Looking at doing some practice hiking for June AT hike by spending a week on the NET. We live near the greenfield area so we would do sobo. Hoping to complete the MA portion in 7 days but we are pretty green hikers so it will be slow going.
I expect to tent at Grace Mountain, Richard-Zlogar, Wendell, a friend’s backyard in Shutesbury and then trying to figure out the rest.
Is there anywhere to tent near the northern (eastern) end of the Mt Holyoke ridge? Can we tent at the Mt Holyoke cabin area without a reservation?
Any other sections that ARE ok to stealth camp? I want to be respectful but also want to practice with my gear and all.
I saw a tent site in southern MA on one map but it wasn’t on another. Is there one? If so, we’d just need to figure out either side of the MT Holyoke ridge. My mom lives near there and worst case we can take a night off the trail at her place. She can also shuttle us around the CT river.
Also general idea of the frequency and intensity of climbs in MA?
—we have done around 8 miles, with a big mountain climb in a 7 hour day with a bum ankle (and with heavier packs than what we’ll have now) and been fine. Some of the stretches we’re going to have to make, given shelter scarcity, is going to come close to doubling that.
Water sources/consistency?
Is it crazy to try going mid March? Obviously be attentive to the weather, but it’s been such a mild winter. It just happens to be when we have a break.
I’ve done a bunch of research but it seems like info about this trail is hard to come by and vague at best.