WILD GUYde Adventures LLC

Thrilled to welcome a new partner to the Harrisonburg outdoor community! Thanks Derrick and Manuela for helping us into the gear to do what we love!

In 2008, we met while backpacking through Argentina.

Over the years, we've shared adventures across countries, seasons, and landscapes... from Brazil's coastline to the mountains of the Shenandoah Valley. Along the way, we discovered that the best adventures often begin with something that's shared.

Outsider grew from the exchange of stories, experiences, and gear.

We believe that when great gear keeps moving, more people get the chance to get outside.

On Saturday, August 8, we'll open our doors.

If you're in Harrisonburg, we'd love for you to stop by, say hello, explore the shop, and celebrate this milestone with us. We'll have snacks, bubbles for the kids, and lots of outdoor gear waiting to be explored.

📍 50 S. Mason St., Suite 110
🕛 12–6 PM

We can't wait to welcome you. 🌲

Congratulations to this Ntl. Conservation Training Center cohort class of PCIA Climbing Wall Instructors (Shepherdstown, WV). These fine folks completed their training and certifications, and had some Fun and Learning along the way. If you know me, you know I LOVE West Virginia. Among all it's other amazing attributes, it is the only state I know where one can be on one road and driving three different directions!

A hot and hazy afternoon on the lake, but we practiced some skills and hopefully fulfilled our goals of Fun and Learning. We have one more Senior Adventure this summer for 50 and Wiser (Back-Country Navigation afternoon in the George Washington Ntl. Forest on Aug. 18), and then our fall activity schedule kicks in:
- Oct. 11: Shen. Ntl. Park hike to Pocosin Mission
- Oct. 21: George Washington Ntl. Forest hike to Hidden Rocks
- Dec. 16: Indoor climbing at Eastern Mennonite University
Sign up with whichever Parks and Rec. Department is convenient for you: Harrisonburg, Staunton, Rockingham County, Shenandoah County, Augusta County, Orange County, or Greene County. Happy adventuring!

Two more Old Mountain GOATS Club members earned their shirts yesterday by completing their 3rd adventures! We had a marvelous morning hiking to the Stony Man summit and then Little Stony Man in Shenandoah Ntl. Park. We re-created the iconic postcard pose at the LSM Puddle, and learned about Poison Ivy and Striped Maple ("toilet paper of the woods"). We had a conversation about human attitudes and decisions that can lead to outdoors disaster, and we saw a wild turkey and a copperhead snake (and lots of other day-hikers). Senior adventures remaining this summer are Flatwater Paddling on July 17, and Back-Country Navigation on Aug. 18. Register with whichever Parks and Rec. Department is convenient for you: Harrisonburg, Rockingham County, Shenandoah County, Augusta County, Staunton, Orange County or Greene County. Contact Lester at 540-433-1637 or [email protected] with questions. Happy adventuring!

Thrilled to introduce our WILD GUYde Adventures Challenge Coin! If you have adventured with us, you know that we always offer a momento after the trip (Outdoor Safety tag, info card, WGA sticker or patch). If you are military, veteran, law enforcement at any level, or first responder, we can now offer you this option. Thank you for your service!

Second road trip of the spring found me at Whipps Ledges in the Hinckley Reservation of Cleveland MetroParks (vertical sandstone in Ohio - who would have thought?!) A 3-day PCIA Top Rope Climbing Instructor course, sandwiched by a recert day (congrats to Ashley, Dan and Jennifer) and a successful certification exam day (congrats to Christopher and Courtney). Thank you to the folks at Cleveland MetroParks and Rec2Connect for fun, learning, and hospitality. And kudos to these current and aspirant climbing guides for skill development, companionship, and enthusiastic hard work.

Here are our Open Registration trips coming up this summer, through our partnership with Parks and Rec. Depts. from Harrisonburg, Rockingham County, Shenandoah County, Augusta County, Staunton, Orange County, and Greene County. Hope you can jump aboard one or several. Register with whichever Parks and Rec. Dept. is most convenient for you, and bring a friend or family member along!

Sat., June 27 (9 AM – 5 PM): Parent-Kid Beginner Rock Climbing in the George Washington Ntl. Forest; a full day of learning to climb and belay; children ages 7-11 accompanied by a parent/guardian; all technical gear is provided; a personal suggested clothing list, Medical Form/Participant Agreement, and driving directions to the activity meetup will be supplied by WILD GUYde Adventures after registration.
Sat., July 11 (8:30 AM -noon): Intermediate Wild Caving near Bridgewater VA; this is a wild caving trip for individuals who have been on a WGA Beginner Caving trip in the past, and are ready to go a little more strenuous and adventurous; ages 12 through adult (teens may attend unaccompanied, but their transportation must be provided by a parent or guardian); all technical gear is provided; a personal suggested clothing list, Medical Form/Participant Agreement, and driving directions to the activity meetup will be supplied by WILD GUYde Adventures after registration.
Sat. July 25 (9 AM – 4 PM): Campcraft and Outdoor Survival Skills; a full day in the George Washington Ntl. Forest learning fire-building, shelter construction, and some back-country navigation skills; useful for hunters, day-hikers and backpackers, mountain bikers, and anyone else who likes to wander off the beaten path. For ages 14 through adult (Teens may attend unaccompanied, but their transportation must be provided by a parent or guardian). After registration, WILD GUYde Adventures will supply a What to Bring list, Medical Form/Participant Agreement, and driving directions to the activity meetup.
Sat. Aug. 1 (8:30 AM – noon): Parent-Kid Beginner Wild Caving near Bridgewater VA; a morning of learning basic caving safety, underground navigation, and some elementary limestone geology; children ages 7-11, and accompanied by a parent/guardian; all technical gear is provided; a personal suggested clothing list, Medical Form/Participant Agreement, and driving directions to the activity meetup will be supplied by WILD GUYde Adventures after registration.

For Seniors 50 and older/wiser: These events are paced and scaled to be age-appropriate. They do not require super-athletic ability, but participants should be reasonably active, without significant movement limitations (significant overweightedness or low fitness, mobility or musculo-skeletal restrictions). We will enjoy being together in the outdoors, and we will not be comparing ourselves to twenty-somethings!
Benefits to jumping aboard:
• spending time in our gorgeous and local outdoors;
• being with others who like movement and fun;
• adding to your learning about outdoor safety and activity skills;
• and possibly some new clothing! Participate in 3 or more of these Senior Adventures and receive the WILD GUYde Adventures OLD MOUNTAIN GOAT* t-shirt, along with all the rights, privileges, and adulation pertaining thereto!
(*Gets Out And Tries Stuff!)

Fri. June 26 (9 AM – 1 PM): Little Stony Man hike in Shenandoah Ntl. Park; Hike up to this gorgeous west-facing overlook, snack or picnic lunch, and then return. This 3 mile hike is considered Moderate (“Generally suitable for novice hikers seeking a bit of a challenge.”) We will also talk about general outdoor and hiking safety. A What to Bring list, a link to the Med Form/Participant Agreement, and driving directions will be supplied after registration. There will be an entry fee into SNP (or bring your National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass).
Fri., July 17 (2 - 5 PM): Paddling at Lake Shenandoah or Switzer Dam in the George Washington Ntl. Forest; an afternoon session to learn basic paddle-strokes, partnering, and boat-handling skills (canoe and kayak) on flatwater, and enjoy some peaceful paddling in this beautiful setting. Bring and enjoy your bag lunch on the lake-bank afterwards. All technical gear and instruction is provided; a personal suggested clothing list, Medical Form/Participant Agreement, and driving directions to the activity meetup will be supplied by WILD GUYde Adventures after registration.
Tues., Aug. 18 (1 – 5 PM): Backcountry Navigation Clinic: An afternoon of learning and practicing map and compass skills out in the George Washington Ntl. Forest; for day-hikers, backpackers, mountain bikers, hunters, scout leaders, and anyone else who likes to wander off the beaten path. A personal clothing list, Medical Form/Participant Agreement, and driving directions to the activity meetup will be provided by WILD GUYde Adventures after registration.