Celebrating ten years of adventure

Explore More

Destination Backcountry - Celebrating Our 10 Year Anniversary!

Our dedicated team of expert outdoor guides help nature-deprived New Yorkers discover the magic, peace, and beauty of nature in the Hudson Valley, Catskills, Adirondacks, and Utah with guided trips and outdoor skills training.

We were founded on the conviction that everyone should be able to experience the restorative power of authentic wilderness. As so many new people have discovered their passion for the outdoors (especially in 2020), the Catskills have seen unprecedented use. In order to continue to offer trips that treat the wilderness responsibly and offer the opportunity to connect with the woods—without being surrounded by other people on busy trails—we’ve added a lot of new adventures to our calendar. 

We’re avoiding traditional routes to popular spots, in many cases opting to bushwhack to avoid crowds, even to summits with a trail. We’re featuring lesser known destinations, in many cases without naming them so that they remain wild and undiscovered. We’re offering some adventures that start on “off” times, such as Friday afternoon, and we’re offering the option of providing your own transportation. What this means is that you get to experience the Catskills as they were meant to be enjoyed—with the opportunity to connect with nature and find restoration in the forest.

Book Your Adventure!

We Offer

Guided adventures: hiking, backpacking, canoeing & kayaking, and yoga trips

Academy classes: map & compass, survival school, fishing, family adventures, and more

Custom trips: corporate training, marathon and Spartan race training, skill development, birthday parties, and more

Trips Include

Transportation from/to New York City with convenient pickup locations near the Barclays Center in Brooklyn and Grand Central in Manhattan

Fresh, healthy, gourmet meals, including breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner depending on trip length

Required group gear and rental options

All Skills Levels Welcome

We became outdoor guides because we love sharing nature with others.

Whether you've never stepped foot in the woods before, or you're a burgeoning outdoor amateur, we're positive you'll discover something new on our trips. Our trips range from gentle walks through the woods to extreme endurance challenges.

Our Team

Dave and Jessica have dedicated their lives to helping people develop a closer relationship with nature.

Our guides are skilled in many different areas of outdoor adventure. Whether a bushcraft expert or a canoe & kayak aficionado, we all believe in the power of nature and our mission of making the mountains accessible to everyone. 

Meet the Guides

I'm truly overcome by the graciousness, variety and overall fulfillment of these tours. DBA definitely has a special touch—a composite of great energy, subject matter expertise, people and organization.

—Nina S.

If you are an experienced hiker, you will find your outdoor zen in Dave and his merry band of guides, and I would venture to say that you would learn a lot from each other in the process (as well as be privy to plenty of laughs).

There is something for everyone here, and I can't offer a more solid recommendation for Dave/DBA. I would be hard pressed to find a more outstanding outdoor experience at such an incredible value.

—Matt M.

Dave's the real deal. He really loves the outdoors and it's contagious. Besides great energy and the most positive upbeat attitude you'll ever meet, he's got lots of outdoor and nature knowledge to share. There's a well-read science nerd inside his outdoorsy exterior.

—Solange V.

Perfect way to get away from the hectic life of NYC. I did the Yoga retreat and it was amazing!!! A full day of activities and beautiful scenario. Hiking, Yoga, Meditation, Waterfalls, Food!!, More Hiking. It was honestly like a 1 day vacation for me. Highly recommend! I will be back.

—Eric L.