Elise Wallace

I'm a NOBO '18 AT Thru-hiker. I completed 700 miles of the trail after college (Wake Forest University) in 2012. I've been aching to get back and finish ever since so here I am. The six years since hiking last I've developed myself as a writer, barista, non-profit arts advocate and dog-mom. My pup, Sadie, is hiking along with me. Follow my hike more on Instagram, or at my website [www.theoneswhowalk.com] for my A.T. story-collecting project.

Posts

Which Blaze Color Are You?

Which Blaze Color Are You?

I had just descended The Priest—a 4,062-foot tall mountain in Nelson County, VA. The previous night I had camped at the Priest Shelter, famous for

Oct 2, 2018 : Elise Wallace
AT Resupply: Would I Drop Box Again?

AT Resupply: Would I Drop Box Again?

I reached the summit of Katahdin five days ago, on Sept. 10, 2018. Since returning home I’ve had a lot of emotions and trip-related thoughts to

Sep 15, 2018 : Elise Wallace
I Wasn’t Going to Slackpack, until I Did

I Wasn’t Going to Slackpack, until I Did

In the beginning of the trail everyone had opinions about how to hike. Every person brings their own philosophy of hiking to the trail. The friends I

Aug 21, 2018 : Elise Wallace
Seasonal Gear Swap

Seasonal Gear Swap

It’s a bit late to be writing about this, but I’ve been meaning to share what I sent home once summer descended with her heat, humidity and

Jul 31, 2018 : Elise Wallace
How I Got Rid of My Trail Funk

How I Got Rid of My Trail Funk

The smell. The odor of layers of sweat between your pores. The sweet, sticky smell of body odor stuck in your clothes. The dirt in the crease of your

Jul 11, 2018 : Elise Wallace
To Guthook or Not to Guthook

To Guthook or Not to Guthook

I've always used Daniel Chazin's Data Book. My friend chose this guidebook when we started the AT in 2012. When I returned to finish my hike this

Jun 3, 2018 : Elise Wallace
In the End, My Hike Is My Own

In the End, My Hike Is My Own

No matter how much it seems that other hikers’ decisions put pressure you — they have nothing to do with you. They have nothing to do with me. My hike is unaffected. The only person affecting my hike is me. I am hiking my own hike.

May 22, 2018 : Elise Wallace
What’s Stayed in My Pack, and What Hasn’t

What’s Stayed in My Pack, and What Hasn’t

Six years ago I attempted a thru-hike and made it 700 miles. The night before I left for Amicalola Falls my pack sat next to my bed. I had not packed

May 5, 2018 : Elise Wallace
My Dog Is My Favorite Hiking Partner

My Dog Is My Favorite Hiking Partner

Hiking with a dog is a lot more fun, super rewarding, but a lot more work as well. When you take a long-distance backpacking trip you basically have

Apr 11, 2018 : Elise Wallace
99 Meals in a Day

99 Meals in a Day

Today marks two weeks until my start date at Springer Mountain to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail. Yesterday, I packed 99 backpacking meals for three months’ worth of dinners. Up until that point I’d felt anxious about my level of preparation — I was feeling a bit behind. 

Mar 18, 2018 : Elise Wallace