Backpacking with Dogs
Backpacking with Dogs 1-Nighter
–
Join a little group of women and dogs in this dog-friendly specific trek.
–
Intentionally a smaller group, we’ll learn to backpack with our best friend. You and your furpal will need to have trail experience together and be comfortable with other dogs off leash. Hiking as a small group will allow us to learn from each other, give our dogs an incredible experience outside, and give us the chance to practice some of the skills we worried about when we were alone.
This trek has its challenges, you should be confident in your dog’s social skills and ability to hike Vermont trails, this is a great learning space for responsible backpack skills and to get your dog used to a tent, but not to learn to hike with your pup!
–
SINGLE NIGHT DOG FRIENDLY $249
Oct 1-2 2022 total cost $249. A refundable deposit of $99 is required at the time of booking to secure your space and equipment. Full payment is required 30 days before departure date.
Typical Itinerary
Day One
We start in the morning at base camp for a pack shakedown, a chance to meet everyone and the dogs to determine the pack order. We’ll then caravan to the trailhead for an easy 1 mile hike to our first rest spot. We’ll grab a snack and check out the views before a moderate ascent of about 2 miles to our overnight camp. We’ve got two destinations available depending on the weather and the crowd, and we’ll be facing west for a beautiful sunset. We’ll have time to pitch tents, get a lovely fire going and practice good basecamp skills before we settle back to enjoy the night sky and forest that surrounds us.
Day Two
This is our chance to wander off by ourselves for some short hikes or just relax and enjoy the solitude. Mid afternoon, we’ll ease our way off the mountain through golden birches and maples, over babbling brooks and slowly make our way down to our cars via a loop trail.
Gear you’ll need
REQUIRED
In addition to the clothes you plan to wear on the trail please bring:
- Base layer tops and bottoms (these double as camp clothes) – wool or synth
- Puffy or outer layer depending on weather
- Rain layer top and bottom (or poncho)
- Extra socks – wool or synth
- 50L+ backpack
- sun cream/hat
- 1L water bottle
- Spoon/Spork
- Personal hygiene kit
- Prescription meds
- Toilet paper (half a roll, core removed)
SUGGESTED
- Insect repellent
- Ear plugs
- Head lamp and extra batteries
- Hot drink cup
- Camp shoes (Crocs work well)
- Pillow case or buff
- Trail snacks (main meals provided)
- Hobby for camp; journal, paint, read!
COTTON KILLS
Did you know that cotton sucks the heat from your body when wet, while wool maintains its warmth.
LESS IS MORE!
Make your journey lighter and plan to wear one set of clothes on the trail, same set each day. And one set of clothes at camp, same set each night.
What’s Included
Overnight accommodation in shelters or tents (trail dependent), meals as outlined in the daily itinerary, a local Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certified guide, cooking gear, group first aid kit, group water filters, sleeping bags and pads, backpacks. The schedules are subject to change for a variety of reasons beyond our control including weather and terrain conditions. This can include changes in the shelters used and trails hiked and can change at any time before and during the trip.
Not Included
- Transportation to the meeting point
- Insurance of any kind
- Alcohol Recreational drugs Soft drinks or snacks
- Optional guide and support staff gratuities
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Cancellation Policy
A refundable deposit of $200 is required at the time of booking to secure your space and equipment. Full payment is required 30 days before departure date. If you decide to cancel your trip, the following cancellation fees apply:
- 45+ days prior to departure = $0
- 30 to 45 days = $200
- 15 to 29 days prior to departure = 50% of the total trip cost
- 0 to 14 days prior to departure = the trip is non-refundable
If we cancel a trip: Backpacking for Slowpokes reserves the right to cancel all or a portion of a trip for force majeure or any other circumstances beyond our control and, in the event of such cancellation, full or partial refunds, if any, will be at Backpacking for Slowpokes sole discretion. We also reserve the right to cancel any trip if sign-up is inadequate to make the trip economically viable to operate. In this event, we give a full refund of the trip price. However, Backpacking for Slowpokes is not responsible for additional expenses incurred by you in preparing for the trip (e.g., non-refundable tickets, gear or medical expenses).
Weather
During the summer daytime temperatures range between 60°–80°F, with evening temperatures dropping to 40°–50°F. After September 1, fall temperatures are 40°–65°F during the day, with nights ranging from 20°–50°F. While wind chill can drop temperatures 10°– 20°F or more during the summer, this is particularly noticeable in the fall when wind chill above tree line can be in the single digits, with 40–50 mph being common. The Green Mountains are well known for inclement weather. Rain and wind can to be expected any time of the year so adequate layers, rain gear and a pack cover are essential.
This trip is operated in rain or shine.
YOUR GUIDE
I’m Maggie, a long time Vermonter and Women’s Adventure Guide.
I had a unique chance to change my career at 50. The pandemic hit, I’d been laid off.
I’d taught canoeing and sailing at Summer Camp, I’d grown up in the area and always dreamed of hiking the Long Trail, so instead of sitting around gloomy, I hiked. A hike became an overnight, an overnight became a multi night, and that became the 273 mile solo thru hike that had been on my bucket list so long ago. All in the year I turned 50.
I was hooked and decided to dedicate my 2nd career to inspiring other women. I gained my Wilderness First Responder certificate and steered my days into guiding women, showing them the beauty of the mountains and trails in Vermont and perhaps making backpackers out of them one day.
It starts with just one trip, come enjoy the view with me!
Find your people.summit.self.
Sign up to learn about upcoming outdoor adventure opportunities and announcements.