Hiking Basics, Gear & Safety Course in NJ

Most things that go wrong on a hike can be prevented with a little knowledge and a good plan. This is the one course we'd tell every hiker to take: a full day on the trail where you learn what to carry, how to plan, and what to do when something unexpected happens.

Years of search & rescue led us to a tried-and-true gear list. About 8 pounds of gear in your pack is everything you need to stay safe for days and even help someone else. On the hike we pass every item around, explain why it earns a place in your pack, and show you how to use it.

• Gear: the 10 essentials we carry on every search, our top brand picks, how to fit and pack a daypack, layering and clothing, a repair kit and a first aid kit

• Trip planning: leaving a plan, reading a trail map, pace and turnaround times, and hiking alone or with dogs

• On the trail: reading trail blazes and cairns, water crossings, and Leave No Trace

• Wildlife and plants: what to do around bears, coyotes, snakes, ticks and aggressive dogs, and how to spot hazardous plants

• Weather: what to do in a lightning storm and keeping your rain gear ready

• Water, food, fire and shelter: how much to carry, filtering water, fueling for the day, starting a fire and pitching a tarp

• Navigation and communication: why map & compass is your backup to phone apps like CalTopo and AllTrails, plus phones, battery packs, satellite messengers and headlamps

• Self-rescue: what to do if you get lost or hurt, and how to make it easier for search & rescue to find you

Morning: we meet at the pavilion for introductions, trip planning, the trail map and daypack fitting, then a safety briefing before we head out.

On the hike: each topic is taught at a stop along the trail where it fits: trail blazes at the first junction, weather and Leave No Trace over lunch, fire and shelter with a live tarp demo, and more. The route includes a beautiful viewpoint and an old iron mine.

Back at the pavilion: clothing, personal and safety gear, the repair kit, the first aid kit, and self-rescue, then questions.

Newer hikers who have done a few shorter hikes and are ready for the next step, people who hike alone or with their dogs, parents hiking with kids, and anyone who wants to head out better prepared. Seasoned hikers pick up plenty of practical tips too.

• Length: 1 day, 9am–5pm

• The hike: about 5 miles with about 1,000 feet of elevation gain and loss over the day, at a relaxed, conversational pace with lots of breaks

• Location: The New Weis Center, 150 Snake Den Road, Ringwood, NJ 07456

• Minimum age: 10 (a parent or guardian must also register and attend for anyone under 18)

• Class size: Up to 24 students, with a minimum of 3 instructors

• Prerequisite: None, but you should be comfortable walking for a few hours on uneven terrain and going up sustained hills

• What to bring: A daypack, pen and notepad, lunch, snacks, 2.5 to 3 liters of water, rain gear, extra layers, a headlamp, insect repellent and sun protection. Wear hiking boots or trail runners and no cotton.

TrailBound's instructors are search & rescue team members and licensed guides who carry this gear and use these skills on real searches. Everyone who teaches this course:

• Scott Fitterman, Co-Founder: Instructor; Deputy Chief of NJSAR, NJSAR Mountain Rescue Unit (MRU) member, NASAR instructor, NYS DEC search crew chief, Catskill 35er

• Joe Galvan, Co-Founder: Instructor; former NJSAR Lieutenant & Mountain Rescue Unit Lead, Adirondack Winter Mountaineering School instructor, Adirondack 46er

• Mark Mielke: Instructor; NJSAR Lieutenant, Field Team Leader & Mountain Rescue Unit (MRU) member

• Brad Sayer: Assistant instructor; Chief of Catskill Mountain Search & Rescue, NYS DEC Crew Boss, Mountain Rescue Unit (MRU) member

• Nancy Purnell: Assistant instructor; NJSAR Medical Unit member & K9 Support Unit Lead

• Keith Garcia: Assistant instructor; NJSAR Field Team Leader & Mountain Rescue Unit (MRU) member

• Frank Vigna: Assistant instructor; CMSAR Field Team Member, NYS Licensed Guide

• Amanda Amabile: Assistant instructor; NYS Licensed Guide, Women's Chapter Co-Lead

• Bill Winterbottom: Assistant instructor; former Chief of Catskill Mountain Search & Rescue, Mountain Rescue Unit (MRU) member, also teaches our Bushwhacking, CPR and Wilderness First Aid courses

• Jeffrey Greenberg: Assistant instructor; also teaches our CPR and Wilderness First Aid courses

• Maryann Stephen: Assistant instructor; also teaches our Fire & Drinking Water Treatment courses

• Mike Cappelleri: Assistant instructor; former NJSAR Lieutenant, Mountain Rescue Unit (MRU) member

• Angela Davis: Assistant instructor

• Sue Eby: Assistant instructor

• Chris Jones: Assistant instructor

• Shannon Pravetz: Assistant instructor

• Rich Pannullo: Assistant instructor

Meet the whole team on The Cadre page.

5.0 from 289 Google reviews

“The class I took, Hiking Basics, was great! The guides and instructors were knowledgeable, friendly, helpful … If you're looking for a safe place to learn all about outside and how to be there safely, TrailBound Project is great.”
— Estelle O., 2026

“The class made me realize how important it is to be prepared for anything and everything. … The instructors are extremely knowledgeable. I felt more confident, after the class, going out into the woods by myself.”
— Cheryl L., 2025

“I hike up to 7 miles every Saturday, thinking I was fairly prepared. However, these classes opened my eyes to how much I'd been overlooking, even for a 5-mile hike.”
— Angela K., founder of Finish Line Hiking, 2025

“I recently took their Hiking Basics & Safety and Maps & Compass Navigation courses - not only did I learn so much, they were FUN!”
— Stacy S., 2024

“Joe and Frank provided so much information at the Hiking Basics class. I have a new hobby! … I feel so much more prepared now.”
— Linda K., 2023

Is the hike too hard for me?
You don't need to be an experienced hiker, but you should be comfortable walking for a few hours at a time on rocks, roots and inclines, and going up sustained hills at a steady pace. If you're brand new to hiking, start with one of our shorter guided hikes (usually 3–4 miles over 4 hours) and ask your hike leader if you're ready.

Do I need to buy gear first?
No. Bring what you have. We pass around every item on our gear list during the day and give you our brand recommendations, so you can buy the right things once. See Gear We Recommend.

Is it indoors or outdoors?
Almost all of it is outdoors on the trail, and it runs rain or shine. We'll let you know if we need to reschedule for dangerous weather.

I've been hiking for years. Is this too basic?
Experienced hikers tell us they pick up a lot of practical tips and field-tested tricks, especially on gear, wildlife and self-rescue.

Can I take it again as a refresher?
Yes. If you've taken this course before, you automatically get 50% off when you register yourself while logged in to your TrailBound account. Refresher spots are limited to 4 per date. If you took both of our earlier courses, Hiking Gear Essentials and Hiking Basics & Safety, that counts too.

Can my kids take it?
Yes, from age 10, as long as a parent or guardian also registers and takes the course.

Can you teach this to our group or organization?
Yes. We run private courses for scout troops, clubs, camps and companies anywhere in the New Jersey or New York State area. Contact us.

What's your cancellation policy?
See our Registration & Refund Policy.

• Learn to navigate: Map & Compass Navigation

• Be ready to help: Wilderness First Aid and CPR & AED

• Build your skills: Water, Fire, Knots and Tarp Shelters

• Counts toward: the Hiker rocker in the Rocker Program