Jennifer Pharr Davis

Jennifer Pharr Davis is an adventurer, author, speaker, and entrepreneur known for her achievements in long-distance hiking. She has completed the Appalachian Trail three times and became the first woman to hold the overall record for the trail, completing the 2,190-mile route in 46 days with an average of 47 miles per day. Pharr Davis has hiked more than 14,000 miles of trails across six continents, establishing a reputation in the outdoor industry for endurance and expertise in backpacking and trail running.

Pharr founded Blue Ridge Hiking Company (BRHC) to help everyone, especially women, experience the joy and wonder of spending time in the woods. BRHC has grown from a one woman operation to a small business with a dozen guides, a shop in downtown Asheville, a bunkhouse in the Appalachian Trail hamlet of Hot Springs, and a small fleet of vehicles, and has been recognized as a key cog in Asheville's burgeoning tourist industry. More importantly, BRHC has helped thousands of people experience the transformative power of walking through and with nature.

Her first solo thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail presented significant challenges, including severe weather, safety concerns, and difficult encounters. These experiences influenced her perspective on the healing power of nature and the importance of outdoor access. At age 24, Pharr Davis founded Blue Ridge Hiking Company to help individuals, particularly women, experience the outdoors. She developed the company into a leading outfitter in the Southeast, guiding thousands of people through the region's trails. She received the Women-Up Entrepreneur of the Year Award from the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce for her work in building a mission-driven business.

As an author, Pharr Davis has written two memoirs, "Becoming Odyssa" and "Called Again," both published by Beaufort Books. She is also the author of "The Pursuit of Endurance: Harnessing the Record-Breaking Power of Strength and Resilience" from Viking Press. Her articles have appeared in The New York Times, Outside Magazine, Backpacker, Trail Runner, and Blue Ridge Outdoors. Her writing and speaking engagements focus on translating lessons from the trail into insights on leadership, resilience, and personal growth.

Pharr Davis was named a National Geographic Adventurer of the Year and featured in the IMAX film "Into America's Wild." She has appeared on CNN, NPR, and the CBS Early Show, and was recognized by Men's Journal as one of the 25 Most Adventurous Women of the Past 25 Years. She received the Governor of North Carolina's Laurel Wreath Award for Exceptional Athletic Achievement and served on the board of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

As a professional speaker, Pharr Davis has delivered presentations in all 50 states to a range of audiences, including corporations, universities, libraries, and trade associations. Her talks integrate stories from her hiking experiences with practical lessons for personal and professional development. Pharr Davis holds a Master in Public Affairs and has contributed to regional recovery efforts following natural disasters. Her work continues to influence the outdoor recreation, hiking, and adventure travel communities.