About

Mission

Blue Ridge Hiking Company's mission is to make the outdoors accessible and enjoyable to all. We believe that the trail is there for everyone at every phase of life. This means that we welcome all hikers regardless of their background or ability level.

Blue Ridge Hiking Company strives to foster a positive relationship between people and the outdoors. We do that by providing safe experiences on the trail with engaging, knowledgeable, and well-equipped guides.

We embrace and encourage diversity on the trail, including but not limited to race, age, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation and special needs. We are an LGBTQ+ friendly business, and provide a safe and inclusive environment on all of our trips.

Blue Ridge Hiking Company's guides and groups also follow the principles of Leave No Trace so as to set an example and educate on the importance of enjoying the outdoors responsibly.

Guide Profiles:

	Lindsey Barr Lindsey grew up in central NC, where she developed a love for the outdoors. In 2012, she left her career in engineering behind to follow her dream of helping introduce others to an active outdoor lifestyle. When she isn't at work, she is exploring area trails and dreaming of her next adventure. In addition to hiking and backpacking, she enjoys cycling, rock climbing, paddling, and knitting.
	Jenn Gift Jenn grew up in Central North Carolina, spending her summers enjoying the state's beaches. It wasn't until attending Brevard College for a BA in Graphic Design and Photography that she fell in love with the mountains. She has been a Wilderness Therapy Mentor since 2010 and has hiked over 5,500 miles on the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and the Camino de Santiago in Spain! She approaches the wilderness with curiosity and creativity. You'll often find her cheesin', cause smiling's her favorite!
	John Haffner John is originally from New York. He loves to hike with people of all skill levels. He has a degree in Ecology and has hiked the entire Appalachian Trail and Pacific Crest Trail as well as extensively in New Zealand. He loves to share his knowledge of local plants and animals with others. He has a unique ability to make an ordinary walk into a safari. Go on a hike with him and he will show you the mountains he calls home. He also is an avid juggler.
	Andrea Hasselbacher Andrea grew up in New England, but moved here in 2016 to be closer to the mountains she loves. She completed a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail in 2014, and has hiked the Wonderland Trail, in New Zealand, Patagonia, and Europe. She is a Pharmacist, an Herbalist, and an avid plant lover and forager, excited to teach others about the woods and trails she loves here in Asheville.
	Emma Houston Emma grew up in the mountains of Maine where she cultivated her passion for spreading love and appreciation for the outdoors with others. She has since backpacked throughout the American West, Austria, Patagonia, and Nepal, and has spent three summers guiding in Alaska. On her trips, Emma uses her Environmental Science background to highlight local ecology and create a memorable adventure for all involved.
	Christine Martens Christine grew up in Virginia and completed several years of schooling in France. She thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2010, and the Pacific Crest Trail in 2014. She has also hiked in Europe and New Zealand, and loves to share stories from her adventures and her knowledge of local plants and animals with others.
	Francisco Miller Francisco grew up in Ohio, where he developed a love for the outdoors. After graduating college with a Marketing degree, he went on to work in Chicago, France, and Spain before realizing the fast paced life of sales wasn't cutting it. He sold his belongings and thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2014, the Pacific Crest Trail in 2015, and the Continental Divide Trail in 2016. After moving to Asheville, he knew that sharing his passion for life and the outdoors as a guide was the way to go.
	David Schafer David was born and raised outside of Asheville, where the area's natural beauty helped his love for the outdoors blossom. He has hiked over 9,000 miles in North America, including thru-hikes of the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and Continental Divide Trail, as well as the Benton Mackaye Trail, Colorado Trail, and Long Trail. David is a graduate of the Creative Writing program and is glad to help people reflect on their environment through the written word.
	Lauren Smucker Lauren has spent her life exploring the Appalachian Mountains. The adventures started as a child in Pennsylvania, and continued during her four years studying fine art. Lauren moved to Vermont where she led conservation corps trail building crews, created an ice castle, and hiked the state’s Long Trail. She thru hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2018, and now enjoys creating sculptures and identifying flora and fauna in the Western North Carolina mountains she calls home.
	Tamera Trexler My trail name is Caboosy. Join me for Peaks and Pinnacles full or half day hikes. Love the long distance trails- AT, Art Loeb; Foothills; West Highlands Way,Scotland; Long Trail. Glacier NP; Yosemite NP; Mt Rainer; Grand Tetons, GSMNP and sections of the PCT. 9 years outdoor retail outfitting experience. LNT Awareness instructor. Certified WFA & CPR. World traveler.

Company History

About Us

Blue Ridge Hiking Company was founded in 2008 by National Geographic Adventurer of the Year and renowned backpacker, Jennifer Pharr Davis. A native of Western North Carolina, Jennifer grew up in these mountains but never bacpacked until she tackled the Appalachian Trail at age 21. It was when she hiked aross a solitary ridge at sunset that she realized - for the first time in her life - she was a part of nature. That moment made her feel beautiful, capable and wild. She vowed to help other individuals experience "that" feeling.

At the age of 24, Jennifer founded Blue Ridge Hiking Company to help everyone - especially women - to experience the joy and empowerment of spending time on trail. Twelve years later, Blue Ridge Hiking Company has helped thousands of individuals experience the transformation experience of walking through and with nature on day hikes and overnights.

Blue Ridge Hiking Company guide in Pisgah National Forest, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Mount Mitchell State Park, Dupont State Forest, on the Appalachian Trail, and more!