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Upcoming Trips

COVID-19 Impacts on Hiking and Camping

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The COVID-19 impacts on hiking include the universal disruption of plans, including ours. 

This illustration, created at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reveals ultrastructural morphology exhibited by coronaviruses.

Like lots of people, I’m going more than a little stir crazy due to the COVID-19 outbreak. I’ve been taking local hikes to get some fresh air and exercise and this really does help. It’s been a challenge to keep up with constantly changing COVID-19 impacts on hiking activities.    Active guiding is on hold for now and near-term trips that were planned have been canceled.  Longer term everything is tentative, although we are still taking bookings for guided trips.  These will be dependent on both public health policy and local rules as well as common sense regarding COVID-19

Officially, we are still encouraged to get outside, but there are important common-sense guidelines.  Below are some key takeaways regarding COVID-19 impacts on hiking and camping, my personal thoughts and interpretations regarding access and safety considerations, and some links you can use to keep track of rapidly changing guidelines for outdoor recreation

COVID-19 Impacts on Hiking – Takeways for Backcountry Users

The good news is that most parks and trail systems are open and being outdoors is considered low-risk when it comes to contracting or spreading COVID-19.  The bad news is that doesn’t guarantee access to your favorite park or trail:

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Catskill Hikes 2020 Social Series

Posted on by Posted in Blog, Catskills, Upcoming Trips

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.  Perhaps you’ll even become a Catskill 3500 Club aspirant.  Membership in the club is granted when an aspirant has completed 39 peaks, including all 35 of the Catskill 3500 footers in any season and 4 of them 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

Along the way we’ll learn about the history, geology and plant life of the Catskills as well as some basic navigation skills.  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 the phone number or email listed on the contact form: 

Contact

Below is the list of Thursday Catskill group hikes for 2020.   Click the links for more information about the hikes and how to register.  There is no charge for these hikes but you will need to sign the typical liability waivers.  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.

We offer a full range of Catskill guided activities:

Catskill 3500 Experiences

Catskill Backpacking for Beginners

Posted on by Posted in Articles, Backpacking, Catskills, 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: Check for recurring dates or request specific dates

Price: $275

Reserve your backpacking experience now!

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