White Mountains Backpacking Adventure: Great Gulf Wilderness

Hike along cliffs and amongst giants, tackle four 5,000 footers and enjoy a view of one of New England's most beautiful alpine lakes all within a weekend! This challenging 20 mile loop trip takes place in the Northern Presidential Range. We will also be hiking a section of the historic Appalachian Trail, spending a few nights away from the crowds and under the stars, and there could be an attempt to bag the highest peak in the northeast.

This trip will include educational segments on skills, but our primary objective will be an exciting adventure. It is open to all though you will most likely find it suitable if you are:

- Beginner backpacker who wants to improve know-how and has a high level of fitness

- Intermediate backpacker who wants to improve skills and modernize gear

- Advanced backpacker wanting to hone in on specifics and have an adventure in the mountains

Other considerations for this trip:

- You should enjoy hiking at a relatively fast pace and enjoy more time on the trail than at camp

- You look forward to climbing and descending peaks, passes and ridgelines

- You are comfortable carrying a 20+ lb pack for 15-20 miles a day

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: $325 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 and nutrition

- Hydration

- Water quality assessment & treatment

- Campsite selection

- Shelter setups

- Stove operation

- How to pack a backpack

- Bear bag hanging

- 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

- 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

- Begin hiking

- Practice and discuss navigation, learn and discuss water quality assessment, practice water treatment, first aid, gear repair, foot care

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

- Meal, clean-up

- Discuss the days events

- Personal time/lights out

Third Day

- Breakfast, campsite breakdown

- Hike

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

- Sort through personal and group gear

- Final group meal (optional)

- Goodbyes

Why Should You Join This Trip:

This is a one-of-a-kind experience that will primarily focus on an exciting adventure. This trip will still include fundamentals refresher opportunities throughout our time in the mountains and will also help you leave feeling confident, strong, creative, relaxed and ready for the next adventure. Many of us have limited opportunities to backpack in beautiful places. This weekend is focused on you and providing you with a creative and enhanced experience. You will be kept on your toes, but 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.

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 things and learn about them before going out and buying it yourself.

Avoid learning things the hard way and enjoy a safe, comfortable wild experience.

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