The Great Outdoors
If it every stops raining, the local insect population will taper off - and prime camping season will be upon us. Many of us have already engaged in traditional car camping this summer, and those brave enough to venture out into the mosquitoes and perpetual downpours have begun blazing trails and sleeping under the storm clouds, I mean stars.
I my self am greatly looking forward to some hikes and multi-day camping trips in the area. I have already gone on one enjoyable day hike (in the pouring rain, of course) with MAU cross-country head coach Jim Dulin, in which we navigated a nice winding trail along broad brook near the Pownal/Williamstown line which required us to make repeated crossings. The rock hopping proved tough - the water level was as high as Jim had ever seen it - and on the way back, the brook had already risen so much that many of our previous crossing spots were completely submerged.
Needless to say, we got soaked - but had a great time.
I have been doing a lot of research into camping/hiking gear lately, and have more or less accepted the fact that external frame backpacks - which I used in the Army and always assumed to be superior to internal models - have become obsolete. I am in the market for a solid yet affordable large-capacity pack and a durable but not overly heavy tent - anyone have any suggestions?
-Adam White