What we’re about
Join us for a full range of outdoor activities all year round! From day hikes to 20+ mile challenges, from train-accessible local hikes to camping around the northeast, from lazy summer lake swimming to winter snowshoeing, ice climbing, and skiing, we do it all!
Most local trips are accessible via public transportation and we organize carpools when they are not.
These are not guided trips - these are social events. Remember that you are responsible for your own safety. Stay within your skill, fitness, and experience level.
- Have a profile photo showing your face. This is required so your organizers can remember who's who. And answer all the profile questions so we know a little about you and what kind of events we should plan
- Most day hikes are suitable for any fit individual with some prior hiking experience.
- Everyone should be comfortable hiking alone and be prepared to do so (with a map and an understanding of the route). We make an effort to stay together as a group, but sometimes the group does need to split up.
- If you're new to a particular activity or moving up a level, please contact the event organizer. It is often possible to accommodate less experienced members, but not always.
If you do not have any hiking experience at all, please hike with a professional guide service a few times.
Upcoming events (2)
See all- Adirondack Fall Foliage Car Camping and Hiking at Eaton LakeNeeds location
This is a placeholder for now. Details will be confirmed in August and I'll post a WhatsApp chat link and planning spreadsheets.
----------------------------------------------------------------Fall in the Adirondacks is always spectacular! Come join us for a weekend of camping and hiking in the southern Adirondacks, which has better foliage and far fewer crowds than the high peaks.
Hikes in the area are typically 5 miles and up, suitable for intermediate and advanced hikers. See Andre's AllTrails list of nearby hikes. There are several great lookout towers in the area that provide 360 views and the high peaks are always an option. I've found doing a couple of short hikes in different areas maximizes the foliage viewing.
Contact Andre with any questions about this meetup.
A couple of important notes:
- Hikes are member-organized. Everyone is expected to be able to read a map, follow a trail, and choose hike within their fitness and ability. Depending on the attendees, we might split into two or more hikes. Do not count on someone more experienced or skilled than yourself to lead you.
- Message Andre to confirm your RSVP and arrange payment. (You don't have a spot at the campsite until you've paid for it and confirmed with Andre.)
-Andre
Logistics:
- Camping Location: Car-camping at the Eaton Lake campground with showers, toilets, BBQs, picnic tables, and canoe rentals. Max two tents and two cars per campsite.
- Food: BYO food and snacks. There is a Stewarts Gas & Convenience store in the nearby town of Long Lake, and a few restaurants in the area, but plan on bringing your food for the weekend. Backpacker instant meals are a great dinner option.
- Cost: $30 per person for two nights of camping, paid to Andre
- Car & Tent Pooling: Please use the comment section to organize carpooling and tent sharing, especially if you are driving from the city. Passengers should chip in for gas and tolls.
- General Rules: We are a low/no alcohol group. No RVs, generators, etc. No dogs allowed.
Schedule:
- Friday: Leave as early in the afternoon as you can. It is 5-6 hours to the campground from NYC. Please try to arrive by 10 pm out of courtesy to other campers.
- Saturday: We'll rise early for our various hikes, BYO dinner at the campsite around a bonfire.
- Sunday: Generally a short hike before hitting the road in the afternoon.
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Camping Gear:
- Tent, or space in someone's tent
- Sleeping pad and sleeping bag suitable for the low 30s at night
- Stove, pots, and pan (check about sharing)
- Personal plate/spoon/cup, etc; toiletries; towel and flip-flops for the shower; swimsuit (for the brave)
Hiking Gear:
- Standard day hiking gear: Waterproof boots suggested (trail shoes are not recommended in the ADKs), non-cotton clothing, sunscreen, bug spray, sunhat, sunglasses, rain gear, hiking poles
- Added insulting layers to account for unpredictable fall mountain weather
- Maps of the region: National Geographic Adirondack High Peaks & National Geographic Northville, Raquette Lake
- GPS app with offline maps: There are no free apps with offline maps. Avenza Maps App is free and many area maps in Avenza's in-app map store are also free, but area maps are usually a <$10 one-time purchase; I recommend CalTopo ($20/yr) which is an excellent general purpose GPS program. (AllTrails $36/yr is fine for specific hikes, but not really a general purpose GPS. GaiaGPS keeps raising their price.)
Weather: Average hi/low: 70s/40s, might be in the 30s. The weather above the tree line is always worse, so bring a good shell and a warm extra layer. Mountain weather is often unpredictable, so plan accordingly.
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- Who's Interested in Weekend Cross Country Skiing Trips?Needs location
RSVP if you are interested in some weekend XC trips! I'll start organizing January's trips in mid December and use this event to post general updates.
Trip dates will be MLK weekend, President's Day weekend, and likely one or two other weekends.
Likely destination include:
- Sections of the Catamount Ski Trail, which runs the length of Vermont.
- The Adirondack's Jack Rabbit Ski Trail and Avalanche Pass.
- New Hampshire with the AMC for various outings.
Contact Andre with any questions.
Required Gear & Skills:
- Solid intermediate skiing skills: These routes range from "easy and mostly flat" to "long, isolated, and very steep routes suitable for advanced, properly equipped skiers only." Even an easy backcountry trail is still a backcountry trail - ungroomed (or even unbroken) with unbridged steam crossings, blow-downs, and other backcountry hazards, plus there's always some steep and narrow bits.
- Backcountry cross-country gear: BC XC with metal edges are required, with a backcountry boot and backcountry binding. (For example: Fischer Traverse 78 Crown). Skins are highly recommended.
- Your Share of Group Emergency Gear: As group, we will typically carry at minimum: 1+ sleep pads, 1+ sleeping bags, shelter for one person, tarp, stove & pot, saw, and fire starter. Plus person first aid and repair kits. Emergencies do happen and help is still many hours away even with a SOS beacon. (You do not need to have all of this yourself, but expect to carry your share.)
- Layered winter clothing suitable for temps in the teens: Wicking base-layer top and bottom; insulating top layer (usually fleece); windbreaker/ softshell jacket; insulated water-resistant pants; waterproof shell pants and jacket; big puffy jacket; warm and water resistant gloves and mittens (two pair); face protection; winter hat; headlamp; gaiters; chemical hand and foot warmers.
If the above sounds intimidating, AMC's Winter School offers a weekend-long Nordic-to-Backcountry course, which makes for a great introduction to Backcountry XC. There is usually one in late January and one in February. (Details TBD in the fall.) There might also be an option to join the group on an easier day (especially if you are driving).
What a Trip Generally Looks Like:
- Leave on Fridays as early as possible, skiing Saturday and Sunday before returning to the city Sunday night (or Monday for a long weekend).
- Lodging is generally hotels, sometimes a house if there is a good deal at the last minute but winter weather is generally too unpredictable to book anything without a great cancelation policy.
- Attendees are responsible for their costs.
