Onestep's Ultralight Backpacking Resource HOME
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GEAR | WHITE BLAZE | FITNESS | BLUE BLAZE |
| Backpacking is a sport that requires physical strength and stamina. The more of each I have, the more I enjoy my sport. I am by no means in any kind of world class shape. I simply enjoy walking and the benefits that result. September of 1999 was my first ultralight backpacking trip. I hiked 124 miles of the Appalachian Trail thru Vermont in 7 days. I averaged 19 miles a day during the 6 full days that I hiked. I attribute that to ultralight gear and being in "shape"... here is what I did to get there:
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I followed a modified Ray Jardine program in 1999 that allowed me to backpack those 128 miles in 7 days. A 23 lb pack fully loaded with 5 days of food and fuel helped, as did being is some sort of shape. Sometimes I think the fitness aspect is overlooked in ultralight hiking.
Before I explain what I did to "get in shape" I must tell you I quit smoking in 1995. All during that time though, I led as active a lifestyle as my lungs would allow.
What did I do to get in shape?,,, simple, I walked! Every other day I would walk for 5 miles. Every walk I increased the amount of weight I carried by 1 (yes ONE) pound. By the end of 2 months I was carrying 36 pounds. At that point, I started to increase my milage a little more each time I walked. At the end of 3 months I was walking 8 miles, every other day, with my 36 lb pack...
I believe that your exercise day makes you weaker, and the following rest day makes you stronger.
Increasing the intensity of each walk by one pound never made walking a "chore". It was just as easy to walk 5 miles with no weight on my back as it was at the end to walk 8 miles with 36 pounds.
The previous year I averaged 11 miles a day during my 1 week AT section hike. When I left on my Vermont trip, I had no Idea how many miles a day I would be able to hike. I was blown away at the end of the first day when I discovered I had hiked 19 miles, I felt good, and there was still plenty of day light to go!
As an added benefit of walking my way into "shape", I got to test and tryout various gear, ie my Umbrella / Sneakers / Wind shirt & pants, etc etc...
Here is what I do to stay in shape. It was my intention to maintain this log indefinitely, but you'll get the picture!
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03-02-01
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Treadmill 30 min at 3mph, 10% grade, 30 lbs
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03-05-01
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Squats, 50lbs, 3 sets, 50/50/30reps
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03-08-01
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Squats, 50lbs, 3 sets, 50/50/30reps
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03-09-01
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Walked 60 min today at lunch.
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Cloudy/calm/41'
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03-10-01
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Squats, 50lbs, 3 sets, 50/50/30reps
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03-11-01
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Snowshoe 1-1/2hr, Thorncraig, w/10 lbs
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Cloudy/calm/44'
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03-13-01
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Treadmill 30 min at 3mph, 10% grade, 35 lbs
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03-15-01
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Walked 60 min today at lunch.
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Sunny/breezy/44'
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Treadmill 40 min at 3mph, 10% grade, 35lbs
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03-16-01
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Walked 50 min today during lunch
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Sunny/breezy/46'
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03-17-01
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Snowshoe 5 miles, Mt Potash, WMNF
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Sunny/calm/48'
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03-19-01
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Walked 60 min today during lunch.
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Sunny/windy/50'
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Walked 5.8 miles after work.
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Sunny/calm/44'
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03-20-01
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Walked 3.8 miles during lunch.
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Sunny/calm/52'
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03-21-01
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Walked 3.8 miles during lunch
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Overcase/breezy/48'
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Treadmill 50 min at 3 mph, 10% grade, 35lbs
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03-24-01
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Snowshoe 2hr 25min, w/21lb's, Mt Apatite
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Sunny/calm/44'
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03-26-01
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Walked 3.8 miles during lunch
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Sunny/calm/39'
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03-27-01
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Walked 20 min during lunch
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Sunny/breezy/39'
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03-28-01
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Walked 3.8 miles during lunch
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Cloudy/windy/40'
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Walked 5 miles w/23lb's after work
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Mostly sunny/breezy/39'
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03-31-01
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Squats, 50 lbs, 50 reps
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04-01-01
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Snowshoe 2hr 15min, w/27lb's, Mt Apatite
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Cloudy/calm/34'
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04-02-01
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Walked 50 min during lunch
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Partly sunny/windy/40'
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04-03-01
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Walked 3.8 miles during lunch
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Overcast/breezy/40'
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Walked 5.8 miles w/30lb's after work
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Overcast/calm/39'
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04-04-01
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Walked 3.8 miles during lunch
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Sunny/calm/52'
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04-05-01
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Walked 3.8 miles during lunch
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Sunny/breezy/52'
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Walked 5.8 miles w/33lb's after work (in shorts!)
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Sunny/calm/51'
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04-06-01
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Walked 3.8 miles during lunch
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Cloudy/calm/52'
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04-07-01
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Walked 5.8 miles w/36lb's after work (shorts & tee-shirt)
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Sunny/calm/54'
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04-09-01
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Walked 5.8 miles w/36lb's after work
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Overcast/calm/50'
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04-10-01
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Walked 3.8 miles during lunch
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Sunny/windy/54'
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04-11-01
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Walked 3.8 miles during lunch
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Overcast/calm/54'
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Walked 5.3 miles w/36lb's after work
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Partly cloudy/calm/50'
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04-13-01
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Walked 3.8 miles during lunch
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Cloudy/calm/45'
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04-14-01
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Hiked 2 miles w/36lb's, Monument Hill
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Sunny/breezy/50's
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04-16-01
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Walked 3.8 miles during lunch
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Sunny/calm/55'
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Walked 5.8 miles w/36lb's after work
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Sunny/calm/53'
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04-17-01
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Walked 3.8 miles during lunch
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Sunny/calm/56'
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04-18-01
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Walked 30 min during lunch
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Cloudy/windy/44'
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04-19-01
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Walked 50 min during lunch
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Sunny/breezy/44'
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Walked 9.2 miles w/36lb's after work
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Sunny/breezy/40's
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04-21-01
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Walked 9.2 miles w/36 lb's
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Sunny/Calm/67'
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04-23-01
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Walked 40min during lunch
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Sunny/calm/44'
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Walked 9.2 miles w/38 lb's
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Sunny/breezy/50's
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04-25-01
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Walked 5 miles w/38 lb's after work
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Overcast/breezy/50's
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04-26-01
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Walked 3.8 miles during lunch
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Sunny/calm/62'
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04-27-01
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Walked 3.8 miles during lunch
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Sunny/calm/64'
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04-29-01
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Backpacked 21.9 miles, Arden NY to Wawayanda Shelter NJ, on Appalachian Trail
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04-30-01
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Backpacked 20.2 miles, to Secret Hostle
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05-01-01
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Backpacked 18.1 miles to Gren Anderson Shelter
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05-02-01
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Backpacked 20.6 miles to AMC Mohican Camp
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05-03-01
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Backpacked 10.5 miles to Deleware Water Gap PA
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05-04-01
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Backpacked 19.7 miles to Leroy Smith Shelter
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05-05-01
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Backpacked 24.4 miles to Bake Oven Knob Shelter
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05-06-01
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Backpacked 18.7 miles to Eckville Shelter
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05-07-01
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Backpacked 15.7 miles to Port Clinton PA
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05-08-01
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Backpacked 23.0 miles to 501 Shelter
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05-09-01
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Backpacked 23.3 miles to Stealth Camp past Yellow Springs Village Site
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05-10-01
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Backpacked 19.3 miles to Clarks Ferry Shelter
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05-11-01
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Backpacked 30.3 miles across Cumberland Valley to Boiling Springs PA
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05-14-01
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Walked 1/2 hour during lunch
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Cloudy/breezy/64'
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05-17-01
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Hiked 2 hours Mt Apatite
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Overcast/calm/60's
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05-19-01
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Hiked 8.7 miles Wright Trail, E Peak Goose Eye, w/18 lbs
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Overcast/calm/50's
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05-20-01
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Hiked 9.0 miles Carter-Moriah Trail, Mt Moriah, w/20lbs
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Sunny/calm/60's
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05-21-01
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Walked 1/2 hour during lunch
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05-23-01
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Walked 1/2 hour during lunch
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Overcast/calm/64'
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05-24-01
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Walked 1/2 hour during lunch
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Sunny/calm/74'
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05-26-01
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Hiked 3 miles Sweete Brook Trail, w/16 lbs
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Sunny/calm/70's
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05-29-01
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Walked 3.8 miles during lunch
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Sunny/calm/70's
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05-30-01
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Walked 1/2 hour during lunch
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Overcast/calm/60's
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05-31-01
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Walked 1/2 hour during lunch
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Cloudy/windy/50's
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06-01-01
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Walked 1/2 hour during lunch
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Sunny/calm/70's
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06-04-01
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Walked 3.8 miles during lunch
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Mostly sunny/calm/70's
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06-05-01
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Walked 1/2 hour during lunch
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Mostly sunny/calm/70's
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06-06-01
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Walked 1/2 hour during lunch
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Sunny/calm/70's
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06-07-01
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Walked 1/2 hour during lunch
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Sunny/calm/70's
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Hiked 1/2 hour w/32 lbs, Streaked Mtn
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Sunny/calm/70's
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06-08-01
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Walked 3.8 miles during lunch
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Sunny/calm/70's
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06-11-01
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Walked 1/2 hour during lunch
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Partly cloudy/calm/70's
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06-12-01
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Walked 3.8 miles during lunch
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Sunny/calm/70's
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06-13-01
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Walked 1/2 hour during lunch
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Sunny calm/70's
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06-14-01
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Walked 1/2 hour during lunch
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Sunny calm/80's
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06-16-01
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Backpacked 17.3 miles to Carlo Col shelter, AT, NH
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Hazy/Hot/Humid, 90's
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06-17-01
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Backpacked 15.0 miles to Grafton Notch, Rt 26, ME
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Rain/Showers/45-65'
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06-19-01
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Walked 1hr 45 min w/37 lbs. Applesass & Bartlett hills
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Sunny/calm/hot
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06-20-01
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Walked 1/2 hour during lunch
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Sunny/Humid/90's
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06-22-01
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Walked 1/2 hour during lunch
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Overcast/70's
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06-23-01
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One Day Presidential Traverse, 19.8 miles w/10 lbs,WMNF/NH
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06-26-01
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Walked 1/2 hour during lunch
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Sunny/humid/89'
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06-27-01
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Walked 1/2 hour durnig lunch
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Sunny/brezy/90's
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06-29-01
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Walked 1/2 hour during lunch
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Sunny/dry/70's
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06-30-01
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Backpacked 3.8 miles to Sabbath Day Pond Lean-to w/16 lbs
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07-01-01
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Backpacked 3.8 miles back to Rt 17
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07-07-01
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Hiked 10 miles w/8 lb's Boot Spur/Alpine Garden/Nelson Craig Trails WMNF
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07-09-01
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Walked 1/2 hour during lunch
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Sunny/breezy/70's
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07-10-00
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Walked 5 miles w/37lb's after work.
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Sunny/breezy/warm
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07-12-00
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Walked 4 miles into Seawall beach and back
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Sunny/calm/warm
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07-22-00
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Walked a mile or so at Mattawamkeag Wilderness Park
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Rain/warm/humid
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07-31-00
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Walked 5 miles w/37lb's after work
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Sunny/warm/nice
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08-06-00
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Hiked 5.4 miles w/11.5lb's, AT up Sugarloaf Mtn, ME
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Sunny/warm/nice
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08-08-00
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Walked/Hiked 2hrs 10min w/37lb's to Thorncraig and back
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Sunny/hot/humid
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08-10-00
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Walked 5 miles w/38lb's after work
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Sunny/hot/humid
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08-12-00
08-13-00
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Backpacked 6.1 miles Bemis Valley Trail w/16 lbs...............
Backpacked 7.2 miles AT back to car
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Partly sunny/warm/calm
Cloudy/cool/calm
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08-15-00
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Walked/Hiked 1hr 50min w/38lb's to Thorncraig and back
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Cloudy/cool/damp
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08-18-00
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Walked downtown to Balloon Festival and back.
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Cool/dry/crisp
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08-21-00
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Walked 5 miles w/38lb's after work
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Cloudy
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08-23-00
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Walked/Hiked 40min w/38lb, 90 min w/54lb's to Thorncraig
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Sunny/warm/dry
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08-25-00
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Walked 1 hour during lunch at work.
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Hot/sunny
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08-28-00
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Walked 1 hour durng lunch at work.
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Warm/nice
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08-29-00
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Walked 30 min during lunch at work.
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Warm/nice
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09-02-00
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Backpacked 21.1 miles Cheshire MA to October Mtn Lean-to , Appalachian Trail
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09-03-00
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Backpacked 22.8 miles to Mt Wilcox North Lean-to
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09-04-00
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Backpacked 21.4 miles to Glen Brook Shelter.
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09-05-00
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Backpacked 17.6 miles to Rand's View, CT.
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09-06-00
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Backpacked 22.6 mles to Stewart Hollow Brook Lean-to
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09-07-00
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Backpacked 20.0 miles to Webatuck (Wiley) Shelter, NY
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09-08-00
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Backpacked 16.2 miles to Morgan Stewart Shelter
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09-09-00
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Backpacked 15.9 miles to Fahnestock State Park
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09-11-00
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Backpacked 11.8 miles to Greymoor Christian Unity Center
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09-12-00
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Backpacked 9.2 miles to stealth camp S of Bear Mountain
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09-13-00
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Backpacked 6.3 miles to William Brien Memorial Shelter
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09-14-00
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Backpacked 5.3 miles to Fingerboard Shelter
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09-15-00
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Backpacked 4.4 miles to NY 17, Arden/Southfields
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09-20-00
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Walked 4.0 Miles around Back Bay Cove, Portland ME
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09-22-00
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Bicycled 1hr easy spinning
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09-23-00
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Hiked 7.6 miles w/17 lbs. Old Speck Mtn
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09-27-00
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Walked 1hr during lunch time at work.
Walked 1.5hrs after work.
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10-03-00
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Walked 1/2 hr during lunch time at work.
Walked 1.75hrs after work
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Sunny/68'/NICE!!
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10-05-00
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Walked 1hr during lunch time at work.
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Sunny/nice
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10-08-00
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Hiked 4.5 miles w/10 lbs, Tumbledown Mtn, w/MOAC.
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Scattered clouds/shower
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10-11-00
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Walked 1hr after work. Up Bartlett & Applesass hills.
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Sunny/64'
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10-12-00
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Walked 1hr during lunch time at work.
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Sunny/70'/Beautiful!!
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10-13-00
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Walked 1hr during lunch time at work.
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10-14-00
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Hiked 9 miles w/8 lbs, Moat Mtn Ridge Trail, w/MOAC
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Sunny & HOT!
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10-19-00
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Walked 1hr during lunch time at work
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Sunny/breezy/60'
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10-20-00
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Walked 1hr during lunch time at work.
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Sunny/breezy/60'
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10-21-00
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Bicyled 2hrs. easy spinning with Amee.
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Sunny/calm/74'
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10-22-00
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Hiked 3 miles w/10lbs, Pleasant Pond Mtn.
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Sunny/cool/40's
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10-23-00
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Walked 1/2hr during lunch time at work.
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Sunny/calm/54'
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10-25-00
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Walked 45min during lunch time at work
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Sunny/calm/68'
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10-26-00
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Walked 1hr during lunch time at work
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Another Beautiful Day!
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10-29-00
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Bushwacked 2hrs w/15lbs, Sunday River Whitecap
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Snowing/30's
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11-04-00
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Hiked 5.0 miles w/20lb's, Bigelow Mountain
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PartleySunny/cool/snow
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11-07-00
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Walked 55min during lunch time at work.
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Sunny/breezy/58'
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11-16-00
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Walked 55 min during lunch time at work.
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Sunny/breezy/48'
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11-17-00
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Walked 55 min during lunch time at work
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Sunny/breezy/51'
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11-19-00
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Hiked 4.8 miles w/17lbs, Tuckermans Ravine Mt Washington
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Sunny/windy/27'
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11-21-00
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Walked 55 min during lunch time at work.
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Sunny/calm/40'
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11-25-00
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Hiked 5.5 miles w/14lb's, Mt Megunticook
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Overcast/calm/30'
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12-31-00
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Snowshoe 3 miles w/10lb's, Thorncrag Bird Santuary
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Overcast/calm/30'
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01-05-01
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Walked 30min during lunch time at work
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Overcast/calm/20'
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01-06-01
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Treadmill 20min at 3mph, 10% grade.(boring!!...
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...but effective!!)
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01-07-01
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X-Country skied 5 miles. Harris Farm Ski Center (FUN!!)
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Sunny/calm/30's
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01-09-01
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Treadmill 1 mile at 3mph, 10% grade, w/10lbs
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still boring
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01-11-01
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Treadmill 20min at 3mph, 10% grade, w/15lbs
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ho-hummmmm
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01-13-01
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Snowshoe 4 miles Davis Path, Mt Crawford, WMNF w/15lbs
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Sunny/calm/20's
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01-14-01
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Snowshoe 1-1/2 hrs Mt Apatite
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Overcast/calm/30's
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01-17-01
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Treadmill 20min at 3mph, 10% grade, w/20lbs
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01-20-01
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Squats 50lbs, 3 sets, 50/50/30reps
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01-21-01
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Snowshoe 2-1/2 hrs, 10lbs, Morgan Meadows
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Overcase/ccalm/25'
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01-23-01
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Squats 50lbs, 3 sets, 50/45/30reps
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01-25-01
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Squats 50lbs, 3 sets, 50/40/35reps
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01-26-01
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Walked 30min during lunch time at work
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Sunny/calm/33'
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01-27-01
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Treadmill 20 min at 3mph, 10% grade, w/25lbs
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01-28-01
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Snowshoe 2 hrs, w/10lbs, Bemis Valley Trail
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Sunny/breezy/20'
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01-30-01
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Squats 50lbs, 3 sets, 50/40/25reps
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JAN, FEB,