[Jamie C]

So I finally purchased the pack I'll be using to through hike the Long Trail in VT this summer, and I've been lookin through my AMC guides of New England for some ideas on some weekend trips to go out backpacking and get acclimated with the pack and test it out. Anybody have some good 2-3 day hiking trips. Difficulty is of no concern as I'll try and up my pace and difficulty as I get closer to the start date of the LT. So far I'm lookin to spend a couple nights in Greylock along the AT, maybe head back to the Mt. Race section of the AT for an overnighter instead of just day hiking it. Also lookin into a trip out to NH to tackle "King Ravine" which is in the northern part of the Presedentials.

All ideas + good overnight trips you've taken/recommend are welcome!

[fishmonger]

I highly recommend the Monadnock Sunapee Greenway in NH. It's 48-50 miles, and if you're in shape can definitely be done in 3 days.

I did it last July with a couple friends and we did it in 2 days (not recommended in my opinion). It's real easy to leave a vehicle on either end with a note (or get picked up). There are some stretches of terrain that will really challenge you, but other small parts that will let you bang out 3-4 miles of relatively flat hiking.

If you want to see my review on our hike click here:
http://www.hikingnew...__fromsearch__1

[NEPilgrim]

Jamie, great, what pack did you get?

You mentioned the Greylock area, so I thought of my last overnighter there in '08. I'm planning on going to that area again in 2-3 weeks for a 3 day/2 night trip, add more miles further north than the last time. Anywhere in the Whites is nice. Did a trip over Franconia Ridge & down the Falling Waters Trail last year. Hope that helps.

Wherever you go, I'd like hearing about your pack & how it performs.

Mt Greylock Oct 17/18, '08
Franconia Ridge/Falling Waters Trail Memorial Day '09

Fish, read your Greenway hike, awesome stuff! You're an animal, not a fish!
Are you gonna do that one again?

[Jamie C]

Took a trip down to West Hartford to the REI store...first off...that was my maiden voyage to an REI store and it was AMAZING, much better selection of stuff then my local EMS and obviously better range of stuff then the local Dick's Sporting Goods store.
As far as the pack - I went with the REI Mars 80L pack. Its big, but I wanted big for the first REAL trip I take when I do the LT this summer and I'm not into the lightweight scene yet. The bag comes with some great features, but not necessarily all the bells in whistles that some of the pricer packs have (Mars 80L is sticker price $199, got a 20% discount while signing up for a REI membership, which if you don't have one...get one its well worth the $20 for a lifetime membership)
As far as Greylock goes - maybe I'll see you up there! I ended up goin on to the DCR website last night and printed out a map and highlighted some loops I'd like to do. One of them was in my Top 50 Hikes of New England book I have.
I also hilighted 5 other loops, some of them are pretty short so they might only be day hikes, but I'll throw my pack on fully geared just to break in the pack/get used to the feel/weight/etc. Prolly be startin up there this weekend or next
Mars 80L link

[fishmonger]

Couldn't agree more about REI. I started going there about 4-5 years ago. I was always partial to EMS because I grew up about 20 miles from their headquarters, but the co-op program really sold me on REI. Just this week I got my dividend of $37. Not a ton, but if you're gonna spend a few hundred bucks on outdoor gear each year anyway, might as well get 10% back on it.

I'm also looking to get a new pack this spring, but I want something in the 3000-4000 cu in range. Big enough for a 3-4 day trip, but keep weight down. My old pack was a North Face climbing pack that I picked up for $30 about a decade ago, so it's time to upgrade.

Thinking about a Gregory z55......

Pilgrim, we're not doing the Greenway again this year but are looking to do something of similar length this summer. Not sure yet, maybe a section of the Long Trail or the 100 Mile Wilderness in Maine.

[NEPilgrim]

Jamie C, on 31 Mar 2010 - 08:17 PM, said:

As far as Greylock goes - maybe I'll see you up there! I ended up goin on to the DCR website last night and printed out a map and highlighted some loops I'd like to do. One of them was in my Top 50 Hikes of New England book I have.
Mars 80L link

Cool, be great to see a fellow HNE-er out & about! The pack you got looks solid, should be able to withstand some good use. Look forward to hearing your field reviews on it.

fishmonger, on 01 Apr 2010 - 09:14 AM, said:

Pilgrim, we're not doing the Greenway again this year but are looking to do something of similar length this summer. Not sure yet, maybe a section of the Long Trail or the 100 Mile Wilderness in Maine.

Nice, sounds like good times wherever you go, Fish! Both of those sections you mentioned are also in my horizon.

[NEPilgrim]

Btw, Fish mentioned the REI dividends. Yesterday, after going for a two hour hike in Blue Hills, stopped by the local REI. Using the $34 earned dividends, plus a 20% off coupon, picked up a pair of Merrill Radius Waterproof shoes. Paid around $55, about half off. It does pay to be an REI member if you like to buy gear.

[Jamie C]

Doin a short overnight loop on Greylock tomorrow!

[dudley]

NEPilgrim, on 04 Apr 2010 - 10:53 AM, said:

picked up a pair of Merrill Radius Waterproof shoes. Paid around $55, about half off.

I recently found a pair of those at the local Salvation Army store. Brandy new condition.
$4.49

[Jamie C]

Just got home from an overnighter in Greylock.

REI Mars pack performed very well! Had a few beefs with it, but it wasn't with the pack, it ended up being with my outerwear. Hip belts crossed over 2 rivets on my pants that pushed into my hips causing it to be sore there. But if I wear my other pants w/o rivets, shouldn't be a problem! Plenty of room (room to spare) with everything I needed and things I didn't to for an overnighter. Straps cinched down very well to make pack seem lighter, and was very comfortable going both up and downhill (did a lot of up yesterday). Overall 1st trip out with the pack I'm very happy so far and I'll report back after a few more trips with anything else i really like/dislike.

As far as Greylock goes, we did the Loop from Roaring brook Rd, up Stony Ledge Trail, down Sperry Rd, down campground trail and up Deer Hill trail to spend the night at the lean to. Then in the morning we continued up Deer hill trail, down roaring brook trail back to the car. All in all I believe it was around 7 or 8 miles total loop. 1st hiking I've done in Greylock and I had no idea the opprotunities that were there, many many nice hiking trails from beginner to the advanced that like to summit many small peaks. (summit is listed at 3491')

See you on the trails!

[NEPilgrim]

dudley, on 11 Apr 2010 - 09:54 AM, said:

NEPilgrim, on 04 Apr 2010 - 10:53 AM, said:

picked up a pair of Merrill Radius Waterproof shoes. Paid around $55, about half off.

I recently found a pair of those at the local Salvation Army store. Brandy new condition.
$4.49

Good Lord...What a deal, man!

Hey Jamie, glad you got up to Greylock & tested out the pack. Sounds like it worked fine for ya! I still haven't gotten away yet, and I'm really chompin at the bit.