(48 DAYS) – FULL SEASON ONLY Long Trail End to Enders

Many hikers who’ve been enjoying the beauty and adventure of Vermont’s Long Trail may have wondered what it would be like to complete the historic 100-year-old path; how it must feel to meander along the crest of the Green Mountains from Massachusetts to Canada. Hikers on shorter trips may have sensed the excitement of End-to-Enders they’ve met along the trail who stop to share their stories.

Now it’s your turn, so take the chance! This trip is geared toward success through learning and practicing extended-trip principles like route and menu planning, pacing, and appropriate packing. The course will be co-led by experienced trip leaders who are eager to enjoy the company of the Questers and share their knowledge. Their experience and awareness of group dynamics will help Questers as they learn the requisite skills of self-care, diet and how to handle the challenges of the 273-mile journey.

As with any Questers course, the trip leaders will support participants and orient them to the specific backpacking techniques, while coaching them on how to be self-reliant and make decisions collaboratively. Questers on this trip will experience the F&W values of simple living, spirituality, exploration of self, and the importance of community. Participants will have ample time to journal and reflect on this experience.

July or August ADIRONDACKS

The Questers July and August session trips: Traveling from New York’s Raquette River along the Northern Forest Canoe Trail to the peaks of the Adirondacks. We will be traveling by canoe and foot for fifteen days, and then culminate the trip with three days of rock-climbing. No previous outdoor skills are needed, just an interest and willingness to learn and become an integral part of a team.

Meet and Pack Out: Questers start at Saltash Mountain Camp, where we practice canoeing fundamentals and learn techniques for backcountry packing. These include prepping the menu, gear inspection, and reviewing the route. When the last dry bag is packed, it’s off to the Adirondacks.

Canoe (Days 1-8): The Questers journey starts as the whole team dips paddles into Raquette Lake for a nine-day paddle meandering through some of the area’s most beautiful waterways. With amazing camping in an area teeming with wildlife, this section of the trip is sure to provide breathtaking and unforgettable beauty. Questers will have time to work on their paddling strokes and canoe partner communication before taking on some of the more challenging moving water.

Backpack (Days 8-15): As we trade in our canoes for backpacks, we pause for a day to review techniques for backpacking and orienteering. Questers then strap on their packs and hike into the north woods of the Adirondack Mountains. As they hike over tops of several Adirondack 46ers they will continuously take in amazing views. Questers will stomp out over fifty miles of beautiful and rewarding trails over during this seven-day section of the journey.

Rock-Climb (Days 15-19): Questers will base camp for several days and trek each morning to a climbing site. While working together to find and attempt routes up the rock face, Quester will also have the opportunity to set their own goals and find their own climbing style.

Back to Camp: Questers end their journey back at Saltash Mountain Camp, where we unpack and reflect on our amazing adventure. August session Questers will arrive back in time for the Farm & Wilderness’ Fair Day.