Hiking Crew
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.
Mark Spangler
Hiking Guide
Mark is an enthusiast of and advocate for outdoor spaces. He is an ecologist and a naturalist with a degree in wildlife biology and conservation. He has worked throughout his career to help protect our shared natural resources. Prior to moving to Western North Carolina, Mark conducted field research in the remote backcountry of the Mojave Desert, the Eastern Sierra, and the Alaska Range, among other wild places. Mark completed a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail in 2019 and has been further exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains since 2021. He is a lifelong learner, with current interests in gardening, beekeeping, and Southern Appalachian heritage and folk traditions. Mark is certified in Wilderness First Aid and is training with the Linville Central Rescue Squad as a search and rescue technician.
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!
