When is The Summit?
Where is the next Summit?
What is the schedule of events?
Who are the guest speakers and clinicians?
What kind of special events will happen at The Summit?
What is the Refund Policy?
How much does The Summit cost?
Is there camping in the area?
What about travel arrangements?
Who is responsible for The Summit?
Who are the Trail Dames?
Where did all of these beautiful photos come from?
How can I stay up to date on the latest Summit happenings?
Who can come to The Summit?
Are men allowed?
Can I bring my dog?
What is included in the Summit fee?
Can I request a single room? A particular room-mate?
Can you cater to special dietary requirements?
What is the dress for The Summit?
Do I need to bring any hiking/backpacking equipment?
What if I have no hiking experience? What if I have loads of hiking experience?
Do I have to be a Trail Dame to come to The Summit?
Who are the Summit Sponsors?
When is The Summit?
June 21-23, 2024
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Where is the next Summit?
The Summit is taking place at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina.
For more information about the University, go here.
For more information about Cullowhee, go here.
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What is the schedule of events?
During the next few months, the schedule will be coming together. What will you be able to expect during The Summit? Classes, workshops, seminars, guest speakers, gear demonstrations and more. Keep an eye on the site for upcoming changes. For an idea of what the 2018 Summit was like, click here.
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Who are the guest speakers and clinicians?
As plans for the 2024 Summit come together, we will post lists of clinicians and guest speakers here.
For a list of last Summit's speakers and clinicians, click here.
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What kind of special events will happen at The Summit?
While plans are still being made, some of the things we are working toward are a hiker fair, documentary screening, awards ceremony and more. Keep an eye here as we post more information.
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What is the Refund Policy?
Registration is refundable (less any Paypal fees) up to May 1, 2024. After May 1, 2024, all fees are non-refundable.
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How much does The Summit cost?
The Summit fee is $225.
Room and Board is $179/$199 for a double or single room.
Meals are available for those staying off campus.
Your Summit fee includes attendance to all Summit events, Summit packet, all campus admin fees and Summit tee shirt. Housing fees include housing, meals and linens.
Is there camping in the area?
Moonshine Creek Campground
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What about travel arrangements?
Since Western Carolina University is located in the Appalachian Mountains, there is no direct way of traveling to Cullowhee. The public transportation system is not well-developed in the mountains, so you need to travel by air or Greyhound Bus to Asheville, NC. You can take a taxi or shuttle to Western Carolina University.
The closest airport to Cullowhee is the Asheville Regional Airport in Asheville, North Carolina. From this airport, Western Carolina University is 45 miles (70 km) away.
There is no ground transportation to the university from here. You can take a taxi or shuttle from the airport to Cullowhee.
Uber from the airport to the University is approximately $75.
Hotels near Western Carolina University:
The Comfort Inn
1235 E. Main Street
Cullowhee, NC
828.477.4950
Blue Ridge Inn
756 W. Main Street
Cullowhee, NC
828.586.2123
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Who is responsible for The Summit?
The Summit is being sponsored by the Trail Dames, a hiking club for women, and falls under the direction of the Trail Dames Charitable Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to education, advocacy, service and trail maintenance.
A dedicated group of women have come together to form the Summit Committee and they are working hard to make this year's Summit a huge success. To meet the Summit Chairs, click here.
For additional questions or comments, email us at info@traildames.com.
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Who are the Trail Dames?
Trail Dames is the first nation-wide hiking club for women. As of 2024, we have fourteen chapters spread across the country and are growing quickly.
Trail Dames calls itself a ‘hiking club for women of a curvy nature’, meaning that we are a place where all women are welcome. Our goal is to inspire women of every shape, size, age and fitness level to get out and see the beauty this world has to offer.
In 2011, we were proud to host the first-ever women’s hiking and backpacking conference. It was an idea that is long overdue and in Harrisonburg, Virginia, the first Summit took place. We are very excited to see where the next few years takes us, and can’t wait to see the growth of not only Trail Dames, but of the Summit. For more information, or to join Trail Dames, go to www.traildames.com.
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Where did all of these beautiful photos come from?
The majority of photos on this site were taken by Catrina Timeus, Tina Tasso, Rena Cantrell, and Sandi Adams. We are so grateful to them for both their talent and generosity.
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How can I stay up to date on the latest Summit happenings?
To be added to our email update for the Trail Dames Summit, visit our contact page. We will be happy to keep you aware of all of the updates to Summit speakers, events and happenings.
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Who can come to The Summit?
Any and all women are welcome at the Summit! We have women who have never set foot on a trail and women who are Triple Crowners. Hikers, backpackers, and dreamers alike will find a community at The Summit. Any age, fitness level, experience level.....the beauty of The Summit is that we all share our experiences and learn from each other. All that we ask is that you love the outdoors.
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Are men allowed?
While we love our men, The Summit is for women only. The exception to this are the awards ceremony and key note speaker Saturday night. You are welcome to bring fathers, sons, significant others or friends that evening. *Note: Our wonderful sponsors who are men are invited to take part in the hiker fair and Saturday night events.*
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Can I bring my dog?
Due to university regulations, dogs, and other pets, are not allowed at the Summit. Fully trained, properly certified guide dogs in the service of an attendee, of course, are allowed.
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What is included in the Summit fee?
Your Summit fee includes attendance to all classes, seminars, and special events scheduled during The Summit. Also included are your Summit packet and Summit tee shirt. Housing, meals, and linens are available at an extra charge.
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Can I request a single room? A particular room-mate?
Participants room requests will be honored pending availability, as will room-mate requests. Due to the number of rooms available, rooms and room-mates cannot be guaranteed, but we will do our very best!
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Can you cater to special dietary requirements?
The Courtyard dining hall is an all-you-care-to-eat facility offering a variety of stations from home cooking, to a Mongolian grill, full salad bar, pizza and pasta, deli, desserts, and grilled food. They offer vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free items as well. If you have questions about particular dietary restrictions, you can reach them at 828-227-3778 or campusdining@wcu.edu.
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What is the dress for The Summit?
All Summit events are casual. Come prepared to be comfortable inside and out.
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Do I need to bring any hiking/backpacking equipment?
While you do not need to bring anything to the Summit itself, if you have something neat to show others, feel free! New hammocks or light-weight gear can be great to share with your fellow participants. If you are planning on attending the hike or backpacking trip afterwards, you will need to bring equipment for that.
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What if I have no hiking experience? What if I have loads of hiking experience?
The beauty of The Summit is that there is something for everyone. From the woman that has only walked around her block to the triple-crowner, there is a place at The Summit. Not only will you meet other women just like you, but you will all share and learn from each other, making great friends and meeting future hiking partners in the process.
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Do I have to be a Trail Dame to come to The Summit?
Of course not! The Summit is a celebration of all women that love the outdoors. While the Trail Dames are hosting the conference, The Summit is for everyone. However, paid Trail Dames members do get a $50 discount on the Summit fee, so consider joining us! You will save some money AND join in a wonderful organization!! You can do that here.
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Who are the Summit Sponsors?
The Summit is unbelievably grateful to the following sponsors. These people own businesses that are willing to step forward and say, “We believe”. They believe in the importance of women in the outdoors and they believe in the importance of having a conference to bring those women together. Please take the time to meet these people and thank them.
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SPONSORS
The closest airport to Cullowhee is the Asheville Regional Airport in Asheville, North Carolina. From this airport, Western Carolina University is 45 miles (70 km) away.
There is no ground transportation to the university from here. You can take a taxi or shuttle from the airport to Cullowhee.
Uber from the airport to the University is approximately $75.
Hotels near Western Carolina University:
1235 E. Main Street
Cullowhee, NC
828.477.4950
756 W. Main Street
Cullowhee, NC
828.586.2123
A dedicated group of women have come together to form the Summit Committee and they are working hard to make this year's Summit a huge success. To meet the Summit Chairs, click here.
For additional questions or comments, email us at info@traildames.com.
Trail Dames calls itself a ‘hiking club for women of a curvy nature’, meaning that we are a place where all women are welcome. Our goal is to inspire women of every shape, size, age and fitness level to get out and see the beauty this world has to offer.
In 2011, we were proud to host the first-ever women’s hiking and backpacking conference. It was an idea that is long overdue and in Harrisonburg, Virginia, the first Summit took place. We are very excited to see where the next few years takes us, and can’t wait to see the growth of not only Trail Dames, but of the Summit. For more information, or to join Trail Dames, go to www.traildames.com.
SPONSORS
