I used a Sawyer Squeeze on my thruhikes as a gravity feed setup and it worked incredibly well.
I carry a 70oz platypus bag with a string attatched to the end points. I will the bag with raw water, hang it from a tree or even my pack and let it drip directly into my two empty gatorade bottles...
Very sad, my heartfelt condolences to his family & friends.
Slightly off topic but worth mentioning, a couple people have mentioned wearing a helmet while hiking icy trails. A climbing helmet is specifically designed to protect from items falling from above. A cycling helmet would be more...
While hiking Isolation yesterday, we visited the Dry River Shelter #2 where I was horrified to see a patch of Giant Hogweed (Heracleum Mantegazzianum) growing less than ten feet from the shelter opening.
Giant Hogweed is a NASTY toxic plant - the sap causes huge blisters and permanent scarring...
I rented a Wild Ideas Bearikade for my PCT hike. They come on two sizes, and are made of carbon fiber - they weigh almost a pound less that the other canister-style options. Highly recommended, but pretty expensive to buy.
Just a heads up - the Bemis Stream Trail is closed for the remainder of the season due to extensive logging operations.
This trail parallels the AT, offering an opportunity for a loop hike.
Please help pass this information on to other hikers.
As I have stated many times on this forum we could REALLY use help maintaining the Grafton Loop Trail. The MATC is a wonderful group of people dedicated to maintaining trails - please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have about what is involved.
It's fun & extremely rewarding!
This has been the official notice for quite a while now - I spoke to someone at the WMNF Saco Ranger Station this week and the unofficial word is that they are working on it, and it should be reopened by the end of the summer.