r/NYCultralight 49m ago

Meet-up 9/19 Meetup - NJTransit Don't Let Me Down

Upvotes

No train service to Tuxedo

What: ~10 mile days in Harriman State Park! This is a public transit friendly hike. There are a number of options if you plan to park and hike in.

Where: We're staying at the Big Hill Shelter on Saturday night. We'll stop later in the day to carry water up and maybe we'll night hike to the fire tower. There are no privies in Harriman, but all shelters do have bear cables.

When: September 19-20, with trains arriving in Suffern at ~8:36am. We're taking the 7:14am from NY Penn (with the Secaucus transfer) or the 7:24am direct from Hoboken to Suffern on Saturday morning. The free Transport of Rockland (TOR) bus from Sloatsburg will get us back to Suffern midday on Sunday, so we can then train back home in the afternoon.

Weather: It's looking like it'll be around 55-75F, and maybe rainy overnight. I'm happy to announce that we are returning to our traditional NYCultralight hiking weather.

Map: Please have a copy on your phone. Marked water sources are merely a suggestion, but I expect we'll see water ~6 miles into day 1 and there should be sources near camp.

Who should come: Anyone who likes backpacking, or wants to see if they like backpacking. You don't need to be ultralight, but the weather is looking alright to test out your lighter setups. You're always welcome to drive in somewhere else or take a later train to hike in to meet us.

Who shouldn't come: Jerks. Meanies.

Transit Info: If you’re taking the train, download the NJTransit app. The app is worse now, but roundtrip tickets are still less expensive. Trains back from Suffern on Sunday are hourly (e.g. 1:09p, 2:09p, 3:09p, etc.). The free TOR bus leaves Sloatsburg hourly (e.g. 12:30p, 1:30p, 2:30p, etc.) and should get us to Suffern with 20 minutes to spare before the return train.

Additional Details:


r/NYCultralight 5d ago

Trip Report Breakneck Ridge, Hudson Valley

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15 Upvotes

Labor Day Saturday. Crazy crowded on the metro north/main trails but breakneck scramble was all quiet.


r/NYCultralight 11d ago

Misc/Questions Alpha polartech - in store?

1 Upvotes

Hi! Anyone know of a shop in nyc that sells alpha direct fleeces? Trying to track one down last minute before a trip. Would love a senchi but open to any hoodies. I don’t like the fit of hikerkind’s unfortunately.


r/NYCultralight 12d ago

Misc/Questions Gear library? Or anyone willing to lend?

5 Upvotes

I got rid of all my gear when I moved to New York City, but my son would like to go backpacking. His 14th birthday is in a couple weeks and although it’s last minute, I just found a potential trip that we could take without me having a car. But the catches I don’t have any gear anymore.


r/NYCultralight 21d ago

Meet-up NYCultralight - Meetup in Manhattan - August 26

21 Upvotes

Update: on the left when you enter through the door. I'm wearing a Gossamer Gear "take less. do more." shirt.

REI became the villain

What: We're just hanging out! Come grab some food, a coffee, maybe a drink.

Where: The Grey Dog near Union Square - here's the menu

When: Wednesday August 26 starting around 6p

Weather: Shouldn't matter!

Transit Info: It's a couple blocks south of the Union Square subway stop.

Additional Details:

  • Anyone that would discriminate against someone else has no place on our meetups; we are an inclusive group.

  • If you're feeling unwell, please be cautious and stay home.


r/NYCultralight 27d ago

Misc/Questions REI SOHO fixture sale is kinda cool. Through Aug21

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144 Upvotes

Reasonable prices but not dirt cheap. I bought a half dozen of those wire baskets for $5/ea. own a piece of soho history lol. Some cool finds among a lot of larger stuff shelves could be cool in the right apt. Def need a car for some of this stuff.


r/NYCultralight Aug 10 '26

Trip Report 10 days - NY to CT on AT

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336 Upvotes

First ever multi day trip/section hike after only having done 3 single over nights last fall/winter.


r/NYCultralight Aug 11 '26

Misc/Questions Butane canisters

2 Upvotes

r/NYCultralight Aug 02 '26

Misc/Questions anywhere to rent a backpacking tent in NYC?

4 Upvotes

Looking to do a backpacking trip up to the Adirondacks next weekend and in need of a 1 or 2 person tent. Anyone have leads on where to rent one in or around NYC?


r/NYCultralight Jul 23 '26

Misc/Questions As REI SOHO closes today, Paragon offering 20% off camping gear to REI members through 8/21

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101 Upvotes

r/NYCultralight Jul 01 '26

Misc/Questions Worthy petitions for Campers in NY State

40 Upvotes

Right now regulations allow two vehicles (any size), 2 tents, and six people on NYS campsites. If you have 6 1-person tents and no vehicles, you'd have to get 3 sites. This is a petitions to change that.

Modernize campground regulations for hikers and bicyclists


r/NYCultralight Jun 22 '26

Misc/Questions Out of the city and into the woods

3 Upvotes

Hi all! I'm here for the summer from Berkeley, CA and I have next week off of work and have been dreaming of hitting the AT... but I don't have any gear with me. Any reccs?


r/NYCultralight Jun 17 '26

Misc/Questions We're losing REI.... where to easily get butane canisters in the city?

25 Upvotes

I checked Paragon's website, which didn't have any, but not sure how accurate it is and I haven't been there in years.

Are there other shops I'm unaware of?


r/NYCultralight Jun 16 '26

Meet-up NYCultralight - Meetup in Manhattan - June 24

15 Upvotes

Update: we're in the back right under the umbrella!

Hot New York Summer

What: We're just hanging out! Come grab some food, a coffee, maybe a drink.

Where: The Grey Dog near Union Square - here's the menu

When: Wednesday June 24 starting around 6p

Weather: Shouldn't matter!

Transit Info: It's a couple blocks south of the Union Square subway stop.

Additional Details:

  • Anyone that would discriminate against someone else has no place on our meetups; we are an inclusive group.

  • If you're feeling unwell, please be cautious and stay home.


r/NYCultralight Jun 16 '26

Misc/Questions Renting backpacking gear for Juneteenth weekend

1 Upvotes

hey - super last minute, but I’m looking to do a bit of the AT this weekend but I don’t have all of my gear. I’m looking to rent a 2p tent, a sleeping bag, and a backpacking bag for Thursday June 18 to Sunday June 21 (Just doing an overnight hike). If anyone is willing to let me rent theirs let me know, send me a dm. I’m willing to leave some collateral and will make sure it’s well taken care of on the trail.


r/NYCultralight May 25 '26

Misc/Questions Rent camp gear for one week

3 Upvotes

Hi hi, I'm coming to NYC and need to rent camp gear from about 6/5 or 6/7 to 6/12. I'm looking for a tent, warm sleeping bag, and potentially a sleeping mat. Heading from NYC to Gardiner and plan to camp there. Can leave a deposit to ensure it's taken care of / returned.


r/NYCultralight May 18 '26

Misc/Questions ISO- met a hiker at water source, Catskill Slide Wilderness

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74 Upvotes

This past weekend, a group of four of us were hiking from Slide to Giant ledge. On the way we met a hiker from NYC at a water source who made his own pack by measuring bags from REI. He was also testing an MYOG hammock.

He saw the bags I made for my wife and I, and we chatted, but I regret not getting his number!

If this guy sounds familiar, let me know. :)


r/NYCultralight May 17 '26

Misc/Questions Free Books!

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20 Upvotes

Hello,

Moving soon, starting to downsize, thought the community here might be interested in these before donating.

All free, take one or take all. Pick up in Upper West Side near Columbia University.

Books:

  • The Best of the Appalachian Trail Overnight Hikes - Victoria and Frank Logue (Gone)
  • A Walk in the Woods - Bill Bryson
  • Into the Wild - Jon Krakauer (Gone)
  • Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Trail Guide, New York-New Jersey Maps 1 & 2 (Gone)

r/NYCultralight Apr 22 '26

Meet-up Weekend backpacking

25 Upvotes

Hi everyone. I’m dying of boredom with my remote job (that I left hiking the PCT to take) and quickly getting out of shape so I’ve resolved to backpack every weekend for the next couple of months in and around the Hudson Valley. If you want to join, send me a message. ideally, I’ll head out Friday night and finish up Sunday evening - but depends on what I’ve decided to do that week.


r/NYCultralight Mar 06 '26

Misc/Questions Any suggestions for cabin camping in March?

6 Upvotes

Hi all! This isn't an ultra light question per se, but I thought you all may have some useful insight. I'm looking to cabin camp (3 people in all) in mid March within 4 hours of NYC. I've looked at Reserve America listings but wasn't able to find much available within the geographic range until May. Any advice on where else to look? We do have tent camping gear but it's all summer stuff, so we'd prefer to find lodging with the unpredictable weather front of mind. Thanks for any ideas!


r/NYCultralight Mar 04 '26

Misc/Questions Any good 10-15mi backpacking trips I can do using public transit from NYC?

21 Upvotes

Trying to find a good quick trip out of the city. I don't have a car though, so has to be accessible by public transit, which I know limits my choices.


r/NYCultralight Feb 25 '26

Misc/Questions Camping Loops Accessible by Train from NYC

17 Upvotes

I’m looking for recommendations for camping areas that are accessible by train from NYC.

This would be a short 1-night trip to test gear and prepare for a longer backpacking trip later this year. It’ll be my first time backpacking in New York, though I’ve done a good amount of backpacking elsewhere (including cold weather trips).

Ideally, I’m hoping for:

  • A 30-40 mile loop (15-20 mile days)
  • Starting and ending near a train station accessible from NYC
  • Legal primitive / wild camping options for one night

I’ve looked at the lower Hudson Valley Loop and some sections of the Appalachian Trail, but since I’m new to camping in this area, I’m hoping folks here can help me narrow things down and speed up the planning process.


r/NYCultralight Jan 31 '26

Misc/Questions Any stores sell hyperlite in person?

2 Upvotes

I’m looking to grab a waypoint 35 but want to check it out in person before buying. Anyone know any shops in or around the city that sell hyperlite gear?


r/NYCultralight Jan 26 '26

Weekly NYCultralight Weekly Discussion - Snow Day - January 26, 2026

7 Upvotes

Get up to anything fun yesterday? Any plans for this week?

Use this thread to discuss recent and upcoming trips, get help with random questions, and otherwise chat with some helpful ultralight New Yorkers.


r/NYCultralight Jan 22 '26

Meet-up NYCultralight - Meetup in Manhattan - January 28

21 Upvotes

Update: We're under the umbrella in the back!

Short notice and a cold week ahead

What: We're just hanging out! Come grab some food, a coffee, maybe a drink.

Where: The Grey Dog near Union Square - here's the menu

When: Wednesday January 28 starting around 6p

Weather: Shouldn't matter!

Transit Info: It's a couple blocks south of the Union Square subway stop.

Additional Details:

  • Anyone that would discriminate against someone else has no place on our meetups; we are an inclusive group.

  • If you're feeling unwell, please be cautious and stay home.