What we’re about
The mission of this group is exactly what the name implies, we want to provide good company and a positive atmosphere to experience those things that, for whatever reason, you either weren't able to do before or don't get to do often enough. To work toward that, we try to offer a wide variety of things for you to do with us. We try to cater to the interests of as many people as possible. But we are few and you are many, and this means to do what we want as well as possible, we need your help. Feel free to email me with any suggestions you might have. We won't do everything, but I can promise that we'll give everything fair consideration. This group is special because of its members, and I look forward to meeting and building new experiences with as many of you as possible. Hope to see you soon!
Upcoming events (2)
See all- Not So Urban Athletics: Hike New Hampshire's Franconia RidgeMaple Haven Campground, Woodstock, NH
Looking for an epic mountain escape from the city? Want to trade honking horns for waterfalls, and group texts for a group trek? Join us for a 4-day hiking and camping adventure to Franconia Ridge, a.k.a. the most photogenic chunk of rock in the Northeast.
We’ll drive up from NYC, pitch some tents (or stay in a cabin), conquer a legendary ridge, and make friends with chipmunks (and each other). Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just “vaguely outdoorsy with enthusiasm,” you’re welcome here—as long as you’re down to get your boots dirty and maybe carry someone else’s snacks.
Itinerary...
📍 Day 1 – Road trip
We’ll roll out of NYC early (yes, there will be a bagel stop) and drive ~6 hours to Franconia Notch. After setting up camp at Maple Haven Campground, We're probably gonna get there later than planned so it’ll be dinner in town along with a drink or three. We'll then head back to the campground, gather around the campfire, tell ghost stories, and realize someone forgot to bring marshmallows.🥾 Day 2 – Franconia Ridge: The main event
Time to earn those trail mix calories. We’ll tackle the Franconia Ridge Loop, a glorious ~8.6-mile hike with jaw-dropping views and some solid quad-burning fun (4,000 feet of elevation gain, woo!). We’ll go up via Old Bridle Path, cross the ridge over Mount Lafayette, Lincoln, and Little Haystack, and come down the Falling Waters Trail, which, spoiler alert, has a lot of falling water. You’ll feel like a beast by the end of it.🌲 Day 3 – Chill day to explore
After surviving the ridge (and probably earning a nickname), we’ll take it easy. You can walk the Flume Gorge, ride the Cannon Mountain tram for lazy summit views, or do a short hike like Mount Pemigewasset—great view, minimal suffering.🚙 Day 4 – Pack up & escape the forest with newfound confidence
We’ll pack up camp, sip some campground coffee, and head back to NYC with memories, photos, and maybe a pinecone or two in your bag. Optional brunch stop in a New England town to ease the transition back to civilization.The important stuff...
- Drive time: ~5.5–6 hours from NYC
- Camping: Well be staying 3 nights at Maple Haven Campground (yes, there's a bathroom…and showers. There’s even wi-fi. We're not luddites.) You'll need to book your own campsite HERE; sharing sites is recommended.
- Main hike difficulty: CHALLENGING—but totally doable if you’ve climbed stairs and survived. Expect an 8 hour hike, about 9 miles of distance, and 4,000 feet of climbing. Depending on the weather the day of the hike may change.
- Gear needed: Tent, cold weather sleeping bag, hiking boots, rain gear, good vibes. The usual camping stuff. It'll be early fall in northern New England, expect temps in the high 50s during the day and in the high 30s at night.
Don't miss this fine print...
- This is a group trip, not a guided tour—everyone pitches in and brings their best trail spirit (and snacks). Read this waiver of liability, then read it again.
- You should be reasonably fit and okay with uphill hiking, wildlife encounters, and dirt under your nails.
- We’ll try to assemble carpools—drivers will be worshipped, non-drivers may have to sing car karaoke as payment.
- Not So Urban Athletics: Fall Foliage Rock Stomping HikeMohonk Preserve Visitor Center, Gardiner, NY
We're going start winding down this hiking season by doing one of the most spectacular hikes in the Northeast and one of my personal favorites--the Labyrinth and Lemon Squeeze in the Shawangunk Mountains. The hike is going to be made extra special because of the time of the year we're doing this, in the middle of fall foliage season, when the dazzling hues of the red, yellow, and brown leaves on the trees around us almost make us forget how exciting this trek is.
We'll start our hike off in the Mohonk Preserve where we're going to stroll the gentle Undercliff trail, a magnificent spectacle with amazing rock formations to our left and sweeping views of the Hudson Valley to our right. If I ended the hike here, you'd head home feeling satisfied, but this is only the appetizer for the visual and physical feast to come. We will continue on to hike the rock formations known as the Labyrinth and Lemon Squeeze. What the heck are they? They are insane views, a crazy knuckle and knee scraping rock labyrinth, and a claustrophobia-defying climb up a deep crevice capped off by 360 degree views from a sky top tower. Yeah, I know, sounds awesome. And it doesn't end there, I'm going to throw in several more amazing rock scrambles -- four for the price of two, the best deal in town.
The important stuff...
• By RSVPing for this event, you agree to the following waiver of liability https://bit.ly/3atj0C5
• This is going to be an ADVANCED loop hike of about 11 miles round trip. You don't need to be a world-class athlete to participate, but you need to be in decent physical shape as this is one of the more challenging treks in area with a bit of elevation gain and a few rock scrambles. We will be out all day so leave your afternoon/evening open.
• This is a social hike, the pace will be moderate -- we'll be stopping to take in the views and smell the flowers. If you yearn to channel your inner Mountain Goat and feel the need to race everyone to the top of the mountain, this is not the hiking trip for you.
• Dress in layers of non-cotton clothing, wear hiking boots or trail shoes (I wouldn't recommend sneakers but that is at your discretion), a hat, bring 2-3 liters of fluid, a packed lunch and/or snacks, and sunscreen.
• There is a preserve day use fee of $15.00 per person.
• Rain cancels the hike.
• No guests allowed, sorry.
• RSVP only if you seriously plan to attend as space is limited.
How to get there...
Take the New Paltz exit 18 off of the NYS Thruway. Go 7 miles west (through New Paltz) on Route 299 to the end: make right on Route 44-55 and then 1/2 mile to the Visitor Center on right.
