Since I was eight, I’ve been going on annual month long wilderness trips through Kieve-Wavus Education/The Leadership School. Its’ base camp is located in Jefferson, Maine.

I’ve been with the same five girls since that first summer. We’ve explored the vast Maine forests and waterways together, learned how to camp for long periods of time, and even how to peel leeches off our feet… ew.

My final summer was the summer of 2023. My group backpacked 200 miles on the Maine section of the Appalachian trail. It was a trip filled with bugs, laughter, tears, sometimes a little blood, and AMAZING views.

Rainy treks through Maine's Appalachian Trail (2023).

Rainy treks through Maine's Appalachian Trail (2023).

Elevation map of the 200 miles backpacked (2023).

Elevation map of the 200 miles backpacked (2023).

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A foggy view of Mt. Katahdin which is Maine's highest peak (2023).

A foggy view of Mt. Katahdin which is Maine's highest peak (2023).

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Mt. Katahdin's peak (5,270')

Mt. Katahdin's peak (5,270')

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Along with trekking, I’ve learned countless facts about the invasive plant and animal species in the Maine/New Hampshire area. I’ve learned the ways in which caretakers go about removing them safely. I also learned how to protect our northern wilderness waterways by removing underwater invasive species myself.

Leave No Trace played a significant role in our journey as well. Practicing leaving nothing behind and cleaning the environments we explored as best we can was a practice I’ll never forget. The LNT initiative is one that can be practiced throughout all walks of life, not just on the trail.