If you’ve been looking for a crash course in any outdoor sport you’ve ever wanted to try, the Pursuit Series is the weekend getaway for you! Billed as the “Outdoor Adventure Camp for Grown-Ups”, the Pursuit Series takes place in different locations throughout the country. I recently visited the Pursuit at Hunter Mountain in upstate New York, where rock climbing, fly tying, and camping were just a few of the top picks on my action-packed schedule.
The Pursuit Series offers a fully immersive experience in nature’s playground that you can customize from the most strenuous to the most relaxing activities: from outdoor sports like mountain biking, trail running, kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, and fly fishing; to outdoor skills like how to pack a backpack, cook in the backcountry, and use a map and compass; to wellness experiences like essentials oils for the outdoors, restorative hammock yoga, and very important to me, how to brew the “Ultimate Kickass Cup of Coffee”!
Introductory and intermediate level, all classes are taught in small groups and by expert guides, with not too much talking and a lot of doing. For rock climbing, a sport I’ve always wanted to learn, we were fitted with gear, belayed to our guides, and just started climbing. Getting over your fear of heights is the biggest challenge and that really can’t be taught anyway. Gear is provided by many the top outdoor brands like Merrell, Marmot, Trek, Leki and Stanley, who are also sponsors of the event.
As such, participating as media, I will say I got hooked up with one of the best swag bags ever. Though I had opted for Glamping — luxury camping in a canvas safari style tent — that was reserved for paying guests. But I can now pitch a tent, (see me above!) and Marmot was nice enough to send me home with one to ensure my first time wasn’t my last time. And thank you Stanley for the outdoor flask… prefilled with whiskey!
All food and drink are provided throughout the weekend, and with top sponsors as well in what I’ll call “apres-sport”. From Tito’s Vodka mixing up Sunday morning Bloody Marys; to sporty S’mores made with Gu Energy Stroopwafels and gourmet Chuao chocolate; to an assortment of happy hour beverages that include Brew Dr. Kombucha, Kenwood Vineyards, and Melvin Brewing, one is sure to stay properly “hydrated” for the weekend’s activities and festivities.
The canvas tented and teepeed “Pursuit Village” is the social hub, set with multiple fire pits where folks gather and bands play in the evening, giving the weekend a bit of a festival vibe. Most impressive to note is the village is completely solar powered by Inergy – from all the lights to the phone charging stations. A shout out to them as well for their #EmpowerPuertoRico campaign, which recently launched. For any Inergy solar energy kit purchased, they are donating one to a family in Puerto Rico still without power, like so many in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.
The next stop in the Pursuit Series is Bear Valley, California, August 9-12. If you haven’t made your summer plans yet, here’s your chance to become an instant expert (well, intermediate) in the great outdoors. Prices range from your basic $399 Pursuit Pass to $1599 Luxury Safari Tent Glamping. Hunter sold out, so grab a spot before Bear Valley does too! #Everyone Outside
Photos by Claire Healy, Emily Hlavac Green, Michael Graw, Jason Hatfield, John Suhar, Joshua Currie, Zak Suhar
