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October 2023 by Allison Scaife
Jen and Mike were such great guides!! Both very knowledgeable and experienced in gear and skills. They created a comfy and fun environment for us to learn. I’m a seasoned hiker but brand new to backpacking, so the beginner boot camp was perfect for me to gain confidence with the support and assistance when needed. Can’t wait to book another trip!
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May 2023 by Abby Harkey
Had a fantastic time with True North during a recent Beginner's Backpacking Bootcamp. Great group of people who are down to earth, fun, helpful, and really enjoy what they do. I would have no hesitation whatsoever with signing up for their other events.
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May 2023 by Ahren Sievers
Had a great weekend and learned a lot! Really enjoyed renting gear and trying things out before actually going out and buying things. I learned a lot about my hiking style, likes, dislikes, and everyone was really friendly and inviting. Looking forward to doing more with TNE!
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October 2022 by Shelley Isreal
I felt so supported and so comfortable on my first backpacking trip. I cannot recommend this company enough. I learned so much and am so confident in my next adventure. I can’t wait to camp with them again. They are so encouraging and welcoming. If you’ve ever considered backpacking, but were nervous , book with them. You will have a fantastic time.
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October 2022 by Jessica Page (pagecats)
I just returned from my 3rd trip with TNE this one was the first 52 miles on the AT in GA. I really enjoyed the flexibility of this trip and the ability to slack pack as well as having snacks and water available at the van and knowing that we had a support vehicle if something were to go wrong. Heather and Jen were great guides. I like that these trips allow you to choose your own adventure and if you’d rather hike alone you have the ability to do so or if you prefer a group situation that is also available. I would recommend TNE to anyone interested!!!
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September 2022 by Nancy Minton
Great first kayak camping trip. Tent started leaking Tony and Robert saved my night. Wonderful experience great guides Ingrid is the best instructor. Highly recommend
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June 2022 by Melissa Whiting
True North beginners backpacking trip was amazing! This trip was my 50th birthday present to myself. I had some uphill struggles but everyone was very encouraging and I finished the trip with lots of knowledge and confidence! I am definitely interested in doing another adventure with True North!
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May 2022 by Scott Bayon
My wife and I were looking for a local company to help us get into backpacking. I was lucky to find True North Expeditions online and saw their Backpackers boot camp, exactly what we were looking for. Tony and his crew are great. Backpacking can be very intimidating if you've never done it before. All the guides did a great job of making us feel relaxed and comfortable. They helped us where we needed it but also didn't do everything for us, a great way to learn the various skills. They answered all our questions about gear, techniques, logistics... It was such a great experience we're already talking with Tony about our next trip.
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May 2022 by Kevin Kelly
I am just coming back from the beginner backpack boot camp. Thank you Tony, Rachel, Ingrid, Sarah and Heather for all you did to make this such an incredible experience. I learned a alot. Also thanks to my team #2 colleagues, Danielle, Eileen, Stacey, Casey and Dan. It was a worthwhile and challenging experience and I am glad I was on a team with you. For those interested in learning about backpacking, True North Expeditions, Inc., brings together a very talented group and I would highly recommend partnering with them as you start your backpacking journey.
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May 2022 by Don Stanke
I (M53) have never even slept in a tent before. No experience. Zero. So, I was apprehensive about signing up for this thinking that there would be more experienced backpackers and I would be a burden holding them up. That turned out to be an irrational fear. Most people did have camping experience but most were new to backpacking. I rented all the gear, literally everything including the food. Upon arrival, I was handed a backpack with all my gear inside. I wandered off to find a place to put my tent and laid it out on the ground. And that was literally all I could do. I had no idea how to set it up. One of the four guides working on this hike (I could write another whole review about how awesome the support crew was. Knowleable, attentive and patient. Amazing people.) quickly showed up and helped me set it up. That first evening the guides cooked an amazing dinner for us while we listened to lectures of how to conduct ourselves out on a hike. This included how to filter water, use the restroom if there isn't one, how to use our camp stoves and so much more. I have to say, I learned so much on this trip, it really exceeded my expectations. The next morning we packed up and started on the hike. The hike was challenging. Not being familiar with carrying a backpack there was definately a learning curve. But all the people that started (some older than me and some younger) finished the hike and you could tell we were all pleased with ourselves. Although really tired, we were all smiling at what we had accomplished. Along the way we filtered our drinking water from streams and that evening ate some "delicious" freeze dried food using our camp stoves. The next day we woke up and finished the loop back to our cars. My biggest takeaway from this experience was how much I learned and actually put to use. It's one thing to read about something but you don't really learn it until you can actually put it to use. Now to Tony, the co-owner and lead on this trip. Loved the guy. Super helpful, really pleasant and knows what he is doing. This trip was exceptionally well run and the guides he had helping him were just amazing. If you have literally no experience (like me) or have done this a million times I think you would enjoy this
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April 2022 by Danielle Ward
True North did an exceptional job at making the Beginners Backpacking Bootcamp a great experience from the moment we stepped out the car! Tony and the other guides were amazing with teaching us the basics, to teaching us little skills along the way, and always keeping the best attitudes and always a helping hand! I have a lot of experience with camping and hiking separately but I definitely felt in great hands coming to this event and combining the two together. I learned how to pack my pack to carry all the necessary items from sleeping system, cooking system, and water filtration out in the backcountry, how to filter water to safely drink from the natural water sources, and the simple east meal options to eat out in the back country. I had a great experience and will be doing more events in the future with True North and also continue backpacking on my own as well! I HIGHLY recommend True North!
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April 2022 by Don Stanke
I (M53) have never even slept in a tent before. No experience. Zero. So, I was apprehensive about signing up for this thinking that there would be more experienced backpackers and I would be a burden holding them up. That turned out to be an irrational fear. Most people did have camping experience but most were new to backpacking. I rented all the gear, literally everything including the food. Upon arrival, I was handed a backpack with all my gear inside. I wandered off to find a place to put my tent and laid it out on the ground. And that was literally all I could do. I had no idea how to set it up. One of the four guides working on this hike (I could write another whole review about how awesome the support crew was. Knowleable, attentive and patient. Amazing people.) quickly showed up and helped me set it up. That first evening the guides cooked an amazing dinner for us while we listened to lectures of how to conduct ourselves out on a hike. This included how to filter water, use the restroom if there isn't one, how to use our camp stoves and so much more. I have to say, I learned so much on this trip, it really exceeded my expectations. The next morning we packed up and started on the hike. The hike was challenging. Not being familiar with carrying a backpack there was definately a learning curve. But all the people that started (some older than me and some younger) finished the hike and you could tell we were all pleased with ourselves. Although really tired, we were all smiling at what we had accomplished. Along the way we filtered our drinking water from streams and that evening ate some "delicious" freeze dried food using our camp stoves. The next day we woke up and finished the loop back to our cars. My biggest takeaway from this experience was how much I learned and actually put to use. It's one thing to read about something but you don't really learn it until you can actually put it to use. Now to Tony, the co-owner and lead on this trip. Loved the guy. Super helpful, really pleasant and knows what he is doing. This trip was exceptionally well run and the guides he had helping him were just amazing. If you have literally no experience (like me) or have done this a million times I think you would enjoy this excursion.
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December 2021 by David W.
I did the advanced backpacking bootcamp and it was a great experience. Tony and Mike, the trip leaders, were friendly and it was clear they care about peoples' experiences. Also, the people who showed up were friendly. This course was within my capabilities and I had a great time!
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October 2021 by Kayann Dommer
Had a great time with my husband on the Red river gorge trip it was great mix of backpacking,stand up paddle boarding,yoga,and rock climbing. Our guides Melissa and Kim Were very accommodating knowledgeable and great cooks and want to make your experience safe and enjoyable at the same time. We really loved that they did all the planing and all we had to do was show up with our pack and they did the rest. We will definitely go on another trip with TNE ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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October 2021 by Stephanie Bryan
Like everyone else I was very nervous about going out on a trip where I had no idea what I was doing with a bunch of people I did not know, but let me tell you - Jen, Mel and Mike put my anxiety at ease the moment I met them! They were so nice and eager to help and answer all my questions. It was great to hang out with a diverse group of people of all ages and sizes who were like minded - there was no complaining, just a thirst for backpacking knowledge. We hiked a beautiful, mushroom filled 6 miles at Meramec State Park, stayed overnight in a lovely camp surrounded by tall trees and a lovely breeze. We did yoga at the end of the day and what a relaxing treat that was. We hiked 2.5 miles out the next day and the weather was wonderful. I now have the gear and feel pretty confident that I could survive out of the pack on my back for a few days, oh what an amazing feeling! Thank you True North and a special thanks to Jen, Mel and Mike for everything. Don't be scared, book the trip, hike your own hike and you won't be disappointed.
