Tag Archives: Pharaoh Lakes Wilderness

Gear Review

Gossamer Gear Gorilla Ultralight Pack

 

Gossamer Gear Gorilla with hip belt, sit-light pad, and removable stay.
The Gossamer Gear Gorilla requires some assembly on arrival. The pack includes a sit-light pad and a removable stay. You must order a hip belt separately.

After a recent backpacking and camping adventure in the Pharaoh Lakes Wilderness Area of New York’s Adirondack Park, a friend of mine who had just been camping with us decided that he’d like to give backpacking a try.  He asked me for advice on what equipment he would need, and my first thoughts were, “well, you’re going to need a pack!”

Initially, I wasn’t sure what to suggest.  He didn’t have a super compressible down backpacking quilt, and his big dome tent wouldn’t fit in even the most gargantuan of expedition packs. The truth was, he had to start from scratch, and that was good news.  Starting from scratch meant avoiding most of the mistakes people make when they get into backpacking.  I made those mistakes, and they cost me a lot of money and a bit of discomfort on the trail.

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Clothing, Shelters, Trip Planning, Trip Report, Weather

Adirondack Adventure 2014, Part 3: Planning for Backpacking

Planning for backpacking requires checking and rechecking the map until you are sure of every detail.
Checking out my map one last time before we begin.

This is Part 3 in a series on my recent adventure in the Pharaoh Lakes Wilderness.  In this section, I will discuss planning for the backpacking trip.

Planning for base camp is very easy compared to planning for backpacking.  When you are backpacking, you rely much more on your planning and your wits than you do on your gear. It is very important to have a route mapped out and to understand the terrain, climate, and local restrictions.  It is also very important to have a good understanding of the capabilities of your group, as I found out the hard way. Continue reading Adirondack Adventure 2014, Part 3: Planning for Backpacking →

Trip Planning, Trip Report

Adirondack Adventure 2014, Part 2: Planning for Camp

We filter most of our drinking water using a 5 gallon bucket and a Sawyer Squeeze filter.
We filter most of our drinking water using a 5 gallon bucket and a Sawyer Squeeze filter.

This is Part 2 a trip report for a recent adventure through the Pharaoh Lakes Wilderness in New York’s Adirondack Park and will concentrate on planning for camp. The Pharaoh Lakes Wilderness is a 43,883 acre wilderness preserve situated just a few minutes outside of Ticonderoga, NY.  It is a favorite hiking and camping destination for my friends and I. Continue reading Adirondack Adventure 2014, Part 2: Planning for Camp →

Community

Putnam Pond: A Place to Relax

Video

Travis and Mike discuss our relaxing trip to Putnam Pond. Sometimes, camping is just relaxing in the woods. In this video, Travis and Mike talk about the joys of camping and what it means to get away from it all.  This video is shot at our favorite campsite at Putnam Pond, part of the greater Pharaoh Lakes Wilderness Area. For a full report on our 2014 Pharaoh Lakes Wilderness trip, click here.

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MYOG, Shelters

Tarp Camping at Pharaoh Lake

Video

Paul discusses his introduction to tarp camping. I’ve been doing my best to spread the light, and I’ve motivated my friend Paul to give tarp camping a try. He was excited to try this liberating experience after joining me on a trip in Harriman State Park last year.  Tarp camping offers many benefits, including weight savings, great views, simplicity, and a sense of community with nature that you don’t get sealed up in a tent. That said, sleeping under a tarp can require advanced skills in site selection, weather prediction, and knot tying, just to name a few. Check out the full report for my 2014 adventure in the Pharaoh Lakes Wilderness. 

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Cooking, MYOG, Nutrition

Homemade Wood Gas Stove and Backpacking Meals

Video
This short video discusses the wood gas stove, home made backpacking meals, and my 2014 trip to the Pharaoh Lakes Wilderness.
This short video discusses the wood gas stove, home made backpacking meals, and my 2014 trip to the Pharaoh Lakes Wilderness.

This year while planning for our trip to the Adirondacks, we had the idea to shoot a bunch of video and make a documentary. We didn’t end up taking as much video as we had planned, but I do have a few interviews to share with you over the next couple of days.  This one features myself explaining the wood gas stove and showing off a few of my home-made backpacking meals. For more information on making your own wood gas stove, check out this video from Intense Angler. You can also check out my article on making homemade backpacking meals for some cool ideas on eating healthier on the trial. For a full trip report on my 2014 adventure in the Pharaoh Lakes Wilderness, click here.

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