Pack: Hyperlite Unbound 40L (10/10)

I started the trail with the Gossamer Gear Mariposa and I didn’t love it. I switched to the Hyperlite in Marion, VA and I fell in love with it. I think this is the ideal pack for a thru-hike. It is water resistant, super light, comfortable, and has amazing outer pockets. The hip belt pockets, side pockets, bottom pocket, and back pocket make this pack special. 

Bag Liner: Nyloflume (9/10)

I was skeptical if this would hold up for the trail and it did. I used the same nyloflume liner for the whole trail and it kept my gear mostly dry. 

Water Bottle Holder: Chicken Tramper (10/10)

I loved having this right on my shoulder strap. I could easily acces my smart bottle any time during the day. 

Tent: Gossamer Gear The One (9/10)

I started the trail with the Big Agnes Copper Spur. I switched it out to save weight and I couldn’t fully fit my pack in the vestibule. I also broke two poles on it. I liked The One a lot more. It is lighter, more spacious, and easier to set up. 

Sleeping Bag: Nemo Disco 15 (8/10)

I had this bag for the entire trail and I liked it. It kept me warm even in the low 20s. If I were to do it again I would switch to an Enlightened Equipment quilt to save some weight. 

Sleeping Bag Liner: Naturehike (9/10)

I started the trail with the sea to summit reactor liner. It added some warmth to my sleeping bag when it was really cold but it was heavy. When it warmed up I switched to the Naturehike liner. It helped keep my bag clean and I used it by itself when it was very warm.

Sleeping Pad: Nemo Tensor (7/10)

I liked this pad but it was nothing special. I will likely switch to a foam pad or a Thermarest NeoAir XLite in the future. At the start I used a Nemo Switchback under the pad to boost the R value to 4.8 and protect it in shelters. When it warmed up I switched out the Switchback for a Gossamer Gear 1/8 inch pad.

Spoon: Sea to Summit Alpha Light Long Spork (10/10)

I loved this thing. Not much more to say about a spork. I began the trail with the MSR Pocket Rocket and Tokes 750ml pot. I dropped them to save weight. I did not regret it. I packed out town food and found a lot of good food to cold soak. 

Headlamp: Nitecore NU25 (10/10)

I loved it. Light, reliable, and bright.

Portable Charger: Nitecore NB 10000 Gen2 (10/10)

Great portable charger. I could get 2-3 charges on my iPhone 16. Reliable and light. 

Shoes: Topo Pursuit 2 (10/10) 

My favorite piece of gear besides my pack. I used to wear altras but I will never go back. I love the zero drop, wide toe box, and durability. I made it through the trail in 3 pairs. 

Socks: Darn Tough and Injinji Toe Socks (9/10) 

I primarily wore my Injinjis while I was hiking and my Darn Toughs around camp. I switched out each pair once. In the future I plan to experiment with different toe socks. 

Midlayers: Patagonia Sun Hoodie and Mountain Hardware Fleece (8/10)

I love my sun hoodie and I will never hike without it. I liked my fleece but it was fairly heavy. I will switch to an alpha direct layer in the future. 

Down Jacket: REI Magma 850 (6/10)

I only carried this from Springer to Damascus and I never regretted dropping it. I was always warm while hiking and my sleeping bag was warm enough when I was in camp. If I carry a jacket in the future I will switch to the Enlightened Equipment Torrid because it is lighter. 

Rain Gear: Lightheart Gear (9/10)

I did a lot of research on rain gear and I was very happy I found Lightheart. The rain coat is not breathable but it has huge pit zips and is water resistant for life. I liked the rain pants as well. I used them more for warmth because I only had shorts. 

Sleep Clothes: REI Merino Wool Long Sleeve and Leggings (8/10)

Good sleep clothes, nothing special. It was great to switch into them after I was soaking wet all day. 

Camp Shoes: EVA Birks (9/10)

I absolutely love these and I will most likely carry them on all my hikes in the future. They are about 10 ounces for the pair. It was great to switch into them after having wet feet all day. 

Trekking Poles: Leki Khumbu Lite (8/10)

I used the Black Diamond Pursuit Poles for most of the trail but I bent the tips really bad. I switched to the Lekis because of their lifetime warranty. I liked them but I did bend one of them really bad when I was in the 100-mile wilderness. 

Food Bag: Hilltop (10/10)

I loved this dynema food bag. I also used their clothes bag, electronics bag, and toiletry bag. 

Water Filter: CNOC 2L Bag and Sawyer Squeeze (10/10)

I think this is the best water system to use on the AT. The 2L bag is easy to fill up from any water source. The sawyer is the best filter to have because all of the hostels have syringes to backflush. 

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• Hiked Today: 8.9 miles

  • Appalachian Trail (1,747.8 – 1,756.7)

• Total Hiked: 3,689.5 miles
• Total Paddled: 99.5 miles

Weather: 65 – 82 °F, mix of sun and clouds, very humid

Elevation: 384 – 1,611 feet

Podunk Brook Site to Holiday Inn Express White River Junction 

I had about 2 miles of foggy glasses uphill to get to the Happy Hill Shelter cutoff.

After that, things brightened up some. Even though the air remained breezeless, it felt less stuffy and more open with glimpses of sunlight sneaking below the canopy.

The last bits of trail leading down to Norwich, Vermont were quite pleasant in a quiet and peaceful way, the big pines leaving a pathway full of needles. The trail popped out to a quaint road and I was thankful it was all downhill.

Once in town, I took a left off the AT route to visit Dan and Whit’s General Store. And a general store it was, offering not only a good supply of groceries, but toys and board games and local crafts too. And it had a hardware section, which was my main purpose for visiting. I even found the item I wanted, which I was surprised about, but I’ll show that when/if it ever comes to use.

The store was a bit pricey, so I didn’t get my full resupply there, but instead picked out a few select items including a Vermont maple syrup infused coffee, breakfast sandwich, and a jelly-filled twisted sugar donut haha. I sat on the bench outside to feast, but after a nice little break continued my sidewalk mosey through town. 

From Norwich it was downhill to the mighty Connecticut River. And crossing the bridge to the other side, Sumi and I said goodbye to Vermont and were welcomed into New Hampshire!

I have been hearing about how New Hampshire has the most difficult trail of the entire AT even before starting on this adventure. Well, it didn’t seem so bad starting out, nice sidewalk through the college town of Hanover.

All of a sudden I was walking through the campus of Dartmouth College. Well, sort of, maybe on the fringe of it, where it meets the town full of quirky restaurants and shops. Students milled about all fashionable and clean with backpacks of a different slightly smaller varit than my own. Or, maybe I just mistook them for students and they were all super ultra light hikers? This area, maybe just as much as when I hopped into New York City, felt so surreal to me. It was bizarre coming straight from the woods and all of a sudden being in the middle of fancy Hanover.

Maybe you’re like me and have heard of Dartmouth before, but never knew it was in Vermont or really why I knew of it. All I can think is that it’s an Ivy League school and has that reputation of being top notch, I’m guessing. As I crossed the bridge, the view of the river with a dock for crew really fit the image of the school’s high distinction in my mind haha. I could imagine a foggy morning, the squad rowing in perfect unison cutting through the smooth glass waters like a knife through soft butter.

The trail continued through Hanover where it would eventually go out and up and away from town. I stopped today’s jaunt by the Food Co-op store though, a little over a mile into New Hampshire. I went for another round of shopping, but here too thought prices were quite steep (like the mountainous trail ahead 😅). I wondered where the students shop. Piecing together some items, I left and headed to the bus stop.

The rest of the day was dedicated to resting up and prepping for the next leg of the journey. I used my “free” hotel night I get once a year through my credit card and it was amazing. There was a little snafu with not getting checked in on time (I’d hopped for early check-in, but things were quite disheveled there when I arrived), but once showered and laundered, I cared not. Plus, I just hung out in the lobby in the air conditioning while waiting.

That night, I stayed busy cleaning and organizing and writing blogs and looking ahead on FarOut, but I also had a movie on and got a pizza delivered straight to my room. All was well in my little hotel room world! So good and necessary to stop and regroup.

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Dubai, Bali and Bangkok have emerged as the most preferred international destinations for Indians who travelled between January and June 2025, according to travel tech firm OYO. The company reported a 65% year-on-year growth in bookings for destinations offering simplified visa processes, reflecting evolving travel trends shaped by accessibility and convenience.

Findings from the company’s latest ‘OYO Travelopedia 2025’ report, are based on insights drawn from 20,000 bookings made through the OYO app. The report revealed that Dubai led the list, with bookings by Indian families tripling over the same period last year.

Bali witnessed a significant uptick in interest from couples and honeymooners, highlighting its appeal as a romantic and leisure destination.
Also read | Schengen visa rules relaxed for citizens of this country: Check details here

“The report highlights 65% YoY growth in visa-easy destination bookings by Indian travellers in H1 2025, underscoring a shift in preferences driven by relaxed visa policies, enhanced air connectivity, and a growing appetite for premium experiences. Some of the most popular destinations on this list include Dubai, Bali, and Bangkok, among others,” the company said.

According to data, average travel durations varied by region. trips to Southeast Asian countries such as Bali and Bangkok typically lasted between five to seven days, while visits to Middle Eastern destinations like Dubai averaged three to five days. Long-haul travel to Europe and the United States tended to extend over 10 to 15 days, suggesting a higher spending and extended travel in those regions.

Also read | Beauty of India: 10 places to make a trip and enjoy the unique charm they offer

OYO, which is currently preparing for its initial public offering (IPO), noted that it operates a network of 50 premium hotels in popular destinations. Of these, 23 are located across Southeast Asia and 27 in the Middle East, primarily under its SUNDAY and Palette brand portfolios.

The company added that it is planning to expand its premium offerings in emerging international hotspots, with a particular focus on aspirational properties and personalised guest experiences tailored to evolving traveller expectations.