Adventure Grown Guides

30/01/2025

🚨 Ready to level up your backpacking game? 🚨

Whether you're just starting out or looking to fine-tune your skills, we've got the course for you. Gear & meal plan included. You show up—we handle the rest.

🥾 Backpacking Courses – Choose Your Level

🏕 Backpacking 101: Fundamentals of Backpacking
Perfect for beginners looking to get comfortable in the backcountry.
📅 April 12-13 | April 19-20 | April 26-27

❄️ Backpacking 102: Fundamentals of Winter Backpacking
Learn to stay warm, dry, and confident in cold-weather conditions.
📅 Feb 15-16 | Feb 22-23 | Mar 22-23 | Mar 29-30

⛰ Backpacking 401: Advanced Backpacking Techniques
For experienced backpackers looking to push their limits.
📅 Mar 1-2 | Mar 8-9

💰 $600/person – All gear & meals included
📍 Pisgah National Forest & the Blue Ridge Mountains

🔥 Spots are limited—lock yours in now! 🔥

22/01/2025

🔥 Craft 101 & 201: Master the Art of Fire Making! 🔥

Ready to level up your outdoor skills? Join us in February for two epic fire-making workshops:

Craft 101: Fire Making
📅 Feb. 1 OR 2 (Single-day course)
🌲 Learn sustainable fire-building techniques, use tools like flint and magnesium, and take home a handmade fire starter!

Craft 201: Fire by Friction
📅 Feb. 8 & 9 (Single-day course)
🌿 Dive into fire-by-friction theory, craft your own bowdrill set, and practice with expert guidance.

📍 Both courses include a 1-mile hike into the National Forest and emphasize Leave No Trace principles.

🔥 Spots are limited—DM us to reserve yours now!

22/01/2025

Stay Hydrated on Winter Hikes! 💧❄️

Did you know staying hydrated in the winter is just as important as in summer? Cold weather can suppress thirst, but your body still needs water to keep warm, stay energized, and function at its best.

Tips for Winter Hydration:
1️⃣ Sip regularly, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
2️⃣ Insulate your water bottle to prevent freezing – try a bottle sleeve or store it upside down (ice forms at the top).
3️⃣ Be cautious with hydration bladders – the tubing can freeze! Keep it under your layers or blow the water back into the bladder after sipping.
4️⃣ Carry warm drinks like tea or electrolyte-infused water in a thermos for a morale boost and hydration.
5️⃣ Monitor your p*e – clear to light yellow is ideal!

Don’t let dehydration or frozen water slow you down. Keep sipping, stay warm, and enjoy those frosty trails! 🏔️✨

19/01/2025

💖 Adventure is Better Together! 💖

This Valentine’s Day weekend, skip the crowded restaurants and chocolate boxes. Instead, make memories in the great outdoors with our Couple’s Backpacking Trip on Feb 14-15 or Feb 15-16. 🥾🌲

🌟 What to Expect:

- A romantic overnight adventure.
- Expert guidance to build your outdoor confidence as a team.
- Cozy campfire moments under a starry sky.
- Learn skills that bring you closer together (and to nature)!

💌 Perfect for: New couples, seasoned adventurers, or anyone looking for a unique way to celebrate love in the wilderness.

📩 Limited spots available! DM us or visit our website to book your unforgettable Valentine’s Day adventure. 💘

16/01/2025

🌄 Adventure Awaits: February & March Trips Are Now Booking! 🌟

Ready to level up your outdoor skills? Whether you're a winter backpacking beginner or an advanced climber, we've got the perfect adventure for you. Check out our upcoming courses:

🗓️ Backpacking 102: Fundamentals of Winter Backpacking
Feb 15-16
Feb 22-23
March 22-23
March 29-30

🗓️ Backpacking 401: Advanced Backpacking Techniques
March 1-2
March 8-9

🗓️ Rock Climbing Courses
Rock 101: Intro to Outdoor Climbing: March 8-9
Rock 201: Anchor Building & Gear Placements: March 22-23
Rock 301: Single Pitch Lead Climbing: March 29-30

🌟 Why Choose Us?
Expert guides. Unforgettable experiences. Skills that will last a lifetime.

📩 Spots are filling fast! Message us to book your trip today. Let's make 2025 your most adventurous year yet!

14/01/2025

❄️ Stay Safe on Winter Trails! ❄️
Not all traction is created equal. From microspikes for icy trails to snowshoes for deep powder, choosing the right gear is key to enjoying your winter hikes safely. 🌨️

➡️ Microspikes: Perfect for hard-packed snow and light ice.
➡️ Crampons: Essential for steep, technical terrain.
➡️ Snowshoes: A must for deep, fluffy snow.

💡 Pro Tip: Always match your gear to the trail conditions! Need help? We've got you covered with expert guidance and skills training.

Where will your traction take you this winter? ❄️ Drop your favorite winter hike in the comments!

13/01/2025

Hi Folks!
James here, popping into your feed to share some exciting news—our new Classes and Courses page is live on the website!

I've been having a blast crafting lesson plans for single-day and overnight experiences focused on backcountry skills. These classes take place on our beautiful shared public lands and are inspired by my own time learning ancestral skills at an outdoor school in north Georgia.

Head to the website to explore all the offerings, book a custom trip, or keep an eye out for scheduled events happening this year.

Some of the classes I’m most excited about include:

🌿 Intro to Plant Identification
🌲 Useful Plants in the Forest
🔥 Making Fire
🪨 Fire by Friction

And all of our seasonal plant courses!

Let’s connect with nature, build skills, and have some fun. See you out there!

Our skills-based instructional classes and courses are for those new to outdoor recreation looking to build fundamental skills or those with experience looking to further develop their skills in multiple disciplines.

09/01/2025

🌲 2025: The Year of Adventure Grown Guides! 🌄

We’re ringing in the new year with a fresh batch of In’s and Out’s—it’s time to step up our outdoor game. What are we keeping, what’s getting the boot? Let’s find out! 👇

07/01/2025

🌨️ The Magic of Off-Season Hiking 🌨️

Winter might not be everyone’s go-to hiking season, but it’s one of the most underrated times to hit the trails! ❄️ Here’s why:

1️⃣ No Crowds: Say goodbye to packed parking lots and hello to peaceful trails. Winter hikes offer a rare chance to truly connect with nature. 🏞️

2️⃣ Unique Scenery: Frosty landscapes, snow-dusted peaks, and icy waterfalls create breathtaking views you won’t see any other time of year. ✨

3️⃣ Mental Boost: Cold-weather hiking can increase endorphins and help beat those winter blues. 🌟

4️⃣ Build Resilience: Tackling a hike in the chillier months can boost your confidence and make you a more adaptable adventurer. 💪

💬 What do you love most about hiking in the winter? Drop your thoughts below, or tag your hiking buddy to plan your next off-season adventure!

01/01/2025

🎉 New year, new stoke! 🥾🗻

2025 is here, and it’s time to level up those adventure goals. Whether you’re dreaming of crushing a new climb, finally nailing those backpacking skills, or just spending more time in the wild, we’ve got you. 🤝

Drop your adventure goals in the comments ⬇️—seriously, let’s hear them!
🔥 Wanna tackle your first multi-day trip?
🌲 Explore a new spot you’ve been eyeing?
💪 Get stronger and more confident outdoors?

Whatever it is, Adventure Grown Guides is here to help make it happen. Let’s get after it this year. 🚀

📲 Tag your adventure crew and let’s start planning!

25/12/2024

🎄 Happy Holidays from Adventure Grown Guides! 🎄

Wishing you joy, peace, and plenty of time to explore the great outdoors this holiday season. Thank you for being part of our adventure community—we can’t wait to see you on the trails in the new year!

❄️ Stay safe, stay warm, and keep adventuring! ❄️

24/12/2024

🌲 Intro to Winter Tree ID Hikes 🌲

Ever wondered how to identify trees when they’ve shed their leaves? Learn the art of winter tree ID with Adventure Grown Guides!

Join us for a 3-mile guided hike where you’ll:
🌳 Discover how to identify trees by bark, buds, and more
🌳 Learn fascinating facts about local flora
🌳 Explore the beauty of winter in the forest

📅 Dates: Fridays – January 10, 17, 24, & 31
🕐 Time: 1-5 PM
💰 Cost: $60/person

Spaces are limited, so reserve your spot today and see the forest in a whole new way this winter! ❄️

21/12/2024

Winter is officially here, and you know what that means—layer up, fuel up, and don’t forget to hit the trail. ❄️ Whether you're chasing frozen waterfalls, bagging peaks with snowy views, or just trying to stay upright on some slick singletrack, the cold doesn’t stop the adventure—it just makes it cooler. Literally. 😏

So grab your gear, pack an extra thermos of something warm, and let’s send it into winter. What’s on your cold-weather adventure list? 👇

18/12/2024

2025 Trips & Courses Are Open for Booking!

Got big adventure energy for the new year? We’re here for it. Whether you’re gearing up to crush some winter backpacking, dial in your climbing skills, or geek out on plants and trees, we’ve got the goods.

🗓️ Trips run January–March and include:

Backpacking 102 & 201: Winter skills + next-level navigation.
Craft & Plants Workshops: Fire-making, tree ID, and nerdy-but-awesome forest knowledge.
Rock Climbing Courses: Intro to climbing, anchor wizardry, and self-rescue skills.

📍 Winter's not for hibernating—come send it with us!

12/12/2024

🌟 Meet Marcus “Scope” Welker () : Lead Guide 🌟

Born and raised in NC, Marcus hit the trails young, and he hasn’t stopped since. After crushing the Appalachian Trail in 2015 (all 2,189 miles of it), he’s racked up over 10,000 miles on trails like the Pacific Crest and Continental Divide.

When he’s not guiding, he’s probably ultra running, climbing big peaks, or bike-packing deep in the backcountry with his trail pup Luna. Marcus is also AMGA certified, REI-trained, and your go-to guy for epic outdoor adventures.

Ready to hit the trail? Scope’s got you.

11/12/2024

🌟 Meet Marcus "Scope" Welker: Lead Guide 🌟

Born and raised in NC, Marcus hit the trails young, and he hasn’t stopped since. After crushing the Appalachian Trail in 2015 (all 2,189 miles of it), he’s racked up over 10,000 miles on trails like the Pacific Crest and Continental Divide.

When he’s not guiding, he’s probably ultra running, climbing big peaks, or bike-packing deep in the backcountry with his trail pup Luna. Marcus is also AMGA certified, REI-trained, and your go-to guy for epic outdoor adventures.

Ready to hit the trail? Scope’s got you.

06/12/2024

Big thanks to Katharine M. for the amazing 5-star review! 🙌 We're so glad to hear that, as a novice, you felt safe, comfortable, and empowered to take on the challenge with our guides. Your trust in us means the world! 💪🧗‍♀️

03/12/2024

Winter Safety Basics for the Backcountry 🌨️❄️

Winter hiking and backpacking can be magical, but it comes with unique challenges. 🥶 From freezing temps to shorter daylight hours, preparation is key to staying safe and enjoying the adventure.

Swipe through 👉 for essential tips on:
✅ Packing the right gear
✅ Staying warm and hydrated
✅ Navigating snowy trails
✅ Avoiding common winter hazards

Whether you're a seasoned adventurer or new to winter backcountry trips, these tips will help you stay safe and make the most of your time outdoors.

Need extra guidance? Let Adventure Grown Guides take you there! Book a guided trip with us for expert advice, unforgettable views, and a dose of adventure.