Trek: Backpacking Adventure
Be ready for the challenge of a five-day hiking Trek along the Laurel Highlands Trail. Everyday your packs will get lighter and the trail will get more exciting. Your Trek Guide will teach important outdoor skills to become your own guide in the outdoors.
Weekly Itinerary
Sunday
12:30 p.m. - Check in at Pathfinder for medical re-checks and swim tests
2:00 p.m. - Equipment checkout, personal gear check and van packing
4:30 p.m. - Depart for the Laurel Highlands Trail
6:30 p.m. - Setup camp, prepare dinner
8:00 p.m. - Social campfire
Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. - Breakfast
9:00 a.m. - Hiking (Monday begins with hiking and safety training)
12:30 p.m. - Trail lunch
1:00 p.m. - Continue hiking
3:30 p.m. - Locate a campsite
6:30 p.m. - Dinner
7:30 p.m. - Evening program (GPS, Leave No Trace, Campfires)
Friday Evening
5:30 p.m. - Dinner
7:00 p.m. - Return trip to Heritage Reservation
9:00 p.m. - Arrive at Potomac Homes for last night including hot showers
Saturday
8:00 a.m. - Closing Banquet and slideshow at Pathfinder Lodge
9:00 a.m. - Check-in all program equipment and pack for home
10:30 a.m. - Trading Post visit and check-out
Provided Equipment
Frame backpack, tents, first aid kit, backpacking stoves, cook and chef kits, mess kits, collapsible water jugs, nalgene bottles, water purifiers and iodine tablets, sleeping bag and liner, sleeping mat, GPS unit, weather radio, satellite phone (for emergencies)
Additional Details
- Backpacking is physically, mentally and emotionally demanding. Campers carry a 35 to 50 lb. pack while hiking five to 12 miles per day in an isolated mountain wilderness.
- Participants are encouraged to do several practice hikes before attending. Arrive in good physical condition and be ready for five strenuous and fun filled days of hiking.
- A comprehensive medical examination is required for all participants because of the higher level of activities. This involves a physician’s visit within one year.
- In case of an emergency, the Trek Guide is equipped with a satellite phone.
Trek Activities
- Hiking
- Trail cooking
- Map and Compass
- Wilderness camping
- Leave No Trace
- GPS navigation
- Team building
- Swimming
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Trek: Mountain Biking Adventure
Be ready for the challenge of a five-day mountain biking Trek along the Great Allegheny Passage. Every day your bikes will get lighter and the trail will get more exciting. Your Trek Guide will teach important outdoor skills to become your own guide in the outdoors.
Weekly Itinerary
Sunday
12:30 p.m. - Check in at Pathfinder for medical rechecks and swim tests
2:00 p.m. - Equipment checkout, personal gear check, and van packing
4:30 p.m. - Depart for the Great Allegheny Passage
6:30 p.m. - Setup camp, prepare dinner
8:00 p.m. - Social campfire
Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. - Breakfast
9:00 a.m. - Biking (Monday begins with biking and safety training)
12:30 p.m. - Trail lunch
1:00 p.m. - Continue biking
3:30 p.m. - Locate a campsite
6:30 p.m. - Dinner
7:30 p.m. - Evening program (GPS, Leave No Trace, Campfires)
Friday Evening
5:30 p.m. - Dinner
7:00 p.m. - Return trip to Heritage Reservation
9:00 p.m. - Arrive at Potomac Homes for last night including hot showers
Saturday
8:00 a.m. - Closing Banquet and slideshow at Pathfinder Lodge
9:00 a.m. - Check-in all program equipment and pack for home
10:30 a.m. - Trading Post visit and check-out
Provided Equipment
Mountain bike, pannier packs, tents, first aid kit, backpacking stoves, cook and chef kits, mess kits, collapsible water jugs, nalgene bottles, water purifiers and iodine tablets, sleeping bag and liner, sleeping mat, GPS unit, bike repair kit, weather radio, satellite phone (for emergencies)
Additional Details
- Mountain biking is physically, mentally and emotionally demanding. Campers carry 35 to 50 lb. panniers while biking 12 to 25 miles per day in an isolated mountain wilderness.
- Participants are encouraged to do several practice trips before attending. Arrive in good physical condition and be ready for five strenuous and fun filled days of biking.
- A comprehensive medical examination is required for all participants because of the higher level of activities. This involves a physician’s visit within one year.
In case of an emergency, the Trek Guide is equipped with a satellite phone.
Trek Activities
- Mountain biking
- Trail cooking
- Map and Compass
- Wilderness camping
- Leave No Trace
- GPS navigation
- Team building
- Swimming
