Northeast Mountain Guiding

Bought a Groupon for ice climbing and attempted to use it. They are VERY difficult to get a hold of — left voice mails to call me back, wrote emails as well as Facebook messages for 4 days and waited from a Saturday to Saturday but got no replies. Finally wrote directly on their Facebook public page and got a super quick response! I was told they never received any of those communications, though AFTER I spoke to the guy, he replied to the very same emails which he said they never received from me. I was able to finally redeem my Groupon for myself and my friend for an upcoming Sunday early 8 am event for which I would need to be up by at the latest 5 a.m. in order to be at the event. On that Saturday night at 6 p.m. I received an event cancellation email for no reason at all. Well supposedly the weather was bad, however
as well as news weather channels showed regular cold weather from highs of 36 or so to lows of 28 or close to that, but nothing extraordinary. Sunday came and went and like I said, the weather was cold but nothing terrible — I went outside and ran errands instead that day. Wasted my Saturday buying food, looking for my snow gear which I had packed away and organizing with my friend the details for the event. I had to call and wake up my friend that Saturday night to tell her the bad news that Northeast Mountain Guiding cancelled on us last minute. Good thing I had checked my email prior to calling it an early night for an early Sunday wake up.
Tried to re-​book but was told the following Saturday was booked. Asked whether there would be any more weekends available since weather seemed to be getting warmer and never received another reply. Tried again via one last email and didn’t get any replies. Also asked questions in my email regarding my Groupon which they had already marked as redeemed and was gone from my Groupon account but never heard back from them again.
If it were just me, I have no problems going spur of the moment however my friend doesn’t know her schedule that far in advance due to her changing work schedule. I got the feeling that I was bumped off their list last minute perhaps maybe because I was using a Groupon and someone else was probably given my spot and I was definitely not priority in trying to book me especially since my Groupon was already redeemed. End result is I went through Groupon to get a refund. Sure they gave me Groupon bucks instead of a refund to my credit card but I at least got my money back in some form.
I’m sure the ice climbing event would be great if I ever got to go on it. They seem understaffed even if I tried to call during all different times no one ever picks up the phone. Didn’t give a 1 star rating since I never got to go, but can’t give them a high rating either for the same reason. Wasted many hours through the course of days following up and trying to reach them via various means. Sounds understaffed or ill equipped??? Would have liked to have brought my sister and neice the next time around had things gone well (they’re out of state), but I see pre-​planning with Northeast Mountain Guiding can’t be replied upon. Maybe had I bought a regular ticket and not a Groupon I may have been on that «cancelled» and «booked» dates? Just a feeling… I’ll never know.

My husband and I tried the intro to rock climbing course Saturday. We chose Ralp Stover since it was the closest to us. The guides were great… they were funny and offered advice and help. This was our first ever experience… we had never even been indoor climbing… and it will not be our last. The guides went over safety briefly but there was really not much to go over. They taught each of us the safest way to tie our ropes and how to belay for each other. The only thing I would change would be the date. I wish we had gone a weekend or two earlier as it was a little chilly out. We both climbed twice but mainly because we were tired. Everyone got to climb as many times as they wanted. They provided 3 different ropes, each having a different difficulty level. Highly recommended and don’t forget to tip your guides!

Overall: My group of 5 went waterfall rappelling and It was a good experience. Northeast Mountain Guiding provided one of kind adventures and I’m glad I had the opportunity to try. That being said, if it a drive for you, plan something else to do in the area as well to make it worth the drive. For example, our group went out on a hike prior to the trip.
Pros:
— Guides were knowledgeable about their craft.
— Some guides provided sufficient instruction.
— Safe equipment and good setup.
— Good challenge for beginner rappellers.
— Drop pin w/​google maps on confirmation email made locating meet-​up point easy.
— New online booking system made the booking process more efficient.
— Extended the 2-​hr trip window to ensure all people got to rappel once.
Cons: Based off a 47−50ppl group outting.
— Attempted to be organized, but for the size of group, it wasn’t enough.
— WAY TOO MANY PEOPLE for a 2 hour trip.
— 1 rappel, for approx. 4 hr window = lots of down time.
— Rushed last group of people rappelling making the more timid first-​timers anxious, nervous and more scared.
The guides waited 15−20mins for everyone to arrive before heading out for a 0.6mile hike to the waterfall. They took a group of 20 people with gear to the top of the waterfall, while +27people waited at the bottom. It took about 1 hr or so for 20 people take turns going down the falls. This means you have a long wait at the bottom, but you also have a long wait at the top. They did have 2 ropes to rappel down, which allowed them to send the next person down once the first person was about half-​way. You get a quick lesson at the top (some instructors were more descriptive). The initial descent down the waterfall eases you into the rappel, which I liked. Then the waterfall gradually gets steeper and rock face more slippery, which provide the adrenaline challenge I wanted.
I’m okay with 1-​rappel down the 65′ waterfall, if it wasn’t for the long wait before and after. We did split our 5 person group and sent 3 people up with the 2^nd group and 2 with the 3^rd group, which allowed for us to take pictures and videos of each others rappel and still have company during the wait. It took my friends and I anywhere from 1.25mins — 4mins to rappel.
I would try them again if they had a hard limit to the number of people in an outing. When inquiring about the waterfall rappel trip, they said they take up to 32 people out, which I already thought was a lot. But 47 – 50 people was a bit extreme!

Northeast Mountain Guiding is an extraordinary company. They provide one of a kind adventures that I have never heard about before.
My husband & I did Waterfall Rappelling with Brian and Intro To Rock Climbing with Mike. Both men could not have been nicer.
The Waterfall Rappelling was incredible! We had a blast. Brian was so calming that even the 10 yr old boy with our group wasn’t nervous in the least.
The Intro To Rock Climbing was a little more intense but just as fun. Mike was also very encouraging when I swore I couldn’t find a «foot hold». Lol.
We will never forget our experience & have already discussed coming back for the Ice Climbing in the winter & possibly getting a group together for next year for another round of rappelling and climbing :)
If you’re like adventure, you MUST check out this company!

This review is for Waterfall Repelling only — and a one star was a very generous rating!
We went on a Saturday at 1:30pm and we were the last group. We had a group about 40 people and hiked for a little bit to get to our location. Once we got to the waterfall they only let you repel ONCE… that’s it! They left out that information on the confirmation email and their website. You basically watch everyone repel and you get to go home, since they do not recommend you leave until everyone is done. It is extremely inefficient and you spend about 2 hours of your experience just waiting around waiting for everyone — watching every single person slowly repel down the waterfall as you slowly get bored/​tired. I would recommend breaking the groups off and having the tours every hour or something — with a group that large you feel like you have been completely ripped off. We drove for 1.5 hours to get there and just repel once — If I knew this information beforehand I would have not booked. Also the safety guide was not very excited to be there and barely went over how to properly repel — it was a «learn by doing» type of thing.
The pictures on their website of waterfall repelling are probably taken after a huge rainstorm — not sure why they still have waterfall repelling during their dry season.
Overall I would not recommend it — unless you have absolutely nothing to do!

My kids (16 & 17 yrs old) went last Saturday for Waterfall Rappelling. This was in Delaware National Park on the PA side. Their guide was Justin and they loved the whole experience which included hike to the trail, guide lessons, their group, and 2 trips down the waterfall. The class was the right size and 3.5 hr trip was just the right duration. They had a blast. Thanks to Northeast Mountain Guiding.

To put it simply, this is the best outfit you’re going to climb with around this area. Their prices are more then reasonable compared to others and they hire great people. I’ve climbed with Joe, Justin, Chad, and a few others and I’ve never once felt out of place or unsafe. I’ve brought others there as well and they all have left wanting to climb more. As far as I’m considered that’s the number one thing you should want when you leave, to want to go right back out and climb again.
They have several locations for people to climb at. Allamuchy is the perfect place for a new climber and even for the more experienced it’s still fun to climb. They also do ice climbing which is on my list to do as well as Yoga hikes which I will definitely be trying at some point. Definitely check this place out and have a good time. You won’t be disappointed.

I went with a large group to try ice climbing with this company. There were red flags at the beginning when the owner took a week and a half to get back to me with prices and number of spots available. When I did hear from him, it was just four days before the trip. We still went, though, because it sounded fun and we didn’t know of any alternative guides.
There was supposed to be a ratio of one guide to six participants but one of their guides didn’t show up, so there were only two guides for almost twenty people. Because the guides were the only ones belaying, that meant only two routes were set up to climb, so most people only got to climb each of them once. Two climbs in six hours is not what I was expecting for my money. The two guides who did show up were great and even stayed a little late to ensure everyone got a turn on each of the climbs. The equipment provided was mostly fine except for the crampons, which were made for mountaineering — not ice climbing — so it was difficult to get foot holds in.
There was also confusion as to the price. We were told the per person price would drop if we had over six people, which we did, but then after the fact were told that only the people over six would get the reduced price, even though we had been previously told we would all get refunds once we reached that number. It has been several weeks now and the owner still has not responded to my email asking about the refunds and discussing the lack of guides.

NMG is the best there is! I have taken multiple courses with them and have had an amazing experience every time. Every instructor I’ve had was knowledgable, personable, and encouraging. Joe, the owner, is also awesome. Does his best to make sure that everything runs smoothly and that all of his clients are happy and have a great experience. Awesome people, awesome experiences!

We had a awesome time!!! Without a doubt I would recommend using this guiding outfit. Chadd, Justin, and Joseph were absolutely great and very knowledgable. They supply all gear including shoes. Although it seems they bought the shoes from a midget surplus store. (I have very large feet) But if you search your bound to find a pair that fits!

I think they must have read Rusty R.‘s review below, because they did rectify all of the negatives Rusty mentioned below. Now they do provide instructions, climbing shoes (though I had my own gear), and belay instructions for the introductory course. Actually at first I was a bit hesitant to have someone who’s never belay before to belay me, but they did an excellent job, plus Chadd was watching like a hawk the entire time.
My guides were Chadd, Justin and I forgot the third guy’s name. They are professional climbers and very patient. There was one girl that took 45 minutes to climb a route (I was tired from just watching), but Justin encouraged her the entire time with instructions on where to place her hands and feet.
We started a bit after 8 and by the time I left around 2, the instructors were still all there (but some students have left). I learned a lot and will certainly go with them again.

Went on the Wilderness Survival course this weekend with friends after getting a Groupon for the deal. Our instructor Todd was absolutely great in every way — he really knew his stuff but was still able to explain everything in a language us amateurs could understand! I learned more in one day about the woods than I have learned at any other time when camping or hiking. Really a special trip that got us all very excited about the possibilities of hiking and camping, and really building our confidence to feel more independent out in the wilderness. It was a really great experience — I highly recommend it.

Went on a one-​day Intro to Rock Climbing trip with Northeast Mountain Guiding. It had its positives and negatives. My guides were Chadd, Alex, and Christen.
Positive:
–Guides were early/​on time at the designated meeting place (nothing is worse than your guides being late — it has happened to me before with other outfitters)
–Guides were well-​organized
–Guides were clearly knowledgable about climbing
–Guides were extremely friendly and personable
Negative:
–Had it not been for the fact that I was going on this trip with a friend, I would have never been advised in the change of location. Apparently they forgot to email me the change until a few hours before the event, so I would have been in PA (where originally scheduled) rather than the NJ (new location.)
–There was ZERO instruction. Guides literally said «Ok put on your helmets and harnesses. Who wants to go first?» This is crazy for an intro course. Many present, including myself, had done indoor climbing. But, outdoor climbing is VERY different. And, there were also those present who had never climbed before. A 20-​minute intro would be appropriate. Safety measures should be discussed. Technique, however basic (because a lot of it is learn as you go) should be discussed. Guides should ask if anyone has any medical issues or physical aliments that they should know about.
–Shoes are not provided. This should be mentioned. I’ve been considering buying shoes and had i known they were not part of the package I may have made my purchase ahead of time.
–Belaying is not part of the day. I understand why — even in indoor gyms you have to get a certification to do this. But, I would suggest that the website make mention of this and perhaps direct those wishing to belay to another, more advanced, event.
–I overheard fellow climbers concerned that the two guides were carrying on conversations while belaying. Not just talking, but facing each other rather than keeping their eyes on the climbers at all times. People feel less safe when this happens.
The website says:
«The day starts on the ground discussing basic climbing gear, movement on the rock/​climbing techniques, balance and body positioning. The 2^nd part of the day you’ll be climbing on cliffs of various heights and rock types putting together what you learned. Then we move on to belaying, gear overview, rappelling, safety, climbing knots and hitches and much more!»
NONE OF THIS WAS DONE. ZERO. ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.
Now, I will give the disclaimer that most of the group, including myself, did leave before the event technically ended. However, it was at least implied that we’d be doing more of the same — climbing up the rock face — for the remainder of the day.
I think that this outfitter has a lot of potential. The staff have the personalities and fun attitudes to make it work, and If they did what the paragraph above (from their website) says, and provided shoes, I think it would have been a top-​notch experience. But, the absolute lack of instruction or orientation was an omission which should not take place.

Because of a trip I took with NMG last October, I’ve gotten into all kinds of awesome rock climbing. I’ve traveled to different parts of the country just for some of the awesome climbs and I owe it entirely for the spark that NMG lit for me.
The guides are fantastic and well versed in both safety and with the equipment they are using. If’ you get the chance to join them on their climbs, even if you’re a more experienced climber than I was when I started, they give you both great guides and great access to climbing areas all over.
If you aren’t already a fan of theirs on facebook and you’re considering going, check them out, if the memes don’t inspire you to get out and climb, then the pictures of the people enjoying themselves will.
I’ve gone twice with them already, once at the Delaware Water Gap and once at Allamuchy, both times were great trips and I learned tons.