Zelzin was born in Mexico city in the Iztapalapa neighborhood in Nov 1993. Since she was a girl, she was passionate about outdoor sports such as rowing, running, mountain biking, a sport in which she excelled in National and International competitions and forged her determination and love for the mountains. Zelzin graduated in Communications and Electronics Engineering from the Instituto Politecnico Nacional.
In 2017 she traveled to the USA for the first time alone, without speaking the language to hike the second longest trail in the US the PCT. On April 4 she started the adventure and despite her little knowledge of hiking, being new to the high mountains, and dealing with snow. Zelzin completed her first thru hike in 153 days, covering a distance of 4,277 km. In 2018, Zelzin thru-hiked from Georgia to Maine on the Appalachian Trail in 100 days. In 2019, she completed the Continental Divide Trail in 145 days. Zelzin was the first Mexican person to have thru-hiked the three longest trails in the US.
Zelzin goals is to promote thru- hiking in Mexico and her dream is to create the first long-distance trail in Baja, California.
New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - Make sure you hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out.
The Tough Girl Podcast is sponsorship and ad free thanks to the monthly financial support of patrons. To find out more about supporting your favourite podcast and becoming a patron please check out www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.
Listen to Zelzin Now!
Click here if you can't see the link below.
Show notes
Growing up in Mexico City
What the triple crown in hiking is
Her childhood
Being the oldest of two brothers
Growing up in a dangerous neighbourhood
Starting working at 11 years old
Hearing about the PCT for the first time
Studying engineering at university
How her family reacted to her wanting to go to America and hike
Being worried about the snow and black bears
Not speaking English
Her worries before the hike
Getting a visa for America
Research and planning for the trail
Not being able to find information in Spanish
The support of Facebook Groups
Going to the mountains in Mexico
Learning about the gear and the animals
Trail name?
What it was like doing her first thru hike
The challenging and difficult sections on the PCT
Dealing with a lot of snow
Facing river crossings
Making a few mistakes on the trail
Lessons learned from those mistakes
Finding someone to walk in the mountains with
Having good luck and trying to catch up with other hikers
Dealing with the cold
Keeping her clothing simple
Food on the trail
Eating “trash food”
Her love of cheese!
Hiking the Appalachian Trail 2nd
Leaving the Continental Divide Trail to the last
The challenges on the CDT
What happens when times get tough
Has she ever wanted to quit?
Learning from her mistakes
Feeling passionate about hiking
Her favourite hiking trail is the Hayduke Trail
Paying for her hikes
Struggling to find sponsorship in Mexico
Her dream of starting a new thru-hiking trail in Mexico
Figuring out the new trail and having support with water and food
The goals of the project
Finals words of advice for other women who want to get into hiking
“Don’t be afraid and live your dreams”
Social Media
Website www.zelzinaketzalli.com
Instagram @zelzin_aketzalli
Facebook @unquetzalennorteamerica
Feeling inspired week after week?
You can do 3 easy things to help me continue to grow the podcast!
Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes, so you won’t miss a single episode
If you’re loving the podcast, please leave a 5-star review on iTunes! I read every single comment!
Share the podcast with your friends, especially if you think it could help them, and spread the #ToughGirlPodcast love.
Your support helps me continue to grow the podcast and do inspiring things in this space! Already done all 3? You’re a rockstar! Thank you!
Want to do more?
Please become a Patron and donate US$5 a month to help fund the runnings costs. Thank you.
