The DRIVEN crew had an opportunity to sit down with YouTuber and Off-grid Adventure seeker; Ashley Hann...we're excited to share this with you all to learn more about Ashley's recent renovation and expansion of her business; Off Grid Adventures.
Ashley…prior to starting this operation, what were you up to?
I worked with the Provincial (NL) Government as a Park Ranger, then worked with my Uncle as a bookkeeper and a few years back, I started a hobby Farming here at my off grid cabin.
Growing up, who introduced you to the outdoor adventure world?
My Uncle Mel (Melvin Cole), he lived on the west coast of Newfoundland & Labrador (NL) all his life and Uncle Mel owned a cabin on the Humber River. He taught me a ton of outdoor skills and knowledge about the outdoor lifestyle. Uncle Mel was so key in helping me develop a love for the outdoors.
Pic: Uncle Mel Cole and Ashley
What’s something most folks don’t know about Ashley Hann?
This question got me stumped cause I think most people by this point know everything about me. I’m a very kind person. I love doing things for others and helping out anyway to make others happy. If there was one thing people don’t know about me is I get motion sickness...lol Of all the things i do, skidooing, atv, biking, kayaking, fishing and I can twist myself upside down and inside out but if you put me in a boat on the sea...I’m Seasick.
Did you always aspire to become your own boss?
Absolutely Not, I left high school and went to University the first year, did general studies and then ended up going back and doing the forestry program in Corner Brook (NL) at College of the North Atlantic (CNA). It wasn’t until many years later that a friend/business owner said to me one day “Ashley - You should be in the tourism business with your location, knowledge, love for the outdoors and personality, I think you would do great”. Which got the wheels turning in my head and the next year I started with a couple glamping tents and a few kayaks and with a wing and a prayer, as the saying goes and hoped for the best! And now, eight years later, I'm still here and expanding each year.
Walk us through your entrepreneurial journey to get where you are today?
I started this journey with very little. I took a leap of faith and decided to start an off grid Glamping Operation in the middle of the woods basically. I lived here (on the Upper Humber) for so long I figured it was the perfect opportunity to show the rest of the world my little piece of paradise. To go back to the simple things in life. I posted online my first accommodation and the first year I had several bookings that got me thinking this could actually work, then the second year came and I put up two accommodations and they were booked the whole summer, then I added Kayaking tours and boils up to the mix with a farm to table experience for my guest.
Being on Land & Sea (CBC regional production for Atlantic Cdn) not just once, but twice gave me an advantage because people (local) knew who I was at this point, which helped in business. But nothing came easy at all. I built the property up and did all the work myself and continued to improve each year. Three years ago, I decided to add Youtube to the mix and started filming all my outdoor adventures and my living off grid life and sharing it with others. That also boosted business as people then wanted to visit the place where Ashley Hann lived. In 2022 and 2023 I received Female Entrepreneur of the year (City of Corner Brook, NL) as well as people's choice in 2023. In 2022, I also added a 3 acre strawberry Upick here which was great for guests and locals . I always wanted to expand into the fall and winter months but because access to land was nearly impossible, it didn’t happen. In early 2025 I was able to purchase the property next door to me, and was able to renovate it for rentals for an all year round business . Now I have accommodations for summer for tourism, fall for Hunters and Atv’ers and winter for the Snowmobile season. The possibilities are endless and so is the work..lol.
The operation is both summer and winter, what can folks expect from your operation?
Summer time I will now have my Glamping units, so people can still expect their camping experiences here on the Humber River, same as camping only all the gear is provided for you. Kayaking tours and Boil-ups for all ages which are absolutely breathtaking on the Humber River. Fall is a change of scenery here and moves over to fall activities; kayaking is still on the go as well as a great time of the year for ATV groups traveling within the area. We have the perfect accommodation to hold anywhere from 1-10 people. Winter time expands my season also, being an hour and 20 mins from the Western Brook Gorge (with Gros Morne National Park - the only National Park in Canada that you can snowmobile in) and 15 mins from Taylors Brook road, it's the perfect spot for snowmobilers. Anyone in this area knows this is snowmobile heaven and is where everyone flocks to during the winter months. It will be an accommodation I will rent out to snowmobiles but it also gives me the opportunity if I want to expand into winter activities such as guiding, boil ups and maybe even snowshoeing.
What makes your location/operation different?
My location is perfect! It's off the beaten path 10 kms off the highway in a wooded location right on the Humber river but yet still close enough to civilization as well, with Deer Lake (NL) being only 45 mins away you can access stores, restaurants, etc. I’m in a central location as well right on the groom trails that you can go either way you like from here, east, west, north or south.
Your foray into YouTube and documenting the renovation, what was your motivation there and what did you learn about that process?
Youtube I started a few years back, documenting and filming my off grid lifestyle and what I’m up to on a daily basis; from hunting, fishing, kayaking, skidooing, gardening, cutting wood and so much more. Being a Girl who lives off Grid by herself, doing a lot of “mans work” is apparently very interesting to the world. I was super excited when I bought the old cabin next door to me that I could film the whole process from start to finish. Not only for myself to look back on but also tag everyone along with me for all the ups and downs of the journey. My uncle who was sick at the time was also very happy and proud of me for getting the property I always wanted. With him not being able to help with the build or even get down to see the process, it was a joy everyday for him to be able to see the process through videos which up until his last day he was so proud to watch.
What will this winter bring for Ashley?
Winter for me this year is a little different, this is my first time having winter accommodations, so I expect to be busy and kept on my toes all winter with the cabin and tending to guests. I will also continue to do my own winter activities such as cutting wood and snowmobiling myself with friends. And of course a boil up or two. And filming all the adventures
To learn more about Ashley Hann and her operation; Humber River Off Grid Tours .