The following is my calendar of speaking engagements and events I’ll be attending. I’ll be signing my book, Chasing the Smokies Moon, at all of them.
I’ll update this list with additional dates, as needed, and I would treasure meeting you!
If you know of a place (bookstore, outfitter, brewery, etc.) that might be interested in hosting me for a book signing or speaking engagement, please let me know. My email address is nancypeast@gmail.com.
Calendar of Events
January 30: Food Dehydrating Workshop in Hot Springs, NC with Jennifer Pharr Davis’ Blue Ridge Hiking Company
Saturday, February 12: The Adventure Summit in Dayton, Ohio (Smokies FKT presentation at 5 p.m. EST with Chris Ford)
Saturday, February 19: Rose Glen Literary Festival
Wednesday, March 9: Albright Grove Brewery in Knoxville, TN presentation with Chris Ford at 7 p.m. This is a fundraiser event for Discover Life in America, and a percentage of the proceeds from the books I sell will benefit this organization.
March 19 and 20: Wilderness and Survival Skills for Hiking and Backpacking workshop at Meadowlark Motel and Event Center in Maggie Valley, NC
March 26: Project Chimp 5K in Blue Ridge, GA (I am a proud sponsor of this fundraising event and will be there to participate in it as well as sign books)
April 23: Save Our Smokies Spring Clean Up (all day volunteer event to clean up trash around the park, with a gathering and celebration at Tremont afterward with live music and food. I’ll be selling my book and donating a percentage of each sale to Save Our Smokies.
May 6: “Moms Moving Mountains” speaking engagement at Meadowlark Motel and Event Center in Maggie Valley, NC (7:00 p.m.)
May 13-15: Trail Days (Damascus, Virginia) I’ll be selling/signing my book in the author section.
May 16: Trail Days Hangover Event in Asheville, NC at Mount Inspiration (details to follow but I’ll be participating in this event)
June 30: “The Hesitant Hiker” presentation at Haywood County Library, Waynesville at 2:00 p.m. (I’ll be covering the basics of day hiking and backpacking to keep you “safe and found”–essential gear, essential checklists, staying safe on trail, etc.)
July 27: Book signing and presentation at Deefield Episcopal Retirement Community (unless you are a resident, this is a private event) at 3:00 p.m.
July 30: Book signing and presentation about Smokies trails, the 900-Miler Challenge and hiking safety tips at Smoky Mountain Adventure Center in Townsend, TN at 5:00 p.m.
August 5: “Chasing the Smokies Moon” presentation and book signing at Highlands Library (Highlands, NC) at 2 p.m. I’ll be talking about my book, search and rescue, and hiking safety–a little bit of everything at this one!
August 6: “How Search and Rescue Changed My Life” and book signing at Blue Ridge Books in Waynesville, NC
August 30 – September 1: The Swag (you must either be an overnight or day guest to attend my hikes and presentations). Please email me at nancypeast@gmail.com if you’d like to learn more about where I’ll be hiking and what I’ll be speaking about.
September 29: Sylva Library and City Lights Bookstore Presentation and book signing at 6 p.m.
September 30-October 2: The Swag (you must be an overnight or day guest to attend my hikes and presentations). Please email me at nancypeast@gmail.com if you’d like to learn more about where I’ll be hiking and what I’ll be speaking about.
October 6: Pack Memorial Library, Asheville presentation “Fall Hiking in Southern Appalachia: How to Stay Safe and Found” and book signing.
October 7-10: The Swag (you must either be an overnight or day guest to attend my hikes and presentations). Please email me at nancypeast@gmail.com if you’d like to learn more about where I’ll be hiking and what I’ll be speaking about.
October 22-23: Maggie Valley Arts Festival book signing. I will also be selling a small selection of books published by Great Smoky Mountains Association, as well as answering questions about hiking safety.
October 25: “Hesitant Hiker” and book signing presentation at Brevard Library
TBD in September: River Rock Outfitters in Fredericksburg, Virginia
Backpacking 101 Course for Women with Jennifer Pharr Davis’ Blue Ridge Hiking Company
If you’re hoping to learn to backpack confidently on your own, I’m currently offering a Backpacking 101 Course. Participants will attend three (virtual) workshops and receive extensive written information to use as they plan and prepare for backpacking trips. There is plenty of time to ask questions specific to your needs and itinerary. I tailor the Zoom discussions around a survey I send ahead of the Zoom workshops, but no stone is left unturned with the information I share and teach in these workshops!
Backpacking 101 Workshops
September 28: Virtual event via Zoom covering Planning (permitting, itinerary considerations, seasons, budget) and Gear and Clothing (the big 3, needs vs wants, fabric, layering principles).
October 12: Virtual event via Zoom covering Food (calories per day, balanced nutrition, food storage), Safety (basic safety skills, precautions to take before leaving home, navigation), and Special Considerations for Female Hikers.
October 26: Virtual event via Zoom covering Hygiene, What to Do Before Leaving Home (gear checklist, printing permits, last minute gear checks), and What to Expect on Trail and in Camp (timing for your hike, camp chores, nighttime worries, what to do before bed).
The Swag: Expert in Residence
I am honored to be an 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 soon forget! These are the dates I will be at The Swag (and heads up, they book up quickly, often a year in advance!).
April 29 – May 1
July 6 – 10
August 30 – September 1
September 30 – October 2
October 7 – 10