Weekend 2:
DATES TBD
Camping and Backpacking
We are excited to explore the Great Smoky Mountains and spring wildflowers.
Women’s backpacking trips are the perfect adventure for women of every age, fitness level, and personality! To carry everything that we need on our backs to a campsite that encourages a rhythm to life we all need more of.
During the trip, women learn how to plan a backpacking trip, learn what equipment they’ll need, how to select a base camp, nutrition, campsite cooking, map reading, and outdoor ethics.
This trip is designed to empower women and help them connect with nature by teaching them the skills they need to feel confident in the outdoors and life.
Trips are “expedition style”, which means everyone works together to carry the gear, cook meals, and perform camp chores. But don’t worry, even if you have never been camping before we will teach you everything you need to know!
What you’ll need to bring: (A detailed packing list will be provided)
Your adventurous spirit
Sturdy hiking shoes or boots. Appropriate clothing for the weather
Backpack (50-80 liters)(Backpacks are available to rent)
Water bottle
(to refill for hikes and throughout the weekend)
Sleeping System: bag or quilt, pad, and pillow (optional)
(Sleeping systems are available to rent)
Flashlight, headlamp, and/or battery operated lantern
Personal hygiene products
We do the planning and provide: (Additional gear is available to rent)
A cookstove as well instruction on how to cook on a campfire
A tent including the tent poles and the tent foot tarp
We will have a cooler for the food for the group. We will also provide Bear bags/cans for our overnight backpack trip. Feel free to bring an additional one for any additional drinks you bring to the campsite
Information and education about the trail as well as navigation and clothing tips to keep you safe on any future solo hikes
Meet Your Guides
Carlyn Morris is the founder and CAO (Chief Adventure Officer) of Back to Wild Adventures.
Back to Wild Adventures is an outdoor company focused on empowering women in the outdoors to bring that confidence back to the biggest adventure of all – real life.
Carlyn is a country girl turned city girl turned country girl again. Her adventures have led her from Texas to Chicago and now Michigan to live. Born and raised in Texas, she spent her childhood camping, hiking, and fishing.
Carlyn’s biggest adventures include hiking most of the Great Smoky Mountains, Angels Landing in Zion, and the Precipice in Acadia National Park. She has been flyfishing in the White River in Arkansas, the Colorado River, and the Smokey Mountains. She has camped across Texas, Colorado, Ohio, and Minnesota. Carlyn is a champion of all women to join her in the outdoors regardless of size, race, sexual orientation, age, shape, or gender identification.
Every BODY is Welcome in the Outdoors
Heather Zigler is an experienced International Tour Guide who has led women to far away regions on the planet including; Belize, Patagonia, New Zealand and Antarctica.
An outdoor guide, backpacker, nature-based mentor, and storytelling goddess. She is a facilitator for those seeking a different truth and a greater meaning. Sharing her deeply personal experience of how she overcame obstacles to accomplish her dreams.
She is here to humbly use, and share, her passion for bold adventure and the wisdom she has gained through worldly experiences and reflection.
Heather creates a strong, compassionate, loving environment that facilitates deep healing and sacred connection to the wilderness.
Every woman can open up, be real and reimagine herself while finding a new community of friends.
Her mission is to open minds to new discoveries and inspire others to live their truest most authentic lives.