FAQS

We strongly recommend that you have comfortable closed-toed shoes, water, a rain jacket, hiking poles, and a day pack to carry your items. Food is provided. In some cases, you may want to bring warmer gear depending on the hike, the time of the year and the weather. If you don’t have an item, let your guide know as we offer gear rentals, or feel free to shop at our Outfitter Store.

We have permits for Pisgah National Forest, Grandfather State Park, Grayson Highlands State Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway, Roan Mountain on the Appalachian Trail, and Linville Gorge Wilderness Area.

We take our adventures rain or shine. We only cancel if the weather will make it unsafe or if it will be an all-day rain. We will work with you to reschedule accordingly. Please see our cancellation policy in our booking confirmation.

Yes, your guide will be happy to carry your items for you. Please let your guide know that when booking your trip so that the guide can pack accordingly.

We provide a snack on family-friendly and half day hikes, lunch from The Speckled Trout Restaurant in Blowing Rock on full day hikes, and a food plan for overnight excursions. If you’d like to book a reservation at the restaurant for after your adventure, please let us know when you book.

Our special events allow for multiple parties to sign up for the same trip. If you’d like to have a private experience, book a private hike.

No, the trails don’t have bathrooms on them. If you have to go to the bathroom, then you will need to do it the primitive way. Our guides do carry toilet paper and baby wipes for your convenience.

We allow well behaved dogs so long as you are ok with them being on leash at all times. All of the trails that we hike mandate that dogs must stay on leashes. Please let your guide know if you are planning on bringing your dog so that they may plan accordingly.

All of them and more animals exist in the areas that we hike. It’s rare to see bears or snakes while hiking as they tend to not want to be around humans. With that being said, we must always be prepared for the event that we run into one. All guides carry bear spray. We are not allow to touch or feed any of the animals in the wild.

That is perfectly fine. We will customize your outing to your ability level. Please make sure to let your guide know your level of experience so that they can plan accordingly.

Our guides are sure to provide a unique and beneficial experience no matter what your athletic level or backcountry skill. We can show you the hardest hikes in the high country, teach how to make fire from friction, or one of the hardest challenges in our modern times - slowing down - through a nature mindfulness walk.

We want you to have a good time. Sometimes the “top of the mountain” can’t be accomplished in the allotted time that has been estimated for the hike. In this case there are 2 options: 1. You can wrap up your trip on time and cherish the experience that you had. Or 2. You are welcome to talk with your guide about hiking longer to accomplish your goal. This will totally be up to the guide's discretion and we charge an additional flat fee of $55/hr. after you go over the hiking time.

For safety reasons, we ask that you leave the alcohol behind. Your safety is extremely important to us.

Once you book and before your trip, your guide will contact you by calling the phone number that you provide at booking. This will be a good chance for you to tell us about your experience level and go over your expectations and goals for your outing. At any time, you are welcome to call us at 828-773-8852 with any questions you may have.

While it is never expected, it is always appreciated. Typical gratuity is 20%.