stg-sectionhikercom-buttons.kinsta.cloud Backpacking Gear Reviews and FAQs

There are two good places to train for strenuous hikes in the Boston Area: The Blue Hills and The Middlesex Fells, both within a 20 minute drive of downtown Boston. Although I’ve lived in the Boston area for over 20 years, I don’t get down to the Blue Hills, which are south of the city, very often and mainly hike in …

I am feeling sore all over today. I’m surprised because our bushwhack over to Southwest Twin Mountain turned out to be easier than we expected. Still bushwhacking is much more strenuous than regular trail hiking and we had a long hike out which must explain it. We’d been planning to return to Southwest Twin for over a year. Not to be …

The Imp Trail is one of the most popular, but strenuous day hikes in Pinkham Notch, with fantastic views of Mount Washington, the Northern Presidentials and the Carter-Wildcat Mountain Range. Forming a 6. 4 mile loop, it climbs up a cliff known as Imp Face which has a commanding view of the entire valley below. Last weekend, I hiked  the …

I sold my Mountain Laurel Designs cuben fiber Duomid last week. It is a great shelter and at 12.6 ounces including guy lines, it is insanely light. But I wanted a more comfortable shelter with a bathtub floor, so I bought a silnylon Tarptent Notch instead, which also has good wind-shedding characteristics. If you’re unfamiliar with the MLD Duomid, it is …