Ultimate Hiking Courses are designed for beginner backpackers who want to accelerate up the learning curve. The trip does not require a huge investment of time or financial resources, and it is more manageable for those with demanding families and limited vacation time. If you live in a populated part of the country, it’s likely that a trip is being offered near you, which will cut down on your travel time and expense. And you can easily return to this location in the future to apply what you learned, and perhaps to prepare for a Wilderness Adventure next year, or later in the season.
Wilderness Adventures are more advanced and committing. Our route will be rugged and at high elevations, and often off-trail. While we will take a long mid-day break plus many shorter ones, we will spend a healthy chunk each day hiking; pre-trip physical conditioning is highly recommended. You may need both an “office pass” and a “kitchen pass” to spend an entire week in the field. It will take more time and money to reach the trip locations, which are intentionally “in the middle of nowhere.” Because it’s a smaller group and a longer trip, there is more of an opportunity for bonding with others and with the land.
Comparison at-a-glance
