuttle driver, and a section hiker, picked me up and even drove me to the post office to pick up my mail drop.z to walk about three miles to do my laundry and get some food. No big deal. The next morning I headed back to the trail, headed toward Waynesboro, VA, at the foot of the Shenandoah National Park. To be continued.... --- # AT Section Hike: Rt 60 (Buena Vista, Virginia) to Rockfish Gap Source: https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-rt-60-buena-vista-virginia-to-rockfish-gap/ Anyone who says the Virginia doesn't have rocks is a liar. If I didn't know better, I'd swear that the stretch of trail from Rt 60 (outside Buena Vista, VA) to Rockfish Gap (outside of Waynesboro) was really in New Hampshire. Gary, my shuttle driver, picked me at up 10am and took me back to the trail after my Nero (near a zero) day in Buena Vista where I picked up a mail-drop and got cleaned up. I had planned a short hike into the nearest shelter, so I had him pick me up late in the morning. But I was rested and well fed, and decided to hike to the second shelter, called the Seeley-Woodworth Shelter instead. Along the way, I climbed magnificent Cole Mountain, which is covered my large swaths of mowed lawn that cover the main peak and its sub-peaks. The area is clearly a local favorite, and I saw many day hikers that day climbing to the top and walking its length. I'm not sure that Cole Mountain qualifies as a bald, but I was sure glad that I wasn't up there in a thunderstorm because there is absolutely no cover. After Cole, the trail stayed up above 3000 feet for another 9 miles with many excellent views of the Blue Ridge mountains to be seen. I also ran into Pack Mule again. He was resting on the trail, smoking a pipe of loose-leaf tobacco and I took a break to chat with him. He was headed to a campsite a bit farther along, "behind a big rock, next to a spring." I hiked ahead and was refilling my water at a spring, next to a huge rock, when Pack Mule caught up with me again. This was the place he'd been hiking too...you have to give the guy credit, he knows the trail. When I arrived at the Seeley-Woodworth shelter, around 5 pm, there was no one there, and I was afraid I'd have the shelter all to myself. While this is a luxury in some ways, it's also a lonely way to spend the night. Luckily, a thru-hiker named California rolled in around 7:00 pm. Technically he's not a thru-hiker, because he's only hiking the first half of the trail from Springer to Harper's Ferry. California had started the trail on March 1, which was a month or more later some hikers who were just few days ahead of him. An EMT by training, he is in fact from California, but has worked the past two summers taking disadvantaged kids backpacking in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, something, which he plans to do again this year. After I woke up the next morning, my shelter mate was nowhere to be seen. His stuff was still there, but he had set up the inner fly of his tent about 200 yards away. I never spoke to him after that, but I have to assume that I was snoring that night. Gosh. I really am sorry about that. Since he wasn't in the shelter, I was free to make noise without disturbing anyone and packed up to get an early start. I had two big peaks to climb, two 4000 footers, called The Priest and Three Ridges. I'd been hearing about both and they promised to have lots of elevation gain and great views. I'm not sure why The Priest is called the Priest, but I'd lucked out by climbing the peak from the south on the AT, which only requires about a 1000 foot climb. From the north, the climb is closer to 3000 feet and it is steep and rocky, much like a New Hampshire mountain. Being the weekend, The Priest also proved to be a very popular destination with local day hikers and backpackers and I must have seen 100 or more struggling to the summit. It was good to see that there's a strong hiking culture in the area. When I'd reached the base of The Priest, I stopped to clean the sweat off of my face and dip my hat in Cripple Creek, site of a beautiful waterfall. As I wiped my brow, one of the hikers climbing The Priest, said "Are you Philip Werner?" I was stunned. That's when I met Zach from Maryland, who is a Section Hiker reader. He was staying at the nearby Harper's Creek Shelter on the AT with a friend and had driven down to Virginia to witness "green out", when the trees sprout their leaves. I'd never heard that term before, but it makes sense. I hiked downhill to the Tye River where I walked over an elegant suspension bridge over the river. I plunked down and had a drink and a rest. I was bonking, but I wanted to get to the Maupin Fields Shelter that night which was still many miles away. I started up a large 4000 footer called Three Ridges, but it was bad. I was feeling done. I came to a trail junction for the Mau-Har Trail, that I'd seen on my map the previous evening, which is a blue-blaze spur trail off the AT that links back to it at the Maupin Field Shelter in just 3.0 miles. It provides an alternate route to the shelter, also useful as a bad weather bypass, that halves the distance. I felt hugely relieved that I only had 3.0 miles (90 minutes at my pace) to get to the shelter and set off with renewed vigor. Bad idea. While the Mau-Har provides an alternate route that is shorter, it's also quite a difficult trail that has the same amount of total elevation gain as the normal route over Three Ridges Mountain, but is far more challenging to walk because it climbs up a steep ravine. Mind you the ravine is quite scenic, with a beautiful waterfall, hillsides covered with blooming flowers, many great swimming holes, and a rushing stream that's channelled through a narrow gorge just feet away from the trail. It all worked out in the end I guess, but I was completely zonked when I got to the shelter around 5 pm. I'd been walking nearly 10 hours non-stop. I set up my[ Yama Mountain Gear double-walled tarp (a Cirriform DW-1)](https://www.yamamountaingear.com/cirriform-dw-1p/), fetched my 3 liters of camp water, and started cooking dinner on my wood stove. About then Fitz arrived, a section hiker who was hiking from Harper's Ferry to Springer Mountain, southbound. He'd hiked the upper half of the AT last year and was determined to finish it, From Vermont, he'd hiked the Long Trail previously, like me, and gotten hooked on backpacking. He did pass along some bad news though. A major rain storm was forecast to begin the following day, that would dump 1-2" of rain starting by early afternoon. In other words, a good time to be hanging out in a shelter with a substantial roof over your head. The storm was forecast to begin at 1:30 pm, so I decided to get up early the next morning and try to get to the next shelter by 2:00 pm, about 16 miles away. I broke camp the next morning by 7 am, skipped breakfast, and snacked on the trail instead. Basically, I hauled ass, hiking the distance to the Paul C. Wolfe Shelter non-stop and "hurriedly". The rain started at noon, but it was on and off at the beginning, so I didn't get soaked. The reason I was hiking so hard the past few days was that I planned to meet Gen Shimizu from Yama Mountain Gear at this shelter the night before heading off trail for a Nero. Gen lives in Charlottesville, near Waynesboro, which is at the end of this section, and he wanted to "get out of the office" and meet me at the shelter, before hiking out together and driving me into town. A long distance hiker, Gen likes to provide Trail Magic for other hikers passing thru. Gen arrived at the shelter at about 5:00 pm, still before the big storm started. He'd run in, carrying his gear in a trail-running pack, and wearing sandals. We'd never met face to face before, so when I saw him, I instantly thought his trail name should be Gazelle. He is a lean train running machine, with little extra body fat. His real trail name is actually Magnet, because he is apparently an animal magnet, attracting all kinds of mammals from cougars, to bears, rampaging ponies, marmots, and skunks. The Paul C. Wolfe shelter is quite new, so probably the best choice to weather the pending storm. Set high up on a hill and overlooking a stream and waterfall, it was no in any danger of being flooded out if the stream started to flash up due to added water volume, Red Feather arrived shortly after Gen. She and her husband, a triple crowner had started winter hiking the AT in December! She had to leave the trail for 6 weeks for work, but he continued on without her and was already on Pennsylvania (he'd already hiked half the trail the previous year). Red Feather is a tall big-boned redheaded woman, with a very obvious Canadian accent. She'd hiked a 30 mile day to get to the shelter and had no idea that the pending massive rain storm was about to hit. I subsequently learned that she is a 4 time Olympic Gold Medalist in speed skating. The rain started falling lightly as we busied ourselves with dinner preparations. Gen had carried in a pre-soak meal and I ate cold Nutella and tortillas. I adopted a strategy on this hike to carry a few cold dinners, or the makings of ones, in addition to hot meals, a prudent precaution considering that I was carrying a wood stove on this trip. I had Esbit cubes as a backup for wet weather cooking, and I used them a few times, but sometimes cooking is a hassle and this was definitely one of those times. The rain started to come down hard by about 7:00 pm as mist filled the gorge where the shelter was located. The mist made the shelter very cold and I put on every single piece of clothing I had to stay warm. Gen, who hadn't brought much extra clothing, covered himself with his sleeping bag to stay warm. We sat and talked for a while, but the wind started blowing the rain onto the front porch, so we retreated further into the shelter to stay dry. By morning the rain stopped, although more thunderstorms with hail were forecast for the afternoon. Red Feather had left before we woke and I never caught up to her afterwards. Gen and I skipped breakfast and hiked out to his car, about five miles away. There was a ton of water on the trail and the streams were overflowing, so we clowned around at the stream crossings, walking back and forth through the water, which felt good on my feet. Except for rainy days, my feet seldom got wet on this section hike: very different from the Appalachian Trail up north. Gen proved to me a remarkably cordial host for my Nero. We stopped at Rockfish Outfitters on the way to Waynesboro so I could pick up a new waterproof stuff sack to replace one that had finally shit-the-bed. After that we swung by the Waynesboro YMCA where I grabbed a free shower, since Gen's is a little too flaky for guests at the moment. He's living in his workshop at the moment to provide more capital investment for his business. Rather than heading for the buffet at Ming's (best Chinese food on the trail, $8 all you can eat), I had a craving for a large green salad. We stopped at his home/workshop in Charlottesville, and then walked up to Tea Bazaar, a fantastic Tea House on the pedestrian mall. Further acts of gluttony were committed later that day, along with doing laundry, and breaking up the mail drop that I had sent Gen to hold for me. To be continued. Hike on. --- # AT Section Hike: Rockfish Gap to Front Royal, including Shenandoah National Park Source: https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-rockfish-gap-to-front-royal-including-shenandoah-national-park/ Gen dropped me off in Rockfish Gap at the bottom of the access trail to Shenandoah National Park (SNP) and I started hiking up the train to the self-registration kiosk, about a mile away. This section of trail was about 110 miles long and would take me 8 days to complete. ## Day 1 - Calf Mountain Hut Hikers in Shenandoah National Park (SNP) require a backcountry permit to camp in SNP, but it's free, at least if you walk in on the Appalachian Trail. You do have to pay a fee though if you drive in. The registration process requires that you fill in a form in triplicate, including carbon copy paper, but it's not exactly obvious which pieces you need to carry on you. I've heard that rangers are fairly diligent about checking, but I never saw a ranger the entire trip in the park. I kept the white and middle copies and pushed the pink one into the slot provided. Judging by the fullness of the slot, it doesn't look like anyone official had retrieved them recently. I headed past the kiosk and up the trail over a treadway that looked no different from the tread outside the park, passing through mixed woods and open meadows, up and down small mountains and gaps. Along the way, I met a section hiker named Popsicle, who was hiking with Pacer Poles. She noticed that I had them before I noticed that she did too. Wearing all black with a pink bandana, I'd actually thought she was a bear instead of a hiker, so I guess my mind was on something else! As you enter the Shenandoah National Park (pronounced by the locals as "Shen-an-doe" there are all kinds of transmitters on top of hills and powerlines...I couldn't help but wonder what Sally Jewell (the former CEO of REI and Secretary of the Interior) has been doing these past few years in office to protect our national parks from commercial invasion.... Seven miles into the park, I came to the Calf Mountain Hut, which I decided to spend the night at, despite it being early in the day. I hadn't been able to spend a full zero in Waynesboro/Charlottesville and I was tired. The next shelter past Calf Mountain was 13 miles away and requires a full water carry, since there are no water sources along the way. I was carrying about 7 days of food, which I found taxing and was in no mood to walk a 20 mile day, my first day in the park. There will be a point when I eat down hiking a my food bag enough that I can try hiking a 21-22 mile day. In fact, I'll have to do 2 or more in order to hike the length of the park without running out of food. People say that the hiking in Shenandoah is fast and flat, and while I hope that turns out to be the case, the topos maps I have don't corroborate that claim. I think this will be just as hard as the other 140 miles of hiking I've done to get here already. I spoke to my wife yesterday and I am getting homesick again to see her. But I have to get through the park before I can get home. There have been surprisingly few thru-hikers on the trail recently and I am alone at the Calf Mountain Hut, which is always a little spooky. The shelter has obviously been heavily used and is much the worse for wear, reminding me of the Fingerhut shelter in New York's Harriman State Park. That's an old sooty, dirty, shelter much like this one. There's a bear pole here, basically a big pole with hooks arranged around its top to hang bear bags from. To hang your bag, you use a long and quite heavy pole with a hook on the end to raise your bag and hook it up. I can see why it works, but this will be my first time using one tonight since we have bear boxes up north. My food strategy coming out-of-town is to eat the heaviest and bulkiest items in my food bag first to make it lighter to carry in subsequent days. I think tonight's dinner will be a Thai curry with rice, since it's dry and sunny out and I can cook with my wood stove instead of eating cold food or using Esbit tablets. Temperatures have fallen quite substantially after the heavy rain storms we've had the past two days, more like the cooler weather I'd been expecting for this hike, with day time temps in the 60's and nighttime temps in the 40's. The past two weeks have been too damn hot for my tastes, but it is what it is. ## Day 2 - Black Mountain Hut The next morning I woke up at dawn and quickly packed up, eating breakfast as I walked to save time. Thunderstorms were forecast for the afternoon and I wanted to get to the next shelter, Black Mountain Hut, before it started to rain. There was also a wind advisory for gusts up to 50 mph. The walking was easier today than yesterday, with less climbing, fewer rocks on the treadway, and gently graded climbs up and down the peaks along my route. I was making very good time, when I spied some hikers gearing up at one of the adjacent trailheads that provide access to sections of the AT for day hikers. One of the hikers had a little terrier, a Jack Russell, I think. On a whim, I approached man and dog and asked "Is your dog named something Penrose or Penfold or something like that?" "How would you know that?", replied the man "Are you Lee Sheaffer?", I asked extending my hand out. "I'm Philip Werner." Small world. Lee wrote a guest post for sectionhiker.com about [The Devil's Staircase in Shenandoah National Park](https://sectionhiker.com/beauty-and-sadness-the-little-devil-stairs-piney-branch-loop-by-lee-sheaffer/), two years ago. The former president of PATC, he's organizing this year's [AT Biennial Meeting from July 17-24. 2015](https://custom.cvent.com/8EF27720581B45AC9EA167365FAF7F7F/files/event/0469594C7EBB47138D157BB8099713F7/8487f6c8fbcc480dbdbf3791a29396c8.pdf), and has written and edited guides about hiking and backpacking in the Shenandoah National Park. Lee was out with a buddy Bill for a short hike in the park (they're planning a thru-hike next year), while visiting relatives in nearby Charlottesville. Our routes coincided so we walked together for a ways, while he pointed out all of the blooming flowers adjacent to the trail. Lee and Bill walked me to blue-blaze trail to the Black Mountain Hut where I planned to spend the night. This was 13 miles past Calf Mountain, where I'd spent the previous evening. Along the way, Lee offered to give me a ride from Front Royal to Harper's Ferry when I finished hiking the park, an offer I took him up on a week later. It'd only taken me 5 hours to hike those 13 miles, but I didn't feel like hiking another 13 to get to the next shelter in the same day. The shelters (called Huts) in SNP are spaced like that: you either have to walk 11-13 miles or 24-26 miles, which I consider out of my range. Camping between the shelters is problematic because the hill sides are too steep to pitch a tent and water is more scarce than you'd think. I also had no intention of wandering off trail and having an encounter with a rattlesnake or copperhead in the dark. So I hung out at the shelter and puttered around. I considered camping, but the campsites at the shelter (and all other shelters on the AT in the park) are just pathetic, being sloped, to small to fit a tent, and full of rocks. I'm convinced that the only way to camp along this section of the AT is to bring a hammock, which I may do the next time I head south. A hiker named More to Do wandered in later in the afternoon. We'd end of sharing a shelter 4 times in subsequent days and becoming trail buddies. He's a retired businessman from Michigan, who walked away from a well-paying job to retire early. He now plays golf, kayaks, hikes, and road bikes full-time and is the envy of all of his working friends. Aged 66, More to Do is a very strong section hiker, capable of cranking out 20 miles days. He'd started at the James River on this section and was headed to Harpers Ferry to finish the southern half of the trail, having started at Springer a few years prior. Next to arrive was Rambler, from Philadelphia, who was in to do a section hike. He was also hiking the length of the park and had hiked the PCT in the year prior. He confessed to be a very early riser (like 2:00 AM), and was long gone by the time More to Do and I woke up the next morning. Finally Lucky, a thru-hiker, wandered in about 5 PM, just stopping in for dinner, before hiking a few more miles north before sunset. Aged 71, he was a hoot, with a wealth of stories to tell about the other thru-hikers he's been travelling with this year. From Raleigh, he'd started at Springer in February and suffered frostbite in his big toe. Starting the AT in February and postholing through snowdrifts might sound romantic, but frostbite is a serious injury. I'll just section hike and cherry pick my seasons, thank you, rather than put myself in mortal danger by hiking through snow and sub-zero temperatures. ## Day 3 - High Hut More to Do and I did a big day, hiking 21 miles from Black Mountain Hut to High Hut. The terrain was fairly flat so it was a good day to push the envelope. Still, after nearly two weeks on the trail, the hiking was starting to get monotonous. Maybe it's just the terrain: hiking up a hill and down a hill over and over all day, without actually going anywhere was starting to get to me. While I love the feeling of hiking and the exhilaration of being able to do it all day, I'd run out of things to think about. I can see why thru-hikers listen to music or books on tape to combat the boredom. I think I just needed a zero day. But the terrain was also to blame. In this section of the AT you don't really get to see too much. Unlike New Hampshire or Maine, where each day you hike somewhere...to a fantastic view or up a grand mountain, everyday in the SNP is like the one before it. Monotonous is an understatement. More to Do and I were just getting ready to go to sleep when in wandered Swivel, a southbound section hiker, who was hiking from Harpers Ferry to Springer. "Money don't make it all happy," said Swivel, describing his life and why he was hiking the trail. He'd just liquidated his 30-year-old stone masonry business in Charlottesville, to start a new chapter in his life. More to Do and I had just had this same conversation the previous night. Swivel was a real character. The last of a dying breed, he'd grown up in a West Virginia "hollar" to the moon shine brewing Fraser family. "I had my first mash at age six and could drink like man by the time I was twelve." "Those days are gone", he said. "They brew 7 gallons a year now to keep themselves in sipping whiskey." Swivel had started at Harpers Ferry and was hiking south to Springer. I don't know if he planned to Yo-yo after that or not. His immediate plan was to get down to Trail Days down in Damascus for the big party. "I talked to my girlfriend's financial advisor and she said I need a million bucks to totally check out" he said. "I don't have that kind of money. But I know how to make money." More to Do and I nodded in agreement. "That's a skill that many people seem to lack these days," said More to Do. Turns out that Swivel has a side business collecting old tractors and refurbishing them. He's got 75 tractors in various states of repair that he sells to collectors. It's quite lucrative and one of the ways he plans to get by when he gets off the trail. Swivel was intent on making a fire that night, even though More to Do and I were already in our sleeping bags and well on the way to dreamland. But first he lit a joint and had a smoke, the only weed I saw anyone smoke on my hike (by a 57 year-old man), and then set about making us a nice but tiny fire. This is a feat because the woods around the shelters have been picked clean of any burnable wood. I soon fell asleep. ## Day 4 - Bearfence Hut More to Do and I hiked from High Top to Bearfence Hut, arriving by about 1 PM. We'd stopped en route at the Lewis Campground store to top off our food bags with enough food to finish the park. I'd been running low on snacks, so I bought some potato chips, Payday bars, and Peanut M&Ms. It was a beautiful sunny day but with a chill wind, so I'd layered up with a fleece and windshirt. The days and nights I spent in the Shenandoah were quite cold, but I'd brought the right layers to stay toasty warm, unlike many thru hikers who'd sent all of their warm clothes home already. More to Do and I weren't exactly hiking together but we were headed the same way and at the same pace for a while. I'm really not sure how anyone can hike with a partner on the Appalachian Trail, given different paces, wants, and needs. I arrived at the shelter first and set about breaking down my resupply, repackaging it in the used sandwich bags I keep instead of throwing them away. I also sat on the picnic bench in front of the shelter in the sun and checked my feet, changing a few Leukotape bandages that I had over hot spots. I'd started to develop some blisters on my left heel, so I taped them too. I'd been walking for a week without a day off and my feet were starting to feel it. I decided to take it a bit easy the next few days, in part to kill some time before Lee could pick me up (after the weekend), and in part because I was just tried, More to Do arrived, followed shortly by Good Knight, a thru-hiker who'd started at Springer on March 5. He was truckin. He was hiking with a guy from Maine named Bruin, who'd started on March 2. Hailing from Booth Bay, Maine, he said he was in college but looked real young..he could hardly grow any whiskers. More to Do asked Bruin what he had to go back to after the trail, school or a job, and he told us that he was a bloodworm collector. Bloodworm collectors go out onto the mud flats at low tide and collect worms that are sold to salt water fishermen in Europe. Bruin told us that he gets paid 27 cents per worm and can collect 1000 worms in 2 hours, or $270 dollars a day. He's been doing it since he was freshman in high school and decided to spend it on a thru-hike, something he'd always dreamed of doing. ## Day 5 - Rock Spring Hut With rain and cold temperatures forecast for the next afternoon, I decided to hike 11 miles to the next shelter before the rain started and then take the rest of the day off. I managed to beat the rain but not the snow, which started when I passed by the Big Meadows campground. The Rock Spring Hut is just a few miles past the campground and by the time I arrived, freezing rain had started to fall. The shelter was empty, but there were about a half-dozen empty tents scattered in the woods nearby. I made a cup of hot ginger tea and changed out of my damp clothes into my long underwear insulation layer that I sleep in. By then people started to trickle into the shelter with the same idea as mine...to do a short day and hike on the next morning after it stopped raining. There's a vetting process that occurs whenever you arrive at a shelter that already has people in it, where the existing inhabitants ask the newcomer if he's a thru hiker or a section hiker, what their trail name is, where they started, and how long they've been hiking. Good shelter mates tend to be people who are friendly and can hold a conversation, probably the most important skill you can have on the Appalachian Trail, which is a very social experience. Despite the vetting process, you still never know who is going to show up and whether they're going to be good shelter mates, or annoying. What are some examples of annoying shelter behavior? - Waking up at 5 am and then taking 90 noisy minutes to pack up and leave. - People who arrive after everyone is already asleep and want to start a fire. - People who start cooking food in the shelter at 5:30 am. - People who listen to music on their headphones so loud that everyone else has to listen to it. Even worse, they play Michael Jackson. That afternoon, a hiker names Jabes was the first to arrive. A section hiker, he had the same plan as me, to wait out the rain. He'd hiked a week with Swivel and we quickly established our bona fides. Next, the people sleeping in all the tents showed up. They were having a bachelor party of all things, and insisted on hanging out in front of our shelter. I was a bit miffed, since I'd planned to send the day napping and reading in my sleeping bag since it was so cold and wet outside. Jabes and them started telling war stories about their service in Iraq and the day went to hell after that. Despite the rain, they started a fire. Then they strung tarps in front of the shelter over the picnic bench and started drinking beer, doing Jell-O shots, and passing around a whiskey bottle. I didn't join in. I really wasn't in the mood to drink, but I also didn't want to spoil the guy's bachelor party since it is a special event in a way. I put in my ear plugs and started writing on my portable keyboard/iPod. More hikers arrived at the shelter, none of them thru-hikers or section hikers hiking the AT, and joined the party, although a pair somehow managed to take a nap through most of the afternoon despite the mob milling around under the tarps in front of the shelter. Two of the hikers who arrived were wearing cotton, blue jeans, and army pants, and arrived wet and steaming in the rain. It was 40 degrees outside. I thought about saying something but kept my mouth shut since I'm sure my tone would have been misinterpreted. I'd hoped that the party would break up by dark, But it didn't. The groom's friends had brought a ton of food with them and a portable gas grill and started cooking steaks and potatoes in front of the shelter door at about 7:30 PM. All of my gear soon smelled like meat. Jabes, to his credit, negotiated a withdrawal by 9:00 PM, way past my normal bedtime which they respected, so the people staying in the shelter could sleep. The bottom line. If you're hiking through Shenandoah National Park on a weekend DO NOT stay in a shelter. I'm not sure why the Park Service puts roads and parking lots so close the shelters (usually less than a mile) but they make this sort of hiker-tourist conflict unavoidable. For what it's worth, I got my revenge the next morning. I woke up at 5:30 am and made a lot of noise packing up. I expect my partying shelter mates had hangovers that morning. ## Day 6 - Pass Mountain Hut It was very cold the next morning, so cold that I broke out my softshell gloves, fleece, and wind shirt to hike. I felt revived by my nero the previous day, even though I had been an unwilling observer at the bachelor party from hell. The mist was down when I left the shelter and it stayed foggy until 11:00 AM when the sun finally burned through. I was climbing Pinnacle Mountain, one of two big climbs that day, and got some nice views from the summit. My goal for the day was leapfrog a shelter and hike to Pass Mountain Hut 16 miles down trail. I made great time, slightly faster than 2 miles an hour, passing a shelter named Byrd's Nest #3 along the way. The Byrds Nest was full of Korean day hikers when I passed it, who were streaming in from all directions for mid-day tea. These Korean day hiking groups are very popular along the Appalachian Trail on weekends. The last one I'd passed had been on Bear Mountain in New York a few years earlier when I hiked that section. Once past the shelter I had a sit at the next trail junction and took off my socks to look at my toes. I was experiencing some friction in between my big toe and a toe I broke two winters ago, which was rubbing against it. I wrapped both in Leukotape and that fixed the problem. I arrived at the Pass Mountain Hut early in the afternoon and was very surprised to see More to Do at the shelter. I thought he'd be way ahead of me after I took a nero the day before. He'd had an accident though which had really shaken him up. He'd been exploring a monument on a side trail and fallen, banging his head on the rocks on the trail, and ripping a few big gashes open on his face, He was very lucky that he didn't have a concussion or worse, but the head wounds were pretty gruesome and covered by scabs on his forehead and on his cheek. A few good Samaritans had helped him out stop the profuse bleeding and clean out the wounds. We joked about it in a morbid way, with me suggesting he change his trail name to Scarface or Face Plant, but it had clearly been a close call for him and unnerving. The Pass Mountain Hut is a very nice shelter and I think the oldest in the park. Built in 1939, it's maintained by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, like all of the Appalachian Trail and other shelters in the Shennies. We were joined that night by two more hikers, a section hiker from Boston, and Rambling Ridge Runner, who arrived just as I was dropping off to sleep. ## Day 7 - Gravel Springs Hut When I woke the next morning More to Do was gone. We'd agreed to meet at the next shelter, Gravel Springs Hut, nearly 14 miles away, but he must have continued on to the shelter after that, because I never saw him again. He'd been a great trail companion though, and I hope he got to Harpers Ferry as planned. I stopped at Elk Wallow Wayside and picked up some cheese and crackers to eat that night to celebrate my last night in the park and on the trail. Shenandoah has several small stores with hot grills where you can buy food called waysides. They're located at rest stops along Skyline Drive but frequented by hikers since it's a way to resupply and get fresh food without having to go into town. They're expensive, but there's no competition either. The walk to Gravel Springs Hut was uneventful although I think the trail in the northern section of the park is a bit easier than the southern and central sections, at least for a northbound hiker. There wasn't anyone at the hut when I arrived in the early afternoon and More to Do hadn't left word in the trail register. I checked out the prepared campsites which were terrible: uneven, rocky, and way too small, and pitched my tarp below the shelter at an unofficial site that had obviously been used before. It was my last night on the trail and I wanted to go to sleep when I wanted to crash, which isn't always possible in a shelter. Rainmaker, Spiderman, and Little Bear (a she) arrived early in the evening and told me that there was a chance of rain, so I lowered my tarp to cut back on any possible splashback into the inner tent. It did rain that night, so I was glad that I made those adjustments. I heated up some instant ginger drink on my wood stove, ate the rest of my Nutella with a spoon, and had some more cheese and crackers before retiring, well before sunset. What's my favorite parks of a section hike? People are always surprised when I tell them it's sleep. But sleeping 10 hours or more per night is amazingly restorative for me. I just wish I could do it all the time. ## Day 8 - Front Royal When I woke the next morning it was my final day in Shenandoah National Park and the last day of my section hike. I'd been on the trail for 18 days by this point, making it my longest section hike to date, by five days. While a part off me envies thru-hikers who can put up with the monotony of hiking the Appalachian Trail for four to six months, it's not my kettle of fish. I think two weeks is about my limit before I get unspeakably bored, although taking more frequent zero days would probably help. I had 13.7 miles to go to finish the northern portion of the park and hike down to US Rt 522 outside of Front Royal, Virginia, where my friend Lee had promised to pick me up and shuttle me to Harper's Ferry. It was cool but sunny, and I wore my fleece, gloves, and wind shirt again in the morning until it warmed up. I called Lee after hiking ten miles when I could get cell phone reception and we agreed to meet in two hours at the highway. He picked me up and drove me to Harper Ferry, taking the long way so I could relish in the beauty of the valleys below the park. The area around Front Royal and Harpers Ferry is really pretty in spring. I checked into the Econolodge in Harpers Ferry to get cleaned up and got the discounted hiker's rate, which includes a free waffle breakfast. The next morning I took the train to Union Station in Washington DC, before catching an Amtrak Express to Boston. I'd had a great section hike, but I was glad to be home again too. --- # Intro to Lightweight Backpacking Source: https://sectionhiker.com/lightweight_hiking/ If you've ever been backpacking, you've probably heard people boast that their pack weighs 50 or 60 lbs. Those days are over. With a little knowledge, it is possible for anyone to reduce their pack weight to a comfortable 25 or 30 lbs. and still bring along some luxury items. The chief benefit of bringing less gear is that you'll be able to hike farther, see more, and have more fun (and take less ibuprofen). I got into lightweight backpacking by trying a more extreme style called ultralight backpacking. Ultralight backpackers try to get their pack weights down to 15 or 10 lbs., or even lower. While this is possible to achieve, it requires very specialized gear, expert technique and a favorable climate. It can also be somewhat expensive: it costs about $20 to shave an ounce off your pack weight when you get your pack weight down to 15lbs. Below, I describe a three phase process for reducing your pack weight to a comfortable 25 lbs. **Phase 1: Eliminate and Substitute** In the first phase, you need to understand how much your gear weighs and eliminate everything you don't use on trips. After that, we look at three core components: your backpack, shelter and sleeping bag and substitute them with alternatives that weight less than 3lbs. each. - Buy a digital scale on ebay that can weigh up to 8 lbs in pound, ounce and gram units. They cost about $20. - Assemble all of the clothing and equipment (minus food, water, and stove fuel) that you carry on backpacking or camping trips and weigh it. Add up all of the weights. This is your base weight. - Go on a backpacking trip and keep track of all of the gear or clothing that you did not use. Subtract this from your gear total and see how much weight you can save by leaving it behind. You'll be surprised. - Next, try to limit the weight of your backpack, sleeping bag, and tent to a total of 9 lbs, or 3 lbs each. There are a lots of very affordable mainstream backpacks, bags, and tents that you can purchase that will bring this number down quickly. Look at some of the gear reviews or links on this blog to learn about good alternatives. - Finally, try to replace existing items in your kit with lighter weight alternatives. For example, don't bring an entire can of insect repellent when you can bring 1 oz. to get through your trip; or replace an 8 oz. flashlight with a tiny LED that weights 0.5 oz. **Phase 2: Multipurpose Equipment** You can further reduce your pack weight by using a single item for multiple purposes. For example, my sleeping gear includes a tent, tent poles, a sleeping bag and pad, long underwear, a balaclava and a down vest. - I use hiking poles, so I replace my tent poles with them to erect my tent. This means I can leave the tent poles behind and reduce my gear weight by about 8 oz. - I have a frameless backpack (see my [Starlite review](https://sectionhiker.com/starlite_ultralight_backpack/)). My sleeping pad goes into a special pocket in my pack that lets it act as an internal frame stiffening the pack and helping to transfer its weight to my hip belt. This lets me use a pack that is about 8-16 oz. lighter than backpacks that come with a built-in internal frame. - My sleeping pad is 3/4 length which means that it ends just below my knees. My legs and feet require less insulation than my core, so I position my pack and all my remaining gear under my lower legs. Additional weight savings can be 2 oz. to 8 oz. depending on the weight of a full length pad. - I wear long underwear, a down vest, and balaclava to sleep and to reduce the amount of insulation and the weight of the sleeping bag that I need to bring along. This layer doubles as an extra clothing layer if it gets very cold. The additional weight saved is about 8-16 oz. **Phase 3: Thermo-regulation** When you hike you generate a lot of heat and therefore you can carry a lot less clothing. The trick is learning what kind of clothing you need, how to layer it and how to build in a safety factor for different weather conditions and terrain. This takes a lot of practice, trial and error experimentation and careful observation, but eventually you can shave several pounds of gear off your pack weight. **Conclusion** The process of reducing your pack weight, described above, can easily take an entire backpacking season. Above all, the most important things you can do is to get out on as many backpacking trips as possible, even if they are just overnights. Experimentation and careful observation are key. Now get out there and do some hiking! --- # The Five Gallon Challenge: Can You Fit all of Your Backpacking Gear into a Five Gallon Bucket? Source: https://sectionhiker.com/lightweight-backpacking-the-five-gallon-challenge/ The majority of people who could benefit from carrying lighter weight gear balk when it comes to weighing everything in their packs and creating a spreadsheet. It's a big time committment and it's not clear that the results are meaningful for many people. The Five Gallon Challenge shows people the benefits of carrying less backpacking gear in a more visual way than is possible with a gear list. This technique is particulalry effective in groups where people can compare the volume and space that their gear requires to other peoples' backpack contents. *Step One*: Obtain a 5 gallon plastic bucket from the hardware store *Step Two*: Fill it with all of the backpacking gear you carry inside your backpack or attach to the outside, but not your backpack, food, water, water bottles, or fuel. You can leave those items out of the bucket. ## Emphasis on Gear Volume, Not Weight The important thing to emphasize in the Five Gallon Challenge isn't the weight of the gear in the bucket, it's whether the gear fits in the bucket. Gear that is highly compressible and requires less volume is almost always lighter, if only because you need a smaller backpack to carry it. Many ultralight backpackers and some lightweight backpackers will be able to get all of their gear into a 5 gallon bucket because they: - Use quilts instead of bulkier sleeping bags - Use more compressible down insulation instead of synthetic insulation - Use shelters that pitch with trekking poles instead of tent poles - Use single wall tents or tarps instead of double wall tents - Use small stoves and cooking pots instead of larger ones - Use stuff sacks with open ends that compress better than roll-top dry bags - They bring less extra clothing But more traditional backpackers who use bulkier gear or who bring extra clothes won't be able to get as much gear into the bucket, which provides an opportunity to go through their pack and eliminate unnecessary items. ## Relaxing the Five Gallon Challenge If you're trying the Five Gallon Challenge with a group, and it's clear no one is going to be able to fit all of their gear into the bucket, you can relax the rules a bit by letting participants leave out a shared item like a tent or a bulky item like a sleeping bag. Going through the exercise will still have merit because participants will see the impact that bringing extra clothes, bulky cooking gear, or a large sleeping pad can have on the volume of their gear. ## Credits I didn't invent the Five Gallon Challenge. I learned about it from two Gossamer Gear Trail Ambassadors named Ken "DripDry" Holder and Lee "RevLee" Fields. They use it to teach boy scouts and their parents about the benefits of bringing less unnecessary gear on backpacking trips. I think the Five Gallon Challenge is a brilliant idea and one that resonates with people who aren't as number-oriented, but are more visual. An overflowing bucket does make for a memorable image. --- # Lighten Up your Backpack: Weighing your Gear Source: https://sectionhiker.com/lighten-up-your-backpack-weighing-you-gear/ If you're interested in reducing the weight of your backpacking gear, the most important thing you can do is to buy a digital scale. I like the model shown here, called an [Ultraship Scale](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FSWB9K/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000FSWB9K&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20) because it can weigh your items in ounces or grams. This is the third one I've owned - they fall off my cluttered desk onto the floor too often. Next, weigh out each piece of your gear and create a gear list. After you've completed your list, remove the items that are consumables, like fuel, water, food, and what you'll be wearing. What's left is called your base pack weight and consists of all of the gear that you're going to carry in your backpack. Don't underestimate the importance of this step. Becoming attuned to gear weight, safety, and comfort tradeoffs is probably the most import step in developing a lightweight or ultralight frame of mind. You will be positively amazed at the ease in which you can lighten you pack weight once you start to understand where the weight in your pack really is and you stop trusting manufacturers who claim their gear is lightweight. With a scale, you'll be able to test all of these claims. Here's an example gear list to give you a reference point for what a backpacking gear list looks like: *Written 2008. Updated 2015. * --- # The Great Eastern Trail Source: https://sectionhiker.com/the-great-eastern-trail/ I love the Appalachian Trail, but on weekends and in the summer time, it can feel really crowded. In fact, the ATC estimates that 4 million people hike on the AT each year, and a lot of their trail maintenance and stewardship efforts go toward mitigating their impact on the surrounding environment and other visitors' experiences. Repairing overuse damage, building privies, and adding more campsites is necessary to contain an ever increasing number of visitors each year. So when I learned about the Great Eastern Trail (GET), I was intrigued. It's a new 2000 mile, long distance trail that will lie west of the AT and pass through Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virgina, Maryland, Pennsylvania and New York, linking the Florida Trail to the North Country Trail. One of the motivations for this new trail is to provide hikers with a far more remote experience through the Western Appalachian Mountains. Like the AT, the trail is non-motorized, primitive, and is being built and maintained by local hiking and volunteer-based stewardship organizations. In August of 2007 a new organization was incorporated under Virginia law to manage and promote the Great Eastern Trail. Consisting of representatives from the nine states through which the trail passes, it is comprised of volunteers from trail organizations that are working to complete the trail including the Alabama Hiking Trail Society, the Alabama Trails Association, the American Hiking Society, the Chattanooga Hiking Club, the Cumberland Trail Conference, the Finger Lakes Trail Conference, the Florida Trail Association, the Friends of Green Ridge, the Georgia Pinhoti Trail Association, the Keystone Trails Association, the Mid State Trail Association, the National Park Service Rivers, Trails & Conservation Assistance program, the North Country Trail Association, the Pine Mountain Trail Conference, the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, the Standing Stone Trail Club, and the West Virginia Scenic Trails Association. For more information about how to become involved contact one of these organization nearest you. Several sections are still slated for further development however, so now is your chance to get a head start on future thru-hikers! --- # Navigating with an Altimeter Source: https://sectionhiker.com/navigating-with-an-altimeter/ If you're a hiker or a backpacker, an altimeter can be a powerful navigation aid when used in conjunction with a map and compass. Altimeters aren't new, but they have fallen in price in recent years and are commonly included as a function in outdoor sports watches. For instance, I use a [Casio Pathfinder Watch](https://www.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=app&ti=1019&mi=10248&pw=3816&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rei.com%2Fproduct%2F805931%2Fcasio-pathfinder-pag240-1-multifunction-watch) which has an altimeter (priced under $180) and is accurate to within 20 feet when calibrated. It's completely transformed the way I navigate with a map and compass and has proven to be an indispensable navigation aid. Here are a few examples of how an altimeter can help you pinpoint your location or guide you, both on-trail and off-trail. ### Where are we along this trail? Have you ever found yourself hiking up a trail covered by a forest canopy or lacking major landmarks and wondered how far you've hiked and how much farther you have to go? An altimeter can be used to pinpoint your location if you're hiking in terrain with ups and downs and you have a topographic map handy. For example, let's say you're hiking up the Black Angel trail, in the map above, which climbs several miles to the summit of of a mountain called Carter Dome. If you had an altimeter watch, you could check your elevation anywhere along its length to pinpoint your location on the topographic map. For instance, if you queried your altimeter watch at point A, you'd see that the elevation was 3200 feet. Knowing that, you can trace your finger along the Black Angel Trail to 3200 feet on the topographic map, and you'll be located at exactly that point on the trail. The same holds for point B, at 4000 feet. ### Have we lost more elevation than we want? While an altimeter can be useful if you hike on trails, it really shines when you step off trail because you can use it to figure out if you're where you want to be or whether you've strayed off course. For example, let's say you want to hike from Big Bickford Mountain to Scarface Mountain, passing through the saddle between the two peaks at 2680 feet of elevation and following a compass bearing along the RED route. If you had an altimeter, you could check your elevation as you descend Big Bickford to make sure you don't drop below the elevation of the saddle and off course. For example, if you found yourself at 2550' feet, you probably fell of the RED route and followed one closer to the BLUE route. This is quite an easy mistake to make when coming down a mountain, even if you're hiking along a compass bearing. If you have to hike around fallen trees or other unexpected landforms, it's easy to lose more elevation than you want. But checking your route with an altimeter as you hike can help you discover that you're off course sooner and help you course correct faster. ###  We want to follow a constant elevation or contour around an obstruction. The tops of many mountains are often covered with blown down trees and can be very difficult to traverse. One option is to avoid the blow downs by walking below the summit plateau at a more open elevation. Called following a contour, this can be difficult to do without losing elevation and increasing your energy expenditure to get it back, or climbing too high and losing speed amidst the obstacles you are trying to avoid. For example, if you approach Sable Mountain, pictured above, from the north, one strategy for avoiding summit blow downs would be to climb the north ridge to 3200' and to hike along the west-facing 3200' contour until you get close to the actual summit on the south end of the mountain. The slope gradient below 3200' is much steeper on the west face, so you wouldn't want to drop below that elevation. However, side-hilling at a constant elevation can be tricky to maintain for any distance, and being able to refer frequently to an altimeter can be a big help in contouring around such a large obstruction. ## Altimeter Calibration The previous examples help illustrate some of the ways that an altimeter can be used for on-trail and off-trail navigation when coupled with a map and compass. Most altimeters base their elevation measurement on the change in barometric pressue that occurs when you climb to a higher elevation or descend from one. Barometric pressure is also affected by changes in the weather, which can throw off your elevation reading if you don't recalibrate your altimeter at least once a day. Calibrating a barometric altimeter is quite easy, but it depends on knowing your exact elevation when you calibrate it. The best way to find your current elevation is to look it up on a map (if you know where you are) and adjust your altimeter by adding or subtracting elevation (feet or meters) to its current reading so that it matches the elevation of your current location. If you don't know your current elevation, it's best to hike to a known location on your topographic map and recalibrate your altimeter there. --- # AMC Hut Crew Packboards Source: https://sectionhiker.com/amc-hut-crew-packboards/ When I was hiking up to Galehead Hut and South Twin Mountain over the weekend, I ran into two members of the AMC Galehead Hut Crew (traditionally spelled "Croo") who were packing out garbage and returning with a load of fresh food for hut guests.  It's really pretty impressive to see these guys on the trail, hauling up to 60 pounds of  fresh and frozen food up a 4.6 mile path with nearly 2,500 feet of elevation gain. It's also a great way to get in shape (see the [AMC Hutman Diet Plan](https://sectionhiker.com/amc-hutman-diet-plan/).) The packboards themselves have a pretty no-nonsense design and are still made out of wood and canvas. Food is packed in boxes and lashed to them using rope. The shoulder straps are made out of leather, although some of them are padded and covered with duct tape. Surprisingly, hip belts are not used and the load is completely carried on the shoulders, which seems a bit antiquated to me. I suppose tradition is more important than common sense, or that it just doesn't matter for people who do this all the time and are in shape! When I met these two crew members on the trail on Saturday, I was curious to see if their packboards has any graffiti on them, something that I'd observed at the Zealand Hut a few weeks prior. The ones there had drawings on them and the names and initials of the crew members who'd used them in the past. Their packboards didn't have any graffiti like this written on them so the practice may not be that widespread or their packboards might just be newer. Observing and discovering these kinds of traditions is fun for an old history major like me, and there are probably a lot more traditions that AMC management is completely unaware of! If you know of any, please leave a comment below. --- # Section Hiking Source: https://sectionhiker.com/section_hiking/  ![Appalachian Trail, New Hampshire](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/IMG_0475-1.jpg) Section hikers are people who hike long distance trails in stages, maybe a weekend or a vacation, at a time. We are the unfortunate majority that can't take a year off to hike the Appalachian Trail or many of the other fine long distance trails in the US and abroad. But like thru-hikers, we yearn for the simplicity of life on the trail, in the outdoors, away from the gizmos and material possessions that take us away from being present in everyday life. Our families, hopefully, have come to accept our frequent absences over three day weekends and anniversaries and appreciate the sense of peace that we return with, while knowing that after we finish this trail there will be another. Why do you section hike? --- # Franconia Notch in the White Mountains Source: https://sectionhiker.com/franconia-notch-in-the-white-mountains/ Franconia Notch is a spectacular mountain pass in the White Mountains. It is one of several major notches that the Appalachian Trail traverses in New Hampshire including Kinsman Notch to the south, Crawford Notch at the southern foot of the Presidential Range, [Mahoosic Notch](https://sectionhiker.com/2009/06/29/at-section-hike-grafton-notch-to-gentian-pond/) credited with being the toughest mile on the AT, and [Grafton Notch](https://sectionhiker.com/2009/06/29/at-section-hike-grafton-notch-to-gentian-pond/), another scenic marvel at the foot of Old Speck Mountain, just over the New Hampshire/Maine state border. The eastern side of Franconia Notch is dominated by the exposed cliffs of Canon Mountain (pictured above), the largest vertical rock face in the Northeast US. To the west, it is flanked by the towering [Franconia Ridge](https://sectionhiker.com/2009/08/16/at-section-hike-franconia-notch-to-skookumchuck-tr/), a series of five high peaks 4,000 to about 5,250 ft in height (Mt Flume, Mt. Liberty, Little Haystack Mountain, Mt. Lincoln and Mt. Lafayette) that run along its eight mile length. The notch area hosts many outdoor activities including big wall rock climbing (free and aid), ice climbing, expert level skiing at the Canon Mountain ski resort, a year-round aerial tramway that ferries tourists to the Canon summit, camping, swimming and boating at Echo Lake, and a paved bike trail that runs the length of the notch. The area is also a delight for day hikers and backpackers. There are many trails appropriate for all levels of hikers that pass by waterfalls, alpine lakes, open summits and ledges with outstanding vistas. In addition, the Appalachian Trail traverses the region passing over the Kinsman Range before descending steeply through the southern end of the notch, and back up and over the Franconia Ridge as it heads northbound to Crawford Notch and the Presidential Range. A new road through the notch, the Franconia Notch Parkway,  was completed in 1988, making the region more easily accessible to outdoor adventurers and tourists from Massachusetts to Quebec. Before it's construction, a two-lane road traversed the notch, on which tourists simply pulled over the view the scenic vistas, yearound, creating constant traffic jams and safety hazards in summer and fall. This road was replaced by an extension of Interstate 93. However, as a compromise to fierce opposition from environmentalists, including the Appalachian Club, the roadway was limited to two lanes through the notch, making the Franconia Parkway only one of two sections in the entire 42,000 mile US Interstate system that is not at least 4 lanes wide. Instead of the additional lanes, numerous pull-off areas, shielded by trees, were constructed allowing tourists, campers, and adventurers to pull off the road to park and access the area's attractions more safely. --- # Great Hikes: Mt Wittenberg in the Catskills Source: https://sectionhiker.com/favorite-catskills-day-hike-mt-wittenberg/ I love hiking in the Catskill Mountains of New York State which are located in a surprisingly rural region about 100 miles north of New York City and just under 4 hours (by car) from Boston. The hiking, backpacking, and rock climbing are all excellent and there are many lakes, ponds, waterfalls, and creeks to jump into when the weather gets hot. The Catskills are a lot like the White Mountains in New Hampshire in that there are many mountains concentrated in a fairly small area. However, the elevations of the 35 major peaks in the Catskills range from 3,500 ft - 4,000 ft, a bit lower than the 4,000 footers in the Whites. They are still challenging and in fact about half of them are trail-less and require bushwacking to climb, unlike most of the peaks in the White which have well beaten paths to their summits. One of my favorite Catskill day hikes there is the ascent of Mt Wittenberg (3,780 ft.) Access is from the Woodland Valley State Campground and round trip distance is 6.8 miles ([Click for Online Map](https://www.mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4.php?&t=t4&markers=line=on width=2 color=ff0000 linesymbol=off dash=off|| 42.037246,-74.33517|| 42.030137,-74.330063|| 42.023985,-74.334655|| 42.027109,-74.335942|| 42.026503,-74.340878|| 42.023411,-74.338861|| 42.019968,-74.339375|| 42.017353,-74.340792|| 42.016716,-74.342637|| 42.016588,-74.346285|| 42.014324,-74.345942|| 42.010817,-74.347615|| 42.009222,-74.347486|| line=off)). If you arrive early, make sure you wait until the ranger arrives to pay for parking: otherwise you risk a hefty fine. Access is via the steep and challenging Wittenberg-Cornell-Slide trail following the red DEC markers. Upon attaining the summit, hikers are rewarded with one of the best scenic overlooks in the Catskills. The sweeping view includes the [Devil's Path](https://sectionhiker.com/2008/03/31/devils_path_catskills/) to the north, Peakamoose and Table Mountains to the south, and the Ashokan Reservoir and Hudson Valley to the east. Hardy hikers or backpackers can extend the trip to take in Cornell Mountain (3,860 ft) and Slide Mountain (4,180 ft), the highest peak in the Catskills at mile 4.8 along the path. Spotting a car in the Catskills can be a bit of a challenge since the roads are poorly marked and their route numbers change at county boundaries. The best way to find your way around is using the Delorme New York Atlas and Gazetteer. In addition, the Catskill Mountain Guide is an invaluable resource for finding other great hikes in the region. The best maps of the area are published by the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference. Resources: - [Catskills Trails Maps, waterproof. New York-New Jersey Trail Conference](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1880775778/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1880775778&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20) - [Catskill Mountain Guide](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1929173164/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1929173164&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20) - [Delorme New York Atlas and Gazetteer](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0899332757/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0899332757&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20) --- # The Perch Shelter and Campsite Source: https://sectionhiker.com/the-perch-shelter-and-campsite/ ![The Perch Shelter - Randolph Mountain Club](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/P1050585.JPG) *The Perch Shelter - Randolph Mountain Club * Last weekend, I spend a night at The Perch Shelter and Campsite located on Mt Adams in the Northern Presidential Range of the White Mountains. It's located between the Israel Ridge Trail and Randolph Path, on the north face of Mt Adams, just below treeline at about 4,300 feet. The slope of Adams is still steep enough here that the shelter and campsites look like they are perched on the side on the mountain. The shelter is an 8 person, Adirondack style log cabin with a modern tin roof. Its front entrance is pointed away from the westerly winds which can really blow up here. In addition, there are four wooden platforms where campers can pitch a tent or tarp, as well as a composting toilet. There is a $7 fee per person per night, which is collected by a caretaker around sundown. The water source is spring-fed Cascade Brook, located about 50 yards from the front of the shelter. The water is very very cold and comes straight out of the mountain. Most people don't treat it but it's not officially listed as "safe." ![The Perch Campsite Platforms](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/P1050582.JPG) *The Perch Campsite Platforms * When I stayed there in mid-June, the place was pretty full with only one free camping platform. While camping on platforms sucks, there is very little choice this high up. The forest is very dense, even this close to treeline, and finding a stealth site would be nearly impossible unless you were willing to string a hammock on a 40+ degree inclined slope. If you've ever tried to this, it can be  challenging, if not outright comic. Of the four camping platforms, there's one high up the side of the hill and much more private than the rest. There was a camper already occupying it when I arrived, so I pitched my tarp on the next one down. I crashed before sundown at about 8 pm, but woke up around 1 am to check out the stars. You can only see a view like this from the side of a tall peak on a clear night. It was spectacular, and platforms or not, I'll be camping out at The Perch again. --- # Cold River Camp in Evans Notch Source: https://sectionhiker.com/cold-river-camp-in-evans-notch/ [Cold River Camp](https://www.outdoors.org/lodging/camps/camps-coldriver.cfm) is a rustic, family style camp run by the Appalachian Mountain Club in the Evans Notch on the border between New Hampshire and Maine. It's unique among the AMC lodging facilities because it's managed entirely by volunteers, although there is paid croo (crew) on-site to cook and maintain the premises. Still all of the camp's daily activities including daily guided hikes, paddling trips, visits to swimming holes, the kid's naturalist program, and nightly entertainment are provided by trained and experienced volunteers. Guests typically come for a week at a time and stay in cabins scattered throughout the woods surrounding a central building where meals are family style meals are served. There's also a separate library building and social hall for dancing and nightly entertainment. I discovered Cold River Camp last autumn when some friends and I hiked the Baldfaces and stayed at the self-service cabin that the camp rents in the off-season. While the camp was vacant then, the quirky guest cabins and location of the camp, nestled in stunning Evans Notch, captivated me. I've stayed at other family style camps before and always had a fantastic time, forming life-long friendships with other guests. So I decided that I would try to get involved with Cold River Camp as a volunteer hiking guide since I already lead about a dozen trips a year and teach navigation for the Appalachian Mountain Club. This summer, I'll be on-staff at Cold River Camp working for a week as an apprentice hiking guide, despite the fact that I'm already a full leader for the Boston Chapter of the AMC and guide professionally in the White Mountains with Andrew Skurka. I'm easy about it; there are always hoops to jump through in any volunteer organization and I don't have any issues going to the process they have in place. As an apprentice leader, I'll help plan and guide 4 hikes during the week I'm in residence and I'm responsible for giving a talk one evening to all of the guests as part of the nightly entertainment schedule. I get three days off, which I plan to for hiking and fishing, and 50% off room and board when I'm in residence. Fully qualified hiking leaders and naturalists get full room and board covered ($570/week), which is a nice perk for helping lead hikes and teach. I really looking forward to participating in Cold River Camp this summer and plan to journal my experiences while I'm there, so stay tuned. To find out more about[ Cold River Camp](https://www.outdoors.org/lodging/camps/camps-coldriver.cfm), visit the [Appalachian Mountain Club's website.](https://www.outdoors.org/lodging/camps/camps-coldriver.cfm) ### See Also: - [AMC White Mountain Huts](https://sectionhiker.com/appalachian-mountain-club-huts/) - [Mohonk Mountain House](https://sectionhiker.com/mohonk-mountain-house-a-hikers-paradise/) - [Randolph Mountain Club's Crag Camp Cabin](https://sectionhiker.com/crag-camp-cabin-on-mt-adams/) --- # Low Impact Stealth Camping: Planning and Preparation Source: https://sectionhiker.com/low-impact-stealth-camping-planning-and-preparation/ This is the first post in a series of articles about [Low Impact Stealth Camping](https://sectionhiker.com/series-on-low-impact-stealth-camping/) that explains how you can to minimize your impact on pristine wilderness sites so no one will know that you ever camped there. This takes a little planning to pull off, but it's a set of skills and knowledge worth learning and teaching so others can enjoy the thrill of camping in the wilderness too. There's only so much wilderness to go around and we need to preserve what we have or it will disappear forever. ### Plan and Prepare In this post, I examine the upfront planning and preparation that should be done before you set out on a backpacking trip with the intention of stealth camping at a pristine wilderness camp site. Consider this a checklist of annotated questions to run through when planning a trip like this. As a practical example, I'll illustrate the planning process with a loop hike in the White Mountains in New Hampshire. [(Click TWICE for a larger version of the map.)](https://sectionhiker.com/?attachment_id=33325) I've never done this hike in its entirety or camped at the pristine sites indicated. In fact, I'm not sure there are decent sites to camp there at all - which is one of the key points of this scenario. [![Willey-Field-Stealth-Loop](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2012/06/Willey-Field-Stealth-Loop-002.jpg)](https://sectionhiker.com/low-impact-stealth-camping-planning-and-preparation/willey-field-stealth-loop-002/) #### What are our goals and objectives on this trip? This is 15.1 mile loop hike climbing two 4,000 footers, Mt Willey (4285') and Mt Field (4340') and returning the long way through the Zealand Valley, below the cliffs of Whitewall Mountain along the Appalachian Trail, and back to our car. Given the climbs and the distance, we hope to spend one night camping near the middle of our route. Ideally, we'd like to find a pristine campsite to stealth camp at, but if there aren't any good sites available where we camp in a low impact way, we'll keep going to the Alternate Campsite or to the Ethan Pond shelter/campsite. Continuing to Ethan Pond to camp is a 12.5 mile walk, but completely doable before sunset. #### What are the local regulations for camping in this region? - Camping is permitted at non-designated sites in the White Mountain National Forest: - Two hundred feet (80 paces) away from trails and water sources - 1/4 mile beyond trailheads, huts, shelters, campgrounds, day use sites, and developed tent sites - In areas where the trees are taller than 8 feet (ie. below treeline) - But not in the following areas: - Camping is not permitted in Forest Protection Areas (FPA.) These are usually located at the top of mountains and close to designated campsites and shelters. - For a complete list of regulations, see [Backcountry Camping Rules, White Mountain National Forest](https://sectionhiker.com/out/em1x9n6l) #### How heavily used is the area by other people? - Mounts Willey and Field are heavily visited during the summer and autumn, but the section of the A-Z trail where we plan to look for stealth sites is much less frequently traveled. There's a good chance that we'll be the only people camping there at night and that we won't disturb any other groups. The remainder of our route, after the junction of the A-Z Trail and the Ethan Pond Trail, is part of the Appalachian Trail and also heavily used. #### Where and when will we look for pristine camping sites along our route? - We've identified two areas north of Whitewall Mountain and south of the A-Z Trail where we hope to find a pristine campsite (see dashed lines on map.) The contour lines in these areas suggest a gradual slope which may yield level camping. Of course we won't know until we get there because the scale of the map is too big to show enough detail. - We know that the area north of the A-Z trail and below Mt Tom is wet and boggy due to intense beaver activity and unsuitable for camping. The same is true for the Wetland areas running along the Ethan Pond Trail, south of Whitewall Mountain. - The other areas on our route are either too steep or too close to trails and Forest Protection areas to camp. - We'll get an early start so we can climb Willey and Field in the morning, and should arrive near the potential pristine sites by 1-2 pm. This will give us plenty of time to scout the area and see if there are any good low impact sites to camp at. Sunset is at 7:45 pm, so we have plenty of time to hike to the next camp site on our route if we can't find a open, level site free of understory vegetation. #### Are there water sources nearby? - There are two marked streams before and after the pristine site areas. To minimize foot traffic to and from the water sources, we will bring 2 x 3 liter platypus reservoirs with us and fill them before we head into the woods to start looking for sites. This will provide us with plenty of water for drinking and cooking until the following morning when we get back on the A-Z trail and can resupply again. #### What kind of vegetation can we expect? - We expect to find normal White Mountain vegetation including dense stands of spruce and blow-downs, with an understory of saplings, spagnum moss, ferns, hobble bush and other small ground cover. - We expect that 5-10% of the area will be open and covered with forest duff that is suitable for camping on. #### What has the weather been like recently and what kind of conditions are forecast? - There has been 1" of rainfall in the past 5 days with clear and sunny conditions forecast for our hike. The ground should be fairly dry when we visit the pristine areas and our footprints will have less of an impact than if the ground were heavily saturated and soft. #### How many people are coming? - There will be 2 people on this hike to minimize off-trail travel and camping impacts. - When we hike off-trail, we will walk along parallel routes to avoid creating a trail or the mere suggestion of one that others might follow. We will also avoid trampling on moss, ferns, flowers and other fragile ground cover because they take so long to recover (at least one year to resume normal growth.) #### What kind of tents or shelters do we need to minimize vegetation trampling and compression? - We don't want to bring multi-person tents with us because we're unlikely to find a large enough space to set them up. Instead, we'll use: - Hammocks, with canvas straps that won't cut into tree-bark - Single person tents or tarps, because they can squeeze into the very small and narrow clearings in the forest that we are likely to find. #### Where will we camp if we can't find a durable surface to sleep and cook? - If we can't find level, vegetation free sites to sleep on cook on in the pristine areas, we'll continue hiking on our route. Depending on how we feel, weather conditions, and the amount of remaining daylight, we'll camp at the alternate site south of the Zealand Hut Forest Protection Area or the Ethan Pond Shelter and Campsite. - The Alternate Site is a hideous, highly impacted stealth site that was overused by many campers who saw that others had camped there previously. -  If we have enough daylight, we should continue hiking to the Ethan Pond shelter/campsite. If not, it's better to stay put instead of illegally camping farther down the Ethan Pond trail, breaking local regulations, and potentially starting another impacted site in this high use area. There are just too many people hiking down this section of trail to risk it. #### What is the fire danger level? - The fire danger level is moderate and expected to remain that way during our trip. - We will not be starting a campfire on this trip and will cook with an isobutane canister stove instead. Doing this removes the need to scour the forest looking for downed wood, trampling more vegetation and burying the post-fire ashes. #### How will we dispose of our waste? - We will: - Dig catholes to bury feces at least 200 feet from our campsite and cooking area and pack out all used toilet paper - Pee on rocks and mineral soil to prevent animals from chewing on plants to get the salt in our urine - Eat or pack out any food scraps and trash - Use as little toothpaste as possible and broadcast (blow out and disperse) the water we rinse our mouths with - Minimize the use of soap and pour all waste water into catholes 200 feet from our campsite/kitchen #### Where do we plan on cooking? - We will cook 200 feet away from our shelters at a separate clearing in the woods. - We will minimize the number of trips we take between our shelter site and the cooking area, walk along different routes between the two, and avoid stepping on fragile understory growth. #### How will we protect our food from bears and other animals? - We will hang a bear bag 200 feet away from our cooking and sleeping area. #### What impacts can we expect if we camp at a pristine camp site? - No matter how careful we are, we will have an impact on any pristine area we visit. - At a minimum, we are likely to move sticks and rocks from the areas we want to lay on the ground; we will compress the ground that we sit, lie, or walk on, and we will probably create noticeable paths between out cooking and shelter area. #### How will we restore the site before we leave? - We'll replace the sticks and rocks we removed from our sleeping areas and refluff the forest duff we slept or stepped on. - We'll police the area to make sure we carry out any trash or human artifacts that would suggest someone had ever been there. ### Recap This planning process might seem rather detailed, but its not that much different from the planning process you'd go through for any backpacking trip. If anything, spelling out all of your assumptions is a good communication tool for involving your companions in the planning process and getting everyone on the same page. However there are some low impact camping concepts introduced that you may not have been familiar with previously including: - Durable surfaces that are not harmed when you walk or lie on them - Avoiding high use areas so people don't discover and reuse your stealth site - The separation of cooking and camping areas to avoid attracting animals - Trying not to create noticeable trails by walking along separate routes and avoiding extra back-and-forth trips - That it's better to camp at a highly impacted site, than creating a new stealth site in a busy, high use area. While camping unseen and in a manner that defies future discovery takes a little bit more planing and preparation to pull off, it opens up a whole new world of skills and enjoyment that few have experienced. Call it what you will: Leave No Trace, Pristine Site Camping, or Stealth. All I know is that's its fun and sustainable. Next week, I'll continue this series on [Low Impact Stealth Camping](https://sectionhiker.com/series-on-low-impact-stealth-camping/) by discussing Travel and Camping on Durable Surfaces. --- # Boil-in-the-bag Backpacking Food Source: https://sectionhiker.com/boil-in-the-bag-backpacking-food/ ![Backpack Food](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/IMG_2035.JPG) One of the things that [Sarah Kirkconnell](https://blog.trailcooking.com/), author of [Freezer Bag Cooking](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1411660315/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1411660315&linkId=0d8c4e4011ab847e5bf89a19efed8a13), has taught me, is not to deprive yourself on the trail. In your quest to lighten your food bag, don't make the mistake I made, which is to package up meals that are nutritional, but so boring that you can't finish them. I swear, I'm ruined on couscous for life! On my last backpacking trip, I indulged and tried out something new - boil in a bag meals. Last winter, I bought a larger 1.3 liter titanium pot for melting snow. I brought it along on my last trip because it is nearly big enough to submerge the two boil in the bag meals from Trader Joes' shown above. The Lentil Rice Biryani dish on the left weighs 9.2 oz and has 420 calories and the Punjab eggplant weighs 10.5 oz and has 300 calories. I will be the first to admit that this is not a lightweight food selection, but damn was it good. And even though they weighed over 1 lb, my food bag weight for 3 days was still under 5 lbs. In cooking these up, I found that complete submersion is not necessary. instead, I fired up my Isobutane stove and brought two-thirds of a pot of water to boil and dropped in the foil bag containing the Pugjab eggplant sauce. Once the water started to boil again, I turned down the simmer control on my Snow Peak so that the water was at less than a full, raging boil to conserve fuel. After about 5 minutes, I flipped the bag around in the pot and let the top part of the meal heat for a few minutes. I did the same thing for the rice dish, and then I emptied the two into a zip-loc quart bag I brought along and mixed them together. Yum. This food was so good, I've been thinking about trying to dehydrate it to get the weight down, but my wife doesn't think that they'll be the same. Regardless, eating this meal on my first night out meant not having to carry it for more than one day, and it was worth it. --- # Using TVP in Freezer Bag Cooking Recipes Source: https://sectionhiker.com/using-tvp-in-freezer-bag-cooking-recipes/ Textured Vegetable Protein, known as TVP, is an excellent meat substitute that appears in many backpacking recipes because it is extremely lightweight and easy to prepare. It's also a great addition to homemade freezer bag meals because of it's nutritional value and long shelf life. ![TVP or Textured Vegetable Protein for Freezer Bag Cooking](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/Textured_vegetable_protein.jpg) TVP is available as a powder or in the form of small chunks or flakes. Like Tofu, TVP is made from soybeans and has a very mild flavor that readily absorbs the flavors of the foods it is mixed with. To use it, soak it in warm water or simply mix it directly into soups, stews, spaghetti sauce or chili. It may thicken your meal a bit, so add a little extra water. The texture is slightly chewy, much like meat. A 3 oz. serving contains 285 calories, 42 grams of protein and 14 grams of dietary fiber. TVP is available in bulk at natural food stores and online at WildernessDining.com. --- # Good Trail Food: Olive Oil Source: https://sectionhiker.com/good-trail-food-olive-oil/ I'm traveling this week and just got back from a fantastic dinner at Carmines, and excellent Italian restaurant on Rush Street in Chicago. Incredible food. I had an appetizer tonight that I have been planning to bring on my next section hike on the Long Trail: olive oil with good bread and powdered parmesan cheese. ![](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/1610015.jpg) This might seems like an odd meal to bring on a backpacking trip, but olive oil is a very popular food with ultralight backpackers because it is so weight efficient and because it is quite easy to pack. For example, olive oil has 240 calories per once making it very calorically dense. By comparison, other backpacking foods provide you with far less than 100 calories per ounce, if you are lucky If you want to bring olive oil with you on a trip, you can repackage it in a small plastic bottle or purchase ketchup-style restaurant packages of it to bring along in your food bag. On my next hike, I will also be bring along some foccacia bread and parmesan cheese to eat with the olive oil. Parmesan cheese keeps extremely well on a backpacking trip because it is a very dry cheese with low water content. I'll sprinkle the cheese on the bread and then pour oil on it to eat it, and to avoid having to bring along any utensils or paper plates. This will make a very satisfying dinner. I might also had some red pepper to the oil to give it a little kick. Try this sometime and let me know how you like it. --- # Hikers’ Stories from the Appalachian Trail Source: https://sectionhiker.com/hikers-stories-from-the-appalachian-trail/ What do all of these hikers have in common? Beside hiking the AT, we all contributed chapters to a new book published by Stackpole, called [Hiker's Stories from the Appalachian Trail.](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008F7ZH8K/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B008F7ZH8K&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20) - [Amanda "Veggie" Redpath](https://thebackpackerchronicles.wordpress.com/) - [Amanda, Jarrod "Hansel" and Becca "Gretel" Schlenker ](https://jabeccawalk.blogspot.com/) - [Bruce "Birdman" Nichols](https://shinealight.com/write/index.htm) - [Corwin "Major Chafage" Neuse](https://walkingwithchafage.blogspot.com/) - [Deb "Ramkitten" Lauman](https://www.debralauman.com/) - [Devon "Flamebo" Parish](https://5millionsteps.wordpress.com/) - [Elaine "Second Stage" Rockett](https://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?trailname=9604) - [Elizabeth "Beef" Zane](https://5millionsteps.wordpress.com/) - [Francis Tapon](https://francistapon.com/) - [Jennifer "Thin Mint" Ensworth](https://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=293086) - [John "Sunrise" Bryant Baker](https://johnbryantbaker.com/) - [John "Churchhill" Bitner](https://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=304815) - John "Johnny Swank" Pugh - [Julia "No Promises" Tyler](https://juliashike.blogspot.com/) - [Karelyn "Little Dipper" Kressler](https://karriesappalachiantrail.blogspot.com/) - [Maria "EKG" Dickinson ](https://5millionsteps.wordpress.com/) - [Nicole "Ichiban" Green](https://greenattrek.blogspot.com/) - [Peter "Whippersnap" J. Barr](https://peterontheat.com/) - [Philip "Earlylite" Werner](https://sectionhiker.com/) - [Preston Lee Mitchell](https://apptrail.wordpress.com/) - [Stuart "Tintin" Skinner](https://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=300623) - [Tim A. "Half Ass Expeditions" Novak](https://blistersdicegame.com/trail1.html) - [Mike "Towns" Padgett](https://mikesathike.blogspot.com/) Taken from actual trip reports, including two that I wrote about hiking on the Maine Appalachian Trail, this collection pulls together the accounts of all types of hikers and backgrounds, including thru-hikers and section hikers, northbounders and southbounders, new hikers and experienced backpackers. Our accounts span the whole length of the trail and include stories of ice storms and tornadoes, accounts of trail magic and surprising generosity, encounters with snakes and other wildlife, descriptions of wilderness beauty, and hikers' musings on living life to the fullest, capturing the trail experience through many different perspectives. Collated and edited by Kathryn Fulton, this book has been in the making for nearly a year. Participating in that process was a journey all by itself, but I know we are all grateful for Kathryn's "book magic" in getting the book completed and out. If you're interested in purchasing a copy of [Hiker's Stories from the Appalachian Trail](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008F7ZH8K/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B008F7ZH8K&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20), the book is  available from Amazon in the Kindle format. --- # Different Styles of Section Hiking Source: https://sectionhiker.com/different-styles-of-section-hiking/ There are many different ways of section hiking a long trail, perhaps as many as there are section hikers. Some section hikers plan their hikes down to the last detail while others don't do much planning at all. Here are some of the most common styles of section hiking, along with examples of the route and resupply plans that section hikers use to hike them. ## Slackpacking A lot of section hikers like to do a combination of day hiking and overnight backpacking when they hike a section. They'll sleep at a B&B or trail hostel for a few days and get shuttled out each morning by their host to where they left off the previous day. They still carry a day pack with lunch and essentials, but it's not as heavy because they're not carrying any camping gear, cooking gear, or a heavy food bag. This is a very civilized way to hike a long trail because you can slackpack difficult sections of the trail and backpack easier ones, with a hot breakfast most mornings and a shower most nights. Slackpacking takes a lot of planning if you intend to hike a one or two week section of trail because you need to switch hostels the farther you hike along the trail. Paying for your lodging and shuttles can be expensive and you'll need to carefully plan out which meals you'll be getting and which you need to supply yourself. You also have to have to compile a list of water source locations and landmarks that you would expect to see on the trail, much like a backpacker would, or carry a guidebook or guidebook pages, that has this information. But slackpacking is a lot easier than pure backpacking and puts you in contact with a lot of hikers, making it a very social and relaxed way to section hike a trail. ## Backpacking Many section hikers also enjoy backpacking on long trails, hiking, and camping every night, for a few days to a week at a time. Back in the old days, before the publication of trail guides or backpacking apps, (like [The AT Guide](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0997049316/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0997049316&linkId=90074823a87adf1b28b407dd9ca3f744) or [Guthook's Hiker Apps](https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/guthooks-hiking-guides/id503652260?ign-mpt=uo%3D4)) it took a lot of work to plan a long trail backpacking trip, even if it was just a few days long. You had to pour over topographic maps and find all of the water sources, shelters and campsites, and road crossings by yourself. But most long distance trails are well documented now with guidebooks or data books that list all of that information. You still need to plan your daily mileage, bring the right gear, pack a food bag, and sequence your water stops and campsites, but it's far easier to orchestrate a trip because the research has already been done for you. Here's an example from [David Miller's AT Guide](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0997049316/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0997049316&linkId=90074823a87adf1b28b407dd9ca3f744) which is available in paperback and [pdf form](https://theatguide.com/) for use on smartphones or The Kindle. ## Car-Assisted Backpacking Some Backpacking section hikers will sequence several multi-day sections together, resupplying from a car that they keep on the trail or nearby. The best way to do this to leave your car at your destination and take a hiker shuttle back to the beginning of the section, so you hike forward to your car. Car-assisted sections are good because they take the uncertainty out of resupply stops so you can carry better quality food on your trip. Having a car near the trail also gives you the opportunity to take a few days off between sections, drive to a motel to get cleaned up, or replace broken gear if you have a mis-hap on the trail. Planning a car-assisted trip is a little more complicated than a regular backpacking style trip because you need to arrange for hiker shuttles as you move your car up the trail, but it provides you with a lot more independence, especially in rural areas where it can be very difficult to get around without a vehicle. ## Thru-Hiking Style Another section hiking strategy is to hike a segment of a long trail like a thru-hiker. There's very little advance planning required except traveling to and from your start and end point. All you really need to do is to figure out what gear you need for your trip, whether there are decent resupply options available every couple of days along your route, and how many days of food you need to pick up every time you need to resupply. If there aren't enough good food sources, you might have to send yourself [general delivery food boxes that you can pick up at a post office](https://sectionhiker.com/hiker-resupply-and-mail-drops/). While you have a rough plan in place, you don't have to stick with it if you want to modify it. As long as you can resupply when you need to, you can hike at whatever pace you want since you don't have any pre-made hostel reservations or travel arrangements for when you have to finish your section. It still helps to have cell phone and trail guide for the section of trail you plan to hike, but you don't need to make a lot of plans in advance. While section hiking a long trail thru-hiker style gives you a lot of flexibility and freedom, the shuttle and transportation fees associated with getting to the trail and getting back home, if you need to abort a trip part-way, can be expensive if you're hiking in a remote rural area. ## Day Hiking It's also possible to section hike many long trails as day hikes, provided they have a lot of road crossings or trail junctions with local trail systems. The Appalachian Trail is a good example since it was routed through so many pre-existing trail systems maintained by many clubs up and down the east coast of the United State. For example, if you set out to day-hike the Appalachian Trail, you're going to spend a lot of time driving down back roads to remote road crossings or hiking back to the AT along blue-blazed feeder trails. Once you make your way back to the trail where you left off the last time, you can hike a small section, and then hike out again and go home. I've hiked hundreds of miles of the Appalachian Trail and Vermont's Long Trail this way and it can be a great way to make progress when you don't have the time for a multi-day backpacking trip or you want to hike your local trail system in addition to a long trail that runs through it.  The Day Hiking Style requires careful record keeping of the miles you've hiked, good trail maps, and backcountry road maps like [Delorme Gazetteers](https://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&index=aps&keywords=delorme%20Gazetteer%20&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkId=UB5X4FAPRXDG6JDP). Google Maps is not up to snuff for finding remote trailheads or following many seasonal forest service roads. ## How does your style of Section Hiking compare to these? --- # What is a Ray Way Tarp? Source: https://sectionhiker.com/what-is-a-ray-way-tarp/ If you're starting to think about camping under a tarp, you will probably come across references to something called a Ray Way tarp. This refers to a [shaped tarp design](https://sectionhiker.com/what-is-the-difference-between-flat-tarps-and-shaped-tarps/) developed by Ray Jardine, one of the early proponents of modern ultralight backpacking, and author of the lightweight backpacking classic, [Beyond Backpacking.](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0963235931/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=0963235931) By all appearances, the Ray Way tarp looks likes a rectangular tarp that is set up using an A-frame style pitch between two trees or hiking poles, as shown above. It has a distinguishing characteristic however called a beak, at the front and rear, which provides additional rain protection. These beaks can be raised to provide better ventilation and prevent internal condensation or lowered to retain more heat and warm up the interior of the tarp  in chilly weather. Ray Way tarps also have reinforced tie-outs on the side panels of the tarp, located half way between the top ridgeline, and the tarp bottom. There are useful for increasing interior headroom or preventing the fabric from bowing in heavy wind, and can be tied to trees, poles, or sticks you find in the forest. If you want to make your own Ray Way tarp, Jardine sells a $59 [MYOG tarp kit](https://www.rayjardine.com/ray-way/Tarp-Kit/index.htm) (1 Person: 12 ounces/2 person: 15 ounces), containing the materials and instructions required to make your own, like the one above, which was sewn by a backpacker name Greg that I met last weekend. Alternatively, you can buy a Ray Way style tarp from Crazy Creek (15 ounces, listed by mfg) for about  $70 called the Tarp Lite. Either way, I'm very temped to get one of these tarps myself. Those beaks like they'd be really handy to keep rain splatter from splashing back under the tarp. I guess there's a reason why this tarp design has withstood the test of time. It really is a classic. --- # Beginner Tip: Go on Practice Hikes Source: https://sectionhiker.com/beginner-tip-go-on-practice-hikes/ ![Practice Hiking](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/img_1786.jpg) It doesn't matter if you are a day hiker or a backpacker, it's really important to go on a lot of practice hikes to test new gear and to understand how your body reacts to different trail conditions, before you get into the backcountry. I still go on one or two practice hikes a week between major trips to keep up my conditioning and to practice with new or existing gear. For day hikers,  I think the most important things to learn on practice hikes are: - How to regulate body temperature by layering or adjusting walking speed. - Understanding what it feels like to be too hot or too cold. - Having the confidence to stop a hiking partner so that you can remove or add a layer. - How to adjust the straps of your backpack as the weight or bulk of your load changes. - Getting into the habit of drinking and snacking frequently to keep your energy level up. - Understanding how to thermoregulate when it starts to rain. - Learning how to deal with and prevent wet glasses in a rain shower. - Learning to feel hot spots in your boots and take care of them before they turn into blisters. - Understanding how your feet react to wet boots and how to prevent blisters anyway. - Finding the right undergarments that prevent thigh chafing and how to cure it if it occurs. - How to pack a backpack so that it's comfortable for you to carry. For backpackers, you need to know everything listed above, plus the following which you can practice on a day hike. - How to set up your shelter, be it a tent, tarp, or hammock, in good weather or in the rain. - How to pick a good camping spot. - Understanding how to walk in very rugged terrain with a heavier load. - How to get warm when you are cold in your sleeping bag. - How to light your stove reliably. - Getting good at hanging a bear bag. - Learning how to find where you are with a map and how to navigate using it and a compass. For winter backpackers and climbers, the list is even longer. Becoming efficient at all of these skills takes a lot of practice, and it's a good way to get your outdoor "fix" in between your longer expeditions. So don't be embarrassed to use your gear near home before you go on a trip. You'll be glad you did when the time comes to use it. --- # Leave No Trace Principles Source: https://sectionhiker.com/leave-no-trace-principles/  ![Composting Privvy on Mt. Greylock, Appalachian Trail, Massachusetts](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/IMG_0493.jpg) Here is my slightly abridged, take no prisoners, version of the Leave No Trace Principles. - **Plan Ahead and Prepare**. Know local regulations. Shelters may be full; bring a tent, tarp or hammock. Carefully map out your route before you arrive including potential water sources and natural obstacles. Consider contingency plans for bad weather or injury, particularly if traveling alone. Leave a trip plan with someone who is expecting you to return at a specific time and knows who to call if you are late. - **Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces**. Stay on the trail; don't cut switchbacks. Camp in designated sites whenever possible to minimize your environmental impact. Fluff up compressed forest duff after you break down your tent to help natural processes resume. - **Dispose of Waste Properly**. Pack out all trash and food waste, including garbage that someone else has left on the trail. Bury human waste at least six inches deep and at least 200 feet from a trail or water source if a privvy or outhouse is not available. Don't bathe in water sources that people will drink from: no one wants to drink the DEET or sweat that washes off from your body. If you need to wash, use a washcloth and pour the grey water into a hole at least 200 feet from all water sources. - **Leave What You Find**. Don't take flowers, rocks, or other sensitive natural resources. Don't pull rocks out of the ground and roll them down steep grades: this accelerates erosion. Don't carve your name in trees or shelters. Don't steal trail maintenance tools or supplies. Don't steal other peoples' gear or they will hunt you down and eat you. - **Minimize Campfire Impacts**. Don't ever start a campfire unless in an emergency situation, such as hypothermia. Use a portable stove instead. It's faster, cleaner and has virtually no environmental impact. If you must burn wood, keep fires small; use only downed dead wood and established fire pits. Don't create a new fire pit or ring. These are very difficult to undo and their impact takes a long, long time to mitigate. - **Respect Wildlife**. Don't feed or disturb wildlife. Store food properly to avoid attracting bears and rodents. If you must bring a pet, keep it leashed. Unleashed pets can scare the hell out of other hikers and if they get lost, frequently perish at the hands of coyotes, fishers, or other forest carnivores. Don't expect that other people will want to share a shelter with your pet. If your pet can't be leashed, just stay home. - **Be Considerate of other Visitors**. Keep group size small: no more than 10 on overnight trips and 25 on day hikes. Minimize noise and intrusive behavior, including playing the radio, singing, public drunkenness, and throwing knives at shelters. Share shelters and other facilities. If you snore, bring a tent and camp at least 200 feet away from other people. If you are on a college orientation trip, avoid the woods and other natural areas. There are wild animals there and you might get dirty. If you just can't live without your cell phone, only use it in the outhouse. Keep it turned off when other people are around or they'll think you are stupid. --- # Solo Backpacking and Trip Plans Source: https://sectionhiker.com/solo-backpacking-and-trips-plans/ I do a lot of solo backpacking because it can be difficult to find a good hiking partners and because dealing with their shuttle logistics can be extremely frustrating. However, even though I hike alone, I often camp with other backpackers who I've run across during the day or meet up with at a shelter. This makes solo backpacking incredibly fun in my opinion, because you are meeting new, very interesting people out of the blue, who share many of your core values about the outdoors and it's spiritual benefits. ![](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/IMG_0061(1)1.jpg) But solo backpacking increases your risk level when you are in wilderness areas and you need to mitigate the consequences of hiking alone by taking some extra precautions in your trip preparation. The most important of these is writing up a detailed trip plan and leaving it with a person who is expecting you back at a certain time. My trip plans include my expected mileage per day and where I expect to camp each evening. They also includes emergency numbers that can be called in case I'm overdue, like the state police or the local forest service. In addition my trip plans include detailed lists of all of the gear, first aid supplies, and the caloric values of food that I will be carrying on a trip, and are a very useful tool for planning contingency scenarios such as cold, wet weather or running out of food, if I need to stay out an extra day. --- # What is the Footing Like in the White Mountains? Source: https://sectionhiker.com/what-is-the-footing-like-in-the-white-mountains/ I'm co-leading a Backpacking Fundamentals trip in two months with Andrew Skurka, and one of our students contacted me over the weekend for help with his homework. He's been assigned the Footing section of the [Environmental Conditions Assessment](https://andrewskurka.com/2012/be-prepared-but-against-what/) we have students collaborate on before the trip. The purpose of the Environmental Conditions Assessment is to base your gear, food, and fuel decisions on the needs of trip you are taking so you are prepared, but don't bring more than you need. While one of the benefits is potentially reducing your gear and food weight, the Environmental Conditions Assessment forces you to plan your trip in-depth and is particularly useful if your journey is outside of an area that you are already familiar with. The Environmental Conditions Assessment includes sections on: - Climate - Daylight - Footing - Vegetation - Navigation aids - Sun exposure - Water availability - Problematic wildlife - Insects - Remoteness - Natural hazards Andrew's Backpacking Fundamentals trip in the White Mountains consists of trail hiking and some bushwhacking, to (among other reasons) demonstrate how amazing compasses are for navigation when your view is completely obscured by forest or fog. I know it's hard to believe that the preceding photos are part of a manicured trail system, but they are, and they're fairly representative of the type of treadway you'll find throughout the White Mountains below treeline. Above treeline is a different story altogether, since there are just rocks and no roots. In addition to trails, there are lots of stream crossings in the White Mountains, but not a lot of bridges. The water level goes up and down, but will be higher in late October because trees will not be absorbing as much water as they do in spring and summer. Some stream crossings are bridged by rocks that you can hop over, but many others require that you get your feet wet, and even your pants. On bushwhacks, you can assume that the ground surface will look like the rocks, roots, water, and mud you find on a typical below treeline trail, except that they'll all be hidden from view by hobble bush and fern, with fallen trees hidden and scattered throughout. The basic rule of thumb is to avoid putting your entire weight on anything because you can't assume it's solid. This will slow our pace down to a crawl, to about 1/4 to a 1/2 mile per hour as we pick our way through the terrain. Of course, in October, the chances are good that the leaves will be down off the trees. That will just obscure the ground under the foliage even more and hold any recent precipiation, possibly making things a bit wet and sloppy. For purposes of the footing section of the Environmental Conditions Assessment, I've just provided a seasonally adjusted view of trail and bushwhack conditions in the White Mountains below treeline, but I haven't really done the thinking part of the assignment. Here are a few questions for you to ponder, or that I would ponder, when trying to decide what footware to bring on a hike or adventure in these conditions. - What are the daytime temperatures? - What proportion of the time will be spend on-trails and off-trail? - How muddy or boggy will the trail and bushwhacks be? - Do the stream crossing have to be forded? - How much precipitation falls during this part of the year? - What are the chances we'll encounter snow and ice? - What are some alternative ways to keep my lower legs and feet warm? - Should I bring hiking poles or not? - Do I need extra ankle protection? Those are some of the things I'd be thinking about. --- # 10 Best Books to Take Backpacking Source: https://sectionhiker.com/10-best-books-to-take-backpacking/ ![Behind The Green Mountain Headquarters](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/IMG_0647-1.JPG) I like to bring paperbacks with me when I go on long backpacking trips. I don't necessarily read a lot before my head hits the stuff sack, but it is nice to have a little entertainment when you're the only person in the shelter or to block out the ink black darkness of the Appalachian forest. Here are some of my favorites for a lonely solo hike: - [Serial Murderers and their Victims](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0495600814/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0495600814) - [The Werewolf's Guide to Life: A Manual for the Newly Bitten](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0767931939/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0767931939) - [How To Survive An Alien Abduction: And Other Useful Information](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1598587773/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1598587773) - [Bear Attacks: The Deadly Truth](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0969809913/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0969809913) - [The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Living Dead](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1400049628/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1400049628) - [Be Ready When the Sh*t Goes Down: A Survival Guide to the Apocalypse](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0061998257/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0061998257) - [The Dark Sacrament: True Stories of Modern-Day Demon Possession and Exorcism](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0061238171/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0061238171) - [The Sex Lives of Cannibals: Adrift in the Equatorial Pacific](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0767915305/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0767915305) - [Smashed, Squashed, Splattered, Chewed, Chunked and Spewed](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1602640432/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1602640432) - [Man Eating Bugs: The Art and Science of Eating Insects](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1580080510/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1580080510) ### What are some of your backpacking trip favorites? (Leave a comment) --- # Book Review: Bushcraft by Mors Kochanski Source: https://sectionhiker.com/book-review-bushcraft-by-mors-kochanski/ I get tremendous personal satisfaction from learning, practicing, and using my outdoor skills when I go hiking, and it's become an integral part of every day hike or backpacking trip I take. But there are so many outdoor skills that I am unfamiliar with covered in [Mors Kochanski's classic "Bushcraft"](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1551051222/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1551051222&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkId=PPW3WJCVNUNRKGPP), that I could easily spend the rest of my life becoming proficient in them. Who the heck is Mors Kochanski, you're wondering? Considered by many to be a grandmaster of wilderness survival and primitive skills, Mors Kochanski is credited with popularizing the term 'bushcraft' and coining the phrase "the more you know, the less you carry." If you mainly hike well blazed trails, you may never need any of the skills described in [Kochanski's Bushcraft.](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1551051222/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1551051222&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkId=PPW3WJCVNUNRKGPP) But if you hike, canoe, ski, camp, fish or hunt in less-traveled areas, where self-sufficiency is the rule, you'll immediately see why the skills covered in this book are so valuable. Covering firecraft, axecraft, knifecraft, sawcraft, bindcraft, and sheltercraft, Kochanski provides a wealth of information and rich illustrations about each technique along with a variety of applications that you can practice on your own. There are also three chapters that cover the major tree species of the Northern Canadian Forest (birches, conifers, and willows) that illustrate many applications that they can be used from basket making to homeopathic medicines. For example, I learned more about axes, their design, use, maintenance, safety precautions and tree felling in one chapter of [Bushcraft](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1551051222/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1551051222&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkId=PPW3WJCVNUNRKGPP), than the combined knowledge about them that I've gleaned from other sources. Having read it, I also now realize how dangerous an axe is in untrained hands and the need for hands-on instruction. The same holds for firecraft, even though I'm no slouch in that department. For example, I learned how to construct a parallel firelay, which is a fire that will burn all night, and keep you warm from head to toe. Instead of a teepee or pyramid style fire, you cut two bigger logs, about head-height, and stack them on top of one another, lengthwise and parallel to the wind, to keep the smoke from blowing out at you. Once lit, you lay down lengthwise next to the fire and it will keep you warm while you sleep. While I wouldn't use a fire like this except in an emergency, it does help eliminate the need to feed a fire all night because it's intended to be slow burning. [Mors Kochanski's Bushcraft](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1551051222/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1551051222&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkId=PPW3WJCVNUNRKGPP) is chock full of useful techniques like this and a gold mine for anyone interested in acquiring more backcountry skills. I've already reread my copy several times and plan to reference it for years to come. *Disclosure: Philip Werner (sectionhiker.com) purchased this book with his own funds. * --- # Book Review: Ray Mears Essential Bushcraft Source: https://sectionhiker.com/book-review-ray-mears-essential-bushcraft/ You'll probably never use most of the stuff in [Ray Mears Essential Bushcraft: A Handbook of Survival Skills from Around the World](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0340829710/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0340829710&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkId=X7XCC2ZXLZSGACD6), but it is fascinating to see the ingenuity of people from around the world and they utilize nature to increase their self-reliance skills. Bushcraft, as Mears notes provides us with a way to connect more deeply with the natural world, pulling together knowledge of botany, zoology, craft work and outdoor leadership skills. While you may never have the need to use a friction drill to start a fire, create rope from natural fibers, build a leaf hut, or melt snow with a Finnish marshmallow, simply learning about these acts of human ingenuity can help you become a better problem solver if you need to rely on natural materials and processes in a survival situation. The great thing about Ray Mears is his modesty. While he is famous for his bushcraft skills and TV shows, especially in Europe, he's not a sensationalist. This is a guy who walks the walk, rolls up his sleeves, gets down and dirty, and has traveled the world learning these skills. He's also a teacher who genuinely interested in teaching you how to teach yourself, which is at the core of all bushcraft-style skills and disciplines. While reading about survival skills is great fun, Mear's presentation is so engaging that you'll want to go out into he woods or your backyard and give some of the bushcraft techniques he explains and illustrates a go. This can be as simple a buying yourself an inexpensive [Mora bushcraft knife](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004TNWD40/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B004TNWD40&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkId=UQV3KANI6QF7R54V) and practicing some of the cutting and knife handling skills shown in his book on a few tree branches from your backyard or a nearby park. Covering basic wilderness/backpacking gear, cutting tools, water, fire, shelter, cordage, food and wilderness travel, [Ray Mears Essential Bushcraft](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0340829710/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0340829710&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkId=X7XCC2ZXLZSGACD6) is a book that you are likely to refer to for years to come. It's an excellent compendium of essential wilderness survival skills for all environments and seasons and an inspiring book that can stimulate a greater appreciation of the wilderness and our connection to it. Highly recommended! See Also: - [Bushcraft 101 or How to Bring Even Less Survival Gear on Wilderness Adventures](https://sectionhiker.com/bushcraft-101-or-how-to-bring-even-less-survival-gear-on-wilderness-adventures/) - [Bushcraft by Mors Kochanski](https://sectionhiker.com/book-review-bushcraft-by-mors-kochanski/) --- # Trail Tested – Justin Lichter’s Backpacking Gear Book Source: https://sectionhiker.com/trail-tested-justin-lichters-new-backpacking-gear-book/ Wow! Justin Lichter, uber long-distance hiker, has published a book called [Trail Tested](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/076278783X/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=076278783X&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkId=5X7ZWSRMSN3WPGDO) which is a must-add gear guide for your backpacking book collection. It's super readable and an excellent reference for beginners backpackers who are trying to figure out what gear to buy and why, hikers preparing for section hikes or thru-hikes on national scenic trails, as well as experienced hikers who are trying to match the appropriate gear for longer cross-country or expedition-style adventures. *Trauma Tip: Pre-soaking your food before you cook it can help you save stove fuel. * [Trail Tested](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/076278783X/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=076278783X&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkId=5X7ZWSRMSN3WPGDO)  succinctly explains what to look for when buying backpacking gear, how to maintain it and repair it, with lots of Trauma Tips thrown in on how to survive in the backcountry. Beautifully laid out and illustrated, it's easy to find the information you need to compare different gear options without a lot of reading and cuts through all of the confusing marketing propaganda you'll encounter from product manufacturers and retailers. *Trauma Tip: Most people think mesh is lightweight since it has holes, but it's heavier than many fabrics incluing ultralight silnylon and cuben fiber, especially when it gets wet and soaks up moisture. * Who is Justin Lichter? Justin, known by his trail name Trauma, is one of the top long distance hikers of our time. He's distinguished himself by hiking the triple crown twice (Appalachian Trail, Continental Divide Trail, and Pacific Trail), including one year when he did all three. Justin's also hiked across the Himalayas, around Iceland, Vermont's Long Trail, the Hayduke, the Sierra High Route. Heck, he's even swum around Lake Tahoe unsupported without a wet suit! *Trauma Tip: When it's raining, snowing, or cold, stash your poles on your pack and put your hands inside your rain jacket. It will keep your hands a lot warmer. * One thing I like about Trail Tested is that it's not myopically about ultralight backpacking, but about how to match the gear you bring with the conditions you're likely to find on a backpacking trip or expedition. This is probably the most important skill for a backpacker to learn and Justin provides lot of examples from his worldwide hiking adventures. Trail Tested also has a long chapter about how to hike long distance with a dog, tips for hiking abroad, and advice on campsite selection, weather forecasting, navigation, winter camping and leave no trace. It even has a number of Justin's gear lists to help you understand how to match gear to specific locales and conditions. Full of a gazillion awesome photographs from Justin's hikes, [Trail Tested](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/076278783X/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=076278783X&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkId=5X7ZWSRMSN3WPGDO) can even be used as a coffee table book. Now that's multi-use in action! *Disclosure: sectionhiker.com (Philip Werner) received a complimentary advanced copy of Trail Tested for this review. * --- # The Essential Wilderness Navigator Source: https://sectionhiker.com/the-essential-wilderness-navigator/ [![Compass navigation](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2012/10/wildnav.jpg)](https://sectionhiker.com/the-essential-wilderness-navigator/wildnav/) I have been reading a lot of books about compass navigation this year to improve my skills as an off-trail navigator and to figure out if there is a better way to teach compass navigation to hikers who want to learn it. The fact is, many people have a really hard time learning how to use a compass, a problem I am all to familiar with, because it plagued me for years too. On hindsight, my problem is that I tried to learn how to use a compass by reading books about it, and then by trying to apply what I'd read about in the field. That proved very inefficient although I eventually taught myself how to do it out of stubborn perseverance and a little help from my friends. If you are struggling like I did, I suggest you dump the books and take a  group class on compass and map navigation that combines classroom lectures, practice problems, and outdoor navigation exercises or trips. While some people may be able to learn how to use a compass easily by reading a book, I'm not one of them. That said, of all the books I've read on compass navigation this year, the one I like best is [The Essential Wilderness Navigator by David Seidman and Paul Cleveland](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0071361103/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0071361103&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20). Available in both paperback and Kindle formats, it's an invaluable reference that beginners can go back to to reinforce what they've learned in a compass navigation class. In addition, it provides more advanced navigational instruction for compass and map users who want to go beyond the basics of plotting and following a bearing and learn how to navigate safely off trail and in open terrain. I find myself referring to this book often (I have the Kindle version) and picking out useful gems I've overlooked on previous read-thrus. ### For Beginners The Essential Wilderness Navigator is a good book for beginners because it presents map reading and compass basics in a systematic, incremental fashion with many graphic examples and exercises you can perform outdoors. If you have the patience to work through the chapters this way, you'll be well on your way learning how to read topographic maps, perform terrain association, plot bearings, follow bearings and triangulate your position. For example, the second chapter of the book on map reading basics has the following exercises: - Matching contour lines to 3-D landform drawings - How to draw a slope profile diagram for a route based on the distances between the contour lines it crosses - How to compute a slope gradient - How to determine direction of travel with a protractor - How to orient a map through terrain association - How to find your approximate location through triangulation - How to fold a map to preserve the correlation between fold lines and cardinal directions These exercises are very useful to help beginners and non-visual learners internalize the meaning of topographic maps by using them to solve navigation problems, even before the use of a compass is introduced. ### For Experienced Navigators The Essential Wilderness Navigator is also a useful reference for more experienced navigators who are already competent compass and map users. In addition to covering all the bases on compasses, declination, geographic and magnetic north and bearings, and going back and forth between the world and maps, the book provides practical instruction on how to follow a course, account for lateral drift using back bearings, how to follow a bearing in open country when there are no intermediate landmarks, and how to navigate around obstacles such as ponds or other obstructions. More advanced navigation techniques and pitfalls are also discussed including the use of warning bearings to avoid dangerous terrain, potential issues in fix accuracy, and how to get a position fix with only one bearing. Poorly blazed or maintained trail navigation is also covered including more advanced techniques such as baselines, aiming off, bracketing, handrails and catch points. An advanced chapter on sun and star navigation is even included. ### Closing Remarks If you're looking for a book that teaches the fundamentals of map compass navigation, [The Essential Wilderness Navigator](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0071361103/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0071361103&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20) does a very fine job. But what I find most appealing about this book is its practical content on using many different navigation techniques in the field. While this isn't a book about advanced off-trail navigation or bushwhacking, it provides an excellent foundation for people to want to learn those skills first-hand from the wizened bushwhackers, bush pilots, and gold prospectors that haunt our wilderness areas today.   --- # AWOL on the Appalachian Trail – Book Review Source: https://sectionhiker.com/awol-on-the-appalachian-trail-book-review/ ![AWOL on the Appalachian Trail](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/P1020281.JPG) A new updated edition of David Miller's classic Appalachian Trail memoir, [AWOL on the Appalachian Trail](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1935597191?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1935597191) will be available on October 18th, 2010. Published by Amazon Encore, it will be available in paperback and as a Kindle edition. I've just finished reading an advanced reviewer's copy and AWOL is still my favorite AT thru-hiker autobiography. I read the previous edition a few years ago, but it seemed even more relevant to me this time around, now that I have more invested in going my own way. > "When the decision finally came it was an epiphany. No way was I going to allow myself to settle into an ordinary life because it was the easy thing to do. I didn't want to be pigeon-holed, defined by my career, grow soft and specialized behind a desk. I would continue to resist specialization and stretch myself by undertaking new endeavors." Like all AT hiker memoirs, David's book is full of thru-hiker lore, shelter stories, bear and mouse tales, and food orgies. If you're thinking about thru-hiking or section hiking the Appalachian Trail, it provides an excellent state-by-state account of what you can expect along the way. This is David Miller after all, author of the [The A.T. Guide](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079LBNV2N/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B079LBNV2N&linkId=b44b3b88e9d3192e59cb265651764242), the definitive AT handbook, so he really knows what he's talking about. However, what sets David's book apart from others thru-hiker memoirs are his descriptions of the kindness of the people along the trail who aren't hikers, his friendships, and his internal struggle to stay on the trail despite physical and emotional hardship. That's a lot of ground to cover, but David's narrative moves at such a steady clip, you won't want to put AWOL on the AT down until you've finished it. *Sectionhiker received a complementary reviewer's copy of this book. * --- # Backpacking the NPT: The Allure of Deep Woods Source: https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-the-npt-the-allure-of-deep-woods/ [![The Allure of Deep Woods](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2013/07/Allure-of-Deep-Woods.jpg)](https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-the-npt-the-allure-of-deep-woods/allure-of-deep-woods/) What's the best way to experience the Wilderness? That's one of the recurring themes in Walt Mclaughlin's new book about hiking the Northville-Placid Trail (NPT) in New York's Adirondack Park. Like most of us, Walt can't take off whenever he feels like it to hike a long trail, so he sticks to shorter journeys that can be hiked in 3 weeks or less like the 125 mile NPT, Vermont's Long Trail, or Maine's 100 Mile Wilderness. But Walt takes a very different approach to backpacking than many of us that hike trails, one that bears some consideration and reflection. Rashing than dashing along at breakneck speed, Walt prefers to linger along the way. He'll sit resting against a tree for a few hours during the day and watch the clouds go by or stay for a few nights at a nice lean-to with a good fishing pond. Walt values being in the wild far more than the "big brag" of hiking a trail as fast as possible. He writes, *"The wild is that intangible, unnameable Otherness that's so pervasive out here. I see it in the green infinity all around me. I hear it in the deep forest silence. It smells like ozone, wet moss, wilderflowers, and something decaying. It excites all my senses but remains imperceptible, ever elusive, mystical. It's something raw and unfettered. It's what motivates people like me to come out here time and again despite mud, bugs, and rain, and countless other hardships. For lack of better words, I call it the wild, as many woodswalkers have before me. I could give you a dozen good reasons from coming out here, but none of them would hold up to careful scrutiny. Not really."* I know that feeling and felt it return as I read "The Allure of Deep Woods." It's the feeling you get when you hike through an old New England forest over a root choked trail and camp on a soft understory of damp and decaying pine needles. When the canopy of trees obliterates the mid-day sun and time slows down. When  you know it's drizzling rain but you don't care because the leaf cover will keep you dry until the storm blows through. When a trout leaps at a fly and lands with a splash, and you watch rings of ripples spread across a pond. Walt's writing brings me back to those times when I'm not in a rush and can sit and watch the world around me at leisure. He reminds me that backpacking is not about going someplace fast, but about getting back to that private lean-to where I can lie awake in the morning, dry and warm in my sleeping bag, and think of nothing for a long while. The Northeast is full of private ponds and forest glades where you can get back to the "wild" and the Northville Placid Trail sounds like a good bet if you want a shorter hike that takes you back to the deep woods. The Allure of Deep Woods: Backpacking the Northville Placid Trail by Walt McLaughlin,Woodthrush Books, 2013 --- # Skywalker: Highs and Lows on the Pacific Crest Trail Source: https://sectionhiker.com/skywalker-highs-and-lows-on-the-pacific-crest-trail/ My wife's grandmother was a New York City librarian, so reading while visiting my in-laws is not viewed as an anti-social activity by a grumpy son-in-law forced to spend the weekend in their boiling hot coop apartment. In viewing the book jacket photos in my Kindle app, Bill Walker gazed out at me, so I decided to read his PCT hiking memoir, titled [Skywalker: Highs and Lows on the Pacific Crest Trail](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1453862234/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1453862234&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20). I couldn't stop - and it provided a welcome escape from the volcanic heat and multi-generational chaos of my wife's family reunion. I've never taken the time to study up on the PCT but Skywalker's descriptions of his fellow hikers and the route's many challenges drew me in. Before this journey, Skywalker, so named because he stands 6' 11", had thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail, a territory and landscape that I have also hiked and can relate to. His comparison of these two thru-hikes and particularly the differences in terrain between east and west coast made Highs and Lows on the PCT very interesting for me. For example, most people who hike the AT stick pretty close to the trail. It's a well blazed groove from Georgia to Maine and you can pretty much hike its length without a compass  or map. The PCT is very different. Strict adherence to a defined route is seemingly impossible because forest fires and seasonal snowfall redefine the exact route each year.  The dates you can hike are hemmed in by desert heat in the south and bitter cold in the north, making the hiking calendar a greater obstacle than in the east. Finishing the entire route is much harder because you need to hike  many more miles per day. Even so, it is possible to miss hundreds of miles and still complete a PCT thru-hike. Intention counts more. Hiking skills matter. There are no trail shelters. You need to use a compass and map. You need an ice axe. The mountains, particularly hypothermia, can kill you. Resupply points are few and far between. There is a huge amount of variation in the landscape. The views are stunning and wide-open. The Critters on the PCT are meaner. Cougars stalk the smaller hikers and some areas have grizzly bears who will enter your tent in search of food. Rattlesnakes will nibble your ankles and giardia will liquefy your guts. The only reason people can hike the southern deserts is because trail angels leave thousands of gallons of water out for hikers to resupply. The PCT would simply not exist without their generosity - it would be unhikable - or so it seems. All these things seem to make the PCT a bigger adventure, with a capital 'A', than the AT. Adventure in the sense that you are hiking into a bigger, vaster, less familiar and civilized region than the Appalachian corridor. Despite these differences, both the AT and the PCT are defined by the people you meet on such a journey. Skywalker excels at describing the the quirky characters who are drawn to hike the PCT, the lovers and spouses that support them, and the trail angels who look out for their well being. [Skywalker: Highs and Lows on the Pacific Crest Trail](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1453862234/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1453862234&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20) provides an excellent introduction to the nature of a PCT thru-hike and its unique western character. If you're thinking about hiking the PCT someday or you love to read about the simple pleasures of hiking, Skywalker's Highs and Lows provides a unique viewpoint you don't want to miss. *Disclosure: The author paid for this book using his own funds.  * --- # The Country Northward, A Book Review Source: https://sectionhiker.com/the-country-northward-a-book-review/ I think many regular hikers feel a sense of ambivalence in sharing hiking trails and the wilderness with other hikers or visitors who might not value them as much or use the resource with as much care as they do. The fear of these self-appointed stewards is that their place of refuge, which is how many of us view our wild lands, will be put at risk through recreational overuse, commercial interests, or quasi-non-profits that have every legal right to use the same resource. I see this play out vividly in the White Mountain National Forest of New Hampshire where I do a lot of hiking, a "land of many uses," ranging from snowmobiling and downhill skiing to lumbering and lodging. It's something I know I fear and feel helpless to prevent. This feeling of ambivalence is one of the underlying themes of [The Country Northward](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1452830924/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1452830924&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20), Dan Ford's journal of a 100 mile backpacking trip through the White Mountains. While there are many things to recommend in this fabulous book, that's one of the most striking aspects of this work that resonated with me. It's an inner conflict that I've struggled to come to terms with myself this past year. Originally published in 1976 and reprinted in 2012 (including Kindle), I was surprised how timeless Dan Ford's account of his hike is. He encounters many hikers and backpackers who have no idea what they're doing in the mountains: they don't have maps, or proper clothing, not enough water or food. Ford helps set them straight, as we all do in the mountains, where it's still possible to exchange kindness between strangers. Ford is less generous with the Forest Service and the policies of Wilderness-ification that were practiced in the mid-70's such as the destruction of wilderness lean-tos throughout the White Mountains, a practice which has probably done more harm than good by encouraging hikers to camp anywhere with abandon rather than concentrating their impact. He is even more critical of the Appalachian Mountain Club huts and lodging organization which he repeatedly calls Wilderness, Inc. They were in Ford's view, gentrifying the wilderness and charging guests exorbitant lodging fees in 1975. Oh, how little the issues and characters have changed since then! Wilderness politics aside, Ford's journal is a well-written account of his scenic journey through the mountains that moves along a nice clip. Throughout his account, Ford delves into the rich history of wilderness exploration, tourism, and lumber barons that helped open the White Mountains to settlement and eventually drove the public to reclaim the land after it had been ravaged by clear-cutting and fire. Hikers familiar with the White Mountains will enjoy Fords account of his backpacking trip, particularly his descriptions of the characters he meets on his journey and the wilderness lean-tos that were well-worn in 1975, but have been since been removed. Full of wry observations and intimate introspection,  [The Country Northward](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1452830924/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1452830924&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20) is a backpacking book to be reread and shared with other hikers. This volume has found of place on my bookshelf, where it will remain. *Disclosure: Philip Werner purchased this book with his own funds. * --- # Snowshoeing in Trail Runners Source: https://sectionhiker.com/snowshoeing-in-trail-runners/ ![Snowshoeing in Trail Runners](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/P1000551.JPG) I did a long hike approach snowshoe (7.2 miles round trip) over the weekend to the base of North Hancock, including 16 water crossings. We still have snow on the ground, but I figured that doing the crossings wearing my [Inov-8 trail runners](https://sectionhiker.com/2010/03/29/inov-8-roclite-320-trail-running-shoes/), merino wool liners, and gore-tex socks would be an excellent approximation of the water temperature conditions that I can expect when hiking across Scotland in 6 weeks. My trail runners performed brilliantly during the water crossings, shedding water immediately, and my feet stayed relatively warm as long as I kept moving. Surprisingly, I also discovered that wearing trail runners with snowshoes, particularly for Spring Thaw conditions, dramatically lessens the amount of fatigue experienced on a long snowshoe carrying full winter gear. It makes perfect sense. If you switch out a heavy pair of plastic mountaineering boots or leather hikers for trail runners, you have to drag along a lot less weight with each step. But I was completely astonished at the level of energy I had after the approach hike into the peak, and when we got back to the trail head and my car. What a difference a lighter pair of shoes makes! I'm going to have to try this more next winter. But before you conclude that wearing trail runners for snowshoeing is a good idea, keep in mind that I only did this because I had to do a lot of water crossings that would soaked a pair of boots, and that temperatures were in the 70's F, so I wasn't too concerned about hypothermia. I also brought along a second pair of boots as backup and extra socks. Still the possibilities of using trail runners with snowshoes is intriguing. Have any of you taken this further than me in true winter conditions. With an overboot, perhaps? --- # What are Good Backpacking Breakfasts? Source: https://sectionhiker.com/what-are-good-backpacking-breakfasts/ You'd think there was a simple answer to this, but it really depends. What you eat for breakfast depends on knowing what your body needs in the morning. It depends on external weather conditions, the number of daylight hours you have, the distance you need to hike that day, how much weight you are willing to carry, and whether you are addicted to caffeine or not. The one thing you need to keep in mind when eating breakfast or any other meal is that your body can only absorb about 400 calories of food an hour,  so it really doesn't matter how much food you consume for breakfast beyond a certain point (this process is called gastric emptying if you're interested). This is why it's important to snack during the day when hiking, otherwise you'll fall behind on the number of calories you can turn into energy until after dinner. ### If it's warm out and I'm in a hurry... I know that my body craves carbohydrates and water in the morning. So if it's fairly warm out and  I have a long day ahead of me, I eat a ziploc bag with 500 calories worth of dry granola, a half dozen dried apricots, and I drink 32 ounces of cold water. This is my baseline breakfast and the one I mainly eat from late spring through early autumn (for New England hiking.) Granola is a calorically dense food with about 100-120 calories per ounce and it compresses reasonably small in my food bag. It's also really easy to prepare when I pack for a trip, which is another reason I like it. I've also eaten so much instant oatmeal on backpacking trips that I can never eat it again. Another breakfast food I eat on trips is pound cake and I often bring some along on backpacking trips as an alternative to having granola every day. Pound cake, butter cake, ginger cake, or [logan bread](https://sectionhiker.com/logan-bread-recipe/) are all calorically rich and will stand up to being deliberately smushed to take up less space. I slice the cake up and put it into sandwich bags when I pack my food at home or resupply during a hike, and aim for a 500 calorie piece for breakfast in place of granola. One thing I'd like to also emphasize here is my water intake. When you sleep at night, it's normal for you to lose about 1 liter of water through perspiration and exhalations. Drinking one liter of water at breakfast is needed to restore the water you lost during the night and bring your body back into equilibrium. It also means you don't have to carry it in your pack (where it will feel heavier. ) ### If it's cold and dark outside... When it's cold and dark outside in early spring or late autumn, I like to eat something hot for breakfast. Daylight is short during this time of year, but I know from experience that I can almost completely pack my gear while my breakfast is "cooking." For these meals I also eat granola, but I pour the hot water into the ziploc with the granola, and munch on the dried apricots. There's is nothing like Trader Joe's Ginger Granola with hot water in the morning! It is a fabulous pick me up that beats instant oatmeal any day. I'll also boil enough water for a big pot of tea and drink the rest of my 32 ounce water allotment cold. Cleanup is easy because this is essentially a [freezer bag meal](https://sectionhiker.com/freezer_bag_cooking/). I reckon the entire procedure adds about 30 minutes to my morning routine, but a hot meal is a worthwhile mood enhancer in colder weather, so the extra time spent is worth it to me. ### In winter... In winter, I like to eat granola with hot water and a big pot of tea, but I'll also eat a chocolate bar and some nuts to increase the fat content of my meal. These foods take more energy to break down than carbohydrates and help stoke my metabolism so I stay warmer in the morning. I'll also put several bags of sugar in my tea to create a surplus of calories in my system. ### No Clean Up I've never been big on elaborate meals for breakfast. I think this is because I want to get out of camp in the morning (early of course) and get hiking. I certainly don't want to be stuck cleaning up anything and my method avoids that altogether. I'd rather have more free time in the afternoon or evening after I've hiked the distance I planned to hike for the day, than burn up precious time in the morning. ### What about You? What do you eat for breakfast on hiking trips? --- # Winter Survival Fire Lighting Skills – Why Don’t We Teach Them? Source: https://sectionhiker.com/winter-survival-fire-lighting-skills-why-dont-we-teach-them/ The latest issue of the [Appalachia Journal](https://www.outdoors.org/publications/appalachia/) arrived last night and I immediately turned to the Accidents Section to read the analysis of this autumn's accident reports. Established in 1876, Appalachian is America's longest running journal of mountaineering and conservation. Published quarterly, it's known for its well written stories and essays, and its famous accident report section. Incidentally, I met the current editor, Christine Woodside, when we both volunteered as Samaritan care givers for a [rescue on Mt Washington](https://sectionhiker.com/good-samaritans-on-mt-washington/), a few years ago. There were quite a few accidents analyzed in this latest issue, particularly ones where hikers and skiers underestimated the danger of winter-like conditions in New Hampshire's White Mountains during the autumn and spring shoulder seasons. One of the editor's conclusions that drew my eye was the following quote, in response to a hiker's inability to start a winter fire when he was cold and wet and had to spend an unexpected night out. [quote] *An added survival note: practicing methods of lighting a fire in snowy, cold, wet conditions seems worthwhile.* [/quote] While this would seem to be common sense, none of the winter hiking, backpacking, or mountaineering courses I've ever taken or participated in teaching includes a section on how to light a survival fire in snowy, cold wet conditions. Why is that, one wonders? I think it's largely because building campfires has been so thoroughly discredited by the Leave No Trace movement, which is ironic or unfortunate, depending on your perspective, because LNT ethics are considered less important than one's survival in an emergency situation. LNT educators will tell you that the amount of damage caused by deploying a search and rescue team, where two dozen people tramp through the woods in a grid search, and helicopters search for you overhead, far outweighs the impact of building an emergency fire for the night. Equally puzzling, are why hikers carry fire making supplies, but never stop to use them in many of the rescue scenarios described in Appalachia. Once you get below treeline (which is the most important factor for winter survival), stopping to make a fire and sit out the night (in addition to using your extra insulation to get warm), makes a lot more sense than stumbling around in deep snow, lost, and in the dark. What about stoves? They're certainly good for melting water, and every solo winter hiker or group should carry one. But stoves have their limits if you are cold and wet. Unless, you're willing to set your clothes on fire, a stove is not going to help dry you off, nor is a single stove likely to satisfy a group's energy needs for a night. A warming or signal fire would be much more useful in a serious emergency. You don't have to be a mathematician to figure out that US population growth will result in more people seeking winter recreation and more demand for emergency services. It seems that teaching more winter survival and self-reliance skills would be a way to help reduce hikers' reliance on frivolous search and rescue call outs rather than making them the norm. This could be as simple as having students practice preparing a winter fire site, gathering and preparing wood, and building and lighting a small fire in existing fire rings (in winter, when they're buried by snow) using the techniques described in the above video. Fire can be a life saver, but only if it's a taught skill. ### If you're a winter hiker, when was the last time you practiced making a survival fire in winter? --- # Mouse Mobiles Source: https://sectionhiker.com/mouse-mobiles/ ![Appalachian Trail Shelter - Mouse Protectors](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/IMG_1917.JPG) When I was a kid, my mom got me interested in making mobiles, you know, kinetic hanging art. To this day, that's what I think about whenever I see mouse hangs, or whatever they're called, in Appalachian Trail Shelters. First the basics: It's spring and the mice are hungry. If you camp in a shelter and leave food on the floor or in your pack, the mice are going to find it and have a dinner party at your expense. Worse still, they may chew holes in your pack or clothes to get at food and destroy your gear in the process. If you step out of the shelter, even for a few minutes, make sure you hang your food first. Most shelters on the Appalachian Trail and the Long Trail have mouse mobiles in them already. To make one, you punch a hole in the bottom of a can and run a string through it. Tie one end to the shelter ceiling or a supporting beam. Tie a knot below the hole in the can to prevent the can from slipping down the string, and finally, tie a stick to the bottom of the string or create a loop that you can hang your food bag from so it's a few feet from the floor. Mice that climb down the string can't get past the can without falling to the floor: amazing how art can help us in our daily lives. Mind you, this doesn't work for bears or possums, if you live down-under, who will climb into a shelter if you step out to go to the privy or a water source for a while and your food is hanging within reach. [Stronger measures](https://sectionhiker.com/2008/11/05/protecting-your-food-from-bears/) are required there. --- # Ibuprofen: Vitamin I Source: https://sectionhiker.com/ibuprofen-vitamin-i/  ![Advil or Ibuprofen](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/advil(2).jpg) Ibuprofen (trademarked at Advil or Motrin) is so popular amongst hikers and climbers that it is often called Vitamin I. Ibuprofen is an over the counter pain reliever and anti-inflammatory that can speed recovery during training or the main event. Muscle pain caused by inflammation can occur as a result of overuse, extended exercise, or physically-demanding work. In these situations, the pain tends to involve specific muscles and begins shortly after the activity. I carry Ibuprofen in my first aid kit on backpacking trips to manage knee pain. If I've been doing a lot of elevation and my knees hurt, I'll take 400 mg (2 tablets) with food, before bed, and the pain will be gone the next day. I also use it periodically at home for the occasional headache or if I've strained something in the gym. It's an excellent anti-inflammatory when taken properly for short term therapy and can greatly speed recovery. So, I'm always surprised when I meet hikers on the trail who are clearly experiencing muscle pain and don't take anything for it. They don't know what Ibuprofen is and prefer to limp along in agony rather than treat the problem before it gets worse. I can understand not wanting to take drugs unnecessarily in this day and age, but I've often suspected that peoples' reluctance to take Ibuprofen on the trail, at least in the US, stems from some deeply seated Puritanical [meme ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meme)in American popular culture. Is there any truth to that? --- # Camping Towels Source: https://sectionhiker.com/camping-towels/ ![Trader Joes Kitchen Towel](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/IMG_3686.JPG) The main reason I bring a camping towel on a backpacking trips is to wipe down the outside of a wet tent or shelter before packing it away for the day.  It's a neat little trick to cut down on extra water weight and leaves you with a drier shelter when you set it up the following evening. I rarely use one on myself and just dry myself off with my clothes using my body heat to dry them out. Body heat is really good for that. I also don't bother with a commercial camping towel like [ones from MSR or REI](https://www.rei.com/product/832935/rei-multitowel-lite-x-large-towel-54-x-25) that cost $12 and up. Instead, I use a dish towel, like the ones you can buy at Trader Joe's or supermarkets for 2 or 3 bucks. These are made using a slightly thicker absorbent fabric than camping towels but perform exactly the same with almost no extra weight penalty. If you're a complete fanatic, you can probably cut one of these down to 1/4 if its size and use it like a sponge. I've been think of doing that myself to save a few grams. Haha! --- # Chemical Free Insect-Bite Prevention Source: https://sectionhiker.com/chemical-free-insect-bite-prevention/ Last year, I used 4 squirt bottles of Ben's 100% DEET to prevent mosquito bites. I'd slather Ben's on my legs, arms, and head every time I went backpacking and hiking near my home in Boston or when I visited my favorite backpacking haunts in the Catskills, the Gunks, or the White Mountains in New Hampshire. However, this year I made a decision to hike in long pants and a long sleeve shirt to avoid black fly and mosquito bites on my end-to-end hike of [the Long Trail in Vermont](https://sectionhiker.com/2008/05/02/section-hiking-the-long-trail/). This change took some adjustment on my part, but it worked wonderfully, and I only received 2 bug bites over the course of 270 miles of backpacking! My conversion away from DEET was not motivated by any great health concerns that I have about putting this chemical on my skin, but by the conclusion that DEET wouldn't provide me with enough protection against Vermont's ferocious black flies and their painful bites. I was also concerned about contracting Lyme's disease from tick bites and wearing long pants seemed like the only 100% effective strategy to significantly reduce this risk. The biggest problem I faced in switching from shorts to long pants was sweat ventilation and the resultant increase in thigh chafing, particularly on hot days when I was hiking 8+ hours and doing high mileage or tough ascents. I experimented with a number of different anti-chafing lubricants and several brands of underwear to protect my upper thighs from the diaper rash-like symptoms of thigh chafing. I also found some excellent hiking pants from Railriders that have fine mesh side vents that are two small for bugs to enter and significantly improve sweat ventilation.  Despite all of these factors, I still haven't mastered a fool proof way of preventing moisture buildup and thigh chafing in long pants but here are some rules of thumb that can help you manage the issue in warm and hot weather: - Wear very thin, long nylon pants. I recommend [Railrider's Eco-mesh pants](https://sectionhiker.com/2008/05/18/railriders-eco-mesh-hiking-pants/) in summer. - Experiment with different non-cotton boxer shorts. Boxer shorts provide longer lasting protection against thigh chafing than briefs because they cover the upper inner thighs. - Bring along several pairs of boxers, if you are on a multi-day hike and can't get used pairs to dry between days. - Add a tube of zinc oxide to your first aid kit. If you experience the diaper-rash like symptoms of thing chafing rub it on the effected areas to heal them overnight. This stuff is magic. --- # The Human Burrito Source: https://sectionhiker.com/the-human-burrito/ This is NOT a backpacking recipe! It's a technique I learned for warming an hypothermia victim during my Wilderness First Aid certification class in Vermont recently. The Human Burrito is based on [vapor barrier survival techniques](https://sectionhiker.com/2008/02/18/vapor_barrier_clothing/) that I've written about in the past. ![](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/IMG_0651.JPG) Hypothermia occurs when the body's core temperature drops below 95 degrees F. It is an emergency condition that will result in a patient's death unless treated. Symptoms vary depending on the severity of core heat loss. In mild hypothermia, the patient may exhibit the UMBLES, including fumbling, stumbling, and bumbling mental function, shivering, and uncooperative or isolative behavior. In severe hypothermia below 90 degrees F, shivering may actually stop, muscles are stiff, and the patient may lose consciousness. ![](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/IMG_0652(1).jpg) The first step in creating a human burrito is to lay an impermeable barrier that is large enough to completely wrap the patient, like a plastic sheet, silnylon tarp or space blanket on the ground. In the center, place multiple layers of closed cell insulation to prevent further heat loss from the ground. Next, strip off any wet or moist clothing that the patient may be wearing. If you just have one sleeping bag, place them into it: if you have multiple bags, you can pile them above and below the patient for added insulation. ![](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/IMG_0653(2).jpg) Next, wrap them up in the outside layer completely enclosing them, except for an airway so they can breath. If you have water and a stove, heat up water bottles and place them in the patient's groin area where blood flows close to their skin. The heat will warm the patient's blood and raise their core temperative. Make sure to wrap the warm or hot bottles in socks or other clothing, so that you don't burn the patient. ![](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/IMG_0656.JPG) Do not get naked and get into the human burrito with the patient. This can be extremely disorienting if they regain consciousness, agitate them, and complicate your rescue. --- # The Kennebec River Ferry on the Appalachian Trail Source: https://sectionhiker.com/the-kennebec-river-ferry-on-the-appalachian-trail/ Northbound hikers on the Appalachian Trail reach the Kennebec River at mile 2037.6 (as of 2015.) This is the widest unbridged water crossing on the trail, 70 yards wide, with a swift and powerful current. As a result of upstream damn releases, the depth and current of the river can surge quickly and unpredictably. One hiker is known to have died trying to cross the river by themselves and many others have had very close calls. Hikers arriving between May 22 and October 12 are provided with a free canoe ferry ride provided by the Maine Appalachian Trail Club. The ferry service and not fording is the officially sanctioned way to cross the Kennebec River on the Appalachian Trail. Early and late season service is also provided from May 1 to May 21 and from October 13 to October 31 for $50 per crossing, on an on-call and weather permitting basis. Crossing conditions outside of those dates become increasingly dangerous due to the onset of winter conditions in Maine, so section and thru hikers should plan their hikes so that they cross the Kennebec during the regular ferry operating season. For information about ferry dates and times, see the [MATC Kennebec Ferry Schedule Page](https://www.matc.org/for-hikers/kennebec-river-ferry/). Crossing the Kennebec by canoe is rather cool, actually. It's pretty much the only time you can get someone else to transport you along the Appalachian Trail and still have the distance, even if it is just 70 yards, count toward your 2000 miler application See also: - [Section Hiking the Appalachian Trail: Monson to Maine Highway](https://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-monson-to-maine-highway-27/) - [Safety Tips for Fording Rivers and Streams](https://sectionhiker.com/safety-tips-for-fording-rivers-and-streams/) --- # The Summerhouses at Mohonk Mountain House Source: https://sectionhiker.com/the-summerhouses-at-mohonk-mountain-house/   [Mohonk Mountain House](https://www.mohonk.com/) is one of the last great inns in the Hudson River Valley, just 90 miles north of New York City. It's a special place for me because I rediscovered my love of hiking there amidst the Shawanagunk Mountains and nearby Catskills Mountain Range. Resembling Harry Potter's castle, Mohonk is a huge Victorian pile of a place that's been upgraded with every resort quality convenience but still maintains the rustic charm of a bygone era. One of the lasting traditions at the Mohonk Mountain House is to place covered benches called summerhouses along the many miles of hiking trails that emanate from inn's lake and estate. These trails are linked ot a larger trail system in the adjacent Mohonk Preserve, home of the Gunks, one of the most famous rock-climbing destination in the Northeastern United States. Patterned after the summerhouses of English and French estates, summerhouses were popular in the Hudson Valley area when Mohonk was founded in 1869. Mohonk's founders, the Smiley Brothers (the Mountain House is still owned and run by the family) incorporated the summerhouses into the system of carriage roads (now trails) that they built around the Mountain House, situating them where guests could enjoy sublime views of the surrounding countryside. ![Mohonk summerhouse](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2014/12/P1090802.jpg) ![Mohonk summerhouse](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2014/12/P1090733.jpg) ![Mohonk summerhouse](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2014/12/P1090710.jpg) ![Mohonk summerhouse](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2014/12/P1090785.jpg) All of the summerhouses on the Mountain House's property are unique, with no two exactly alike. When they were first built in 1870, the summerhouses were built by rustic carpenters, usually farmers without any carpentry training, who used local materials from the surrounding forest to build them. While the Smiley brothers specified the placement of each summerhouse, there were no engineering drawings to specify what they should look like. Instead, each builder was left to use their imagination to determine their appearance, a tradition that continues at Mohonk today. The earliest tally of summerhouses, dated in 1917, recorded 155 summerhouses at Mohonk. Each one is identified by a four-digit number etched on an oval tag nailed inside each house (and can be a challenge to find). In 1920, when it was normal for guests to stay all summer, a contest was announced in which guests were required to record the location and number of each summerhouse. Only one guest completed this task in a single season, a Mr G.E Fountain, in 1923. ![Mohonk Mountain House summerhouse](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2014/12/P1090801.jpg) ![P1090784](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2014/12/P1090784.jpg) ![Mohonk Mountain House summerhouses](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2014/12/P1090775.jpg) Today, there are reported to be 125 remaining summerhouses on the [Mohonk Mountain House](https://www.mohonk.com/) grounds although no one has since located all of them without the use of a map. If that sounds like a challenge, this is your chance to make history and help preserve the legacy of Mohonk's summerhouses. --- # Interview: A Campfire Chat with Guthook Source: https://sectionhiker.com/interview-a-campfire-chat-with-guthook/ **I haven't seen you in a few months, what do you look like these days? Beard, no beard, dreadlocks, puff-ball or short hair?** My disguise is ever-changing, so I hesitate to give it away... But for now I'm just beginning to regrow the scruff. I cut everything short at the beginning of March to anticipate the warm weather. I'm starting to let the beard come back due to laziness. And so I can fit in with the hiker crowd! [![Guthooks Applachian Trail Guide](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2013/03/AT-App-screenshots-1.jpg)](https://sectionhiker.com/guthooks-appalachian-trail-hiking-guides-are-on-the-iphone/at-app-screenshots-1/) **How are [Guthook's Hiking Guides for iPhone and Android doing](https://www.guthookhikes.com/apps)? What kind of feedback are you getting from hikers using them?** They're mighty fun, but kind of stressful, too. It'll be a while before I work out the last of the bugs (that's the really stressful part-- there's always something to tweak or fix), and a long time before I'm making enough money to justify the time I've spent on them. But the most important part is that they're fun to work on and people seem to enjoy them. Pacific Crest Trail hikers have been pretty excited about them since they came out last year. And the feedback from Appalachian Trail hikers has been excellent too. The part I love the most is hearing from people who use and enjoy them. That really motivates me to work harder. **You've hiked a lot of trails: the AT, the PCT, the Long Trail, the Cohos Trail, the New England Trail. Where does your spirit of adventure come from?** Jeez, that's a good question. I grew up in a tiny, rural town in central Maine, so my imagination went wild right from the beginning out of necessity to stave off boredom. Then I got into fantasy and science fiction early on, starting with VHS tapes of Star Wars, and moving on to role playing games and card games. I didn't get into hiking until I was 17, but even at my most city-bound, there was always a lot of interest in wild places and exploring. When I really started escaping to the mountains, it was because I fit in a lot better out there than I did at college or in the urban world. A semester at NOLS pretty much solidified it for me. I realized I'd been trying to change myself to fit into the community at my school. The wilderness has always been a reliable home for me, so I learned to listen to that calling. **Have you thought about hiking the CDT and getting your Triple Crown?** Oh heck yeah! At one point I was planning on hiking the CDT, but I decided the time wasn't right for me just yet. There were a lot of reasons for that, including the apps business, personal life, professional life, and more. I know I'll do the CDT eventually. I'm waiting until I feel like I really need that journey. At the time that I hiked the AT, I really needed it. Same with the PCT. Same with the Long Trail. The need will arise again sooner or later. **As someone who's hiked in the east coast and the west coast of the US, what would you say are the biggest differences between the two?** I get that question all too often... and I had a [strong reaction against it ](https://www.guthookhikes.com/2010/10/myth-3-comparisons-with-the-appalachian-trail-a-guthook-rant.html)while I was on the PCT. Just comparing long-distance backpacking, I think the biggest difference is how people perceive the hike, both when they're on it and when viewing it from afar. There's this impression that you'll never see anyone on the PCT and that it will be more wild, while the AT will have bumper to bumper traffic without any real wilderness. I didn't find either of those things to be true. In both cases, the trail was as social and as wild as you wanted it to be. As for more fundamental differences, it does seem like the more open views in much of the west (there are heavily forested areas like the east, but once you get up high, you get wide views practically everywhere) change the goals of hikers. In New England, mountaintops are the usual goal of a hike, but when you get the same view from down low as up high, the extra climb might not be worth the effort. That was the hardest adjustment I had to make on the PCT-- if I remember right, the PCT didn't go over a single peak. **People say that off-trail hiking is a lot easier out west that on the east coast. Is there any truth to that?** In my experience, that is a hundred percent true. Mostly because of the navigation aspect. If you can see a long way, you can just walk toward giant landmarks and know that you're heading in the right direction. On my last NOLS course in the Rockies I think I avoided using a compass for thirty days straight, though we were off trail about 90% of the time. Even in low elevations below tree line, topographical features were so large that we could pick really great handrails. And, of course, the undergrowth is a lot less dense out there. Compare that to the northeast, where we have undergrowth so thick that you can barely see a hundred feet ahead of you, and it'll snag your feet at every step. You can spend a lot of time wandering around through the woods in the wrong direction before you realize you're off course. Then there's the krummholz... that's a killer when it comes to bushwhacking. **You do a lot of hiking in New Hampshire's White Mountains. What kinds of trips do you like best there?** The places I go most often are in the Pemigewasset Wilderness, partly because it's centrally located, but also because it's a great place to wander for a few days at a time. Same with the Wild River Wilderness. Both of those areas are big basins, surrounded by big mountains and full of really deep forest. It feels so secluded, which is something you don't always get in the Whites. Multi-day solo backpacking trips really give me that feeling of connecting with nature, so I try to find places where there are good loops and relatively few people. The Pemi and the Wild River have both of those (to some extent). I've been doing a lot of day-hiking since October, so I'm really looking forward to getting really deep into those Wildernesses for overnight trips this summer. **After all the miles you've hiked, what backpacks have you liked best and what are you using these days?** My first lightweight backpack was a Granite Gear Nimbus Ozone that I used for the Appalachian Trail, and after that each pack got progressively smaller (mostly). I used a Mountain Laurel Designs Exodus for a few years, and I loved that one– my first frameless pack. It has something like 3000 miles under its belt, and looks like it could take another ten thousand. These days, I'm using a Gossamer Gear Kumo, and really enjoying it. It's more complicated than I generally like in a pack (simplicity is key for me), but it's mighty comfortable, and I can load it down with some hefty loads. This is my favorite three-season pack these days, and probably will be for many years to come. For trips where I need to carry a lot more stuff than usual, I have a [ULA Circuit](https://ula-equipment.sjv.io/c/337569/521710/8909?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ula-equipment.com%2Fproduct%2Fcircuit%2F), which I also really enjoy. I got it for the beginning of the Pacific Crest Trail, thinking I'd be carrying so much water that my Exodus wouldn't do. The Circuit has a very cushy suspension system that fits me like a glove. Carrying eight days worth of food and a bear canister into the Sierra wasn't even too bad. I've thought of using that pack for things like the [White Mountains Diretissima](https://sectionhiker.com/hiking-a-white-mountain-direttissima/), but that might be a little too crazy for now. **What hiking gear do you have that's lasted the longest?** I've been using the same Mountain Equipment Co-Op Silicone Scout tarp since 2005– by far the longest lasting piece of equipment I own. The current specs say it weighs about 18 ounces, but mine is 12, including guy lines. I've slept through many nasty downpours in this thing, never needed seam sealing, and in a pinch I can fit two people under it. Best of all, it was about $50 US when I bought it. Not a bad deal at all! Almost every year I tell myself I'm going to upgrade to a fancy MLD Grace Solo or a ZPacks cuben tarp, but I've never been able to justify spending that much money for so small a gain. A catenary cut tarp would probably pitch tighter (I really only do the A-frame anyway), but my current tarp is pretty darn light, and offers plenty of rain protection. --- # Backpacking Boom or Bust? Source: https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-boom-or-bust/ *"Backpacking and camping gear is flying off the shelves this year", *said a store manager I know who works at a major outdoor retailer. *"We haven't seen anything like this since the 70's," *the last time that backpacking was popular in the United States. Has the economy improved or are people so inspired by the movie "Wild" that backpacking has become popular again? Is demand being driven by younger millennials or are droves of middle-aged hikers quitting work and heading for the hills? *"We've run out tents in our warehouse," *said another rep for a big gear manufacturer I know*. "I'll get you one as soon as our warehouse catches back up."* It's the same story with another gear manufacturer. *"We're completely out of stock. Let me get back to you later in the summer and I'll see if we have any."* You know product demand is high when multi-national gear companies run out of stock! ## Out of Stock or Back-Ordered While big gear companies and outdoor retailers have enough depth in their product catalogs to keep consumers satisfied with alternative products, the picture is not as rosy for smaller gear manufacturers that make gear-to-order. They're heavily backordered, by several months or more, and have the potential to lose business because their customers can't wait for products that take several months to arrive. *"The problem is that we don't have the credit line to buy large quantities of material in advance, so we've had to delay order deliveries until we can catch up with our back orders,"* said the owner of one small "cottage" gear company I spoke with. Out of stock notices are also widespread on big retailer websites like REI.com and Campsaver.com for select mid-size outdoor brands, even though they're are more financially sophisticated. *"We had to guess on how much inventory to stock this year and we're close to running out of some items,"* said another medium-sized gear company spokesperson I spoke with. ## Supply Chain Disruptions There's also been some disruptions in the outdoor gear supply chain with a major Asian tent manufacturer going bankrupt and material shortages in the US. *"Our silnylon supplier went out of business and I have a very limited amount of fabric in that color." *said a company owner I spoke to. *"We were really worried about the California dock worker striker earlier this year because we had shipping containers full of gear coming from our factories in Vietnam and China,*" said a sales manager I know at a big gear company. ## Will Customers Wait for Backordered Gear? *"Millennials want a very different relationship to their gear companies than older customers,"* said another small company manager I spoke with. *"They're willing to wait for specialized products."* *"I guess I'm over-the-hill,"* I replied. *"I'm not willing to wait all summer for my gear to arrive. The clock is ticking and I need to use my health while I have it."* ### What about you? - What do you think is the reason behind backpacking's sudden popularity? - Are you willing to wait for back-ordered gear to come back in stock or will you buy another company's products so you can make the most of this year with the outdoor gear that's already available? Please leave a comment. --- # Ron Strickland on Bootstrapping a New Long Distance Trail Source: https://sectionhiker.com/ron-strickland-on-bootstrapping-a-new-long-distance-trail/ Ron Strickland is a character. He's the founder of the 1,200 mile [Pacific Northwest Trail](https://www.pnt.org/) (PNT) and the visionary behind the 7,700 mile Sea-to-Sea (C2C) Trail hiked by Andrew Skurka in 2005. His latest project is the foundation of a National System of hiking trails that links all of trails in the USA together, big and small, like the international trail system in place in Europe. I caught up with Ron to interview him about this book titled [Pathfinder: Blazing a New Wilderness Trail in Modern America](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0870716034/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0870716034&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20), which I'd thought was about the formation of the PNT. That description only scratches the surface of what's in this book. When we spoke, I'd read about half of Pathfinder, which I was to learn is Ron's trail name. I'd liked what I'd read so far. Ron has the knack of writing about history by conveying the stories he's heard from the people he meets during his projects and travels. When I asked him about it and whether he knew of [Stud's Terkels Oral Histories](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006CPAREQ/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B006CPAREQ&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20), I felt we made a connection. Terkel is one of Ron's heroes. We immediately fell into a discussion about literary hikers, as Ron pointed out the volumes of his favorite outdoor authors in his book-lined study: Guy and Laura Waterman's' [Forest and Crag](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004UT5XI6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004UT5XI6&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20) (just released as a Kindle book), Colin Fletcher's [Thousand-Mile Summer](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0679723269/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0679723269&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20) and Chris Townsend's [Walking the Yukon](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0877424209/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0877424209&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20). I don't get to have many literary conversations like this, so when I finished reading Pathfinder, I considered adding Ron to my hiker-writer parthenon. So what is Pathfinder about? While it touches on the establishment of the PNT, it's mainly a pragmatic guidebook, interlaced with personal vignettes about Ron's life, that lays out the most important steps required to bootstrap new trails into existence. Ironically, having an actual blazed trail is the least important part of the process. - First, you need a vision. Ron's good at that. - Then you need to survey a path. This requires a lot of bushwhacking, which Ron did for the PNT. - Next comes a printed guidebook, so you can prove to political influencers that the trail exists. Ron again. He wrote the [Pacific Northwest Trail Guide](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1570611777/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1570611777&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20) and he's writing one for the [North County Trail](https://northcountrytrail.org/) now. The NCT is the crown jewel in Ron's vision for a National Network of Trails because it will provide the US with a transcontinental coast-to-coast trail and connect the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, and the Continental Divide Trail together. - Next you generate some PR by having a celebrity like Andrew Skurka or Michelle Obama endorse the trail and start hiking it. That helps get local trail builders involved who start to build sections of the trail, mainly so day hikers can hike it or bicyclists can ride it. - Eventually, you need to link up the sections and convince any recalcitrent land owners to grant access rights across their property. There are various strategies for doing this, including buying them out. - Finally, if it's a long distance trail, you need to build some shelters or established campsites so that backpackers and campers know where to sleep. The problem points out Ron, is that the people who build trails and the people who hike them are different groups. Leaving out campsites, a current problem on the New England National Scenic Trail, is  equivalent to shooting yourself in the foot. That, in a nutshell, is how to build a long distance trail. I can think of a few recent trails, like [The Cohos Trail ](https://sectionhiker.com/the-cohos-trail-gateway-to-new-hampshires-north-country/)in New Hampshire, which have followed a similar development path. At the end of my interview with Ron, I asked him whether there was any wilderness really left in America and he explained something to me that is rather profound. Wilderness is anything outside of your comfort zone. For example, for someone living in urban Boston, walking along the Concord River in Bedford can be a wilderness experience. That's pretty good motivation to make the wilderness in America more accessible to everyone. For more information about Ron Strickland and his vision for a National Network of Trails in the United States, visit Scenic Trails Research. *Written 2011. Updated 2014. * --- # The Devil’s Path: Catskills Source: https://sectionhiker.com/devils_path_catskills/ The Devil's Path offers some of the most challenging and beautiful hiking n the Catskills. The trail is 24.75 miles in length and goes over Indian Head (3,573 ft), Twin (3,640 ft), Sugarloaf (3,800 ft), Plateau (3,840 ft) and West Kill (3,880 ft) mountains. Following this ridge line, it also descends steeply into the Jimmy Dolan, Pecoy, Mink Hollow, Stony Clove and Diamond notches which can be extremely dangerous when icy or wet. Most backpackers hike the route in a 1 or 2 night trip. Shelters and camping are available Mink Hollow Lean-to (9.25 miles), Devil's Tombstone State Campground (13.70 miles) and Devil's Acre Lean-to (15.85 miles). The trail is extremely rocky and very steep, traversing talus fields and beautiful balsam summits, while providing breathtaking views. You should assume an average hiking speed of one to one point five miles be hour with a 25 pound backpack. Water sources, both natural and tapped springs, are abundant, even in summer. The Devil's Path is not to be underestimated. One particularly memorable highlight for me was a solo ascent of Plateau Mountain from Mink Hollow in the pouring rain in late October. This is a very steep 1,350 foot climb in just under one mile and I literally had to claw my way up with water flowing underfoot the entire way. After summiting, I got a little concerned about my increased hypothermia risk and approaching nightfall, and beat feat to descend. If you are considering an end-to-end thru, my advice is to preposition your shuttle the night before you begin your hike. Driving distances in this part of the Catskills are always much longer than the crow flies due to the rural nature of the road system and the placement of mountain passes. I've never had a security problem leaving my car parked at Catskill trail heads and many are positioned in rural residential areas. The New York DEC also patrols them frequently and you should be fine. --- # What Backpacking Gear Should You Bring for Cold, Wet Weather? Source: https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-gear-for-cold-wet-weathe/ # Scenario Analysis On my latest Appalachian Trail section hike from Southern New Jersey to Southern Connecticut, I hiked 173 miles over a 14 day period in cold and wet weather. While I could give you a blow-by-blow account about each item on my gear list for this trip and how wonderfully it performed, I think that kind of analysis misses one of the key tenets of lightweight backpacking. Individual items by themselves are far less important than the ways in which they can be used together to address different environmental situations that you encounter. The art of minimizing your gear requires that you envision as many different scenarios as possible and how the gear you choose can address them, and that you learn how to improvise to address unanticipated situations. So instead of reviewing individual items or groups of products lumped together into a category, like a "sleep system", I want to talk about how I used the elements on my gear list to address the cold wet weather I experienced on this trip. Talking about systems, while useful, also breaks down when we combine items across systems to address a specific situation. I think this kind of analysis, where we focus on environmental scenarios, instead of individual items is far more illustrative and educational  for beginners than a more product centric approach. Let's give it a try. ## Environmental Conditions Assume the following weather conditions - these reflect the conditions of my last big trip. - You are on a 2 week backpacking trip, where you plan on hiking an average of 13 miles and an average of 1,000 feet of elevation gain per day. - You are hiking on a well blazed trail which has lean-tos or established camp sites every 10  miles. - Daytime temperatures range from the low 50's (F) during the day to the low 20's (F) at night. There is no snow on the ground. - You can resupply up to 3 times on the trip. - You are hiking at elevations between 500 and 1500 feet, through hardwood forest. It's early spring and there are no leaves on the trees. - It rains on and off every day and every night, ranging from heavy day-long downpours to fine mist and drizzle. You never have a sunny day with blue sky during the entire trip. Instead, the skies remain heavily overcast. - You have abundant fresh water but some of the lean-tos do not have water supplies near them. - You will not encounter any hostile animals, but you may encounter black flies, gnats, and ticks. **Gear List Strategy ** Without naming any specific products, what kinds of gear would you bring along with you on a trip like this, and why? Here's what I did. If you can't resist looking at the specific gear I used, here's a link to my [gear list](https://sectionhiker.com/lightweight-backpacking-gear-list-2011-spring-at/). - Clothing: I'd augment my normal 3 season layers with a lightweight synthetic jacket for use in camp and to wear in my sleeping bag to augment its warmth on cold nights. - When the weather is not drizzling or raining and I'm walking, I'd wear a lightweight fleece sweater with excellent wicking properties over a synthetic base layer, since it dries a little faster than wool when wet. For pants, I'd wear a pair of long lightweight synthetic pants and synthetic boxers underwear to prevent chafing. - When it was raining, or if I got cold, I'd put on a breathable rain shell and a pair of breathable rain pants over my existing clothes. If I was still cold, I'd put on a hat under my rain shell parka hood, and a hard shell mitten or glove with a separate layer of lightweight synthetic gloves liners, underneath. You'd be surprised how much warmer you'll get wearing rain mittens and glove liners. - If it's cool, but not raining, I'd put on a polypro hat and just the glove liners and wear the wicking sweater and my base layer short. If I'm hiking, I can usually stay warm with just these layers, but I can also put on my rain parka for a little extra warmth if I need it. - The key with all of these layering variations is to minimize the amount you sweat. If you can avoid sweating, or wear garments that move the sweat away from your skin quickly, you'll stay warmer and use less energy. - On my feet, I'd wear wool sock liners with trail runners that were not lined with gore-tex and thus, more breathable. As long as I'm walking, my feet stay warm even in colder weather. - I'd also bring along a pair of gore-tex socks to wear over the wool liners if the weather got very cold, or if I had to walk through a lot of cold mud for hours on end. The gore-tex socks help retain the heat generated by my feel and keep them dryer, at least until they fail and develop leaks (or for about a year of use). - I'd bring an extra pair of wool sock liners that I always keep dry for wearing in my sleeping bag at night to keep my feet warm. - And finally, I'd bring an extra pair of long underwear (top and bottom) to wear in my sleeping bag at night, in order to keep it clean, and as an additional base layer under my other clothes if it really got cold during the day. - Shelter: I'd try to sleep in a shelter every chance I got and avoid camping out, even if this meant walking extra mileage each day. - I'd bring the lightest possible shelter with me that still provides good rain protection in heavy rain, since I'm probably going to sleep in a shelter most nights. I've found that a 1/2 pound, two person tarp is the best option for me under these conditions, even though it's floorless. - I'd also bring a very lightweight ground sheet or some kind of water proof sleeping bag cover to keep my sleeping bag from getting wet at night. It would be ideal if it had heat netting to protect my face from any bugs at night. Otherwise, I'd bring a separate head net or wrap my face in a buff for the night to prevent bug bites. This works surprisingly well, actually. - Sleeping: I'd bring a mummy style down bag rated to 15-20 degrees (F) and some kind of sleeping bag cover for nighttime use to provide a little more warmth. If you're just a little bit careful, the down bag won't get wet, and it's lighter, and much smaller to carry than a synthetic bag. - I'd also bring a balaclava or a polypro hat to wear in my sleeping bag to keep my head warm. - I'd bring a warm sleeping pad with me and maybe a second short pad that I could put under my torso, and that would double duty as a sit pad on cold wet ground. I'd be aiming for an R value of about 3 or 3.5 under my torso and 2 under my legs. - Packing: I'd line the inside of my backpack with a plastic bag instead of bringing a pack cover because it's lighter and works better for me. - I'd pack my extra clothing and sleeping bag in waterproof stuff sacks. I realize that's redundant, but it's what I'd do. - I also bring a backpack that has internal and external storage. External pack pockets, particularly mesh pockets, are useful for storing gear you want to get at quickly during the day, especially when it's raining cats and dogs outside. I typically pack snacks, my rain gear, and my shelter in the external storage so I can access them without opening up my main pack compartment and exposing it to rain.  For example, when I get t camp, I can set up my shelter without exposing my pack contents to rain. Plus, setting up my shelter is much faster, since I don't have to dig around in my pack to find tent stakes, etc. - Finally, I like wearing a backpack in cold wet weather that has full contact with my back because it provides me with extra insulation. - Cooking I'd bring an isobutane stove for a trip like this to avoid having to prime an alcohol stove in cold weather. A medium-sized canister is sufficient for a trip this length, even without a resupply. If the trip were any longer though, I'd probably bring an alcohol stove because it's far easier to get denatured alcohol at any hardware store than it is isobutane, unless you can pre-stage a resupply. - Other considerations: In extended wet conditions like these, I'd made sure I brought along a tube of zinc oxide to prevent chafing and I'd always air my day time underwear at night to help it dry out. - If I got cold, I'd get into my sleeping bag to warm up. As long as you're in a sheltered location, away from the rain, there's no reason why you shouldn't get into your bag whenever you're not moving and generating heat. **Does your gear strategy differ from mine? How so? Please explain in a comment, or leave a question if you have one. ** **Was this a helpful way to approach the issue of what to pack on a trip like this? ** --- # Mt Wonalancet, Hibbard Mountain Source: https://sectionhiker.com/mt-wonalancet-hibbard-mountain/ ![Mt Wonalancet](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/P1030073-1.JPG) *Icy Ledges on Mt Wonalancet, Views of Squam Lake * Naturegirl and I did another nice hike in the Sandwich Range of the White Mountains last weekend, this time up to Mt Wonalancet (2,760 ft) and Mt Hibbard (2,940 ft), the latter on the NH 52 with a View peakbagging list. We started at the Ferncroft Kiosk trail head, which should be familiar to anyone who has climbed [Mt Whiteface](https://sectionhiker.com/climbing-mt-whiteface/) or [Passaconaway ](https://sectionhiker.com/mount-passaconaway/)on the White Mountain 4,000 footer list. From there we climbed up Mt Wonalancet on the exceptionally beautiful Wonalancet Ridge Trail, continuing along it to the signless summit of Mt Hibbard. If you've ever hiked up the Dicey Mills Trail to Passaconaway, you know that it's the most boring trail in the world. If you look south however, there's a beautiful line of smaller peaks along the ridge that parallels that trail. This is the Wonalancet Ridge Trail and it's a much more interesting hike to or from Passaconaway back to Ferncroft. Try it sometime. ![Ice on the Walden trail below Hibbard Mountain](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/P1030095.JPG) *Ice Drop on Walden Trail below Hibbard Mountain * As usual, I was experimenting on this hike, carrying my Gossamer Gear Mariposa Plus with about 90% of a winter gear load, and not my regular winter pack. I'm hell bent on getting my "below treeline" winter gear list under 22 lbs and the Mariposa lets we shave about 2 lbs off my current gear list. It's also a far more comfortable pack for me, even with 3 liters of water bottles and winter insulation. Carrying all this gear felt wonderful in the moment of course, but it was only later at home when I realized how tired I was. I'm still not used to carrying a 30 lb pack and really need to work on my endurance more. I was also testing a new pair of insulated [Garmont Momentum GTX](https://www.rei.com/product/803613) winter boots which were exceptionally warm. Filled with 400g of Thinsulate, they are a far cry from the uninsulated trail runners I wore on my climb up Sandwich Dome last week. Despite a frisky wind, my feet remained toasty all day. Walking in these boots is a lot less clunky than my normal plastic mountaineering boots, and I may end up using them more for lower elevation climbs this winter. I don't know yet whether they are rigid enough for a strap-on crampon, but will keep you posted. We encountered a lot of ledges and ice on this hike, which made things rather exciting since we had sub-optimal traction for the conditions. Naturegirl was wearing microspikes and I was wearing the removable crampon half of my Kahtoola Mountain Snowshoes, but we both wished we'd brought full crampons. Luckily we were able to bushwhack around a few dangerous sections. ![View Back toward Mt Wonalancet from Hibbard Mountain](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/P1030078.JPG) *View Back toward Mt Wonalancet from Hibbard Mountain (note ice on ledges) * Shortly after summitting Hibbard Mountain, we reached the intersection with the Walden Trail which runs northwest to Passaconaway and east to Mt Paugus and Mt Chocurua, said to be the most photographed peak in the White Mountains. ![Paugus and Chocurua](https://sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/P1030093.JPG) *Mt Paugus and Cliffs (foreground), Mt Chocurua (background) * Much to our surprise, we had amazing views of these two peaks as we headed towards Paugus Pass and the Old Mast Trail which took us back to Ferncroft. These views were doubly exciting because the Walden Trail is very steep from Hibbard down to Paugus Pass and was covered in ice and snow the whole way down. I think this latest hike in the Sandwich Range has cemented a fascination for us with this part of the White Mountains. We have other winter hikes and overnights planned for the area later this winter as we continue our explorations eastward towards the cliffs of Chocorua, and the wilderness region between Sandwich Dome and Mt Whiteface, in the eastern half of the range. Total distance for this hike was 6.3 miles with 1,500 ft of elevation change. --- # Spring Conditions in the White Mountains: Monorail, High Water Crossings, and Cold Temperatures Source: https://sectionhiker.com/spring-hiking-conditions-in-the-white-mountains/ Spring hiking in New Hampshire's White Mountains can be a frustrating time. Despite the change in season and longer days, snow usually lingers on the high peaks well into late May, and daytime temperatures remain quite chilly, only turning warmer in June. In addition to all of the normal winter hazards of above treeline hiking in the Whites, hikers need to be prepared for postholing in soft snow and water crossings in frigid streams. This often requires carrying full winter gear, or close to it, including snowshoes, crampons, a face mask to guard against frostbite, ski goggles, a balaclava, gloves, warm clothing and some kind of emergency shelter in case things go south. ## Monorail In addition to wet snow and mud, hikers need to be able to walk on monorail, which is an icy layer of snow that persists in the middle of White Mountain Trails, even as the snow on the side of the trails melts off. Called monorail (as in trains) or sometimes a balance beam, hiker have to walk or climb a narrow strip of it, about 4-6 inches while wearing crampons because it's solid ice. One false step to either side of the monorail, and you are likely to posthole in soft snow, which can be quite exhausting and drenching. Monorail is the result of many hikers hiking the trail in winter, compacting the snow each time they pass over it, until it freezes into a thick layer of solid ice. When the surrounding snow begins to melt off, the width of the monorail can become precariously thin, so you may need to walk on it by shuffling sideways. Doing this for hours at a time takes real concentration on your footwork, because if you fall off, you are likely to posthole up to your waist in soft snow and have trouble getting yourself out. Even worse, you can fall into a spruce trap at the base of a tree and require external assistance to escape - in other words don't hike alone at this time of year. ## Spring Hiking Footwear By mid May, many trails are bare of snow at lower elevations and some snow bridges over streams are likely to have collapsed. Still you need to wear footwear that can take a pair of crampons or microspikes for walking on ice, handle mud, snowmelt, and even water crossings without freezing. Fording streams further complicates footwear selection because the temperature of snowmelt in White Mountain stream is ice-cold. Wearing plastic boots is not an option anymore and even leather boots become very heavy when repeatedly soaked in streams. This can be a real challenge and you may need to bring more than one pair of shoes with you for a long hike in case your feet get wet or for whatever reason, you are forced to spend the night outdoors. ## Planning Spring Hikes The best thing to do before any spring hike is to carefully study your maps, [The White Mountain Guide](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1934028851/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1934028851&linkId=43a5ea2d0fd2b943f0957a22193e6c49), and to read any recent trail condition reports about your planned destination on [TrailsNH.com](https://sectionhiker.com/trailsnh-com-a-search-engine-for-hiking-conditions/). If snow bridges are out and alpine streams are running at high levels, your best bet may be to avoid hikes like [The Hancocks](https://sectionhiker.com/mt-hancock-north-peak/), [The Bonds](https://sectionhiker.com/hiking-the-bonds/), or [Owls Head](https://sectionhiker.com/owls-head-revisited/) which require fording streams. Whatever you do, remain cautious about spring conditions in the White Mountains. While frustrating, postponing your hike until mid-June when conditions improve might be the best option *Written 2011. Updated 2015. * --- # West Field Bushwhack Source: https://sectionhiker.com/west-field-bushwhack/ My friend David and I went on a very tough bushwhack yesterday, climbing West Field Mountain (3,617ft) on the western side of Mount Field. This didn't look like a difficult bushwhack on paper, quite the opposite, but the brush was so dense that it slowed our pace down to half a mile (or less) per hour. It was really tough going and definitely one of the hardest day hikes I've ever been on. It was pretty unnerving too because we were out 5 hours past sunset and had to bushwhack out in the dark.  I don't want to do that again, although I suppose it's probably inevitable for winter bushwhacking. Still, we kept our cool and trusted our compass bearing, eventually finding the trail we'd hiked to get to the bushwhack area. In the worst case, we were both equipped to spend an unplanned night out with a stove, extra insulation, and shelter, although it would have been a bit dicey with a major storm predicted in the evening. If you're thinking about hiking West Field, which is on the [New Hampshire Hundred Highest](https://sectionhiker.com/new-hampshire-hundred-highest/), be forewarned. There is a lot of dense forest on the northern side of the peak, approaching from the A-Z trail. This was exacerbated by pine traps, blow downs, and heavy snow on upper branches, which rained down on us are be rammed our way through the growth. I feel like I played ice hockey all day yesterday. Those trees fight back! We did find the canister at the summit by 2:30 pm, but there was no way were going to retrace our steps to get back to the A-Z trail, especially if it got dark in the process. Instead, we headed northeast off the peak, hoping to find the A-Z trail east of where we'd initially stepped off of it. At first the going was pretty easy and we avoided the dense forest that we had had to plow through to get to the summit. But we eventually hit some pretty thick growth and had to slow down to muscle our way through it. On top of that, we had some problems staying on a northeasterly bearing as we detoured around obstacles in our path. This ultimately resulted in us walking in circles, a fact we discovered about 30 minutes before sunset at 4:30 pm. From that point on, we became militant about staying on the northerly bearing. Both of us had our compasses tied to lanyards around our necks and we started checking our bearings constantly, We figured we'd cross the A-Z trail eventually, which thankfully we did, at 7:05 pm. From there, it was a two hour walkout back to the AMC Highland Center where we managed to beg cappuccinos even though the kitchen was closed. I figure they were pretty surprised when 2 hikers walking int the main lobby at 9:15pm in January. ###  Lessons Learned David and I are not experienced bushwhackers, but I'm confident we will be eventually. We both have very good compass and map skills, which were invaluable for finding the canister and bushwhacking after sunset on this trip. Still there are a few lessons to be learned from this trip: - Bring an altimeter for bushwhacks. David had a map-less GPS with an altimeter and it was invaluable for figuring out where we were. - Don't wear your favorite shell or waterproof pants. Between my crampons and the trees, I shredded an old pair of Marmot Precip full zip pants. - Plan, in advance, the escape route as thoroughly as the hike to the summit. - Look at your compass frequently to stay on a bearing. Much more frequently than you would otherwise. - Allow a lot more time for the bushwhack than you expect. There's no telling what conditions will be like when you appear in person. - Teamwork is essential. Double-check your partner's bearings and decisions, constantly. - Get down low to see if you can detect elevation changes under densely packed small trees. - Bring a few extra pairs of fleece gloves (for winter bushwhacking.) You'll sweat them out. - Be prepared for an unexpected night out. If you are a bushwhacker, and have some best practices or advice you'd like to impart, please leave a comment. ## Recommended Guidebooks and Maps: - [Appalachian Mountain Club White Mountain Guide](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1934028851/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1934028851&linkId=43a5ea2d0fd2b943f0957a22193e6c49) - [AMC White Mountain National Forest Map Set](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1628420774/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1628420774&linkId=594d815205e955af033a38c557e9828e) - [Exploring New Hampshire Map from the Wilderness Map Company](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0978593243/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0978593243&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkId=PPF2TVVR4ERF5K4Q) --- # North and Middle Tripyramid Attempt Source: https://sectionhiker.com/north-and-middle-tripyramid-attempt/ Winter peakbagging wouldn't be challenging if you successfully bagged the peaks you were after every time. That was the case last weekend, when seven of us took a crack at Mount Tripyramid, a rugged and distinctive 4,000 footer  in the Sandwich Range of the White Mountains. We approached the mountain from the north starting at the Sabbaday Falls parking lot off the Kancamagus Highway.  The temperature in the parking lot was a frigid 6 below zero Fahrenheit when I booted up at the car.  I wore an extra layer on top of what I normally wear at the beginning of a winter hike, but quickly shed it once we got moving. From the cars, we followed the Sabbaday Brook Trail, which climbs up a long and beautiful valley before climbing very steeply to the col between the Middle and North Peaks. The trail had a number of significant stream crossings, which were not bridged despite the cold. One of these was impassible and we were forced to bushwhack a short section to bypass it. Snow has finally arrived in significant quantities that showshoes were the order of the day and we had to break trail the 4.6 miles up to the summit ridge. Due to the extremely cold weather, the snow had the consistency of sugar and didn't pack down very well, making progress a little bit more strenuous than normal, even for the people who weren't breaking trail. This came to head for me on the final very strenuous section of the Sabbaday Brook Trail, which is very steep and usually very wet the rest of the year. My snowshoe crampons had balled up with ice from a previous stream crossing and I had a really hard time climbing the last few hundred feet up to the col. I tried barebooting it, but there was solid ice under the powdery snow and I had to resort to pulling myself up to the mountain by grabbing at roots and trees to make any headway. It was slow going and disheartening. When we finally got to the col around 2:30, we all decided to call it a day and hike out without summitting so we could our retrace steps down the final steep section in daylight with fresh legs. That's the way it is sometimes. We put on our snow pants and slid down the steep part until we could put on snowshoes again for the long march out.  Despite our caution, we still ended up hiking well past dark, only getting back to the cars at around 6:30 pm. This wasn't unexpected, but it's always a little unnerving to hike after sunset in winter and in the forest, when you can't see more than 25 feet in front of your headlamp. Despite the cold, we did have nice sunshine for most of this hike and cloud-free skies, with temperatures warming to the 20's by mid-day and even rising toward the end of our hike. The views climbing up to the the col were also very nice, particularly down the valley toward Owl's Cliff and Mt Tremont. I was also able to get a good look at an adjacent peak called The Fool Killer, which is a bushwhack on the [New Hampshire 100 Highest List](https://sectionhiker.com/new-hampshire-hundred-highest/) I've started working on. It's called that because hikers used to climb it thinking it was North Tripyramid before the good trails were put in, only to discover that they'd undershot their objective were on an adjacent peak. ## Recommended Guidebooks and Maps: - [Appalachian Mountain Club White Mountain Guide](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1934028851/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1934028851&linkId=43a5ea2d0fd2b943f0957a22193e6c49) - [AMC White Mountain National Forest Map Set](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1628420774/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1628420774&linkId=594d815205e955af033a38c557e9828e) - [Exploring New Hampshire Map from the Wilderness Map Company](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0978593243/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0978593243&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkId=PPF2TVVR4ERF5K4Q) --- # Mount Kancamagus Bushwhacking Instructional Trip Source: https://sectionhiker.com/mount-kancamagus-bushwhacking-instructional-trip/ Last Saturday, I co-led another AMC Boston instructional trip, a winter bushwhack up Mount Kancamagus, a [New Hampshire 100 highest peak](https://sectionhiker.com/new-hampshire-hundred-highest/) with an elevation of 3,763 feet. The point of this trip was to provide a gentle introduction to bushwhacking and expose winter hikers who normally hike on trails to the challenge of tromping through the woods, guided  only by a compass bearing and your wits. Some instruction was provided for people who had brought compasses, but the majority of the trip focused on how to find the best route through dense forest, blow downs and around spruce traps, while staying on a bearing. We had a big turn out with 21 attendees including leaders, so we broke into 2 separate groups, green and purple,  and bushwhacked to the summit along different routes. The green group started from the overlook parking lot just below Kancamagus Pass on the Kancamagus Highway, while the purple group got dropped off a bit farther down on the road to start their hike. I was part of the green group, which had quite a few ringers in it - very experienced bushwhackers who were along to knab another hundred highest peak - but who also helped explain the ropes to the hikers who were being exposed to bushwhacking for the first time. Bushwhacking is almost incomprehensible to people who've never done it, which is why we wanted to demonstrate it by example. There's no trail or blazes, you need to really know how to use a map and compass, you need to keep track of left or right drift off of your original bearing, and of course, you need a sense of humor about postholing in the the snow and all of the trees and shrubs that are trying to tear your clothes off! I am relatively new to bushwhacking myself, but I really like it. It opens up vast areas of the forest and mountains that people don't go to often and really pushes you to be self sufficient to a degree that you just can't experience on a trail. But it's definitely not for everyone. The green group did pretty well considering that we kept rotating the lead through the group so everyone got a chance to break trail and follow the bearing. We didn't hit the peak straight on, but we were close enough to the east that we could follow the ridge west to the summit, once we'd climbed up to it. Unfortunately, the purple group beat us to the top by nearly an hour, but of course, they had a much shorter, if steeper hike. They got bored and cold, so they lit a fire while they waited for us to show up. When we arrived, it was an incredible spectacle to see a fire burning in a pit of snow, next to the canister. Actually, the purple group had built the fire on top of the snow, but it melted down into it's own little pit. What's a canister? Many of the peaks in New England and New York that can only be reached by bushwhacking, and are on peakbagging lists like the New Hampshire Hundred Highest, the Catskill 3500's, or the Adirondack 46ers, have canisters at their summits. These canisters look like PVC pipes and are attached to trees at the peak's summit. They contain log books that people write their names in or leave messages for other hikers. They're neat little time capsules, a lot like the trail registers you find in Appalachian Trail shelters. We were all a bit tired and cold after our hike to the summit, so after refueling with food and drink, we retraced the route broken out by the green group back to our cars. This was a nice group and I met a lot of enthusiastic, if not expert, people who want to do more bushwhacks this winter. Fun, fun! ## Recommended Guidebooks and Maps: - [Appalachian Mountain Club White Mountain Guide](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1934028851/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1934028851&linkId=43a5ea2d0fd2b943f0957a22193e6c49) - [AMC White Mountain National Forest Map Set](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1628420774/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1628420774&linkId=594d815205e955af033a38c557e9828e) - [Exploring New Hampshire Map from the Wilderness Map Company](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0978593243/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0978593243&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkId=PPF2TVVR4ERF5K4Q) --- # A Winter Visit to Zealand Falls Hut Source: https://sectionhiker.com/a-winter-visit-to-zealand-falls-hut/ I spent my first winter overnight at a self-service Appalachian Mountain Club Hut earlier this season and had a really good time. The AMC keeps several of their White Mountains huts open in winter at reduced rates and on a self-service basis, making it possible to do multi-day hiking or cross-country skiing trips without having to camp out at night. On our trip, we hiked into the Zealand Falls Hut on a Sunday night in order to cut some miles off the full Bonds Traverse from Rt 302 to Lincoln Woods. This is a 23 mile end-to-end hike in winter because the first 3.5 miles of Zealand Road are closed during winter, making it a 6.2 mile hike from the Rt 302 to the hut. That still left close to 17 miles for the leg from the hut to Lincoln Woods on the following day, up and over Zeacliff, Mount Zealand, Mt Guyot, West Bond Mountain, Mount Bond, and Bondcliff, including 3+ miles of above treeline exposure. We stayed over Sunday night when the rate drops to $27.50 per night, which is still pretty dear, but way less expensive during the regular season that the 90+ price per night per person when the hut is fully crewed and they provide you with dinner, entertainment, and breakfast the following morning. In winter, the hut is open on a self-service basis, meaning you carry in your own food and cook for yourself with full access to their kitchen.While there is a caretaker in residence, her job is to maintain a sense of order, prevent people from burning down the hut, and perform other minor maintenance chores to keep everything ship-shape. The hut isn't heated, except for a small wood fire for a few hours in the morning and at night in the common room only, so you need to bring warm clothing if you want to hang out and a warm sleeping bag to sleep in. There's also no running water, which has to be carried into the hut in plastic gas cans and heated for cooking, drinking, and dishwashing. ## Sleeping Quarters The sleeping accommodations at the Zealand Falls hut are bunk beds stacked three high with a maximum of 36 overnight guests, in two separate unheated bunk rooms. Each bunk bed is a cubicle built into the cabin and has several built-in shelves and lots of hooks so you can store or hang things you want to keep track of during the night. There's even a separate reading lamp the runs off the hut's solar batteries built into each bunk bed alcove so you can read without disturbing other people in the bunkroom. *Hint: The best bunkroom to sleep in at Zealand Falls is the one farthest away from the bathroom building, so you don't hear the bathroom door slamming shut all night. * *Hint: Bring ear plus to block out the sound of people who snore at night. * Each bunkbed comes with a mattress that's sealed up in vinyl so you don't have to worry about catching bed bugs. There's also a pillow, but no pillowcase. The hut provides guests with wool blankets during the full service season, but they are moved offsite in winter for cleaning. ## Bathroom Facilities The Zealand Falls bathrooms are located in an adjacent building and connected to the hut by a covered porch. The toilets are [Clivus-Multrum composting toilets](https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=BzxUa8b2rJU) - no septic system or water required, but you do need to put on some shoes and walk briefly outdoors from your warm sleeping bag to the bathrooms at night. *Hint: If you're a guy, make sure you aim well in winter because liquids freeze on contact with cold surfaces and don't melt for weeks.* ## Kitchen Privileges Winter guests have free access to the kitchen facilities at the hut, including an immense gas stove and oven. The thing must have 12 burners on it! In addition, there is a refrigerator for guests to store food and rodent proof containers. Many guest bring elaborate ingredients to the hut and cook up a storm. When I was there, one guest made chocolate cookies and passed them around for everyone to enjoy. In order to prevent chaos in the kitchen, guests sign up for 30 minute time slots to use the stove and preparation areas to cook their meals. There's a sign-up board next to the wood stove in the common room with time slots beginning at 5 pm in winter. If you need to get up early in the morning before sun up to get an early start, there is a huge pot of water on the hut stove that is refilled before people go to sleep the night before. If you wake up early, turn on the gas burner below this pot so you can fill your water bottles with boiling water before you leave. It takes about 45 minutes to bring the water in the pot to a boil, so factor that into your wakeup and start time. Guests have access to pots and pans, plates, bowls, glasses, and silverware in the hut, but are responsible for doing their own dishes and packing out all of their trash. Since there is no running water in winter, cleanup is done using by dipping your dirty dishes in tubs filled with hot water and bleach. A minimal amount of soap is used this way and grey water is kept to a minimum for leave-no-trace disposal. ## Fire Safety Fire is a big concern in the huts in winter, since there's a long history of Appalachian Mountain Club huts burning down over the years. In addition to a strict no smoking policy, all open flames, including Jetboil style canister stoves, are prohibited from being used inside the hut or on the hut porch. ## Convivial Atmosphere Despite their obvious convenience, staying at a self-service Appalachian Mountain Club hut in winter is a great experience because there's always an interesting group of other guests on hand. Couples and groups are very welcome and opening, it's easy to meet strangers and talk to them. and even strike up new friendships with kindred spirits. If you've never stayed at an Appalachian Mountain Club hut before, winter might be a good time to try one out when they're full of people with adventuresome spirits and a twinkle in their eye. ## Recommended Guidebooks and Maps: - [Appalachian Mountain Club White Mountain Guide](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1934028851/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1934028851&linkId=43a5ea2d0fd2b943f0957a22193e6c49) - [AMC White Mountain National Forest Map Set](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1628420774/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1628420774&linkId=594d815205e955af033a38c557e9828e) - [Exploring New Hampshire Map from the Wilderness Map Company](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0978593243/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0978593243&linkCode=as2&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkId=PPF2TVVR4ERF5K4Q) --- Generated from RankReady