Backpacking Fundamentals & Skills In Tunxis State Forest

Backpack along the Tunxis Trail through 9,152 acres of old growth forest and hardwoods while you learn and practice new skills, test out gear and enjoy some of the best views in the area. Sleep under the stars with a crackling fire while you share the wilderness area with bear and moose.

This 13.4 mile out-and-back trip will bring us by waterfalls, through dense woodlands to a ravine and down an exciting section of house sized boulders with some technical scrambling.

This trip is open to all though you will most likely find it suitable if you are:

- First-time backpacker with some day-hiking, car-camping experience and are interested in learning to go on more overnight or multi-day trips

- Beginner backpacker who wants to improve know-how

- Intermediate backpacker who wants to improve skills and modernize gear

- Advanced backpacker looking for a refresher or a new adventure

Other considerations to make:

- You should be willing and able to hike up to 10 miles per day over varying terrain with an increase in intensity at times

- You should be comfortable hiking all day wearing a 20+ lb pack

- You should be willing to hike off-trail to learn and practice your navigation skills

Group size is 5. RSVP is required. Waiver/Assumption of Risk documents are required before participation and can be signed electronically or in person the day of this trip. This event will be held rain or shine.

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If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch with me: Mat, matjobin@reachyoursummit.net

Cost: $250 per person

What's Included:

- 5 Star backpacking guiding and instruction

- Group gear rental including headlamps, cookset, fuel, first-aid supplies, gear repair kit, bear bag, etc.

- National Forest permit and/or campsite permit (reservations)

- Breakfasts, dinners and 2 snacks

- Free product

- Demo gear rental including shelters, stoves, sleeping bags, sleeping pads and water treatment

What's Not Included:

- Transportation

- Park entry fee (if required)

- Personal gear and supplies

- Additional snacks and food

What Will You Learn:

- Trip planning

- Gear selection

- On-trail & Off-trail navigation

- Basic Map-reading

- Operation of compass

- Layering

- Foot care & footwear

- Food planning & nutrition

- Hydration

- Water quality assessment & treatment

- Campsite selection

- Shelter setups

- Stove operation

- Bear bag hanging

- Leave No Trace Principles

- How to pack a backpack

- Wildlife precautions and encounters

What To Expect:

Exact trip details (meeting location, time, etc) will be specified weeks or even months before your trip. The itinerary below is simply meant to help you plan your travel and to better understand how the trip will flow.

First Day

- Meet at our entry point 10am

- Make introductions

- Distribute group food

- Distribute group gear

- Check personal gear, supplies & make final decisions

- Learn how to pack a backpack

- Begin hiking

- Learn & discuss navigation, water treatment, first aid, gear repair, foot care

- Arrive at camp, learn and discuss campsite selection, campsite setup, bear bag hanging, fire starting (if regulations allow)

- Meal, clean-up

- Personal time/lights out

Second Day

- Breakfast, campsite breakdown

- Hike

- Practice and discuss navigation skills

- Around noon +/-1 or 2 hours arrive back to entry point

- Sort through personal and group gear

- Final group meal (optional)

- Goodbyes

Why Should I Join:

This is a one-of-a-kind experience that will not only teach you fundamentals of backpacking, but will also help you leave feeling confident, strong, creative, relaxed and ready for the next adventure. Master the art of balance. This weekend is an investment in your backpacking future. It will save you considerable time and money in the long run, and it will greatly enhance your future trips & experiences, whether they be short or long, solo or with a group or the Scouts. This weekend is focused on you and providing you with quality, value, safety, comfort and personal growth. You will be under the guidance of a reputable, credible and accomplished professional guide who wants to make the wilderness accessible and enjoyable for you at a high level.

Save time and money. Avoid spending hundreds of dollars on gear and learning to backpack the hard way. Learn hands-on skills that will make backpacking fun, not work. You’ll learn trip planning techniques to make the process less stressful and overwhelming. Enjoy your backpacking experiences more. Get experience-backed information that is tailored to you, your preferences, your experience and your budget. Try out gear, see and learn about things before going out and buying it yourself.

Invest in your backpacking future and avoid learning things the hard way.

​Gratuities are always greatly appreciated and typically range from 5-10%.