Women's Backpacking Full-Day Skills Workshop + Guided Overnight Trip
Trip Overview:
Women's Backpacking Full-Day Workshop & Overnight Adventure
Be empowered outdoors. Join us for an empowering journey designed for women of all fitness levels who want to connect with nature, build confidence, and master essential backpacking skills. Whether you're a beginner or seeking to deepen your outdoor knowledge, this workshop is the perfect opportunity to learn and explore in a supportive, all-women environment.
What You'll Learn:
Trip planning and gear essentials
Backcountry safety
Water filtration and outdoor cooking
Shelter setup and site selection
Map reading and navigation
Wilderness ethics and Leave No Trace principles
Itinerary:
Day 1 (Friday): Full-day workshop at Nero Coffee Hikes basecamp in Hendersonville, NC where you'll get hands-on experience with the basics of backpacking from experienced instructors. Dive into practical knowledge that will prepare you for your overnight adventure. (optional free camping on site at Nero Coffee Hikes camp included or choose an Airbnb nearby - we are happy to help you find accomodations for this night)
Days 2 & 3 (Saturday-Sunday): Set out on a short backpacking trip into the beautiful Pisgah National Forest. You'll put your new skills in to practice, from setting up camp and gathering water to hanging a bear bag. The adventure ends with a sunset hike before spending the night under the stars. We’ll hike back out together on Sunday and plan to be back at basecamp by 1:00 PM.
Join Us!
Be. Empowered. Outdoors.
Our mission is to give each guest a chance to just “Be”, the skills to be “Empowered”, and all the magic happens “Outdoors”. We designed this backpacking course so you can easily connect with a group of like-minded women as you challenge yourself, grow your outdoor skills, and experience the beauty of the wilderness.
After this course, you will return home refreshed and empowered with the confidence to plan your own backpacking adventures.
Meet Your Guide:
Katlyn Mobley
Katlyn is the new owner of the Island Ford Adventures team. She is also the founder of Nero Coffee Hikes, a unique outdoor guiding company focused on creating moments for guests to slow down and enjoy great coffee and conversation outdoors. She has guided group day hikes to the area's many waterfalls since 2019 and has 400+ five star reviews and counting.
In addition to hiking the many trails around WNC, she has completed a thru hike of the Appalachian Trail, trekked volcanoes in Guatemala, hiked long-distance trails in Patagonia, and loves keeping an outdoor adventure on the calendar, so ask her what she has planned next. :)
When asked about why she loves guiding, Katlyn says,
“I know what backpacking has done for my own self-confidence, and I want more people to try taking on an overnight or multi-night trip. But I also understand how intimidating it can be to try, so that’s why my goal is to help you have a great first backpacking trip and learn the skills and gain the confidence you need so that when we finish our trip together you are ready to start planning your next trip.”
☕ 🥾 ⛰️💜✨
What's Included in your Trip
Expert instruction with an experienced backpacking guide and all necessary backpacking gear including backpack, tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad is provided by Island Ford Adventures. You will be provided with a packing list for what gear/clothing you will need to bring. We let our guests choose their own meals, so food is not provided but we can make recommendations for camping meals.
Gear We Provide
You are also welcome to use your own gear if you have your own backpacking gear, we will just need to connect to make sure your gear is correct for the trip you book.
Backpack
Sleeping Pad
Sleeping Bag
All Group Cooking Gear
Group First Aid Kit
Stoves and Fuel
Tent
Water Filter
Morning coffee each day provided by Nero Coffee
Gear You Provide:
Comfortable hiking shoes/boots
Base Layer Tops and Bottoms (Midweight, Synthetic)
Fleece/Wool Gloves
Fleece/Wool Hat
Fleece/Wool Jacket or Sweater
Headlamp with Fresh Batteries
Hiking Pants (Convertible, Quick-Dry, Lightweight)
Hiking Socks (Synthetic or Wool)
Insulated Jacket and/or Vest
All backapcking meals( 1 breakfast, one lunch, one dinner)
Prescription Medications
Rain Jacket (Hooded, Lightweight, Waterproof, Breathable)
Sunblock and Lip Balm
Sunglasses
Comfy sleeping clothes for overnight
One Nalgene Water Bottle
“Knowledgeable, professional and with reasonable prices. I highly recommend Island Ford Adventures!”
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Trip Reviews:
This was an AMAZING adventure weekend into the wilderness!!
“Due to my lack of experience in the great outdoors this ladies backpacking overnight trip was WAY out of my comfort zone. After taking the class and learning all the essentials needed to be successful and confident I discovered I loved being in the wilderness. Yes it was hard… but Island Ford Adventures empowered me to do things I never dreamed possible. Thank You!!!”
What a gem! Our guide was an empowering leader and teacher.
“I just completed a backpacking course that culminated in an overnight hike in the Pisgah Forest. We hung bear bags, filtered water and packed our gear all under Jayne’s guidance. She has a gift - teaching. And her classroom - the forest - is breathtaking.”
If you have any questions or would like to request a different trip date, please contact us.
You can always text Katlyn 678-967-9377
- I’m in and out of the woods and that’s the fastest way to get a response -
