Trip FAQ’s

Frequently Asked Questions

Curious about our trips? Explore our Expedition information and check out our Frequently Asked Questions. If you still have questions, feel free to contact us!

Do I need to have prior experience backpacking or canoeing to attend Appalachian Expeditions (APEX) trips?

No prior backpacking or canoeing experience is necessary to join an APEX trip, but participants should be in good physical condition. It’s important that participants want to join the trip and come prepared with an open mind!

What are hiking trips like?

Hiking in West Virginia is gorgeous! Picture yourself in a tunnel of rhododendrons with creeks and waterfalls gushing nearby. The trails are remote and sometimes rugged with rocks, roots, and running water. We’ll teach you the skills you need to navigate and camp comfortably and will celebrate the sense of accomplishment we feel at the end!

What are river trips like?

The section of the Cheat River we use for canoe trips is mostly flatwater with occasional shallow riffles. The river flows through a deep, wooded gorge featuring swimming holes, side hikes, and wildflowers. Some trips will put paddling skills to the test as participants paddle the rapids of the Cheat Narrows with experienced guides from Blackwater Outdoor Adventures. This class III section of river is classic West Virginia whitewater!

What are biking trips like?

Biking in West Virginia is known to be wet, rocky, rooty, and challenging. Our biking trips have a combination of singletrack and gravel biking. Canaan Mountain has an extensive trail system where most of the singletrack will take place—even the most experienced riders can expect to walk their bike through some of the tough sections! These challenges are always worth the rewards reaped at the end of a day of riding. Gravel riding will be on gravel roads, forest service roads, and rail-trail systems.

What will overnight camping be like?

We’ll camp each night under the stars in a tent provided by APEX. Participants will share a tent with three or four tent mates (separated by gender). We’ll spend preparatory days in town or campgrounds, where we’ll have access to bathrooms and running water. Our expeditions will be in a backcountry setting with trees and streams. We’ll prepare all of our meals on a camp stove.

Where will my child meet the group on arrival day? Where will I pick them up on the final day?

APEX staff will meet you at a designated location in Davis, West Virginia. We will share more details in your welcome letter after registration is complete.

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