Sat, May 17 2014 - Ultralight Backpacking Gear and Techniques: On-Trail Demo at Stone Mountain (View Original Event Details) Trip Leader(s): Garrett Participants: Garrett, Joe, Mark W, Linda Bratton Haynes, spal, Yana

Six hikers made their way around Stone Mountain beginning around 9am. We were able to stop at an awesome spot with benches on either side of the trail where for over an hour we discussed where we were coming from, what we'de like to be able to do, and how lightening our backpacks might enable us to be more comfortable on those trips.

We went through everything I carry for backpacking trips of anywhere from three days to three months and everyone was engaged with great questions about how things fit together and why you might choose a particular piece of equipment vs another like poncho vs a raincoat.

The entire hour and 20 minutes we were stopped we didn't see a single hiker pass us by, a rarity for trails at Stone Mountain; we won't disclose exactly where this great spot was.

We continued around the mountain and were able to get to know each other a little better, we learned about what people are excited about coming up, be it a retirement, a trip to the Inca Trail, Equador, or out West to the Yosemite Valley. Yana vividly explained the merits of visiting Bolivia, Linda and Selvi kept us moving along at a speedy moderate pace. 

We finished out our hike just as the rain drops started to fall around 12:00 noon.

Thank you to all who participated in my first Solo-Lead AOC event! I'm looking forward to seeing you out on the trails again soon.

Garrett C