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

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

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 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

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