I have recounted elsewhere how I acquired a brand new Caddis High Sierra float tube for free, and how it has been collecting dust in my basement for a few years. Well, yesterday I used it for the first time. My daughter and her husband (it was nice to have two Sherpas) and I hiked up to Sterling Pond, a short but relatively gnarly climb. After considering various different options, I decided to carry the thing inflated, and was able to connect it to my backpack with some reusable zip ties and carabiners (it was real conversation starter with other folks we met on the trail). The only fins I have are my old ScubaPro Jetfins, which are pretty heavy and won't fit over wading boots. I tried a variety of different types of footwear, but ultimately just had to put the fins on over the waders with no boots. Fortunately there is a little small sandy entry area to the pond, so I don't think I did any damage to the waders. It was pretty clumsy getting in and out of the tube, and putting on and taking off the fins, but I managed to do it without hurting or embarrassing myself. It was pretty windy, but I didn't have much trouble steering the thing where I wanted to go and staying there; in that respect, for short distances anyway it has something of an advantage over the kayak (at least over a paddle kayak; I don't have a pedal kayak). I brought a four-weight fly rod and reel as well as a tenkara rod up to the pond, but I only used the tenkara rod.
Overall, it was pretty fun. I don't know if I want to lug it up that mountain again (though the tube itself isn't that heavy, my fins are, and a bunch of other crap I brought along since I didn't know what I would need, food water, jacket, sweat pants, etc.), but I may take it over to the local pond on days that I don't feel like dealing with the kayak. I do need to get a little more facile at getting in and out of the thing.
Oh, I didn't catch any fish yesterday. But it was still a fun day, a nice hike, and a stop for lunch in Stowe afterwards.
Overall, it was pretty fun. I don't know if I want to lug it up that mountain again (though the tube itself isn't that heavy, my fins are, and a bunch of other crap I brought along since I didn't know what I would need, food water, jacket, sweat pants, etc.), but I may take it over to the local pond on days that I don't feel like dealing with the kayak. I do need to get a little more facile at getting in and out of the thing.
Oh, I didn't catch any fish yesterday. But it was still a fun day, a nice hike, and a stop for lunch in Stowe afterwards.
For Breathtaking Views Of The Green Mountains, Hike The Out-And-Back Sterling Pond Trail At Smuggler's Notch In Vermont
Sterling Pond Trail on Mount Mansfield is a short and steep out-and-back trail that leads to scenic views in Smuggler's Notch.
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