Ashley grew up in North Texas but spent her summers at a cabin in Ontario, Canada. It was rustic enough that there wasn’t much to do inside, so we went on adventure after adventure. Whether it was hiking, jumping off a waterfall, swimming in the Great Lakes, finding a cave, or rolling down some sand dunes, we were up for pretty much anything. Combine that with family vacations abroad and you have a young girl with a full heart.
Fast forward to high school, where my priority became sports, and then on to college where my studies captured my attention. After college, we took a family trip to Crested Butte during the summer and I immediately fell in love with the mountains. We vowed to move there one day, and a few years later we did it!

Since then, my focus has been hiking as much as possible during the summer months. Once the higher elevations turn from snow to dirt, my feet hit the ground hard. I hiked hundreds of miles while we lived in Breckenridge, Colorado, and now I continue my passion in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina. Our weekends are full of dirt trails, campfires, and maybe even a send or two at our local crag.
Ashley’s role in Know Nothing Nomads is to bring the content to life through easy-to-follow how-to’s, knowledgeable guides, honest product reviews, and anything else that helps you get outdoors. All this is based on her real-life experience and what she’s learned her entire life. When she’s not at the computer writing, you can find her exploring and adventuring with Derek.
Ashley’s Writings
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Rock Climbing Grades: The Complete Guide for Free Climbing
A break down of the main rock climbing grades for free climbing routes, which includes the Yosemite Decimal System, the French system, and more.
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Rock Climbing Telluride
Rock climbing in Telluride is some of the best in the state and there’s so much opportunity for adventure in the towns of Telluride, Ouray, and Ophir.
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Crested Butte Rock Climbing
Crested Butte and Gunnison Valley are home to a wide variety of trad and sport climbs, as well as bouldering problems in several different areas.
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Rock Climbing Breckenridge – The Best Places to Climb
Whether you’re a beginner, experienced sport climber, or into ice climbing, the Breckenridge area is home to many opportunities to get your hands dirty..
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Alex Honnold: An Extraordinary Free Soloist & Climber
Alex Honnold is one of the biggest names in rock climbing, an exceptionally accomplished climbers, and is one of the most followed climbers ever.
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The Different Types of Tents Explained (with Pictures)
Each of the different types of tents have their own advantages and disadvantages, so let’s talk about each design and its best use!
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The 16+ Different Parts of a Tent and What They’re Used For
There are so many different parts of a tent but we are here to help you understand each piece and its intended use and what to look for in a quality…
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Freestanding vs Non-Freestanding Tents – What’s the Difference?
Let’s talk about what are freestanding vs non-freestanding tents, the pros and cons of each, and our top picks for each style.
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Dome Tent Vs Cabin Tent – Which Should You Choose?
We’re going to talk about the difference between dome tent vs cabin tent, the pros and cons of each, and help you decide which shape is best.
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Does Tent Color Matter? Your Questions Answered
Learn the truth about does tent color matter – light vs dark, attracting bugs, blackout tents, bright colors, and so much more!
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Do You Need a Tent Footprint? The Truth Revealed
Do you need a tent footprint, what does a footprint do, and how to make your own – these are all questions we will answer, plus more!
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Appalachian Trail Map
Click here for an interactive Appalachian trail map that features the locations of shelters, AMC huts, outfitters, hostels, and so much more.
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Are Coleman Tents Waterproof? The Truth Revealed
Are Coleman tents waterproof? People are curious and we have the answer – it may shock you though!
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Hiking the Appalachian Trail (The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide)
The Appalachian Trail (AT) is a 2,194.3 mile stretch of foot path that was completed in 1937. Since then it’s changed a lot, and most of the trail has been re-routed to nearby routes – in fact, it’s estimated that 99% of the trail is not in it’s original location. More than 20,000 hikers have […]
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Aluminum vs Fiberglass Tent Poles – Which Makes a Better Tent Pole?
What’s the difference between aluminum vs fiberglass tent poles? Read on to learn more about which one you should never buy again..
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Best Tent to Live in Full Time (Long Term Camping in 2023)
These are the best tent to live in full time if you’re interested in long term camping this year! They’re super high quality, weather resistant, and…
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Best Stargazing Tent for Sleeping Under the Night Sky in 2023
Sleeping outdoors is one of the best parts of camping. Hearing the crickets chirp, the leaves rustle as the animals awake, and appreciating the peace that is nature at night. Feeling the cool breeze and fresh air filter through the mesh on your tent while your sleeping bag keeps you warm and cozy. Those are […]
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Best Bell Tent with Canvas That’s Adventure Ready in 2023
We’ve narrowed down the search for the best bell tent into six highly rated options that are feature-rich, high quality, tents with an affordable price tag
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Best Tents for Tall People
These camping tents are the best tents for tall people because of their oversized length, width, and height that allows for lots of space.
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15 Common Camping Mistakes to Avoid
We’ve learned a lot from camping over the years, and we hope these 15 common camping mistakes will teach you some things you should avoid.
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How to Build a Campfire
Do you know how to build a campfire safely? Follow our steps to get all the right supplies, pick the correct wood, and build the perfect campfire!
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Finding the Perfect Campsite: How to Setup Camp
Follow these steps to find the best campground and the perfect campsite, then follow our suggestions to get your camp setup perfect!
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What To Bring Camping: The Ultimate Checklist
We’ve perfected the checklist of what to bring camping, and we have it here with a full list of everything you need for the perfect adventure.
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Benefits of Camping: Why Do People Like it Anyway?
There are tons of benefits of camping and it’s no secret that getting outside can help your health in more ways than one. Let’s take a look at the best.
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Best Time to Buy a Tent for Cheap
It’s important to know the best time to buy a tent because there are certain times each year when you could save lots of money…
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Best Shower Tent for Privacy While Camping
The best shower tent can be used for showering, but can also double as a privacy shelter for changing clothes or using a portable toilet.
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Best Glamping Tents for Luxury Camping Under the Stars
Glamping is one of the fastest growing sectors in the outdoors industry and for good reason – there’s something special about the ambiance of a home away from home that protects you from the elements while exposing you to some of the best parts of camping. You get to see some of the best parts […]
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50+ Best Gifts for Hikers, Campers & Outdoor Enthusiasts
We’ve assembled the best gifts for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, with everything from electronics and blankets to shoes and subscriptions.
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Camping Tent Size: How Much Space Do You Need?
A complete guide to camping tent size and everything you need to know about capacity, square footage, height, tent shape, and more!
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Heated Camping Gear You Need for Your Next Chilly Adventure
Do you love camping in spring and fall, but have a hard time keeping warm? Or maybe those cooler summer nights in the mountains give you a chill that’s hard to shake. Even avid winter time campers aren’t opposed to bringing in some reinforcements, so why not bring along something that will make a huge […]
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How to Heat a Tent Safely – Winter Camping in 2023
Knowing how to heat a tent properly can make a big difference in your fall or winter camping adventure, so read this to learn more about it!
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Best Heated Sleeping Bag for a Warm Night’s Sleep Outdoors
Having one of these best heating sleeping bags would make a huge different on your next chilly camping adventure – stay warm even on cold nights.
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