My name is Kayla, I am 25 years young and I’m thru-hiking the AT in 2020. I've suffered from depression since I was in middle school. Writing and the great outdoors have become the best ways for me to feel better and get some relief. I have 2 German Shepherd dogs, Willow and Kenai (Kenai is actually my parents but I call him mine sometimes). I work as a hostess and food runner at a restaurant. I love chocolate ice cream and thin mints (I keep a couple boxes in my freezer to snack on throughout the year, don't judge).
Posts
Postponing a Dream: How Long Will This Zero Last?
I started my thru-hike on March 5. I have been waiting for this day for a year and was ready to hit the ground running. Little did I know that a
Reflections from My First Week on the AT
I’ve been on the Appalachian Trail for a week now and I’ve learned a lot in this short time. Let me break it down for you. The Trail Is Hard I knew
Ten Days Left but Why Am I So Overwhelmed?
It’s the middle of the night and my mind is racing. I leave for the trail in ten days. There is so much going on. I picked up extra shifts last week
My “Experience Wish List” For My AT Thru-Hike Attempt
We all have things we want to experience when it comes to new adventures. This is my biggest adventure and I want big experiences. Some of these are
My Preparation as a Newbie Backpacker
When I decided in April 2019 to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail, I didn’t realize how much work goes into preparing for your first thru-hike. I
“You’re Going to do What?!” Responses Everyone Says to a Potential Thru-Hiker
When I tell people that I’m going to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail, I get a mountain of questions. Some are basic questions because they don’t know
The Bumpy Road That Led Me to Thru-Hike the AT
Who Is Kayla? Hey! My name is Kayla, I am 25 years old and I just graduated from Austin Community College with an associate's degree in business