Intro to Backpacking
This three day course utilizes hands-on skill building in both on-site workshops and in-the-field training, to prepare you for your own solo backpacking adventures.
Course Information
This course is designed, instructed, and led by Registered Maine Guide and thru-hiker, Koty Sapp. Koty has backpacked over 6500 miles and has spent over 380 nights backcountry camping.
Over three days we will cover a variety of topics aimed at preparing you for your own solo trip into the backcountry. The 100 Mile Wilderness contains some of the most remote and beautiful terrain along the Appalachian Trail, which makes it the perfect setting for learning the skills necessary for traveling safely in the backcountry.
To promote an effective learning environment, this course is limited to 5 participants.
Each participant needs a fully functioning backpacking kit. If you already have a backpacking kit, you will need to bring it with you for this course. If you do not yet have a backpacking kit, we have rental gear available. In addition, if you are looking to purchase a new backpacking kit, we can outfit you with one of the lightest and best kits on the market.
On-site Workshop Topics: Intro to backpacking, leave no trace principles, the ten essentials, how to pack efficiently, how to fit & wear a backpack properly, clothing & outerwear, backpacking essentials, the importance of eliminating redundancy and focusing on multi-use items, nutrition & caloric intake, meal planning, how to plan out hiking days & sections, first aid kits, and gear. We will also spend time going through each participants backpack, talk about gear choices, and make suggestions.
In-the-field Training Topics: How to navigate, time & distance estimation, proper trekking pole use, fording a stream crossing safely, choosing a safe & proper campsite, setting up your tent/hammock efficiently, lean-to & privy etiquette, hiking etiquette, overuse injury avoidance, foot care, blister care & prevention, sustaining energy and pace on varying terrain, proper layering techniques in varying conditions, fire building techniques, water sources & purification, preparing meals on trail, minimizing campsite contamination, how to hang a bear bag, using a BearVault or Ursack properly, useful knots, and more.
Dates & Itinerary
Day 1 (August 23): Check-in is 7:30-7:45 a.m. at the Outfitters. From 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. we will have a hands-on workshop covering a variety of important topics for planning & trip preparation, as well as gear rentals. From 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. we will break for lunch. At 1:15 p.m. we will depart for the Jo-Mary Rd trail crossing in the famed 100 Mile Wilderness with an estimated 2:00 p.m. arrival. We will hike 4.4 miles to Antler’s Campsite, regarded as one of the most beautiful camping areas along the entire 2200 mile Appalachian Trail. The hiking time is approximately 2-2.5 hours with us reaching camp around 4:00-4:30 p.m. The terrain difficulty is 2-4/10. Once at camp, we will spend the afternoon/evening covering a few more topics and enjoying campfire activities. We will have dinner around 7:00 p.m. and wrap up for the night by 8:30 p.m. Dinner is provided in the form of Good To-Go dehydrated meals, with vegan & vegetarian options available.
Day 2 (August 24): Breakfast & coffee will be 7:00-8:00 a.m. and is prepared by the guide, based on dietary requirements of the group. We will take down camp by 9:00 a.m. and hike 7.9 miles to Nahmakanta Stream Lean-to. The actual hiking time is approximately 4-5 hours, however, we will stop at predetermined locations to cover various topics along the way. The terrain difficulty is 2-5/10. The day will be a mix of learning, skill building, and relaxation time. There will also be an opportunity to swim at a picturesque beach. We plan to reach our campsite by 5:00 p.m. and spend the afternoon/evening with a mix of relaxation time and campfire activities. We will have dinner around 7:00 p.m. and wrap up for the night by 8:30 p.m. Dinner is provided in the form of Good To-Go dehydrated meals, with vegan & vegetarian options available.
Day 3 (August 25): Breakfast & coffee will be 7:00-8:00 a.m. and is prepared by the guide, based on dietary requirements of the group. We will take down camp by 9:00 a.m. and hike 3.6 miles to Nahmakanta Lake. The terrain difficult is 2-5/10. We may cover a few more topics on our way to the pick up point. Pick up is 11:30 a.m. We will arrive back to the Outfitters by 1:00 p.m. for rental returns & goodbyes.
Lodging & Shuttles
Shuttle service is provided through Appalachian Trail Hostel & Outfitters.
Shuttle service is insured and licensed for hire with the state of Maine.
If you need lodging the night before and/or the night after this course, you can make a reservation here for the Hostel.
Pricing
Included: transportation from our location to the Jo-Mary Rd trail crossing and from Nahmakanta Lake back to our location, two guide-prepared breakfasts, two Good To-Go dinners, gate fees for 100 Mile Wilderness, guide fees, and our fees. Prices are in USD.
Not included: any transportation and accommodations not mentioned in the itinerary, snacks, lunches, gear rentals, trip insurance, and optional gratuity for shuttle drivers and the guide.
Intro to Backpacking: $395.00
Booking & Cancellation Policy
The deposit is 25% of your trip cost and is required at booking. The deposit is included in the total trip price.
The remaining 75% is due 90 days prior to the start of your trip. This is to ensure you are committed to the trip.
We can accommodate up to five participants. While we expect the trip to fill up, it should be noted that we do require a minimum of three participants. If less than three participants have registered by the due date, those who have booked this trip will have the option to either cover the additional costs so that the trip may proceed or cancel their trip and receive a refund, minus processing fees.
Cancellation Policy:
Domestic (US) - Cancellation fee
90+ days - 50% of deposit
60-89 days - 100% of deposit
30-59 days - 50% of total trip cost
29 days or less - 100% of total trip cost
Please understand that we may turn away other customers in order to hold your reservation. Our policy is not meant to be punitive, however, we plan far in advance to make these trips a possibility. At the time of the due date, funds may have already been used in preparation for your upcoming trip. For this reason, we strictly adhere to our cancellation policy. We strongly suggest that you purchase travel insurance to help cover any unforeseen circumstance that may lead to you canceling after the due date.
To qualify for refunds, you must notify us in writing, by email, to info@katahdinadventureco.com.
In the event we need to cancel a trip due to unforeseen circumstances, partial or full refunds will be made, depending on how much of the trip has been completed.
Katahdin Adventure Company (Appalachian Trail Hostel & Outfitters LLC) reserves the right to alter or cancel trips and determine refund amounts at its sole discretion.
Disclaimer
While this is a fully guided trip, all participants must be capable of covering the distances mentioned in the itinerary. Each participant should be in reasonably good hiking shape. Each participant will be required to carry all necessary supplies and gear for their safety and enjoyment. There is a list of essential items the guide requires you have with you each day. We will send the list and relevant information at booking. You can choose to rent or purchase these items during the on-site workshop.
There is a required “packing list” that will be sent out with your booking. If you do not have all of the items on the packing list, you can rent or purchase them directly from our Outfitters. The packing list is non-negotiable and the guide will not allow you to participate in the guided hike if you are missing an item. This is for the safety of everyone involved in the guided hike.
Weather is unpredictable. Rain or shine we hike. However, if the guide deems weather conditions to be unsafe, the hike will be stopped or rerouted, at the guide’s sole discretion. If the forecasted weather presents potentially hazardous conditions, you will be notified and given the option to reschedule, subject to availability. We do not offer refunds due to weather.
Get in touch.
If you are interested in participating in our trip, please reach out to us. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have and help you register.
August 22-24, 2024: 5 of 5 spots available