Hiker Intro
My Journey from Polo to YOLO
Change #1 It was senior year of high school, Lil Wayne was blaring through the speakers of my Chevy HHR as I drove to my private Christian school. Something was...
We All Have an Origin Story
Mine begins in 1990, when I was just ten years old. My father decided that we’d kick off my summer vacation that year by going on a backpacking trip together,...
My Name Is Emily, and I Am a Closet Hiker Trash
Coming Out I find myself envious of those who are able to post screenshots of their permit approvals on their social media accounts. As of now this is my only...
The Hike Has Already Begun; Road to the PCT
To the salesman at Walmart who lured me in to ask how much I currently pay for internet, I am simply a liar, insane, a cotton-headed ninny muggins? He asked...
Those Behind Me: Carrying More Than a Pack While on Trail
Hikers carry more than pack weight while on trail. These are the people I carry with me, and the reason why I'm doing the AT.
What Causes Someone to Want to Hike 2,000+ Miles?
What gives someone the idea of going out into the woods to walk instead of going straight to college?
Out of the Fog, into the Clouds: A Prospective Thru-Hiker’s Path to Sobriety
During one particularly bad hangover I decided I never wanted to feel that terrible again in my life. The all-too-familiar forests of Connecticut were the first place I ended up...
Why I’m Hiking the Appalachian Trail in 2020
Suddenly, in the midst of this loss, I realized I hadn’t been using my time wisely—a realization not uncommon amongst aspiring thru-hikers. I had lived for so many years just...
I’m Choosing Myself, or Why I’m Thru-Hiking the Colorado Trail
What gives? Why a service industry professional is finally making herself a priority.
Take the Jump and Seize the Day
My first time in a plane, I jumped out of it. Well, the professional skydiver I was attached to did most of the work, but you get the gist. I’ve...
