Beginner Backpacking – Catskills

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A backpacker is born - Eastern Outdoor ExperiencesThis overnight beginner backpacking class focuses on back-country fundamentals in a fun and enchanting location.  Therefore, it is ideal for backpackers who want to learn new skills or brush up on old ones in a small group setting.

The next beginner backpacking overnight is scheduled for June 12 – 13 in the Catskill mountains.  We’ll hike 3 miles or less each way with modest elevation gain to a beautiful campsite.  An experienced professional guide will provide instruction and coaching as you learn by doing.

See the latest beginner backpacking trips:

Catskill Backpacking updates

 

Whats included:

  • Meals (1 lunch, 1 dinner, 1 breakfast)*
  • Group gear (e.g., tents, cookware, stoves, water filtration, fuel).  Carrying the group gear will be a shared effort.
  • Licensed, professional outdoor guide, instruction and coaching.

Whats’s not included:

  • Personal gear (e.g., backpack, clothing, sleeping bag and pad, headlamps, water bottles, medications)
  • Transportation to/from the trail-head
  • Snacks

 Download our recommended gear list

 

A quiet backcountry campsite in the Catskills - Eastern Outdoor Experiences

Beginner Backpacking Itinerary

Before the Trip

  • We will gladly advise you remotely with preparing for the overnight beginner backpacking trip.  See the recommended gear list.

Day 1

  • Meet at the starting trail-head parking area
  • Introductions, meet the group
  • Pack-check and gear distribution
  • Hike and setup campsite
  • Optional short day hike from campsite
  • Group dinner preparation (bagged lunch is provided)

Day 2

  • Group Breakfast
  • Breakdown camp and hike back to starting point
  • Debrief and return of group gear
  • Optional post hike meal at a Catskill eatery

Class Outline

  • Campsite selection
  • Campsite and tent setup
  • Sleep systems
  • Meal planning, cooking and safe storage
  • “Kitchen setup”
  • Dressing to stay warm and dry
  • Campfires
  • Water filtration
  • Sleep systems and techniques
  • Leave No Trace

 

Contact Ed to reserve your spot or to request information about scheduling different dates.

Contact

 

*Please speak to us in advance if you have special dietary requirements.  We will accommodate special requirements at our discretion if practical, but you may need to bring your own food.  Please complete and return the Health History Form and Waiver and Liability Release Form as soon as possible.

 

Beginner backpacking group on the Neversink Rier

 

Join Us at the Catskills Great Outdoor Expo

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Eastern Outdoor Experiences will be exhibiting at the Catskills Great Outdoor Expo.  We are proud to join this fun and informative event in Kingston, NY on Saturday March 30.  The Expo runs  from 10 AM to 5 PM at the Best Western Plus Hotel and Conference Center, which is located at 503 Washington Avenue in Kingston, New York

Please stop by and say hello.  We will be there all day and therefore eager to chat about outdoor adventures in the Catskills.  Above all we are excited to meet other outdoor enthusiasts.  We love answering questions and hopefully getting to hear about your Catskill experiences.  There will be mini clinics during the day for those looking to learn hiking and camping skills.  At noon, Ed will be giving a presentation titled, “Bushwhacking The Catskills”.

There will be dozens of other exhibitors. These include hiking clubs, outfitters, Catskill food producers, arts and culture organizations and more.  As a result you can expect to enjoy expert presentations, free samples and raffles.

Proceeds will benefit the Catskill Center.  The center’s mission is to protect and foster the environmental, cultural and economic well-being of the Catskill region.

Eastern Outdoor Experiences looks forward to seeing you at the Catskills Great Outdoor Expo on the 30th.

If you have any questions feel free to contact Ed Moran.

 

Eastern Outdoor Experiences will be at the Great Catskills Outdoor Expo in Kingston on March 30

 

Baxter State Park, Maine – 2020 Dates TBD

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**CANCELED DUE TO COVID RESTRICTIONS ** Check back for 2021

Join us for 4 days of hiking in Baxter State Park, including Mt Katahdin and Pamola Peak.

This trip will include strenuous hiking, but you will appreciate the hot meal and a comfortable bed each night …and memories to last a lifetime.

Continue reading→

Renew Your Mind and Body This Winter

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Start the New Year off right with fresh air, exercise for your body and renewal for your mind and spirit with guided hiking on Long Island. From hills to beaches, easy to rough terrain, historical sites and great after hike refreshments, Long Island has it all for a perfect day getaway.

I’ll share my experience and joy for hiking these woods and arrange a fun filled day that will refresh you and get you home in time for weekend night activities.

 

Your day will include:

  • Hiking in one of the many beautiful places on Long Island.  I’ll arrange the hiking venue or can accommodate your specific request.
  • A fully guided experience with a knowledgeable local expert.
  • Assistance with your transportation plans
  • Post hike stop at a local eatery (food and drink not included).
  • Cost $80 pp, $300 for a private group of 4.

 

Contact Ed Moran to schedule or for more information

Contact

 

Winter Options

Winter weather varies from dry chilly conditions to deep snow.  We go with the flow and enjoy everything that winter has to offer.  If there is sufficient snow cover we will snowshoe.

When conditions are right, we can plan a cross country skiing adventure.  We ski often and know some of the best places to go for novices or intermediates.  You must have your own ski equipment.

*We also arrange day trips to the lower Hudson Valley and Catskills.  Contact Ed to schedule.

What to Bring, What to Wear

Weather and trail conditions will vary, but we will advise you before a hike of any special requirements.  Please refer to our detailed gear list for typical gear requirements.  Important basics include the following:

  • Warm hat and gloves
  • Relatively thin insulating layers (fleece, down, or synthetics).
  • A waterproof and windproof jacket
  • 2 quarts of water
  • Extra food

Benefits of Hiking

  • Great exercise
  • Reduces stress and anxiety
  • Great social activity

Places We Hike

We hike in a variety of beautiful places including state land, state, county, local, and private parks and preserves.  Whenever practical, we like to vary the route and take the path less taken.  Some examples of hikes we offer include:

  • “The Other Sunken Meadow”
  • Smithtown Sampler (10 miles hiking three lesser known properties).

 

 

 


 

Catskill Guided Hiking and Skiing with Lodging and Food

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Enjoy Catskill guided hiking, skiing and lodging this winter!  The winter snow season is off to a great early start in the Catskills and therefore so are the winter activities we look forward to each year.  As a result it is looking like a promising season for cross-country skiing on natural snow.  Join us for a celebration of winter with a 3-day / 2-night package of guided hiking or skiing with an experienced and enthusiastic guide.  This package includes two nights of comfortable lodging, homemade breakfasts and trail lunches.  Your Guide will accompany and assist with all facets of your Catskill experience.  Consequently, you will love this getaway whether you are looking forward to advanced or beginner snowshoeing or relaxed ski touring. Continue reading→

Adirondack Guided Hiking – Fall Foliage Tour

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Join us for Adirondack Guided Hiking and special B&B style lodging during the heart of the fall foliage season.

A 3 day Autumn Adirondack Guided Hiking adventure is the ideal trip for active leaf-peepers. Your package will include lodging, breakfasts and trail lunches and personally guided hiking customized for you.  Therefore, each day’s activity can include bagging 4000 footers or hiking easier, lesser traveled trails through the beautiful Adirondack fall scenery.  Likewise, we will include visits to local attractions and other non-hiking activities if you desire.  Your guide will accompany you through the entire itinerary showcasing the best that the Adirondacks have to offer.  These are personal hikes and tours and as a result the group size is usually between 2 and 4 people.  We can accommodate up to 5 for your group.

Sample Itinerary (3-day option):

  • Saturday – Arrival.  Check-in and orientation, happy hour snacks, and lodging.
  • Sunday – Breakfast, bagged trail lunch, guided hiking, and lodging.
  • Monday – Breakfast, bagged trail lunch, guided hiking, and lodging.
  • Tuesday – Breakfast, bagged trail lunch, guided hiking

The price for this adventure is $249 pp/pd based on double occupancy (1 room) or $159 pp/pd based on quad occupancy (2 rooms).  The guide will assist with local dinner plans and travel.  Home cooked dinner options are also available.

We do all of the planning and always speak with our clients before a trip.  As a result your itinerary will be tailored to the ideal schedule, length of stay, meals and activities based on your level of fitness.  We will also accommodate specific hiking goals, if you have them.  We will gladly assist assist with transportation options.  Longer or shorter stays can be accommodated.  Call 631-741-3765 for more information.

Contact us now for more information or to reserve your dates for experiencing Adirondack guided hiking this fall season.

Explore the Adirondacks in Fall

Adirondack Guided Hiking - fall foliage tours with Eastern Outdoor ExperiencesAdirondack Guided Hiking - fall foliage tours with great B&B style lodging - Eastern Outdoor ExperiencesAdirondack Guided Hiking - fall foliage tours with great B&B style lodging - Eastern Outdoor Experiences

 

Latest New York State Foliage report

Coomloughra Horseshoe Trip Report

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Carrauntoohil, the highest peak in Ireland

Carrauntoohil, the highest peak in Ireland

The Coomloughra Horseshoe is a loop hike over the three highest peaks in Ireland.  We hiked this route on a day with perfect weather gracing the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks in County Kerry. The horseshoe shaped glacial valley surrounded by these three peaks contains 3 lakes.  The largest of these, Coomloughra, gives the route its name. The horseshoe loop reminds me a little of the Franconia loop in New Hampshire, but there is much more exposure to heights on the Irish version of the knife-edge. There are fantastic views all around. The full hike includes about 4200 feet of elevation gain and 8.5 miles of walking. Continue reading→

Ireland Trip – July 2018

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Hiker’s Tour of Ireland

This was a combination vacation and working trip to firm up some of the details for our Hiker’s Tours of Ireland of Irelands. We brought the usual collection of foul weather rain gear and fleece jackets but didn’t need any of them. 10 days of blue skies and warm to hot temperatures (up to 31C / 88F). I wish we could promise that for all of our tours but this kind of weather without interruption is uncommon for Ireland. We traveled around quite a bit, focusing on County Wicklow and County Kerry Amazing views from our B&B in Kerry. Hiker’s Tour of Ireland.for outdoor attractions and some great hiking. We also spent a little time on a personal quest visiting the house my grandmother grew up in and finding a great craft brewery in the town my great grandfather was from. Continue reading→

Catskill 3500 Bushwhack Series – North Dome and Sherrill Mountains – Tuesday May 29, 2018

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These two required peaks include some rough terrain that you have to negotiate to reach the summits and sign the canister log books. The ledges on North Dome are notorious and can be a major obstacle for the uninitiated. The summits themselves are view-less, but we will guide you to spectacular viewpoints near both summits.

Interested in extending your Memorial Day hiking holiday?  Contact us for extended guided hiking and lodging options. Continue reading→