What we’re about
Join us for nights under the stars, treks in the woods and NYC events to talk about your favorite gear and the next adventure. Follow us on Instagram to see what we've been up to: @BLAZENYC
BLAZE>> is a group for gay men in NYC that crave being outdoors and are passionate about backpacking and backcountry camping. New to backpacking? No worries, our members range from beginner trekkers with lots of enthusiasm to seasoned adventurers with years of experience to share. We are committed to challenging ourselves by trekking to isolated places of remarkable beauty, but our trips are as much about the journey as they are about being an über athlete.
If you are interested, you can shop for some BLAZE>> products at on-line store Zazzle.
There is also a San Francisco Chapter of Blaze>>, see https://www.meetup.com/blazesf.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Spring Hike @ Minnewaska State ParkMinnewaska State Park Preserve, Kerhonkson, NY
Let's get out for a lovely spring hike. For this hike, we will drive about 2 hours north of NYC and do an 11.2 mile loop with an elevation gain of 1,100 feet. This hike is moderate to difficult depending on fitness level. Click here to see the trail map.
The weather forecast is looking great - sunny with highs in the 70s. The plan is to leave NYC around 9am and meet in the parking lot around 11am. The hike will take about 5-6 hours. Afterwards, there is the option to go eat and drink in New Paltz.
The number of attendees will be limited by the number of drivers who can take passengers. Please answer the rsvp question about whether or not you have a car and can take passengers. I will send out the carpool sheet Friday morning. Please expect to contribute $20-$30 to your driver if you are carpooling.
Everyone should bring some lunch, snacks, and at least two liters of water for the hike. As for gear, everyone should have good boots or sneakers. Dress in layers as you will warm up as we move and may need a layer if we stop.
- Northeast Regional Meetup for Gay Campers @ Camp Out in the PoconosCamp Out Poconos, East Stroudsburg, PA
A bunch of us at Blaze have enjoyed camping at Camp Out in the Poconos over the last couple of years. There is a big Northeast Regional Meetup for Gay campers happening June 20-22 and I think it would be fun to "piggy back" a Blaze camping trip on top of this.
Camp OUT Poconos is one of the gay camping resorts in the Poconos, offering a welcoming and inclusive experience for queer campers of all kinds. With tent sites, RV sites, cottages, and cabins, plus a heated pool, nightclub, piano lounge, and endless entertainment, this is not your average campground!
RSVPing here does NOT reserve your spot. You will need to go to the Camp Out website and reserve your own spot. https://campoutpoconos.com
Blaze will be camping in the "Primitive Tent Site" Section D area. So reserve a campsite near there, if you can. If there are none left in Section D, don't worry if you need to pitch your tent somewhere else. You can hang out in Section D, when we are not sleeping. Our campsite is off to the side, so it tends to be quieter while we are sleeping... but if you are a light sleeper, I recommend you bring earplugs.
The cost for the campsite for the weekend is $153 for up to 2 people, and $60 for each additional person. You are not required to come for the whole weekend. You can even just get a day pass if you want to hang out with us on Saturday or Sunday. This Promo Code may only work if you want to reserve a campsite for longer than the weekend, but you are welcome to try it: GCF2025
https://www.camplife.com/1146/reservation/step1I'll put up a spreadsheet to coordinate transportation as the time approaches.
