Anne Baker

Hi! I'm Anne, a North Carolina native now living in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia. In 2017, I put my career on hold to attempt a flip-flop thru-hike from Harpers Ferry with my dad. We hiked more than 1,300 miles before I found out I had cholecystitis, which resulted in the removal of my gallbladder. It was a really weird diagnosis for an otherwise healthy 29-year-old, and for awhile, I was pretty upset about the setback. But now, I'm just grateful I still have 800 miles of the Trail to look forward to. The Universe has taught me that journeys are sometimes better when they are longer -- and that we can't argue with timing.

Posts

A Poorly Planned Pipeline Continues to Threaten the Appalachian Trail

A Poorly Planned Pipeline Continues to Threaten the Appalachian Trail

You may have seen a pro-pipeline meme floating around the Internet that shows a map of the United States, crisscrossed with blue and red lines that

Nov 28, 2017 : Anne Baker
Trail town tranquility (and more)

Trail town tranquility (and more)

We didn't walk out of Hanover on Sunday. It was a beautiful afternoon in the high 70s and the sky was filled with puffy, pure-white clouds - perfect

Jul 13, 2017 : Anne Baker
Skylines and sleeping bags

Skylines and sleeping bags

I expected to have views that would take my breath away, but I didn't imagine this particular one would hit me so hard. My eyes took in the green of

Jun 19, 2017 : Anne Baker
10 Skills I’m Learning On The Appalachian Trail

10 Skills I’m Learning On The Appalachian Trail

As of today, my dad and I have been on the A.T. for one whole month! Since I quit my job to come out here, I thought I'd reflect a bit on the skills

Jun 6, 2017 : Anne Baker
The small acts of kindness that keep us going

The small acts of kindness that keep us going

The truck whizzed by the shoulder, and a particularly nasty blast of road spray hit me square in the face, dripping down my jacket, my shorts, and

May 30, 2017 : Anne Baker
Two weeks in, we’re finding our pace

Two weeks in, we’re finding our pace

One night last week I found myself as curled up as I could get in my mummy sleeping bag, my hands tucked under my armpits for warmth. I was cold, and

May 18, 2017 : Anne Baker
If I was waiting for a sign, this was it

If I was waiting for a sign, this was it

The greens and blues making up the landscape took my breath, and I watched as the sky couldn't decide if it wanted to rain or spread sunlight. I had

May 4, 2017 : Anne Baker
A simple ‘thank you’ before I begin

A simple ‘thank you’ before I begin

Three days of work remain between now and when I will shut off my computer, grab a small box of my belongings, say goodbye to my coworkers and walk

Apr 21, 2017 : Anne Baker
It’s not ultralight—but it will do

It’s not ultralight—but it will do

Only 21 days until I set off on a flip-flop thru-hike from Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, and I’ve just finalized my gear. I thought I had

Apr 9, 2017 : Anne Baker
What exactly is a ‘flip-flop,’ anyway?

What exactly is a ‘flip-flop,’ anyway?

My dad and I are starting a flip-flop thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail on May 1. What does a "flip-flop" mean, and why am I choosing that over the more traditional northbound hike?

Mar 14, 2017 : Anne Baker