Backpacking
Introduction to Backcountry
Learn the basics of backcountry camping before you buy the gear.
- Duration
- 2 or 3 days
- Difficulty
- Easy–Moderate
From$470 per person
View & book
Winter on the Peaks
Our favorite season: icicles, solitude, and views hidden the rest of the year.
- Duration
- 2 or 3 days
- Difficulty
- Moderate–Strenuous
- Departs
- Gatlinburg, TN
Overview
Winter reveals views through the forest that aren’t seen the other three seasons. We travel into the high elevations by day and camp at designated sites at night. If we’re lucky, a snow-covered trip will challenge our skills and keep you in awe.
SMG provides high-quality equipment and uses this itinerary to teach skills for winter backcountry travel.
Highlights
- Icewater Spring & Mt. LeConte shelters
- The Boulevard Trail
- Winter skills instruction
- Quiet and solitude
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
To Icewater Spring shelter
3 miles on the A.T., with optional mileage to points of interest.
Day 2
To Mt. LeConte shelter
The A.T. and the Boulevard Trail. 5.4 miles.
Day 3 (optional)
Alum Cave descent
Down the Alum Cave Trail to our pickup. 5.1 miles.
Routes and statistics may vary with backcountry site availability and weather.
Pricing
- 2-day: $385 per person
- 3-day: $640 per person
Included
- Professional, certified local guide
Before you go
After booking you’ll receive preparation guidance, a packing list, and meeting instructions. All participants sign a waiver, and multi-day guests complete a short registration and health form.
Read our trip-planning guideMore backpacking
View all
BackpackingOvernight with the Synchronous Fireflies
A summer night in the backcountry, waiting for the woods to light up.
- Duration
- 1 night
- Difficulty
- Easy–Moderate
From$450 per person
View & book- Backpacking
Appalachian Trail: 3-Day
Live a slice of the thru-hiker life on the A.T. through the Smokies.
- Duration
- 3 days / 2 nights
- Difficulty
- Moderate–Strenuous
From$655 per person
View & book