Labrador Unique Area, Labrador Hill, Skyline Trail, Heiberg Forest

I hiked up Lab, through Kettlebail Forest, and into Heiberg, taking a few photos along the way. It was a beautiful August 13th. Enjoy.

Parking lot @ Labrador Unique Area looking W-NW

Swampy area going into Heiberg 

The dirt road that connects Kettlebail with Heiberg 

Dead leaf in the swamp 

Labrador Crossing Rd. I've never hiked along the paved road but I wanted to get some shots over here for a change.

Looking south toward Lab Pond and Jones Hill

Looking North, Jones Hill on the right

Things Hikers Should Not Waste Money On

You can blow a lot of money on hiking gear but there are a few things you can avoid to save some bucks.

Expensive insoles. It has become nearly second nature to buy replacement insoles when we buy boots these days. With the exception of those who need custom orthotics to compensate for legitimate foot trouble you do not need new insoles. In fact, here's a little tip from some hardcore hikers: you don't even need insoles at all. None. If you're the kind of person who hikes a lot, like 75-200 miles per month, then you probably have the classic hikers foot (long and narrow) and you may have found yourself never finding just the right fit with your boots....always some heel slip, too tight, heel pressure, whatever. In my experience, a lot of these problems can be solved entirely with the total removal of all insoles. Take them out, stick them in the pack, put on some wool mountaineering socks, lace snugly, and hike. You'll have some free play in the boot but still snug and comfortable with no heel slip or toe bang. 

Second, I see a few clowns out in the woods from time to time who have mistaken hiking for a day at Camp Rambo. I have no doubt that there are some places in the US where hiking is legitimately dangerous but, seriously, if your outdoor recreation involves mingling with drug cartels and human traffickers I'd just find a new form of recreation. Apart from these scenarios there are zero good reasons to pack handguns or giant military knives. If you're packing heat and running around like Rambo in the woods because you're afraid of running into a creep, I hate to tell you this, but, you are the creep you've been waiting for. If you think guns and knives are going to protect you from wildlife or maniacs you're out of your mind. You don't have the training or the background to do anything but get yourself wounded or killed or, worse, accidentally ruin somebody else's life. Besides, if you have walking sticks and bear spray you have all the resources to defend yourself from anything that poses a risk. 

Third, don't waste your money on subscriptions to hiking or backpacking magazines. The whole world of print magazines is a total joke and has been for nearly two decades, whether they be devoted to body building, guitars, or whatever else. They are total wastes of paper and money, rehash the same old content over and over, and are so filled with ads that there's really no room left for anything substantial. 

The Cato to Fair Haven Trail, Cayuga County, NY

You might think that the Cato-Fair Haven trail is just a mosquito-infested ATV superhighway through a swamp, and, in reality, that's pretty much what it is. As far as 'hikes' go it's a miserable road march with only a couple of mud puddles to break up the flat, straight monotony of it all. However, if you ever wanted to walk through a swamp, without actually getting in the swamp, this is a great walk.

Once you resign yourself to the fact that your 'hike' on a 'trail' is really a walk down a narrow road filled with Shriner vehicles you can take in the natural beauty along the way, and, really, there's a bit to see.

My advice is to ditch the hiking boots and just wear sneakers or light walking shoes -- and load up on bug repellant.

Finger Lakes Fungi

Some handsome specimens I found along the Finger Lakes Trail (Spring 2013)

Spring 2013 on and around the Finger Lakes Trail

Spring 2013 on and around the Finger Lakes Trail

Mariposa State Forest 

Tuller Hill State Forest

Otselic State Forest

Heiberg Memorial Forest 

Hoxie Gorge

Beaver Creek

Zamberlan Lagorai

I wonder if a finer boot has been made? The Zamberlan Lagorai represents the pinnacle of first rate materials and workmanship -- truly, these boots are a thing of wonder. Yet, you already know all this. What I want to address is, what turned out for me, their weird sizing. I bought a pair of these Lagorai but only wore them about six hours before I had to admit that they just weren't going to work out.

If you've been reading the online consumer reviews concerning these boots then you've seen comments to the effect that they are sized about a half size larger than stated. It's actually weirder than that. I wear a 13 in virtually all hiking boots but can easily get away with a pair of 14s with heavy socks -- indeed, I'm a happy owner of two pairs of Lowa in size 14 so I thought these in 13 would be perfect. However, the Lagori (and from what I can ascertain, the entire NW line) doesn't actually provide a 13.5" boot when the label says 13" -- they're more like 13" with regard to the toe box and 15 in the heel.

The amount of heel lift with these boots was really excessive with thin, medium, heavy, and even extra-heavy mountaineering socks from Darn Tough. The only time I could eliminate most of the slippage was with my thickest socks and laced up so tight that they became torture chambers. There was just no way to make them fit. I couldn't go down to a pair of 12s because 'boot bang' was going to be an issue. Pretty disappointing to say the least. But definitely give the Lagorai a spin because if you find a pair that fit you're in for a real treat.

Smartwool Vs. Darn Tough Hiking Socks

I've been using Darn Tough socks for a long time but recently tried out a pair of the ironically named "Smartwool" heavy duty hiking socks. They cost a few bucks less and the online hype / reviews were good so it seemed like a good idea.

Bad idea.

I tried out the Smartwool socks on a 12 mile snowshoeing tour up Labrador 'Mountain' (really, just a big hill) nearly Tully, NY. across Kettlebail Forest and a ways into Heiberg Memorial Forest. After about 6 miles I notified Houston that we had a problem and, indeed, another mile down the trail and I had developed my first blister in 27 years.

These socks are poorly woven, floppy, baggy, do not hold their form, and after a few miles already started to unravel. By contrast, my last pair of Darn Tough have seen over 400 miles and have been through the wash approximately 15 or 20 times, are still tight, dense, thick, and soft.

So, I wore the Smartwool socks for a little over 10 miles and washed them once:

The result is a semi-formless blob of wool that is coming apart.

These things will be okay for people keeping their toes warm in the living room or for those who 'hike' a few miles a day but they're not contenders for serious trekking or backpacking.

Pay the extra $5 and go with a pair of Darn Tough wool socks.