Appalachian Trail Beginner Backpacking Trip- Max Patch, NC: 3 days / 2 nights (2024)
Appalachian Trail Beginner Backpacking Trip- Max Patch, NC: 3 days / 2 nights (2024)
Guided trips are limited to 5 hikers per trip. If your group has 4 or more, please contact us to plan a private trip.
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This 3 day / 2 night guided backpacking trip is open to all beginners and first time backpackers! You'll hike alongside an experienced backpacking guide and a small group of women for approximately 20 miles over the course of 3 days on the Appalachian Trail, starting at the iconic Max Patch and finishing in Hot Springs, North Carolina. Explore the beautiful rolling hills, wide-open mountain views, and winding woodland trails of the Appalachian Mountains, one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world. Begin the trip with gorgeous 360 degree views from the top of Max Patch, a grassy, wildflower covered mountain summit. From there, you’ll hike down to a campsite where you’ll sleep in tents under the stars. The next day, you’ll hike most of the day to an Appalachian Trail shelter, and have the option to sleep in the wooden lean-to or in your tent. Wake up to the sounds of nature before finishing the hike through the woods where you’ll see an abundance of flora and fauna native to southern Appalachia. You’ll learn how to set up camp, filter water, cook meals, and practice safe backpacking skills with your guide. This trip includes a full gear rental (a comfortable backpack, trekking poles, tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, and cook kit), breakfast and dinners during the trip, shuttle service to trail heads, and a video orientation before the trip to discuss planning and preparation.
A minimum of 2 hikers is required for this trip. If the minimum is not met, you will be contacted 2 weeks before the trip to discuss options.
Our guides work hard to provide you with excellent service, professional guidance, and a safe and memorable backpacking trip. If you feel your guide has done an exceptional job, please consider showing your appreciation with a tip. The industry standard for tipping backpacking guides is 15-20% the total cost of the trip.
At Wildwood, we want everyone to be able to enjoy the outdoors. Payment plans and scholarships are available for those in need. Please email us to request more information.
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Cancellation Policy
- Trip cost includes a non-refundable booking deposit ($150 for Beginner Backpacking trips and $300 for all other trips). Trips may be canceled up to 1 week before the start date for a refund, minus the deposit. Within 1 week of the trip, a 50% refund will be offered for cancellations. No refunds will be offered for cancellations within 48 hours of the trip start date.
- We hike rain or shine! Backpacking is a challenging endurance sport, and it can be uncomfortable during inclement weather. We do our best to make sure hikers are adequately prepared for adverse weather. However, safety is our biggest priority. In the case of severe weather that could affect the safety of our hikers, our guides have the discretion to cancel a trip. In this case, full refunds will be offered or vouchers given to reschedule.
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Gear Rental Package
See Gear RentalNeed to rent gear for your backpacking trip? Check out our full Gear Rental Package that includes:
- A comfortable backpack
- Backpacking tent
- Sleeping pad and sleeping bag
- Trekking poles
- Water filtration system
- Cook kit
Note: Gear is included in Beginner Backpacking trips at no additional cost