East Tennessee Outdoor Adventure Community
Get Outside.
Go Further.
Live Fiercely.
Weekly hikes, weighted rucks, and real adventures built around grit, resilience, and a community that shows up. Knoxville and East Tennessee.
Built on the Trail.
Rooted in Community.
Fierce Planet Adventures is East Tennessee's premier outdoor adventure community for people who want more than casual walks — and don't need to be elite athletes to belong here.
Led by Marine Corps veteran Andrew Panfil and his wife Kacy, FPA organizes weekly hiking, rucking, and progressive outdoor experiences designed to build real capability — physical, mental, and emotional. Every event is intentional. We move together. We finish together.
Growth happens on the trail and in community. That's what FPA is built around.
Born in Colorado.
Reborn in Tennessee.
Fierce Planet Adventures was originally founded in Colorado in 2008, where it grew to several hundred members with fully booked events. After relocating to East Tennessee, Andrew and Kacy rebooted FPA with a renewed mission — building a premier outdoor adventure community rooted in real challenge, genuine connection, and personal growth.
Between them, Andrew and Kacy bring over 40 years of combined outdoor adventure experience — mountaineering, canyoneering, backcountry travel, ice climbing, rock climbing, and trail running across Colorado, Utah, Hawaii, and the Appalachian region. They are Spartan Race and GORUCK veterans with over 25 years of combined REI experience in outdoor gear, equipment selection, and fitting.
Both Andrew and Kacy are certified Unbeatable Mind coaches and certified Mental Wellness coaches. As a Marine Corps veteran, Andrew has spent his career studying what it takes to build real resilience — mentally, physically, and emotionally. FPA is the proof of concept. Every hike, every ruck, every trail is an opportunity to show up, move forward, and do something slightly hard.
Structured. Intentional.
Real Challenge.
Every event is designed with clear pacing, realistic expectations, and progressive challenge so you can show up prepared and move well as a group.
Monday Ruck Series
Most Mondays · Rain or ShineWeighted hiking at a steady 2.8–3.1 mph pace. Weight minimum: 10 lbs for 150 lbs and under, 20 lbs for 151 lbs and over. Nonconsumable weight only. Challenge focused — built for grit, mental toughness, and resilience. Check the event listing for location and start time.
Wednesday Hike Series
Twice Monthly · Community ResetThe best way to get to know FPA. Beginner to intermediate terrain, steady group pace, and optional post-hike social at a nearby restaurant or brewery. Check the event listing for location and start time.
Bigger Adventures
Weekend · Progressive ChallengeState parks, the Smokies, and Appalachian mountain terrain across the Southeast — including North Carolina and beyond. Technical terrain, scrambling routes, and backcountry experiences with limited group size. Rock climbing, rappelling, and wilderness skills on the horizon.
Andrew and Kacy are experienced outdoor adventurers and coaches — not licensed guides. FPA events draw on 20+ years of real-world outdoor experience and coaching training to lead intentional, capable, and safe outings. We are not a guiding service.
Grit Is Built
on the Trail.
What makes FPA different is how we approach challenge. We're not chasing speed or suffering for the sake of it. We emphasize steady effort, sound decision-making, and showing up consistently — because that's how grit is actually built.
Mindset and resilience elements are woven in naturally on every outing — micro goal setting, positive self-talk, staying composed under physical stress. No preaching, no sales, nothing forced.
Just intentional time outdoors with grounded people who take it seriously without taking themselves too seriously.
How We Operate
FPA events are structured with clear expectations from the start. Know what you're signing up for, show up prepared, and commit to the group.
There is no required fee to attend any FPA event. Optional donations help support Meetup platform costs and event logistics and are never expected.
We only cancel for genuine safety hazards — severe weather alerts, high probability of thunderstorms, or high winds. Rain alone does not cancel an event.
- No solo turnarounds. If you need to leave the group, someone goes with you. Period.
- We move together. Stay with the group. Pace is steady and sustainable for everyone.
- Speak up if you're struggling. Help your teammates.
- Come prepared — appropriate footwear, water, and the Ten Essentials are expected for every outing. Event listings include gear guidance specific to each event.
- We follow Leave No Trace principles on every outing. Know them. Practice them.
- Beginner to intermediate experience levels welcome. No ego. No excuses.
- Show up. Move forward. Do something slightly hard. Consistency builds everything.
Ready to
Move With Us?
Join our Meetup group to see upcoming events, RSVP, and connect with the FPA community before your first outing.
Beginner to intermediate welcome. Live Fiercely.