No! Maine Guide Company can rent you sleeping bags, sleeping pads, backpacks, and trekking poles if needed. We also have group gear such as water filters, stoves, cookware, rope, maps and a compass. You are responsible for bringing personal items listed on the Info PDF but we handle the rest!

Completely up to you! Private groups design their mileage to fit their needs. We want to work with everyone and all experience levels. Group trips usually cover 5-12 miles a day over moderate terrain. Maine Guide Company also offers beginner group trips with easier mileage and intermediate to advanced trips with harder mileage.

This is a yes/no answer. We encourage all fitness levels! Although hiking in the mountains while carrying a pack comfortably, you should at least be able to walk multiple miles in your neighborhood without breaking. Backpacking trips (especially in Maine and New Hampshire) can cover rugged, ups-and-downs often times more difficult than the easy "stroll in the park", so better the shape your are, the easier hiking will be. Most of our trips are suitable for beginner to intermediate hikers. Private trips can be customized for any fitness level. For more information about how to choose the right backpacking trip contact us.

You could try taking a walk while wearing a backpack (with something heavy in it!) this can help quite a bit. If you're from lower elevated areas such as Florida and you are concerned about elevation gain and loss, try climbing flights of stairs on your lunch break or hop on a Stairmaster at your local gym. There is a saying, "proper preparation prevents poor performance."

We provides plenty of food on our overnight trips. We offer a wonderful mix of standard backpacking foods including dehydrated meals, dried fruits and nuts, granola bars, oatmeal, you name it. We like to bring fresh fruit and veggies for snacks, and always something that after dinner sweet tooth. We bring French pressed fair trade coffee for breakfast.! We accommodate dietary restrictions and preference whenever possible. Just give us a notice a head of time.

Before each Maine Guide Company overnight we offer "shakedown" to be sure you have everything necessary in your pack. It could be recommend that you leave unnecessary personal items behind. Carrying an overweight backpack can increase your odds of an injury.

The trip costs includes a 25% non-refundable administrative fee. Hikes may be cancelled up to 2 weeks before the trip for a refund (minus the 25% fee). Within 2 weeks, a 50% refund will be offered. Within 48 hours, a refund will only be offered if Maine Guide Company cancels the trip due to severe weather.

Rain or shine! Sometimes, thunderstorms, ice, snow, or extreme cold may be considered severe weather. In these circumstances, a trip itinerary or cancelation s may occur.

It is important that you wear comfortable trail shoes (sneakers and running shoes are great; you do not have to wear boots). You should bring a rain coat and extra layers, one liter of water( per person) for half day hikes and two liters of water per person for full day hikes. You should bring a day pack if you have one and also you must pack any personal medications that you may need such as an inhaler or epi-pen.

The guide at meet you at Rocky Hill Permaculture, Carmel Maine 04419 and follow your guide to the trail head in your own vehicle or meet at our destination if it is most convenient.

We welcome well-behaved dogs to join on our Private Day Hikes! Although some hikes in Maine have pet restrictions. Dogs must be kept on a 6' leash at all times during the hike, and owners are expected to pack out any pet waste. Please inform us ahead of time if you have a pet that will be joining your hike.

We hike in all kinds of weather - including rain and snow. If Maine Guide Company deems the conditions unsafe for hiking or driving (e.g. flooding, lightning, ice) then we will cancel the trip and provide a full refund or allow you to reschedule the trip at your convenience.

We are able to provide transportation for an additional fee, if the shuttle vehicle is available. Please call 1-207-945-1944 for more information.

You sure can! We have worked with a lot of individuals from many backgrounds and disabilities. We recommend booking a private hike, so we can customize the trip and distance to meet your needs.

For all Day Hikes, the trip cost includes a 15% non-refundable administrative fee. Hikes may be rescheduled once without penalty. Hikes may be cancelled up to 1 week before the trip for a refund (minus the 15% fee). Within 1 week, a 50% refund will be offered. Within 48 hours, a refund will only be offered if Maine Guide Company cancels the trip due to inclement weather.