Dolly Sods Adult - Experience Learning

Dolly Sods Backpacking Adventure

April 25 – April 28, 2024 (4 Days)
&
July 19-21, 2024 (3 Days)

We will explore, play and camp near the sweeping vistas, open plains, and high elevation bogs dotted with beaver dams and insectivorous plants on the four-day, three-night Dolly Sods Wilderness backpacking expedition. The goal of this trip is to push and grow our backcountry living skills in a supportive and positive environment. There will be plenty of wet uneven terrain and challenging uphill sections throughout the remote wilderness area. Hikers will be rewarded with incredible views from the most beloved wilderness area in the mountain state, comradery among like-minded adventurers, and a huge sense of accomplishment at the end of our trip!

This trip is for intermediate to advanced backpackers. Hikers will be carrying all their own gear. They should be able to carry 25-35 pounds and have the ability to hike in the mountains for 8 hours a day. They should be able to complete a day hike of 7-10 miles on their own.

Meet Your Guide!

Your guide for this trip will be Katrina! Katrina has two thru hikes under her belt having thru hiked the Appalachian Trail and the Continental Divide Trail. She has been in the outdoor professional world for over 17 years and has spent over 600+ nights in the backcountry. She is beyond excited to share her love of the AT and long-distance backpacking with everyone!

What we provide:

– Backpacks
– Sleeping bag – Synthetic sleeping bag with a rating of 32 degrees
– Sleeping pad – Foam sleeping pad
– Tents – One-person North Face tents (weight = 3 pounds)
– Camp Stove/Fuel
– Water Filter
– Meals
– Snacks

Hikers are more than welcome to bring any of their own gear to use/try out on the trail. Our guide can always assist folks with newly purchased gear.

What you should bring:

– Trekking Poles (Strongly suggested but not required)
– Synthetic Long Underwear
– Light Weight Rain Jacket and Pants
– Down or Synthetic Jacket
– Synthetic long sleeve
– Trowel for backcountry bathroom use
– Individual hand sanitizer
– Odor proof food bag
– 2x 32 oz. Water Bottles

A more detailed packing list will be sent out ahead of the trip.

Location:

Please note that this trip will take place in the Dolly Sods Wilderness. Participants will meet at the trailhead at 12:30pm. The meet up location will be announced closer to program start date.

Dates and Rates:

We have a 3 tiered pricing system. You choose which tier is appropriate for your personal financial situation. More information on tiered pricing can be found here.

April 25-28,2024
Tier 1: $750
Tier 2: $685
Tier 3: $625

July 19-21, 2024
Tier 1: $650
Tier 2: $585
Tier 3: $525

*Tips are never expected but always appreciated for our guides*

More information about other Adult Adventures can be found here.

Mountain Stewards at Experience Learning is a fantastic week-long summer camp for kids who like the outdoors (or who WILL like the outdoors after this wonderful experience!) Stewardship of our natural resources, self-reliance, leadership, and fellowship, are all integral to this program. My daughter LOVES this camp, and that makes me a happy dad. Experience Learning also has great programs for learners of all ages. I recently completed an excellent Wilderness First Aid course at their wonderful Spruce Knob Mountain Center. Check it out! – Mark Wenzler
Experience Learning and their staff make our school trips possible. From scouting things out before hand, to keeping everyone fed, safe, entertained and informed during the trip, none of it would be possible without their professionalism. They create a safe environment that allows students to push themselves out of their comfort zones and take risks while being fully supported. All of this translates to huge growth at home both in and out of the classroom. – Evan Schlissel, Winston Prep NY
We are currently in the process of exploring a Trout in The Classroom project because of the interest that was piqued during the AWSM activities. – Julie Colaw, 5th grade science teacher, Petersburg Elementary School
Experience Learning has for a long time been dedicated to understanding our students, and on each trip builds a program to meet our goals. The experience we have each year creates a channel for learning that helps students further understand and internalize skills for planning, organization, problem solving and risk taking, and shows how these skills lead to success and happiness. We also have a wonderful time, and the experience is a staple of school culture and our collective memories. – Greg Koehlert, headmaster, Winston Prep
Our trip to SKMC has now turned into an annual event that is not only highly anticipated, but essential to bringing together the social dynamics of our class as we prepare for a year of working together. Additionally, my students feel empowered and connected to each other from our adventures that carries on through our schoolwork. – Jen Osha Buysse, teacher, Morgantown Learning Academy
The leaders at Experience Learning do an extraordinary job of utilizing “outdoor education” to create opportunities for our boys to learn, grow, and develop an appreciation for our world beyond traditional classroom environments, which is valuable on too many levels to fully celebrate. – Mike Wallace, Gilman School
Hands down Experience Learning’s Water Sampling trip (AWSM) for my 5th graders this past year has been the highlight of my career thus far! – Megan Bacorn, teacher