I'm looking for any and all advice from thru-hikers out there. I'm planning a thru-hike starting in March of 2013 and as a result I'd like to start conditioning my body and testing out my gear on sections of the trail in the Northeast. I have an assortment of gear, some purchased, and some hand-me-downs and I'd like to test it (the typical 40lbs. I can anticipate carrying on the trail) on a shortish section of the trail. I expect I'll be able to pull about 7-10 miles a day, I'm in good shape but then again I'm not carrying a pack on my back all day (and b/c the hike isn't that long I think the 40lb. pack will be doable - giving me a good sense of the importance of cutting weight where I can) Where should I go in the Vermont, NH, CT, and MASS region to try out a solid half week hike? I'd like to go from one point to the next and then hop a ride back to my car after the 4th day (rather than walking a loop). Where should I go? Thanks everybody!