Appalachian Trail - Vermont

There are 150 miles of the Appalachian Trail in Vermont. The southern 100 miles of which overlaps with the Vermont Long Trail. The A.T. follows the ridge of the southern Green Mountains. In Vermont, there are 10 trails into the Appalachian Trail.

NOTE: Vermont is not a hitch-hike friendly state. If you are a section hiker planning a trip, be sure your reservation includes a shuttle or arrange other transportation.

1) Norwich

This easy out-and-back trail near the town of Norwich is 7.4 miles long and takes 4 - 4.5 hours to complete. Local trail maps are available free at the Norwich town hall offices.

2) Woodstock to West Hartford

This easy point-to-point trail near the town of Woodstock is 13.6miles long and takes 7 hours to complete. The shelter is located about 1 mile past the halfway point making this an easy hike to turn into an overnight backpacking trip. Another easy option is to turn this into smaller day hikes. With at least 3 road crossings on this trail, this is easily accomplished.

3) Killington to Woodstock

This moderate to strenuous point-to-point trail near the town of Rutland is 21.6 miles long and takes 12 - 12.5 hours to complete. This trail is appealing to day hikers with the possibilities of car-camping and Inns right on the trail. This trail passes through a sustained wilderness between Killington and Woodstock.

4) Killington Peak - North

This moderate to strenuous point-to-point trail near the town of Rutland is 5.7 miles long and takes 4 - 4.5 hours to complete. The trail to Killington Peak is a north-south excursion that starts out gentle and progresses to a good climb. With an elevation gain of 2,091 feet, reaching the top is a satisfying achievement. Killington Peak offers some of the best views in southern New England.

5) Killington Peak - South

This strenuous point-to-point trail near the town of North Shrewsbury is 7.3 miles long and takes 5 - 5.5 hours to complete. Killington Peak is the second highest in Vermont. With an elevation gain of 2,841 feet, this is a rewarding hike, just getting there. Strong winds and dense fog are common at the top.

6) Clarendon Gorge & Cold River

This easy to moderate point-to-point trail near the town of Wallingford is 9.2 miles long and takes 5.5 hours to complete. This hike offers a variety of landscapes without major climbing.

7) Little Rock Pond & White Rocks

This easy to moderate point-to-point trail near the town of Wallingford is 9 miles long and takes 5 - 5.5 hours to complete. Lots to see on this trail, between the natural geology and the woods. Little Rock Pond and White Rocks Cliff are among the most popular A.T. sites in Vermont. With a total elevation gain of 1,060 feet this hike is just a little work.

8) Bromley Mountain

This strenuous point-to-point trail near the town of Manchester is 17.3 miles long and takes 10 hours to complete. The elevation gain of only 1,629 feet is deceiving. The pathways are graced with ferns and wildflowers which makes the trail more enjoyable.

9) Stratton Mountain & Stratton Pond

This strenuous point-to-point trail near the town of Stratton Village is 17.5 miles long and takes 10 hours to complete. This hike has two points that are worth the trek, Stratton Mountain and Stratton Pond.

10) Glastenbury Mountain

This strenuous point-to-point trail near the town of Bennington is 22.6 miles long and takes 13 hours to complete. The wilderness on this hike is remote and beautiful. Several camp sites and lots of climbing.

It seems there is always a loose stream of hikers along the trails. Some of these hikers may keep pace with you for a while. This provides companionship, conversation, and advice even if you stated alone, you may find a companion along the way.

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Kapiti Island New Zealand

New Zealand is a natural playground for those who love to enjoy what Mother Nature is able to create. The diverse terrain ranging from lush rainforests to icy glaciers makes a visit here special in almost any area of the country but along the Kapiti coast north of Wellington lies a little gem many tourists don't check out. Kapiti island is a 10 km long, 2 km wide island with a world renowned bird sanctuary inside a natural preservation area specifically to keep out pests that might harm the rich bird life which can be found here. It is a lovely place for hike on the pristine trails or an overnight stay at the Kapiti Nature Lodge, the only accommodation available on the island if you plan on hiking all the trails.

There are many activities to take in on Kapiti Island, from bird watching to snorkelling. The waters here are brilliantly clear with three different marine habitats that can be observed, which is quite rare in itself. There are really two distinct areas on Kapiti Island - Rangatira and the North End, which is important to know because you'll need a permit from the Department of Conservation to visit either area, so plan your trip ahead of time to avoid headaches with the permits.

Rangatira is the part of Kapiti Island with the highest point on the island, Tuteremoana at 521 meters, which offers spectacular views and photo opportunities. Hiking up to the summit takes about 2 hours on one of two tracks - Wilkinson Track is a 3.8 km steady, well formed trail and Trig Track is only 2 km but considerably steeper, requiring at least a medium level of fitness to traverse. A bonus for the Wilkinson Track hikers is the hihi or stitchbird feeder station where you might be able to get a glimpse of this rare but active and very social bird. Other birds to be found in the forest in this area include weka, kaka, bellbird, tui, kereru, and takahe. At the start of both tracks is the oldest building on the island, a ware, one of the oldest nature conservation buildings in the country.

In the North End you'll find 3 hiking trails - the Lagoon Walk, Okupe Look Walk, and Boulder Bank Loop Track. The Lagoon walk takes you to the northern coast of the island and is the shortest of the walks in this area at only 850 meters. The Okupe Look Walk is a 4.8 km hike through regenerating forest to the north-wester lookout point. The Boulder Bank Loop takes you along the northern coast around the Boulder Bank but it is closed from October to March due to seabirds that nest in the area of the trail.

Stay on the tracks and respect the birds while on Kapiti Island, keeping on the marked tracks so you don't disturb the natural order of the bird life here. That being said, watch yourself as two species of bird, the weka and kaka, are known pickpockets and will scround around in your bags if left un-attended. Book in advance to get your permits and decide if you want to stay a night at the Kapiti Nature Lodge for the full experience. Anybody visiting Wellington should consider this little island sanctuary for a day tour as its proximity to the city and unique bird life make it well worth the visit.

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Appalachian Trail - Eastern Maine

The Appalachian Trail is America's first National Scenic Trail. It stretches from Katahdin Mountain in Maine to Springer Mountain in the Chattahoochee National Forest in Georgia.

Established in the 1920's, originally it was to be a greenway between the states. These days, it has become the most popular trail for hikers that want to see the Appalachian Mountains. The Appalachian Trail stretches 2,160 miles and is a well-maintained hiking only trail. Conveniently spaced along the trail are shelters for overnight stays.

In Maine, the Appalachian Trail is 281 miles. This stretch of the trail includes some of the most difficult sections. There are a number of trails that are suitable for day hikes or short backpacking hikes.

There are 22 different hiking trails within the state of Maine. The first 6 are generally considered to be in eastern Maine and provide several days worth of hiking adventure and natural wonders.

1) Mount Katahdin

Mount Katahdin starts the Appalachian Trail near the town of Millinocket. This is the northernmost trail and is a 10.4 mile hike that takes you out and back. With a top elevation of 5,267 feet, this is a very strenuous hike that takes 9 to 10 hours to complete. The Katahdin Stream Falls are found on this hike.

2) Baxter Ponds

Near the city of Millinocket, this easy to moderate trail winds along a number of waterways. Baxter Ponds trail is a 9.9 mile point-to-point hike. With an elevation gain of only 540 feet, this trail takes about 5 and 1/2 hours to complete. Things to see along this trail include the Nesowadnehunk Stream and waterfalls, the West Branch of Penobscot River and various ponds.

3) Northern Lake Country

This is a 17.4 mile, point-to-point moderate trail near the city of Greenville that takes 12 hours to complete. With tall trees, placid lakes, and surging streams, this northernmost part of the wilderness has no roads crossing the trail, and no place for supplies before reaching Abol Bridge.

4) Central Lake Country

This moderate point-to-point trail is near the city of Greenville takes 6 hours to complete and is 8.3 miles of some of the most beautiful country in the Maine woods. The trail includes an old-growth white pine forest and spectacular views of sparkling lakes, even the imposing granite face of Mt. Katahdin. Crescent Pond and Pollywog Gorge are along this trail.

5) Southern Lake Country

This moderate to strenuous point-to-point trail near the city of Millinocket is 14.9 miles long and takes 10 hours to complete. This is a walk through Maine's Lake Country. This is a rugged lowland that was first etched by glacial ice.

6) White Cap Mountain

This 28.1 mile strenuous point-to-point route near Brownville Junction is a backpacking trip over White Cap's summit. With an elevation gain of 2,994 feet, this trail takes 17 hours to complete.

The Appalachian Trail offers some of the most scenic spots and an array of natural wonders. Hiking and camping offer an economical, relaxing way to discover the wonders of the world.

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Satellite Phone Vs GPS For Hiking Trips In The Wilderness

Every hiking trip that is going to last overnight or longer should have at least one of the following on the trip for each person or group that heads into the wilderness. A GPS with maps of the area or a basic satellite phone, compass, and map.

At least one should be on the trip so that you can always find your way out if you get lost or disoriented. This is the number one cause of search and rescue teams to be deployed. The best of the best of top survivalists will state without hesitation that even they are not exempt from getting lost in the wild.

This should be a strong hint that the average person should also take heed of the inherent dangers of trekking off into the wild without some sensible safety precautions in place. A GPS or a satellite phone can save your life if you are lost. What we have to do is figure out which is the best one for our situation.

Let's start with a comparison of each one's abilities and how they are used. The GPS is a global positioning system that can pinpoint your current location by receiving a signal from satellites and triangulating your position within a few meters.

Modern technology has now come up with services that can send messages that you are OK, give your position, and even send an emergency location and call for help. The problem with this product is it is a one task unit and does not give you maps and way points so you can navigate while you are in the wild.

A hand held GPS only gives you maps and way points so that you can navigate out in the wild. So, it is also a one hit wonder, also.

The satellite phone gives you a way to communicate from any location you might end up in, but they are costly. You can also get your coordinates to use with a map or your GPS, but you could buy a hand held GPS and a GPS beacon for a fraction of the cost of a satellite phone.

Either way, if you are on a long hike, you will still need a good solar charger for hiking to charge any configuration that you choose, so don't forget to calculate that cost in your setup.

To most avid hikers, a hand held GPS and a GPS beacon is the best match for hikers who are taking overnight or longer trips into the great outdoors.

This ensures you can press one button and signal for help with the beacon and have the standard GPS for your personal navigation to prevent you from getting lost while enjoying the great outdoors.

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The Osprey Aether 70 Backpack

The Osprey Aether 70 Backpack comes with a number of useful and practical features. It looks good and is comfortable to carry. The shoulder straps come with a compression strap across the chest that holds the shoulder straps close together. The pack is also designed to rest most of its weight on the backpacker's hips instead of the shoulders. It comes with waistbands that adapt to the person's body contours and transfers the load onto the hips. The LightWire alloy peripheral-frame suspension system keeps the pack in shape and makes it easy to carry.

The Osprey Aether 70 comes with a 3-liter hydration sleeve to carry water. A tube can be fitted to the hydration sleeve to drink water directly from the pack instead of having to remove it from the sleeve. There are mesh side pockets that can carry water bottles or fuel bottles for a camping stove. There are more pockets to store tent poles and other accessories. One of the great features of the pack is that it has a day pack that can be detached and carried separately. It can be used to hold maps, cameras and other scouting accessories. If needed, trekkers can offload the main pack, wrap the day pack around their waist and scout around the area to find a good place to pitch camp.

There are loops and straps at the sides to wrap hiking poles. This keeps the poles easily accessible at any time. Fishing poles can also be inserted here or in one of the sleeves at the sides of the pack. The back of the pack is aerated with mesh material and bands to keep the back free of sweat. The sleeping bag can be accessed at the very bottom of the pack. The back of the pack has a stretchable sleeve that can hold an array of sundry items like raincoats or flashlights that one might have to access in a hurry.

Most backpacks in this category have a top-down access. The Aether pack also loads from the top, but it also has a side access panel through which items can be reached through the side zipper. Trekkers can carry their tent, cooking pots, water filter, stove, food, clothes, towels and everything needed for a week-long solo with this pack. The Osprey Aether 70 comes in large, medium and small sizes and in tundra, magna and dusk colors.

Tips on Keeping a Backpacking Journal

When going on a backpacking trip, a journal should be a "must do" activity. Unfortunately, keeping a daily journal to chronicle events experienced has declined over the years. It used to be that journal keeping was common. Almost everyone kept a personal diary at home and certainly kept a journal of any trips taken. There are historical biographies that would not exist today had it not been for people keeping accurate journals.

For many, the time spent traveling will provide some of the most vivid memories of their lives. However, memories fade. Keeping some record of your backpacking trip is an excellent idea and will help keep the experience fresh in your mind long after your return.

Thankfully, all of the backpacking trips I have taken are documented in journals and those journals have been moved to my computer and arranged in book form where I included many of the pictures taken on those backpacking trips. The memories made on each adventure can be relived whenever I choose to relive them. For me, I would deeply regret not being able to recall the wonderful adventures taken. Had I not kept journals, the majority of those memories would have faded away with time.

Even if you don't like to write that much, at least write down a few notes about each day. By starting with small entries you will be surprised how you will start expanding your notes each day. (And even going back and adding notes to earlier days -- I know, that's how I developed the habit.)

Taking Photographs

You know the old saying, "a picture is worth a thousand words". Photographs can really bring to life your memories of the experiences on your backpacking trip. If you are not a pro, don't worry about it. You can use an inexpensive digital pocket camera to take some very fine photographs. The technology in cameras is so much better today. You should see the difference in comparison of my earliest backpacking trips' pictures compared to my last trip. In years, the difference was 16 years; in quality they are worlds apart! And the digital camera I used on my last backpacking trip cost much less than the camera used on the first trip.

When taking photographs during your trip, as much as possible be sure to include everyone traveling with you. I know it sounds corny, but my 13-year old grandson really was impressed by seeing pictures of his Dad in my backpacking journal from a backpacking trip when his Dad was a 17-year old. Now my grandson can hardly wait until he gets to go backpacking. Taking photographs really bring back those wonderful memories.

Make Your Journal All You Want It To Be

A few suggestions regarding things to remember about a backpacking journal:
• Take a small journal. Lugging around a 5-subject spiral notebook is overkill and takes up too much space.
• Keep your journal in a freezer bag to keep any moisture away from it.
• Before your departure log who, if anyone, is with you on your backpacking trip.

A good backpacking journal should contain certain criteria:
• It should be compact enough to not take up much room in your backpack;
• It should fit easily into a waterproof and airtight container like a freezer bag;
• It should have enough blank pages to accommodate all your logs;
• The journal should have cues to remind you to keep notes on specifics.

Here are a few cues that might spark your memory of your day's adventure:
• Where were you when this day began.
• What were the weather conditions on this day.
• What route did you cover today.
• What was your favorite memory, or memories of the day.
• Did you meet a new friend, and did you choose to get their address for future communication.
• What meal or meals did you enjoy most today.
• Where did you end this day.
• Where did you spend this night (i.e., name of hostel, hotel, or other location).
• If this was an extra special day, would the details entered in your journal be enough to pass on your memories to a friend, or your children and grandchildren?

A good way to check that your journal is all you want it to be at the end of each day, ask yourself the following questions:
• Did I get contact information for all the new friends made on this day of the trip?
• Did I include enough detail on this day to provide myself or a friend with a guide if you should return to the same location?
• Did I include all this day's memories?
• Is this entry something that I look forward to passing on to my friends, children, and grandchildren?

Please do not fall in to the trap of thinking that you can remember your every experience and write them down when you get home. Chances are great you will not remember a lot of things that happened on your backpacking trip to Europe. A well kept backpacking journal will help you relive the experience for the rest of your life and hopefully be a journal you would be proud to pass down to your children and grandchildren.

Blogging Your Trip

An additional method to making you journal all you want it to be is blogging while you are on your trip. There is an online service that will help you keep an online blog of your trip: travellerspoint.com. Of course, this is optional and recommended only if you know that you take along a laptop and can be consistent in doing daily entries. Otherwise, we recommend just sticking with your daily journal. But your ultimate goal should be: Make the trip of a lifetime remembered for a lifetime.

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Kelty Redwing 50 Review

The Kelty Redwing 50 is a very robust and versatile internal frame pack. It has a volume of 3100 cubic inches and weighs 3 pounds and 9 ounces. The pack is 25 inches in height, 18 inches in width and 14.5 inches in depth.

The main compartment is roomy enough to accommodate a lot of stuff. There are a number of pockets provided to help keep everything organized. In fact there are long pockets on the sides with sleeves that have a Velcro bottom that opens up to allow longer objects like rifles or fishing poles to be placed in the sleeve. The pack comes with a proprietary LightBeam II stay and suspension system that offers superior comfort while carrying the pack on the back.

There are several zippers provided throughout the pack to provide access to the different compartments. The zippers have flaps to prevent water or rain from entering into the compartments. Apart from the flaps, there are weather seals provided on the zippers to keep them resistant to wetness. The zippers are very high quality and can be operated smoothly with one hand. This makes it very convenient to use the Kelty Redwing 50 for a wide range of activities where only one hand might be free for accessing the pack.

Strong and sturdy daisy chains are provided at the back and very bottom of the packs to attach a wide array of accessories. The stitches over the daisy chains are strong, allowing one to carry heavy equipment as well.

The Kelty Redwing 50 uses 420-denier polyester Ball Shadow fabric for the body of the pack. It also uses 420-denier polyester Oxford reinforcement fabric to retain the shape of the pack and to make it stronger. A reservoir sleeve makes the pack hydration-compatible and helps keep the trekker fully hydrated during the trail. There are mesh pockets at the sides for water bottles as well.

All the surfaces that come in close contact with the body when the pack is being carried are made with a mesh material for good ventilation. Several ducts run throughout the suspension system to provide air flow and good ventilation. This keeps the trekker's back totally free of sweat. All the straps are padded for better comfort. But even though they are padded, they are very flexible and provide a snug fit.

Several handy features like a key fob and ice-axe loops make the Kelty Redwing 50 very versatile for a wide number of outdoor activities. The practical design and the sturdy construction of the Kelty Redwing 50 have made the back pack a consistent favorite among serious trekkers.

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