Planning Your Hikeu Trip
 Hikeu Adventure Guides offers fantastic hiking and backpacking experiences on and around the Long Trail in Vermont. Our experienced guides will teach you very important Leave No Trace principles and show you how to feel safe, comfortable and secure in the backcountry. Because your guides each have over 5000 miles of long-distance hiking under their belts, you will learn the “how-tos” of hiking and backpacking from experts. Most importantly, you will be able to relax and know that all the details of your trip will be taken care of!
Day hiking participants will need to plan on carrying their own food, water and extra clothing in their own day packs. Distance will depend entirely on the group’s desire. We will guide you on a leisurely stroll through the woods or a rugged romp up Mount Mansfield.
Backpacking participants will be required to carry their personal gear and food (weighing about 25-30 lbs) and a portion of the group gear (weighing about 5-10 lbs) for the duration of the trip. We will backpack from 5-15 miles a day, depending on the group’s desire. Our guided backpacking trips range from moderately strenuous to extremely challenging.
General Information
All trips begin at the Hikeu Adventure Guides base camp located in Fairfax, Vermont. After introductions, we’ll go over gear, clothing and food, have a safety talk and a general orientation and review medical information. Then we’ll be shuttled as a group to our trailhead to begin our hike.
At the completion of our hike, be it a day hike or a backpacking trip, our transportation will await at the trailhead to return us to the Hikeu base camp to complete our adventure.
About Our Itineraries
Although we do our very best to adhere to the route we discuss when you make your reservation, our final route is determined by the guides and based on the condition of the Trail, group shelter availability and other factors which may be beyond our control. For backpacking trips, changes to the route may impact the number of miles that we hike each day. There are many suitable options that will allow us to complete successful day hiking and backpack trip on or around the Long Trail, and we may utilize any of those options. These trips are operated rain or shine.
General Policies
- Each participant (parent or guardian if participant is under 18) is required to complete the User Participation and Assumption of Risk and Release of Liability form prior to departure to the trailhead.
- Each backpacking participant (parent or guardian if participant is under 18) is required to complete a Health and Physical Readiness Questionnaire prior to confirmation of your reservation.
- Each day hiking participant (parent or guardian if participant is under 18) is required to complete a Health and Physical Readiness Questionnaire prior to departure to the trailhead.
- All trips are non-smoking.
- Pets are not allowed. We can recommend a local kennel if the need arises.
- If you feel a need to bring your cell phone, we request that you place the ringer to vibrate and use the phone only when out of earshot from anyone in the group. Cell phone use in the backcountry should be as discreet as going to the bathroom.
- We will not allow any person under the influence of alcohol or drugs to participate in any trip.
Weather
Hikeu Adventure Guides trips will depart regardless of the weather with the exception of weather conditions deemed dangerous by the guides at Hikeu. The judgment of dangerous conditions will be made the morning of the trip. We reserve the right to move a trip to another area or change itinerary of a trip if it is deemed to be too dangerous. In the event we must cancel a trip for any reason, you will receive a full refund, or you may reschedule.
Never underestimate the variability of Vermont weather. Daytime temperatures usually range between 55° - 80° F, although we have hiked in Vermont in temperatures in excess of 90°F with high humidity. Evening temperatures will likely drop to 40° - 60° F. We may encounter freezing temperatures at some of the higher elevations. Rain and thunderstorms are a distinct possibility, so adequate protection from hypothermia is essential and required. The likelihood of rain increases with elevation gain (even as temperature decreases), so be prepared to add or shed appropriate layers.
Closest Airports
Burlington International Airport (BTV) 26 miles
Montreal Aeroport De St.-Hubert (YHU) 81 miles
Montreal International P-E-Trudeau (YUL) 89 miles
Manchester Airport, New Hampshire (MHT) 195 miles
Important Information about Air Travel
Please await email or written trip confirmation from Hikeu Adventure Guides prior to purchasing your airline tickets. We are not liable and will not reimburse for flights if are they purchased before receiving trip confirmation.
IMPORTANT Backpacking Participant Notes
Hikeu Adventure Guides provide physical hiking, backpacking and backcountry experiences. Participants will be carrying their own backpacks over some pretty tough terrain. Please make sure your backpack is fitted to your body before the trip. Trip members need to be in good physical condition.
Each member of the group is expected to carry a pack weighing 30-40 lbs while we hike. Group gear will be distributed by your guide upon your arrival. Every member of the group will carry some portion of the following: stoves, fuel, first aid, and group cooking equipment. Your guides are not sherpas or porters! There are no sherpas, porters or pack animals on this trip.
Getting In Shape
Be sure that you are getting out on local trails, hiking some ups and downs with a weighted (~30 lbs) pack. Walking, swimming, cycling, jogging or other forms of cardiovascular exercise will help your heart and lungs manage the physical demands of backpacking as well. BUT, there is no substitute for actually hiking on a trail with your loaded backpack on your back!!
Get Hydrated Before You Hike
Staying well-hydrated is essential when backpacking. One sign of dehydration is fatigue. We suggest that you begin slowly increasing your water intake starting about 2 weeks prior to your trip. Build up to drinking several liters of water per day for the few days prior to your departure. You will be amazed at the difference you will feel as you start your trip well hydrated.
Backpacking and Day Hiking Gear
Hiking in the Green Mountains of Vermont is a strenuous activity. The key to staying comfortable is layering. Make sure that you have adequate and appropriate layers for changing conditions, but keep in mind that weight must be kept to a minimum.
The following gear list is only a recommendation. Be aware of your personal preferences and needs when assembling your gear and select what to bring accordingly. Keep in mind that you will be the one carrying it.
Feel free to contact us with any questions regarding gear.
Some gear rental is available from Hikeu or from one of our local gear company partners. Please contact us if you would like assistance with gear rental.
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