Amara Gardner

Hello! I'm Amara, I've got a goal of hiking the Appalachian Trail NOBO in March 2021 and I hope to become an illustrator after I take my first adventure on the AT. I might end up doing the Triple Crown though, who knows....

Posts

Art From My Thru-Hike

Art From My Thru-Hike

From the beginning of my thru hike in February 2021, I kept a sketchbook. Two, actually, because it seemed like a good idea at the time. One for journaling and pencil sketching, and one for watercolor. It was important to me to keep a journal and a sketchbook to remember the trail in a way that photos might not have captured, and to create art from the moments that were fleeting.

Nov 3, 2021 : Amara Gardner
a note on grief

a note on grief

  People come and go. Grief is a part of life that strikes when you may not expect it. You have to appreciate what you had, and lessons

Sep 22, 2021 : Amara Gardner
Top Five/Bottom Five (summer edition)

Top Five/Bottom Five (summer edition)

coming to the halfway point of the A.T. has been a much more challenging endeavor than I had ever expected. Physically, mentally, and even socially. It's also been extremely rewarding and fun. Let's go over my top five and bottom five things that are most and least enjoyable about the trail.

Jul 11, 2021 : Amara Gardner
Being Present on Trail

Being Present on Trail

Despite the fantastic life that the thru hiking experience is, oftentimes I get frustrated at the pure mundane task of hiking for 8 hours each day. I

Apr 11, 2021 : Amara Gardner
Reality Check – First Week on Trail and Advice to New Hikers

Reality Check – First Week on Trail and Advice to New Hikers

The Trail is New Don't be fooled by the idea that you've been prepping for this for years…you may have no idea what you're in for! For me, the first

Mar 16, 2021 : Amara Gardner
Initial Food Plans vs First few resupplies

Initial Food Plans vs First few resupplies

Rethink your food... Firstly, I have spent a good amount of time with my loaded food bag by now, and learned how much food I can carry. I haven't

Mar 15, 2021 : Amara Gardner
Gear Time! (winter edition)

Gear Time! (winter edition)

For my first long-distance backpacking experience, I want to list the gear that I will be taking and using during the winter stretch of the AT. While

Feb 8, 2021 : Amara Gardner
Recognizing the Draw of Nature

Recognizing the Draw of Nature

  “I went to the woods because I wished to live life deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not

Jan 25, 2021 : Amara Gardner
Transitioning to a New Life

Transitioning to a New Life

The existence of thru hiking has astonished me since I learned of it. Just walk. Keep walking…..and keep walking. It seems simple, and yet it’s so much more than that. It’s about the community the trail provides, the experience of living out of a tent for six months, the magic of stepping outside of a “normal life”. I decided to do it.

Dec 6, 2020 : Amara Gardner