This season we’re expanding our services and growing our team

As we widen our client base beyond the New York City metro area, we’re looking to bring on a small team of passionate outdoors people who are as engaged by our mission as we are. If you enjoy working outdoors, have an interest in helping others experience nature, and have an aptitude for working in startup environments, take a look at the descriptions below.

Job Title:
Logistics and Delivery Contractor

Objective:
The Logistics and Delivery Contractor plays an integral role in the oversight of our deliveries to Manhattan.

Summary:
Our Logistics and Delivery Contractor position is for self-starters who have a knack for strategic thinking. The incumbent’s primary role will be overseeing the delivery of rental equipment to our busiest borough–Manhattan.

Broad Functions:
As a hand-delivery based business, our Logistics and Delivery Contractor performs a key role in the operation of our business. Working on the front line of customer interaction, the incumbent acts as the face of our service in Manhattan. This role requires an aptitude for customer service, the ability to think and act strategically, and knowledge of how to move around the borough using their own vehicle.

Duties:
Our Logistics and Delivery Contractor helps to organize outgoing orders, ensuring that they match invoices. Maintaining a timely schedule, this contractor will develop a delivery route that effectively manages the drop off and pick-up preferences of our customers.

Key Functions:
The Logistics and Delivery Contractor will function as a primary point of contact for our Manhattan customer base. They will be responsible for communicating via email with our customers during the run-up to their delivery slot. On delivery days, they will assist with the packing, organizing and loading of equipment into their personal vehicle. They will maintain a timely delivery schedule that serves clients and assists our processing staff initiate the cleaning of equipment after its use.

Job Standards:
The ability to manage a tight delivery schedule with little oversight is essential. On delivery and pick up days the contractor, along with Traverse staff, will organize a schedule that requires back-to-back stops, often spaced 30-45 minutes apart. Deliveries are generally done between 7pm and 11pm on Fridays and Sundays, though on holiday weekends we often have busy delivery days on Monday as well. The optimal Logistics and Delivery Contractor will be organized, efficient, calm, personable, communicative, self-directed and responsible. A clean driving record and an insured vehicle (station wagon, van or covered truck) are required.

Hours and Pay:
8 – 16 hrs/week; $25 per location, plus 10% commission.

To Apply:
Resume/CV and cover letter. Email: info@traverseoutfitters.com with subject line ‘Logistics and Delivery Contractor’

Job Title:
Operations Assistant

Objective:
The Operations Assistant will aid with the processing, cleaning and organizing of Traverse Outfitters’s fleet of camping tents.

Summary:
The Operations Assistant is an entry-level position. The incumbent’s primary role is overseeing the cleaning, washing, drying and repacking of our fleet of camping tents.

Broad Functions:
As our tents are processed following every outing, we clean, wash, dry and repack many tents on a weekly basis. On any given week, we rent dozens of tents, among numerous other items in our rental fleet. Our Operations Assistant is the point person for the processing of these tents. They will be responsible for much of the labor related to this task.

Duties:
Unpack used tents; inventory components; wash and dry tent bodies, fly sheets, ground covers and poles; repair ripped, damaged, or stained textiles; repair damaged tent poles, stakes; dry; repack and return to inventory. Other duties as necessary.

Key Functions:
The Operations Assistant performs an integral role within our business. As tents make up a significant portion of our fleet, ensuring that they are properly and efficiently maintained is essential. The successful candidate will prove themselves indispensable by efficiently managing the entire process of maintaining our tent assortment. Because our equipment is cycled-through each week, the incumbent must be able to complete these tasks in a timely and efficiently manner.

Job Standards:
The day will start before 9am, and may go into the evening. Monday availability is necessary; Tuesday availability is highly desirable. Work will be done outside; appropriate clothing, head cover and footwear is required.

Hours and Pay:
8 -16 hrs/week; commensurate with experience

To Apply:
Resume/CV and cover letter. Send to: info@traverseoutfitters.com with subject line ‘Operations Assistant’

Header Photo Credit: Morgana Skelton

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As the owner of a New York City-based business serving a rather outdoorsy clientele, I have gained some interesting insights on two distinct parts of our region’s economy: the urban one, with its residents hungry to escape the confines of the city. And the rural one, situated close to the state’s wild areas and populated by countless entrepreneurial small business owners keen on capturing some of the city’s tourist dollars. From Harriman State Park and the Catskills, to the Adirondacks and Finger Lakes region, downtowns throughout New York benefit from the hundreds of thousands of tourists who travel from the city each year. In many ways, these tourists–and the revenue they generate–are the life-blood for towns around the state. And while reliance on tourist dollars can be anxiety-creating for a lot of businesses, it also presents an amazing opportunity. An opportunity that leverages New York City’s population and scale to generate visibility for the places, businesses and services that rely on outdoor tourism. To accomplish this, I am promoting the creation of a New York State Office of Outdoor Tourism in New York City.

Envisioned as equal parts tourism office and chamber of commerce, a New York State Office of Outdoor Tourism in New York City will be a physical location, serving as a hub for exploring New York’s wilder regions. Bringing together resources from the New York New Jersey Trail Conference, the I Love New York platform, the Department of Environmental Conservation as well as others, an Office of Outdoor Tourism in New York City would aggregate and disseminate information on how to explore New York’s backcountry. Staffed with knowledgeable folks from the outdoor industry, I see this office as a tool in which to help New Yorkers plan their next upstate outing. And while this office would serve as a resource for city dwellers, its benefits would extend well beyond the five boroughs.

Visibility is the lifeblood of small businesses. But, as anyone who has run a company knows, reaching customers is challenging and often expensive. Especially when attempting to reach customers beyond a local market–a real problem for New York State businesses that serve a New York City-based customer market. A New York State Office of Outdoor Tourism in New York City would provide this visibility. By listing businesses and services alongside their regions’ wilderness attractions, this office would provide tourists from the city with suggestions on how to round-out their upstate experience. From ideas on where to eat, sleep and shop, visitors to the Office of Outdoor Tourism will discover numerous ways to complement their wilderness adventure, while supporting small businesses at the same time.

While the concept of a New York State Office of Outdoor Tourism in New York City is in its infancy, it could very well provide a solution to two very real problems: one, streamlining tourists’ hunt for information on New York’s wilderness; and, two, growing economic opportunity for upstate businesses. Lofty goals, but achievable with the right strategy and deployment of resources. While I’ll be chatting folks from around the state on this topic in the coming months, I’d like to hear from you. What are your thoughts on a New York State Office of Outdoor Tourism in New York City? What would it need to provide to be valuable to you? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Reach me at: avi@traverseoutfitters.com.

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Just a quick shoutout to one of our partners–Bush Smarts. This New York City startup unveiled their first rucksack to the broader public this month. After more than a year in development, and a successful Kickstarter campaign, the pack is finally out. And it looks great. Plus, it’s built in Rochester, New York! For their entire product line, visit www.bushsmarts.com.

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When I began trekking and camping in my late teens, I was in search of adventure as much as solitude. In an effort to clear my head and gain perspective, the woods provided an environment to find myself, while simultaneously, losing myself to the largeness of space. Even today, my solitary quiet wonderings among the trees and mossy undergrowth provide a sense of place that no other experience has, or can, offer. In many ways these quiet experiences in nature have helped to define the arch of my life, providing context for significant moments of change. I’m sure that the experience for some of my customers is similar.

From time to time, I think of the far flung places our customers have been, and what they’ve seen. It’s really pretty amazing. I’ve had customers rent equipment to use on all seven continents and countless counties, let alone locations a bit closer to home. And while I rarely get into the details of their trip, more often than not, I can sense a profound joy in what they’ve done, and what they’ve experienced. It makes me incredibly proud that this business has played a hand, albeit a small one, in their experience of life out of doors.

If there’s a trip you’ve been itching to plan, get going. Whether it’s a solo adventure or an outing with friends, the benefits of getting out–even for a day trip–will be real and lasting. And, if you’re new to backcountry travel and need some assistance, we’re happy to help. We can provide suggestions based on your interests and whether you’ll have access to a car. Also, consider a visit to our NYC Hiking Guide–a listing of our favorite hiking and camping destinations within easy striking distance of the city. Enjoy the summer and your next trek. It’s sure to be a rewarding one.

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As we make the transition into spring, the team has been busy preparing the business for a planned expansion of group outfittings and corporate events. Over the past two years, we’ve steadily expanded our fleet to serve the growing needs of ever-larger groups. From corporate partners and wedding parties, to wilderness training events and expedition groups, Traverse Outfitters has experienced a notable rise in group outfittings. And come spring, I think we’ll be ready for more. In addition to expanding our selection of sleeping bags and pads, we’ve significantly grown our fleet of tents to twice its size from a year ago, with more en route.

Beyond growing our assortment, we’ve also expanded our regional footprint. We’re now offering hand-delivery to within 250 miles of our Brooklyn base. In other words, we’re now able to provide delivery to locations on Long Island, the Catskills and even central New York. We’ve also streamlined our set up process and can offer the service to any destination where we’ve delivered. This is perfect for large group events where convenience and timing is key.

Moreover, we’ve listed the prices of our entire range of services. Interested in learning what it will cost for delivery to Beacon, New York? We’ve posted a pricing schedule that includes cost per mile rates that make planning and budgeting simple and straightforward. Like to know the price of having 10 tents with sleeping bags and pads set up at your Hudson Valley farm? We’ve expanded our website with detailed set up pricing, providing clients with a ballpark estimate of the expense before they place that first call to our office.

While we’re unique in offering so much information so openly, we see the benefits of a clear and unambiguous approach. As the business has grown, we’ve learned that the more comprehensive we are in our information sharing, the more effective we are at solving our clients’ challenging logistical and budgetary needs. It also speaks to our overriding goal of providing the best customer service possible. For all the details, please visit our Group Outfittings page.

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In the year since we published our first list of favorite online resources for Exploring Beyond the New York Metro Area, we’ve discovered a couple of other sites which we’d be remiss not to share with our readers. Our 2016 list of favorites is sure to provide lots of ideas on how to escape–even if you don’t have a car.

MyHarriman.com – If you’re considering a trip to Harriman State Park or Bear Mountain, myharriman.com is the site you’ll want to visit. Covering the park’s highlights, as well as its little-known gems, Suzy Allman–the site’s administrator–delves deep. From trail highlights and overviews of Harriman’s lean-tos, the site also gets into the region’s storied past, unearthing little-known details about the folks who founded the area, the revolutionary war, and the park’s early history. The site also offers free downloadable maps and suggestions on where to climb, swim and walk your pup.

Sorta Outdoorsy – Enjoy email newsletters? If so, sortasutdoorsy.com will be your go-to for all things wild in the New York metro area. Their weekly blasts include reviews of local hiking destinations, product and gear suggestions, local events and a smattering of other fun and engaging stuff to make your life living in the city a bit more outdoorsy.

Backroads and Pine Trees – Interested in casting your net a bit wider? If so, backroadsandpinetrees.com is for you. This site offers a smattering of destination descriptions from around the greater metro area–all accessible by mass transit. Eschewing long trail descriptions and mile markers, each destination review is pithy and well-organized. And, the accompanying photos are, in our humble opinion, works of art.

Unboring Exploring – If you’re a visual person, you’ll want to visit unboringexploring.com. Rather than transcribing the experience, Krysti Sabins brings you along. In her short 2-4 minute videos, Krysti introduces you to the area’s highlights, narrating as she goes. With her lively style, each piece pops with enthusiasm. Using wit and whimsy the edited pieces are fun, engaging and just a bit campy. In a nutshell, if you’re looking for a good visual romp through the region’s backcountry, this is the place to start.

OutdoorFest – More than a once-yearly festival, outdoorfest.com has become the hub for all things adventurous in metro New York (plus: Washington DC and Calgary). In need of some suggestions for an afternoon away from city living? Check out their newly expanded Get Outside Guide. In it you’ll find digestible summaries of regional hiking destinations, adventurous bike routes, little-known surf spots and so much more. OutdoorFest also holds a monthly “Mappy Hour” and other events throughout the year–like the Core Conference.

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Our newest partner, one that we’re particularly excited to be working with, is 718 Cyclery–a full-service bike shop located in Gowanus, Brooklyn. Now, 718 is not your run-of-the-mill shop. Trust me, they’re not. While they’ve chosen a distinctly unique model for the business (details below), they’re also the most reputable purveyor of bikepacking and adventure cycling equipment in the region. As we’ve seen an uptick in the number of clients who are showing an interest in backcountry bike touring, it’s great to have a local outfit to refer. If you’re thinking of upgrading your panniers to a frame pack, you’re going to want to visit with the team.

Unlike other shops in the city, 718 eschews the hard-sell. In fact, they don’t even have a sales team. Everyone who works in the shop is a tech–which means that the advice you’re getting is from a pro. And, if you’re a reader of reviews, the overwhelming consensus on Yelp and Google is that their customer service is as good as their wrench work. If they’re working on your bike, there’s a good chance you’ll be invited behind the counter to see what’s being done. In fact, they offer a collaborative build option, for those interested in building their brand new bike with an expert. One other way they separate themselves from the mainstream scene is by offering a slew of free classes throughout the year. Interested in building your own wheels? They have a class on it. How about adventure cycling? Yup, they have one. Or, maybe basic maintenance? Certainly. All free and open–just register through their website.

For more on 718 Cyclery, visit them at 254 3rd Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11215 or at www.718c.com. (347) 457-5760

Photo Credit: 718 Cyclery

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Ward Pound Ridge Reservation is truly one of the region’s most impressive parks. Nestled among the rolling hills of eastern Westchester, just a few miles from the border with Connecticut, this park offers pristine and expansive woodlands just a quick one-hour drive from Manhattan. And with its picturesque meadows, well-maintained trails, interpretive center and museum, not to mention its fine roads and facilities, you’d be forgiven thinking Ward Pound Ridge Reservation is a state or, maybe, national park. In actuality, the reservation is a Westchester county park–the result of a century of good planning, community investment and untold volunteer hours. For the full description, click here.

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