Summer hiking, camping and backpacking in New England is something that everyone should experience – Lush green forests and rocky outcrops make for unforgettable outings. Pair that with some of the oldest, most iconic trails in the country, and you’re in for a treat. Whether you’re on an Overland trip in the Berkshires of Massachusetts or the White Mountains of New Hampshire you’ll experience first hand the beauty of hiking on the east coast. And, you’ll learn a lot too! Here are three backcountry skills that you may learn on your Overland trip in New England this summer:
Setting up a bear hang:
While New England’s black bears are friendly giants (and mostly stick to themselves, eating berries and twigs), our human food can make them curious! To avoid unwanted animal encounters (squirrels and chipmunks included), your leaders will show you how to set up a pulley system to suspend your food in the air, our of reach of any bears or critters. You’ll learn how to pick an appropriately sized tree, tie a few different kinds of knots, and best practices for packaging all of your “smellies”.
Packing your pack:
Overland groups tackle some pretty serious terrain throughout the summer. Whether you’re hiking Massachusetts’ tallest peak, Mount Greylock, or New Hampshire’s tallest peak, Mount Washington, having a correctly packed backpack is going to make that experience much more fun. Your leaders will show you how to pack your backpack to ensure that weight is evenly distributed and that you’re able to access everything you’ll need on the trail (if anybody has ever realized their snacks are on the very bottom of your pack before, you’ll know how important that is!)
Traveling on rough terrain:
New England hiking is beautiful, but it’s also rugged – it’ll definitely build some strong hiking legs! Your leaders will show you best practices in navigating various different types of terrain: stream and river crossings, rock scrambles, mud patches, and steep switchbacks. By the end of your trip, you’ll feel confident taking on any type of trail!
We can’t wait to see you on trail this summer!
