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Catskills

Catskills

Catskill Hikes 2021 Social Series

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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
  • Thursday February 18 – Windham High Peak
  • Thursday March 11 – Balsam Mountain (meets winter requirement)
  • Thursday April 8 – Westkill Mountain
  • Thursday May 6 – Blackhead Range (3 peaks)
  • Thursday June 10 – Panther Mountain
  • Thursday July 8 – Indian Head and Twin Mountains
  • Thursday August 12 – Balsam Lake Mountain
  • Thursday September 16 – Balsam and Eagle Mountains
  • Thursday October 14 – Plateau Mountain
  • Thursday November 18 – Slide Mountain
  • Thursday December 9 – Halcott Mountain

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


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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Catskill Backpacking for Beginners

Posted on by Posted in Articles, Backpacking, Catskill Backpacking, Catskills, Trip Reports, Upcoming Trips

Our Catskill Backpacking experience is a fully guided overnight 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.

We will hike between 2 and 4 miles with minimal elevation gain to a beautiful campsite in the Catskill Mountains. Your experienced guide will provide assistance, instruction, and coaching as you learn by doing.

Dates: We will be running additional Catskill Beginner Backpacking Workshops this fall and are happy to schedule specific dates upon request.

Come explore the wonders of camping at 2150 feet of elevation with us.

Price: $249

Weekend and Weekday dates available.  Reserve your backpacking experience now!

 

Continue reading→

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.

Continue reading→

Full Moon Backpacking in the Catskills

Posted on by Posted in Backpacking, Bushwhacking, Catskill Backpacking, Catskills, Trip Reports, Upcoming Trips

Full Moon Backpacking in the Catskills is a special experiences that you’ll want to bring friends along and repeat. Our take on this amazing experience goes off-trail and navigates a fun route to an amazing remote campsite. The camping location is next to an open summit that (weather permitting) will allow fantastic views of the full moon. Please book in advance so that we can take take maximum advantage of timing of the full moon.

Full Moon Backpacking in a secluded mountain-top location

This full moon backpacking is definitely off the beaten path (pun intended) and is a Catskill bucket-list experience. It is strenuous covering 9 miles and 3000 feet of elevation gain over the 2 days while carrying overnight gear. Clear skies not guaranteed, but this is a fantastic trip even without the moon.

Continue reading→

Burroughs Range Traverse – February 6

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Catskill Free Guided Hike Series

This challenging winter through-hike of the Burroughs Range is not for everyone. The 10 mile hike with 3800 feet of elevation gain includes three Catskill high peaks (Wittenberg – elevation 3782 feet, Cornell – elevation 3858 feet, and Slide Mountain – elevation 4184 feet). Along the way we’ll negotiate many steep ledges including the famous Cornell Crack. The Burroughs Range Traverse is a fun hike for fit hikers who enjoy some light scrambling.

There are several spectacular viewpoints along the route including the famous views from the Wittenberg summit, spectacular views of Wittenberg and Slide Mountain from Cornell, and others.

Continue reading→

Slide Mountain Hike

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Catskill Free Guided Hike Series

Winter view of Slide Mountain

We’ll summit Slide Mountain in the final hike of our 2019 Catskill Fall Hike Series, although “pre-winter” or even “winter” may describe the conditions that we will encounter.  Slide Mountain is the highest peak in the Catskill Mountains at 4190 feet and we’ll need spikes or crampons and possibly snowshoes depending on snow conditions.  The total hike will be 7 miles with approximately 1800 feet of total ascent.  Please wear winter hiking boots and bring layers of clothing that can be added or subtracted depending on the temperatures.  We’ll discuss strategies for staying warm before and during the hike.  See our recommended gear list for day hikes for advice on what to bring:

Recommended Gear

Slide Mountain Weather Forecast

Please register for the Slide Mountain hike by by emailing edmoran@gmail.com, calling 631-741-3765 or use the contact form below.  Mention where you learned of this hike when registering.  There is no charge for this hike. Registration ends December 10 or when all spots are filled.

We will continue the monthly Catskill hike series in 2020. Check back for details on upcoming hikes. Winter’s coming and many feel it is the best time of the year to hike.

Contact Ed to reserve your spot

Contact

Beginner Backpacking – Catskills

Posted on by Posted in Backpacking, Catskills

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

Posted on by Posted in Articles, Bushwhacking, Catskills

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

 

Catskill Guided Hiking and Skiing with Lodging and Food

Posted on by Posted in Adventure Travel, Articles, Catskills

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→