Best of the Red-Backpacking, Rock Climbing, Yoga, Kayaking

Event Details

This event is listed as a Class 3, Advanced Level, backpacking trip. For an explanation of the way we classify events, visit this page.

This event is packed full of the best the Red River Gorge has to offer! Over the course of 4 days, you will backpack in the Daniel Boone National Forest, participate in yoga sessions, visit the local shops/cafes, participate in a SUP (stand up paddleboard) tour at the Grayson Grotto-you also get to choose from an underground kayak tour or select a Via Ferrata. Saturday and Sunday night's lodging will be at Bedrock located in Rogers, KY. Accommodation information can be found below in the "Tickets" section. To see some pictures from our RRG events, click here.

(Proof of full vaccination, OR a negative COVID test 48 hours prior to the event will be required to attend this event).

Itinerary

Day 1-Depart the Midwest. Arrive at Red River Gorge, hike in 2-3 miles, and camp creekside (dispersed camping).

Day 2-Backpack in the Red River Gorge. Yoga at a location TBD. Milage TBD dispersed camp in the Daniel Boone National Forest.

Day 3-Depart the Red River Gorge and head to Southeast Mountain Guides for the Via Ferrata. Those that do not want to participate in this will have the option to do the underground kayak/SUP tour. After these adventures, we will head to Bedrock lodge where we will be staying for the next 2 nights. Light stretching will be offered by one of our yoga instructors. Dinner will be provided. You can find information on the via Ferrate here.

Day 4-After morning yoga, Depart Bedrock for our Grayson Grotto adventure. After that is complete we will sightsee the local shops and cafes. Dinner will be provided.

Day 5-Depart for the Midwest after breakfast.

Transportation

Leaving early Thursday morning we will depart from the Chicagoland area. Carpooling options will be available along our route, and as always, there is no additional cost when meeting us at one of the predetermined Park and Rides. If you are unsure if you are along our route, please contact us prior to signing up. We will be returning to the Chicagoland area the following Monday morning.

Ticket Options

We have 2 ticket options are available for this trip.

1. Private Room (Single Occupancy)-Includes sleeping accommodations for 2 nights in a private room at Bedrock. The ticket price is $1515 per person.
2. Private Room (Double Occupancy)-Includes sleeping accommodations for two people for 2 nights in a private room at Bedrock. The ticket price is $1223.25 per person.
3. Bunk Room/Not Private- Includes shared sleeping accommodations for 2 nights in an 8 person bunk room at Bedrock. The ticket price is $1223.25 per person.
4. Gear rental-Includes the gear you will need for backpacking in the Red! Gear rental includes a backpack, tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, headlamp, trekking poles, trowel, water filter, and backpacking stove with fuel/long-handled spoon.

Both ticket prices include snacks and water during transportation, fuel, tolls, parking, park permits, lodging for Saturday and Sunday night, multiple yoga sessions over the course of 4 days, including an hour-long yoga session after arriving at Bedrock, dinner prepared on Saturday and Sunday night at Bedrock by the guides (vegetarian or vegan options available), kayak trip to the Grayson Grotto, and a rock climbing adventure from Southeast Mountain Guides. If heights are not your thing, you will have the option for an hour-long underground kayak tour from SUP Kentucky. 

Gear

Guests are responsible for obtaining their own gear, although we do offer gear rental if you are in need of gear. Gear Rental is $325 for the event and can be selected when checking out.  

Gear rental includes the following

-Osprey Backpack

-River Country Products 1 or 2 person tent

-North Face, Eureka, or Kelty Sleeping bag

-Thermarest sleeping pad

-Stuff sack sleeping pillow

-Jetboil Flash backpacking stove w/fuel

-Sawyer water filter

-Trowel

-Headlamp

-Trekking Poles

-Dry Bag for food storage 

Required Gear List

-Backpack (properly fitted)

-Sleeping bag

-Sleeping pad

-Tent-Stove-Cookware

-Trowel-Small Compass

-Appropriate footwear (trail runners or boots)

-Water filter-50' of paracord (minimum)

-Individual First Aid Kit-Headlamp (spare batteries)

-Rain Gear (poncho, Frog Toggs, rain suit)

-Toiletry Kit

-Fire starting kit

-Small knife

-Spare set of clothing-Spare set of socks x 2

-Appropriate backpacking meals for the length of the even

-Emergency blanket

-Hydration system or water bottles

-Whistle-Quick Dry towel

-Biodegradable soap

-Personal Medications

 

Optional Items:

-Trekking Poles

-Base layer (during inclement weather)

-Insulation

-Jacket, gloves, hat (inclement weather)

-Camp shoes (Crocs or similar

-Insect repellent-Earplugs 

Safety

All True North staff are certified in First Aid/CPR and every one of our events is led by a guide who is a paramedic/Wilderness First Aid instructor. Guides are experienced in wilderness and outdoor travel and are equipped with GPS.

True North Expeditions, Inc. reserves the right to substitute the events listed in the description above in the event of inclement weather, availability, or other uncontrollable events.

Cancellations 

No refunds will be issued for cancellations 14 days or less from the date of the event. All other cancellations are subject to a 50% service fee. A refund will be issued in the form of a check, or the original payment method. Please allow 5-7 business days for processing, we will notify you when the refund has been issued. 

True North Expeditions, Inc. reserves the right to substitute the events listed in the description above in the event of inclement weather, availability, or other uncontrollable events.

(Proof of full vaccination, OR a negative COVID test 48 hours prior to the event will be required to attend this event).

Donate and Give Back to the Outdoor Community!

We are teaming up with *Gear Forward in an attempt to collect new and unused gear, specifically sleeping bags, tents, and backpacks. Illinois resident Scott Gauvin is the founder of Gear Forward, an independent nationwide non-profit that provides gear to non-profit community organizations, youth groups, and charities working with young people in the outdoors. If you have one of the above-mentioned pieces of gear and would like to donate it, please bring it with you. After our fall and winter events, the gear that we collect will be turned over to Gear Forward. 

*As stated above, Gear Forward is an independent nationwide non-profit that provides gear to non-profit community organizations, youth groups, and charities working with young people in the outdoors. Founded by Scott Gauvin, Gear Forward aims to encourage people to donate unused outdoor gear they no longer want or need. Gear Forward also seeks partnerships with outdoor retailers and manufacturers to encourage donations of unused gear or donations by customers. The outdoors are our collective greatest treasure and gift that we offer the next generation. Gear Forward, simply is about providing the next generation of stewards, adventurers, Scoutmasters, and Girl Scout Leaders the resources they need to get outdoors. No child should be denied access to all the outdoors has to offer because they don't have the necessary equipment. Through the collection of gently used outdoor gear, Gear Forward will work with other youth and outdoor-focused organizations to get donated gear into the hands that need it.  Through the donation of outdoor gear, Gear Forward will provide youth in need via various noteworthy organizations the ability to participate in outdoor-themed activities such as hiking, camping, and backpacking. You can find out more about Gear Forward by visiting their Facebook page or website.