Channel: sintax77

Category: People & Blogs

Tags: campingultralight backpackingshelterappalachian trail 2021winter campingcamping shelterhammock campingappalachian traillye brook wildernessstratton pondcold weather campingwinter hikingrainbackpacking in snowgreen mountainstrail sheltersintax77hikingbackpacking in the rainatoutdoorsvermont backpacking loopssnowstratton mountainbackpackingvermont backpackingwinter backpackingvermontvermont long trailcold weather backpacking

Description: Thanks to Liquid I.V. for sponsoring this video! Get a free sample pack with my link bit.ly/318VXv5 Or 25% off your next order with code SINTAX77 at liquid-iv.com For this late November backpacking trip, I decided to hike a 3 day, 23 mile loop in the Green Mountains with 2 nights of camping near Stratton Pond and Bourn Pond. By setting up a base camp at Stratton Pond, I would also have the opportunity to do an out and back hike on the second day to visit the fire tower that sits atop Stratton Mountain. Built in 1934, the 360 degree views from this fire tower are said to have inspired the creators of the Appalachian Trail and Vermont Long Trail, the latter of which runs the entire length of Vermont. My weather conditions were forecasted to range from above freezing down into the upper 20’s with a mix of rain, sleet, and snow throughout the trip. Because of this, I added some additional clothing layers, gloves, and a full set of rain gear to my standard ultralight backpacking load-out. My sleep system was a minimalist hammock camping setup, so I was still able to keep my pack’s base weight down to around 10 pounds. This particular area of the Lye Brook Wilderness offers a wide variety of backcountry camping options including unofficial (but legal) stealth camping, designated tent sites, and a very nice 3 level wooden shelter. I decided to keep my options open see how things played out based on the weather and what mood I was in once I got there. For an easier read, more info, and GPS data check out my blog post sintax77.com/off-grid-shelter-camping-in-vermont-rain-sleet-and-snow Trailhead Used: Prospect Rock Trailhead 663 Rootville Rd, Manchester, VT 05255 43°10’20.6″N 73°00’43.7″W This is an easily accessible parking area at the end of Rootville Rd with room for 3 or so vehicles. No fee or permit is required to park or backcountry camp in this area. Trails Used Day 1 Follow the gravel road up the hill to the info board. Prospect Rock Trail Appalachian Trail / Vermont Long Trail South Spur Trail to Stratton Pond Shelter Camp at Stratton Pond Shelter Shelter on both nights of my 3 day Stratton Pond backpacking trip in Vermont’s Lye Brook Wilderness. This is a very nice shelter with room for a dozen people, a firepit, nearby composting toilet and water available at the pond or one of the nearby streams that feed it. Day 1 Mileage: 7.4 miles Day 1 Gross Elevation Gain: 2,065′ Day 1 Gross Descent: 501′ Trails Used Day 2 Leave camping gear at the shelter. Appalachian Trail / Long Trail South Stratton Fire Tower Backtrack to the shelter Camp at Stratton Pond Shelter Day 2 Mileage: 6 miles Day 2 Gross Elevation Gain: 1,713′ Day 2 Gross Descent: 1,713′ Intended Route Day 3 Stratton Pond Trail Lye Brook Trail Branch Pond Trail Appalachian Trail North Prospect Rock Trail Return to parking The Winhall River Crossing on Lye Brook Trail was impassable (at least by winter temp standards) so I turned back and used my Day 1 route from Stratton Pond. The mileage and elevation for both routes are nearly identical. Day 3 Mileage: 9.3 miles Day 3 Gross Elevation Gain: 720′ Day 3 Gross Descent: 2,286′ Grand Total Mileage: 22.7 miles Notable Backpacking Gear ULA Ohm 2.0 Backpack ula-equipment.com/product/ohm-2-0 Dutchware Pack Cover dutchwaregear.com/product/waterproof-pack-cover Dutchware Gear Half-wit Hammock with Beetle Buckle Suspension dutchwaregear.com/product/half-wit-hammock-complete Hammock Gear Burrow 40 Top Quilt hammockgear.com/premium-burrow Simply Light Designs Trail Winder Underquilt simplylightdesigns.com/collections/wind-blockers-bug-nets/products/trail-winder-asym-uq Hammock Gear Dyneema Hex Tarp hammockgear.com/dyneema-fiber-hex-tarp DIY Cat Can Alcohol Stove Vargon Aluminum Windscreen amzn.to/3BPUOFl Light My Fire Mini Fire Steel Striker amzn.to/30S3rxm Toaks 750ml Titanium Pot amzn.to/2GR7AJX Sea to Summit Long Handled Spork amzn.to/3lBguOW Potable Aqua Water Purification Tablets with PA Plus amzn.to/3uYZ1TP Outdoor Research Helium III Rain Jacket amzn.to/2BiSnB1 Outdoor Vitals Satu Adventure Pants satu-adventure-pants-comfort.kckb.st/sintax77 Outdoor Vitals Adventure Jacket, Loftek version bit.ly/3qFoIpy RevolutionRace Men’s GP Pants amzn.to/3Daldz8 RevolutionRace Campfire Shirt Nitecore NU25 Headlamp amzn.to/2YVsp0A Benchmade Bugout EDC Folding Knife amzn.to/2JVfBS5 Casio ProTrek F-30 Smartwatch amzn.to/3dtY7Xj Mountain House Backpacking Meals amzn.to/3191ZMf Spot X Satellite Messenger amzn.to/3adSjBr GoPro Hero 8 Black amzn.to/2D8n6lL GoPro Shorty Tripod Grip amzn.to/2MPhGOM Free Stickers sintax77.com/free-stickers Cheeseburger Time T-Shirts sintax77-official-merch-store.creator-spring.com