March 24, 2022 I tossed and turned in my tarptent reading for about an hour. Birds chirped, small animals skittered through the grass, and Cricket… Read More »Arizona Trail Day 13 – Back in Tucson | Average Hiker
March 23, 2022 I had thought the night before was windy, but last night was amazing! We must have been camped in a natural wind… Read More »Arizona Trail Day 12 | Average Hiker
March 22, 2022 Today proved to be a logistics challenge due to Saguaro National Park. I had tried to get a reservation at Grass Shack… Read More »Arizona Trail Day 11 | Average Hiker
March 21, 2022 Cricket was asleep when I slipped out of the hotel room door to run a few morning errands. Her feet needed their… Read More »Arizona Trail Day 10 | Average Hiker
March 20, 2022 The snores of a deep exhausted sleep kept me up most of the night, but I did not mind. The night skies… Read More »The Arizona Trail – Day 9 | Average Hiker
March 19, 2022 I don’t know how I deleted the notes from this day, but I still have the pictures, and I do remember some… Read More »Arizona Trail Day 8 – Cooper’s Dad | Average Hiker
April 18, 2022 Cricket headed out about a half-hour before me while I poked around camp and did a little writing. I enjoy hiking as… Read More »Arizona Trail Day 7 | Average Hiker
April 17, 2022 I was at Fresh Grounds when they opened at 7 AM. Cricket was sleeping, but as I left, she sleepily mumbled she… Read More »Arizona Trail Day 6 | Average Hiker
Breakfast started at Gathering Grounds, which was crowded with hikers and bikers. The food was excellent, and I rolled out ready to go shoe shopping… Read More »Arizona Trail Day 5 | Average Hiker
Summary Resources Difficulty Moderate to Hard – If hiking CCW (counterclockwise) from the parking area, you will reach the only “hard” boulder scramble in the first… Read More »Macedonia Brook Loop Trail | Average Hiker
My Arizona Trail gear was planned around a high desert environment in early Spring. Temperatures can be quite cold and very hot in the desert,… Read More »Arizona Trail Gear – Post Hike Thoughts | Average Hiker
It was chilly when I pushed my head up under my quilt, but not nearly as cold as in Parker Canyon. I did not check,… Read More »Arizona Trail Day 4 | Average Hiker
I’m using a small Blue Maestro sensor to check temperatures. It is connected via blue tooth to my phone and read 28 degrees this morning.… Read More »Arizona Trail Day 3 – Thorny Camp | Average Hiker
Last night was NIPPY! Blue Maestro reported it was 34 degrees at 7:30. There was also ice in my water bottle! I stayed snug as… Read More »Arizona Trail Day 2 | Average Hiker
We were up early and on the road by 8:30. Morgan, Lauren, and the canine pack had us at the trailhead by 10 AM. Gonzo… Read More »Arizona Trail Day One – Sourthern Terminus | Average Hiker
Early morning is my favorite time of day – quiet, peaceful, solitary. We were up at 4:15 and on the road by 4:45. This is… Read More »Arizona Trail Day Zero – Tucson Murals | Average Hiker
My Arizona Trail Resupply Plan included a mix of boxes and resupplying in town as needed. This is not just a repeat of what you… Read More »Arizona Trail Resupply Plan Details | Average Hiker
On a recent backpacking trip in New England, I reviewed the Copper Spur UL1 and was reminded of why I love free standing tents!
The Chatfield Trail is a 4.3 miles trail that travels through Cockaponset State Forest and Forster Pond State Park. There are also some private lands,… Read More »Chatfield Trail- Rocky Workout | Average Hiker
This quality-made ultralight backpack remains comfortable under the harshest conditions.
The Aspetuck Trail is a 6.9-mile blue blaze trail located in the Aspetuck River Valley in Fairfield County, Connecticut. Before joining Huntington State Park, the… Read More »Aspetuck Trail- Old Connecticut | Average Hiker
Peoples State Forest is located in Connecticut in the Farmington River Valley. This forest, combined with the American Legion State Forest, was established in 1923… Read More »People’s State Forest – Fun Hiking! | Average Hiker
I had been bush whacking through thick undergrowth, up and down ridge after ridge. Barbara Frost would soon make sure I was “found” and back in town. My encounter with her was one of my more memorable trail experiences.
The Thermarest Neoair X-Lite and Nemo Tensor Ultralight are two of the most popular backpacking sleeping pads. Which One Do I Like?
I recently reviewed the Zpacks Altaplex, and will be taking it on my next long distance hike. This review includes my selection criteria and initial asessment.
Tirrell Pond was a beautiful location on the NPT and the Fall was popping along the trail!
So, the odd thing about the old trail I set up on last night – the footprints. The trail had clearly not been used in… Read More »Northville-Placid Trail – Long Lake Views | Average Hiker
Duck Hole shelter provided the perfect trail magic on a wet, cold blustery day!
Fall colors were just starting to pop as I camped for the night above Moose Pond on the NPT.
The Northville-Placid Trail was a great choice for my Fall hike, and my gear reflected the wet trail conditions.
Although this section of trail’s buildings were a little spooky, it was a really cool, pretty section of the Benton MacKaye Trail.
Big Frog Mountain was probably the steepest climb on the Benton MacKaye Trail. Not longest but steepest.
The Enlightened Equipment Revelation 20 has improved quite a bit since I first used one. It is well-made, light, and compresses well.
Coon up a tree! – Day 7 This morning started with a brisk 700-foot climb up Fowler Mountain. Unfortunately, I don’t sleep well in town… Read More »Benton Mackaye Trail – Raccoon Up a Tree! | Average Hiker
The Katabatic Bristlecone Bivy is a well made ultralight bivy that is a good option for a fast, light backpackers.
The Katabatic Flex 22 Quilt is a definite upgrade to my last quilt. This quilt does not skimp on materials and workmanship, keeping me warm and comfortable!
Blue Ridge, GA was my destination where I would get my resupply box and new sleeping pad before getting back on the trail.
The Gossamer Gear Thinlight Pad is that piece of gear that has about 10 uses, and I’m sure if you ask other hikers that jumps to 20 – for 2.5 ounces!
Blue Ridge, GA was my destination where I would get my resupply box and new sleeping pad before getting back on the trail.
This Zpacks Duplex Review is long overdue. This is one of the lightest “ultralight” two-person Dyneema shelters on the market right now and downright ROOMY for a single hiker!