New England Backpacking Adventure: LKD Loop

Join Reach Your Summit for a 2 Day/1 Night one-of-a-kind backpacking adventure! Channel your inner Benton MacKaye (CT native, Wilderness Society co-founder, visionary & creator of the Appalachian Trail) on this challenging 39.3 mile loop backpacking trip as we connect a National Scenic Trail, various hiking trails, pathways, and more. This trip will offer a deeper connection to ourselves, nature, each other and the communities through which we travel. Highlights include: West Mountain, McLean Game Refuge, Farmington Canal Heritage & Farmington River Trails, the New England Trail, land trust properties, state parks and more. 

The LKD Loop was created by Reach Your Summit owner and guide, Mat Jobin back in 2018.

This trip will include educational segments on skills, but our primary objective will be an exciting adventure. It is open to all though you will most likely find it suitable if you are: 

- Intermediate backpacker who wants to improve skills and modernize gear

- Advanced backpacker wanting to hone in on specifics and have an adventure in the mountains

Other considerations for this trip:

- You should enjoy hiking at a relatively fast pace and enjoy more time on the trail than at camp

- You look forward to climbing and descending peaks, passes and ridgelines

- You are comfortable carrying a 20+ lb pack for 15-20 miles a day 

Group size is 5. RSVP is required. Registration closes on July 04, 2020. Waiver/Assumption of Risk documents are required before participation and can be signed electronically or in person the day of this trip. This event will be held rain or shine.

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If you have any questions or you would like to register for this trip, please don't hesitate to get in touch with me: Mat, matjobin@reachyoursummit.net

Cost: $275 per person

What's Included:

- 5 Star backpacking guiding and instruction

- Group gear rental including headlamps, cookset, fuel, first-aid supplies, gear repair kit, bear bag, etc.

- National Forest permit and/or campsite permit (reservations)

- Breakfast, dinner, water and 2 snacks

- Free product

- Demo gear rental including shelters (tent, hammock system or tarp/bivy), stoves, sleeping bags, sleeping pads and water treatment

What's Not Included:

- Transportation

- Park entry fee (if required)

- Personal gear and supplies

- Additional snacks and food

What To Expect:

Exact trip details (meeting location, time, etc) will be specified weeks or even months before your trip. The itinerary below is simply meant to help you plan your travel and to better understand how the trip will flow.

First Day

- Meet at our entry point 10am 

- Make introductions

- Distribute group food

- Distribute group gear

- Check personal gear, supplies & make final decisions

- Begin hiking

- Learn & discuss navigation, water treatment, first aid, gear repair, foot care

- Arrive at camp, learn and discuss campsite selection, campsite setup, bear bag hanging, fire starting (if regulations allow), pre-meal meditation

- Meal, clean-up

- Personal time/lights out

Second Day

- Breakfast, campsite breakdown

- Hike

- Around noon +/-1 or 2 hours arrive back to entry point

- Sort through personal and group gear

- Final group meal (optional)

- Goodbyes

Why Should You Join This Trip:

This is a one-of-a-kind experience that will primarily focus on an exciting adventure. This trip will still include fundamentals refresher opportunities throughout our time in the mountains and will also help you leave feeling confident, strong, creative, relaxed and ready for the next adventure. Many of us have limited opportunities to backpack in beautiful places. This weekend is focused on you and providing you with a creative and enhanced experience. You will be kept on your toes, but be under the guidance of a reputable, credible and accomplished professional guide who wants to make the wilderness accessible and enjoyable for you at the highest level.

Learn hands-on skills that will make backpacking fun, not work. You’ll learn trip planning techniques to make the process less stressful and overwhelming. Enjoy your backpacking experiences more. Get experience-backed information that is tailored to you, your preferences, your experience and your budget. Try out gear, see things and learn about them before going out and buying it yourself.

Avoid learning things the hard way and enjoy a safe, comfortable wild experience.

Cancellation Policy: 

• Full payment is required to register. Trip cost includes a 10% non-refundable administrative fee. If you cancel more than 14 days prior to your trip's start date you will receive a full refund (less the 10% administrative fee).
• If you cancel within the preceding 14 days, do not show on the day of your trip, or reschedule within 48 hours, you forfeit your payment.
• If your program is cancelled due to inclement weather, we can reschedule for a better day, or we can offer a full refund. Please call to discuss weather concerns by noon 2 days prior to your trip if you wish to reschedule. If we experience bad weather locally, we will pro rate your trip on a 50% basis. Trips take place rain, shine or snow.

Please note: The guide always reserves the right to change or suggest alternate objectives based on trip conditions. Sometimes these conditions aren’t apparent until we arrive or are in the middle of the trip. If this occurs we may be forced to turn back. We are always looking to reward our guests with the best experiences. This is left to the judgement of the guide in all circumstances. If time on the trip permits, we may opt to go to another nearby location.

 ​Gratuities are not included and are always greatly appreciated. They typically range from 5-10%.

Thank you to the following organizations who support and make this trip possible:

Connecticut Forest & Park Association

McLean Game Refuge

Simsbury Land Trust

The Master's School

CT DEEP