How did I get here? This is something I have always asked myself throughout life. In my opinion, it’s an important question. Why? Because you need to know where you came from in order to know where you are going. Everything that happens along the way plays a role in who you are now. From family, friends, relationships, school, jobs, careers, hobbies, anything and everything in between, all of your experiences led you to this moment. Now I would like to tell you about what brought me to the moment when I decided to start The Avid Hiker.
It all started in Cornwall, NY, where I grew up. I never had the cookie cutter type of life: everything was always a challenge, and nothing came easy. After graduating high school and realizing that college wasn’t for me, I started serving tables and learned the hustle of restaurant life. During my time off you could pretty much find me in the woods; my friends and family at the time were amazing, but I was on a path of self love and self discovery. I started to learn how to rely on myself. If I could make it bushwacking, climbing steep terrains, and summiting mountain tops to reach my goal, why couldn’t I translate that to my real life?
Fast forward to now. 10 or so years later, I’m living in the small town of Bolton Landing surrounded by Lake George and the Adirondack Mountains. Life is good here and feels so much more open and free, but something still felt like it was missing, and it took me this long to realize it. During the last several years, I was never fully able to enjoy the seasons in this beautiful area. I wanted to be in the place I loved: the outdoors. One winter night during the pandemic, I came up with this idea. Why not start my own guiding business by showing others the wonders of the woods? I could finally leave my mark and do something I truly have a passion for. I started studying, researching, and training and as a result, I am now a New York State Licensed Guide in hiking and camping. I finally have my chance to really give back to the world and show others how the trails, summits, creeks and streams can open a reality to a whole new world.
Can’t wait to see you out there!
The Avid Hiker
Andrea Rice
The Avid Hiker 