Algonquin Highland Backpacking Trail

[dragon360]

Great report. I did this trail with a buddy about a month ago and it was really fun. Looking to hit the larger loops next year (but do this first again really soon). Beautiful area to hike in the fall.

[[o]TTeR]

@ [o]TTer Thanks for your comment.

I've reached the limit right now for weight cutting. I've done the cheap things: no water filter, just Pristine drops; cat food stove instead of my beloved Trangia, cheap water bottles instead of Nalgene, using my bugnet as a stuffsack, etc.

Any more real weight savings would come by spending a lot of money on a new lighter pack, whoopie slings (not sure how much weight I'd actually save there) and a simpler bugnet-free single-layer hammock. For fall I'll add puffy jacket, maybe the door kit for the Blackbird that I bought and never used, balaclava and gloves, and bring my Vargo woodburning stove --the Vargo can do double duty as a windscreen for the alcohol stove, reducing alcohol needs.

Actually, call me a fool, but next trip I'm going to Killarney (sounds like a song...). I've been training by walking home from work every day 10k, and walking around like a dork with a loaded backpack in the ravines on weekends. I know that trail (La Cloche Silhouette Trail) has a lot of elevation gain and loss, and is a butt-kicker, so I'm going to try it in six nights (7 walking days) at a moderate pace. That's a lot of food weight, though. Wish me luck!

A 5' pair of 7/64th Amsteel whoopie slings are 35 grams. It would be foolish to not training for that hike, if you're a fool then you are in good company! Gave up caring about the opinions of urbanites when I started gear testing in city parks.