Intro to backpacking
Kick of your 2024 with a new adventure!
Our first backpacking trip of the year will be for those looking for an introduction to backpacking. Maybe you already hike, or like to camp or spend time out doors, and would like to take the next step with a group of fun, adventurous women. Use this trip to “dip your toes” into the world of backpacking, or as a stepping stone to somthing bigger!
This route features the ghost town of Masten, Yellow Dog Creek, and gorgeous views of Loyalsock SF. We also have the option to say in a 3-sided shelter, which is a special treat for us Pennsylvanians. Option for a sunrise hike from a view Sunday morning!
This trip is dedicated to empowering women in the outdoors.
About the Trip
Located in Loyalsock State Forest, this backpacking route is an ~15 mile point-to-point trail following Old Loggers Path. It primarily follows (surprise!) old logging roads and former railroad grades with a total of 1,400 feet of accumulated elevation gain. This amount of elevation gain over 2 days earns this trip the difficulty rating of “easy”.
Special features of this hike are 1. a sunrise hike to a view, where we can sip coffee/tea/coca as the world wakes up, 2. chill at the fun and unique Yellow Dog creek, or jump in to cool off if water levels and temps agree, 3. option for 3-sided shelter night 2 (for less-than-favorable weather), 4. A vista or two each day for resting and enjoying. Plan for an additional shuttle fee to travel from finish to start.
Check out the Gillespie Point and/or Scotch Pine Rucks to get yourself physically & mentally ready. Also, check out the “Greenhorn” discount on our packages page – created for beginners! It includes 2 rucks and 2 consultations to help you plan and prepare.
As with most Wild Roots guided backpacking trips, we will begin hiking early Saturday morning and plan to finish with enough time on Sunday to grab grub nearby! The post hike dinner is a great way to cap & commemorate your experience with others.
Sign up and/or share with a friend via links below!
Quick Facts
- When: Saturday June 8th – Sunday June 9th 2024
- Where: Loyalsock State Forest
- Who: women who are looking for an adventure, or want to learn about backpacking
- What: a 2 day backpacking trip. Everything you’ll need will be on your person, and we will camp 1 night in the PA Wilds enjoying the sounds of nature and company of other adventurous women.
- Why: through individual experience & community, cultivate a sense of confidence and competence while enjoying Mother Nature and the lessons she provides. Also…the OLP offers a wild way to explore travel modes of the past, how cool is that?
- Registration: $260/person
What you'll learn
- Leave no trace principles
- How to store food in the backcountry (PCT bear-bag hang – and other options)
- Respecting, appreciating, and staying safe amongst wildlife
- Packing a balanced backpack, and choosing gear that is right for you
- How to complete your own shakedown – what to bring, what not to bring
- How to support your fellow backpackers along the journey
- Your own strength!
Quick Facts
What you'll learn
- When: Saturday June 8th – Sunday June 9th 2024
- Where: Loyalsock State Forest
- Who: women who are looking for an adventure, or want to learn about backpacking
- What: a 2 day backpacking trip. Everything you’ll need will be on your person, and we will camp 1 night in the PA Wilds enjoying the sounds of nature and company of other adventurous women.
- Why: through individual experience & community, cultivate a sense of confidence and competence while enjoying Mother Nature and the lessons she provides. Also…the OLP offers a wild way to explore travel modes of the past, how cool is that?
- Registration: $260/person
- Leave no trace principles
- How to store food in the backcountry (PCT bear-bag hang – and other options)
- Respecting, appreciating, and staying safe amongst wildlife
- Packing a balanced backpack, and choosing gear that is right for you
- How to complete your own shakedown – what to bring, what not to bring
- How to support your fellow backpackers along the journey
- Your own strength!
Popular Questions
Backpacking FAQ
- Experienced guide, certified in Wilderness First Aid & CPR
- Ruck Day (1)
- Initial consultation
- Gear/Packing List
- All logistics planned for you
- A map of your trip route
- Camping locally night before trip
- Group first aid kit
- 1 dinner/cooked meal
- Coffee/tea/cocoa
- Schedule a consultation
- Complete a Ruck Day or practice hike
- Ask about rental gear
- Being generally active in the months leading up to the event can help you aerobically, meaning a more pleasant hiking experience
This is a great topic to cover during the initial consultation, which is required before your backpacking trip. We will review a Gear/Packing list and can discuss what items you may already have, which gear items you may want to rent, and which gear you may want to invest in. Consultations are either included in your trip cost, or $35/hour if you are not yet registered. You can apply the $35 to future registration (within 1 yr).
First and foremost – backpacking is not a race. On ALL guided trips, we are out there to experience nature. Yes we are also hiking, and it may be difficult at times, but we will always stop to smell the flowers, adjust packs, or rest when the feeling is right.
Also, the initial consultation is a great time to access your readiness for any adventure. There are plenty of people who can take the “couch to 5k” approach to backpacking, others may need a little time and practice before registering for an overnight trip. Backpacking Trips are rated from easy-moderate-difficult, and WRG can help you decide which might be the best fit for you!
To reserve your spot in our next adventure, click “sign up” above, fill out the form, and Wild Roots will reach out to you for payment.
Payment received = spot reserved. Backpacking trips are limited to 6 people, so spots will fill up fast!
- Scheduling a consultation with Wild Roots to go over readiness prior to the backpacking trip
- Completing a “Ruck Day” or practice hike prior to your trip (see Events page)
- Packing food (minus 1 dinner provided by your guide)
- Clothing & shoes
- Gear (some rentals available)
- Bringing your sense of adventure and love for nature!
For safety reasons, Wild Roots will only be sharing specific itinerary details with individuals who have registered for the hike. You can find basic itinerary details in the “about” of this page.
Ruck Days are my version of a shake-down or practice hike. Essentially, you will gather all the gear you currently have and pack it up as if you were going on an overnight trip. You’ll then hike with all your gear, preferably on trails, 3-10 miles. This provides an opportunity to learn how to organize your pack, find out how it feels to carry the pack, and adjust according to how well that went. Sometimes you’ll find that you have too much gear (either it’s too heavy, or doesn’t fit, etc). WRG provides group Ruck Days for you to practice and meet others with guidance. Check out our Ruck Days on the Events page. It is included with your backpacking trip cost!
Try the “virtual” option! Ruck Days are mandatory for anyone registered for an overnight backpacking trip, but maybe your schedule just does not align with the dates WRG Ruck Days are scheduled. If that sounds like you and you are registered for a backpacking trip, take advantage of the Virtual Ruck Day, which includes:
- 1 pre-ruck consultation (up to 1 hr)
- 1 post-ruck consultation (up to 1 hour)
These consultations replace the “in-person” Ruck Day, and are included in your backpacking trip cost. During the pre-ruck consult, WRG will help you plan your route and prepare for the ruck. During the post-ruck consult, we can go over what went well or how you can improve your experience for next time. You will complete the ruck on your own time, whenever it fits your schedule.
Popular Questions
BACKPACKING FAQ
To reserve your spot in our next adventure, click “sign up” above, fill out the form, and Wild Roots will reach out to you for payment.
Payment received + initial consultation completed = spot reserved. Backpacking trips are limited to 6 people, so spots will fill up fast!
- Experienced guide, certified in wilderness first aid & CPR
- Ruck Day (1)
- Initial consultation
- Gear/Packing List via Google Sheets
- All logistics planned for you
- A map of your trip route
- Group first aid kit
- 1 dinner/cooked meal
- Coffee/tea/cocoa
- Scheduling an Initial Consultation with Wild Roots to go over readiness prior to the backpacking trip
- Completing a “Ruck Day” or practice hike prior to your trip (see Ruck/Hike page)
- Packing food (minus 1 dinner provided by Wild Roots)
- Clothing & shoes
- Gear (some rentals available)
- Bringing your sense of adventure and love for nature!
- Schedule an Initial Consultation
- Complete a Ruck Day or practice hike
- Ask about rental gear
- Being generally active in the months leading up to the event can help you aerobically, meaning a more pleasant hiking experience
For safety reasons, Wild Roots will only be sharing specific itinerary details with individuals who have registered for the hike. You can find basic itinerary details in the “about” of this page.
This is a great topic to cover during the an initial consultation, which is required before your backpacking trip. We will review a Gear/Packing list and can discuss what items you may already have, which gear items you may want to rent, and which gear you may want to invest in. Consultations are either included with trip registration, or available at $35/hour if you are not yet signed up. You can apply the $35 as a credit towards a future trip within 1 year.
Ruck Days are the Wild Roots version of a shake-down or practice hike. Essentially, you will gather all the gear you currently have and pack it up as if you were going on an overnight trip. You’ll then hike with all your gear, preferably on trails, 3-10 miles. This provides an opportunity to learn how to organize your pack, find out how it feels to carry the pack, and adjust according to how well that went. Sometimes you’ll find that you have too much gear (either it’s too heavy, or doesn’t fit, etc). WRG provides group Ruck Days for you to practice and meet others with guidance. Check out our Ruck Days on the Events page. It is included with your backpacking trip cost!
First and foremost – backpacking is not a race. On ALL guided trips, we are out there to experience nature. Yes we are also hiking, and it may be difficult at times, but we will always stop to smell the flowers, adjust packs, or rest when the feeling is right.
Also, the free initial consultation is a great time to access your readiness for any adventure. There are plenty of people who can take the “couch to 5k” approach to backpacking, others may need a little time and practice before registering for an overnight trip. Backpacking Trips are rated from easy-moderate-difficult, and WRG can help you decide which might be the best fit for you!
Try the “virtual” option! Ruck Days are mandatory for anyone registered for an overnight backpacking trip, but maybe your schedule just does not align with the dates WRG Ruck Days are scheduled. If that sounds like you and you are registered for a backpacking trip, take advantage of the Virtual Ruck Day, which includes:
- 1 pre-ruck consultation (up to 1 hr)
- 1 post-ruck consultation (up to 1 hour)
These consultations replace the “in-person” Ruck Day, and are included in your backpacking trip cost. During the pre-ruck consult, WRG will help you plan your route and prepare for the ruck. During the post-ruck consult, we can go over what went well or how you can improve your experience for next time. You will complete the ruck on your own time, whenever it fits your schedule.
Hope to see you at the next one!
Past Events
Hope to see you at the next one!
Past Events
Hope to see you at the next one!
Past Events
Testimonials
what our hikers say
Testimonials
what our hikers say
Testimonials
what our hikers say
