Thru-hiking has seen an explosion in popularity over the last few years. Books are being written and published. Blockbuster movies such as Walk In The Woods, Wild and Mile... Mile And A Half are inspiring thousands of hiking enthusiasts. More people are getting outside and recreating. With thru-hiking season a couple of weeks away for many aspiring AT hikers, and currently underway for some, here are 8 reasons why you may want to consider getting out on the trail for a long d

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 kidding. Contrary to what we may think, there is indeed a rare and great backpacking opportunity on Cape Cod for those who open themselves to the idea. As I write this, part of the country is experiencing some of the coldest temperatures recorded due to a Polar Vortex. Recordings so cold it even beats out the current temp in Antarctica. Though the

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 solo overnight trip in mid-March on a self-created backpacking loop. A muddy morning wake up on the Appalachian Trail in May. My footprint, tarp, bivy and gear had a light coating of mud from a night of heavy downpours, but I remained dry the entire time. Here's another shot from that morning. Early morning for the second day of the Alleghe

Have you ever found yourself pressed for time, but itching to get out on an epic adventure? Let me introduce you to fastpacking. Fastpacking beautifully blends backpacking and trail running for a one-of-a-kind journey. It allows us to get out for big miles, big views and a sense of accomplishment within a shorter period of time. One of the key elements to fastpacking is simplicity. If you are a gram counting, tooth-brush shaving avid ultralight backpacker then you may already

A closer look at the ultralight Osprey Levity 45 backpack, new for spring 2018. #Osprey #backpackinggear #backpacking #outdoors #adventure #backpacks

Last year, Reach Your Summit was the first to offer a backpacking adventure trip in the entire country for National Trails Day (CT Trails Weekend). My group hiked a 38.5 mile loop over two days, connecting the blue blazed Mohawk Trail (formerly part of the AT) with the white blazed Appalachian Trail in Connecticut. This year, I wanted to offer something bigger and continue with something else that had never been done before. After extensive research, knowledge of multiple tra

This video is a combination of two trips. The first is a quick 6 mile rainy training hike on part of the LKD Loop where I was eager to test out a trail running vest pack I picked up, the Patagonia Nine Trails 15L. Near the end of this trip I show how the gear held up in non-stop rain. The second half of this video takes place on a 39.3 mile backpacking loop (named the LKD Loop) that I created and am offering to the public for National Trails Day 2018. My goal for the hike was

In this video, I go over my gear selection, nutrition and hydration for a 25 mile day hike on the Appalachian Trail, followed by sharing the hike itself. This training hike is in preparation for the Allegheny 100 Challenge which I am participating in this June 2018. For additional info on the Allegheny 100 check out the link provided here: https://northcountrytrail.org/trail/upcoming-events/special-events/allegheny-100/ #Allegheny100 #outdoors #adventure #backpackinggear #Pat

In this video, I go over the gear, clothing and footwear that I will be using for the 2018 Allegheny 100 Challenge. I go over each item in detail and why I will be using it. If you have any questions on any of these items or anything else please feel free to get in touch. For additional info on the Allegheny 100 check out the link provided here: https://northcountrytrail.org/trail/upcoming-events/special-events/allegheny-100/ #outdoors #adventure #Allegheny100 #backpackinggea

The much anticipated Osprey Levity is not a pack for everyone, but for those it is, it could be a game changer. The pack comes in a 60 liter and 45 liter version, both weighing under 2 lbs. It is the lightest framed AND ventilated pack to date from Osprey. Blending lightweight fabrics and attention to design, the Levity is sure to peak the interest of the outdoor community and ultralight backpacker's this year. I've been eyeing this pack since it was shown at Outdoor Retailer

My next section hike of the 230 mile Bay Circuit Trail picked up where I had left off at the end of Old Town Hill on Newman Rd. in Newbury, MA. With the warmer than usual winter weather, I couldn't help but get out and add up some more mileage on this trail. I picked up where I had left off on a late January morning. After leaving Old Town Hill and heading a short way down a residential road, the trail took me through a little bit of history. The trail passed by the Lower Gre

I recently came across the 230 mile Bay Circuit Trail after noticing maps for the trail and was instantly intrigued. The prospect of a long distance hiking path I wasn't familiar with, yet that was also within a 3 hour drive from home was irresistible. So began the purchase of the maps (pictured below), research and getting out there. The Bay Circuit Trail is known as the Emerald Necklace of eastern Massachusetts. Beginning on the shore of Plum Island in Newburyport, the trai

Grass Mountain is a peak located in southwestern Vermont in the town of North Bennington. The mountain is a part of the New England's 50 Finest list and involves a trail-less hike to the top. With good map and compass skills and terrain reading, this hike can be a fairly easy bushwack. The route I took, began near the end of Shatsbury Hollow Rd after traveling down a network of well-maintained old country gravel roads. I parked on Shatsbury Hollow Rd, where it appears to fork

When I'm out backpacking, whether I'm solo or with a group, I like to follow a well-defined routine when I arrive at camp. By creating and following one, I am able to enjoy extra time on the trail and not worry about forgetting tasks or gear at my site. Having extra time on the trail allows me to cover more ground, ensure that I am not racing the daylight to make camp before dark and adds to my experience of the trip overall. Accidentally leaving behind gear at my site can ha

Packing the Ten Essentials for any trip is a good habit to have. Even if you are going for a simple day hike, kayaking in a nearby lake or snowshoeing in the rolling hills. This list can provide you with items that can help address accidents and emergencies, and also get you through an unexpected night or more out. In the video above, I'll break down the Ten Essentials with you and how each item helps. I'll also share a few other items I like to add to the list and carry with

With the opportunity to bag four peaks within a few hours, it was hard to pass this up during a recent trip to Acadia National Park. Not only were my girlfriend and I rewarded with incredible views from each of the four peaks, but we also enjoyed solitude along this lightly trafficked section of the park. We had read about this trip while having breakfast back at our camp during a classic crisp, windy fall New England morning. The loop was one described in the AMC's Discover

The Seven Sisters are part of a distinct basalt ridgeline within the Holyoke Range that is part of the New England National Scenic Trail *(also known as the Metacomet-Monadnock Trail), which offer a challenge for day hikers and thru hikers up for the task. The route is technical with a never-ending vertical change totaling in at 3,288ft in 11 miles (if completed as an out-and-back). A few bypasses along the route can add as extra credit mileage and also offer a safer path sho

The video above shares a look at three lightweight water filters suitable for many outdoor adventures as well as seeing each in use on the trail. #backpacking #travel #backpackinggear #watertreatment #adventure

Packing a backpack properly has many benefits that can help your trip more fun and enjoyable. In the video above, I break down the science of packing a backpack and show how I like to pack my pack from start to finish. This is a method I have used for years and it has always been proven effective. #backpacking #adventure #travel #backpackingskills #howtovideos

Packs should always be picked last before each trip. To do so beforehand would be like moving a couch into a room without measuring the space first. Once you've determined the proper gear for your trip and have picked the pack suitable for the task, follow these methods below to get a proper fit* and boost comfort. 1. Loosen all of the straps on your pack. These will include: load lifters, shoulder straps, sternum strap, hipbelt and compression straps. 2. Load your pack up wi