What we do, what you do

Today, I want to provide you with some of the basics about why Hobnail exists and what it is that we do.

First, there are lots of adventure travel companies, and I’m sure that most of them are great. Like anything else, you have plenty of choices with whom to travel, but there are a few things that make us different. First, we are based in the Southeast U.S., which is unusual for this type of company. (Most are located in the Western U.S. or overseas.) Second, we don’t pretend to be something we’re not, like hot young mountaineers. Holly and I are more like your Trail Mom and Dad, designing each and every trek the way WE would want to experience it. We partner with the best tour operators to remove as much of the logistical headaches from your trip as possible so that all you have to do is the fun stuff.

More specifically, this means that we build and manage our website and mobile app, we handle the booking portal so that it’s super easy and intuitive to book a trek, we conduct lots of video calls with our overseas partners to work out the itineraries and make them unique to Hobnail, we write books (see them on this page), posts, and emails like this one, we attend adventure travel conferences to get the latest information and innovations, and when you’re on a trek, we constantly monitor and oversee it, making sure that everything is going smoothly until you get back home. We answer the phone when you call and we return your emails and messages promptly.

Are there less expensive options than Hobnail? Sure there are, but use them at your own risk. We will never claim to be a discount company because we don’t offer a discount product. We shoot for the best accommodations, the most comfortable vehicles, and the most highly skilled and vetted partners and guides. For you, this means that your main concern is the trek itself — not worrying about the other stuff.

Trust me — this isn’t a business you go into for the money. We do this because it’s fun and we absolutely love it. There is nothing more rewarding and exciting for us than to see a photo of your proud, smiling face as you hold the Hobnail flag at Everest Base Camp, Kilimanjaro, or some other epic destination. It’s just amazing.

So what we do is all of the legwork before the trek begins, and you do all of it after the trek begins. And regardless of what we do, you will experience something very personal, challenging, surprising, and magical. Don’t wait to make this happen for yourself!