Fitpacking

The Pine Barrens -- also known as the Pinelands -- is a vast, magical wilderness area in the otherwise densely populated State of New Jersey. We will be thru-hiking the flat, sandy 50 mile long Batona Trail (from BAck TO NAture). The trail features a surfeit of tranquil streams and ponds featuring flora and fauna such as orchids, deer, and hawks. The Pine Barrens are notable not only for its remote beauty, but its proximity to major population centers like New York City, Philadelphia, Newark, and Wilmington. This is your opportunity to experience colorful Fall Foliage, explore wild New Jersey, and lose weight (or more accurately, improve body composition).

The Pine Barrens Fitpacking Trip will be from Oct 6-13, 2012. Here is the proposed itinerary.

Our route will traverse the entire 50-mile long Batona Trail, which gives participants a nice feeling of satisfaction not only for having completed the entire trail but being able to claim they walked 50 miles. Daily mileages average about 9 miles per day on primarily flat, often sandy trail punctuated by a few rolling hills. Crackling campfires may be permitted in certain campsites to warm us up on chilly and crisp fall evenings.

The Batona Trail is one of Fitpacking's less strenuous offerings and is recommended for beginners, although even the highly experienced guides are full of anticipation and excitement for this destination.

Weather is always an important concern when hiking. Expect daytime hiking temperatures into the 60s and 70s and nighttime temperatures in the 40s. However temperatures may reach the 80s or fall below freezing on any given day. Fall in New Jersey might bring frost at night. So while the water temperature may be too cold for swimming, the foliage will be nearing peak and the mosquitoes will be reasonably sedentary. Be prepared for a variety of conditions. Here is the historical October weather

Steve Silberberg, lives in Hull, MA and has many years of backpacking experience over a variety of terrains and guides most Fitpacking trips. He is a SOLO certified Wilderness First Responder, Leave No Trace Trainer, and Certified Food Handler.

Jeff Collins lives in MD and thru-hiked the entire 2200 mile Appalachian Trail Northbound in 2010 (Trail Name: Rorschach)

He guided Fitpacking trips to the White Mountain National Forest and Shenandoah National Park. He has a degree from Tulane University.

Here is a list of equipment we suggest you bring. The list is extensive and can seem daunting, but please don't let this deter you from the trip. You can rent top notch quality gear for reasonable prices from Lower Gear. It may also be possible for us to provide some gear for you at a nominal fee if you let us know far ahead of the trip. Unfortunately, we're not in the gear business so the selection of our available inventory is unpredictable. Please feel free to discuss any gear with us before the trip.

We don't believe in austere eating regimens. Backpacking is a rigorous, rewarding activity. You must feed your body in order for it perform. Your body will dictate that you eat often, so it's important to have fuel to feed it. Please check out the sample menus. This list is not comprehensive and may be altered or augmented. If you want to bring personal food, say a 5 pound chocolate cake, go for it. You'll not only hate carrying it over 50 miles through Central Jersey, your body will reject the empty calories and prefer nutritious food.

$1000 per person double occupancy. Here, double occupancy means that you will share a room with another participant during the 2 hotel nights. You will also be responsible for transportation to and from Philadelphia (PHL), personal equipment and any restaurant meals eaten off the trail.

Covered expenses include 2 hotel nights, campground fees, 6 days of trail meals, ground transportation to/from the parks, National Park permits, insurance and awesome guides.

Fitpacking is on an ongoing quest to expand its selection of trip destinations. As such, this is the very first time we are offering a trip to the Pine Barrens. Even though they are seasoned backpackers, the guides for this trip may NOT have previously backpacked these particular trails.

Many intrepid participants are excited by pioneering new routes, but others don't feel as comfortable with this and may prefer a more established, predictable trip. Experience guiding a certain destination can make things run smoother, but do not underestimate the decades of backpacking experience that our guides possess which permeate every other aspect of the trip in order to ensure a safe and enjoyable journey.