Live Your Own Adventure    Get On Trek

	By Chris Long
	Canoeing on Long Lake in shadow of High Peaks

The Summit Base trek program provides different opportunities coinciding with the seasons.  During the summer season six and twelve day trips are offered with weekend trips during the fall, winter and spring.

Canoeing treks can take you through the most popular Adirondack waters such as Blue Mountain Lake, Tupper Lake and the Raquette River.   We provide you with canoes, paddles and life jackets.

Backpacking treks have a great variety of possibilities.  You could traverse through the High Peaks region summiting any of the forty six highest mountains in New York State.  However, only the most serious backpackers attempt the twelve-day, 122 mile, Northville to Lake Placid trail.

Combination treks offer the best of both worlds.  Take a few days to hike to a NY State Boat Launch where you'll be met by canoes to complete your trek on the waterways.

Rock Climbing treks can give you a solid introduction to one of the fastest growing sports in the U.S.  Or our staff can further educate even your most confident climber.  We provide all the necessary climbing equipment.

Kayak treks are  5 days of high adventure kayaking on Lake Champlain.  Or a weekend trek down the lower Hudson River.  Challenging ocean water conditions likely.

Weekend Treks are a 3 day sampler of our full week adventures.  Two overnights provide an introduction to the canoe (seasonally) or backpacking trek experience.  Offered during spring and fall.

Winter Treks are a new addition to the Summit Base program.  Experience the Adirondack winter with a weekend snowshoe adventure.

	By Will Roth
	Indian Pass

Trek Reservation Planning
The weeklong trek packages are offered for seven weeks beginning June 29, 2009.  These weeklong programs tend to be very popular, contact us early for reservations.

Summer 2009 trek reservations

Reservations for 2009 treks can be made now. A $300 deposit is due with the reservation.

Please make your Summit plans now to avoid being blocked out of this outstanding program. The registration form is below.

2008-2009 Registration Form  [PDF, 43K] 

Fall, winter and spring treks are available during various weekends.  Contact us for available dates.

Contact our trek coordinator, infosummitbase.com, for further information and to coordinate your trip.  

View weather conditions and forecasts for Summit Base and our trek areas.

Where are our treks?
Anywhere in the fabulous six million acres that make up the Adirondack Park in upstate New York. This gorgeous land is filled with lakes, streams, rivers, hills and meadows. Try one or more of the forty-six peaks that are over four thousand feet high. Nothing can provide a finer outdoor experience than a week in this fabulous outdoor playground.

View Photo Show of a canoe/kayak trek from Blue Mountain Lake to Long Lake, July 2008

Base Camp
Our base camp, Summit Base, is located in the Adirondack Mountains at the north end of Brant Lake. It is a 1,000 acre facility, about a forty-five minute drive north of Lake George with numerous onsite high adventure opportunities. 

Who is Qualified to Participate?
To participate in Summit Base Treks, you must: 

• Be at least thirteen years of age.
• Be prepared/capable of handling and dealing with the activities registered for. 
• Wilderness swimming requires rating as a BSA "swimmer" (swim 100 yards) during swim check performance and a completed parent/guardian permission form must be on file.

Are there qualified individuals in your group who would like to go on a Summit Base trek, but none of your adults leaders can go with them? See the program fees and contact our trek coordinator, infosummitbase.com.

By Tom Chlupsa

Great Range of High Peaks. Mt. Marcy, highest peak in NY State, at upper left.

How to choose a trek
We have program itineraries for all ability levels.  Our Trek Coordinator will help your group choose a program that best suits your needs.  An Adirondack trek should be both challenging and fun.  Keep in mind the age, maturity and physical abilities of all participants when planning your adventure.  Please do not focus on awards (50 miler, etc.); the Adirondack Park boasts some of the most breathtaking scenery in the country.  Although many of our trek itineraries fall short of 50 miles, etc. they are still both challenging and personally rewarding.  A patch is temporary, pride in an accomplishment is forever.

Once you have made your decision we will begin filing for your permits from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYDEC).  In the meantime, it is imperative that your group begins preparing for your trip.  The better mentally and physically prepared your group is, the more rewarding your trek will be.

General Base Information
Suggested Physical Conditioning Preparation
Schedule for a week-long trek
High Adventure Safety
Gear provided by Summit Base
Personal Gear List  (for all trek programs of all seasons)
See also our Program Guide, available with our Downloads

	By Will Roth
	Atop Algonquin

Guidelines and Restrictions
We strictly adhere to the guidelines set forth by the NYSDEC.  In 2009, climbing, canoeing and hiking groups may consist of up to eight (8) persons in the Adirondack Park.  One of these will be your guide leaving eleven (7) spaces for your group. 

Sample Trek Descriptions
The descriptions below form the base of our more popular summer treks.  Remember, these can be customized and other opportunities exist.

Canoeing: Blue Mountain Lake, Long Lake, St. Regis Wilderness Area, Oswegatchie River, Big River, Cranberry Lake.

Kayaking: Lake Champlain and Hudson River

High Peaks Backpacking: Starting from Keene Valley, Tahawus and Adirondack Loj.  Ascending 4-11 High Peaks near Mt. Marcy.

Northville-Lake Placid Trail Backpacking: Various sections from 30-120 miles.

Combination Backpacking/Canoeing: 2 or 3 day backpacking followed by 2 or 3 day canoeing.

Other Backpacking: Pharoah and Siamese Ponds Wilderness Areas.

	By Chris Long
	On Tupper Lake

Fees 
Trek fees are detailed in our Program Fees section.  Take special note of the mileage fees.

Provided by Summit Base:

• Adirondack Guide services
• Food
• Tents and cooking equipment
• All specialized equipment (canoes, kayaks, etc.)
• Trip planning services
• All base camp services including High Adventures activities
• Transportation to and from trek points (additional mileage fee)

You provide:

• Transportation to Summit Base and back home
• Personal equipment 
• Adult supervision (one free leader per ten paid youth or adults, other adults responsible for full fee)