Winter Tree Identification -
Workshop and Day Hike
January 14, 2024
February 17, 2024
The easiest and most common way of identifying trees is by their leaves. Our climate and seasonal changes in Western North Carolina "leave" the trees bare and dormant for a quarter of the year. This half-day hiking workshop will teach you how to use over all shape, limb structure, bark, and buds to identify trees and other plants in the winter.
Cost:
$105 per person
Scholarships and Sliding Scale Fees are available for this trip. Please reach out to us at trips@blueridgehikingco.com for more information.
This workshop will run if there are a minimum of 2 participants signed up. If the minimum has not yet been met, we'll contact participants one week before the workshop to discuss options. The maximum group size is 8 participants.
In addition to your instructor, this price includes a snack, transportation, and a copy of "Trees of the Carolinas" Field Guide. It does not include gratuity for your instructor.
Sign-Up Details:
In order to sign up for this trip, please go to our trip calendar and select the workshop date (January 14 or February 17). You will find the event listed there.
Itinerary:
This will be a half-day moderate hike. Total distance will be less than 4 miles. Some elevation is necessary in order to include the greatest variety of trees. We hike in all weather conditions! Please dress accordingly.
Trip meets at 12pm at our location in downtown Asheville (70 College Street, Asheville, NC 28801). You will be given a waiver to fill out and your guide will explain the planned hike for that day and share some information about what you may see or experience.
Itinerary is subject to change based on a variety of factors, including weather, trail conditions, and participants needs and abilities.
Instructor:
Your guide for this trip will be Matt Dobson. Having moved around the world pursing other professional interests, Matt has decided Western North Carolina is the place for him and helping to expose others to our natural world is the perfect way to spend his time. With over 12,000 trail miles on his legs, many of them have been in Southern Appalachia. Matt has a Plant Sciences degree from the University of Tennessee and has spent many of his hours in nature studying its science and history.
What we Provide:
Food: Your guide will provide a healthy snack. If you have food allergies or dietary restrictions, please notify us ahead of time.
Individual Use Gear: We have day packs, trekking poles, and hiking umbrellas available for hikers to use, free of charge. Please let your guide or our admin team know ahead of time if you would like to use any of these items, and we will reserve them for you. We have winter traction devices available for rent if needed.
Community Gear: Your guide will be carrying an extensive first aid kit and a water filter.
What to Bring:
Hikers should wear comfortable clothes and footwear. We recommend you avoid cotton; activewear is an excellent choice! Hikers should bring 1-2L water per person, and should pack a rain jacket, an extra warm layer and warm hat. It could be up to 15 degrees cooler on your hikes than in Asheville! You may also want to bring a notebook and any questions you may have.
Cancellation Policy:
Payment in full is required to register. Workshop cost includes a 15% non-refundable administrative fee. Reservation may be cancelled up to 1 week before the trip for a refund (minus the 15% fee). Within 1 week, a 50% refund will be offered. Within 48 hours, a refund will only be offered if Blue Ridge Hiking Company cancels the workshop due to severe weather.
We hike rain or shine!
If your instructor does an exceptional job, please show your appreciation with a tip. Our team of highly trained professional guides never expects but always appreciates a tip. Industry standard gratuity for a guided backpacking trip is 15-20% of trip price.
If you have any questions regarding this trip, you can reach us by phone at 828-713-5451 or by email at trips@blueridgehikingco.com.
