Personal Trip Preparation

As professional guides we work hard to prevent problems. Making sure that participants are prepared for their trip can help unforeseen circumstances go more smoothly. Whether you are joining us for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, a seasonal vacation get-away, or to learn new outdoor recreation activities, careful preparations on your part will help make your experience most enjoyable.


Attitude and Physical Demands

We are glad you want to get outside and play under the guidance of our leaders. Your willingness to actively participate and your survival attitude are important keys to the success of your trip. We customize trips for participants' interests and abilities, and also teach skills and knowledge, but self-propelled adventures do require various degrees of strength, endurance, and even stamina. Getting in shape for one of our adventures would be of great benefit. You are encouraged to speak with your guide regarding preparing for the physical demands of your adventure, as well as discussing your interests and abilities so they can match you with an appropriate activity and location. In general, if you don't already have a regular exercise routine, then before your ESCAPE, we suggest, with your doctor's approval, that you work up to walking approximately 2 miles or 30 minutes per day, including some hills or stairs.

Fitness Ratings

Our outdoor adventures are designed to be accessible for most people, and all require good health and a reasonable level of fitness. The following ratings provide some general guidelines to help you choose what's comfortable when completing the online ESCAPE Request Form.

Gentle: you should be able to walk, ski, peddle, or paddle at a relaxed pace for a few hours at a time, and the activity level can be tailored somewhat to meet the needs of the group.

Moderate: you should feel comfortable being active for a solid chunk of the day, moving at a steady yet sustainable pace.

Vigorous: expect to be active all day long, with some periods of moderately aerobic exertion and some time moving at a strong but not "all out" pace.

Very Vigorous: expect a solid level of aerobic intensity throughout the day.


What to Bring?

Since each ESCAPE is customized for your abilities and interests, your pack list will be personally tailored to your activities, the season, trail/water conditions, and your other travel plans. We offer rentals for just about everything you'll need, just be sure not to forget your underwear.

Your pack list includes layers of synthetic clothing, proper footgear, expedition-style rain gear (no ponchos), or parka and snow pants in winter, and optional items such as camera, binoculars, and a journal to write or sketch your experiences. For camping overnights, you'll also need a sleeping bag and pad, and an appropriately sized backpack if you're hiking, or drybags for paddling. We can provide any, or all, of these things if you need them.

There is also a list of things not to bring on a wilderness trip in order to keep the experience natural and safe, such as music players, jewelry, and alcohol. We remind you to check the fluids and inspect the tires of your vehicle before the trip because your destination may be in an area without services.

If you have your own recreation equipment (bikes, kayaks, etc.) that you'd like to use during your ESCAPE, just let us know and we'll discuss the appropriateness for the trails and waterways. 

If at any time you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact our guides.

An elementary school band teacher on her privately guided 10-day backpack & canoe trip.

A father-son get-a-way canoe camping trip.

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