I had a great first experience with Explorer Chick. We were a group of 7 women plus 2 two guides on our weekend trip to Shenandoah NP. Our age range was 40s to 70s. The itinerary was modified for the late-season lack of evening daylight, so our hikes were cut a bit shorter than what they should have been. We also made some changes to our starting points which meant more driving - more time in the van than expected. We probably could have stayed in one lodge instead of two different lodges. Aside from those changes, the overall trip was a great experience. I consider myself in decent shape and after 3 days of hiking, my legs were sore! The hikes were on rough, rocky terrain, and we were constantly hiking on an incline, up or down, so prepare your calves! Make sure you have good ankle support on your shoes. Lodging was as expected for park lodging. The breakfast and dinners were very nice - decent selection and big portions. Lunch on the first day was premade sandwiches from Trader Joes with chips and a piece of fruit. Lunch on the 2nd day was cheese and cracker tray at the winery, but there was plenty to go around. We had the most amazing weather for mid October - we started out the mornings in jackets and even gloves, but by mid-afternoon most of us had stripped down to short sleeves. Everyone was mostly at the same pace during the hikes. On the uphill climbs, just speak up when you need a break to catch your breath. The guides were very nice and accommodating to the group, they kept us on schedule and kept us informed of the itinerary for the day. I would go on another EC trip but would be mindful of the activity level. This trip was a 2, I'm not sure I could handle longer hikes for more than 3 days.