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Catskill High Peaks – 2025 Social Series

Posted on March 14, 2025 by EdMoran

At least once a month, usually on a Wednesday, we will meet for a guided hike of one or more of the Catskill high peaks that are required for 3500 Club membership. This year’s hikes include a selection of moderate and more difficult hikes, including some bushwhacks.

The 2025 planned Catskill High Peak group social hikes are listed below.   Click the links for more information about the hikes and how to register.  Please read the hike descriptions and gear requirements before registering. There is no charge for these hikes but you will need to sign the typical liability waivers. 

These hikes are being led in conjunction with the Adirondack Mountain Club and the Catskill 3500 Club. We strongly encourage you to consider joining these worthy organizations.

  • Wednesday May 7 – Plateau and Sugarloaf
  • Wednesday June 11 – Table and Peekamoose
  • Wednesday July 9 – Blackhead Range – Blackhead, Black Dome and Thomas Cole Mountains
  • Wednesday August 6 – Kaaterskill High Peak
  • Wednesday September 10 – North Dome and Sherrill
  • Wednesday October 8 – Balsam and Eagle
  • Wednesday November 5 – Friday and Balsam Cap
  • December date TBD – Rusk and Hunter
Panther Mountain Summit
Hike with a Guide

This is a great chance to hike with a guide and meet fellow Catskill hiking enthusiasts. Along the way we’ll learn about the history, geology and plant life of the Catskills as well as some basic navigation skills. 

Get Introduced to Local Hiking Clubs

Many of these hikes are offered through the Adirondack Mountain Club and Catskill 3500 Club.  Both are non-profit hiking clubs that do great work in New York State and I’m a proud member of both organizations. The Catskill 3500 Club awards a patch and membership to hikers who summit all 35 of the Catskill high peaks plus four more that have to be hiked twice with at least one of the hikes during the winter.  It’s a lot of fun and a great motivator.  You can find more information about the Catskill 3500 Club and the Adirondack Mountain Club on their websites:

http://catskill-3500-club.org/membership.php

adk.org/chapter-events/

I hope you’ll be able to join for one or more of these hikes.  Drop me a note with any questions via the contact form or use the phone number or email listed on the contact form. You can also use the contact form to join the mailing list for our “HerdPath” newsletter:

Contact

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Catskill High Peaks – 2024 Social Series

Posted on November 10, 2023 by EdMoran

At least once a month, usually on a Thursday, we will meet for a guided hike of one or more of the Catskill high peaks that are required for 3500 Club membership. This year’s hikes include a selection of moderate and more difficult hikes, including some bushwhacks.

The 2024 planned Catskill High Peak group social hikes are listed below.   Click the links for more information about the hikes and how to register.  Please read the hike descriptions and gear requirements before registering. There is no charge for these hikes but you will need to sign the typical liability waivers. 

Most of these hikes are being led in conjunction with the Adirondack Mountain Club and the Catskill 3500 Club. We strongly encourage you to consider joining these worthy organizations.

  • Thursday January 11 – Halcott Mountain
  • Thursday February 8 – Burroughs Range – Slide, Cornell, Wittenberg – See Photos
  • Thursday March 7 – Panther Mountain
  • Wednesday April 10 – Balsam Lake Mountain and Millbrook Ridge
  • Wednesday May 8 – Rusk, Hunter and Southwest Hunter
  • Wednesday June 19 (new date) – Table and Peekamoose Mountains
  • Wednesday July 10 – Windham High Peak – See Photos
  • Wednesday August 14 – Fir and Big Indian Mountain
  • Wednesday September 11 – Balsam Lake Mountain and Millbrook Ridge
  • Wednesday October 2 – Westkill Mountain
  • Wednesday November 13 – Balsam Lake Mountain and Millbrook Ridge
  • Wednesday December 4 – Blackhead Range – Blackhead, Black Dome and Thomas Cole Mountains
Hike with a Guide

This is a great chance to hike with a guide and meet fellow Catskill hiking enthusiasts. Along the way we’ll learn about the history, geology and plant life of the Catskills as well as some basic navigation skills. 

Get Introduced to Local Hiking Clubs

Many of these hikes are offered through the Adirondack Mountain Club and Catskill 3500 Club.  Both are non-profit hiking clubs that do great work in New York State and I’m a proud member of both organizations. The Catskill 3500 Club awards a patch and membership to hikers who summit all 35 of the Catskill high peaks plus four more that have to be hiked twice with at least one of the hikes during the winter.  It’s a lot of fun and a great motivator.  You can find more information about the Catskill 3500 Club and the Adirondack Mountain Club on their websites:

http://catskill-3500-club.org/membership.php

adk.org/chapter-events/

I hope you’ll be able to join for one or more of these hikes.  Drop me a note with any questions via the contact form or use the phone number or email listed on the contact form. You can also use the contact form to join the mailing list for our “HerdPath” newsletter:

Contact

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Backcountry Camping Rules in New York State

Posted on July 1, 2023 by EdMoran
DEC marker pointing to a designated camping area.

New York State has lots of space for backcountry camping and is very friendly to backpackers, but the rules vary from place to place, and it is important to know them.  

Planning ahead and knowing the status of your intended destination is a basic tenet of safe hiking programs.  It is also the first principle of Leave No Trace: “Plan Ahead and Prepare: Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you’ll visit”.

The following is a summary of some of the key backcountry camping rules covering public lands in New York State.

Continue reading→

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Backpacking Sleeping Bags

Posted on June 29, 2023 by EdMoran

I get asked a lot about how to choose backpacking sleeping bags.  Most people are looking for a bag for warmer weather backpacking (i.e., not winter, also known as 3-season sleeping bags) and that is what this post is primarily about. 

If you choose a bag that is good for backpacking, rest assured that it will also be good for car camping but the reverse is not true.  However, if you are only car camping you don’t have to worry about weight and can buy a less expensive bag.

When choosing backpacking sleeping bags, don’t overlook the specifications (specs).  Reading the specs becomes a habit, at least it does if you are a guide.  If the sleeping bag specs do not list weight and stuff size, they probably won’t meet your requirements… or you might have to dig deeper to find more detailed specs.  The following explains some of the specifications:

Continue reading→

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Backpacking

Catskill High Peaks – 2023 Social Series

Posted on January 23, 2023 by EdMoran

We’ve got a great set of hikes lined up for the 2023 installment of the Catskill high peaks social series.  Each month, usually on a Thursday, we meet for a guided hike of one or more of the Catskill high peaks that are required for 3500 Club membership. This year’s hikes include a selection of moderate and more difficult hikes.

The 2023 planned Catskill high peak group social hikes are listed below.   Click the links for more information about the hikes and how to register.  Please read the hike descriptions and gear requirements before registering. There is no charge for these hikes but you will need to sign the typical liability waivers. 

Our group at the summit of Big Indian Mountain, one of the Catskill High Peaks.

  • Friday February 10 – Balsam and Eagle Mountain See Photos
  • Thursday March 16 – Blackhead Range See Photos
  • Thursday May 18 – Panther Mountain See Photos
  • Thursday June 8 – Bearpen and Vly Mountain See Photos
  • Thursday July 6 – Indian Head and Twin Mountain
  • Thursday August 10 – Fir and Big Indian Mountain
  • Thursday September 14 – Blackhead Range
  • Thursday October 12 – Balsam Lake Mountain and Millbrook Ridge
  • Thursday November 16 – Wittenberg and Cornell Mountain
  • Thursday December 7 – Plateau Mountain
  • Friday December 8 – Balsam Lake Mountain and Millbrook Ridge
Summit of Windham High Peak in the Catskills
Hike with a Guide

This is a great chance to hike with a guide and meet fellow Catskill hiking enthusiasts. Along the way we’ll learn about the history, geology and plant life of the Catskills as well as some basic navigation skills. 

Get Introduced to Local Hiking Clubs

Many of these hikes are also being offered to Adirondack Mountain Club and Catskill 3500 Club Members.  Both are non-profit hiking clubs that do great work in New York State and I’m a proud member of both organizations. The Catskill 3500 Club awards a patch and membership to hikers who summit all 35 of the Catskill high peaks plus four more that have to be hiked twice with at least one of the hikes during the winter.  It’s a lot of fun and a great motivator.  You can find more information about the Catskill 3500 Club on their website:

http://catskill-3500-club.org/membership.php

I hope you’ll be able to join for one or more of these hikes.  Drop me a note with any questions via the contact form or use the phone number or email listed on the contact form. You can also use the contact form to join the mailing list for our “HerdPath” newsletter:

Contact

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Catskill Backpacking for Beginners

Posted on September 1, 2022 by EdMoran

Catskill beginner backpack with instruction.  Meals and group gear included.

Upcoming workshops: Check back for 2025 Schedule

Our Catskill Backpacking experience is a fully guided overnight group hiking and camping trip that is ideal for beginners and novices.   This fun and hands-on experience will focus on teaching backcountry fundamentals in a small group setting. Therefore, it is ideal for backpackers who want to learn new skills or brush up on old ones while getting away for a relaxing weekend in an enchanting location.

Continue reading→

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Backpacking

Catskill Hikes 2022 Social Series

Posted on February 2, 2022 by EdMoran

We’re continuing the popular tradition in 2022 of monthly Catskill “social” hikes.  The turnout in previous years has been tremendous with registrations for hikes filling up well in advance.  Each month on a Thursday we meet for a guided hike of one or more of the Catskill 3500 peaks. Although we’ve tried to keep things relatively simple, most of these hikes have some challenging sections.

Below is the list of Thursday Catskill group social hikes scheduled for 2022.   Click the links for more information about the hikes and how to register.  Please read the hike descriptions and gear requirements before registering. There is no charge for these hikes but you will need to sign the typical liability waivers. 

  • Thursday January 6 – Twin Mountain See Photos
  • Thursday February 10 – Panther Mountain See Photos
  • Thursday March 10 – Blackhead Range See Photos
  • Thursday April 7 – Rusk Mountain
  • Thursday May 5 – Table and Peekamoose See Photos
  • Thursday June 9 – Balsam Lake Mountain See Photos
  • Thursday July 7 – Kaaterskill High Peak See Photos
  • Thursday August 11 – Windham High Peak See Photos
  • Thursday September 15 – Big Indian Mountain See Photos
  • Thursday November 10 – Balsam Lake Mountain See Photos
Hike with a Guide

This is a great chance to hike with a guide and meet fellow Catskill hiking enthusiasts. Along the way we’ll learn about the history, geology and plant life of the Catskills as well as some basic navigation skills. 

Get Introduced to Local Hiking Clubs

Many of these hikes are also being offered to Adirondack Mountain Club and Catskill 3500 Club Members.  Both are non-profit hiking clubs that do great work in New York State and I’m a proud member of both organizations. The Catskill 3500 Club awards a patch and membership to hikers who summit all 35 of the Catskill high peaks plus four more that have to be hiked twice with at least one of the hikes during the winter.  It’s a lot of fun and a great motivator.  You can find more information about the Catskill 3500 Club on their website:

http://catskill-3500-club.org/membership.php

I hope you’ll be able to join for one or more of these hikes.  Drop me a note with any questions via the contact form or use the phone number or email listed on the contact form. You can also use the contact form to join the mailing list for our “HerdPath” newsletter:

Contact

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Halcott Mountain – Catskill Social Series 2021

Posted on December 2, 2021 by EdMoran

Halcott Mountain – some say Hal-cot and some say Hawk-it, but on December 9th we’re gonna hike-it.

Halcott Mountain in Winter

The Catskill social series takes us to Halcott Mountain on December 9. This 4 mile bushwhack has plenty to offer and makes for an interesting day. Unless global warming overwhelms the Catskills this December, please be prepared with full winter gear including proper clothing, foot traction and snowshoes. If you are not new to winter hiking, then like me you are probably hoping for good snowshoeing conditions. December 9 might be a little early in the season for that, but we can hope.

Continue reading→

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Adirondack Backpacking – 4 Peaks

Posted on July 1, 2021 by EdMoran

Join us July 26 – 28 on a 3-day Adirondack backpacking trip to bag 4 remote peaks. After a long hike in and setup of our campsite, we’ll set our sights on bagging Cliff, Redfield, Skylight and Gray Peak.  This trip is for experienced hikers in good physical condition.

View photo album from previous trip

View from Mt Skylight
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Wilderness First Aid Instruction

Posted on June 30, 2021 by EdMoran

Upcoming Wilderness First Aid Classes:

  • January 10 – 12, 2023 – Oneonta, NY (private organization)
  • Contact us to schedule training for your organization

I am proud to share that I am instructing HSI Wilderness First Aid certification classes. First Aid in the backcountry has unique challenges. This course teaches practical skills that will enable you to respond to wilderness injuries and emergencies. I’d be happy to arrange classes for your group or organization.

Keeping a "patient" warm in  Wilderness First Aid class.

Course Description

Contact us for more information

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News and Events

  • Catskill High Peaks – 2025 Social Series

    Catskill High Peaks – 2025 Social Series

    At least once a month, usually on a Wednesday, we will meet for a guided hike of …Read more »
  • Catskill Backpacking for Beginners

    Catskill Backpacking for Beginners

    Catskill beginner backpack with instruction.  Meals and group gear included. Upcoming workshops: Check back for 2025 Schedule …Read more »
  • Wilderness First Aid Instruction

    Wilderness First Aid Instruction

    Upcoming Wilderness First Aid Classes: I am proud to share that I am instructing HSI Wilderness First …Read more »

Contact Us

Email
ed@easternoutdoorexperiences.com

Phone
631-741-3765

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