Learn Survival Skills in the Catskill Wilderness

6 hours Free cancellation Private tour

Learn Survival Skills in the Catskill Wilderness, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Our Survival School is considered among the best in the northeast because we go further than just skills to teach the psychology of survival - without learning to tame your stress response even the most finely honed skills won't save you.

Your instructor has over 20 years of outdoor leadership. He founded Destination Backcountry in 2011 and has since grown it into NY’s largest wilderness guide service.

Dave has been featured on the Today Show, in the Wall St Journal, Backpacker & Men's Health Magazines, and many more for his for his signature ADAPT survival methodology as well as his general outdoor expertise.

Hiking Tours Short term availability Weather Dependent - Moderate

At a glance

Duration: 6 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–12
Guide: Russian, English, French, Spanish
Operated by: Destination Backcountry Adventures

Ages: Children (2–17 years) · Adults (18–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: We will provide a healthy, gourmet lunch and snacks during our adventure. We offer vegetarian and vegan options, and we’re happy to accommodate any dietary and allergy needs.
Included: We'll provide survival kit, but feel free to bring your own - we'll help you make the most of it!

Itinerary

On our hike into the forest, about a mile, we’ll begin by learning about the forest and the challenges and the resources available. Once in "camp" we'll begin our Psychology of Survival course; understanding how the human mind and body respond to pressure, developing the skills to recognize and overcome the “animal instincts” that take over in times of stress, learning your personal tendencies and how to account for them, and similar skills. From there, we’ll move to Survival School where we’ll be teaching and developing skills such as utilizing resources effectively, prioritizing needs, active vs passive action, and more through fun activities such as fire without matches, shelter building, primitive navigation, etc. We cap the day off by practicing our skills in different survival scenarios presented by the guides Curriculum: The psychology of survival: the most important part of any survival situation Lighting a fire without matches Building a survival shelter with natural materials What to bring in your survival pack Obtaining water Effecting rescue Natural Navigation Prelim wild edibles

Stop 1
Catskill Forest Preserve

Meeting point and pickup

You can be picked up from your accommodation or go straight to the meeting point.

Meeting point

We'll meet here, where there is good cell phone reception, before driving as a caravan for the final 10 minutes or so on back roads to the trailhead

End point

We'll meet here, where there is good cell phone reception, before driving as a caravan for the final 10 minutes or so on back roads to the trailhead

Pickup points

Your choice of 2 NYC locations for adventures with round-trip, NYC based transportation included. We also offer complimentary local transportation from the Hudson, NY Amtrak train station on adventures without transportation included. (limited availability)

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.
The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.