Nalini in her own words:
“I’m a grants manager at a nonprofit that focuses on youth development by day and an outdoor enthusiast by weekend. Whether I’m tending to my balcony garden, walking in parks in my hometown of the Washington, D.C. area, hiking iconic trails in National Parks, or carrying everything I need for a week or six-month long backpacking trip, I love spending time in the outdoors (and sharing stories of everything that goes wrong during my adventures).
Backpacking. It’s nothing short of a gift to have time to be in your head, carry no other worry than the miles ahead for the day and feel the freedom that comes with with carrying everything you need in a pack.
Hiking. The remarkable view from the summit of a mountain feels different when your body’s efforts get you to the top.
Walking. Nothing makes me feel more connected to all the beauty and possibility of nature than a walk in a park close to home.”
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Show notes
Growing up in DC Area
Not growing up going to green spaces
Being the daughter of immigrants
Not having time to explore the outdoors
Getting into the outdoors in 2014
Going through tough times
Watching a documentary on the Appalachian Trail
Not seeing herself in the traditional narrative of what’s seen as outdoorsy
Wanting to change the narrative of what it means to be in the outdoors
Starting the blog and instagram account - Hiking Misadventures
Spending time with her mum in the garden
Her earliest memories
Being a quiet child
Looking after her mum while she had cancer
How her parents fled Sir Lanka
Deciding to hike the Appalachian Trail
Always following a road map and needing to change something
Not liking new things
Deciding to go solo on the hike
Sleeping in the shelter for the first time
Focusing on the next step, the next mile and the next day
Dealing with her feelings of fear
The planning and preparation time
The privilege of being able to do a long distance hike
Being a good planner
Dealing with imposter syndrome
Learning to believe in herself
The challenge of being 4’9 tall
How her body needed to adjust to the trail
Getting to the summit of Mt. Katahdin
How the Appalachian Trail changed her and helped her to believe in herself
How her priorities changed
Wanting to share more of her story and starting her next blog in 2018
How the Appalachian Trail was also an isolating time for her
Connecting with an amazing community online
What adventure means to Nalini
Feeling isolated and dealing with those feelings while on the AT
Racism on the Appalachian Trail and not feeling safe
Taking time off and using her support networks off the trail
Life after the trail and not wanting to make work her entire life
The Wonderland Trail (93 miles)
Applying to be a thru hiking ambassador
Being rescued from the trail
Making the right decision even though it was tough to make
Ending the hike early
Dealing with feelings of shame
How her mum is doing
Advice for other women who want to spend more time in the outdoors
Words to encourage you to try new things
Social Media
Website - hikingmisadventures.com
Instagram @hikingmisadventures
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