Hone your backcountry skills with our industry-leading Survival School!
This fun-filled day trip combines backcountry skills like building a fire without matches with practicals knowledge like the psychology of survival and how to handle stressful situations of any kind. Plus, our adventure will take place in a gorgeous Catskills forest making this a mini-vacation and nature retreat.
Trips stats
🥾 Less than 2 miles of hiking total over easy terrain, with minimal hiking off-trail to our survival school location
⛰️ No elevation gain during this trip
🧭 Difficulty: All-Levels. No hiking or backcountry skills required for this trip!
The Destination Backcountry Difference
Why hike with us? Expert guides. Founded in 2011, our NY State-licensed guides are not merely hike leaders, they are ambassadors for the outdoors, dedicated to sharing their passion for nature with others. Our survival school has been covered by outlets like the Wall Street Journal.
A FULL day of adventure: Our all-inclusive day escapes include transportation, meals, and a full day of hiking and adventure. Make your escape upstate worth every minute!
On this trail, our guides will cover:
🧠 The psychology of survival: the most important part of any survival situation
🔥 Lighting a fire without matches
🪵 Building a survival shelter with natural materials
🆘 What to bring in your survival pack
💧 Obtaining water
🚑 Effecting rescue and other rescue methods
🌿 Prelim wild edibles
What's Included?
🚐 Transportation to and from NYC
☕ Breakfast: Your adventure includes a breakfast of fresh fruit and donuts and a selection of coffee and tea for the drive to the trailhead
🧀 Lunch: We will provide a healthy, gourmet lunch and snacks during our adventure. We offer vegetarian and vegan options, and we’re happy to accommodate any dietary and allergy needs.
🌄 On trail guidance from an expert NYS licensed guide
Schedule
6:30 Brooklyn Pickup near Barclays
7:00 Manhattan Pickup at Grand Central
~8:30 Rest Stop
~9:45 Arrival at Trailhead + Hike to our Survival School destination
~12:30 Lunch
~3:00 Hike back to Trailhead
~3:30 Van returns to the city
~4:30 Rest stop
~7:00 Manhattan Drop Off
~7:30 Brooklyn Drop Off
*All times are estimates. We adjust every adventure to the pace and needs of the group. Travel time are subject to many factors, including weather and traffic.
What Do I Need to Bring With Me?
Must have
💧 2, 1-liter water bottles
🎽 Wear: Comfortable, breathable clothes. Standard workout clothes are great for hiking
🥾 Footwear: Sturdy sneakers, trail runners, or hiking boots. We’ll let you know well in advance if conditions call for special footwear.
🧣A few extra layers of clothes for breaks
Good to have
🌧️ Rain shell
🕶️ Sunglasses
🧢 Hat
FAQs
What happens after I book my adventure? You will receive a confirmation email for your adventure within 24 hours of booking. Your guide will reach out 7-10 days before your adventure with an update on trail conditions, weather, a final packing list, our adventure waiver, and more.
More questions? Visit our FAQ page here.
