Help Asheville Hiking Tours After Hurricane Helene
Donation protected
Dear friends and community,
I’m reaching out to ask for your help and support for my niece, Jennifer Gruhn (her team endearingly calls her “Jenny”) and the dedicated staff at Asheville Hiking Tours. Due to the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Helene, both her business and the natural landscape in the Asheville area suffered immense damage. Asheville’s ability to support visitors is disrupted by the lack of basic resources, such as potable water, and the iconic Blue Ridge Parkway and Pisgah National Forest remain closed (10/27/2024 - now open but impaired). As seen in the image above, the company's brick and mortar store was also 7 feet under water and filled with mud.
Asheville Hiking Tours has been guiding its guests through the natural beauty of Western North Carolina for 8 years, reaching the #1 (or runner-up) spot on TripAdvisor's Outdoor Activities. Since its founding, Jenny and her team have specialized in leading engaging and educational tours that showcase the region's rich biodiversity, breathtaking waterfalls, and panoramic views along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Maybe you have joined them on a Birding Excursion, Wildflower Walk or Geology Tour? Perhaps they guided you to the elusive Blue Ghost Fireflies or the rare elk populations bugling in the Smokies? The business’ staff of naturalists—who are immensely passionate about the ecology, wildlife, and history of the area—has inspired tens of thousands of visitors from around the world.
Sadly, Hurricane Helene has devastated many of the roads, bridges, trails and facilities required to see the area's cherished public lands. Flooding and debris have rendered these areas unsafe, and much of the delicate flora and fauna have been heavily disturbed. Repair and restoration work will be a monumental effort. During this time, Jenny and her team, who have lost their primary source of income, need immediate financial support. This time in the mountains also happens to be peak fall color season, one of the busiest times of the year for local businesses. Asheville Hiking Tours just refunded future guests over $30,000 worth of tour tickets, for October leaf season alone.
The business also persisted through the shutdown of Pisgah National Forest in 2020, during Covid-19. At this time, Asheville Hiking Tours secured a loan to persevere through the pandemic. Until Asheville Hiking Tours has revenue again, these loan payments are difficult to manage. We are raising funds to help the team of Asheville Hiking Tours cover both essential living costs and business recovery expenses until they can reopen. Your donations will make a tangible difference in helping them navigate this challenging time and eventually return to share the wonders of the National Forest and Blue Ridge Parkway.
Every contribution, no matter the size, helps. Please consider donating and sharing this campaign with your friends and family. Together, we can help Asheville Hiking Tours and its talented and heartfelt guides get back on their feet and continue offering life-changing experiences to those who visit the gorgeous mountains.
Thank you so much for your support!
Here is a video that tells the story of Asheville Hiking Tours.
Organizer
Ronny Thorson
Organizer
Asheville, NC