Trip Reports

Our next Santanoni Backpack trip is scheduled for August 2 – 4, 2019. 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.

The Santanoni Range is considered one of the tougher hikes in the Adirondacks. Couchsachraga is the shortest of the 46’er peaks at 3820 feet but is very deceptive and adds considerable elevation gain to the hike. It’s also a good peak for people who like to get dirty.  Couchsachraga made the list long ago when it was incorrectly measured as a 4000 footer, but remains a required peak.  Many 46’ers consider “Couch” their toughest hike so why remove such a fun peak from the list, right?

This fully guided Santanoni backpack breaks the hiking into relatively manageable segments, although the 3 peaks will still make Saturday’s day-hike a long one.  The hike into the camp with a full pack will be moderately challenging but we will take our time and visit some of the beautiful spots along the Santanoni Brook as we go.

Our day hike on Saturday to the three peaks is only 9 miles, but it will make for a tough but rewarding experience.  We’ll enjoy magnificent views, negotiate the impressive rock slab that is sometimes called the Hillary Step and pick our way though the infamous bog in the Couchsachraga col.  A great hot meal and the camaraderie of the group will make for a fitting end to the day.

The cost for the August 2 – 4. 2019 Santanoni backpack is $400 per person.

Reserve your spot now:

Reserve

Contact us now to request more information or to schedule custom trips:

Contact

View / Print Full itinerary

Santanoni Backpack Itinerary

Join us for a two-night fully guided backpack of Allen Mountain.  This trip is scheduled for Tuesday July 16 – Thursday July 18, 2019.  The midweek hiking should provide us with Adirondack solitude.  The full moon will add an additional sense of wonder to the evenings.  All meals and group gear will be provided by your enthusiastic and professional New York State licensed guide.

The entire hike to Allen Mountain and back is 19 miles with 4000 feet of elevation gain, but we’ll sandwich a moderate backpack around a day-hike of approximately 5 miles to the summit.

Allen Mountain has fantastic views as you climb and another fabulous viewpoint featuring the Great Range of the Adirondacks near the 4340 foot summit.  The summit itself is wooded, but the great views are close by.

Although only 5 miles round-trip, the hike from our campsite to the Allen Mountain summit will be very strenuous.  The route near the Allen Brook is steep, rugged and sometimes slippery.  Therefore, the reward of a hot meal back at our campsite will be well earned.  Once back at the camp, it will be R&R time under the full moon until we have to load our packs and leave the next morning.

The cost for the July 16 Allen Mountain Backpack trip is $400.  Limited space is available.

Reserve your spot now:

Reserve

Contact us now to request more information or to schedule custom trips:

Contact

View / Print Full itinerary

Allen Mountain Backpack Itinerary

This 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.

Date: June 12 – 13, 2019

Price: $175 per person (50% off our normal rate)

Reserve your backpacking experience now:

Book Trip

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

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.