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Articles and trip reports

Backpacking Sleeping Bags

Posted on by Posted in Backpacking, Uncategorized

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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Catskill Backpacking for Beginners

Posted on by Posted in Backpacking, Catskill Backpacking, Catskills, Upcoming Trips

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.

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Halcott Mountain – Catskill Social Series 2021

Posted on by Posted in Bushwhacking, Catskills

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 by Posted in Adirondacks, Backpacking

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 by Posted in Articles

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

Catskill Hikes 2021 Social Series

Posted on by Posted in Catskills
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. 

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:


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Our 2021 Catskill Social series hike schedule will be published soon

Posted on by Posted in Catskills

To get an advanced copy of the schedule, use the Contact button below to subscribe to our newsletter.

Due to the overwhelming success of our 2020 Catskill Social series (there has been a wait-list for every hike since resuming after lockdown) we’re gonna do it again in 2021. Once a month, usually the 1st or 2nd Thursday of the month we’ll feature a fun social hike to one or more of the Catskill 3500 foot peaks. These hikes are open to all in appropriate condition and with the appropriate gear for the conditions including members of local hiking clubs and our followers on social media.

Our first social hike of the season will be a combination trail hike and bushwhack of Kaaterskill High Peak on Thursday January 7. Stay tuned for the full 2021 schedule.

Please contact us with any questions, suggestions, or requests to be added to our newsletter mailing list. Newsletter subscribers will be first to see the full 2021 schedule.

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Santanoni Backpack

Posted on by Posted in Adirondacks, Backpacking

Our next Santanoni Backpack trip is scheduled for August 7 – 9, 2020. This trip features 2 nights of camping and hiking the Santanoni Range, which includes three of the Adirondack 46’er peaks. We will summit Santanoni Peak, Panther Mountain, and the “character building” Couchsachraga Peak.  This will be a small group with appropriate social distancing and PPE guidelines followed.
View of Couchsachraga
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Catskill Hikes 2020 Social Series

Posted on by Posted in Blog, Catskills

Join us for some or all of the monthly hikes in our series of free Catskill hikes.  Each month on a Thursday we’ll 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.

This is a great chance to hike with a guide and meet fellow Catskill hiking enthusiasts.

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White Mountain Peaks Honoring Patriots

Posted on by Posted in White Mountains
Mt Washington

There are White Mountain peaks honoring patriots who signed the Declaration of Independence, but Mt. Washington is not one of them.  When the declaration was signed in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776 General George Washington was in New York with his troops.

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