Hiking

We offer custom guided hikes for groups up to 6 people.  All these hikes include a pre-trip Zoom meeting that should take about 30 minutes where we will go over the required gear, discuss the planned route, and answer any questions you may have.  All of our trips are subject to change due to weather, trail conditions, trail closures, etc..  Because parking can be an issue on some summer days, we will have a plan B and possibly C that will be a similar difficulty hike, but in a different part of the park.

Half Day Hikes:

  • The hike is expected to take about 4 hours, is under 6 miles, and not part of the ADK 46R or Catskill 3500 challenges.
  • Cost is:
    • $200 for 1 person.  
    • + $35 each additional person.

Full Day Hikes:

  • The hike is expected to take about 8 hours and is under 12 miles, or is part of the ADK 46R or Catskill 3500 challenges and under 10 miles.
  • Cost is:
    • $300 for 1 person.  
    • + $50 each additional person.

Extended Day Hikes:

  • The hike is expected to take over 8 hours, is over 12 miles, or is part of the ADK 46R or Catskill 3500 challenges and over 10 miles.
  • Cost is:
    • $400 for 1 person.  
    • + $100 each additional person.

Backpacking

We offer custom guided backpacking trips for groups up to 4 people.  All these hikes include a pre-trip in-person or Zoom meeting that should take about an hour where we will go over the required gear, discuss the planned route, discuss the meals, and answer any questions you may have.  Backpacking trips will not go over peaks with full packs.  We may drop our packs or set up camp and then go up to a summit with day packs instead.  All of our trips are subject to change due to weather, trail conditions, trail closures, etc.

Two Day Backpacking Trip:

  • The trip will cover 2 days with 1 night in a tent or lean-to.
  • Distance hiked with full backpack will be 10 miles or less per day.
  • Day hikes without the full backpack will be 5 miles or less per day.
  • Cost starts at:
    • $750 for 1 person.  
    • + $250 each additional person.
    • Additional costs for permits, renting gear, food, or other similar things.

Three Day Backpacking Trip:

  • The trip will cover 3 days with 2 nights in a tent or lean-to.
  • Distance hiked with full backpack will be 10 miles or less per day.
  • Day hikes without the full backpack will be 5 miles or less per day when we backpack, 15 miles or less on days we don't backpack.
  • Cost starts at:
    • $850 for 1 person.  
    • + $275 each additional person.
    • Additional costs for permits, renting gear, food, or other similar things.

Consultation:

Do you only want help in planning your trip?  We are available to help you with deciding on the best route for your goal, what gear you need, and what to expect on your trip.   This will be an hour of Zoom or in person consultation.  After the meeting, you will get a GPX track to import into your preferred GPS device or software, a custom printable map, and a customized gear list.

Consultation:

  • In person or Zoom
  • Electronic (GPX) and printable (PDF) maps customized for your trip
  • Cost starts at:
    • $75 for an hour of consultation and up to 5 emails after the consultation
    • $25 for each additional half hour of work beyond the initial hour.

Policies

Reservation Policy

Requests for trips are not considered booked and the dates are not reserved for you until a deposit (50%) has been paid.

The balance of your payment for trips is due 7 days before the start of your trip.  This allows us to purchase any necessary supplies in preparation for your trip.

Consultations will be scheduled at a time convenient to all and payment in full will be due 1 day prior to the consultation.

All scheduled events require payment in full due 1 day prior to the event.

We will get back to you as quickly as possible, usually 1 to 3 business days, to confirm if a trip on your preferred date is available, and we will send you and invoice for the deposit and for the remainder.

All trips will have a backup plan for alternative trips of similar difficulty in the event we are unable to secure parking.

Cancellation Policy

If we cancel your trip for any reason (unfavorable weather conditions, illness, etc.), you be offered a choice of rescheduling the trip or a 100% refund.

If you cancel the trip for any reason, a refund will be issued as follows:

  • Cancellations made 15 or more days out from the start of the trip will receive a full refund - minus processing fees (around 5%).
  • Cancellations made between 14 and 8 days from the start of the trip will forfeit the deposit.
  • Cancellations made within 7 days of the start of the trip will forfeit the full cost of the trip.

For cancellations within 15 days, we will try to book another trip to fill the day(s) of your trip.  If we are able to book another trip, a full refund - minus the processing fees (around 5%) will be made.

Any refunds you initiate will be made less the processing fees (around 5%).  You can choose instead to reschedule the trip or apply the funds towards a future trip within the next 12 months.

We understand things happen, and we will work with you to accommodate these events by rescheduling whenever we can.  When you book a trip, our guides set it in their schedules and spend the time preparing for the trip.  Last-minute changes are disruptive to everyone.  While we will try to book your day with another trip, it is unlikely to happen.

FAQ

What is the typical start time for a hike?

The start time will vary depending on how long the hike is, and where it is located.  In general half day hikes will start around 9 in the morning, and full day hikes will start before 8.  For any of the 46R challenge peaks, parking areas fill up very early on summer weekends meaning we will need to find parking by 6 AM, possibly earlier.

What is the typical pace for the hike?

Pacing will vary person to person.  On average, we shoot for a pace of 1.5 MPH over the entire hike.  This typically means 2+ MPH on the flat sections, and slower, down to 0.5 MPH on the steep sections.  We will be hiking at the pace of the slowest person in the group, which may be the guide.  Pacing and your experience will be discussed when planning the hike.

Why are the ADK 46R and Catskill 3500 peaks treated differently?

The two big patch challenges in the state, the ADK 46R and Catskill 3500, are generally more difficult hikes compared to most of the other hiking in the state.  The trails for these challenges tend to be steep and in many cases eroded which makes hiking them more difficult, and they take more time to hike safely.  There are also "trailless" peaks where there are herd paths to follow.  In the ADK High Peaks region, they tend to be very obvious but still rugged.  In the Catskills, some of these herd paths are obvious, but yet others are difficult to follow.  Ultimately, with few exceptions, these are full day trips.

Can you teach me map and compass?

Yes!  We are more than willing to teach you the basics of map and compass on any trip.  If you are looking to learn more in depth, ask us and we will schedule a training session and a trip for you to practice the skills.  Our training is both a classroom session and a practical hike to put your skills into practice.  These typically will be different days so that we can spend more time in the field putting things to practice.

Can you teach me how to bushwack?

Yes!  We need to first know that you are competent with map and compass, either by showing proof of training elsewhere or learning from us.  Like how we teach map and compass, there is both a classroom and a practical component to the training.  These typically will be different days so we can spend more time in the field putting the skills to use.

Can you teach me Leave No Trace skills?

Yes!  We can teach you how to put the principles of Leave No Trace into practice.  If you are interested in a LNT Awareness class, we can work with you and the 46Rs, the organization we train through, to put on an awareness class for you.  We also can do something less formal and do a trip with you focusing on how we put the principles into action on the trail and in camp.

Are you licensed?

Yes, the guides are licensed through New York State's Licensed Guide Program.  License number is 10082.

Are you insured?

Yes, the guides are insured through Cross Current Insurance.