Sue and I drove out to Miller State Park on Monday (Oct 6th) and hiked from the top of Pack Monadnock to the peak of North Pack. It was a great day with a bit of a chill. We had a bit of wind when we got to the top, a great lunch, and as we were packing up we looked behind us to see an impending rain storm bearing down on us. Fortunately it skirted a bit to the north and we only felt a few drops. it took us 2.5 hours to get to the peak and 2 hours back.
We didn't exactly remember to charge the batteries in the camera but we did take a couple off of our phones which I'll post up soon.
It's been a while since I've gone on a real hike and as with the last time, I miss it already.
Happy 77th Birthday Dad - Glad we could see you again.
Dan-O
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Rained out
So it has been a while since the last post and while the threat of rain wouldn't have stopped others I'm sure, we decided not to risk it today and probably good thing as we did get some late day T-Storms.
We're going to look at doing something later this week, perhaps the 1st leg of the Wapack.
On another note - we went camping not to long ago in Letchworth State park in New York. We got to do some light walking down to some of the falls. I was able to shoot quite a bit of video as well which should be posted up soon. I am looking forward to to getting back there sometime for some real hiking, the gorge was truly amazing.
We're going to look at doing something later this week, perhaps the 1st leg of the Wapack.
On another note - we went camping not to long ago in Letchworth State park in New York. We got to do some light walking down to some of the falls. I was able to shoot quite a bit of video as well which should be posted up soon. I am looking forward to to getting back there sometime for some real hiking, the gorge was truly amazing.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
AT Hiking
Last Thursday Sue and I went to a talk at the NPL of a person's experiences with hiking the AT. He's been hiking it in sections (I guess he didn't have the 6 months to do the whole thing at once.)
I found it interesting to actually see his lightweight gear. He built his own tent, sleeping bag (well comforter - 3 season...) and even back pack. He also made mention of the 'new' trend in tents - offset hammocks. Seems like a trip to EMS is in order soon.
He also had built one of the soda can alcohol stoves. Something I'd like to look into.
Well, just a brief update... Alex is over in Germany. The weather here is starting to get better so I think it is time to start researching some springtime activity.
I found it interesting to actually see his lightweight gear. He built his own tent, sleeping bag (well comforter - 3 season...) and even back pack. He also made mention of the 'new' trend in tents - offset hammocks. Seems like a trip to EMS is in order soon.
He also had built one of the soda can alcohol stoves. Something I'd like to look into.
Well, just a brief update... Alex is over in Germany. The weather here is starting to get better so I think it is time to start researching some springtime activity.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Wapack Trail - Middle section
Today we hiked the middle section of the Wapack Trail. 7.1 miles from the trailhead on rt 123/124 to rt. 101. - Miller State Park. The weather - gorgeous - Highs in the upper 60's, lower 70's, plenty of sun with not a cloud in the sky. There was a cool breeze at the top in some of the open sections, but not enough to warrant breaking out the fleece. The trail overall was pretty dry, a couple of moist spots here and there but not much more than that.
First off - here are photos from the trip. I am not going to link them inline with the blog at this time, though perhaps in the future I will.
Overall, the trip took us 5 hours which included many short scenic breaks and a 30 min break for lunch at the top of holt peak. Though this trip was longer, I do think that the northern section of the Wapack was a bit more strenuous.
The hike started off by no more than a gentle walk through the woods which eventually hooked up with an old road. (The third NH turnpike if I remember the guide book correctly.) We passed by a small private pond and a couple of buildings owned by the Wildcat Partnership (A quick web search yields nothing.) We figure it must be a camp of some sort. Also of note on this section was a wonderful stream crossing built into the stone wall which lined the side of the trail.
This path led us to cross Nashua Road and continue down Temple road where after a half a mile perhaps, there is another trailhead which begins the trek into the mountains (well, up and over Temple mountain that is.) It took us just about an hour to get to this point and, if we were to do this hike again, probably an hour I would suggest skipping.
Temple mountain is made up of several peaks and the Wapack from this point heads up and over the ridge-line connecting 6 of them together.
[Tangent] I don't actually know what makes a 'peak' a 'peak'. There are only 3 named peaks on Temple Mountain and this trail connects 2 of them. [End of Tangent]
The first 1/2 mile of this trail is the longest, steepest section that we encountered. it has many outlooks on either side of the trail, but none would ever overlook both sides of the mountain. Some crazy people long ago felt the need to build a good 'ol fashioned New England Rock Wall along a good portion of this trail (or probably more appropriately, the Wapack follows these boundary lines.)
The trail gently began to even out more and throughout the rest of the trip, we'd only encounter a couple of brief steeper sections. Before we knew it, we were at Burton Peak and we got our first great view of Monadnock. (It is calling to us.) In the photos you'll see that there is some clear cutting and according to www.wapack.org "The Berry Pasture Trail on Mountain Road in Sharon is temporarily closed for a timber harvest,' which would explain this.
A short while later we arrived at the very unimpressive 'Holt Peak' where we did stop and have some lunch and relaxed for a few. (The Pats incidentally were up 35 to 7 over the Dolphins, or something crazy like that at this point. I knew I wouldn't have to check again until we got done.)
On the next peak north from here, we found the first of some rather unique Cairns. Someone had also took the time to build two large ones side by side. We stopped for some more photos and trekked further north. At this point, neither of us were really impressed with the hike, though the few views and fantastic weather helped, I think we were doubting if we would return (Save for a thru hike of the entire Wapack Trail.)
Then we found the chairs. Situated atop an open stone face, 7 stone cairns in the form f 'chairs' are spread out amongst the peak. We needed, and took, another break. Some were comfortable, some were not. We thank those brave, and eccentric souls who put that much work into that project and have named that unnamed peak - Lazy Boy Peak.
The remainder of the trip opened up great views of Pack Monandnock as we descended down the ski area trails. The Wapack was a bit obscure to find in some places and the terrain in others was covered in small stones. We were glad when the trail diverged off of these and onto grassier terrain. We followed the trail back into Miller State Park (though our car was back across the street,) and a well timed hiker snapped the last photo of us, standing next to the sign which began our trip a couple of weeks back.
Would I do this trip again (aside from when we want to do a thru hike of the entire trail?) Probably at some point yes. I guess in the end reflecting back I did have a great time and the views at points were wonderful. I would defiantly avoid the first hour of the trip again if I could and choose to begin at the second tail head.
On another note, the new pack was great, I barely noticed all of the extra weight I was carrying on this trip. I had also folded the map up into a zip top bag and placed it on the front cargo pocket of the shorts I was wearing and we were constantly referencing it unlike the last time. I will no doubt make this my new common practice.
First off - here are photos from the trip. I am not going to link them inline with the blog at this time, though perhaps in the future I will.
Overall, the trip took us 5 hours which included many short scenic breaks and a 30 min break for lunch at the top of holt peak. Though this trip was longer, I do think that the northern section of the Wapack was a bit more strenuous.
The hike started off by no more than a gentle walk through the woods which eventually hooked up with an old road. (The third NH turnpike if I remember the guide book correctly.) We passed by a small private pond and a couple of buildings owned by the Wildcat Partnership (A quick web search yields nothing.) We figure it must be a camp of some sort. Also of note on this section was a wonderful stream crossing built into the stone wall which lined the side of the trail.
This path led us to cross Nashua Road and continue down Temple road where after a half a mile perhaps, there is another trailhead which begins the trek into the mountains (well, up and over Temple mountain that is.) It took us just about an hour to get to this point and, if we were to do this hike again, probably an hour I would suggest skipping.
Temple mountain is made up of several peaks and the Wapack from this point heads up and over the ridge-line connecting 6 of them together.
[Tangent] I don't actually know what makes a 'peak' a 'peak'. There are only 3 named peaks on Temple Mountain and this trail connects 2 of them. [End of Tangent]
The first 1/2 mile of this trail is the longest, steepest section that we encountered. it has many outlooks on either side of the trail, but none would ever overlook both sides of the mountain. Some crazy people long ago felt the need to build a good 'ol fashioned New England Rock Wall along a good portion of this trail (or probably more appropriately, the Wapack follows these boundary lines.)
The trail gently began to even out more and throughout the rest of the trip, we'd only encounter a couple of brief steeper sections. Before we knew it, we were at Burton Peak and we got our first great view of Monadnock. (It is calling to us.) In the photos you'll see that there is some clear cutting and according to www.wapack.org "The Berry Pasture Trail on Mountain Road in Sharon is temporarily closed for a timber harvest,' which would explain this.
A short while later we arrived at the very unimpressive 'Holt Peak' where we did stop and have some lunch and relaxed for a few. (The Pats incidentally were up 35 to 7 over the Dolphins, or something crazy like that at this point. I knew I wouldn't have to check again until we got done.)
On the next peak north from here, we found the first of some rather unique Cairns. Someone had also took the time to build two large ones side by side. We stopped for some more photos and trekked further north. At this point, neither of us were really impressed with the hike, though the few views and fantastic weather helped, I think we were doubting if we would return (Save for a thru hike of the entire Wapack Trail.)
Then we found the chairs. Situated atop an open stone face, 7 stone cairns in the form f 'chairs' are spread out amongst the peak. We needed, and took, another break. Some were comfortable, some were not. We thank those brave, and eccentric souls who put that much work into that project and have named that unnamed peak - Lazy Boy Peak.
The remainder of the trip opened up great views of Pack Monandnock as we descended down the ski area trails. The Wapack was a bit obscure to find in some places and the terrain in others was covered in small stones. We were glad when the trail diverged off of these and onto grassier terrain. We followed the trail back into Miller State Park (though our car was back across the street,) and a well timed hiker snapped the last photo of us, standing next to the sign which began our trip a couple of weeks back.
Would I do this trip again (aside from when we want to do a thru hike of the entire trail?) Probably at some point yes. I guess in the end reflecting back I did have a great time and the views at points were wonderful. I would defiantly avoid the first hour of the trip again if I could and choose to begin at the second tail head.
On another note, the new pack was great, I barely noticed all of the extra weight I was carrying on this trip. I had also folded the map up into a zip top bag and placed it on the front cargo pocket of the shorts I was wearing and we were constantly referencing it unlike the last time. I will no doubt make this my new common practice.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
New Gear
I bought a new pack this week, the EMS NorthPeak 50. It has a lot more room than my old pack, and fits much better. I was flopping back and forth between this one and one made by Gregory. All of the packs from them fit, and felt great. They were a bit more expensive but that wasn't the only reason I chose the EMS one.
I also picked up a book titled 'Cookery' by NOLS (The National Outdoor Leadership School.) The book seems great with many recipes, though it's not quite what I thought it would be. The book focuses on portioning and multi day, multi person trips (so far,) and I don't see myself there yet. (Multi day, yes, Base camp near the car somewhere - also yes.)
This week I also went to a backpacking clinic at EMS. I was pleasantly surprised to find out it wasn't a glorified sales pitch and very much, 'this is the information you need to know.' It was however more of an outline of what you need to know, than any hard useful information.
The outline covered; first aid, survival skills, cooking, not getting lost, trip planning, LNT*, gear selection including clothing, tents, cookware, water filtration, and more.
[LNT - Leave No Trace - I have to tangent a moment, I felt like I was at UPS all of a sudden when he called it LNT - Everything at UPS has some sort of acronym to it. DECR, DLN, PLARSTAC, and UPS to name a few.]
The follow up to this clinic was yesterday (Saturday the 13'th,) with a hike up Mt. Oceola, and though I really wanted to go, and should have gone, I do need to get some different clothes for this cooler weather.
I think though, that I will suggest this hike as our trip for next weekend.
I also picked up a book titled 'Cookery' by NOLS (The National Outdoor Leadership School.) The book seems great with many recipes, though it's not quite what I thought it would be. The book focuses on portioning and multi day, multi person trips (so far,) and I don't see myself there yet. (Multi day, yes, Base camp near the car somewhere - also yes.)
This week I also went to a backpacking clinic at EMS. I was pleasantly surprised to find out it wasn't a glorified sales pitch and very much, 'this is the information you need to know.' It was however more of an outline of what you need to know, than any hard useful information.
The outline covered; first aid, survival skills, cooking, not getting lost, trip planning, LNT*, gear selection including clothing, tents, cookware, water filtration, and more.
[LNT - Leave No Trace - I have to tangent a moment, I felt like I was at UPS all of a sudden when he called it LNT - Everything at UPS has some sort of acronym to it. DECR, DLN, PLARSTAC, and UPS to name a few.]
The follow up to this clinic was yesterday (Saturday the 13'th,) with a hike up Mt. Oceola, and though I really wanted to go, and should have gone, I do need to get some different clothes for this cooler weather.
I think though, that I will suggest this hike as our trip for next weekend.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)