This month kicked off my 3-season guided backpacking trips as well as conditioning for this year's Allegheny 100 Challenge. With multiple skills and adventure group trips planned in the next few months in places like the White Mountains, Long Trail and Appalachian Trail, I'm looking forward to getting out with hikers in some beautiful locations and also putting some new gear to the test. Here are 5 items you'll find with me on the trips: Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 3400

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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 new technologies and innovations gear is always evolving. As I looked back at a post I wrote a year ago, I noticed some of my gear has changed and some has remained the same. The 3-season gear list below allows me to hike light while remaining safe and comfortable. It comes in at a base weight (total pack weight, minus consumables like food, water and fuel) of under 10 lbs when my pre-trip research and logistics have been applied. This list may not be for all, so customi

Whether you're logging in miles on a multi-day backpacking adventure or enjoying a day hike with the family, staying healthy and safe on the trail is always an important factor of any trip. So this year with reports of tick numbers on the rise, especially for those hiking in the northeast, consider taking the precautions listed below to help significantly decrease the risk of tick-borne illnesses. By following these tips, you will be one step ahead and able to enjoy your trip

Growing up in the Boy Scouts and even when I started guiding client trips, a 50 +/- lb pack on my back was the norm. As technologies have advanced and I have dialed in on what works for me over the years, I had found myself becoming a converted lightweight backpacker. The phrases light is right and less is more rang true. As I've lightened my pack more over time, I find there to be many benefits in doing so. I'm more mobile, I can cover more distance over a shorter period of

Picture yourself at the beginning of a trailhead. The beginning of a trail that takes you across high mountain ridges, by endless scenic views and through neighboring towns. A trail that connects you on a deeper level to the outdoors, to a new community and to the world. Long distance hiking has been on the minds of many for years now. In fact, it was on the mind of Benton Mackaye atop Stratton Mountain in the 1921. Benton is responsible for conceiving what we now know as one

As a professional guide, one of the questions I get asked often is, "What's inside your pack?" or "What do you bring for a weekend trip Mat?" Over the years, the type of gear has remained very similar. However as many companies create lighter durable options or a new product I think would be pretty sweet to have on the trail, I have found myself doing a little bit of upgrading. As a backpacker I am no ultralight by any means. I do find that a lighter load in my pack makes for