What to Bring

Imagine what 40 lbs looks like... can you?

For the last three weeks I have been lugging around a ULA catalyst comprised of duct taped zip-locks filled with play sand at varying weights. My current load is measuring in at a whooping 40 lbs. At first, each single cell within my body rejected in unison. This past Sunday, however, I noticed a change. I covered 1800 ft gain/lost in over 7 miles on nearby Grandfather Mountain in ice without "noticing" the pack weight. It could have been due to distraction from the wonderful company or perhaps, just maybe, my body is getting adjusted to the weight. 



Weight. A daily interaction since birth. How could I improve this relationship? How could I lighten my load so to speak?

Take a look at my tentative gear list selection. *indicates that this will be worn rather than carried in the pack. I'm also still in the market for a camera.

The Desert should seem like an enjoyable place given these improvements with weight saving selections in gear combined with pre-trail physical training.

Gear includes the following:

pack:        zpack arc blast 52L              
quilt:        enlightenment enigma 850DT 20 deg R/R              
liner:        sea to summit coolmax              
pad:        gg Thinlight Insulation Pad 1/8"              
tarp:         Zpack hexamid solo w/screen              
groundsheet:        tyvek look into polycryo              
stakes:        zpack 6 inch Orange Ultralight Titanium Tent Stakes (8)              
      
water treatment: sawyer mini squeeze              
                 aqua mira              
water containers: 1 liter bladders (3), 1 liter plastic bottles (3)      
      
clothes: columbia long sleeve, super bonehead (M)      
         mountain hardwear rainjacket      
         montbell down jacket      
         defeet UnD Shurt Tank womens*      
         nike pro combat compression shorts*      
         mountain hardwear skirt*      
         columbia zippants ? Rain pants or fleece      
         shock absorber bra*      
         underwear      
         injinin socks       
         smartwool       
         calve sleeves      
         defeet arm warmers      
         defeet gloves      
         smartwool beenie      

first aid: chapstick
           sunscreen
           bug repellent
           ibuprofen, naproxen, benadryl, hydrozine, and immodium pills
           tiger balm
           AD ointment
           floss, toothpaste, toothbrush denta pix, tooth powder?
           foot powder
           blister kit
           pads (2)
           handwarmers (2)
           lighter, matches
           hand sanitizer
           leatherman micro
           atheletic tape
misc: bedrock earthquack sandles       
      dirty girl gaiters*      
      altra lone peak*      
      gg trekking poles*      
      golite chrome dome umbrella      
      rope       
      mace      
      headlamp      
      guidebook, maps      
      sunglasses      

electronics: iphone 4      
              ipod nano      
              camera               
              external battery w/cords   

This is the year! This is the year?

For 9 months I've used the phrase "next year" to the point that I could make that statement without a second thought. Now, I must pause in realization that I have less than 4 months of preparation time left before I head out West to hike THIS year.

I recently completed a half marathon without any serious physical preparation. IT SUCKED! In comparison, I have completed halves in the past that included preparation and I realized how physical preparation is important for success not just physically but mentally as well. I plan on applying this lesson to my PCT thru hike preparation. I will be focusing my efforts on fitness these next few months, more specifically, my trail fitness compared to finances and/or gear.



Once a week I have set up a plan to hike double digit miles with a pack on. Yesterday I covered 10 miles with 10 lbs. My goal is to increase my pack weight up to 40 lbs over the next two weeks and gradually increase my mileage to 30 miles in a single day. I'm fortunate enough to reside in an area where I have the ability to hike these big miles practically in my backyard (less than 3 miles from my apartment).




I do have to admit that I don't have the ability to adequately prepare physically for desert hiking especially during the winter months. Any suggestions for an East Coast environment?

It has been two years since I have completed any substantial hiking trips and almost 5 years since I stepped foot on the approach trail of the AT. It's been way too long...

From My Experience...The Long Trail

The simplest comparison I have for hiking the Long Trail is to those individuals that have experience hiking the Northern Sections of the Appalachian Trail, specifically the White Mountains in New Hampshire and Southern Maine. The Long Trail is not very forgiving.

The first ~100 miles, however, going NOBO (where the AT/LT are joined) is a nice shakedown into hiking. I’d recommend hiking NOBO if you have very little experience hiking or are not in the best physical shape since the first 100 miles going NOBO are more forgiving than the other 174 miles further North.

After the split with the Appalachian Trail at the Maine Junction, the Long Trail becomes, in the words of a former AT/LT hiker, “annoying”. By annoying, I mean that there are plenty of PUDS (pointless ups and downs) throughout the day that bring you to wooded summits only to bring you back down only to climb right back up. The trail mainly travels in thick forest so you will see A LOT of greenery for miles. There is a nice gradual 18 mile stretch from VT 15 to the spur to Hazen’s Notch Camp Shelter but expect the rest of the trail to be lined with overgrown vegetation, muddy, rocky, rooty, steep, or a combination of these.

Be attentive of the blazes especially near ski areas as the trail will cross, join, intersect, or leave a ski slope(s) or snowmobile slope(s). The first 100 miles with the AT will spoil you will blazes marked at least every 5 mins but marked blazes become fewer after Maine Junction. The Long Trail guide book will warn that certain wilderness sections are poorly blaze with overgrown vegetation so pay attention and you’ll be fine.

There are rewards! Beautiful ponds, especially Stratton and Sterling Pond. Incredible vistas off of Glastenbury and Stratton firetowers, Killington Peak, Sunset Ledge, Mt Abraham, overlooks on the Lincoln Range, Camel’s Hump, Mount Mansfield, overlook on Laraway Mountain, and Jay Peak.
The Long Trail is America’s Oldest Long Distance Trail and it travels through some of Vermont’s most beautiful wilderness. It is not the Appalachian Trail; it is its own trail and surely can be quite an adventure given the right mindset. Enjoy!

More information can be found here: http://www.greenmountainclub.org/page.php?id=2
I hope this information from my experience helps in planning your next Long Trail adventure and feel free to contact me if I can be of further assistance.

From my Experience: Guidebooks for the Long Trail

I carried the Vermont's Long Trail Waterproof Hiking Map 4th Edition

(https://www.greenmountainclub.org/product_detail.php?sku=2216) and kept it in my pocket. I enjoyed having easy access to trail’s upcoming profiles. I found that some of the climbs look steeper than they really were. Jay Peak, for example, was not as bad of a grade as I thought it was going to be. Camel’s Hump’s profile looks crazy on the map but it was a quick, steep climb followed by a long, long, long decent. The mileage on the map did not always match up with the mileage from the End to Ender’s Guide or the Long Trail Guide. I was told by a caretaker that this map is one of the best that is currently available for the Long Trail. The accuracy of the map has been enhanced through the use of GPS technology. I highly recommend carrying this map.

I also carried the End-to-Ender's Guide, 18th Edition 2011 (https://www.greenmountainclub.org/product_detail.php?sku=2225). I relied on this guide for town information and shelter information. I found that the organization of the book to be confusing at times especially since I was use to the setup of the The Handbook for the AT, which is also authored by Bob McCaw. There are separate sections for the distance between shelters, descriptions of shelters, town information, and “other” information. I found several typos regarding mileage. There are other typos regarding town information as well, such as the price for the Green Mountain House Hostel and the Green Mountain Inn being hiker friendly. Information regarding shelters in the shelter information is outdated. Emily Proctor Shelter, for example, should have excellent views and be vulnerable in bad weather but that is not the case. The view is completely overgrown by trees and it appears to be well protected from winds. The guide state’s that there is a hand pump for water at Shooting Star Shelter. Not true! The water source is a stream 500 ft below the shelter and it was dry during my experience.

Finally, I also carried the Long Trail Guide, 26th Edition (https://www.greenmountainclub.org/product_detail.php?sku=2200 ). I loved this book! The mileage in this book would usually agree with the End to Ender’s Guide but would sometimes disagree with the map mileage. I enjoyed reading the descriptions of the upcoming trails and shelters. There was not information regarding town stops but plenty of information regarding the shelters and trails. It also provided information on what you were looking at from the vistas and historical information of the area/shelters. I got in the habit of reading at night the section of trail I was going to hike the following day and found that it was spot on.

I would recommend carrying all three.

From my Experience: Towns

Towns are a part of the trail experience and I have a few must stops to recommend.

(1)        Whistlestop Café   – I’ve only heard good things about this dinner even though I didn’t stop there. Something about their sweet potato fries, and ice cream sundaes… http://www.menupix.com/vermont/restaurants/4501484/Whistle-Stop-Restaurant-North-Clarendon-VT

(2)        Manchester Center, VT – make sure to make a reservation at the Green Mountain House Hostel run by Jeff at a cost of $20. He will pick you up in Manchester Center, take you back to the Hostel, and then take you back to the trailhead. This price includes a warm, homey feeling house, shower, laundry, loan clothes, a pint of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, tv, internet, and kitchen. No alcohol allowed but dogs are welcome. The End to Ender’s Guide states that it is $15 dollars but that is WRONG. Your experience at the Green Mountain House Hostel will go well beyond $20 dollars…TRUST ME.

(3)        Rutland, VT – stay at the Inn at the Long Trail on VT 4. You can tent across from the Inn for FREE. Breakfast is included in the price if you get a room. This isn’t the continental breakfast you may be accustomed to at a HOJO along an interstate. It is AMAZING!!!! The pub is open for lunch/dinner and has live bands on the weekends. I’d recommend the soda bread and beef stew. If you have time, hitch 15 miles West to the Long Trail Brewery and have lunch/dinner.

(4)        Waitsfield, VT – laundry, resupply, and The Hyde Away Inn and Restaurant (http://www.hydeawayinn.com/) Excellent service and a little pricey for what I’m use to but the food was fantastic, relaxing atmosphere, hospitable staff, and they even folded our laundry for us. Highly recommend stopping here and mentally prepping for Burnt Rock Mountain, Camel’s Hump, Bolton Mountain, and Mount Mansfield leading into Stowe.

(5)        Richmond, VT – isn’t far from the trail and was an easy hitch from VT 2. Excellent local diner and a grocery store for resupply. I recommend this option rather than a resupply at the PO at Jonesville OR you could always do both.

(6)        Stowe, VT – eat at Frida’s! http://www.fridastaqueria.com/ MOST AMAZING FOOD EVER!!!! The End to Ender’s guide recommends staying at the Green Mountain Inn especially if you are a GMC member (which I am) for $79.50/night…DON’T! Not hiker friendly. I recommend going to the visitor center a few blocks from the Green Mountain Inn (http://www.gostowe.com/about/visitor-services) and ask about lodging. We found a sweet room for 4 above Frida’s for $97 (split 4 ways). Stowe is a typical tourist town. I would recommend getting a maple creamee while doing your laundry in Stowe.

(7)        Johnson, VT – If you can swing an additional night in Stowe instead of staying in Johnson, I’d recommend it. The grocery store in Johnson recently closed so the last sweet resupply going NOBO is the Shaw’s in Stowe. If you are planning on resupplying in Johnson, then I would recommend a maildrop to that location.

(8)        North Troy, VT – stay at the North Troy Bed and Breakfast with Sam and Norm. Words cannot experience their hospitality and willingness to help hikers. Sam cooks a mean vegetarian breakfast in the morning. They have the most adorable cat too. Prices are completely reasonable. $35 dollars for a single and $60 for a double. If you are planning a SOBO, they will give you a ride to the trailhead. If you are a NOBO and you just finished your hike, they are willing in pick you up from/near the trailhead if you have cell service to contact them. Also, Norm works in Bennington, VT during the week and will be more than happy to let you accompany him on his drive to work. This is a great opportunity if you are trying to get back to some sort of civilization to travel home as Bennington has bus options or perhaps even a rental car.

From My Experience...My New Gear/Cell Service

My New Gear
I LOVED my ULA circuit. (http://www.ula-equipment.com/circuit.asp) I met two SOBO LT hikers carrying the same pack and they had nothing but good things to say as well. I began with 30 lbs on my back and the pack carried it very well. I could easily get to items on the side pouches as well as the front mesh pocket. Very durable and held up for all 279 miles.
My poles from gossamer gear (http://gossamergear.com/trekking/lt3c-trekking-poles.html), however, are a different story. The tips of each pole were completely bent by 220 miles. I love that they are lightweight but I’m not so sure what’s going on with the tips. I might be a little to hard on these types of poles.

Dirty Girl Gaiters (http://www.dirtygirlgaiters.com/) are a must if you are hiking in trail runners! I cannot stand getting mud, rocks, leaves, dirt, etc. in my shoes and these held up the whole way. I did not have any problems with the Velcro attached to the heel of my shoes even when I sank knee deep in mud. For $17 (which includes shipping) you can’t go wrong. I even washed them with my laundry and they came out clean. Very breathable and light. The only complaint is that you have to take your shoes on and off to remove the gaiters, which I can live with.

My Evernew Titanium Minimalist Set (http://www.antigravitygear.com/evernew-titanium-minimalist-set-eca268.html) did not let me down. I did not try the option of wood as fuel and just stuck with alcohol. Very simple, durable, and lightweight. It trapped the heat much longer than I expected keeping my dinner warm long after the fire went out (which was unfortunate for my tongue). The flames do encompass the pot so I had to use my pack towel to remove the pot so that I didn’t burn myself.

Cell Service
I have Verizon service and it was spotty at best. AT&T provided much better service. Please be aware that after Jay Peak heading north, cell phones, regardless of server, will ping off of Canadian towers, which could easily increase your monthly cell phone bill.

From my Experience: Resupply

To use a maildrop or not to use a maildrop?

In regards to the Long Trail, there are plenty of road crossing that provide a place to resupply every 2-3 days. I would recommend increasing resupply points and decreasing pack weight along the trail with the exception of the area north of VT 15 to the Canadian Border. I did see traffic on the road crossing in that area but I don’t think getting a hitch is as easy since there are not resupply points close to those roads. VT 118, for example, had a gas station 4 miles east but that might have everything you’re looking for. VT 105, 2.5 miles south of the Canadian Border, has NO resupply points near the trailhead…not a single one.

A maildrop at the Inn at the Long Trail was nice but not necessary unless you have specific dietary needs. You must ship UPS to the Long Trail! The PO in Jonesville, VT is right on the trail but you can hitch on VT 2 into Richmond, VT and eat some good food at the local diner and finish off with a resupply.

This decision is completely personal but I found that resupplying is not an issue along the trail until the area north of the VT 15 road crossing. I would encourage the reduction in pack weight by carrying out less days of food which can be accomplished by resupplying more often. Keep in mind that that might require more hitching but Vermontians are quite friendly and I did not have a problem hitching.