Trek Ambassadors

Trek Ambassadors are a select handful of long distance backpackers who will be a force for positivity on the trails in 2021.  Their treks will be featured on The Trek’s Instagram pages throughout the course of this year.

If you’re interested in applying to be a 2021 Ambassador, we are still accepting submissions through the end of April.

2021

Alice Wu

I'm Alice! I'm a first-generation Asian-American, soon-to-be Navy veteran, avid reader, beer enthusiast, cat mom, and connoisseur of snacks. I roll Nat 1's with great regularity on my in-real-life Dexterity Saving Throws. PCT NOBO 2021.

Andrea

I'm Andrea (trail name Dr. Dre). I'm a Kansas native but have lived in SoCal for 8 years. I teach Digital Arts and Spanish to high school students sometimes, but the rest of the time I spend outside, on trails as much as possible. I used to be a marathon-minded road runner, but after thru-hiking the PCT in 2019, trails and ultra-distances became less intimidating to me and I got into ultrarunning and fastpacking. I thru-hiked the Colorado Trail in 2020 and am planning for a southbound adventure on the Continental Divide Trail starting June 2021.

Anurag Nallavelli

Hi, am Anu ( Wafer on Trail ). Hiker Trash x Mountaineer. As off now am based out of PNW to train for Denali expedition. I’ve decided not to thru-hike in 2021 for various reasons, but I'll work hard to represent the people of color and other diverse identities, access and cultural identity in the outdoors community. Follow the ethics of Leave No Trace to restore and sustain the trails.

Brandon

Thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail starting April 6th, 2021.

Chandler Frumin

Hey y’all! I’m a social media coordinator and former college athlete based out of Texas. My life goal is to visit every US National Park (I’m currently at 14, and will add 7 on the PCT). I’m always down for an adventure, especially if ice cream is involved afterwards. After summiting Mt. Rainier in 2019, I knew a life outdoors was meant for me. PCT NOBO 2021 (April 11th!)

Elise Ott

Elise is a copywriter who prefers time outdoors to time spent behind a screen. Because of this she planned her first thru-hike—the PCT in 2019 and shared her journey the way she knows best (through writing). Now, she acts as the production assistant for The Trek's flagship podcast, Backpacker Radio, an occasional Trek contributor, and a 2021 Trek ambassador.

Emmaleigh Hundley

I'm just another pile of hiker trash, addicted to walking unfathomable distances. My first thru-hike was the John Muir Trail when I was 13 years old. I have since hiked the JMT multiple times and walked the length of New Zealand on the Te Araroa in 2019/2020. I am looking forward to sharing the remote beauty of the Hayduke Trail this spring through the lens of my DSLR. In the summer when I'm not peak-bagging or climbing rocks around my hometown in Bishop, California you can find me working at my family's PCT and JMT resupply motel in Independence, California.

Ginger Ballz

Retired Naval Officer, 22 years of service. Skydiver, surfer and Ski and snowboard instructor when I’m not on trail. Triple Crowner (AT 2018, PCT 2019, CDT 2020). Hiking the Hayduke Trail and the Pacific Northwest Trail this year.

Heather Anderson

National Geographic Adventurer of the Year, Heather Anderson—known as Anish on trails—is the only woman who has completed the Appalachian, Pacific Crest and Continental Divide National Scenic Trails each three times. This includes her historic Calendar Year Triple Crown hike in 2018 when she hiked all three of those trails in one March-November season, making her the first female to do so. She holds the overall self-supported Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the Pacific Crest Trail (2013. She also holds the female self-supported FKT on the Appalachian Trail (2015), and the Arizona Trail (2016). She has logged over 40,000 foot miles since 2003 including 15 thru-hikes and many ultramarathons. She is also an avid mountaineer and peakbagger working on several ascent lists in the US and abroad. As a professional speaker, Heather speaks regularly about her adventures and the lessons learned on trail. She is the author of Thirst: 2600 Miles to Home (2019) chronicling her Pacific Crest Trail record and Mud, Rocks, Blazes: Letting Go on the Appalachian Trail (2021) about her 2015 AT record.

MC

Hi, there! I'm MC, and I go by Spice on the trail. I first attempted a NOBO thru of the PCT in April 2019, but the snow, a nagging knee injury, and my not-so frugal spending habits took me out after only 1,650 miles. I'm back in 2021 for a NOBO flip-flop starting in Tehachapi, up to Canada, and then back down to finish where I started in Campo in 2019. I hiked the Camino Frances in 2017 and spent most of 2020 living, saving, and teaching out of a U-Haul that my parter and I converted into a camper van. Outside of hiking, I write, trail run, and teach. I work in Spanish-English bilingual education and even teach a course about the PCT geared towards aspiring kids! See you out there!

Megan McCarthy

Naturalist at heart, I am always excited to explore nature! My career goals include being a force of positivity through environmental education and hands-on learning. I begin my Appalachian Trail trek on March 23rd going NOBO! As a 2021 Trek Ambassador I can't wait to spread positive energy, LNT ethics, conservation and trail magic!

Michael Hanson

Hi! My name is Michael Hanson and I am a photographer based out of South Carolina. I started shooting outdoors & adventure photography a couple years ago, which has progressed into a desire to spend my time hiking and photographing the long trails of the US - starting with the Continental Divide Trail in April of 2021! Besides hiking related work, I also shoot portraits and real estate photography. I'm excited to be representing The Trek this year on the CDT and I can't wait to share my hike and my story with you all! - Hot Taco

Nadia Fenay

Hi there! My name is Nadia Fenay. I am a 29-year-old who finally decided to start living the life I've always wanted. After ten years of working myself to death in sales and management, I've chosen to change my life in every way possible. I'm currently a student at the University of South Florida pursuing a degree in sustainable studies. The trail is my biggest step towards living with a new purpose. I will be NOBO thru-hiking the AT beginning early February and I am so ready for this adventure! Thanks for following along on my journey!

Sheriden

Hello there, my name is Sheriden and I go by Sher! I currently live in a small New Mexico town, and am excited to leave home to explore the west coast for a bit! A buddy of mine thru hiked in 2018 and since then, I've had an itch to do the same. After a few years of dreaming, planning, and NOGOing in 2020, I am so grateful to take the leap and hike the PCT this April. Thanks for following along, I hope to find a space in this community where I can connect with likeminded friends!

Sydney Brehm

Hey all! My name is Sydney and I've been helping out with The Trek's social media for a little over a year now! I spent the past four years in the Pacific Northwest hiking and backpacking with my dog, Alpine. I fell in love with everything about hiking after exploring the Cascade mountains. Somehow I came across the community and culture surrounding the long distance trails, and immediately knew I wanted to be part of it. I haven't hiked a long trail yet, but plan on doing the PCT in 2021!

Tony Mullane

Hello! My name is Tony Mullane, I'm hiking the AT in 2021! I love mountains, seats with a view, Cheetos, and the hiking community! Looking forward to the adventures to come!