A collection of interviews with women who’ve learned from their wilderness experiences.
Hiker Profiles
Hikers who’ve contributed to the good of the hiking community in Florida, and non-residents, especially women, who’ve done so around the world.
Embracing the Wild: Amanda Hus
Amanda “Rainbow” Hus holds the thru-hiker record for most times walking the length of Florida on the Florida Trail. She didn’t discover hiking until later in life
Embracing the Wild: Anna Huthmaker
The founder of Trail Dames, a national organization to empower female hikers, Anna Huthmaker took on the Appalachian Trail in 2003 despite her own self-doubts.
Embracing the Wild: Barbara Quinn
In her mid-fifties, Barbara “Nails” Quinn decided the best way to recharge her life was to find adventure on her own by taking a long walk in the woods.
Embracing the Wild: Elaine Zumsteg
On March 28, 2014, Stuart resident Elaine “Cadi” Cadigan Zumsteg began her Appalachian Trail thru-hike. After meeting “Hobo Nobo,” the ladies finished together on September 30.
Embracing the Wild: Gail Johnson
Completing the Appalachian Trail on her own in 1996 earned Gail Johnson her trail name, Gutsy. She was the first woman to share her journal and journey online.
Embracing the Wild: Judy Gross
Judy “Heartfire” Gross headed to the AT in 2006 with plans to complete a thru-hike. A business idea she made reality is a hiker’s godsend for lightweight gear.
Embracing the Wild: Karen Berger
A successful writer and Triple Crown hiker, Karen Berger is the woman I looked up to as a role model for carving a career out of the outdoors one step at a time.
Embracing the Wild: Lori Burris
A long-time trail maintainer and hike leader, Lori “SwampTromper” Burris has encouraged many women in South Central Florida to take that first step into the wild.
Embracing the Wild: Luanne Anderson
A volunteer for ALDHA and on the Board of Directors of the Florida Trail Hikers Alliance, Luanne “Tigger” Anderson has not just hiked, but helped manage an Appalachian Trail hostel.
Embracing the Wild: Misti Little
After completing the Appalachian Trail, Misti “Ridley” Little thru-hiked the Florida Trail with her husband Chris in 2011. She actively promotes the Florida Trail to the hiking community.
Embracing the Wild: Rayana Adra
Hiking the AT before and the PCT after, Rayana “Acorn” Adra is one of a handful of women to thru-hike the Florida Trail during the 2014 hiking season.