11 BPL members met up this past Friday for the NE BPL Meetup at Mt. Washington State Forest near Sheffield, MA:
http://www.berkshirehiking.com/hikes/mt_wash_forest.html

We did more chatting, hanging out, and picture time than hiking, but I don't think there was one disappointed hiker in the group, haha.

Saturday morning after breakfast we all toured the new neighborhood...

Phil's Terra Rossa Tyvek tarp:


Phil's GG Gorilla:


Phil's Terra Rossa Tyvek bivy:


Walter's Cuben shelter (he got it in the BPL sale, can't recall the brand):


Walter's home made trekking poles from golf shafts and fishing pole handles:


Ryan's tarp (great coverage! Not sure of the brand):


Ryan's MLD Exodus (I think?), lots of miles on it, still looks great:


Ryan's custom quilt from Javan Dempsey (I think?):


Eric's SMD Lunar Solo:


Eric's Ultra Light Alpine Down Hugger#3:


Greg's homemade tw-person Ray-Way Tarp:


Clint's GG "The One:"


Clint's homemade pack (looking great w/ many miles!):


Clint's bag (Sierra Designs?):


Steve's Hennessy Hammock:


MontBell Product placement:


Steven's massive, luxurious pillow:


Seth's MLD Duaomid & Dirty Girl Gators:


Seth's MLD Bivy:


Seth's new MLD Exodus:


Ben rocking the slack line:


Ben testing out Phil's Cuben MLD Duomid:


Ben's Pad/Sleeping bag combo (not sure of brand):


Ben's Laufbursche pack:


Bryce's VirgaOutdoors 9 x 7 .51 Tarp:


We actually did some hiking:


Little hut near Alander Mtn. Peak:


Nice door return mechanism:


"Clown Car" shot:


Some views:



Phil taking it all in:


Ryan at the top:


Such a long day of hiking...we needed a rest:


Steve and his Hobo "pack:"


Steve and the gravity filter:


Fire good!


Wine good!


No corkscrew bad!


We found Pete on the trail, he didn't even know we had a meetup this weekend, but he certainly fit it w/ his TT Rainbow. :)


We do fire right!


Steve's $30 Costco, XL Kids down jacket @ 12oz. :o


All the packs cuddling together:


Heading home.


It was great to hear about people's travels and thru-hikes. Had a great time even if we weren't hiking. Never hung out with a more like-minded group. It was a great time and I can't wait until we do it again....I have a feeling this is only going to get bigger over time. haha.

All pics:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.647660321536.2129170.17506531&type=1&l=f80e59842e

Edited by bster13 on 10/23/2011 16:57:24 MDT.

Nice pics Bryce. Wish I could have come. you guys had perfect weather for it. nice collection of shelters.

Nice pictoral essay Bryce. Looks like a nice nucleus for future events. Can't wait.

Frank

Bryce, great photos. Glad you had such a great time. There's just something about being in the wilderness and sharing the company of others.

BTW - I got one of those green Costco down jackets like Steve had. What a steal for $29.99.

Bryce,

Great to see pics from your BPLer's Gathering in your neck of the woods.

Awesome pics of people, places, and gear.

What were the daytime and night time temperatures that you had to deal with?

Saw a lot of puffy jackets there, so guessing it was a little bit chilly.

Just a suggestion, save this link to your photos here and include the link for the next trip that you setup.

They will help you get more people to join you.

Our 1st BPLer's Gathering of Gear Geeks was about 15 people and about doubled the following year.

Hope this is the beginning of a regular gathering for you all.

Thanks for sharing and glad to see that you all had fun.

P.S. Was that Ben from California who was out there with you?

-Tony

That was Ben from Boston by way of California, indeed. He got the whole thing started, apparently. Kudos to him, and kudos to Bryce for organizing so much.

Nighttime lows and daytime highs... my guess low 40s and low 50s. It felt really cold, but it wasn't winter yet. No sunshine didn't help, either.

Somewhat of a trip report here.
And more photos here.

Not too much to say that Bryce hasn't already. Good times.

Great times

http://sectionhiker.com/backpackinglight-northeast-meetup/

https://picasaweb.google.com/earlylite/NortheastBPLMeetupOctober2011?authuser=0&feat=directlink

Edited by earlylite on 10/24/2011 06:36:47 MDT.

I hope another can be arranged next year. Maybe even in the spring or early summer?
Maybe bi-annual?

Do any of you fellow New Englanders want to do some more hiking this weekend or next?


Also, I remember we were talking a bit about mountain lions at some point on Saturday night. Somebody on that "other" hiking forum posted this picture, taken near Peterborough NH:

Edited by hosaphone on 10/24/2011 19:16:21 MDT.

Us old farts (I'm 33 :p) have "commitments!"

Give me a month or so notice and most likely I'm game. :)

I think it'll be getting cold in a month or so, though, and I don't really have any winter gear... But maybe we could do a section of the AT in MA or CT, southern part of the LT, or something somewhere that doesn't get too too cold?

Congratulations on your first successful GGG! Looks like you guys had a great time. Your excellent report and photos will certainly help sell future events. We are looking at getting near a hundred people the next time. Good job once again!

Great stuff---Do it again!!!!!

Pete, I can't this weekend, (any Boston peeps are welcome to come to our Halloween party Saturday), but the following I'm game! I can grab you a Triple Star from Costco too if your still interested.

Ryan and I had talked about doing some hiking in VT, so if he's available maybe we could meet him up there?

Edited by TinCanFury on 10/24/2011 21:54:55 MDT.

Haha. This was one of the first times I've felt like one of the "responsible adults" in the group. I'm very glad you're going to fight to keep me on the irresponsible side, Steve.

This weekend is probably out for me. I'll see about the next several. I think I'm only in for dayhikes for a bit, though. And yes, it is getting into the really cold season. There must be some serious snow in the whites by now, right?

amen Ryan, life's too short!

I'll start a thread in the trip announcements thread.

I had a great time this past weekend, it was a blast to meet every one, hear there stories and see there gear. I look forward to another NE BPL get together

The greatest challenge of the weekend was opening that bottle of wine. Great innovation with the Easton Stake wine opener!

That's a friggin' great shot...but what an ugly bunch we are. haha.

Wow, I just blew through the other few threads you fellas have started and I am psyched to see a NE group gathering. I live in the South Shore, work in Boston and hike the Whites with the scouts quite a bit. I just began migrating to UL this past summer and love it. I will keep an eye on the forums and will make every effort to participate in one of your upcoming excursions. GREAT PICS!!!

Edited by djester2000 on 11/10/2011 12:39:52 MST.

Would love to have everyone attend the NE Winter BPL Meetup in January:
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=56055

There is a link to a survey to pick dates.

Hopefully we'll get some carpooling going as the event gets closer. Look forward to seeing all that can attend. :)

Bryce