Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Markovich.
Nicole, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up in Illinois and was a high school science teacher for 9 years before I took a leave of absence to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail (AT). I then spent 6 months backpacking nearly 2200 miles from Georgia to Maine on the AT. I absolutely loved it and the experience changed my life in a lot of ways.
After finishing, I returned to the classroom for a couple of months, but it wasn’t the same. I loved teaching, but it was a stressful job, and I found myself often dreaming about the AT, wanting to be back in the mountains. I had also met my current boyfriend on the AT, and he lived in Knoxville. So I quit my teaching job and moved out here, where I decided to open my own business, Wildwood Hiking Company, as a backpacking guide.
This is now my 3rd season guiding backpacking trips and I absolutely love it! I plan and guide women’s backpacking trips, where I teach women how to backpack and hike safely and confidently in the backcountry. I teach skills like trail navigation, water filtration, cooking meals, how to set up tents, how to pack their gear, and basic wilderness safety. I guide groups on the Appalachian Trail and also in the Smokies, all within a short drive from Knoxville.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There have been so many obstacles! Backpacking is a challenging sport, and we are at the mercy of mother nature! I have to deal with thunderstorms, high winds, extreme temperatures, wildlife (like bears and snakes), and make sure everyone stays safe and has a good time in the backcountry. A lot of times that means I have to make quick decisions on route changes and itinerary modifications while we are out there. Last year, Hurricane Helene forced me to cancel all of my October backpacking trips, which had a major impact on my business. Thankfully, things are picking back up this year.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Wildwood Hiking Company is a small, women owned business dedicated to helping others enjoy and connect with nature by guiding safe and memorable outdoor experiences. I am the owner of the business and currently the only guide, but I plan to hire an additional guide in the future as the business continues to grow.
I mainly plan, organize, and guide backpacking trips on the Appalachian Trail and in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, from beginner-level 3 day trips up to more advanced 6 day trips. I specialize in guiding women’s backpacking trips, where I teach all the skills needed for women to feel safe and confident in the backcountry- from trail navigation to filtering water to wildlife safety. As a female guide, I’m able to offer unique tips and experience that are specific to the needs of women in the outdoors (like how to pee in the woods, how to handle your period on trail, and how to stay safe while hiking solo).
As a previous thru-hiker of the Appalachian Trail, I have a lot of knowledge and insights to share about the AT. I also provide personalized thru-hike coaching and practice hikes for anyone that needs help planning and prepping for a thru-hike.
How do you think about luck?
I don’t really think about things in terms of luck… a lot of what has happened in my life has been a result of the choices I’ve made that have brought me to where I am now. A lot of things happened in my life that brought me to the Appalachian Trail which ultimately led to me opening my business. But then there are some factors that are completely out of our control, like the hurricane last year that forced me to cancel all of my October trips. I suppose that would be unlucky!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wildwoodhiking.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildwood_hiking_co/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090145680525
