All Trips > Virginia > Virginia Wilderness Survival 101 & Hiking the Triple Crown Virginia Wilderness Survival 101 & Hiking the Triple Crown Choose Your Dates AT A GLANCE Virginia 14 Explorer Chicks Locally Unique Hiking, US-Based, Weekend, Workshop 4 Days 3 - Active Physical demand level for this trip Triple Crown Queen Photos Itinerary Logistics Activity Level What's Included Choose Your Dates Share Triple Crown Queen While the rest of the world mows their stupid lawns, you’ll be SLAYING the most iconic Appalachian Trail summits in one wild Virginia weekend workshop. This Women’s Wilderness Survival Training & Hiking trip bounces 12 lucky booties across Dragon’s Tooth, Tinker Cliffs, and McAfee Knob––Virginia’s Triple Crown. Between hikes, you’ll learn hands-on wilderness survival training skills like fire-building in the rain and emergency bug-hunting. (Crunchy yet satisfying!) We’ll recoop at a beautiful lodge hidden away in Catawba, Virginia. There ain’t another Teva-happy tourist in sight as we howl at the base of the mountains, surrounded by woods and hooty owls. Enjoy the freedom to stretch your legs in the sun, share hot goss around the fire, or knock back a few beers. Your dinners and breakfasts will be home-cooked by someone other than you––and this time, bugs won’t be on the menu. Come enjoy a feral weekend with a small group of women living their best lives hiking and surviving in Virginia along the Appalachian Trail. And yes, Triple Crown Queen can totally be your stage name. Photos Itinerary Expand All Days Day 1 - Hiking Dragon's Tooth WE ARE SO EXCITED TO MEET YOU! You’ll arrive late Thursday afternoon at our lodge in the woods to drop your bags and gear up for the first jewel in Virginia’s crown: Dragon’s Tooth! It’s the shortest of the three hikes, but the most mind-blowing. Scramble up rocks via ferrata-type ladders to reach the summit and gawk at the huge monolith stretching to the sky. Feelin’ brave? Climb up the monolith for 360-degree views of the valley below (and all the bragging rights). Distance: 4.5 miles Elevation Gain: 1,103’ Time: 3.5 hours Accommodation: Mountain Lodge Meals: D Day 2 - Tinker Cliffs Hike Don’t let the cute name fool you. Tinker Cliffs has the gnarliest elevation gain, including a “Green Tunnel” stretch that’ll make your thighs sing. But it’s a stunner of a hike––leading you across a field that gives you a jaw-dropping view of our goal. Stare. Freak out a little. And then shake it off. We’ll connect with the Appalachian Trail to reach the summit and enjoy some well-deserved sammies. (Extra cheese, obvi.) While blissfully munching, you’ll be able to lock eyes with tomorrow’s quest: McAfee Knob. After everyone’s showered and braless back at the lodge, we’ll tuck into a yummy home-cooked meal and get weird around the campfire. First topic of conversation: Where to find leggings with actual pockets. Distance: 7.7 miles Elevation Gain: 1,945’ Time: 6.5 hours Accommodation: Mountain Lodge Meals: B-L-D Day 3 - Survival 101 and McAfee Knob Hiking It’s back to school, lady! We’ll take a short hike to our outdoor classroom to spend the day nerding out on wilderness survival skills. Grab a notebook and a pen to scratch down some notes and hey, maybe put your initials in a heart with ours. We’ll learn how to tie knots, build a wilderness shelter, start and feed a fire in the rain, and which bugs are the tastiest! ? Yes, it is completely hands-on. You’ll leave this sesh knowing how to save the world––or at least impress your partner with some kinky rope moves. Saturday evening, we’ll hit a mall walker’s stride as we jump on the trail to catch one of the best sunsets. The hustle up the mountain is so worth the burning quads as you rest your hiker booty and kick your legs off the edge of the world. There’s a reason McAfee Knob is one of the most photographed spots on the Appalachian Trail. Distance: 8.63 miles Elevation Gain: 1,643’ Time: 4 hours Accommodation: Mountain Lodge Meals: B-L-D Day 4 - Backcountry Self Defense Class We’re not done turning you into a total badass. On your last day in wilderness paradise, you’ll learn hands-on Backcountry Personal Self Protection. PEACE OUT, TRAIL CREEPER. Our Explorer Chicks will be expertly trained to: • Break free from a stranger’s hold – KA-POW!!! • Recognize the signs of threatening behavior • Learn to use day pack contents as weapons Liam Neeson who? You’ll be able to practice in a supportive environment with a “Red-Man Suit” while learning a proper palm strike, finger fan, knee jab, knee strike, and blocking moves. Then we’ll de-escalate all the adrenaline with some delicious lunch and loving hugs so TSA doesn’t have to put you on a watch list. Plan to leave after 1pm, you lethal weapon. Meals: B-L Logistics Arrival Airport City: Roanoke, VA (ROA). Approximately 40 minute drive Meeting Location: Mountain Lodge in Catawba, VA Meeting Time: Day 1 April-September 4pm. October-September 3pm. Departure Airport City: Roanoke, VA (ROA). Approximately 40 minute drive Depart Location: Mountain Lodge in Catawba, VA Return Time: Plan to depart by 1pm on Day 4. You will receive a Travel Guide with all the rendezvous hotel, packing, and additional information you’ll need to prepare for your epic trip. We require a minimum of 5 Explorer Chicks for this trip. Please confirm your trip is guaranteed before booking airfare. Activity Level Rated 3 – ACTIVE This trip is rated Active because of the length and frequency of hiking for 3 days as detailed below. Each hike is unique. Dragon’s Tooth may challenge those with a fear of heights as there is a small section with via ferrata type and some scrambling. Tinker Cliffs is your longest day with 2 sections that are an uphill slog. Daily Hiking: Day 1: Dragon’s Tooth. 4.5 miles. 1,103′ gain. 4.5 hours. Day 2: Tinker Cliffs. 7.7 miles. 1,945’ gain. 6.5 hours. Day 3: McAfee Knob. 8.63 miles. 1,643′ gain. 4 hours. Please consider your ability to meet the physical demands very seriously. It is for the safety of both you and our group. All Explorer Chicks will be required to sign an Acknowledgement of Physical Demands as part of their waiver upon booking. Read more about our Activity Levels. What's Included Lodging 3 nights in shared occupancy bunk room accommodations in a mountain lodge. Rooms contain 4 bunk beds, but shared 2 per room. Shared bathrooms. Very nice showers and toilets. Towels provided. Beautiful, sprawling property with fire pit, tire swing, pond and a dog or two. Activities All activities as outlined in the itinerary Meals All meals as indicated in itinerary: B-3, L-3, D-3 Gratuities for included meals Practical Professional leadership team with a Wilderness Survival Instructor and an Explorer Chick Guide A detailed Travel Guide with everything you need to know for your trip The freedom to enjoy your vacation and mindlessly wander! Not Included Airfare Airport Transportation Alcoholic beverages Travel Insurance Meals exclusive of itineraries Costs for additional activities Gratuity for your Explorer Chick Guide Explorer Chick reserves the option to modify trip itineraries at the discretion of your tour director as necessary due to weather, conditions, illness, injury, group dynamics, or other unforeseen incidents. More from Virginia 🍂 The start of fall greeted these 8 Explorer Chicks, with cooler temps, changing tree tops, and the crisp air our summer bodies yearn for. 🥾 The Appalachian Trail, a true gift, maintained by volunteers and accessible to all, gave us the space to learn about ourselves as we explored what we were capable of while growing and forming deep connections like the roots underfoot. As we wandered the wilderness feeling free, strong and deeply connected, we also felt the lightness like the falling leaves around us. We filled our bodies with laughter, cheer, silly antics, and delicious foods!💪 Successfully completing the challenging and coveted Triple Crown (three iconic hikes totaling 21 miles with nearly 5,000 feet of elevation gain) was simply the sweet cherry on top, to all the MANY lessons we learned! 🧭 These bold babes now carry all the tools within them they would need to successfully navigate out of any survival situation, while also knowing how to avoid common mistakes to get you in a survival situation in the first place. 🥊 Plus, I would not mess with ANY of these women after this weekend, because they know how to kick, flip, and trip anyone who tries to invade their personal space without an invitation. (I’ve seen there strength and power with my own eyes ). You’d be flat out before you knew what hit you!💕 We journeyed together through trails, new learning, and shared spaces, with laughter, compassion, kindness AND empowerment. Cheers to a GREAT Adventure and new friends.-EC Guide Jayme2 Spots left for 4 days of empowerment in 2024!🗓 Nov (9-12)🔗 in bio for a last-minute weekend adventure#explorerchick #ExplorerChickAdventureCo #womenwhotravel #womentravelingtogether #easydoesntchangeyou #weareexplorerchick #adventuretravel #SheIsNotLost #WomenSupportingWomen #amongthewild #summercamp #memorylane #wildernesstraining #outdoorskills #hikingAT #wildernessskills #wildernessvibes #wildernessadventure #wildernesstherapy #wildernesslivingskills #wildernessexplorer #explorerchickvirginia Open 🔥 Strong and EMPOWERING. 💪And can we talk about the shoes she’s taking him down in?! 😂You leave this class with a fighters high as we learn self defense moves as a break from hiking mountains.#explorerchickvirginia #selfdefense #womensupportingwomen #strongwomen #safetyfirst Open 🚨 ADD THIS ultimate hiking challenge in Virginia to your list!👑 Be queened conquerer of the famed "Triple Crown"; 3 iconic peaks along the AT known for their scenic beauty and challenging hikes:⛰ McAfee Knob is one of the most iconic spots on the Appalachian Trail. Hikers are rewarded with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, making it a stellar spot for your next profile (or bumble 😉) pic.⛰ Tinker Cliffs pro tip? Summiting this viewpoint at sunrise or sunset to see the valley`s below you glow.⛰ Dragon`s Tooth is a unique rock formation known for its rugged trail. While it may be the shortest trail of the three, hiking to the tooth involves a steep ascent and scrambling the spire! But we promise, the boob sweat will be worth the climb! 💪🥾 Join our squad of 14 fierce women this fall and knock out this epic feat as (3) day hikes! We`ll spend your evenings recharging in a cozy mountain lodge and your afternoons mastering survival and wilderness skills. Only FOUR Fall 2023 dates remain!🗓 Sept (21-24)🗓 Oct (12-15) & (26-29)🗓 Nov (9-12)#explorerchick #ExplorerChickAdventureCo #womenwhotravel #womentravelingtogether #easydoesntchangeyou #weareexplorerchick #adventuretravel #SheIsNotLost #WomenSupportingWomen #amongthewild #summercamp #memorylane #wildernesstraining #outdoorskills #hikingAT #wildernessskills #wildernessvibes #wildernessadventure #wildernesstherapy #wildernesslivingskills #wildernessexplorer #explorerchickvirginia Open “Sorry Gary, someone else is gonna have to handle that for ya”. Keep that phone on airplane mode the whole trip and soak in nature and she-nanigans. 🌳📵🗻#explorerchick #ExplorerChickAdventureCo #womenwhotravel #womentravelingtogether #easydoesntchangeyou #weareexplorerchick #adventuretravel #SheIsNotLost #WomenSupportingWomen #amongthewild #summercamp #memorylane #wildernesstraining #outdoorskills #hikingAT #wildernessskills #wildernessvibes #wildernessadventure #wildernesstherapy #wildernesslivingskills #wildernessexplorer #explorerchickvirginia #ooo #outofoffice #workboundaries #worklifebalance #mentalhealth Open WHAT TO EXPECT from a weekend of hiking the Appalachian trail and learning wilderness survival skills: brought to you by EC Guide Kayla!⛰ "What an AMAZING weekend in the Virginia mountains!! A group of 8 explorer chicks set off for 4 days of a fantastic adventure. 💧We started the trip in the pouring rain, but did it stop us? ABSOLUTELY NOT! We flipped it, we ripped it, we sipped it! 💪 We hiked up three mountains achieving the Triple Crown, geeked out on plants and animals along the way (shout out to the cherry bombs), hiked many miles in the dark woods, conquered fears of snakes and heights, celebrated at the tops, and became fast friends. 🔥 Meanwhile, we laughed and learned; built shelters, made fires, and lastly got empowered with a self-defense lesson (and saw some of our fighting sides come out ). 💕 This has been an unforgettable adventure with the best group of women. Can`t wait for the reunion tour!"👌 Literally, the PERFECT long weekend getaway! 🗓 We`ve got FIVE trips left this fall. 🔗 in bio to peep the dates!#ExplorerChick #WomenWhoTravel #AmongTheWild #IdHikeThat #WanderWomen #AdventureTravel #OutdoorWomen #EasyDoesntChangeYou #WomenWhoHike #WildernessExplorer #HikingCulture #HikeLikeAWomen #SheIsNotLost #WomenWhoExplore #WeAreNature #HikingTips #PositiveMindset #OutdoorTherapy #NatureTherapy #wildernessculture #hiking #hikingmemes #hikingadventures #girlswhohike #amongthewild #campingweekend #wildernessskills #survivalschool #appalachiantrail #explorerchickvirginia Open Load More In Her Words Gail H. ★★★★★ I so loved my Virginia Wilderness Survival trip this past weekend! It was my first Explorer Chick trip and it did not disappoint. Our guide Lauren was fabulous! She was so knowledgeable, kind and funny. The lodging, food, hikes, wilderness training and self defense training were all top notch!Jackie W. ★★★★★ I went on the Virginia Wilderness trip guided by Erin recently, and highly recommend it! Every woman on the trip booked it not knowing anyone, but we all became friends very quickly. We hiked, learned, and laughed so much in such a short amount of time. I feel much more confident being in the wilderness now and cannot wait to book my next trip with Explorer Chick!Shoutout to Erin for dealing with our shenanigans, getting everyone back safely, and for helping to make this trip as amazing as it was! She's the BEST.Jen J. ★★★★★ Just finished the Virginia Hiking & Survival 101 trip with guide Erin. I could not have had a better experience. Trip was incredibly well-organized. Erin and the staff at the wilderness school were incredibly patient with our varying skill levels. There’s something to be said for taking a “weird” vacation with like-minded women who want to learn & grow through new experiences. I left feeling incredibly strong, empowered, & ready to tackle another adventure with the new adventure buddies that I met.Kristin W. ★★★★★ I went on the Virginia survival trip in June 2017 and had the best time! I had not gone on a trip since having my son and being able to hang out with such a diverse group of women was a renewing experience. The trip was well organized, the hikes were beautiful and the partnership with the survival school was a one in a kind experience. Being able to bond with women from all over the country with different life experiences was more than I expected or hoped for in this trip...as well as eating some delicious bugs! Let's Do This Starting from $1299 Book Now Save $200 with our Early Bird Discounts! Just book at least 6 Months in Advance! Discount is automatically applied. Non-Refundable Deposit: $200 due at booking to secure your spot Book with Confidence Your wanderlust doesn’t have to wait. Our payment plans make booking your dream trip easier than ever. The best part? Zero additional fees. Payment Plans We want nothing more than for you join us. However, we understand emergencies do occur that may cause you to cancel your reservation. Cancellation Policy To protect your travel investment and your hide, we recommend purchasing travel insurance. Receive a no-hassle, online quote in less than 2 minutes. Trip Insurance Questions About Virginia? Name(Required) First Name Last Name Email(Required) Enter Email Confirm Email Send us your Virginia questions!(Required)NameThis field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Endless Wanderlust Great Smoky Mountains Hiking, Rafting and Glamping Weekend 4 DAYS, TENNESSEE Glamping, Hiking, National Park, Smoky Mountains, Weekend, White Water Rafting Glamping New Patagonia W Trek Hut to Hut 7 DAYS, CHILE Bucket List, Hiking, Multiday Treks, New, Trekking Hotel, Mountain Huts Red River Gorge Backpacking Workshop 2 DAYS, KENTUCKY Backpacking, US-Based, Weekend, Workshop Backpacking Utah Ultimate National Parks Hiking Road Trip 8 DAYS, UTAH Hiking, National Park, US-Based Shared House, Glamping Yellowstone Hiking and Wildlife with Grand Teton 7 DAYS, WYOMING Bucket List, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Hot Springs, Multisport, National Park, US-Based, White Water Rafting, Wildlife Hotel Zion and Bryce Hiking and Glamping 4 DAYS, UTAH Glamping, Hiking, Multisport, National Park, Rappelling, US-Based, Weekend Glamping