Ranger Provisions
The Forge
The Forge
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Customer Reviews
The Forge is a great way to learn the ins and outs of exploring the wilderness under the supervision of a skilled outdoorsman. I walked away from this experience with tangible land nav skills and a love for backpacking. The friendships and memories you make with the people in your group are the best part of this entire experience. 10/10 would recommend!
Jake does a great job at teaching you the basics, keeping you safe, and creating a fun and collaborative experience. This was my first backpacking experience and I’m so glad I went on the Forge. Would highly recommend!
I showed up to the Forge not in the best shape for a guy expected to hike 25+ miles at 10,000 ft. of Colorado elevation and carrying 45 lbs. on my back.
Jake, however, made it a great time. He is an excellent outdoorsman but an even better coach and leader. While going over the plans each day, it was clear that while teamwork is expected, there wouldn't be any babysitting.
The skills courses are approachable for novices and as a refresher course, and absolutely necessary for anyone seeking to head out safely not the backcountry.
Each day, no matter how long it was, ended in smiles and story telling. The best experience on the Forge is the people you meet while unplugged and in nature.
Feel fortunate I had a chance to attend the first Forge back in 2018. This year made for my third.
While the location, the weather, the flora and fauna change every time, the experience and adventure of it don’t.
It’s hard to explain how special this trip is.
Whether standing on a peak on a bluebird day with a full belly or drenched and exhausted and trudging through the muck, getting to experience the outdoors with a group of friends is life changing.
If you’re looking for a (type 2) fun way to experience the outdoors, The Forge is the way to do it.
ps not for the feint of heart or fortitude, it’s worth the effort but this isn’t a “beginner’s” trip. Prep and training required
Held in various wilderness areas in the Western United States, the Forge is a 4-day backcountry experience where attendees will unplug from civilization, learn various backcountry skills, and connect with nature.
- There will be 10 attendees per group.
- We'll run 3 trips during the months of July and August.
- It's 3 nights / 4 days in the backcountry.
- We'll hike in on Thursday, then hike out on Sunday.
- This year will be in Colorado, you'll fly into to Denver.
- Groups will get a rental car then drive to the staging area in Buena Vista (about 2 hours).
- It's suggested to fly in Wednesday to acclimate.
- Required gear can be borrowed, very little has to be purchased. A packing list can be found here.
- No experience is required, we've had multiple people with zero camping experience attend.
- There is a heavy educational component focusing on Backcountry skills and Land Navigation.
