Backpacking Trip - Challenging

10/17/2025 7pm – 10/19/2025 7pm / Catskills, NY

349 US dollars

Catskills, NY

Detailed Description:

Our most advanced instructional trip in the backpacking series adds hiking into the backcountry at night, more challenging terrain and scrambles, and an overall more ambitious itinerary over the weekend. Students will participate in the trip planning so they can expect to complete the trip as capable solo or group trip leaders. This is a challenging 2-night backpacking trip with a roundtrip total of 10 miles including 3,700' of elevation change up and 2,700' of elevation change down. The scrambles leave smiles on everyone's faces and give us the opportunity to teach how to use rope to pull up our packs after scrambles and even create guidelines for additional safety and comfort (these are scrambles though, we're not rock climbing). We'll continue to teach footwork and scrambling tactics, setting up camp at night, and any other topics that come up. We'll be at your side every step of the way. We’ll start off in the evening to hike in and find a suitable area to set up camp off-trail at night, simulating a typical after-work start to a backpacking trek. The next day we'll scramble up to the Burroughs Range ridgeline where we'll encounter the absolute best view in the Catskills atop Wittenberg Mountain, one of the Catskill 3500 peaks. We'll continue to scramble up the infamous Cornell Crack to summit Cornell Mountain for our second Catskill 3500 peak. To end the day we'll drop down into the saddle to set up camp and enjoy the evening and campfire. Our third day finds us scrambling up and over Slide Mountain, our third Catskill 3500 peak and the tallest in the Catskills. Students will leave self-reliant and capable of using their skills and experiences to not only be confident independent backpackers, but to mentor others looking to experience the outdoors. Minimum Gear: 50-70 liter backpack, shelter (tent, tarp shelter, bivy, or hammock), sleeping bag, sleeping pad, small pillow, lighter, water bottles or bladder for 4-5 liters of water, water filter, small knife, 75’ paracord, cell phone with USB charger & cable, headlamp & extra batteries, canister stove & fuel, cooking pot, utensils, food & snacks, bear hang food bag, first aid kit, personal toiletries, clothing for the weather, & hiking boots. A detailed packing list will be emailed to students after registration and you can contact us with any questions. Minimum Age: 12 years old - the minor(s) and a parent/guardian must all be paid registered participants.

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OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS: If your event is at The New Weis Center in Ringwood, cabins and tent sites are available to reserve in advance by visiting the Weis Reservations Page.

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If you need gear for your event, use coupon code TRAILBOUND at Campmor.com for 10% off!