Adventure Guides Max
Designed for older children who want to learn backpacking and canoeing skills. AGMax provides opportunities to explore the great outdoors. Come join us on our adventures.
Group Leader - Will George 216-408-1424 Last updated 4-24-18
2018
Fall Canoe Trip TBD - Looking into a September trip.
Spring Backpacking Trip - Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania - West Rim Trail. Memorial Weekend Friday May 25th to Monday May 28th.
The West Rim Trail (WRT) is a 30 mile stretch of trail that offers beautiful views of the canyon. We started at the northern terminus in Ansonia PA. on Saturday and hiked approximately 4.3 miles before setting up camp. We hiked only 2 miles the next day to our group camp site, dropped the bags, and did a day hike to see some waterfalls and the base of a feeder river. Sunday afternoon we went to Kinzua State park and saw an old train tressle. We spent Sunday night back at my cabin in Leeper PA. All had a good time. Map link with elevation and distance. http://www.explorepatrails.com/mapsearch/index.html
Link: Leonard Harrsion State Park
Link: Colton State Park
Previous Events
Canoeing the Allegheny River - western PA
First Canoe trip to the Allegheny River (Trip #4 from Allegheny Outfitters to Wildwood) Here are some of our pictures. It was quite an experience as we woke up Sunday morning and our canoes had been swept down river. Hard rains after we went to sleep, and an overflowing tributary from the state of New York combined to raise the river level 4 feet. We were safe, but we did have to wait for evacuation canoes to pick us up. Ha!, a trip to remember fore sure.
Backpacking trip Minister Creek Allegheny National Forest. Minister Creek Trail 1 night trip. A great introductory backpacking trip, Allegheny National Forest is of Cook Forest, where my cabin is located. We staged at my cabin in Leeper PA on Friday night and drive up to Allegheny Saturday morning. It was warm and humid, but otherwise very good weather. We only recieved a sprinkle of rain Saturday night. According to my pedometer, it was approximately a 3.5 mile hike in and a 4 mile hike out. Everyone had a great time. The kids did very well, and so did the parents. Hats off to everyone who attended.
April 30th Campout and hike in Cook Forest. We met at my cabin, set up tents, then went for a day hike to the firetower and the scenic overlook in Cook Forest. We hiked about 4 miles. In the late afternoon, we made Debris Shelters and had a camp fire.
2015
December Stanford house to Brandywine Falls Loop Trail. We met at the Stanford house at 11am. The weather was nice. We had to cross a river where the bridge was dismantled which was a nice little challenge. This was a great first hike and was about 4 miles total. Here is a link to Google Maps.
See pictures below.
See pictures below.
Potential hikes/events
Hinkley Lake Loop
Ledges Trail Loop
Canoe Trip Allegheny River or Algonquin Provincial Park in Canada
Hinkley Lake Loop
Ledges Trail Loop
Canoe Trip Allegheny River or Algonquin Provincial Park in Canada
GET READY TO BACKPACK
Below you will find information on camping equipment. Some you may have, some you may not. AG Max has a few tents which can be used by members. But if you wish to get some equipment, you can start here. Don't be afraid to surf the web yourself. I constantly find stuff I did not know was out there. Remember to pay attention to the weight of the item and it's "pack size". You are looking for light weight and small packing.
Attached below is a "Preparation List". Please review. This list will help you concentrate on the items you need and how much weight you should be prepared to carry. You can search E Bay, Craigslist, Dick's Sporting Goods, Walmart, K Mart, and a number of specialty or camping stores/websites. The Backpackers Shop in Avon is a nice place to visit to look at items but tends to be a bit pricey. You could always go out there to visit and look around, it is a very cool place. They also have dehydrated food at a reasonable price.
As far as clothing, you probably already have what you need for a one or two night trip. Non-cotton items are the best, but not required. Cotton retains water and takes longer to dry. Wool socks are great regardless of the time of year. Gel inserts can rejuvenate an old pair of hiking books. Do not use hard non-flexible boots or shoes. If you don't have a pair, you can usually find adequate shoes at a low cost at Target, Walmart or Kmart. Mountain Warehouse runs sales all the time. Marshalls, Dicks Sporting Goods, Cabela’s, are all other options. Tennis Shoes are actually not bad for the shorter trips we will be taking. I have a pair that look like hiking shoes with a large amount of tread on the bottom.
As far as clothing, you probably already have what you need for a one or two night trip. Non-cotton items are the best, but not required. Cotton retains water and takes longer to dry. Wool socks are great regardless of the time of year. Gel inserts can rejuvenate an old pair of hiking books. Do not use hard non-flexible boots or shoes. If you don't have a pair, you can usually find adequate shoes at a low cost at Target, Walmart or Kmart. Mountain Warehouse runs sales all the time. Marshalls, Dicks Sporting Goods, Cabela’s, are all other options. Tennis Shoes are actually not bad for the shorter trips we will be taking. I have a pair that look like hiking shoes with a large amount of tread on the bottom.
| preparation_list_ag_max.pdf |
Update 1-6-17
One of our members turned me onto a website with discounted equipment. Hikerdirect.com is the address and you must register to view the items. Once you register, it takes 1 business day before you can sign in. It tells you to wait for an e-mail but I did not get one. So I called and found out they sometimes have issues with their e-mail. I was told my sign-on (password) was my e-mail address. You would click on the "Order" tab, then it asks for your login. Once you type it in, the product list pops up. I checked out this website and have found some great deals. For example, this sleeping pad can be had for only $30. It is a bit on the heavy side (2 lbs 4oz) for a sleeping pad but would be fine for two or three night trips.
The Backpackers Shop in Avon is a nice place to visit to look at items but tends to be a bit pricey. You could always go out there to visit and look around; it is a very cool place. They also have dehydrated food at a reasonable price.
One of our members turned me onto a website with discounted equipment. Hikerdirect.com is the address and you must register to view the items. Once you register, it takes 1 business day before you can sign in. It tells you to wait for an e-mail but I did not get one. So I called and found out they sometimes have issues with their e-mail. I was told my sign-on (password) was my e-mail address. You would click on the "Order" tab, then it asks for your login. Once you type it in, the product list pops up. I checked out this website and have found some great deals. For example, this sleeping pad can be had for only $30. It is a bit on the heavy side (2 lbs 4oz) for a sleeping pad but would be fine for two or three night trips.
The Backpackers Shop in Avon is a nice place to visit to look at items but tends to be a bit pricey. You could always go out there to visit and look around; it is a very cool place. They also have dehydrated food at a reasonable price.
Other sites:
Big Supply Shop, Campmor, REI, Mountain Warehouse,
There are also a few local stores you can check out:
Cabelas, Dicks Sporting Goods, Backpackers Shop.
Big Supply Shop, Campmor, REI, Mountain Warehouse,
There are also a few local stores you can check out:
Cabelas, Dicks Sporting Goods, Backpackers Shop.
Tents
Eureka three man tent for $70. It weighs 6lbs 7 0z. 49 sq ft of floor space (7 * 7). I have purchased a few of these for the Nation to use. If you want to buy one, let me know ASAP. Most likely I won't find any much less expensive than this one for the weight and size. You want to try to keep the weight of the tent to 7 lbs or less.
I also found a smaller and lighter weight Alps Mountaineering 2 person tent at Big Supply Shop for $58. It is 5' * 7'6" (39 sq ft) and weighs 6lbs 2oz. They have the same tent in 3 person for $67 (49 sq ft).
Eureka three man tent for $70. It weighs 6lbs 7 0z. 49 sq ft of floor space (7 * 7). I have purchased a few of these for the Nation to use. If you want to buy one, let me know ASAP. Most likely I won't find any much less expensive than this one for the weight and size. You want to try to keep the weight of the tent to 7 lbs or less.
I also found a smaller and lighter weight Alps Mountaineering 2 person tent at Big Supply Shop for $58. It is 5' * 7'6" (39 sq ft) and weighs 6lbs 2oz. They have the same tent in 3 person for $67 (49 sq ft).
Backpacks
Some packs describe the size in liters, some tell you quarts, and some tell you the cubic inches. 100 cubic inches = roughly 1.6 liters. A liter is slightly bigger than a quart. So keep this in mind when shopping. Google has a converter if you want to figure out the exact size.
External Frame packs were popular until the 90’s. They are called external because there is a metal or composite frame visible on the outside of the pack. Internal frames came into popularity in the 90’s. Now, external and hybrid frames seem to be preference. Don’t worry too much about the frame type. Find one that is big enough to meet your needs, light weight, and cost effective.
For the kids, try to stay between 25 and 40 quarts/liters.
For Adults, try to get one that is at least 50 quarts/liters.
Some packs describe the size in liters, some tell you quarts, and some tell you the cubic inches. 100 cubic inches = roughly 1.6 liters. A liter is slightly bigger than a quart. So keep this in mind when shopping. Google has a converter if you want to figure out the exact size.
External Frame packs were popular until the 90’s. They are called external because there is a metal or composite frame visible on the outside of the pack. Internal frames came into popularity in the 90’s. Now, external and hybrid frames seem to be preference. Don’t worry too much about the frame type. Find one that is big enough to meet your needs, light weight, and cost effective.
For the kids, try to stay between 25 and 40 quarts/liters.
For Adults, try to get one that is at least 50 quarts/liters.
Sleeping Bags
When looking for a bag there are two important things to consider: 1) can you pack the bag in your back pack, or attached it to the outside easily and 2) Is it going to be warm enough for the season you are using it. I have several bags. I use my Down bag most of the time since I do not camp out very much in the hot part of the summer. Down is also very light weight. The one problem with Down is getting wet – does not dry well. They make synthetic Down that does dry better. As with packs and tents, try to get a lightweight bag that is rated for the season you plan on hiking.
When looking for a bag there are two important things to consider: 1) can you pack the bag in your back pack, or attached it to the outside easily and 2) Is it going to be warm enough for the season you are using it. I have several bags. I use my Down bag most of the time since I do not camp out very much in the hot part of the summer. Down is also very light weight. The one problem with Down is getting wet – does not dry well. They make synthetic Down that does dry better. As with packs and tents, try to get a lightweight bag that is rated for the season you plan on hiking.
Sleeping Pads
Sleeping pads vary in cost and comfort. Getting a good night sleep is important. For a one or two night trip, you can get away with almost anything such as a yoga mat. But Therm-A-Rest is the leader in this area. Their items are durable, light weight, and pack well. And the nice ones inflate mostly by themselves. Several companies make the same type of product, but they may not last as long. You can also purchase just a pad. The nice thing about pad is they can be attached to the outside of your pack because you are not worried about puncturing them on a branch. But they tend to be left comfortable than inflatable ones.
Sleeping pads vary in cost and comfort. Getting a good night sleep is important. For a one or two night trip, you can get away with almost anything such as a yoga mat. But Therm-A-Rest is the leader in this area. Their items are durable, light weight, and pack well. And the nice ones inflate mostly by themselves. Several companies make the same type of product, but they may not last as long. You can also purchase just a pad. The nice thing about pad is they can be attached to the outside of your pack because you are not worried about puncturing them on a branch. But they tend to be left comfortable than inflatable ones.
Other items you may want to purchase
Cooking and eating
Campmor has all kinds of stuff. I like to get my food and beverage items from here. They also have inexpensive camp stoves. Some camp stoves come with some kind of small pot to boil water in. Stove uses Iso Butane, or other type of gas. You could opt for a stove that uses solid fuel cubes. Those stoves are also inexpensive but I have never cooked with solid fuel cubes and they burn until spent. They probably work fine.
There are other items to consider bringing. Please look at the checklist above.
Campmor has all kinds of stuff. I like to get my food and beverage items from here. They also have inexpensive camp stoves. Some camp stoves come with some kind of small pot to boil water in. Stove uses Iso Butane, or other type of gas. You could opt for a stove that uses solid fuel cubes. Those stoves are also inexpensive but I have never cooked with solid fuel cubes and they burn until spent. They probably work fine.
There are other items to consider bringing. Please look at the checklist above.
All in one deal
One of our members found this deal at Walmart. I believe this set would be fine for a canoe trip but I did not check out the weight of the items. For $89 you get:
One of our members found this deal at Walmart. I believe this set would be fine for a canoe trip but I did not check out the weight of the items. For $89 you get:
- Includes: 4-person tent, 1 gear loft, 8 tent stakes, 2 sleeping bags, 2 pillows, 2 foam sleeping pads, 2 chairs, 2 dry bags, 1 lantern, 1 carry-all bag
- Free-standing tent design for easy assembly
- Mesh walls with removable rainfly provide ample ventilation
- Tent includes rainfly, gear loft, gear pocket, eport access and welcome mat
- Tent sleeps 4 with 52" center height
- 5-minute setup
- Tent dimensions: 9' x 7' x 52"
- Lantern features lifetime LED bulb
- Lantern High Mode: 150 Lumens, 6-hour runtime
- Lantern Low Mode: 50 lumens, 10-hour runtime
- Lantern requires three AA batteries (not included)
- Camp chair dimensions: 32" x 20" x 32"
- Camp chair weight capacity (per chair): 225 lb
- Stuff sacks feature roll-top closure to keep gear dry
- Sleeping bag dimensions: 74" x 32"
- Sleeping bag weight: 2 lb
- Foam mat dimensions: 71" x 20" x 0.3"
- Pillow dimensions: 11" x 9"