Private Tours

Day Trip or Overnight

Private Tours

Have you got a dream to hit the trail for a few days but are hesitant to go it alone?

I went through all these challenges as I prepared myself to thru hike the Long Trail. I learned fast and hard and then took it slow as I traversed the most amazing 273 miles I have hiked.

Whatever causes your hesitation, let’s work through it and liberate you to become the solo hiker you deserve to be.

Fear of being lost, not strong enough, bears? Worse still… solo men? How do you plan your miles, find your pace, light a fire and pitch a tent, filter your water and cook your food, pee in the woods and dig that cat hole?

We can cover all these and more as we design your trip together. Finding the right trail to suit your skill, working through dietary requirements and gear questions, you can be as deeply involved in the planning or just show up to hike the miles, your choice!

Just looking for a local guide to take you on the trails for lunch time summit? Itching for a summit sunrise or wanting a shorter experience practicing specific backpacking skills? All these are possible.

Reach out, I’m happy to share ideas from other trips or take your lead on a summit goal you have.

Prices are quoted based on location, group size and length of journey.

Email with your initial request

Example Itineraries:

Private Hire-Example Itinerary Beaver Meadow Lodge Vermont

Private Hire-Example Itinerary Foliage Tour & Mt. Mansfield Summit Vermont

Private Hire-Example Itinerary Vermont Presidentials

Gear you’ll need

Here’s what you’ll need typically, if you are joining me on a single day experience. I will reach out directly for any trip or weather specific nuances:

WINTER

  • Weather appropriate layers – please do not wear cotton, these experiences are cardio and you will get warm. It’s important to be able to vent yourself well and still cover skin if need be. Think multiple thin layers and avoid cotton in any of them. There is a saying “cotton kills”. Cotton, when wet with sweat, draws the heat from your body and dries very slowly. It will make you very cold in the winter.
  • Synthetic base layers or merino wool make for the best base, then layer up with other mid weight sweaters or fleeces before your final wind breaking layer.
  • Gloves, a hat and a face gaiter or scarf for really cold days will mean you can stay warm when things really cool down.
  • You should wear snow boots – if you do not have snow boots, please reach out directly to talk through suitable alternatives. I don’t want you to have to buy things if you don’t need to!
  • Bring an insulated bottle of water and a snack in case you get hungry.

SUMMER

  • A bottle of water
  • Light lunch or snacks for our rest at the top
  • Weather appropriate clothing and layers for rain or cold
  • Footwear suitable for hiking over rocks and roots, weather appropriate
  • Tissue and hand sanitizer
  • Bug repellant and/or sunscreen (optional)
  • Trekking poles if you have them (optional)
  • Camera (optional)
  • Snacks and extra water in your car for the end (optional)
  • A change of shoes/clothing in your car (optional)

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.

BOOK NOW

YOUR GUIDE

Maggie Twitchell

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!

CONTACT MAGGIE

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