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What are some challenges to starting a small business that runs backpacking trips?
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I have more than a decade of experience in outdoor recreation, environmental education, and backpacking. I am now thinking about starting a small business offering backpacking guide service to people who are interested in backpacking but have no experience.
I would run small trips on weekends in which I would plan and manage all logistics.
What would be some of the most difficult obstacles to overcome in starting such a business?
I am interested in hearing ideas about all aspects, including equipment, marketing, whether a market exists, pricing, liability, product offerings, etc.
hiking backpacking camping legality
edited 15 mins ago
Sue
9,82232392
asked 2 hours ago
birch
215
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up vote
2
down vote
favorite
I have more than a decade of experience in outdoor recreation, environmental education, and backpacking. I am now thinking about starting a small business offering backpacking guide service to people who are interested in backpacking but have no experience.
I would run small trips on weekends in which I would plan and manage all logistics.
What would be some of the most difficult obstacles to overcome in starting such a business?
I am interested in hearing ideas about all aspects, including equipment, marketing, whether a market exists, pricing, liability, product offerings, etc.
hiking backpacking camping legality
edited 15 mins ago
Sue
9,82232392
asked 2 hours ago
birch
215
New contributor
birch is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
1
I can only offer the perspective of a customer -- and a type of customer you are not targeting. As avid and experienced backpackers grow old (not merely older), they may be in the market for someone who will arrange trips, not merely for a weekend, but for a week or three -- and arrange for schlepping too. I know where I want to go, and I know how to get there, and I know how to arrange it all down to the last package of raisins, but I want someone else to do all this work, for which I am willing to pay handsomely.
– ab2
1 hour ago
1
Welcome birch! II just wanted you to know I added the legality tag because I think it's pertinent, and also because you're getting answers that mention it. The tags you chose are a perfect fit for the question, I just thought this additional one would be helpful!
– Sue
10 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
I have more than a decade of experience in outdoor recreation, environmental education, and backpacking. I am now thinking about starting a small business offering backpacking guide service to people who are interested in backpacking but have no experience.
I would run small trips on weekends in which I would plan and manage all logistics.
What would be some of the most difficult obstacles to overcome in starting such a business?
I am interested in hearing ideas about all aspects, including equipment, marketing, whether a market exists, pricing, liability, product offerings, etc.
hiking backpacking camping legality
edited 15 mins ago
Sue
9,82232392
asked 2 hours ago
birch
215
New contributor
birch is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
I have more than a decade of experience in outdoor recreation, environmental education, and backpacking. I am now thinking about starting a small business offering backpacking guide service to people who are interested in backpacking but have no experience.
I would run small trips on weekends in which I would plan and manage all logistics.
What would be some of the most difficult obstacles to overcome in starting such a business?
I am interested in hearing ideas about all aspects, including equipment, marketing, whether a market exists, pricing, liability, product offerings, etc.
hiking backpacking camping legality
hiking backpacking camping legality
edited 15 mins ago
Sue
9,82232392
asked 2 hours ago
birch
215
New contributor
birch is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 15 mins ago
Sue
9,82232392
asked 2 hours ago
birch
215
New contributor
birch is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 15 mins ago
Sue
9,82232392
edited 15 mins ago
Sue
9,82232392
edited 15 mins ago
Sue
9,82232392
9,82232392
asked 2 hours ago
birch
215
New contributor
birch is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 2 hours ago
birch
215
asked 2 hours ago
birch
215
215
New contributor
birch is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
birch is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
birch is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
1
I can only offer the perspective of a customer -- and a type of customer you are not targeting. As avid and experienced backpackers grow old (not merely older), they may be in the market for someone who will arrange trips, not merely for a weekend, but for a week or three -- and arrange for schlepping too. I know where I want to go, and I know how to get there, and I know how to arrange it all down to the last package of raisins, but I want someone else to do all this work, for which I am willing to pay handsomely.
– ab2
1 hour ago
1
Welcome birch! II just wanted you to know I added the legality tag because I think it's pertinent, and also because you're getting answers that mention it. The tags you chose are a perfect fit for the question, I just thought this additional one would be helpful!
– Sue
10 mins ago
add a comment |Â
1
I can only offer the perspective of a customer -- and a type of customer you are not targeting. As avid and experienced backpackers grow old (not merely older), they may be in the market for someone who will arrange trips, not merely for a weekend, but for a week or three -- and arrange for schlepping too. I know where I want to go, and I know how to get there, and I know how to arrange it all down to the last package of raisins, but I want someone else to do all this work, for which I am willing to pay handsomely.
– ab2
1 hour ago
1
Welcome birch! II just wanted you to know I added the legality tag because I think it's pertinent, and also because you're getting answers that mention it. The tags you chose are a perfect fit for the question, I just thought this additional one would be helpful!
– Sue
10 mins ago
1
1
I can only offer the perspective of a customer -- and a type of customer you are not targeting. As avid and experienced backpackers grow old (not merely older), they may be in the market for someone who will arrange trips, not merely for a weekend, but for a week or three -- and arrange for schlepping too. I know where I want to go, and I know how to get there, and I know how to arrange it all down to the last package of raisins, but I want someone else to do all this work, for which I am willing to pay handsomely.
– ab2
1 hour ago
I can only offer the perspective of a customer -- and a type of customer you are not targeting. As avid and experienced backpackers grow old (not merely older), they may be in the market for someone who will arrange trips, not merely for a weekend, but for a week or three -- and arrange for schlepping too. I know where I want to go, and I know how to get there, and I know how to arrange it all down to the last package of raisins, but I want someone else to do all this work, for which I am willing to pay handsomely.
– ab2
1 hour ago
1
1
Welcome birch! II just wanted you to know I added the legality tag because I think it's pertinent, and also because you're getting answers that mention it. The tags you chose are a perfect fit for the question, I just thought this additional one would be helpful!
– Sue
10 mins ago
Welcome birch! II just wanted you to know I added the legality tag because I think it's pertinent, and also because you're getting answers that mention it. The tags you chose are a perfect fit for the question, I just thought this additional one would be helpful!
– Sue
10 mins ago
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
up vote
2
down vote
Liability is the biggest concern. You should have like an LLC so you cannot get sued personally. You should have lawyer draft a waiver that will (hopefully) stand up in court. Insurance.
Another concern is customer satisfaction. A new backpacker that has no experience is not likely to have a good experience. An experienced backpacker waiting on a beginner is not going to have a good experience. You can have partner that allows for a split but that is more cost.
You need to have something unique or rare:
- If it is a secluded water fall it is only secret until the first trip
with GPS. - A climbing guide would work if routes are hard to know / find.
- If you have a license they cannot easily obtain like operate a raft on a regulated river.
- A llama trip is unique (and they don't have to carry as much). A one day trip to a peak they can see from the road with a gourmet lunch.
- Base camp that requires a 4 x 4 is unique but now you have more cost.
- A river guide can work as they don't want to buy a boat.
Want to backpack but have no experience is not that compelling and has a relative small barrier to entry. They can just start with a 2 mile hike to a camp with fire pit. Consider combining it with training (like 3-5 evenings) followed by a starter trip. Offer advanced trips only to those that have completed the introductory course or someone you know and trust will vouch for them.
I suggest you work for an an existing guide service for like a year to learn the business. You can volunteer with the Boy Scouts. I see it hard to make a living off a beginner backpacking service.
answered 29 mins ago
paparazzo
6,4661932
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
A list of all the possible challenges I can think of at the moment,
- Insurance, specifically liability insurance.
- Medical training for you and any employees, the standard certification is Wilderness First Responder.
- Government permits, commercial trips can require a special use permit.
Purchasing gear (as a guide you should be able to get prodeals, but its still expensive.)
Food planning.
Marketing, a trip can be expensive in the eyes of the participants and yet barely cover your running costs.
Expenses, typically people get into this line of work because they enjoy it, not to make money.
There are more, but those are the big ones I can think of at the moment.
answered 1 hour ago
Charlie Brumbaugh
41.3k14109237
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
2
down vote
Liability is the biggest concern. You should have like an LLC so you cannot get sued personally. You should have lawyer draft a waiver that will (hopefully) stand up in court. Insurance.
Another concern is customer satisfaction. A new backpacker that has no experience is not likely to have a good experience. An experienced backpacker waiting on a beginner is not going to have a good experience. You can have partner that allows for a split but that is more cost.
You need to have something unique or rare:
- If it is a secluded water fall it is only secret until the first trip
with GPS. - A climbing guide would work if routes are hard to know / find.
- If you have a license they cannot easily obtain like operate a raft on a regulated river.
- A llama trip is unique (and they don't have to carry as much). A one day trip to a peak they can see from the road with a gourmet lunch.
- Base camp that requires a 4 x 4 is unique but now you have more cost.
- A river guide can work as they don't want to buy a boat.
Want to backpack but have no experience is not that compelling and has a relative small barrier to entry. They can just start with a 2 mile hike to a camp with fire pit. Consider combining it with training (like 3-5 evenings) followed by a starter trip. Offer advanced trips only to those that have completed the introductory course or someone you know and trust will vouch for them.
I suggest you work for an an existing guide service for like a year to learn the business. You can volunteer with the Boy Scouts. I see it hard to make a living off a beginner backpacking service.
answered 29 mins ago
paparazzo
6,4661932
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
Liability is the biggest concern. You should have like an LLC so you cannot get sued personally. You should have lawyer draft a waiver that will (hopefully) stand up in court. Insurance.
Another concern is customer satisfaction. A new backpacker that has no experience is not likely to have a good experience. An experienced backpacker waiting on a beginner is not going to have a good experience. You can have partner that allows for a split but that is more cost.
You need to have something unique or rare:
- If it is a secluded water fall it is only secret until the first trip
with GPS. - A climbing guide would work if routes are hard to know / find.
- If you have a license they cannot easily obtain like operate a raft on a regulated river.
- A llama trip is unique (and they don't have to carry as much). A one day trip to a peak they can see from the road with a gourmet lunch.
- Base camp that requires a 4 x 4 is unique but now you have more cost.
- A river guide can work as they don't want to buy a boat.
Want to backpack but have no experience is not that compelling and has a relative small barrier to entry. They can just start with a 2 mile hike to a camp with fire pit. Consider combining it with training (like 3-5 evenings) followed by a starter trip. Offer advanced trips only to those that have completed the introductory course or someone you know and trust will vouch for them.
I suggest you work for an an existing guide service for like a year to learn the business. You can volunteer with the Boy Scouts. I see it hard to make a living off a beginner backpacking service.
answered 29 mins ago
paparazzo
6,4661932
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
Liability is the biggest concern. You should have like an LLC so you cannot get sued personally. You should have lawyer draft a waiver that will (hopefully) stand up in court. Insurance.
Another concern is customer satisfaction. A new backpacker that has no experience is not likely to have a good experience. An experienced backpacker waiting on a beginner is not going to have a good experience. You can have partner that allows for a split but that is more cost.
You need to have something unique or rare:
- If it is a secluded water fall it is only secret until the first trip
with GPS. - A climbing guide would work if routes are hard to know / find.
- If you have a license they cannot easily obtain like operate a raft on a regulated river.
- A llama trip is unique (and they don't have to carry as much). A one day trip to a peak they can see from the road with a gourmet lunch.
- Base camp that requires a 4 x 4 is unique but now you have more cost.
- A river guide can work as they don't want to buy a boat.
Want to backpack but have no experience is not that compelling and has a relative small barrier to entry. They can just start with a 2 mile hike to a camp with fire pit. Consider combining it with training (like 3-5 evenings) followed by a starter trip. Offer advanced trips only to those that have completed the introductory course or someone you know and trust will vouch for them.
I suggest you work for an an existing guide service for like a year to learn the business. You can volunteer with the Boy Scouts. I see it hard to make a living off a beginner backpacking service.
answered 29 mins ago
paparazzo
6,4661932
Liability is the biggest concern. You should have like an LLC so you cannot get sued personally. You should have lawyer draft a waiver that will (hopefully) stand up in court. Insurance.
Another concern is customer satisfaction. A new backpacker that has no experience is not likely to have a good experience. An experienced backpacker waiting on a beginner is not going to have a good experience. You can have partner that allows for a split but that is more cost.
You need to have something unique or rare:
- If it is a secluded water fall it is only secret until the first trip
with GPS. - A climbing guide would work if routes are hard to know / find.
- If you have a license they cannot easily obtain like operate a raft on a regulated river.
- A llama trip is unique (and they don't have to carry as much). A one day trip to a peak they can see from the road with a gourmet lunch.
- Base camp that requires a 4 x 4 is unique but now you have more cost.
- A river guide can work as they don't want to buy a boat.
Want to backpack but have no experience is not that compelling and has a relative small barrier to entry. They can just start with a 2 mile hike to a camp with fire pit. Consider combining it with training (like 3-5 evenings) followed by a starter trip. Offer advanced trips only to those that have completed the introductory course or someone you know and trust will vouch for them.
I suggest you work for an an existing guide service for like a year to learn the business. You can volunteer with the Boy Scouts. I see it hard to make a living off a beginner backpacking service.
answered 29 mins ago
paparazzo
6,4661932
edited 21 mins ago
answered 29 mins ago
paparazzo
6,4661932
answered 29 mins ago
paparazzo
6,4661932
answered 29 mins ago
paparazzo
6,4661932
6,4661932
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
A list of all the possible challenges I can think of at the moment,
- Insurance, specifically liability insurance.
- Medical training for you and any employees, the standard certification is Wilderness First Responder.
- Government permits, commercial trips can require a special use permit.
Purchasing gear (as a guide you should be able to get prodeals, but its still expensive.)
Food planning.
Marketing, a trip can be expensive in the eyes of the participants and yet barely cover your running costs.
Expenses, typically people get into this line of work because they enjoy it, not to make money.
There are more, but those are the big ones I can think of at the moment.
answered 1 hour ago
Charlie Brumbaugh
41.3k14109237
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
A list of all the possible challenges I can think of at the moment,
- Insurance, specifically liability insurance.
- Medical training for you and any employees, the standard certification is Wilderness First Responder.
- Government permits, commercial trips can require a special use permit.
Purchasing gear (as a guide you should be able to get prodeals, but its still expensive.)
Food planning.
Marketing, a trip can be expensive in the eyes of the participants and yet barely cover your running costs.
Expenses, typically people get into this line of work because they enjoy it, not to make money.
There are more, but those are the big ones I can think of at the moment.
answered 1 hour ago
Charlie Brumbaugh
41.3k14109237
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
A list of all the possible challenges I can think of at the moment,
- Insurance, specifically liability insurance.
- Medical training for you and any employees, the standard certification is Wilderness First Responder.
- Government permits, commercial trips can require a special use permit.
Purchasing gear (as a guide you should be able to get prodeals, but its still expensive.)
Food planning.
Marketing, a trip can be expensive in the eyes of the participants and yet barely cover your running costs.
Expenses, typically people get into this line of work because they enjoy it, not to make money.
There are more, but those are the big ones I can think of at the moment.
answered 1 hour ago
Charlie Brumbaugh
41.3k14109237
A list of all the possible challenges I can think of at the moment,
- Insurance, specifically liability insurance.
- Medical training for you and any employees, the standard certification is Wilderness First Responder.
- Government permits, commercial trips can require a special use permit.
Purchasing gear (as a guide you should be able to get prodeals, but its still expensive.)
Food planning.
Marketing, a trip can be expensive in the eyes of the participants and yet barely cover your running costs.
Expenses, typically people get into this line of work because they enjoy it, not to make money.
There are more, but those are the big ones I can think of at the moment.
answered 1 hour ago
Charlie Brumbaugh
41.3k14109237
answered 1 hour ago
Charlie Brumbaugh
41.3k14109237
answered 1 hour ago
Charlie Brumbaugh
41.3k14109237
answered 1 hour ago
Charlie Brumbaugh
41.3k14109237
41.3k14109237
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
birch is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
birch is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
birch is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
birch is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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1
I can only offer the perspective of a customer -- and a type of customer you are not targeting. As avid and experienced backpackers grow old (not merely older), they may be in the market for someone who will arrange trips, not merely for a weekend, but for a week or three -- and arrange for schlepping too. I know where I want to go, and I know how to get there, and I know how to arrange it all down to the last package of raisins, but I want someone else to do all this work, for which I am willing to pay handsomely.
– ab2
1 hour ago
1
Welcome birch! II just wanted you to know I added the legality tag because I think it's pertinent, and also because you're getting answers that mention it. The tags you chose are a perfect fit for the question, I just thought this additional one would be helpful!
– Sue
10 mins ago