Andrew is a first-year guide at Big Creek this 2024 season. He has certifications in First Aid and CPR. He is an award-winning journalist specializing in outdoor adventure, conservation, history, and science. His byline has appeared in national and regional publications in print and on the web. His poetry is also regularly published in literary journals. He has through-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2012 and has since completed other long-distance trails. He lives in Maggie Valley, NC with his wife and son. They have an orange cat named Meriwether Lewis. When he isn't rafting or writing, you can find him enjoying mountain biking, watercolor painting, or eating at Waffle House.