An Unmapped Route: A Hiker's Blog

Category: Planning

  • The Seasons of Sections

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    After several years of hiking in the mountains, I decided to descend from above treeline. Several hike lists had been completed, and I wasn’t getting any faster in charging up those steeps. Most of my peak bagging efforts were day hikes. Up early, summit, turn around and get down before dark to sleep in a…

    Written by

    snowpackjack
    A group of hikers in the left side of the photo frame travel single file through tall green grasses. A lake is on the right side of the frame, reflected in a blue sky.

  • The North-South Trail

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    On some winter days, when my spirit is unwilling to drag me out of bed and go north, I must still get outside and put my feet on a path. Over a few seasons I engaged myself by section hiking in Rhode Island. The state’s North- South Trail will take you from Blue Shutters Beach…

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    snowpackjack
    A wet, leaf covered path is surrounded by trees. The leaves are changing color with the fall season. A wood fence runs along both sides of the path into the distance.

  • Emergency Beacon Angst

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    In my preparation for hiking some bushwacks in the mountains, I knew I would have to pull the trigger and purchase an emergency beacon. Deciding which one I needed was another story. Hiking in the mountains means spotty cell coverage. For years I had been hiking in the mountains of New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont.…

    Written by

    snowpackjack
    A hiker standing on a helicopter pad on top of a mountain. his back is to the camera. he is looking at a cell phone communications tower that has been destroyed and is bent and collapsed.

  • New England’s Scourge

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    Beneath the snow, they lie sleeping. Soon they’ll emerge again to wreak havoc on unsuspecting hikers.

    Written by

    snowpackjack
    tall stalks of golden grass reach towardsa blue sky