About Us
Brown Dog Adventure Tours was founded in the Spring of 2005 by Taylor Essick and Brent Horner. Having worked separately in the states and around the world for outdoor adventure companies the two shared the common goal to bring a unique company to the Asheville area.
The vision is to motivate and facilitate people to actively pursue this regions natural beauty. With over 90 mountain bike trails, miles of scenic hikes, and some of the country's top trout streams we are certainly in the right place.
Simply stated, we want others to experience the exhilaration and intangible lifestyle benefits gained from these mountains.
In today's world we must recognize the direct connection between human actions and their affect on the environment. Brown Dog Adventure Tours is a company which is committed to reconnecting all people with the outdoors, thus fostering a greater sense of awareness of all environmental issues. Through communication and interaction with the public, environmental mentoring, and strong partnerships with local businesses and community members, Brown Dog strives for continuous environmental improvement.
Safety
The overall safety and well being of our customers is the primary goal of Brown Dog Adventure Tours. Clients placing themselves out of their comfort zone through the activities offered is an effective way to build self-confidence and create self-awareness. Within the execution of adventure activities there is an inherent risk of injury. Safety will be taught and practiced throughout each tour.
Our guides are what make the program a success. Each guide is extensively trained and medically certified as Wilderness First Aid (16 hour course) and some as Wilderness First Responder (80 hour course). The river guides are ACA accredited. Each guide carries an extensive first aid kit, cell phone, and an emergency procedure plan. Before the start of each tour, guides will perform an in-depth introduction/safety speech. Here guides will teach you all there is to know about the sport, while focusing on how to keep yourself safe during the activity.
About Tours
Tours: Brown Dog offers a variety of half day and full day tours, as well as
custom built tours. Visit our tours section to learn more about them.
What to expect: Upon signing up for the tour, we will discuss with you
the experience desired. You will choose which tour best suites you. There
will be no surprises.
What we provide: All necessary gear, safety equipment, drinks, snacks,
(organic lunch can be provided $10 per person).
Where we meet: Brown Dog has selected various locations to meet
depending on where you are staying in the area. Upon booking the
reservation we will establish a convenient meeting location.
What to bring: Current medications, rain jacket, closed toed shoes, camera, old
clothes (that you don't mind getting dirty), synthetic layers.
Client/guide ratios: Fishing 2:1 (3:1 by special arrangement), Mountain
Biking 6:1, Hiking 10:1, Road Biking 6:1.
Weather Cancellation: We will not run tours in dangerous weather, or if
there has been significant rain for several days. However we will go out
in light rain showers, which typically occur daily here in the summertime.
If the tour is cancelled due to dangerous weather you will be reimbursed
the deposit.-Cancellation Policy: Brown Dog requires a 50% deposit upon making your reservation. We have 48 hour cancellation policy. If your reservation is
not canceled within 48 hours of your tour, your deposit will be withheld.
Fly-fishing requires a 7 day cancellation.
Asheville area advise: While you are planning your Asheville getaway, give us a call for any advise. We know the area best and can recommend the finest restaurants, bed and breakfasts, art galleries, music venues, and cultural events. We're glad to help!
Why use guides?
Whether you choose to hire a guide or not is your decision. Here are a few reasons why you need one.
Safety: Each guide carries an extensive first aid kit and trained is
emergency procedures.
Knowledgeable: Guides have so much information to offer from ecology, to natural history, to bike mechanics, to reading rivers, to geology and much more! They are an encyclopedia of information pertaining to the outdoors.
Fun: Our guides are trained and certified in having fun, we guarantee this.
Leave the planning to us: Let Brown Dog scout the area you seek to explore, this will allow you to use your limited time wisely. You don't
want to spend your time lost traveling to a trailhead or finding your
family on trail or rivers that is not suitable for your experience level.
Mechanical issues: Don't be seven miles out on a rental bike when suddenly the chain breaks or the rear derailer malfunctions. This is when
a guide is critical, to fix the mechanical problem and get you back on the trail.
Experience: We have over 60 years of combined experience amongst.
