newbie-old guy

**johniac7078** · 06-16-2011, 08:27

Hi: So I have kids and they saw all my old hiking stuff, from MANY moons ago, and want to go hiking. Well, I am getting a little old, but not too crusty yet, so I plan to oblige them. The problem is that I don't want to carry a heavy pack, so I was looking around on youtube, for light weight camping solutions. This fellow shugemergy's vids came up. He is a very talented and nice guy, and apparently way into light weight backpacking. He makes GREAT videos. He got me very excited about using a hammock and tarp instead of a tent. (The kids can stay in the tent and carry it, ha ha ha). Yesterday I ordered my first....a warbonnet blackbird (for fat guys) and a superfly tarp. I cant wait.

I really like this forum, everyone's spirit and willingness to help. My first trip with this rig will be the greyfox bluegrass festival in Oak Hill NY. If you are going, let me know, I'll buy you a beer at my camp site.

See ya!

**raiffnuke** · 06-16-2011, 08:30

Welcome to the trees and HF from Mass. You will not regret it!

**Fronkey** · 06-16-2011, 08:30

Originally Posted by johniac7078

Hi: So I have kids and they saw all my old hiking stuff, from MANY moons ago, and want to go hiking. Well, I am getting a little old, but not too crusty yet, so I plan to oblige them. The problem is that I don't want to carry a heavy pack, so I was looking around on youtube, for light weight camping solutions. This fellow shugemergy's vids came up. He is a very talented and nice guy, and apparently way into light weight backpacking. He makes GREAT videos. He got me very excited about using a hammock and tarp instead of a tent. (The kids can stay in the tent and carry it, ha ha ha). Yesterday I ordered my first....a warbonnet blackbird (for fat guys) and a superfly tarp. I cant wait.

I really like this forum, everyone's spirit and willingness to help. My first trip with this rig will be the greyfox bluegrass festival in Oak Hill NY. If you are going, let me know, I'll buy you a beer at my camp site.

See ya!

You got yourself a great set up. Welcome to HF and looking forward to your trip report.

Fronkey

**Simon** · 06-16-2011, 08:31

That Shug has got a lot to answer for.

**flatline** · 06-16-2011, 08:35

welcome to Hammock Forums and hey from high point nc.
there is a ton of stuff here to read, learn and ask about.
if it's hammock related it's here or still waiting to be invented.
hang on and have fun.
you have a lot in common with many of us.

home is where your hammock is.

**dragon360** · 06-16-2011, 08:55

Welcome to HF from Canada! Congrats on the Cup.

**mbiraman** · 06-16-2011, 09:20

Welcome to the forum.

**johniac7078** · 06-16-2011, 15:14

Originally Posted by dragon360

Welcome to HF from Canada! Congrats on the Cup.

Thanks! Love the Bruins. Long time hockey fan, even had a Bruins table hockey set up when I was a kid! It was a great series.

**johniac7078** · 06-16-2011, 15:16

Originally Posted by raiffnuke

Welcome to the trees and HF from Mass. You will not regret it!

Are you from MA? Can you recommend a fairly easy trip for me and two kids (7 and 15) that is pretty close by? I use to do the White Mtns. but it may be too much for a first time with the kids.

**affreeman** · 06-16-2011, 16:20

Originally Posted by johniac7078

Are you from MA? Can you recommend a fairly easy trip for me and two kids (7 and 15) that is pretty close by? I use to do the White Mtns. but it may be too much for a first time with the kids.

Are you looking for a weekend trip? How far is too far? If you're willing to drive to southern VT, here's a low-key, nice 2-night weekend:

Start at the Stratton Pond Trail trail-head on the Arlington - West Wardsboro Rd. Hike 4 miles to Stratton Pond and camp there. You will have to pay a fee to the caretaker for camping there.

Next day hike west on the Lye Brook Trail to Bourne Pond and camp for the night. I don't remember the mileage exactly; I think it's only about 2 miles, so if you and the kids are ambitious you can make this part of the first day's hike and make it a one night outing.

Next day, hike south on the Branch Pond Trail about 4 miles to the Arlington - West Wardsboro Rd, then walk east on the road about 2 miles back to your car.

The Arlington - West Wardsboro Rd (also called the Kelly Stand Rd) is an unpaved USFS road, but is easily passable by any passenger car.

EDIT: You can make Day 2 more ambitious by going north on the AT from Stratton Pond until reaching Prospect Rock, with fine views to the west, then backtrack a bit to the intersection of the Branch Pond Trail. Follow Branch Pond Trail south to Bourne Pond. I think that makes something like a 10 mile day. Last time I was out that way, in the fall of 2008, part of the Branch Pond Trail was flooded by a beaver dam, but it was easy enough to skirt around it.