Northeast Mountain Guiding

Intro to Backpacking

Have you ever wanted to take your day hiking to the next level? Not sure how to tackle an overnight hike or a multi-day trip? Then this is the course for you!

Course length: 2 days

Location: Delaware Water Gap NRA, NJ; Stokes State Forest, NJ; Adirondack State Park, NY; Plymouth, VT; Basalt, CO; Payson, Arizona; Housatonic State Forest, CT; Green Mountain National Forest, VT; Crowders Mountain State Park, NC; Denali National Park, AK; Pine Barrens, NJ

Prerequisite: no prior experience necessary

Ratio:6:1 (private and couple courses available)

Total miles for both days: 12-14

Cost: $165 -$225 USD depending upon location

*Email us for other location pricing

*This course can be included in our multi-sport trips

NJ course description: We meet in the evening at the Appalachian Mountain Club's Mohican Outdoor Center in Blairstown, NJ for a gear overview, trail ethics, campsite selection, Leave No Traceand other basics of backpacking. We then spend the night in comfortable lodging in the area, waking up early to head down to the Delaware Water Gap, where we start our backpacking trip up the Appalachian Trail. We spend the night in a site of choice along the trail and hike out the next day.(email us for a course description in the other offered locations)

For group trip dates please see our Course Calendar

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Adirondacks Backpacking Experience

Join us on a weekend packed with adventure in the High Peaks of the Adirondacks!

Course length: 2 days

Location: Adirondack State Park, NY

Prerequisite: Intro to Backpacking or prior backpacking experience

Ratio:6:1 (private and couples trips available)

Total miles for both days: 16-20

Cost: $285 USD per person

Course description: We meet at the Adirondack Loj where we go over gear and supplies. From there we'll start our hike to some magnificent 4,000 and 5,000 foot mountains. The High Peaks of the Adirondacks are an experience like no other! Along the way you'll be able to see distant peaks offering great vistas. We'll set up camp after an amazing day of backpacking just off-trail. The next day we'll be backpacking more trails in this wonderful area! If you've never been to the Adirondacks then this trip is for you!

For group trip dates please see our Course Calendar

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Advanced Backpacking

Do you want to turn those weekend trips into week long trips? Are you planning a thru-hike? Then this is the course for you!

Course length: 3-7 day trips available

Location: Delaware Water Gap NRA, NJ and PA; Adirondack State Park, NY; Basalt, CO; Housatonic State Forest, CT; Plymouth, VT; Basalt, CO; Green Mountain National Forest, VT;

Ratio: 4:1

Total miles: 50 to 70

Prerequisite: Intro to Backpacking or prior backpacking experience

Cost: $350 USD per person (cost based on 4 days/3 nights)

NJ Course description: We meet at the Appalachian Trail trailhead on I-80 and start our hike North on the Appalachian Trail. We cover long distance and advanced backpacking techniques which includes orienteering, meal planning and food drops, basic survival skills, choosing the proper gear, maintaining gear, weather prediction, basic first aid, personal hygiene,LeaveNo Trace ethics and much more! You'll learn how to prepare for and pursue a long distance backpacking trip in any location. (email us for a course description in the other offered locations)

For group trip dates please see our Course Calendar

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Intro to the Mountains

If you're interested inmountaineering, backpacking or rock climbing this course is perfect for the beginner outdoor enthusiast!

Course length:3 days,2 nights

Location: Delaware Water Gap NRA, NJ & Allamuchy State Park, NJ; Adirondack State Park, NY

Prerequisite: None

Ratio: 6:1

Sports/Activities: Rock climbing, backpacking

Cost: $350.00 USD

NJ course description: We meet at the Appalachian Trailhead in Northwest NJ. From here we'll shuttle to a point further North along the Appalachian Trail where we'll begin our backpacking portion of the trip. You'll be hiking South along this beautiful stretch of the AT following the Kittatinny ridge learning all the skills you'll need to enjoy a trip of your own. After 2 days of backpacking we'll shuttle to Allamuchy State Park and learn basic rock climbing skills on some amazing crystalline granite cliffs.

For group trip dates please see our Course Calendar

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Wilderness Orienteering/Navigation

Are you nervous about going into the wilderness and getting lost? Not sure of how a route looks just by looking at a map? This is the course for you!

Course length: 4 hours

Location: Delaware Water Gap NRA, PA or NJ

Ratio: 10:1

Cost: $40 per person

Course description: We cover the basics of backcountry navigation. Learn how to use a map and compass together, adjusting for declination, basic declination notes, topographic map reading, following a bearing and much more! Maps of the area provided.

For group trip dates please see our Course Calendar

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Backcountry Culinary Arts

Having trouble planning meals? Not sure what type of meals to prepare on a trip? Want to learn how to cook in the wilderness? This is the course for you!

Course length:4 hours

Location: Location agreed upon between clients and guide.Typically the Delaware Water Gap NRA, PA or NJ

Ratio: 10:1

Cost: $50 USD per person

Course description: We start off discussing meal planning, then move on to trail friendly foods, what type of foods to bring and what not to bring, leave no trace ethics, stove and fuel choices, group meal planning, and much more!

For group trip dates please see our Course Calendar

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Mt.Tammany and Appalachian Trail Overnight

Course length: 2 days

Location: Delaware Water Gap NRA, NJ

Prerequisite: No prior experience necessary but fitness level requirement

Ratio:6:1 (private and couples trips available)

Total miles: approx9-10

Elevation gain: approx 2000'

Strenuous

Cost: $160 USD per person

Course description:

Day One: We meet at the Appalachian Trail trailhead on I-80 and start hiking up Mt.Tammany. We complete a strenuous 1.5 mile hike up the 'Red Dot Trail' to the summit of Mt.Tammany, before hiking down the 'Blue Dot Trail' (2.5 miles) joining the Appalachian Trail further along Dunnfield Creek to the backpackers campsite.

Day Two: Hike back down the Appalachian Trail along the scenic Dunnfield Creek.

For group trip dates please see our Course Calendar

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Appalachian Trail Backpacking

Course length: 2 1/2 days

Location: Anywhere along the AT (Maine not included). You pick the section and we send you a guide

Prerequisite: Intro to Backpacking or prior backpacking experience

Ratio:6:1(private and couples trips available)

Cost: $185- $250USD per person, depending upon location

NJ Course description:

Total miles: 28.2

Elevation gain: 2750'

Strenuous

Day One: Meet at the Appalachian Trail trailhead at I-80 trailhead, where we hike following scenic Dunnfield Creek and up the Appalachian Trail to Catfish Fire Tower and set up camp.

Day Two: Hike from Catfish Fire Tower to the intersection of Buttermilk Falls trail, where we will stop to view the beautiful falls. We hike a short way to where we will set up camp.

Day Three: Hike from Buttermilk Falls trail to Culver's Gap, where we will provide transportation back to the 1-80 trailhead.

For group trip dates please see our Course Calendar

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ANYWHERE along the AT!

If you have a particular section of the Appalachian Trail that you want to backpack give us a call and we'll send a guide to you!

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