Interview with Kirsten about hiking.
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: I like anything that has to do with being outside. I especially enjoy hiking and camping. Two years ago I decided I wanted to learn how to ski, so I’ve spent the last two winters working on that.
Q: How did you get interested in hiking?
A: About six years ago I had just returned to Reno after living in Kumamoto for a year. A girlfriend of mine wanted to get some more exercise so we decided to hike up a mountain that wasn’t too far out of town. I was hooked. I’ve always enjoyed walking, and hiking has seemed like a natural extension of that enjoyment. I can now honestly say that I have a real passion for hiking. If I had an absolute choice of what I could be doing at this exact moment, I would be hiking.
Q: What has been your most amazing experience?
A: This past summer my boyfriend and I took a trip into the Jarbidge Wilderness area in northeastern Nevada. We did a thirty-mile loop along the east fork of the Jarbidge River and Cougar Creek. We didn’t see anybody the four days we were out! It was like we had the whole area just to ourselves. I’ve never gone so long without seeing another person before. We were totally and completely alone. We saw old miners’ cabins from the early 1900’s. We walked through groves of aspen trees that had been carved into by Basque sheepherders. We also saw different types of wildlife like deer and big horn sheep. It was a wonderful experience.
Q; Where have you been hiking in Japan?
A: I’ve done the Tanzawa traverse, which took me over Hinokiboramaru, Hirugatake, Tanzawasan, and Tonotake peaks. I’ve also been out to Okutama a few times for day hikes. Working at KUIS keeps me pretty busy and I don’t often have time on the weekends to squeeze in a trip. I’d like to spend some time hiking in Hokkaido and the southern Japanese Alps before I go, though.
Q: Do you have plans for hiking any time soon?
A: During the Christmas break I’m heading down to Australia to do a 6-day hike in Tasmania. I’m really looking forward to that. I’ve never been to Australia and I’m hoping it will be a really good experience for me. Plus, I can’t wait to have a pack strapped to my back again!
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