Wandering Chocorua

I often like to do a lot of recon before a hike.  Other times I do a bit but sort of wing it, usually in places I'm somewhat familiar.  Today (now yesterday) was a totally winging it kind of day as Amy and I met up with the dogs, initially to be disappointed with the parking options at the base of our originally planned hike.

Sage and Audrey, reunited!

After quickly reviewing alternatives, we traveled down Rt 16 to Scott Road in Tamworth with the intention of heading up Hammond Trail, hopefully at least to the Jim Liberty Cabin.  While warmer temperatures and lower winds were in the afternoon forecast, at 9:00AM, it was still in the single digits with some cold gusts so neither of us necessarily had our hearts set on a summit but I was hoping for some sort of closure for Ty - the  cabin, a ledge, something that would give her a good turnaround point (because she is a true peakbagger and is very expressive about turning around for what she considers "no reason")!

The lot is small and thankfully we were the only ones there.  From the start, micros were absolutely perfect for the entirety of the hike. The ground was generally hard packed snow.  Perhaps there wasn't a lot of traffic on this trail throughout the winter because it is almost level with the melting around it - no monorail.  Plenty of spots were down to the leaves with only a dusting on top as well.

All dressed up....

Within a half mile or so, the trail crossed a brook twice, the second of the crossings being a little difficult for the dogs because the few rocks available for hopping were coated in glassy ice.  For once, we humans had the advantage!

A tail of two sides

The second and trickier crossing for the dogs
due to the icy, rounded rocks

Another quarter mile later, as we began ascending a gentle hill, the trail was intersected by what I thought at the time was a carriage road.  Upon returning home and doing some research, it appears to have been a logging road, which I find interesting because I didn't see the evidence of logging I'm accustomed to and it shared characteristics with the few carriage roads turned trails we've hiked.  That being said, many of my experiences with logging roads involve recent harvesting and that particular road could be much, much older.  For example, Lincoln Woods was logged heavily from my understanding and it's unnoticeable to me.

Beautiful open hardwoods was the
predominant habitat of the hiked area

At that point, half the dogs were migrating up the road instead of the marked Hammond Trail.  In light of their enthusiasm and knowing it'd be better footing and consistent grade for Tango, who is about to start PT, we decided to follow them.

Trail shenanigans

Anyone a critter expert and know what happened here?!

Nature beginning to reclaim the road

Just have to post a profile shot of Ty that shows off her awesome new
Body Warmer Hurtta was kind enough to send to us!

The logging road followed the river high along a ridge for awhile and predominantly through hardwoods that creaked in the cold, throwing me off on more than one occasion.  Despite the mellow grade, we gained some appreciable elevation as it wound up the mountainside, something that became very apparent as the wind hit us more powerfully!

And they're off!

So many friends!

Eventually, the road dwindled to nothing and we explored some possible tributaries before heading back.

Back at the car. Everyone looked so darn cute!

Hiking win!

It was a view-less and lovely day wandering that old road and not something I normally do.  But I'm glad we were spontaneous.  The dogs had a great day and it was fun catching up with Amy, who was kind enough to humor us with our variety of sometimes conflicting canine needs throughout the morning.  While this post falls short in the trail reporting sense, may it encourage you to try new things while the trails are in great shape!

Super progress for our shy foster lady!

Gear Review: Hurtta Ultimate Warmer

We've had the Hurtta Ultimate Warmer for a couple of months now and with trails of ice and disappointing weather on all my potential hike days, it's finally time to write a review.

I bought the Ultimate Warmer via Backcountry K-9 for the purpose of keeping Ty warm on the super cold (summit temps below 10*), windy, above treeline hikes I was aiming to do this winter.  While we didn't do quite as much of that as anticipated, Ty still sported the jacket enough for me to know we're both really happy with it and it will hold up to colder temperatures than she's experienced yet.

Full disclosure, we already have a Ruffwear Quinzee and we love it.  It's warm, easy to put on, ideal for layering, and durable.  However, I felt that for some hikes, Ty needed more coverage.

We got off to a rough start with sizing.  I highly recommend measuring your dog multiple times, reading Hurtta's instructions, and sizing up when in doubt.  Tybee ended up in a 22" (per Backcountry K-9's sizing conversion) after having to swap out a couple of smaller sizes that weren't long enough to button the leg flaps behind her rear end.  It looked bulky but I finally realized it is to allow full range of motion.

Very good fit - comfortable but not loose fitting from tail to chest, even with leg extension

To Ty's dismay, I was intrigued by the coat's adjustability and toyed with the options for awhile before leaving the house.  Some basic notes:

• Its interior is very soft (not that Ty can tell but I like it).
• The collar has an upper and lower bungee adjustment to make it nice and snug against the neck.
• A well designed slit in the back to attach a leash to a hidden harness or collar without compromising on its thermal or waterproof properties.
• Chest flaps that provide extra front leg coverage.
• Vest style with broad chest and upper torso coverage.
• Fantastic back leg coverage including
• Optional leg loops that were loose on Ty (in a good way; they perform their function of keeping the jacket in place without being constricting). Some dogs may take a few outings to adjust to them.
• A snap that allows the leg flaps to come together to offer complete protection around the rear end 
• If full coverage is not desired, there is a snap on each side of the interior that allows some of the fabric to be folded back and secured.  Very helpful for a dog who hasn't pottied yet!
• Waterproof exterior.  We haven't used it in the rain/snow yet but I've spilled on it and watched the liquid bead off
• Lightweight, though it is the bulkiest of Ty's jackets (not that it matters to a packrat like me with her 55L winter pack!)
• Ample, durable 3M reflective trim

Thick collar that can be squished down and tightened
as needed by the chords

Full protection that doesn't restrict movement
(be sure when fitting your pet her front legs have full range of motion too).

Lilo models the back leg straps.  I like pit butts and I cannot lie!

Back leg flaps partially folded and affixed to the interior buttons 

Ty's used the Hurtta jacket on several hikes and I have no question she is well protected from the cold.  Her feet still get chilly when we stop (she'd rather be cold than wear boots, believe me, I've tried!).  For that reason, it took a couple hikes to make sure I was accurately reading her body language and ensure her legs, torso, and neck were as toasty as I'd hoped. Ty wore this coat through weather mostly in the upper teens to 20's but the wind chills dropped to the single digits enough for me to feel confident recommending it for colder weather.

Sit down. Stay awhile!

I've also assigned this coat to camping duty due to its snuggie-like coverage and warmth, even at rest.   In the summertime, Ty is fine with her Ruffwear Highlands Bed for overnights but, given my new goal of more camping, I wanted to see if this would extend the months we can hike in, especially since I was gifted a 20* bag recently!  Over the weekend we slept in the car in New York while accompanying a friend to adopt her new pup and she got a little too warm when the outside air temperature was about 40*!

With this in mind and knowing the seasonal transition is slow in the Whites, I know this jacket has at least a few more uses in it this year.  Hopefully people looking to get a head start on collecting gear for next winter will find their way to this review and they'll still have some time to test it out before the black flies return!  (It's also on sale right now!)

Gear Review: Hurtta Active Harness

They say that people should have one article of clothing that is their “go-to.”  It is versatile, always stylish, and works in a variety of situations.  I’m calling our Hurtta Active Harness the dogs’ “go-to” piece. 

Backcountry K-9 sent us a cherry red harness in the early spring and both dogs have been wearing it from the trails to the pavement ever since.  It’s soft yet tough padding hasn’t shown any wear in the few months we’ve had it and it has provided safety and comfort to the dogs.  I’ve been really happy with the harness’s “best of both worlds” functionality; it has enough features to be a hiking harness but is simple enough for every day and other creative uses.

As the snow melted to mud and finally dry dirt, Tango sported the Active Harness on the trail regularly.  The handle was really easy for me to grab him on short notice, such as to move him to the side of a trail narrowed by deep snow for another hiker to pass.  The material is super durable and withstood plenty of sideswiping trees and rolling on rough surfaces.  As the days warmed, Tango seemed genuinely pleased with the harness’s low profile.  It does not cover as much of his back as his other hiking harness, which meant less trapped heat.  Warmer weather also meant the critters my two are famous for chasing were coming out in droves and the harness provided visibility when he’d shoot into the thick woods.  I’d say we’re both pleased with the Active Harness!

While Tango got to strut his stuff in the woods, Ty made good use of the harness for jogging.  Jogging as a concerted effort was new to us this spring and we got to do two races together before I pulled the plug for the summer.  I prefer she wear a harness for safety when jogging and the Hurtta one is perfect.  The handle was great for hanging on to her at the busy start lines; getting her revved up then releasing her added to the excitement!  The chest padding was perfect for our jogs.  I can see how it would be good as a car harness as well, although we didn’t try it ourselves.  When she did plunk down in the car, it was easy to take it off without making her get up again with the side clips.  (Also helpful for foster dogs who are becoming accustomed to handling.)  Ty moved freely and comfortably for our 5K’s and practice runs.  I have to say, she also looked pretty darn good!

So – a harness that fits a wide range of dogs equally well; comfort, quality, and durability; and its readiness to be used in a ton of different situations – can’t go wrong!

Backcountry K-9: http://www.backcountryk9.com/
Hurtta:  http://www.hurtta.com/