In short, because you'll have more fun, learn new skills, and worry less.

When you hire a New York State Licensed Guide, you’re getting an expert in the field who’s got years of outdoor experience, wilderness medical training, and deep local knowledge. We’re not just there to keep you safe — we want to make sure you have an amazing time too. We’ll help you plan an activity that’s perfect for you or your group, and we’ll be there to make sure you have a safe, fun, and memorable experience. Plus, we’ll share our knowledge with you so you can be prepared for your solo adventures in the future.

Not wanting to worry about checking the map at every turn, desiring local expertise for the most efficient routes and best views, and for peace of mind knowing we can get them out of a sticky situation if it arises are all reasons our clients cite for hiring a guide.

Because we care deeply about your entire experience — from opening our website, to our first phone call or email exchange, all the way through our time together in the backcountry. We're committed to providing the best experience possible for you and your group. We love the ADK and all it has to offer, and we're thrilled to share it with you. When you take a trip with OMG, you're not only getting an awesome Adirondack adventue, you're getting our expertise and our unique blend of professionalism and all-out enthusiasm for this backcountry wonderland.

Our Request a Guide form is your gateway to planning your dream trip! You can easily request dates and experiences online, and we’ll also get to know you a bit better. Once you submit your form, we’ll let you know if we have availability and set up a chat to discuss the nitty-gritty details of your trip. If we don’t have availability for your first date preference, don’t worry! We’ll do our best to find other options that fit your schedule.

Once we've agreed on the trp plan and cost, we'll send an invoice so that you can pay the deposit. Once your deposit has been made, the date is yours and your trip is confirmed.

That’s totally fine! Everyone has to start somewhere, and we’re excited to meet you at your own pace. We want to make sure you both have a fantastic experience and feel safe and comfortable throughout the process. Plus, education is super important to us, and teaching you new skills is a big part of what we do!

Don't worry, that's normal. We’re here to help you get the gear you need to have an awesome outdoor adventure! At OMG, we want to make sure that having the right equipment doesn’t hold you back. We can provide most of the gear you’ll need for each activity, and we’re happy to help you find other personal equipment if you need it. Check out each activity page for a packing list, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions!

Our pricing is determined by the type of adventure, gear needed, length (time and distance), and number of people in your group. You can check our standard pricing on each activity page on our website (though you should note that it could be adjusted based on the specifics of your trip. If you have any questions about pricing, please reach out to discuss the details further!

Upon accepting your trip request, our guide will send you an invoice where you can pay the deposit. The deposit will be for 50% of total cost of your trip and is due upon receipt of the invoice. Your trip is not confirmed and date is not reserved until the deposit has been paid. The balance of your trip will be due 7 days ahead of your trip.

We ask that the balance be paid ahead of time so that you can get the most out of the day of your adventure wth us, and not spend precious time trying to find cell service at the trailhead (unlikely) to make the payment.

If you cancel 8 or more calendar days ahead of your booked trip, we will provide you with a full refund.

If you cancel with 7 days of the start of your trip, you forfeit your deposit.

We operate with this way to make sure our guides' schedules are respected, acknowledging that they have planned around that trip and income, and a last-minute change can be disruptive.

At OMG, we usually think of rain and snow as ‘Liquid Sunshine,’ and we’re always ready to go rain or shine. But sometimes, the weather’s just too dangerous to go into the backcountry. If our guide determines it’s unsafe for your activity, we retain the right to cancel your trip. If that happens, we’ll be happy to reschedule, give you a credit, or offer you a full refund. 

Yes! Probably. I love to have the companionship of my dog on my outdoor adventures, and I want you to have that too! Some trails and conditions aren’t suitable for all dogs though, so let’s talk and select the right adventure for both of you. They’ll need to stay on a leash, though, for their safety and for the protection of the wilderness we travel through.

It totally depends on our hiking speed, and how many rests and photo breaks we take. Adirondack trails are more rugged than most, and it’s more difficult to move really quickly on them. In general, I budget about a mile per hour (10 hours for a 10-mile hike), or 2 miles per hour if you’re in great shape and want to move fast.

We'll line you up with a hike that matches your desired effort and time frame.

That depends where you're coming from, and where your trip is taking us. We might meet right at the trailhead to milk every last minute out our time together, or somewhere in town to grab some snacks and use the bathroom before getting into the backcountry. We'll agree on a location and time as part of the trip planning.

We think kids are pretty tough and resilient if you give them space to be so. The outdoors is a great place to learn those skills, so we love having young ones — especially with their silly questions and sense of wonder — our trips.

The minimum age limit is depends somewhat on the activity, and the skill and demeanor of the kid in question. In general, we think of 6 years old as a good starting point for our family-friendly adventures.

But we can always customize your trip to meet your kids at their comfort level, so please reach out to discuss it with us if you have questions.