Our minimal-gear hike in the White Mountains was fun and a great learning experience.  We covered a decent amount of ground, with the students carrying everything they needed on homemade pack frames and using their homemade rope as pack straps.  They built their shelters as we went, and experienced what it’s like to travel with very little.  We also made time to visit some of the swimming holes I’ve been frequenting since I was a kid, which you’ll see in our next video.

Tomorrow we’re off for a week of canoeing on the St. Croix river.  It’s a beautiful stretch of water, with lots of easy rapids that are perfect for perfecting your poling and snubbing technique.  I’ve run it a bunch of times and think it ranks with the best river trips in Maine.  So today will be a busy sunday of packing and loading gear, organizing food, and going through checklists.