North America Trips

This trip is rated Moderate [3]. Volunteers should be comfortable hiking up to two miles each day, possibly on mountainous terrain with some steep ascents and uneven trails. To assess your fitness, you should comfortably be able to hike stairs for 2-3 miles with a daypack weighing approximately 10-15 pounds as well as work in your garden all day moving plants, shoveling soil and pruning trees. Novice volunteers are welcome.

This trip is rated Moderate Plus (3-4). Participants will carry daypacks weighing 15-25 pounds for 7 miles (4,780’ elevation loss) down to Phantom Ranch and 10 miles (4,300’ elevation gain) back up to the rim of the canyon. There are some steep sections and exposed overlooks on the various trails we hike. The most difficult hikes are mandatory to complete the itinerary.

Both the descent and ascent to/from Phantom Ranch is challenging to even very fit hikers. We recommend a conditioning regimen beginning at least 2–3 months prior to departure which includes hiking with a daypack, walking or some other form of cardiovascular exercise.

This trip is rated Moderate [3]. Trip members should have some previous hiking experience and be in good physical condition. We recommend a conditioning regimen beginning at least 2-3 months prior to departure that includes hiking (preferably), walking or some other form of cardiovascular exercise (swimming, cycling) in order to prepare for the activity in this adventure. There are some steep sections and exposed overlooks on the various trails we hike. All hikes are optional and our guides will be sure to brief trip members on the vigorousness and exposure of each hike prior to setting out. Our comfortable Base Camp and knowledgeable guides make this a perfect adventure for novices and experienced campers alike.

This trip is rated Moderate [3]. Trip members should be capable of ocean kayaking for up to 6 hours per day, in calm to moderately rough seas and weather conditions. Basic swimming skills, while not required, are recommended to provide a level of comfort when kayaking on open waters. We always wear PFDs when kayaking.

This trip is rated Vigorous (4). The hiking portions of the trip involve carrying a 15 to 25 lb. backpack over steep, rocky, sometimes exposed terrain with elevation gain and loss of 3,000', and up to 8 miles daily.

To maximize your enjoyment of the trip and to avoid sore muscles, we suggest that you engage in a regular exercise regimen beginning at least three months prior to your departure. Most important to your overall enjoyment is your overall fitness level.

This trip is rated Moderate [3]. Trip members should be capable of hiking 5-8 hours each day (up to 11 miles) with as much as 3,000' elevation gain and loss. Zip-lining is suitable for beginners. Weight ranges for zip-lining are 60 pounds minimum and 250 pounds maximum. Rafting is suitable for beginners although comfort in/around water is recommended. Rafting is on rapids classified II-IV whitewater. All rafting gear, including wetsuits, is provided.

This trip is rated Easy Active [2]. Participants should enjoy hiking and feel comfortable hiking 3-6 miles with elevation gains/losses of up to 1,000' for multiple days in succession. To maximize your enjoyment of the trip and to avoid sore muscles, we suggest beginning a regular exercise regimen at least 2-3 months prior to departure. Recommended exercises include hiking, jogging, cycling and/or swimming.

This trip is rated Moderate [3]. Participants will be carrying their own backpacks weighing 35 to 40 pounds, distances of 4 to 7 miles daily over varied terrain. To maximize your enjoyment of the trip, we strongly encourage participants to be involved in a training regimen before the trip. Most important to your enjoyment of the trip is your overall fitness level.

This trip is rated Moderate (3) as we plan to kayak 4-6 hours per day in calm to moderately rough conditions.

To maximize your enjoyment of the trip and to avoid sore muscles, we suggest that you engage in a regular exercise regimen beginning at least three months prior to your departure. Most important to your enjoyment of the trip is your overall fitness level.

This trip is rated Moderate Plus [3-4]. Participants will be carrying their own backpacks weighing 35 to 40 pounds distances of 5 to 7 miles daily over varied terrain.

To maximize your enjoyment of the trip, we strongly encourage participants to be involved in a training regimen before the trip. Most important to your enjoyment of the trip is your overall fitness level.

This trip is rated Moderate [3]. Participants should feel comfortable hiking up to 12 miles with elevation gains and losses of up to 2,000' over uneven dirt and rocky trails. Rafting and canoeing are suitable for beginners; rafting is on a glacier-fed river, on class II-IV whitewater (all rafting gear is supplied). Participants should also have some camping experience and be willing to participate in camp chores such as cooking, dishes clean-up, setting up tents and breaking down camp when departing.

This trip is rated Easy Active [2]. Participants should enjoy hiking and feel comfortable hiking 3-6 miles with elevation gains/losses of up to 1,000' for multiple days in succession. To maximize your enjoyment of the trip and to avoid sore muscles, we suggest beginning a regular exercise regimen at least 2-3 months prior to departure. Recommended exercises include hiking, jogging, cycling and/or swimming.

This trip is rated Vigorous [4]. Participants will be carrying their own backpacks with weights of 35 to 40 lbs over steep and rocky terrain with constant and dramatic elevation gain and/or loss exceeding 2,000' or more per day on most days of this trip. Day hiking with 35 to 40 lbs in the pack you intend to hike with on the trip and making sure your hiking boots are broken in before your trip is key. This is not a beginning backpacking trip. Previous experience is highly recommended.

This trip is rated Moderate Plus (3-4). Participants will carry their own backpacks weighing 35 to 40 pounds distances of 4.6 to 8 miles daily over varied terrain. Please make sure your backpack is fitted to your body before the trip. Day 3 will include a dayhike incorporating an optional 1.5 mile, Class 4 rock scramble.

This trip is rated Easy Active [2]. It contains a variety of activities including sea kayaking, snorkeling, stand up paddle boarding and optional hikes. The kayaking is typically in protected bays but paddling from one bay to the next one can experience windy conditions—and, while you will be outfitted with the appropriate PFD, you should know how to swim and be comfortable in moving water.

This trip is rated Moderate [3]. Trip members may be trail work novices in good physical condition. Volunteers should be comfortable hiking up to 3–4 miles each day over mountainous terrain with some steep ascents and uneven trails. To assess your fitness, you should be able to hike 3–4 miles with some elevation gain/loss with a daypack weighing approximately 10–15 pounds. You should also be able to work in your garden all day moving plants, shoveling soil and pruning trees.

This trip is rated Moderate Plus [3-4]. We plan to hike for 6-10 hours per day most days on steep, rocky, sometimes exposed terrain, gaining and/or losing up to just over 3,000 feet in elevation some days. We will carry packs weighing 30-35 lbs while we hike as well.

To maximize your enjoyment of the trip we suggest that you engage in a regular exercise regimen beginning at least three months prior to your departure. Most important to your enjoyment of the trip is your overall fitness level.

This trip is rated Moderate [3]. Daily hikes typically range between 4-9 miles in length with elevation gains/losses of up to 2,100'. Two hikes will take us to the summits of peaks over 10,000 feet. Cycling and rafting are suitable for beginners; all gear will be provided. All activities are optional and our guides will brief trip members on the vigorousness of each prior to setting out.

This trip is rated as Moderate [3]. It is not necessary to be an expert hiker to participate but you should feel comfortable spending 4–6 hours on-trail during most days and arrive at the beginning of the trip in as good a shape as possible. Our daily hikes average 5–10 miles in length. Two of our hiking days involve substantial elevation gain/loss (2,200'–3,500') and some steep terrain.

To maximize your enjoyment of the trip and to avoid sore muscles, we suggest beginning a regular exercise regimen at least 3 months prior to departure. Recommended exercises include hiking, jogging, paddling, cycling and/or swimming. The better shape you are in, the more fun you will have. Get out on those hills if possible!

This trip is rated Moderate Plus [3–4]. Participants will be carrying their own backpacks weighing 35 to 40 pounds distances of up to 9 miles daily over varied terrain.

To maximize your enjoyment of the trip, we strongly encourage participants to be involved in a training regimen before the trip. We also recommend that you stay well hydrated prior to departure to assist in mitigating altitude sickness. Most important to your enjoyment of the trip is your overall fitness level.

This trip is rated Moderate [3]. Participants will be carrying their own backpacks weighing 35-40 pounds for up to 3 miles on the first and last day of this trip, over varied terrain and hiking up to 7 miles on all days of this trip. To maximize your enjoyment of the trip, we strongly encourage you to be involved in a training regimen before the trip. Most important to your enjoyment of the trip is your overall fitness level.

This trip is rated Moderate [3]. Trip members should be capable of hiking 5-8 hours each day (between 4-8 miles) with as much as 1,500' elevation gain and loss. Zip-lining is suitable for beginners. Weight ranges for zip-lining are 60 pounds minimum and 250 pounds maximum. Rafting is suitable for beginners although comfort in/around water is recommended. Rafting is on rapids classified II-IV whitewater. All rafting gear, including wetsuits, is provided.

This trip is rated Moderate [3]. Daily hikes typically range between 3-10 miles in length (one day up to 14.5) with elevation gains/losses of up to 2,500'. Some hikes will take place at an elevation of over 5,500'. Trails are composed of packed dirt, sand, and large and loose rocks, with some steep sections, stairs, and exposed overlooks. Kayaking is on flat, tame water and is suitable for beginners.

Trip members should have some previous hiking experience and be in good physical condition.

This trip is rated Vigorous (4) as climbing the peak involves carrying a backpack (10-20 lbs.) over very steep, snowy/icy/rocky terrain in potentially very challenging weather conditions for many hours continuously. The climbing portions of the trip involve travel on very steep terrain and at altitude, which is physically demanding.

To maximize your enjoyment of the trip and to avoid sore muscles, we suggest that you engage in a regular exercise regimen beginning at least three months prior to your departure. Most important to your overall enjoyment is your overall fitness level.

This trip is rated Moderate Plus [3-4]. Participants will be carrying their own backpacks weighing 35 to 40 pounds distances of 5 to 7 miles daily over varied terrain.

To maximize your enjoyment of the trip, we strongly encourage participants to be involved in a training regimen before the trip. Most important to your enjoyment of the trip is your overall fitness level.

This trip is rated Easy Active [2]. Participants should enjoy hiking and feel comfortable hiking 2-6 miles with elevation gains/losses of up to 1,000' for multiple days in succession. To maximize your enjoyment of the trip and to avoid sore muscles, we suggest beginning a regular exercise regimen at least 2-3 months prior to departure. Recommended exercises include hiking, jogging, cycling and/or swimming.

This trip is rated Vigorous [4]. Trip members will snowshoe and/or hike up to 7 miles (up to 8 hours) while carrying a backpack weighing 25-35 pounds. The terrain is rugged with daily elevation gain and loss up to 1,700 feet.

This trip is rated Moderate [3]. Trip members should be capable of hiking 5-8 hours each day (up to 11 miles) with as much as 3,000' elevation gain and loss. Rafting is suitable for beginners although comfort in/around water is recommended. Rafting is on rapids classified II-III whitewater. All rafting gear, including wetsuits, is provided.

This trip is rated Strenuous [5]. Participants will be carrying backpacks with weights of 30-45 lbs over steep and rocky terrain for up to 11 miles per day. Participants should be prepared to hike over steep, rocky and sometimes exposed terrain, with constant and dramatic elevation gains and/or losses of up to 3,700 – 5,000 feet per day on most days. We strongly recommend practicing with 30-45 lbs in the pack you intend to use for the trip and making sure your hiking boots are broken in before departure. This is not a beginning backpacking trip. Previous experience is highly recommended and a physician’s release is required prior to participating in this trip.

This trip is rated Moderate Plus [3-4]. Participants should have cycling experience and be comfortable in the saddle for 4-5 hours per day. Rides consist of both moderate and more vigorous cycling days covering 31-46 miles in distance.

We recommend a conditioning program beginning at least 3 months prior to departure that incorporates rides of at least 30-50 miles. The better cycling shape you're in, the more you'll enjoy all this trip has to offer!