{"id":2404,"date":"2024-11-05T20:03:32","date_gmt":"2024-11-05T20:03:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/odnc-prod-bloglocal.local\/explore-copy\/"},"modified":"2026-05-14T21:29:57","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T21:29:57","slug":"guides","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/outdoornc.com\/guides\/","title":{"rendered":"Guides"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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OUTDOOR NC GUIDES<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Whether you\u2019re paddling through a pristine estuary, ripping through epic singletrack, or soaking in the views from a peak while rock climbing, our Outdoor NC\u00a0guides<\/span>\u00a0empower you to elevate your adventure while minimizing your environmental impact. Discover more about our\u00a0guides<\/span>, each equipped with specialized training in the seven Leave No Trace Principles, ensuring your journey through NC is not just memorable, but meaningful.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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What is the Outdoor NC Guide program?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The Outdoor NC\u00a0Guide<\/span>\u00a0program is a one-of-a kind initiative developed by Outdoor NC in cooperation with Leave No Trace, unites\u00a0guides<\/span>\u00a0from across NC for annual training. \u00a0This training empowers\u00a0guides<\/span>\u00a0to infuse stewardship messages into their experiences, enhancing outdoor adventures and deepening the understanding of the vital importance of preserving our cherished natural spaces for future generations. Our program equips them with essential tools and training, enabling impactful connections to NC\u2019s breathtaking landscapes and inspiring others to embrace the Outdoor NC movement.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Meet the guides<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Here, you\u2019ll find a listing of all our Outdoor NC\u00a0guides<\/span>\u00a0who have participated in the\u00a0guide<\/span>\u00a0summit. They offer a wide variety of unique guided experiences and share insights on how you can be a good steward while enjoying your favorite outdoor activities.<\/p>

Explore more information about each guide below, and follow our social channels on instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/span> and facebook<\/strong><\/span><\/a> to learn more from them.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Introducing our 2026 cohort of Outdoor NC guides!<\/h4>

Julia Kjelland – City of Wilmington Parks & Recreation<\/a><\/strong><\/span>
Karen Dunn – Coastal Eco Adventures<\/a><\/strong><\/span>
Victoria Blakey – Victoria Grace Photography<\/a><\/strong><\/span>
Vivianette Ortiz – Latinos Aventureros<\/a><\/strong><\/span>
Nicole Will – Asheville Wellness Tours<\/a><\/strong><\/span>
Michael Hardie – Howell Woods Environmental Learning Center<\/a><\/strong><\/span>
Ryan Carlson – Waypoint Adventure<\/a><\/strong><\/span>
Luke Halton – The OBX Way<\/a><\/strong><\/span>
Lindsey Barr – Blue Ridge Hiking Company<\/a><\/strong><\/span>
Kullen Bell – Coharie Tribe<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Benjamin Clarke<\/span><\/h1>
Discipline: Canoeing & Kayaking<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>

Benjamin Clarke is the outpost coordinator and guide at Haw River Canoe & Kayak Co., where he leads paddle tours on the Haw River, from relaxing sunset cruises to wild whitewater adventures. The Haw, which runs from\u00a0the Piedmont\u00a0to the Cape Fear River, is one of the\u00a0great success\u00a0stories in stewardship,\u00a0<\/span>It<\/span>\u00a0has<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>blossom<\/span>ed<\/span>\u00a0from a struggling river to the healthy\u00a0<\/span>resource for recreation that it is today.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

\u201cRiver ecosystems like the Haw are particularly vulnerable to human impact,\u201d Benjamin says. \u201cOur ability to recreate in the Haw and share it with a thriving community of wildlife is owed to the tireless efforts of people who have worked hard and continue to steward this beautiful river.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Benjamin\u2019s love of stewarding the Haw has led him to become an Outdoor NC\u00a0guide, enabling him to practice the Outdoor NC Leave No Trace principles with his clients. Benjamin likes to emphasize to his boaters that much of river travel leaves no physical trace, and they have the unique opportunity to leave the river in better condition than they found it if they just pick up one piece of trash during their adventure.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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David Stelling<\/span><\/h1>
Discipline: Fly Fishing<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>

Dave Stelling operates High Country Guide Service, a fly-fishing experience located in Boone, Western North Carolina. Dave knows the importance of protecting the rivers and streams and sharing those values with the people he guides.<\/p>

Dave says, \u201cAs a catch and release outfitter we always leave what we find and return our fish back to their homes \u2013 Always respecting the wildlife we encounter and teaching proper catch and release techniques to our clients.\u201d<\/p>

Those values led him to become an Outdoor NC guide \u2013 from planning ahead with thoughtful itineraries to cleaning up streams along the way, he helps guests truly connect with nature on his more than 20 individual programs.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Danielle Ennis<\/h2>

Discipline: Paddling<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>

Danielle is the Head Paddling Guide and Instructor at Headwaters Outfitters \u2013 a family-owned paddle sport and fly fishing outfitter that\u2019s operated in Rosman, North Carolina for 32 years.<\/p>

Danielle loves to see her guests ride the wave of excitement on their river adventure toward a deeper connection to the outdoors. The experiences she provides are on the French Broad River \u2013 considered the world\u2019s third oldest river. Danielle says, \u201cgiving back to the watershed and local communities has always been a main part of our mission.\u201d To that end, each year in May, Headwaters Outfitters hosts the “Annual Upper French Broad River Clean Up Day.” They provide canoes for dozens of volunteers, who scour the river for trash \u2013 collecting 4,000 pounds last year alone! Danielle is excited to share more insights with fellow paddlers on how they can practice stewardship on the river today and in the future.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Forrest Stavish<\/h2>

Discipline: Rock Climbing<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>

Forrest and his wife Elizabeth own and operate the Fox Mountain Guides and Climbing School in Western North Carolina. As the leading climbing guide service in the southeast, Fox Mountain instructs beginners to advanced climbers from ages 6 and up. While Fox Mountain is based in Western North Carolina, they also run trips in other areas, including the North Carolina Piedmont.<\/p>

\u201cBefore I was a guide, I was a climber, a backpacker, a mountain biker, and a lover of the outdoors,\u201d Forrest says. \u201cI was fortunate to have been introduced to the outdoors at an early age and taught the importance of stewardship and Leave No Trace.\u201d<\/p>

That upbringing has led him to become an Outdoor NC Guide \u2013 Forrest places an emphasis on ensuring his clients stay on designated trails, stow their gear on durable surfaces, leave what they find and pack out their trash. He also encourages people interested in climbing to get involved with local stewardship organizations such as the Carolina Climbers Coalition<\/a><\/span>, which organizes events throughout the year.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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J Smilanic<\/span><\/span><\/h2>
Discipline: Photography & Fly Fishing<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>

J\u00a0Smilanic\u00a0is the owner of WNC Photo Tours, which offers a wide range of photography tours and workshops in North Carolina.\u00a0Smilanic\u2019s\u00a0goal with his company is to provide unforgettable experiences to photographers of all levels throughout the Blue Ridge Mountains and beyond. With photography in mind,\u00a0Smilanic\u00a0often journeys to some of the most pristine landscapes in the state.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

\u201cWhen you\u2019re lucky enough to find outdoor locations without the marks of humans, it creates a sense of wonder and awe,\u201d\u00a0Smilanic\u00a0says, adding that these places can be transformative for his clients. \u201cThese locations allow you to get lost in\u00a0nature, and\u00a0forget about the challenges of life in the modern world.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

The ability of the landscape to enrich his clients\u2019 lives underscores\u00a0Smilanic\u2019s\u00a0role as an Outdoor NC-<\/span>certified<\/span>\u00a0guide. When leading photography tours,\u00a0Smilanic\u00a0will emphasize the need to Stick to Trails and Trash Your Trash, often leading by example and picking up trash himself that he finds on the trail while guiding. He hopes his example will inspire his clients to take similar action while on his tour and beyond.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Jamie Moore<\/h2>

Discipline: Wildlife & Air Boat Eco-Tours<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>

Jamie Moore and his wife founded Outer Banks Adventures with just one boat and a few paddle boards in 2015. Their dream was to offer unique land and sea-based adventures and ecotours with a foundation in environmental education and stewardship. Ten years later, that dream is being lived fully as Jamie leads guided wildlife tours\u00a0and airboat ecotours throughout the interior sound of the Outer Banks, using stewardship as a guiding principle to his business.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

\u201cI\u2019ve found that if you can show someone that we\u2019re all caretakers of the world around us, it\u2019s extremely impactful,\u201d Jamie says. \u201cWhat we do is unique. People love to see wildlife, so teaching them to view these animals responsibly is\u00a0a must, whether\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0black bears,\u00a0alligators\u00a0or red wolves.\u00a0Everyday, you can make a difference and have an impact in someone\u2019s life.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Jamie sees every wildlife encounter as an opportunity to reach his clients and reinforce stewardship principles. Taking only pictures and viewing North Carolina\u2019s unique wildlife from a safe distance underscores every single trip Jamie leads with Outer Banks Adventures.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Lisa Colvin<\/h2>

Discipline: Hiking<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>

Lisa Colvin is one of the founders of Issa Vibe Adventures, a\u00a0black-led\u00a0outdoor experience company that specializes in reconnecting individuals without a lot of outdoor experience to nature through guided hiking, kayaking, yoga,\u00a0gardening\u00a0and community wellness events. Lisa discovered her love for nature inadvertently while hiking to see a waterfall with two friends, and came away with the urge to create safe, joyful spaces for others to explore nature with confidence and stewardship in mind.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

\u201cOutdoor NC Leave No Trace isn\u2019t just about packing out trash, it\u2019s\u00a0about the legacy we leave behind,\u201d Lisa says. \u201cStewardship means honoring the earth with the same respect we ask our community to give themselves; with gentleness, gratitude and accountability.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Lisa\u2019s sense of responsibility to preserve the outdoors is expressed even before a hike or activity begins. All participants are welcomed in a circle and introduced to the key principles of Outdoor NC Leave No Trace, particularly when it comes to Trashing Your Trash, Keeping Wildlife Wild and Sharing the Outdoors.\u00a0Ultimately, Lisa\u00a0encourages her clients to take what they need from an experience, but leave everything else just as they\u00a0found\u00a0it, so the next person can feel the same sense of peace and connection.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Laura Blythe<\/h2>

Discipline: Mountain Biking<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>

Laura Blythe is the founder of 7 Moons MTB, a mountain biking guide company based on the Qualla Boundary in Cherokee, NC, her ancestral homelands. Laura started 7 Moons MTB to help make mountain biking more welcoming and accessible to everyone in her\u00a0community, and\u00a0offers free mountain bike programs and gear so everyone can try the sport without barriers.\u00a0\u00a0Being a steward of the landscape\u00a0she guides is a responsibility tied to her identity as Cherokee.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

\u201cThese mountains aren\u2019t just\u00a0scenery,\u00a0they\u2019re part of our story, our culture, and who we are as Cherokee people,\u201d Laura says. \u201cPracticing\u00a0Leave No Trace\u00a0isn\u2019t\u00a0just about following\u00a0a check list.\u00a0It\u2019s\u00a0about caring for the land so it can continue to provide for all of us culturally,\u00a0spiritually\u00a0and recreationally for generations to come.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

As an Outdoor NC-<\/span>certified guide<\/span>, Blythe sees every ride and every trail day as a chance to help others build that same connection and sense of responsibility. She takes pride in weaving\u00a0Leave No Trace\u00a0into every aspect of 7 Moons MTB, from explaining to clients why\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0important to Stick to Trails to\u00a0encouraging\u00a0all riders to pick up litter found along the way.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Nick Freeman<\/h2>

Discipline: Fly Fishing<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>

Nick Freeman is the owner of Rivers & Ridges a fly fishing guide service that operates in Western North Carolina and the Piedmont. Along with his wife, Sarah, he provides guided fly fishing excursions for beginners and experienced anglers alike. Most of the experiences he offers are focused in the northwestern foothills of North Carolina, mainly Ashe, Alleghany and Wilkes counties.<\/p>

Nick says, “I grew up loving the outdoors and naturally became hooked when I began fly fishing.\u00a0 Like any other outdoor activity, in fly fishing it is especially important to be respectful to others. Especially on public\u00a0streams, there are often going to be other people enjoying a day of fishing. It’s easy to be considerate to other\u00a0anglers by providing them with enough space to fish, opting for\u00a0the next fishing spot downstream if one is taken, engaging with one another respectfully,\u00a0and sharing the stream so that everyone can enjoy their day on the water.”<\/p>

As an Outdoor NC Guide Nick reinforces the importance of keeping our rivers and streams clean so future generations can enjoy the same amazing experiences he offers on the water well into the future.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Lee “natty” Trebotich<\/h2>

Discipline: Outdoor Cooking\/Hiking<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>

Natty isn\u2019t just a seasoned biologist. He\u2019s also the owner and primary chef at Food For Adventures, a family-centered company based in Asheville that specializes in outdoor culinary services and educational programming.\u00a0<\/p>

Whether he\u2019s offering \u201cprivate adventure chef\u201d with expedition cooking services or leading classes on foraging and medicinal plants, Natty says his No. 1 priority is to \u201crespect nature.\u201d Following the Outdoor NC Leave No Trace principles, he says, helps him do that while ensuring that \u201cwe can experience nature in its true form and pass on this knowledge to others to safeguard it for future generations.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>

\u201cOne principle that holds great importance for us and receives significant emphasis is \u2018proper waste disposal\u2019 (or, trashing your trash). Being a chef, outdoor enthusiast and biologist I understand the importance of showing respect for the environment.\u201d<\/p>

During guided experiences with his team, Natty advocates for active participation in the Outdoor NC Leave No Trace principles, like picking up trash and packing in\/packing out, “we find that setting a physical example is the most effective way to encourage others to join in.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Interested in becoming an Outdoor NC Guide?<\/h2>

Are you a\u00a0guide<\/span>\u00a0interested in foster meaningful connection? Are you passionate about stewardship? Do you want to inspire others to join the movement to preserve our beloved outdoor spaces? If that sounds like you, we\u2019d love to invite you to join the movement as an Outdoor NC\u00a0Guide<\/span>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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OUTDOOR NC GUIDES Whether you\u2019re paddling through a pristine estuary, ripping through epic singletrack, or soaking in the views from a peak while rock climbing, our Outdoor NC\u00a0guides\u00a0empower you to elevate your adventure while minimizing your environmental impact. Discover more about our\u00a0guides, each equipped with specialized training in the seven Leave No Trace Principles, ensuring […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2404","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nGuided Outdoor Adventures NC | Outdoor NC<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Our Outdoor NC guides empower you to elevate your adventure while minimizing your environmental impact. Discover more about our guides.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/outdoornc.com\/guides\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Guided Outdoor Adventures NC | Outdoor NC\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Our Outdoor NC guides empower you to elevate your adventure while minimizing your environmental impact. 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