Overnight Trips

FAQ - Overnights

I don't have any gear. Is that a problem?
No! Blue Ridge Hiking Company can provide tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, backpacks, and trekking poles. We also have group gear like water filters, stoves, cookware, rope, maps and a compass. Hikers are responsible for bringing personal items listed on the General Information PDF but we handle the rest!

How many miles will we hike each day? 
That's up to you! Private groups customize their mileage to fit their needs. We want to work with all body types and experience levels (our mission is to make the wilderness accessible, after all!). That said, group trips usually cover 6-12 miles a day over moderate terrain. We also offer beginner group trips with lower mileage days and intermediate to advanced trips with higher mileage. 

Do I have to have a certain level of fitness to participate? 
Yes and no. We welcome all fitness levels! But to hike in the mountains and carry a pack comfortably, you should at least be able to walk several miles in your neighborhood without taking a break. Our trips can cover rugged, up-and-down terrain that is often times more difficult than an easy, flat "walk in the park." So the more in shape you are, the easier it'll be. That said, the majority of our trips are suitable for beginner to intermediate hikers. And our private backpacking trips can be customized for any fitness level. For more information about how to choose the right backpacking trip, see our Trip Difficulty page.

What can I do to get in shape? 
Simply taking a walk while wearing a backpack (with something heavy in it!) can help quite a bit. If you're a "flatlander" (Florida, anyone?) and are concerned about elevation gain and loss, try climbing flights of stairs on your lunch break or hop on a stairmaster at your local gym. As the saying goes, "proper preparation prevents poor performance." That's as true in the Blue Ridge as in the board room. 

What about food? 
We have food! Blue Ridge Hiking Company provides plenty of food on our overnight trips. We offer an array of standard backpacking fair including dehydrated meals, dried fruits and nuts, granola bars, oatmeal, you name it. We pack fresh fruit and veggies for snacks, there's always a treat for your after dinner sweet tooth and yes! We have instant coffee for breakfast. We're also happy to accommodate dietary restrictions and preference whenever possible. Just give us a heads up in advance. (stopped here)

What if I'm still not sure what to pack? 
Before each Blue Ridge Hiking Company overnight the guide offers a "shakedown" to make sure you have all the necessary items in your pack. They may recommend that you leave any unnecessary personal items behind. Carrying too much weight in your backpack can increase your risk of injury. The General Information PDF offers a comprehensive packing list. 

Do I tip my guide? 
Our team of well-trained professional guides never expects but always appreciates a tip! Industry standard gratuity for a guided backpacking trip is 20-25% of the trip cost.

What is your COVID policy?
The health and safety of our guides and hikers is our highest priority. While we don't have any specific COVID policies in place for our Group Trips, we are happy to implement safety precautions on your Private Trip. If you have additional questions or would like us to take specific safety precautions for your trip, please contact us via phone (828-713-5451) or email (trips@blueridgehikingco.com).

What is your cancellation policy for overnight trips?
Trip cost includes a 15% non-refundable administrative fee. Hikes may be cancelled up to 1 month before the trip for a refund (minus the 15% admin fee). Within 1 month, a 50% refund will be offered. Within 1 week, no refunds will be offered. If Blue Ridge Hiking Company cancels the trip due to severe weather, we'll offer a refund less the 15% admin fee. We are unable to offer exceptions to this policy; we strongly recommend all hikers purchase travel insurance to cover their trip.

Hikers may reschedule their trip once (at least 1 month before their trip) free of charge. Additional changes to their reservation date may result in a rescheduling fee.

What happens if it rains?
We hike rain or shine! Sometimes, thunderstorms, ice, snow, or extreme cold may be considered severe weather. In these circumstances, we may change trip itinerary or cancel the trip.  

Pre-Trip Information

Please download this PDF to find out more information about our backpacking trips. This helpful brochure includes a packing list and answers to most commonly asked questions.

download pre-trip info 

Want to talk about it? 

Click here to send us an email about your specifics!