HIKING CREW
RYAN CRAWLEY
Hiking Guide
Ryan grew up exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains and learning the art of backpacking from his grandfather, who thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in the early ‘80s. Since then, Ryan has thru-hiked both the Appalachian Trail and the John Muir Trail, coordinated and led two and three-week backpacking trips for teens, and has an innate ability to spread a passion for the outdoors and the sport to others. With over 4,000 miles of backpacking under his belt, he brings a ton of experience to the team. He is both a natural teacher and a supportive leader. As a result, when his (then) eight-year-old daughter became interested in the sport, he brought her along through every step of planning and executing the multi-day trips. At age 10, she has successfully completed both the Foothills Trail and the Shenandoah National Park section of the AT, has backpacked over 200 miles, and is currently sponsored by Osprey. Ryan sees hiking as both an art and a skill. He is a licensed EMT and serves on the Linville Central Search and Rescue Team. Ryan believes in being prepared and making sound decisions so that you can have the adventure of a lifetime.
becca nenow
Hiking Guide
Becca grew up exploring the woods around Boone and still prefers being outside to inside. She graduated from the UNC School of the Arts high school with a concentration in visual art, and from UNC Chapel Hill with a major in psychology and minors in biology and art. In 2019, she thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail, and then returned home to Boone for other adventures. In 2020 she started Resupply, a local refillery for sustainable products, and in 2021, she was elected to Boone Town Council for a two year term. She has guided in the backcountry for four organizations since 2014, mostly in wilderness therapy with at-risk youth. She enjoys snowboarding, painting, learning new earthskills, and exploring the woods with her dog. She holds certifications as a Wilderness First Responder and Forest Therapy Guide.
emery matthews
Hiking Guide
Emery is a complete Nature Nerd that loves to live life outside. They enjoy hiking, backpacking, bushcraft/survival skills, rock climbing, playing guitar, and quite literally anything involving their dogs. They have been in the High Country since 2011 when they came to App State, and have been obsessed with these mountains ever since. They have been certified as a Wilderness First Responder since 2015, as well as, in herbal medicine making and Ecopsychology. Not only do they love being outside, but it is also a life priority to live WITH the Earth, not just on it. Currently, they spend most of their time teaching Earth Skills at a local outdoor education center but are always excited to teach the art of the trail ~ making sure to enjoy all the nature nuggets along the way!