Recent content by mafogle

Thanks everyone for the great advice. Reading the many trip reports it sounds like the snow down low, is old and hard, but softer and deeper higher up. Hopefully the ADK got some snow from this recent storm. Cheers!

Doug, I think you missed Lawn Sale's point - 550 paracord can support your weight in a pinch. Which is important to know if you find yourself up a creek without a climbing rope - to mix metaphors. Besides, 550 is cheap and good for so many things that you'd never want to cut up a piece of...

If I had to do what you're planning, I'd use a vapor barrier liner inside my bag. A VB liner will extend you bag's temperature rating by as much as 20F. So you'll live, you'll be uncomfortable, but you'll live. I don't know why VB liners aren't more popular, probably because they're so cheap...

A lot of good ideas - I never though to bring zip-ties or hose clamps. Here are a few things in my kit that I don't think any one mentioned yet: Superglue, thermarest patch kit, repair kit for my stove, and an eye glass repair kit.

We're planning a 3 day trip to the ADK next weekend. We'll be staying near Gore Mt and would like recommendations for day trips to some of the higher summits. We've hiked in the Whites for the last few winters, renting gear at EMS and IME, so we'd appreciate any recommendations for gear rental...

In preparation for a longer trip this summer I took my daughter J. and her friend M. on their first overnight backpacking trip last weekend. We started at the Eckville parking lot and hiked south to the Windsor Furnace shelter, planning to loop back on a blue trail the next day. The weather...

Considering the other current thread on this site on bear canisters this encounter is interesting - though Kathleen and her friends might not think so. It raises a few "What Ifs?" What if they had secured their food in a bear bag or bear canister? What if Kathleen had not run away but had...

ADK4Life Check this out, and you might find your answer. http://www.tuckerman.org/photos/tucks 2,500 peps :eek: http://www.mountwashington.org/avalanche/ Personally, I'd take Boot Spur Trail from Pinkam Notch, it's one of the less frequented routes.

I see there's another post on this topic already.

Here's an interesting article about drinking too much water. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/14/health/14water.html?ex=1114142400&en=4152baa026e288ad&ei=5070 I've often wondered about how much water to drink while backpacking, particularly after being advised by a Philmont Ranger to drink as...

Magnetic Rocks Roy, Some friends and I experienced the effect of magnetic rocks while trying to triangulate our position, about 3500 ft up the SE face of Mt. MacNaughton in the Adirondacks, not far from the famous MacIntyre iron works. Not only were the rocks magnetic close up, but even at a...

Thank-you one and all Thank-you all for the feed back on the NOLS experience. I think what we'll do is get my daughter boots and a pack. We'll get a pair of the recommended boots. Then take a couple of practice trips along the AT in PA to break them in. But the pack will stay at home, and she...

Coldfeet, It sounds like what you want is what's called a touring canoe - slight rocker, shallow arch, symmetric hull, tumblehome, and a small keel. Something about 16' would be good for tandem paddling on a lake or river with plenty of room for gear for overnights. Most manufactures offer...

Deane Morrison must have meant digital altimeters, mechanical ones have been around a very long time. The thing that I like about an altimeter, that you can't do with just a map and compass, is fix your location without triangulation. Triangulation requires a clear field of vision which is not...

Rickett's Glen in NE PA If you're up for a ride, or in the area, visit Rickett's Glen State Park in Northeast PA. Twenty-two falls in the glen, the largest Ganoga Fall is 94'. The park is open all year. The trail through the glen is about 7 miles round trip...