As professional guides we work hard to prevent problems. Making sure that participants are prepared for their trip can help unforeseen circumstances go more smoothly. Whether you are joining us for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, a seasonal vacation get-away, or to learn new outdoor recreation activities, careful preparations on your part will help make your experience most enjoyable.
Attitude and Physical Demands
We are glad you want to get outside and play under the guidance of our leaders. Your willingness to actively participate and your survival attitude are important keys to the success of your trip. We customize trips for interests and abilities, and also teach skills and knowledge, but self-propelled adventures do require various degrees of strength, endurance, and even stamina. Getting in shape for one of our adventures would be of great benefit. You are encouraged to speak with your guide regarding preparing for the physical demands of your adventure, as well as discussing your interests and abilities so they can match you with an appropriate activity/location.
The Pack List
Once registered for one of our Escapes, we’ll give you directions to meet your guide as well as a customized pack list that’s been refined over the years. We pride ourselves on packing light, but right. Please take the pack list seriously–it tells you what you should and should not bring. Your gear will be inspected prior to each trip. Note: For day hikes, each participant is expected to bring their own bivy kit (or rent one of ours). These are emergency items to bring because it is a day hike in the wilderness. These tools will help you survive if you happen to get separated from the group, or need to spend extra time, such as overnight, outdoors for whatever reason. The pack list contains a list of bivy kit items.
Recreation Equipment
We provide rentals only to participants on our guided adventures. If you want to bring your own recreation equipment, please discuss the appropriateness with your guide. Any equipment you bring will be inspected prior to the trip. Read more about Outfitting and Equipment Rentals.
Travel Insurance
You may want to consider travel insurance for the duration of your trip from home.
Transportation to New Hampshire…Getting here is half the fun!
Our guides meet participants statewide. You may visit New Hampshire by car, bus, plane, train, snowmobile, yatch, as well as on foot, bicycle, canoe, and kayak. Most airports and cities have rental cars–a necessity for getting around in N.H., but if you need a ride, let us know. Click here for buses and trains to New Hampshire. Airport links and driving distances to northern New Hampshire are listed below. Here’s weather info.
Driving Around New Hampshire
The State of New Hampshire has a real-time reporting system for driving conditions, accidents and construction delays, watches and warnings, and other information of interest to the traveler. Go to their “511″ website, or dial 511 on your cellular or landline phone. Please read below about tips for driving through moose habitat.
Large cities closest to New Hampshire Approximate Driving Distance to Northern N.H.
(Calculate other driving destinations here.)
Portland, Maine (airport) 110 miles, 3 hours driving
Montreal, Quebec, Canada (airport) 150 miles, 3.5 hours driving
Portsmouth, New Hampshire (airport) 160 miles, 3.5 hours driving
Manchester, New Hampshire (airport) 180 miles, 4 hours driving
Burlington, Vermont (airport) 160 miles, 4 hours driving
Boston, Massachusetts (airport) 212 miles, 4.5 hours driving (via I-95 to Portland, ME)
Quebec City, Quebec, Canada (airport) 216 miles, 4.5 hours driving
New York City, New York (airports) 390 miles, 6.5 hours driving
Toronto, Ontario, Canada (airport) 485 miles, 9 hours driving
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (airport) 500 miles, 8 hours driving
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada (airport) 615 miles, 10 hours driving
All airports in New Hampshire.
Driving Through Moose Habitat
Moose are found in all regions of New Hampshire, although a higher population is concentrated in the Great North Woods. They are big–an adult moose in New Hampshire weighs about 1,000-1,500 pounds. Over 200 moose are killed on New Hampshire’s highways each year. When driving in New Hampshire, actively look for moose all the time–you are in their territory. Moose, usually solitary, can walk ten miles a day through mountains and valleys, crossing or using the roads as pathways along their route. They like the salt on and near the roads. Drive slow, avoid overriding your headlights at night, and use caution around corners. Moose are dark at night and can dart into the road–and stay there–as you approach. So “Brake for moose” (stop!), look for other moose around, and wait for them to move out of your way. If you wish to view moose, pull off the road out of traffic before, and stay in your car. Moose are unpredictable.
FAQ…What about Moose Hunting?
Over the last 100 years, New Hampshire’s landscape has changed to provide good habitat for the comeback of the moose population. Increasing beaver population has created more wetlands; and areas of former farmlands, forest fires, and clear-cuts are regenerating forests naturally. The population of moose today is estimated around 7,000. With no natural predators (formerly wolves and mountain lions until the early 1900s), the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department now allows a controlled hunt each fall. 300-400 moose are hunted by residents and visitors each year to help keep NH’s moose population in check. Moose meat is lean and tasty. You won’t find wild game meat for sale in stores or restaurants–it’s not legal because it is not tested or treated for diseases as are farm animals. Natives love wild game because we know where our food comes from. Ask your guide about their favorite game recipes.
Moose Tours
Moose, the largest mammal in North America, are wild animals–they are unafraid and not friendly. If you want to know more about these giant creatures, their habits and habitats, and to have a chance to see one safely, ask us to turn your adventure into a moose tour.
Contact Us
Please call or email us with any questions and concerns regarding anything mentioned above.
