Stories, Songs, and Trails
A Hiking Retreat with Jennifer Pharr Davis and Brew Davis
August 24-26, 2022
Cost:
$225 per person
Price does not include lodging at the Mount Mitchell Eco Retreat or dinner at Homeplace Brewing
This trip will run if there are a minimum of 4 participants signed up. If the minimum has not yet been met, we'll contact participants two weeks before the trip to discuss options.
Sign-Up Details:
In order to sign up for this trip, please go to our Trip Calendar and select the trip start date (August 24th). You will find the trip listed there.
Lodging:
Retreat Participants will be staying at the Mount Mitchell Eco Retreat. Several lodging options at the Eco Retreat are available. Rooms are booked separate from Retreat Registration and are not included in the price. Please call Sean at 828-385-4326 to book your room, or make your reservation online at www.mmecoretreat.com.
Itinerary:
Wednesday August 24
5pm: Happy Hour and Retreat Welcome at Homeplace Beer Company in Burnsville, NC
6pm: Dinner and Live Music by Brew Davis at Homeplace Beer Company
Thursday Aug 25th:
7am: Continental Breakfast at the Eco Retreat
8am: Choose Your Own Adventure - A Day of Hiking
- Black Mountain Crest Trail with Jennifer Pharr Davis - The Black Mountain Crest Trail is one of the most challenging and scenic trails in the Appalachian Mountains. It is a 11.2 mile route between Bolens Creek in Burnsville and the highest peak in the east, Mount Mitchell. The group will plan to start at Mount Mitchell and hike to Bolens Creek. Hike direction and route are subject to change based off weather and trail conditions. Participants should be very fit, capable of hiking for 8-10 hours, and able to handle substantial elevation gain and loss.
- Mount Mitchell State Park with Brew Davis - Enjoy a five-mile loop hike that travels the ridgeline of the Black Mountains to Mount Mitchell on the Old Mitchell Trail. Take some time at the summit to enjoy the Museum, Snack Bar, and Balsam Nature Loop before descending on the Camp Alice/Mountains-to-Sea Trail to reach the Commissary Trail that returns to the parking area. Most of this route is above 6,000 feet and includes some technical sections that feature worn roots and slick rocks. Participants should be comfortable with the altitude and able to navigate the challenging footing.
7pm: Dinner and Storytelling with Jennifer Pharr Davis at the Mount Michell Eco Retreat
Friday Aug 26th:
8am: Continental Breakfast and Farewells
Guides:
This trip will be hosted by Jennifer Pharr Davis and Brew Davis
Jennifer grew up in these mountains but didn't backpack until she walked the entire 2,189-mile Appalachian Trail at age 21. As she crossed a solitary ridge at sunset, she realized for the first time in her life that she was a part of nature, not merely an outside observer of it. That moment made her feel beautiful, capable and wild, and she vowed then and there to help others experience "that" feeling. At age 24, Jennifer founded Blue Ridge Hiking Company to help everyone - especially women - experience the joy and wonder of spending time in the woods. Twelve years later, Jennifer has been named a National Geographic Adventurer of the Year, one of Men's Journal's 25 Most Adventurous Women of the Past 25 Years, and the Asheville Area Chamber's 2019 Female Entrepreneur of the Year. She has grown as an author and speaker, and in 2020 she played a key role in the IMAX film Into America's Wild, narrated by Morgan Freeman.
Brew is Jen's husband and grew up in Nashville so he's required by law to be a part-time singer/songwriter. He's also a former History/English teacher and knows enough about both subjects to be dangerous but not helpful. He's hiked with Jen all over the US and Europe and has completed varying pain-levels of ultra marathons from 50Ks to 100 milers and the infamous Pitchell 100K in Western NC. He helps Jen on the speaking and writing side of things, but loves working in the shop and guiding hikes whenever the boss (read, wife) lets him.
COVID Safety Information:
We follow all local, state, and federal COVID safety guidelines. As those guidelines change, our policies may change. Currently, all hikers joining a Group Trip will be expected to show proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID -or- a negative COVID test taken within 72 hours of when they arrive for their trip.
If you have questions about our procedures or would like specific precautions to be taken, please contact our office at 828-713-5451 or trips@blueridgehikingco.com.
Cancellation Policy:
Payment in full is required to register. Trip cost includes a 15% non-refundable administrative fee. Hike may be cancelled up to 2 weeks before the trip for a refund (minus the 15% fee). Within 2 weeks, a 50% refund will be offered. Within 48 hours, a refund will only be offered if Blue Ridge Hiking Company cancels the trip due to severe weather. We hike rain or shine!
If you have any questions regarding this trip, you can reach by email at info@blueridgehikingco.com.
