From: Male, busy manager, backpacking enthusiast
Date: Tuesday, September 1, 2009, 1:53 AM

Rollo -
How are you? My name is XXX. I was hoping if you had a few
minutes you could help me. Recently I discovered this site,
and I also have discovered how much I love what LITE is about.
Unfortunately, being a manager in a XXX chain (and the
crazy hours I work) means I have yet to actually be able to
join one of the LITE outings. What I have been doing, however,
is using the information on the outings and trying to recreate
some of the meetups myself with a few friends. My friends and
I agree that the best type of outing we could do would be one
in which a trail/hike is needed to get to a remote campsite,
camp there overnight, and then trail/hike back. Is there
anything like that you could recommend? I do see information
about something along those lines in fire island, but
unfortunately the description is very broad and would be hard
to recreate. Also besides fire island, is there anything else
that is more remote but less than 10hrs drive away?
I really appreciate everything you do, and although I have yet
to meet you I want you to know you have helped me and my
friends enjoy the outdoors much more than we ever have.

Thanks,
XXX


Hi XXX,

Thank you for the email and your kind appreciation of LITE. It really uplifts as more to hear how members like you have become more driven to take on the trails. This is the very reason why we formed LITE. We are passionate to show the trails and promote the outdoor experience to enthusiasts like you.

You can go to many places here in the NorthEast with 10hrs. From Suffolk, Harriman/Hudson/Ramapo is just 2 hours or less away, Gunks/Catskills/Berkshires/Ulster/PA around 3-4, Adirondacks 5-6. Harriman is a favorite backpacking destination. The Catskills and Adirondacks are busy with backpacking too.

Don't hesitate to email me your questions and I will do my best to give you some ideas of where to go. There are also fine books that detail out the northeast hikes. I will post them on the meetup site so others can check it. Keep me posted with your hike plans and maybe we can backpack together sometime.

Happy hiking,
Rollo


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Date: Tuesday, August 25, 2009, 1:42 PM

Hi Rollo -

I just found your meetup group info and would like to be a part
of it! Take care.

XXX

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From: Female, fitness enthusiast
Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2009, 8:14 AM

Hello Rollo

I am a fitness enthusiast and run/ power walk/bike etc...but I
realize hiking is a whole separate deal. For any hikes more than 5
miles or so, does it make good sense for me to purchase actual
hiking shoes? I typical walk in cross trainers or running shoes
but this is not hiking. I belong to another meetup group in
which we hiked in pretty hilly grounds in Easport and while I
was ok, I felt I would have been smarter to have had hiking
shoes. I really want to make hiking a part of my life to stay healthy.
The Eastport hike really exposed me to something (the hiking) that I took
a huge liking to. Therefore, would you suggest I purchase
shoes? If so, can you give a novice like me some tips on buying
her first pair? I apologize but i am clueless right now but
want to do the right thing. I have the stamina to do the hikes
long hikes, but i think I need the right equipment . Thank you so much
in advance for any info you can provide for me.

XXX


Hi XXX,

If you are a runner, then I assume that you have a good handle with your footing. The Long Island trails is something not to worry about too much. From my experience, a good trail/running shoes is enough for the trails. I occasionally even use my regular running shoes to do quick 5 mile hikes. Unlike the regular shoes, hiking shoes, or the trail running shoes, are mostly waterproof. This will come very useful when there are wet sections of the trail, especially when hiking right after a rain.

If you are serious about hiking, it is always advisable to invest on a good pair of hiking shoes. Since starting the hiking last August, I have already invested two sets - one Vasque leather hiking shoes for winter, and one Merrell for the other seasons. Both are mid-cuts. Midcuts are good in providing ankle support - from tipping side to side when walking on uneven ground surfaces, ie with roots, etc.

Make sure you fit your shoes properly. Always bring a good pair of thick socks to fit in the shoes when buying. When going downhill, your toes should not touch the front of the shoes. When going uphill, your heel should not be more than 1/2 inch from the sole. Shoe should be tight enough so there is no rubbing inside, but not too tight so it will not generate heat and trigger the blisters.

I am planning to buy a low-cut trail running shoes (again water proof) as I'm looking at mixing trail running in my hikes. Low-cuts are better in running that mid-cuts. I also think that the low-cuts will provide more comfort during summer hikes. When hiking upstate, I always wear the mid-cuts. So while the low-cuts is comfy during summer, I need to get used to the mid-cuts so the same shoes can provide me a wide range of hiking trail conditions.

As to the long hikes, the key is endurance not speed. Im sure you know this well being a runner yourself. Why not try to hike with us in our practice hikes in the coming weeks? Join the hikes so you can have a good sense of the hike speed, trail conditions, and other helpful ideas, and meet other hikers as well.

Though some of our scheduled hikes are longer, there is always a way to hike portions of it. Contact me if you are want to hike any portion of any of our scheduled hikes and I can help you design a bail out or exit point.

Rollo


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Date: Sunday, March 1, 2009, 6:41 AM

Rollo
Hi there.
I am interested in hiking, biking & photography and was
wondering, is becomming a member of this Meet Up possible?
A friend of mine is a member of this group and enjoys it very
much.
Thank you for your time.
XXX


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Date: Friday, January 30, 2009, 11:32 AM

Hey Rollo. I've been watching your schedule from here in
Florida, I joined your group back in November,but have not
participated. I'll be returning to L.I. in April. Looking
forward to my first hike with you guys. Thanks...XXX