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How do I redeem my voucher? For which dates is it valid?
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To redeem your voucher, simply reach out to Beyond the Map as instructed in your confirmation email, and be sure to provide your order number. Voucher valid only for travel dates that fall within start and end dates shown above with the exception of listed blackout dates. The operator recommends requesting your desired dates at least 60 days prior to departure in order to coordinate the logistics of your trip. Requests within the 60 day period may still be requested but may have a lower chance of being approved. Please wait for confirmation from Beyond the Map before making your travel arrangements.
The following blackout periods apply, however, these dates could be available with enough advance notice and for a supplemental fee. Please inquire with our Adventures Team if you’d like to explore pricing and availability for one of the date ranges below:
2022 Dates
May 27-30, 2022 Sold out
June 8-12, 2022
July 1-4, 2022 Sold out
September 2-6, 2022
October 7-11, 2022
October 28-31, 2022
November 23-27, 2022 Sold out
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Are private departures available?
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Yes, private departures are available with a minimum of four people. A private trip can be customized for the group and additional costs may apply. Please contact our Adventures Team to explore pricing and availability.
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Are departures guaranteed?
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There is a minimum of four participants required for each departure to run. Additionally, Beyond the Map operates with permissions from local State Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, and other land agencies that govern the Commercial Use Authorizations, and those management agencies can deny access based on various factors in which your guides will have to oblige. Please wait until you receive confirmation from Beyond the Map before making travel arrangements.
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Are there any other conditions that may prevent this trip from running?
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All Beyond the Map trips are subject to itinerary changes based on a variety of circumstances beyond their control, including, but not limited to, permit or campsite availability, flash floods, river crossings, wildlife, park or land closures or other conditions that may deem a location unfit or unsafe for guests. This trip requires a minimum of four people to operate and may be rescheduled or canceled if the minimum requirement is not met. Beyond the Map reserves the right to cancel any trip because of internal reasons including but not limited to inadequate signups or the inability to secure a similar experience in the event of itinerary changes.
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What is the best way to get to the trip start location?
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The trip begins at Caledonia State Park, PA and ends in Harpers Ferry, WV. If joining the trip directly from the airport, there are several options for flying with the closest being Harrisburg International Airport (1 hour from trailhead), a more affordable option could be major airports in Philadelphia (2.5 hrs), Washington DC (1.5-2 hrs) or Baltimore (1.5 hrs). At the end of the trip, if you would like to go to the airport directly from Harpers Ferry, WV, instead of riding the shuttle back to Caledonia State Park, PA, your closest option would be a major airport from Washington DC (50 minutes from Harpers Ferry, WV), Harrisburg (1.5-2 hrs) or Baltimore (1-1.5 hrs).
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Can airport pick up and dropoff off be coordinated by the tour operator or should I coordinate on my own?
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Yes, the operator can arrange for a pick-up and drop-off for you, but additional fees may apply. They can also assist in looking for carpool options with other travelers. Please contact our Adventures Team for additional pricing and availability.
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What are the accommodations like?
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Each night will be spent tent camping with options for primitive shelters when available. The shelters are open to the public and are not guaranteed, so each participant will have their own tents in the event that a shelter has already been occupied. If a shelter does have space, there may be other hikers separate from your group that may be using the shelters as well. Shelters vary based on location but generally include a 3-walled, wooden structure with 4-6 raised wooden platforms for sleeping. More advanced shelters may be completely closed in with windows while others are more simplistic with a portion of the shelter open to the elements and open sleeping space on a wooden floor. Primitive vault toilets are available at some camping locations but not all. Please be prepared to follow Leave No Trace (LNT) principles when using the restroom outdoors. Please note, cell phone reception is unreliable and electricity is not available at the tent camping locations
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Can solo travelers get their own room? Is there a single supplement fee?
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There is no additional fees for solo travelers. The trip already includes a tent, sleeping bag and sleeping pad. We do encourage friends and couples to share a tent, when appropriate, due to limited space at the campsites along the trail.
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How large is each travel group?
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Each group will have a minimum of four and a maximum of 10 participants.
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What is the minimum age required for this trip?
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For scheduled tours, the minimum age is 8 years old. However, private tours are able to accommodate children younger than 8 years old on a case-by-case basis. Please contact our Adventures Team for more information.
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Are meals included? What is the food like?
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All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) are included from lunch on Day one to dinner on the final day. Each guide tailors the menu for the specific trip and is extensively trained on camping food handling and meal planning. The goal for meals during physically demanding days is to provide guests with meals that are not only tasty but also packed full of critical carbohydrates, proteins and fats.
For breakfast, you can expect items such as oatmeal, eggs, granola, bagels, fruit, etc. To optimize activity time, you will generally have packed lunches that may include sandwiches, granola bars, fruit, chips, etc. For dinners, you will rely on dehydrated backpacking meals. The options for backpacking meals are quite extensive and surprisingly delicious. During a pre-trip meeting, you will be offered several options for you to choose from for your own personal backpacking meal. On this particular trip, you will visit a local tavern for dinner on night 5 after completing the hike. In addition, your guide will provide an assortment of trail mix, snacks, and dried fruits to eat at your own discretion during the hikes.
Beyond the Map can accommodate vegan, vegetarian, kosher and non-gluten diets, and will make adjustments for food allergies. These and other special dietary requests require at least two weeks advance notice and may require an additional fee.
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What is the weather like?
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This section of the Appalachian Trail has four seasons. Winters can be mild in comparison to other northern regions of the Appalachians but still experience snow and ice, while summers can be hot and humid with high densities of insects. Because of this, we recommend hiking in this region around late spring and early summer or during the fall months.
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What should people bring? Do you have a packing list?
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The Beyond the Map trip director will provide a detailed packing list once the participant has joined the trip. The trip director will also schedule a virtual meeting prior to the trip to discuss the packing list, cheaper gear alternatives and to answer any questions ahead of time. Some items are available to rent with prior notice.
Clothing:
- Hiking Shoes: Sturdy hiking boots or trail runners. We suggest light weight, mid-ankle boots that are either waterproof or able to dry quickly. A more experienced hiker may prefer trail runners. It is important that your footwear is worn ahead of time and are well broken in
- Camp Shoes: Lightweight camp shoes. We recommend Crocs® or sandals that can be carried on your pack and then worn when not hiking
- Hiking Socks: 2-3 pairs of hiking socks, one pair to hike in, one to sleep in and one as a backpack. Recommended brands include Swiftwick®, Smartwool®, Darn Tough® or similar padded socks (wearing thin liner socks under your hiking socks is recommended if you are concerned about blisters). No cotton socks!!
- Gaiters: optional but help keep sand out of your shoe
- Hat: for sun protection & bad hair days!
- Bandana/buff
- Mosquito head net (optional)
- Fleece/jacket: Warm top, mid-weight shirt, sweater or pullover, also wicking material such as merino wool, fleece or polypropylene
- Athletic top & bottoms: we recommend wearing light-weight, quick drying pants while hiking and a similar t-shirt
- Sleeping attire
- Rainproof jacket and pant: Waterproof/breathable jacket and pant such as Gore-Tex®, pants are optional
Gear:
- Backpack: recommend a 40-60 L pack
- Waterproof pack cover: to cover your bag during rain events
- Trekking poles: 1 or 2 are highly recommend to reduce joint impact and for balance
- Water bottles or bladder: 2-3 liters total capacity
- Camp pillow: lightweight, packable camp pillow
- Waste Kit
- Contact lenses and glasses: if you wear contact lenses please also bring a pair of glasses - your contacts are likely to become dirty and may be difficult to clean
- Sun protection: Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm
- Bug repellent: preferably a product containing at least 25% "DEET" (some people are sensitive to this product). Covering up is also a good option but sometimes difficult in tropical climates
- Toiletries, and a small washcloth in stuff sack (bandana can serve as a washcloth)
- Headlamp/spare batteries: preferably an L.E.D. type that works with AA or AAA batteries
- Camera, spare batteries (optional)
- Notebook or paperback book (optional)
- Travel hammock (optional)
- Knee braces (if needed)
- Prescription medicine: please inform your trip leader of any medications you are taking
- Money: for tipping your trip leader (optional but appreciated, generally 10-15% of your trip cost based upon the quality of your experience)
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How much extra money should people budget?
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It is recommended that you bring an allotment of cash for personal items you would like to buy during the trip (souvenirs, alcohol, meals not included). You should also budget for the industry recommended guide gratuity of 10-20% of the trip cost.
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What kind of physical shape is needed in order to successfully participate in activities? Is there any special preparation/training required for this trip?
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This adventure may include 6-8 hours of continuous activity for multiple days in a row. Participants should be in good physical condition and able to walk for several miles (see itinerary for exact mileage) while carrying a 35-45 pound backpack. This trail has steep descents and ascents on uneven terrain and also requires several creek crossings with slick and unstable terrain. Hiking and camping take place outdoors and you may be exposed to adverse weather conditions such as rain, intense heat and sun and insects. For the best experience, it is highly recommended that participants test out their backpacking gear prior to the trip. The trip director will serve as a source of knowledge for planning and preparation prior to the trip. No experience necessary, just a calling for adventure!
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Are there additional activities that I can purchase? Can I extend my trip?
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This itinerary is all-inclusive; however, travelers are encouraged to extend their time while in Harpers Ferry, WV. There are options to add additional days on to the trip to include activities such as hiking, caving, rock climbing and more. Please contact our Adventures Team for pricing options.
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Should I purchase travel insurance? If so, do you have a recommended provider?
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Travel insurance is required for this adventure. It allows you to seek reimbursement if you are forced to cancel your trip for unforeseeable reasons, or if you need to cover medical help, emergency transport, and/or theft or accidental damage while traveling. We recommend VisitorsCoverage as a provider.
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Can I cancel or modify my trip?
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Yes! Book confidently with Free Cancellations within 72 hours of booking. After 72 hours, cancellation fees will apply.
New For 2021 Departures: We’re providing more flexible booking options on this trip.
Up to 60 days prior to departure*
You may postpone or modify your trip up to 60 days prior to departure with no fees or penalties.
You will have the option to:
1) Select a new date within one year of your original departure date
2) Select a new adventure or destination, or
3) Receive 100% lifetime store credit toward a future trip.
*Please note, when choosing a new date, you must choose a date within the same travel season in 2022 to avoid any additional trip costs. If you select a new adventure, you will be responsible for the difference of any additional trip costs above the value of your current trip.
Less than 60 days prior to a departure*
You may have the option to select a new date and travel within one year of your original departure date, but additional trip costs may apply and new dates are subject to availability. If you choose not to reschedule your trip you may have the option to cancel, but standard cancellation fees will apply.
*If you choose to cancel, you will receive a lifetime credit, minus cancellation fees, towards a future trip.
For more information on our Travel Cancellation Policy please Click Here.