About Us
Our Home & Birthplace of Our Mission
For over ten years we have explored the wonder of the Pyrenees mountains and valleys. Our love for the region, culture, and people led us to make this place our home. It is impossible to move through this extraordinary Pyrenean landscape without finding a deep sense of connection growing within you. It is both our mission and our desire to share the magic of that experience with you.
The story behind our name and our logo
When we sat down to discuss and design a brand name and logo that clearly represented our vision for our fledgling company, after much research we were fascinated by the saga of Athara, a legendary Amazon warrior, leader and teacher who is supposed to have lived nearly 3,000 years ago on the southern steppes of modern day Ukraine near the Black Sea. She led a fierce band of warrior women who were feared by their enemies and called the “raven feeders” because of their unmatched skill in battle. She was a leader and spiritual teacher in a community of women who were known for their fierce loyalty to their clan and to each other, above all else and in all circumstances. We found ourselves drawn to these women and the values they held so dear: honor, loyalty, courage, and sisterhood. And so was born Athara Adventures.
Athara Adventures Through the Years
Our Team
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Joanna is a professional climber and mountaineer with 40 years of experience. She was also a team leader for an international mountain rescue team for 10 years. Presently she is a lecturer in medieval history and women’s studies, and instructor in mountaineering, mountain first aid and mountain safety.
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Rai is a PhD who lectures on the culture of medieval Occitania and sings original compositions of troubadour-style songs. She has been an archaeological guide for jeep safaris in Turkey and a mountain guide for horseback trails in Africa.
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Maddy has a background in graphic and web design. She brings her 10 years of experience to Athara Adventures as part of the Sales and Marketing team. Maddy loves hiking, camping, and living in rural Vermont.
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In 2006, Anna participated in her first hiking trip through the Massif Central and the Pyrenees, and since then has participated in and helped facilitate hiking tours of the Pyrenees, the Alps, and Norway.
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Seoka has trained in multiple outdoor sports leading her to embark on a solo distance hiking trip in 2021. Her combination of professional and personal experience gives her a unique understanding of the fundamentally important connection between outdoor activity and well-being.
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Sarah’s passion for outdoor adventure leads her to spend most of her free time in the mountains expanding her training and exploring diverse outdoor locales, including Southeast Asia, Southern Africa, Scandinavia, Western Europe, and the United States.
