Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway southbound - moderately light :)

[jeffmeh]

I'm planning to hike from Sunapee to Monadnock, with a start some time over the next few weeks. This is about a 52 mile hike with around 10,000 feet elevation change, so pretty moderate by northern New England standards. Perfect for me, as it will get me out for 4 or 5 days, and work commitments don't really allow me longer stretches of vacation at this point.

While I do pay attention to pack weight, there are some items that are "must have" for me, so I am calling my approach "moderately light." Where I am likely to end up is around 23lbs base weight, 31lbs with consumables, 37lbs full skin-out.

The big drivers here:

1. I have a CPAP setup that weighs a bit over 2lbs, and I can generally get 3 nights out of it if it is not too cold or I carry the battery on my body. The weight is well worth the better sleep, and my physiology is such that I need this regardless of my level of body fat and fitness
2. I have decided that I will carry a bear can, just shy of 2lbs. Protects the bears, keeps out the other critters, saves me from trying to do a good hang, and works as a seat as well
3. I carry a Seek Outside Divide pack, that I have configured to weigh just shy of 4lbs. This pack can handle very heavy weights, and I have loaded up to 85lbs for winter trips. The extra weight relative to an ultralight pack is more than offset by the carry comfort, particularly given that I am not really going to get down to a base weight that many of the ultralight packs will handle well
4. It can get very cold in the New England late summer and fall, and for comfort my sleep system and extra clothing reflect that
5. There will be no stops for resupply
6. I do carry some other comfort items, like a sit pad, light camp shoes, etc.

I'm certainly interested in respectful discourse around my choices, as I value alternative perspectives.

And I am really psyched to get out there on this one, as it has been a while since I have done more than a single overnight. I hope to follow-up with some level of a trip report once accomplished.

Cheers,
Jeff

[chknfngrs]

I don’t have much to add, but do offer a hearty atta-boy for going for it! If you are OK with what you’re planning on bringing, you can’t really go wrong!! Pay attention to your body and that bodes well for your adventure!

[LazyLightning]

Like you, I have a pack that can handle the weight (McHale!) and while I do go lightweight where I can, I'm not afraid to bring anything I feel like. Overall comfort and piece of mind having what I want is worth the weight and with a good pack 50 pounds feels better then 30 in some of these UL ones. If I'm going out for a few days my pack is at least 50 pounds. I also carry a bear can about 2 pounds and will never go back to hanging. It's people like us that give UL a new meaning... Ultra Luxury.

I have been jonesing this trail for a while but I want to do it nobo after a NET thru hike and possibly continue Furthur. I would love to create my own route through the Whites and then tackle the Cohos making it a Long Island Sound>Canada thru hike... or better yet I would do the Menunkatuck from the shore then get a ride to start the Mattabesett at the Connecticut River then thru hike from there to the start of it at the Canada border.

[chknfngrs]

I’ve never heard of these trails! Giving me something to research!

Bear cans take out the worry!

[Deadeye]

All those choices are personal - CYOS (Carry Your Own Stuff). I have no comments, other than to say that I've compromised and use an Ursack with a doubled OPsack - much lighter than a canister, easier to use than hanging, easier to fit in the pack .

The Greenway is a great little trail, some call it a mini-AT, since it traverses fields and ridges and wanders through small towns between woods and mountains. There is a general store in the town of Washington, 100 yards off the trail at most. The sign out front says "Welcome MS Greenway hikers!" You can grab a burger and a beer if you're there at lunchtime, or get a pizza and breakfast if you stay at the shelter nearby. And if you forgot something or didn't pack enough food, you can resupply there.

There's been plenty of rain this year, so the water sources should be OK. The least reliable water is probably at the Steve Galpin shelter, so you may want to arrive with a liter from the top of Sunapee. I've camped there when there was little more than a trickle between puddles, but again it's been a rainy year.

The trail is one of my favorites - I've done it twice with my kids. Both times we did it in four days/three nights, but I think 4 nights will make for a nicer hike. We had to work in some long days. OTOH, the odds of getting more than 4 consecutive days of decent weather in New England aren't great. No matter - Enjoy!

Chknfngrs, here's a link:
https://www.msgtc.org/

[jeffmeh]

Thanks for all of the comments above.

I did complete the trip, finishing at the Monadnock Visitor Center on Saturday, 8/31. I actually chose to do it in 6-days, just to start out a bit more slowly and give my 62-year-old body some more recovery time.

Generally, the weather was gorgeous. I would agree with Deadeye's assessment that it is rare to get that streak of consecutive days of good weather, but I lucked out. The exceptions were the first day where there were some light rain showers heading up Mount Sunapee and at the summit, and plenty of thunder heard off in the distance, as well as the last day where it was overcast and completely socked in, with high winds, at the summit of Mount Mondadnock.

Day 1 (7.6 mi): I didn't get started until 11am with all of the car shuttling required, but made Steve Galpin Shelter by mid-afternoon, as per the plan. Had some hazy views from Sunapee. I saw a handful of day hikers, and one group of 10 Harvard students on a freshman orientation trip that were on their last day. No one was at Steve Galpin, and I tented there as I did every night. I never slept in a shelter.

Day 2 (5.2 mi): This was the short day I gave myself. I stopped at Max Israel Shelter, arriving alone, but eventually joined by a group of 9 Tufts students on a freshman orientation trip that were on their last day. I certainly could have gone the additional 6 miles to George Washington Shelter, but when I saw the next day its condition and proximity to the road, I was glad I did not.

Day 3 (12.3 mi): While I generally thought the trailed was marked very well in the woods, it was not so going southbound on the paved roads in Washington. Some of this was certainly my own fault, but I probably did an extra 1.5 - 2 miles trying to find the trail from town. I did get a fantastic Philly steak omelette at the Washington General Store, and found the people there very welcoming. I had great views from Oak Hill. Given the extra miles, I was falling short of Fox Brook Tent Platform and running out of daylight, so I stealth camped. I know the rule is to camp in designated areas only, but I'm not going to compromise safety for that. Nobody knew I was there or would be able to find any signs that I had been there.

Day 4 (8.5 mi): Great views from Pitcher Hill, where I had some lunch and talked with the workmen painting the fire tower. Made it to Crider Shelter. Tented alone. In the morning as I was heading out I met and chatted with the volunteer that periodically checks up on the site.

Day 5 (11.8 mi): Another beautiful day, with lots of views of lakes, streams, reservoirs, and one of a close Mount Monadnock from a road walk. Made it to Spiltoir Shelter where there were two people set up in the shelter. Nice folks and we chatted until a fairly early "lights out."

Day 6 (8.1 mi): Made great time to get to the base of the Dublin Trail, significantly slower for the ascent up Dublin and the descent down White Cross. Had some views while below the clouds, but nothing from the summit which was fully socked in with heavy winds. I have climbed Monadnock a few times before, and I love its ruggedness. The scrambling, ledge walking, and rock-hopping are quite reminiscent of the Northern Presidentials. That said, my legs were noodles dragging my pack up and down.

A few thoughts on gear and the like:

1. I fundamentally underestimated the time it would take to filter with the Sawyer Squeeze, vs. just do a chemical treatment and continue walking while giving it time to work. I love that it yields clear water, and don't mind the time investment at all while at camp, but I don't like it while I am trying to make miles.
2. I still love the Seek Outside Divide pack. I started at 30.5 lbs with everything including 2 liters of water. I do have an anatomy (no butt) that causes the belt to eventually slip down below my hips. I'm going to tweak to try to optimize for this, starting with adding another 2 inches to the frame extensions to raise the pack up higher on my body. I also use the lumbar pad and can try it without, and have the belt in "non-captured" mode and can try "captured" mode. We shall see.
3. I have a ULA bottle holster on the shoulder strap, and initially thought it was too tight to easily put the smart water bottle in and that I would swap that out for something else after the trip. I eventually figured out a "trick." Either very carefully remove it straight up to leave the opening intact, or if it does get messed up, insert it opening side down as the taper makes that easier to do, and then carefully remove as above and try again. I will stick with it, at least for now.

All in all, it was a great way to spend a vacation week, and I am thrilled that I had an opportunity to accomplish this. I will also try to post a few pics when I get a chance.

[jeffmeh]

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[chknfngrs]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing!