Natalie's Everyday Heroes: Hiker inspires other women every step of the way
WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- Solo hiking can be an amazing way to immerse yourself in nature and disconnect.
It can also be intimidating to get out there and do it on your own. Emilie Burditt has done it, and now she's on a mission to show others they can do it, too.
Burditt's love of the outdoors started young.
"I grew up canoeing with my dad at Quetico Provincial Park and around other parts of Canada," she said.
So, her leap to hiking was only natural.
"I'd grown this huge respect and love for the outdoors, and from canoeing, I just kind of thought, I must love backpacking as well," she said with a laugh.
Her quick pace shows confidence when she's in nature, hiking along the Ice Age Trail near Lapham Peak.
"I grew up here; this is my home state. I love the state," Burditt said of Wisconsin.
But her adventures have taken her all over the world.
Most recently she spent a month hiking along the Appalachian Trail.
And she also did the Pacific Northwest Trail in 2021.
"When I hiked with her in California, I took the lead because I was the slowest," her dad, Scott Burditt, said.
He has joined Emilie on some of her adventures.
But when she takes off, she's often alone.
"She's by herself a lot because the other people can't keep up with her. She was doing three times as many miles a day as other people," he said with pride.
Burditt showed us what she packs to get her through her trip.
What I'm wearing right now are all the clothes that I bring," she said.
She packs light and recognizes the risks she could face alone on the trail.
That's something Burditt wants other women to know is okay.
"While I acknowledge the risks women and non-binary people face while going into the outdoors, I don't want to let that fear stop me from going after my dreams," she said.
In her time as a through hiker, she's raised money and awareness for Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault and RAINN -- the nation's largest anti-sexual violence nonprofit.
"When I go out into the outdoors as a woman, there's so much more that I'm thinking about than just, when's my next food resupply. And can a chipmunk get into my food bag right now," she laughed.
"Head lamp, battery pack," she said, packing her supplies away.
She may pack light.
"I do bring a pillow," she said.
But there's thought and purpose behind every step she takes.
"At the end of the day, if I can convince one other woman, one other person to get out into the outdoors, whether that's a day hike or a full-on through hike, that would make all of it worth it to me," Burditt said.
Burditt planned to attempt a record on the 1,200 miles of the Ice Age Trail this year but was sidelined by a health issue. No doubt she'll be back out there soon.
If you'd like to nominate an Everyday Hero, send Natalie a message at [email protected].