SUNDERLAND – A new outdoors group founded during the pandemic has set up shop in Sunderland and is offering family-friendly activities on the Connecticut River and the surrounding natural area.
Adventure East, which opened with a soft launch in March, offers a wide-variety of events ranging from paddling on the Connecticut River, hiking on Mt. Holyoke and yoga sessions.
Brian Pearson, Adventure East’s president, said the company welcomes those of all ages and experience levels to come enjoy the natural beauty of the Pioneer Valley.
“It runs the full range of people that are interested in getting outdoors,” Pearson said in a phone interview. “It’s the full gamut of ages … we have people who really want to get outside and learn with us and people who are very experienced and appreciate that we take care of the logistics and the gear.”
Adventure East plans to continue operations into the winter with snowshoe hikes, cross-country skiing as well as bussing people to downhill ski slopes in the region.
The company has partnered with local environmental and conservation agencies like the Connecticut River Conservancy and Kestrel Land Trust to use their properties or to set up event logistics. He added these organizations serve the community and help preserve recreational and environmental resources in the county.
“We provide financial support (to these organizations) as part of our fees to customers,” Pearson said. “We want to recognize that and support that as part of our mission.”
The organization is also working with local farms and restaurants to highlight the dining experience of the region. Pearson said they’ve worked with Carr’s Cider House in Hadley, Wild Roots in Sunderland and local farms like Thomas Dairy Farm and Atlas Farm.
“Another great thing about living in the valley here is the great food and drinks you can experience locally,” Pearson said. “We love working with local businesses and with the farms and offering these delicious things on our tours.”
After March’s soft launch, Pearson said Adventure East started filling its calendar with events in June and they’ve had some success in these early months.
“It’s a growing business,” Pearson said. “Every month is bigger than the last. We’ve been excited about the demand during the summer.”
Pearson, who has lived in the area for the past eight years, has had experience running an outdoor adventure business in the past as he operated one in South America for several years until the pandemic forced restrictions on international travel.
“I had this type of company in South America … with international travel shutdown that company is no longer operating,” Pearson said. “With the demand for outdoor activities there was just an opportunity.”
Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com or 413-930-4081.