-CANCELLED-
Directions: Garfield Park Center, Garfield Reservation, 11350 Broadway Ave., Garfield Heights, OH 44125.
Ages: 14 years & over with registered and participating adult
Participants must attend the mandatory pre-trip meeting on May 25, 6 - 9 p.m. at Garfield Park Center, Garfield Reservation, 11350 Broadway Ave., Garfield Heights, OH 44125.
- Participants must be 14 & over with a participating adult.
- Participants must complete and bring the waiver to the pre-trip meeting.
Registration Opens: $150
Length: 3 days and 2 nights
Trip Dates: June 2, 1:00 p.m. depart – June 4, 6:00 pm return, departing from Garfield Park Center
Terrain/Distance: Natural surface trail with narrow, rugged and sometimes rocky/muddy tread. Significant elevation gains in places.
Overview
This beginner oriented, mileage friendly trip has a little bit of everything from forests to fern covered forest floors, creeks and a large reservoir. Spend the nights outside in the woods while learning Leave No Trace etiquette. This trip is focused on the skills a beginner backpacker needs to get out on their own. Participants will be coached on the items necessary to spend a night in the woods carrying gear on their back to access wilderness areas.
Itinerary
Pre-Trip
This mandatory meeting will prepare you for the upcoming adventure. Not only will specific trip logistics be covered, but guests will get to see pictures of the area, learn to pack and fit a backpack, discuss packing food for a trip, and check out necessary equipment. Guests should bring their personal gear to the pre-trip, so instructors can assure that you are as prepared as possible. The pre-trip meeting is exclusive for all paid trip guests.
Trip
Day 1- The group will depart from Garfield Park Center traveling 3 hours to the Tracy Ridge area in Allegheny National Forest, Pennsylvania. Upon arrival, the group will have the opportunity to check their packs while stretching their legs on a short hike into camp for the night. First night clinics will focus on campsite selection and cooking with backcountry stoves.
Day 2- After breakfast, participants will break down tents and sleeping gear and load packs under guided assistance from instructors. The hike to camp meanders through mostly rolling and downhill terrain dominates. Frequent breaks will be taken with lunch on the trail. Instruction on trail will focus on water filtration, using nature as your bathroom, and self-care while on trail. The evening will be spent in camp, making dinner, and relaxing.
Day 3- The morning begins with breakfast and packing up camp before our uphill trek back towards the van. Lunch will be held on the trail before we get to the van to drive back home. After we organize some gear and change into clean clothes, we’ll head home with a quick stop for dinner.
Logistics
The following is included with your trip
Trip Leaders and guided instruction
Pre-trip meetings to prepare you for your trip
A fully planned trip and route
Camping fees
Transportation
Equipment
Travel
Participants will be transported in Cleveland Metroparks vehicles to the trip location departing from Garfield Park Center. Participants’ personal vehicles will be parked in a fenced area at Garfield Park Center for the duration of the trip.
Accommodations and Food
Sleeping under the stars is the theme for the trip. Tents will be provided; however, participants may bring their own if it is appropriate for the nature of the trip. Tent accommodations will be shared as space is always limited in backcountry sites. Each participant will plan and supply their own food for the trip. A portion of the pre-trip will focus on backcountry menu planning and suggested options, so you can plan successful meals on your own in the future.
Equipment
It is highly suggested that participants bring everything on the list below to the pre-trip meeting for the leaders to review, inspect, and discuss with you. If you aren’t sure about an item, bring it with you to the pre-trip, and we can discuss it. We want you to be prepared to have a great trip. Use the equipment checklist when preparing for the pre-trip meeting and the trip. Outdoor Recreation can provide items with an “*”, so if you don’t have that item you don’t need to go out and buy it. Most everything on the list can be found at home, borrowed, or found at a thrift store. The most important thing you need is adequate footwear…sturdy shoes at a minimum; however, boots are recommended due to rocky terrain and the additional weight of carrying a backpack.
Equipment Checklist: Link PDF
General Information:
By registering, you acknowledge that you have read and understand the
cancellation policy.
General Essential Eligibility Requirements that all participants must meet. A participant….
- …must meet minimum age and pre-trip meeting requirements for each individual program.
- …must meet program fee requirements for each individual program.
- …must be able to remain adequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressed in order to avoid environmental injuries such as hypothermia, heat-related illnesses, sunburn, and frostbite.
- …must refrain from use of alcohol and tobacco before or during outdoor recreation activities and any illegal drugs throughout the duration of a program.
- …must be able, either alone or with the aid of a personal care attendant, or through arrangements outlined on the Request for Administration of Medication Form or an Individual Medication Plan to manage, administer and protect any prescription medications currently prescribed to him or her. All medications, including over-the-counter medications shall be listed as required on the Medical Information portion of the registration materials.
- …must be able, either alone, with the aid of an augmentative communication device, or a personal care attendant to follow directions and communicate needs.
- …must not exceed manufacturers’ maximum recommended weight limit for equipment being used.
- …must be able to manage personal mobility either alone, with a reasonable amount of assistance, with the aid of a personal care attendant, or with adaptive equipment.
- …must be able to independently wear and maintain wearing all safety equipment correctly.
- …must be able, either alone or with the aid of a personal care attendant or adaptive equipment to travel at least 1 mile on varying terrain as well as be able to carry their own gear on backpacking trips.
- …must be able to, for backcountry programs only, travel in a physically demanding, remote backcountry environment for the uninterrupted period of the trip length, which can range from one to ten days with varying temperatures and environmental conditions including but not limited to, rain snow, hail, sun, and wind. The remoteness is such that cell signal may be unavailable, and it may require at minimum an hour, but perhaps in excess of 2 days travel to reach the nearest road and advanced medical care; participant assumes all costs associated with rescue.