Backpacking Trek

Time spent in nature is the most cost-effective and powerful way to counteract the burnout and sort of depression that we feel when we sit in front of a computer all day. Richard Louv

No other adventure is the same as backpacking. Getting out in the backcountry with all you own on your back, walking to magnificent views and taking time to discover the simple wonders of nature. Indeed the flagship of our High Adventure program is our backpacking treks.

Western North Carolina has over a million acres of National Forest land available with hundreds of miles of trails. We have selected a variety of trails that will allow your scouts to explore nature and improve their back country skills. They will get unplugged, and will see stars as they may never have seen them before. In some areas, your crew may not see another person outside of your crew the entire time out, a truly remote wilderness experience.

All treks are led by trained and experienced staff. Our guides stress instruction and practice in Leave No Trace and Outdoor Code ethics, expedition behavior, the patrol method, and scout run leadership. Instruction and practice in backpacking, hiking, camping, first aid, nature, and other backcountry outdoor skills takes place daily.

All backpacking treks use the patrol method. This helps facilitate a greater sense of group accomplishment as all challenges are faced from a group-centered perspective.

It is wise that participants take part in some form of conditioning prior to arrival to camp, as trails in Western North Carolina are rugged. We recommend long day hikes with a weighted pack and/or weekend backpacking trips for your troop’s spring- time activities. Individual exercise routines also help significantly.

If you and your Scouts are looking for the greatest of all Scouting classrooms, and a chance to explore Western North Carolina up close and personal. If you are in decent physical shape, and can handle the physical demands of living in the backcountry, then a backpacking trek is for you.

Scouts will learn various methods to low impact camping methods. Scouts will learn how to plan for future backpacking treks in regards to what cooking gear, food, group gear, and personal gear may be needed. The high altitude balds are excellent places for the scouts to practice topographic map navigation with the endless views and all the terrain features visible below.

All backpacking treks offer a Friday day of rafting on the Nantahala River as an optional activity.

All Treks require 4 participants minimum. At least 1 participant must be an adult, or 2 staff will be required for the trek, which will take away a spot in the group maximum.