Visit our AMC Bookstore for great discounts on AMC books and outdoor gear.

Backpacking Committee

The Backpacking Committee runs a wide range of backpack trips throughout the year. Our favorite areas are those within a few hours drive of New York City: the Catskills, the Appalachian Trail, the Adirondacks, the Taconics, the Berkshires, and sometimes the Green Mountains and the White Mountains. We offer backpacks in all seasons, and for all levels of ability and experience.

Click here to Register for AMC NY-NoJ Chapter Backpacking news.

The backpack program has grown significantly in the past few years. We offer training workshops on Wednesday nights to introduce you to 3-season and winter backpacking and a number of backpack trips for new backpackers that include training.

You must register for any backpack. Go to the Backpack Schedule and find the trip you are interested in. You will find directions for registration there. For most trips, you will find a detailed trip description and you can register online. You will also find gear lists, low impact guidelines and other useful information. After you register, the leader will follow up with additional questions for you and give you final approval for the trip. Participants must be experienced day-hikers, in good or excellent physical condition and have all the required equipment. All trips are to areas without public transportation. Participants with vehicles form car pools and participants without vehicles may have to share the cost of a rental car. The number of people in the backcountry these days is phenomenal. We need to follow low-impact guidelines to preserve the relatively pristine nature of the backcountry. You can find these in the backpack section of the Chapter Website.

There are risks associated with backpacking. Although our trips have experienced leaders, you should recognize that you are responsible for your safety and the safety of the group. Read the descriptions carefully to see if they are suitable for your abilities and contact the leaders if you have any questions.

The committee always welcomes new leaders. If you are an experienced backpacker, consider leading for the committee, especially if you have some experience leading other activities. If you have any questions about this or any other aspect of backpacking, please contact the committee chair.

Join Us On Our Trips and Events

• To join us on our trips or for training you have to be a member or guest of the AMC. To request any membership option, get a copy of our online AMC Membership Application.
• The application form includes all the information that you need, but you can also read about the membership options.