Hi! I'm Zoë. By trade, I'm a User Experience Designer living in La Grande, Oregon. By passion, I'm a full-time adventurer who enjoys hiking, skiing, globetrotting, reading, and baking. In 2016 I completed a NOBO thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, and have been trying my best to get back to trails as much as possible ever since. Why the AT? Growing up in North Carolina instilled in me a love for the Appalachians that I haven't been able to shake (not that I'd want to), so it seemed like a perfect first thru-hike. My current backyard is the Eagle Cap Wilderness in the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, and I've loved exploring all that it has to offer.
Posts
Today is the day!
Today I start one of the biggest adventures of my life. I'd like to take the opportunity to give thanks for the people who have been so supportive of me.
That one post you write before leaving.
I've done a fair amount of leaving in the past few years of my life. It's been good and bad, and it's been because of a need for change and personal growth.
12 Gorp Varieties to Hike With
There's a reason why trail mix is a trail staple. It's easy to make, easy to eat, and it tastes good. Why not try a variety of different mixtures?
Dear Outdoor Apparel Companies
Dear Outdoor Apparel Companies: I like colors besides purple and teal, and I don't have a special affinity with flowers. Sincerely, Zoë.
Reflections
My birthday was a few days ago, and with this impending adventure, I've been thinking a lot about who I am and what I want out of my life experiences.
How To Walk: A Book Review
My reasons for hiking lean towards self-discovery, mindfulness, and meditation. Here's my review of a wonderful little book by Zen teacher Thich Nhat Hanh.
How to Train With No Mountains: An Austinite’s Guide
So, I will be hiking the AT in 2016. All I have to do is prepare myself. I live in Austin, TX, and there are no mountains. Luckily Austin has amazing hikes.
6 New Years Resolutions to Keep this Year
I'm having trouble with resolutions. What do I dedicate myself to "doing better" this year, when I'm already going on the biggest adventure of my life?
2016 will be a good year
Let me introduce myself. I'm Zoë, and I'll be spending Leap Year Day packing up my car and saying goodbye to the city that I have called home.