An Unmapped Route: A Hiker's Blog

Tag: backpacking

  • 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…

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    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.

  • 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.…

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    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.

  • Hiking: Solo vs Groups

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    ©lifeasjack.com All rights reserved I cant remember the exact quote, but it sounds something like this: “If you want to complete a hike list quicker, hike solo. If you want to have more fun, go with a group.” Perhaps “fun” isn’t the correct word here. Maybe “share the experience” is a better fit. ©lifeasjack.com All…

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    snowpackjack
    A hker on the summit of a mountain. He is in the right corner of the image, with his back to the camera looking out to the horizon on a sunny day with blue skies and clouds in the distance.

  • Approaching Zero

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    In the late summer of 2020, A friend and I hiked the Carter- Moriah range in the White Mountains. It was a sweltering hot week, and my first summer using zero drop shoes. I had purchased a pair of Lone Peak Altras, not because of the zero drop feature but due to the very lightweight…

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    snowpackjack