Dawn

In 1998, while living in New Jersey with my sister and brother-in-law, I began exploring the outdoors on day hikes around the region, including both New Jersey and New York. One hike in Bear Mountain State Park, we crossed the Appalachian Trail. My brother-in-law casually mentioned that the trail we were standing on stretched all the way from Georgia, through all the states, and up to Maine. Intrigued, I asked, “Has anyone ever hiked the whole thing, like, all at once?” And just like that, my love of backpacking was born. 

After successfully thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail in 2000, I moved to Kansas City and began researching the Pacific Crest Trail. In 2002, I hiked in Colorado, even climbing the two highest peaks in the state, before starting my own thru-hike of the PCT in 2003. Along the way, I met my husband, and together we settled in the Portland Metro area after completing the trail. While I haven’t undertaken any super long-distance hikes since, I’ve logged many miles in the Pacific Northwest, including circumnavigating Mount Hood on the Timberline Trail and, unfortunately, becoming dinner for mosquitoes in the Indian Heaven Wilderness multiple times. Today, I reside in Vancouver, WA, where I continue to backpack with my family and introduce my Girl Scouts to outdoor adventures. 

I am Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certified and teach Wilderness Hiking and Basic Backpacking courses. Whether you're planning your troop's first day hike or backpacking trip, I’m here to help. From shopping for gear to planning delicious meals, I can guide you on how to shave weight without sacrificing comfort or spending a fortune. I also have extra gear available to borrow, and I’m always happy to chat with Scouts or leaders about anything related to hiking, camping, backpacking, or just being in the woods.

One of my passions is Leave No Trace (LNT) principles, and I especially love talking about the 3 P’s in nature—peeing, pooping, and periods! After all, if you spend enough time in the woods, you’ll need to be prepared for one of these. And did I mention how much I love orienteering? It’s a fun way to learn map and compass skills, and gives you and your Scouts a practical reason to master them. I'm excited to share my knowledge and help make your troop's outdoor adventures a success!