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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.

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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:

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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:

  • Thursday July 13 – Friday July 14, 2023
  • Saturday July 22 – Sunday July 23, 2023
  • Friday August 18 – Saturday August 19, 2023

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.

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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.

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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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Catskill Hikes 2021 Social Series

Posted on May 19, 2021 by EdMoran
Catskill Hikes: Eastern Outdoor Experiences group at the Balsam Cap summit.

We’re continuing the popular tradition in 2021 of monthly Catskill “social” hikes.  The turnout in 2020 was 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.

 

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

2021 Catskill Social Series Schedule

Below is the list of Thursday Catskill group social hikes scheduled for 2021.   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 7 – Kaaterskill High Peak – PHOTO ALBUM
  • Thursday February 18 – Windham High Peak
  • Thursday March 11 – Balsam Mountain (meets winter requirement) – PHOTO ALBUM
  • Thursday April 8 – Westkill Mountain – PHOTO ALBUM
  • Thursday May 6 – Blackhead Range (3 peaks) – PHOTO ALBUM
  • Thursday June 10 – Panther Mountain – PHOTO ALBUM
  • Thursday July 8 – Indian Head and Twin Mountains
  • Thursday August 12 – Balsam Lake Mountain – PHOTO ALBUM
  • Thursday September 16 – Balsam and Eagle Mountains – PHOTO ALBUM
  • Thursday October 14 – Plateau Mountain
  • Thursday November 18 – Slide Mountain
  • Thursday December 9 – Halcott Mountain – PHOTO ALBUM

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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Social hikes

Vaccinated

Posted on April 30, 2021 by EdMoran

I received my second dose of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine on April 21. A few days ago, the CDC announced that fully vaccinated people can safely engage in outdoor activities like walking and hiking without wearing masks.

For people that aren’t fully vaccinated, outdoor activity is still considered very safe while maintaining social distancing.

I can’t prevent you from being exposed to Covid-19, but as a guide your safety and comfort is important to me. If you are more comfortable traveling the backcountry with me wearing a mask, I’ll respect that and wear mine.

The CDC announcement of April 27 can be read here: When You’ve Been Fully Vaccinated

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News and Events

  • Catskill High Peaks – 2023 Social Series

    Catskill High Peaks – 2023 Social Series

    We’ve got a great set of hikes lined up for the 2023 installment of the Catskill high …Read more »
  • Catskill Backpacking for Beginners

    Catskill Backpacking for Beginners

    Catskill beginner backpack with instruction.  Meals and group gear included. Upcoming workshops: Our Catskill Backpacking experience is …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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