Seven Hills hike

Another week, another Ramblers hike - and another Harriman State Park hike. This one was almost 14 miles of ups and downs, beginning and ending in Tuxedo. Most of the hike was on the Seven Hills Trail, which is exactly what it says on the tin. Most of the hills were steep climbs, although some were fun rock scrambles.

But what a difference from just two weeks ago! Two weeks ago we needed microspikes; now there was no snow left.* We didn't see any flowers or buds, but they can't be far behind.

Well, I'll be back in Harriman in two more weeks - I will let you know then.

* Technically, we did see one patch of snow, maybe 3 by 6 feet.

Packing light

This summer I am going to Iceland! For a month! Awesome, right? There is one, challenge, though: Packing. Four weeks of stuff in a backpacking backpack and a regular little backpack.

My problem isn't clothes. Aside from the fact that I need to bring two pairs of boots, apparently, I can pack light. And it's not "conveniences," either. I don't use a hairdryer, and my laptop isn't coming with me.*

It's everything else. Two of the four weeks will be spent doing trail maintenance, requiring me to bring camping gear. Thankfully, they provide tents upon request and cooking gear isn't needed. But I need a sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and pillow, so I've had to make a few gear upgrades.

My sleeping bag is fine, but my parents bought me a new sleeping pad as an early birthday present, and I sprung for a new bag liner once I realized how much smaller they could be than mine. Take a look:

(We'll leave which is old and which is new as an exercise to the reader. By the way, I do like my Z-rest foam pad. I'll keep it and double-pad in when camping in winter conditions, as I sleep cold. )

The weight isn't significantly different, but the volume is.

Frankly, I think I need to make a few more purchases. The worksite requires steel-toed boots. Also, I'm not sure I have two weeks of camping/working attire that won't embarrass me in the city. I guess the latter counts as discretionary, but the boots are required.

But meanwhile, I just gained significant pack space!

*Reading material, that will also be an issue. I need a book or two that is long and I like well enough but don't mind leaving behind.

Hike in Van Cortlandt Park

On Sunday, I led a Ramblers hike through Van Cortlandt Park. It clocked in a little shorter than I was hoping for, just under 10 miles. However, we saw nearly every part of the park except the southeast. The photo above is of the vernal pool in the Northeast Forest.

Spring is here

From Saturday's scouting hike in Van Cortlandt Park, the first flowers of spring. (Notice also the snowflakes.)

Hiking across Harriman and back

On Sunday, I hiked with the Ramblers from the west side of Harriman State Park to the east and back again, for a total of 16 miles. We lucked out with beautiful weather, but it was still a tough hike.

While much of the hike was flat, there were several hilly sections, particularly in the second half of the hike. There was still some snow on the ground, and in many places it had turned to a sheet of ice. Other parts of the trail were perfectly bare, and, as always, rocky, making both wearing microspikes and not wearing microspikes bad choices. Either you slipped on the snow or dulled your spikes on the rocks!

Nevertheless, it was a good hike, and a very good workout.