The intro to rock program is a novice level class that will invite you to step outside your comfort zone and help build confidence while climbing outdoors. We will be covering the appropriate steps needed from the ground up which includes helmet/harness school, knots, language, and movement on the wall.
Are you ready to take your anchor building to the next level? This advanced clinic focuses on constructing and evaluating rock climbing anchors when using artificial protection such as spring-loaded camming devices and passive gear. Participants will spend most of their time practicing placing gear, building anchors, and evaluating each other’s work. This day is valuable to anyone who is seeking knowledge in building traditional gear anchors.
The Rock Climbing Intro to Anchor Building Clinic focuses on developing skills to build strong and reliable top rope anchor systems. Participants will learn to evaluate both natural features like trees and rocks, as well as artificial bolted anchors, while emphasizing edge safety and climbing ethics. Key topics include anchor construction techniques, knot review, force dynamics, and Leave No Trace principles.
Embark on a serene birding adventure with us this migration season! Glide through the tranquil waters on a canoe trip designed to immerse you in the fascinating world of birds. As you paddle around one of the state's oldest and most picturesque mill ponds, you'll have the chance to observe an array of birdlife up close.
Clarksville cave is a popular horizontal cave in Albany County, NY. With about 4800 feet of passage and three entrances, Clarksville is surely the best-known and most-visited wild cave in the Northeast.
Embrace Your Inner Warrior: Women's Wellness Retreat (3d/2n)
Escape to the serene Berkshire hills for a weekend dedicated to nurturing your confidence, courage, and feminine power. Join Zelda Hotaling and Ami Jean Aubin as we explore the essence of the female warrior archetype through engaging activities and deep self-discovery. This exclusive experience is designed for women who seek to reconnect with their higher selves and unleash their inner strength.
Join us on a walk in the woods as we explore vernal pools. Learn about the unique habitats of salamanders, fairy shrimp, and wood frogs and how they have adapted to survive from one season to the next.
Unplug for a few hours and take a rejuvenating stroll through the forest with us. This is a gentle and mindful outdoor experience that will allow you to connect deeply to the healing powers of nature.
Enjoy a fall foliage ride exploring the history of Western Massachusetts between the towns of Turners Falls and Northfield along the Connecticut River. We'll stop at 4 Star Brewery at the end of the ride.
Join us for our enchanting Full Moon Hike series, where the mystical energy of the full moon illuminates our path and fosters a sense of community. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced hiker, we offer four unique destinations that allow you to progress from your first easy hike to more advanced adventures.
Enjoy an evening paddle along the Connecticut River bathed in the light of the stars and the full moon as we make our way from Sunderland to the Hatfield Boat Ramp.
Explore the winter wonderland of Western Massachusetts while mastering essential hiking and snowshoeing skills. This experience covers everything from proper winter attire to hiking techniques, including balance, foot placement, and the use of equipment like microspikes and snowshoes. All necessary gear and hot beverages are provided. Join us for an unforgettable adventure and build your confidence on snowy trails!
This 31-mile ride through the Green River Valley takes you along classic Vermont and Western Mass gravel roads. With incredible views and nearby waterfalls, this ride is not to be missed.
This is one of the most popular rides in the valley and right outside our front door! Leaving the Adventure East shop in Sunderland we will ride over the Connecticut River and turn onto River Road in Deerfield, head up to Turners Falls and return through Montague.
In this half day course, you will create your own indigenous container using harvested ash bark, that you will sew together with spruce root and finish with a red willow rim.
Welcome to our Introductory Kayaking Course! This 2-hour session is perfect for beginners looking to explore the joys of kayaking on calm, flat water. Whether you're paddling on a serene lake or a protected coastal area, our course is designed to make you feel comfortable and confident on the water.
In our Intro to Kayaking on Class I River Water course, we will cover techniques and procedures that are useful to both newer and more experienced (or intrepid) paddlers. We will start with a comprehensive introduction and safety briefing, ensuring everyone is familiar with the necessary safety gear and river hazards. The Connecticut River from the Sunderland Ramp is a great location to begin your journey into river kayaking.
Kayak Camping on the Connecticut River: Hartland, VT to Bellows Falls, VT. (3d/2n)
Join us for a 3-day/2-night kayak camping adventure on the Connecticut River this fall. We will explore a beautiful forty mile stretch from West Lebanon, New Hampshire to Bellows Falls, Vermont. We will spend two nights at the Wilgus State Park in Vermont. Originally built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, this is the only developed state park on the Vermont shores of the Connecticut River
Kayak Camping on the Connecticut River: Vernon, VT to Sunderland, MA. (3d/2n)
Join our 3-day kayak camping trip on the Connecticut River for an unforgettable adventure, where we handle all the gear, camp setup, and cooking. Paddle through serene waters, enjoy diverse wildlife, and relax at picturesque campsites, with expert guides ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all skill levels. Highlights include paddling from Vernon Dam to Northfield, through French King Gorge to Barton Cove, and ending at Sunderland, covering a total of 36 miles.
Through conservation efforts, nesting pairs of bald eagles are at record levels along this quiet stretch of the Connecticut River. Join us for an unforgettable half-day birding adventure led by a senior naturalist and certified kayak guide, this guided trip offers a unique opportunity to connect with nature and observe a diverse array of bird life in their natural habitat.
The Mount Holyoke Range, part of the Metacomet Ridge, is one of the few east-west mountain ranges in the U.S. A seven-mile hike along the ridge offers stunning views of the Connecticut River Valley, inspired Thomas Cole’s painting “The Oxbow,” and passes historic sites like the Skinner House. The hike starts at the State Park Headquarters in the Notch and ends at Route 47 near the Connecticut River.
Mt Toby Geology Tour with Professor Richard Little
Mt Toby is considered one of the most biodiverse forests in New England. We will make the 17-mile circuit around Mt Toby by bus with several stops for short hikes. At each stop we will examine a geologic feature. These features range in geologic time from 15,000 years ago to 200 million years ago, from Glacial Lake Hitchcock to Pangea.
Join us for a rejuvenating experience at the Temenos Retreat Center, where you can connect with nature and find relief from daily stress. Spending time with trees and a like-minded community can bring healing and insight. Led by Ami Jean Aubin, this retreat offers a chance to immerse yourself in the natural world and allow the forest's healing powers into your heart.
This three-day, two-night experience is designed for the hiker looking to expand their backpacking experience. In this rustic course, we will stay as a group, cooking meals on a stove, and learning the tips and tricks of backpacking. This course will be hands-on and moderately challenging.
Pangaea and Lake Hitchcock Geology Tour with Prof Richard Little
This three and a half hour trip will introduce you to the amazing stories revealed in the local rocks and landscapes as we travel along Rte. 2 from Erving to Greenfield. You will discover spectacular rock outcrops of all three rock types (igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic) that preserve a great hidden history that influences both scenery as well as human history.
The Perseid meteor shower, or the Perseids, is one of the most popular and highly anticipated meteor showers of the year. Join us for a magical evening paddle as we paddle under the expansive, shower-filled sky.
Join us at Adventure East for a 16-hour (2-day course) to learn the basics of backcountry medical care. The WFA is the perfect course for the outdoor enthusiast or trip leader who wants a basic level of first aid training for short trips with family, friends, and outdoor groups. It also meets the American Camp Association guidelines.
Tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of Tree Swallows begin to amass in the sky at sunset over Goose Island in the Connecticut River in Old Lyme, CT.
Tastes of the Valley-Bike to Farms in Hadley and Sunderland
The Connecticut River Valley boasts some of the best soil and oldest farms in the country, producing a wide range of agricultural products. This tasting tour offers a chance to explore local farms, sample their products, and learn about small-scale farming in the Pioneer Valley. Highlights include Thomas Farm's award-winning Chevre cheese, Carrs’ Cider's traditional hard ciders, and North Hadley Sugar Shack's famous cider donuts and maple syrup.
Trustees: Bullitt Reservation to Chapel Brook Waterfall Hike
Explore two astounding Trustees properties! Chapel Brook—a tributary of the South River— meanders through a dense hardwood forest before cascading over three bedrock ledges.
October can be the most beautiful time of year for exploring the local forests of New England. We have carefully chosen the best scenic locations for optimal foliage viewing.
The Rivulet at the William Cullen Bryant Homestead is home to old growth, including ancient specimens of hemlock and a magnificent cherry tree - join us in exploring what an ancient forest may have resembled.
This two-day, one-night experience is designed for the hiker new to backpacking and looking to expand their camping skills in a controlled environment. In this rustic course, we will stay as a group, cooking meals on a stove, and learning the tips and tricks of backpacking. This course will be hands-on and moderately challenging.
Alpine ski touring for women and girls! Choose from three adventures: Intro to Alpine Ski Touring at Berkshire East, Backcountry Skiing on Hogback Mtn, and Backcountry Skiing on Mt Greylock.
This is an all-levels restorative yoga experience in a beautiful and serene location followed by a mindful outdoor walking meditation in nature. Enjoy the sounds, sights, and smells of nature through an embodied exploration of mindfulness, movement, breath, and the senses. You will build strength, flexibility, and self-awareness while deepening your appreciation for our local forests and reaping the mind-body health benefits of nature and community.
