Here at Blue Ridge Hiking Company we have been thinking long and hard about how to celebrate our 10 Year Anniversary. We all agree that there should to be cake, lots of cake, but beyond that we wanted to focus on attention on something that would give back to the community and also make us better guides.
Our Mission Statement is to “Make the wilderness enjoyable and accessible.” And, our vision statement says “The trail is there for everyone at every phase of life.”
We do a great job of making the trail enjoyable. Our guides are not only knowledgeable and responsible, they are a whole lot of fun to be around. Likewise, we do a solid job of making the wilderness accessible by working largely with beginners, offering scholarships, and welcoming hikers of different ages and backgrounds. But there is always room to do better - be better – and reach more people.
For our Tenth Anniversary we are offering 10 Free Day Hikes to individuals with special needs or concerns. As wonderful is our team is at Blue Ridge Hiking Company, most of us don’t know what it is like to be on the trail while also managing cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, dialysis, type-2 diabetes, 1-year old triplets, a service animal, a child with down syndrome, or regular chemo treatments. But we would like to learn.
We want to show folks our favorite secret trails and hideaways in the mountains surrounding Asheville, but in return we hope that these individuals can share how to better assist and help folks with similar concerns.
We will be the guides and you will be our teachers.
We are willing to customize a hike to meet the needs of our guests, regardless of whether that means bringing special foods, walking a tenth of a mile to watch the sunset, or helping to tote a crying toddler in the company kid carrier. So if you are going through circumstances that make your hiking experience different or unique, let us know about it. Send an e-mail to info@blueridgehikingco.com. Tell us if you have always dreamed about setting foot on the Appalachian Trail, taking pictures of waterfalls, or sitting quietly on top of a mountain. We will try to help you fulfill your hiking dreams and you can help us make the trail more ENJOYABLE and ACCESSIBLE for EVERYONE at EVERY PHASE of LIFE.
I am confident that, with your help, 2018 will be our best year yet!
Comments
Sandy Settle
March 4, 2018 - 12:11pm
My daughter, Emily, is an almost 21 year old who recently went through her second stem cell transplant. I think she would love this when she’s physically able.
Jennifer
March 4, 2018 - 2:59pm
Sandy,
That would be awesome! Just e-mail or call our office to leave your information and see if it might be a good fit. We would love to help Emily get out on the trails! info@blueridgehikingco.com or 828-713-5451
Samantha Parrow
March 4, 2018 - 3:23pm
I have shared this announcement within our support group and a few other special needs groups to help you with possibly a better picture of what people of different abilities need and how they could be accommodated.
Feel free to email me with questions. I would love to see every public activity, event, business, etc. accessible to people of every different ability imaginable. If I can be of service in connecting you with resources and information also, I would be glad to help.
Patrice La Vigne
March 4, 2018 - 4:17pm
You guys. This is amazing. As someone whose husband suffers from a chronic disease (that is well managed and goes backpacking all the time), I love this idea so much. I think we can all use a little more awareness, and I think I can speak for those who are experiencing limitations to say we appreciate the opportunity.
What an awesome idea! Can't wait to hear more as the hikes unfold.
william
March 6, 2018 - 9:05am
Great work; nature has a healing effect that will help people with special needs. You wrote about SAHC earlier, which is doing great work, some of my favorite local trails (off the AT)3 were made possible only through SAHC. Its so important to keep Blueridge Hiking going. Thanks for all you do!