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National Trails Day 2019 Backpacking Adventure

Sep 4, 2019
1 min

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 Jobin from Reach Your Summit and documented by Matt Woodward of ExploreCT. #NationalTrailsDay #backpacking #PachaugStateForest #ultralightbackpacking #Connecticut

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8 Reasons Why You Should Consider Thru-Hiking A Long Trail

Feb 19, 2019
6 min

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 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

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Backpacking On Cape Cod

Jan 31, 2019
5 min

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 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

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Bay Circuit Trail: Hiking The 230 Mile Emerald Necklace of Massachusetts (Section 6)

Jan 21, 2019
4 min

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 been conditioning myself for the Allegheny 100 Hiking Challenge in June. The A100, as it's known, is a 100 mile hiking challenge that takes place in Allegheny National Forest in Pennsylvania. The challenge is a self-supported trek that has to be completed in 50 hours. There are also 25, 50 and 75 mile challenges for those who prefer to not take

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Gear Review Video: Ultimate Direction FK Tarp & FK Bivy

Dec 18, 2018
1 min

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 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

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Gear Review: Sierra Designs Cloud 35

Nov 29, 2018
2 min

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 takes characteristics from their popular Backcountry Bed series, blending it with hints of top bag and quilt designs. This zipperless mummy bag features premium 800-fill power water resistant DriDown and comes in three flavors, 20F (1 lb 13 oz, $299) and 35F (1 lb 7 oz, $279) for men, and 20F for women (1 lb 12 oz, $299). The shell fabric fo

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Bay Circuit Trail: Hiking The 230 Mile Emerald Necklace of Massachusetts (Section 5)

Oct 27, 2018
2 min

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 February day, when I set off to compete this section. Wind gusts picked up at times, making it feel cooler than it was. This section transitioned from dirt to pavement quite often making the weather a little more enjoyable. The lack of snow on the ground made the mileage feel the same. Indian Ridge is a small section of the BCT at around onl

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Bay Circuit Trail: Hiking The 230 Mile Emerald Necklace of Massachusetts (Section 4)

Sep 12, 2018
3 min

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 February day with a little rain in the forecast. This area is also open to hunting (the other in the town of Boxford is Georgetown Rowley State Forest) so I opted for bright colors on this trip. The hike began leading me down an easy stretch of terrain on the BCT that intersected with multiple unmarked trails and carriage pathways. A few sections h

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Fastpacking 101

Jul 18, 2018
8 min

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. 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

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Gear Review: Osprey Levity 45

Bay Circuit Trail: Hiking The 230 Mile Emerald Necklace of Massachusetts (Section 3)

Jul 8, 2018
2 min

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 Willowdale State Forest and entered Cleveland Farm State Forest. The short section of this forest was quiet and full of hardwoods as I navigated its relatively easy terrain. The trail eventually led to a recently constructed bridge across the Mill River. Luckily the river wasn't flooded when I passed through this portion of the trail so I was abl

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LKD Loop Backpacking Trip

Jun 27, 2018
10 min

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 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

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Allegheny 100 Training Hike: 39.3 Mile LKD Loop & Nine Trails Vest Test

May 27, 2018
1 min

Allegheny 100 Training Hike: 39.3 Mile LKD Loop & Nine Trails Vest Test

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

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22.5 Mile Day Hike Allegheny 100 Training: New England Trail

May 15, 2018
1 min

22.5 Mile Day Hike Allegheny 100 Training: New England Trail

In this video I share a 22.5 mile training hike I take on the New England Trail, 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/ #outdoors #backpacking #Allegheny100 #NewEnglandTrail #longdistancehiking #hiking

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Gear Preview: Osprey Levity 45

Mar 22, 2018
4 min

Gear Preview: Osprey Levity 45

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

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Tips For The Trail: Creating A Routine

Dec 7, 2017
5 min

Tips For The Trail: Creating A Routine

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

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Tips For The Trail: How To Sleep Warm At Camp In The Winter

Gear Review: Patagonia Ascensionist 35L

Nov 13, 2017
4 min

Gear Review: Patagonia Ascensionist 35L

The Patagonia Ascensionist may have been designed with alpine in mind, but I have found it to be a great lightweight 3-season backpacking alternative for carrying gear. What intrigued me with this pack was its sheer simplicity. No frills, no fuss. This may not be a preference for other backpackers, but I find it to be a suitable option for my needs. Below, I'll share a look at this pack and a few adaptations I made to make it an excellent pack for many of my solo 3-season tri

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Gear Review: Mountain Hardwear Ghost UL 1 Tent

Sep 28, 2017
4 min

Gear Review: Mountain Hardwear Ghost UL 1 Tent

The Mountain Hardwear Ghost UL 1 is a super lightweight 1 person double wall tent with a weight listed at 1 lb 14 oz (tent, rainfly and tent poles). I weighed mine in a 1 lb 10 oz before adding tent stakes and stuff sacks. It is a true freestanding tent, though the sides can still cave in a little. Not to worry, Mountain Hardwear addressed this and built in loops on the side of the tent body that clip to the fly. With the fly attached and staked out, you'll be able to maximiz

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Gear Comparison Video: MSR TrailShot vs Katadyn BeFree vs Sawyer Mini Squeeze