Mid October in NY. Perfect temperature with clear skies day and night. A short 9.3 mile hike through the park, across some small mountains and around some beautifully decorated lakes. The colors are there, not quite peak yet, but they are starting to show. I started this trip expecting to do 2 nights and hike about 12 – 15 miles each day. My buddy decided to join me so I cut the mileage down to 9- 10 miles a day and spotted our cars at the end destination and the beginning.. which after the first 9.5 mile day would loop us back around and our camp for night 1 would only be a short 1 mile easy hike back out to the car if needed. My pack weight was at 10 lbs before food and water and at about 13.5 lbs with food and water to start. The trails we hiked were pretty nice, for me it was a very easy casual hike. We ended up making camp earlier then I wanted at about 3 pm, but we did cover 9.5 miles over 5.5 hours and my friend was wiped out. This was not his first time out but he does not hike regularly so it was evident and I did account for this when I mapped out the trails and distance. We both slept on the ground in our bivies, no tarps needed on this one. Daytime temperature was low 60s F and overnight temps were mid to hi 30s F. Last minute decision for me I swapped out my MLD Vision quilt for my 28° MLD quilt. I did not pack any extra clothes other then a pair of 32° heat thin base layer bottoms, socks to sleep in, my Nano Air hybrid hoody, houdini wind shirt and nano puff vest and I only wore my shorts and hooded zip windshirt while hiking. Reality is I would have been just fine with the lighter weight Vision quilt but I wanted the reassurance of the warmer 28° quilt since I was not bringing my air pad and would be sleeping on the Nemo Switchback ccf alone. I do find it very very comfortable, convenient and reliable as opposed to the air pads. This was not a first for me. Anywho.. he bailed out due to fatigue so thankfully I set us up with bail out options. Check out the video I posted if interested. I also posted a short one with what was in my pack… feel free to comment good or bad, any questions I will be glad to answer. Maybe someone will get something out of this, if not a kick. I really make my videos for my own memories and friends/family to watch.. I don’t do it for hits and likes, which is why they are pretty raw/basic. I post them here with hopes that someone will enjoy the views or maybe get something from them.
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