Meet Al, your Trip Host
Hi, I'm Al and I'm excited to be your trip host for this trip!
Get to know me on my hiking profile page here.
Hike Barefoot
Hike Barefoot
BRING A FRIEND! ADD 1 MORE FOR AN AUTOMATIC 10% OFF YOUR RESERVATION 🙌
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Remember when you were a little kid and always walked around barefoot?
Your back yard, your bedroom, everywhere? As an adult, you still love it - on beaches, in hotels, still in your bedroom.
If you haven't hiked barefoot, you're missing one of life's small pleasures. So, we're gonna give it to you.
For this hike, we'll be visiting local pine barrens. Pine barrens are mostly sand, not soil. And where we're going, there's no elevation, no mean rocks. It's the perfect place to give barefoot hiking a try!
Also, you'll be given lots of pro-tips on hiking barefoot enjoyably.
BTW, barefoot hiking does not mean you literally have to go barefoot. You can wear zero-drop hiking shoes, like those 5-finger shoes, flip flops, basically anything without a rubber sole.
And if you start completely barefoot, you can finish with your footwear. The idea is to provide you with an entirely new experience hiking. Why? Because the more disconnected you are from the earth (with heavy shoes, on tall buildings, etc), the less respect you have for her. And nothing teaches you more about respecting our planet than walking on it the way you were intended.
This trip is rated BEGINNER.
Although barefoot hiking is encouraged, it's not required. Hike as you want.
WHAT TO EXPECT
- 11am Arrive at destination
- 11:20am Begin trip
- 1:30p Arrive at midpoint
- 2:30p Return to destination
- 4p Conclude trip
TRIP REVIEWS
General Trip Information
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Commercially insured, professionally hosted service, including safety checks (via trip scouting), extensive safety direction, support on a challenging trail, with setting up your tent, campfire, kayaks, etc.
- Tried-and-tested logistical support including detailed maps, accommodations (when applicable), packing lists, meal suggestions, meeting and pickup coordination, use of equipment like grills, headlamps, camp chairs, tables, crash pads, etc.
- In some cases, prices are inclusive of 3rd party gear rentals (i.e. skydiving equipment, specialized bikes, boats and safety equipment).
- Welcoming community because you wouldn't want to do this trip alone. Doing this trip with your outdoorsy fam guarantees you'll have an amazing trip.
- The most generous cancellation and refunds policy in the business.
AFTER YOU BOOK
All the details about your trip - including the most up-to-date weather, packing list and itinerary (especially for pickups) - lands in your inbox 72 hours prior to your trip date.
The sender will be "Al at Outerthere" and the subject of the Welcome email will be "Welcome to [name of trip]" and is only sent from info@ outerthere.com.
Here's what it'll look like in your inbox:
Please make sure you let your Gmail/iPhone know that this sender and email address are important.
Additionally, you should have received a confirmation for your reservation and a separate Thank You email with the subject, "You've reserved a trip on Outerthere!"
If your trip is within 72 hours and you still haven't seen any emails from us, please check your spam folder or "newsletters" folder in Gmail.
In the meantime, if you have any questions, ask us in the chatbox here or reply to any email you've received from our official email, info@ outerthere.com.
PICKUPS
Roundtrip shuttle is available for this trip.
Pickup times depend on total number of pickups for your trip, where you're going for your trip and type of trip you've signed up.
As a result, there are no standard pickup times, but you can get approximate times via the chatbox.
YOU WILL RECEIVE EXACT PICKUP TIMES AND LOCATIONS VIA WELCOME EMAIL AFTER YOU'VE MADE YOUR RESERVATION AND 72 HRS PRIOR TO YOUR TRIP. These pickup times are final. You'll be able to select your pickup time and location only by replying to that email.
Here's how to reserve a pickup for any Outerthere trips you reserve:
These are our primary pickups: North Astoria on Ditmars, Downtown Brooklyn near Junior's Restaurant, Midtown East on 63rd, Washington Heights on 181st and Ft. Wash, and The Grand Concourse and East 149th in the Bronx.
In addition, we can also accommodate requests near these primary pickups and along our route. We've picked up in Harlem, Fort Lee, New Rochelle and even Stamford, depending on where we're going and when you make your reservations.
But don't let the map fool you. As close as all these pickups appear, it takes a full 2 hours to pickup at every stop. So, we don't pick up at every stop every time.
We pre-determine our pick up route based on the address you use when you make a reservation. Then, you can either request your pickup by replying to the Welcome email prior to your trip or when you indicate your preferred pickup in your Safety Information Form. You can also request your pickup via the chat box on the website or even DM'ing here on IG.
Our route may change and our schedule gets adjusted, but the point is that our hosts are at your service to make joining us on trips as easy as possible.
So next time you get a Welcome email and don't see your preferred pickup, just request it!
ABOUT YOUR SHUTTLE
Updated Nov 2023
Your shuttle van is a commercially-insured 12-, 13- or 15-seat passenger vans with up to 460 cubic feet of interior space and privately-insured 7-seat minivans with up to 144 cubic feet of interior space.
They're able to go places where larger vehicles cannot and are better suited for smaller groups.
The interiors of our vehicles are cleaned and sanitized before every trip by your driver.
If you have any questions or concerns about your riding experience, don't hesitate to ask using the chat box below.
FAQs
Can I cancel my shuttle ride after I've reserved it? As you may already know, we have an awesome refund & cancellation policy and your shuttle fee will be refunded instantly upon request, no questions with advanced notice.
However, if you change your mind on the day of your pickup; or you appear physically unable to ride in our vehicle (i.e. you're sick or intoxicated); or if your behavior is threatening or harmful to other passengers or your driver and you are not permitted to enter the vehicle by your driver, we unfortunately will not be able to refund you.
And hey, it's OK if you do not feel comfortable for any reason, and we won't take offense.
ABOUT TRIP RATINGS
Guidance by Outerthere, Updated August 2023
PACE
Everyone goes at their own pace and regardless of the pace you're on, you will never get left behind or be made to feel as though you’re slowing down your group. Whether you’re coming out for fitness or to just enjoy nature, the pace of the group can accommodate you.
BEGINNER
Beginner trips and activities are for anyone physically active at least one to three times per week, including kids ages 5+.
Beginner hiking trips, for example, may cover 0 to 3 miles in distance where you will be walking across unpaved, natural terrain anywhere between 2 to 4 hours with plenty of breaks or an experience will include basic training.
Elevation is within 1,000 feet. And some features may require you to use your hands for leverage, balance, and even getting up or down.
Beginner trips are generally labeled "Easy" or "Beginner-friendly" and in the case of water-based trips (i.e. kayaking), will be on calmer lakes and slow moving rivers. For beginner camping trips, we may go from trailhead to campground without backpacking.
Regardless of the pace you're able to keep, you will not be left behind and will be supported with demonstrations or other instruction until you're comfortable performing the basic activity.
Beginner trips are recommended for anyone who little-to-no experience, but wants to get more acquainted with that activity.
FAMILY FRIENDLY
Like Beginner trips, but with more consideration to kids and pets. (For example, other parents/nannies will be present and are happy to support your kid, expect activities your kids will enjoy, baby changing stops and areas are considered, area is walkable with carrier or stroller).
INTERMEDIATE
Intermediate trips are a bit more challenging than Beginner trips, but completely doable for anyone active 3 to 5 times per week, including pre-teenagers.
An Intermediate trip may cover 3 to 7 miles, during which you'll be moving anywhere between 4 to 8 hours with breaks.
If you're participating in an Intermediate trip, you will be expected to have had some basic experience with this activity. You may already own some gear and/or equipment specifically designed for the activity and will be OK with unexpected weather.
And you may even be asked to support Beginners transitioning up to Intermediate.
Elevation is within 3,000 feet. And some features may require you to use your hands for leverage, balance, and even getting up or down. You'll feel it in your calves, quads, hams, shoulders, back, and arms next day.
Intermediate water-based trips (i.e. kayaking, rafting) generally assume you're comfortable in open water and/or with fast-moving water. Although you don't have to know how to swim, if you're participating in an Intermediate trip, it's recommended.
You will need to focus and stay alert at all times for your safety.
When you’re done, you may say to yourself you’ll never do a trip like that again, but afterwards, you’ll look forward to the next one.
These trips are recommended for anyone interested in stepping up their outdoor game or anyone about to start a training program.
ADVANCED
Advanced is intended for anyone (including teenagers) who is active almost every day and could probably put together their own trip, but prefers going in a group with other Advanced fam.
They may cover 7 or more miles during which you'll be moving 8+ hours. Destinations, elevation and weather will be challenging.
If you're participating in an Advanced trip, you will be expected to have had some basic experience with this activity. You may already own all gear and/or equipment specifically designed for the activity and are knowledgeable with how to use it.
Advanced water-based trips (i.e. kayaking, rafting) will require you to comfortable in all types of water. You should know how to swim.
These trips are recommended for anyone thinking about DIY trips and need some additional guidance, anyone training to do epic, multi-day treks, and/or anyone interested in mixing up their normal weekly workout.
IMPORTANT HEAD UP ABOUT ADVANCED PACE: Please be aware that some fam will attend a trip convinced that they are prepared for an Advanced trip, including maybe you. However, they may have discovered on that trip that they are not as Advanced as they expected. That is perfectly normal and in no way reflects a miscommunication or misunderstanding by anyone. Like it says in Welcome emails, sh_t happens and your trip host can manage.
If that's the case, and you or someone else on your trip is having a challenging time, other fam may be asked to support anyone who is having a challenging time maintaining an Advanced pace. This can mean that someone is going at a slower pace due to injury, dehydration, affected mental state, anything. In any case, trips are safe spaces and no one will be made to feel as though they are being a burden or left behind.
SCOUTING
Scouting trips are meant for us to "test the adventure" (like breaking gadgets on purpose to see if they'll hold up to regular use) and figure out all the risks before planning a safe adventure for everyone else.
That said, since we won't always know what to expect, sometimes these scouting trips are very easy and even boring.
Or they are very challenging and extremely dangerous. We won't know until we try it.
Either way, they're fun for anyone who has already participated in Intermediate or Advanced trips, are open to anything and don't mind the unexpected inconveniences (weather, car issues, whatever) that come up on the way to a new experience.
These trips are recommended for anyone with advanced outdoor skills, lots of experience in the outdoors and a variety of outdoor gear.
DISCLAIMER
TIME, DATE & DESCRIPTIONS POSTED HERE ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE FOR ANY REASON. Details regarding your trip will be emailed to you after you book.