Nancy enjoys sharing her stories and knowledge through workshops and presentations. To discuss an event, email her at nancypeast@gmail.com.
2024 Calendar of Events
January 20: Safe and Found documentary premiere at Haywood Community College (Clyde, NC)
January 22-24: Wilderness Wildlife Week (Pigeon Forge, TN)
- January 22 at 4:30 p.m. (Stories of Search and Rescue in the Smokies)
- January 23 at 5:30 p.m. (Is Map and Compass Navigation Obsolete?) Spoiler Alert: No!
February 3: How to Not Die in the Woods workshop (Behavior Tails Dog Training, Waynesville)
March 23: Hiking Dogs: Best Practices and First Aid workshop (Behavior Tails, Waynesville, NC)
March 29: Book signing at Sugarlands Visitor Center, Great Smoky Mountains National Park (10 a.m. ’til 2 p.m.ish)
May 18 : Safe and Found documentary screening at Appalachian Trail Days festival (Damascus, VA)
September 7: Hiking Dogs: Best Practices and First Aid workshop (Allegheny 50th Trail Anniversary Celebration Festival, Green Bank, WV)
October 30: Hiking Dogs: Best Practices and First Aid webinar (Women Who Hike speaker series)
Backpacking 101 Course
If you’d like to learn how to backpack confidently and safely, I offer a Backpacking 101 Course privately and through Blue Ridge Hiking Company. In this self-paced, comprehensive course, participants will gain access to extensive video and written content to use as they plan and prepare for backpacking trips. If the course is taken through Blue Ridge Hiking Company, it includes a 1-hour Zoom call with Nancy to answer your specific questions. Both offerings include written communication with and feedback from Nancy on four assignments to practice what you learn in the course.
Content of this course includes, but is not limited to, the following topics:
- Trip Planning and Logistics (arguably the most valuable part of the course with step-by-step planning methods and checklists)
- Navigational App Tutorials (how to use them but not rely on them exclusively)
- Food and Hydration (caloric and hydration needs, best food choices, buying vs. making backpacking meals)
- Safety and First Aid
- Pee, Poop and Periods
- Last Minute Logistics (tips and checklists)
- On the Trail (hiker etiquette, Leave No Trace overview, tips to stay comfortable and energized, etc.)
- In Camp (campsite selection, food storage, mitigating fears, cooking, cleaning, & sleeping tips)
- Air Travel Tips
- Money saving tips for gear and clothing
- Exclusive discounts for participants on a Gaia GPS subscription and Gossamer Gear
Email Nancy at nancypeast@gmail.com for more information about taking this course directly through me or head here if you’d like to consider taking it through Blue Ridge Hiking Company.
The Swag: Expert in Residence
I am honored Expert in Residence at The Swag, a premier Relais & Châteaux property which borders Great Smoky Mountains National Park. To attend any of the hikes or presentations at The Swag, you must be a paying overnight or day guest….but it is an experience you won’t forget.
March 14-18
November 6-10
December 4-8