Thanks for sharing your memories and enjoying my writing! I plan to reveal more information about the trail and the hike in a future post, but let's just say it is more Midwestern than Hudson but undoubtedly formed by the same glacial processes.
The love for nature that you mention is the critical component. Backpacking skills can be picked up at any point, you just have to be committed to the cause.
I am familiar with the area where you grew up, it is beautiful there! Hopping on stones is a skill that comes in handy more than you might think. I appreciate your response and hope you like the upcoming articles in the series!
RE: Trekking Tech - A Hoopla for Hiking