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2025 Allegheny 100 Gear & Food Bag Lists
This is the gear that I will be using for the 2025 Allegheny 100. My baseweight is right around 5.5 lbs. By keeping things simple, light...
Reach Your Summit
Apr 163 min read
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Backpacking On Cape Cod Revisited 2024
I know what you're thinking and I had the same feeling when I first learned about it. Backpacking? On Cape Cod? Surely you must be...
Reach Your Summit
Jan 125 min read
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2024 Allegheny 100 Gear List
This is the gear that I will be using for the 2024 Allegheny 100. My baseweight is right around 5.5 lbs. This is a slight increase in...
Reach Your Summit
Mar 20, 20243 min read
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2023 Allegheny 100 Gear List
This is the gear that I will be using for the 2023 Allegheny 100. My baseweight is right around 5 lbs. By keeping things simple, I can...
Reach Your Summit
Mar 8, 20233 min read
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FRV Loop Revisited October 2022
Total Miles: 40 miles Total Elevation: 5,367 ft Duration: 2 Days The FRV Loop is a unique backpacking loop located in the Farmington...
Mat Jobin
Jan 14, 202313 min read
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Holiday Gear Gift Guide
I recently had the opportunity to do a segment with MyTv9 News, Lauren's Crazy Pet Show and FALPS (Friends of American Legion & Peoples...
Mat Jobin
Nov 24, 20204 min read
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Comparison: Altra Lone Peak 4.5 vs Altra Lone Peak 4.0 Shoes
The Lone Peak by Altra has quickly become a trail favorite for thru-hikers, section hikers and weekend warriors, and it's easy to see...
Mat
Dec 19, 20195 min read
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National Trails Day 2019 Backpacking Adventure
Explore the trails of Pachaug State Forest on this backpacking trip celebrating Connecticut Trails Day 2019. The trip was guided by Mat...
Mat
Sep 4, 20191 min read
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5 Items I'll Be Testing On Trips In 2019
This month kicked off my 3-season guided backpacking trips as well as conditioning for this year's Allegheny 100 Challenge. With multiple...
Mat
Apr 29, 20197 min read
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8 Reasons Why You Should Consider Thru-Hiking A Long Trail
Thru-hiking has seen an explosion in popularity over the last few years. Books are being written and published. Blockbuster movies such...
Mat
Feb 19, 20196 min read
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Backpacking On Cape Cod
I know what you're thinking and I had the same feeling when I first learned about it. Backpacking? On Cape Cod? Surely you must be...
Mat
Jan 31, 20195 min read
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Bay Circuit Trail: Hiking The 230 Mile Emerald Necklace of Massachusetts (Section 6)
My sixth segment on the Bay Circuit Trail came with a lot of historical significance, more daylight and a bit of trail running. I had...
Mat
Jan 21, 20194 min read
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Gear Review Video: Ultimate Direction FK Tarp & FK Bivy
A look at two new pieces of gear from Ultimate Direction for 2018. The FK Tarp and FK Bivy. Testing out the tarp and bivy system during a...
Reach Your Summit
Dec 18, 20181 min read
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Gear Review: Sierra Designs Cloud 35
Earlier this year Sierra Designs put out a new line of sleeping bags that could become a new standard in the outdoor industry. The Cloud...
Mat
Nov 29, 20182 min read
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Bay Circuit Trail: Hiking The 230 Mile Emerald Necklace of Massachusetts (Section 5)
Picking up where I left off near the T, I crossed a busy intersection and entered the woods Indian Ridge Reservation. It was a cold late...
Mat
Oct 27, 20182 min read
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Bay Circuit Trail: Hiking The 230 Mile Emerald Necklace of Massachusetts (Section 4)
For the next stretch of the Bay Circuit Trail, I picked up right where I left off in Oxford State Forest. It was a mild, but cool...
Mat
Sep 12, 20183 min read
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Fastpacking 101
Have you ever found yourself pressed for time, but itching to get out on an epic adventure? Let me introduce you to fastpacking....
Mat
Jul 18, 20188 min read
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Gear Review: Osprey Levity 45
A closer look at the ultralight Osprey Levity 45 backpack, new for spring 2018. #Osprey #backpackinggear #backpacking #outdoors...
Mat
Jul 16, 20181 min read
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Bay Circuit Trail: Hiking The 230 Mile Emerald Necklace of Massachusetts (Section 3)
The next section of the Bay Circuit Trail, I hiked after some snow had fallen. Picking up where I left off at Rte 1, the trail left...
Mat
Jul 8, 20182 min read
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LKD Loop Backpacking Trip
Last year, Reach Your Summit was the first to offer a backpacking adventure trip in the entire country for National Trails Day (CT Trails...
Mat
Jun 27, 201810 min read
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