Elise

Originally from Cleveland, OH, but she currently calls Carbondale, CO, home, where she works as an ESL teacher for a non-profit organization. She was also a ski instructor in Aspen this winter. While in school in Washington, DC, Elise took a gap semester to attend a three-month outdoor leadership course with High Mountain Institute in Chile, during which she spent a lot of time on multi-day backpacking trips. She’s worked as a volunteer English tutor for new immigrants in DC, and in a classroom teaching lessons on nutrition, gardening, and sustainability in DC public schools. During her time at GW, she led several trips to Costa Rica with a partnering non-profit organization and was a counselor for a summer camp.

• Education: George Washington University, bachelor’s degree in international affairs
• Certifications: Wilderness first responder, avalanche level 1
• Favorite outdoor memory: I went on an awesome backcountry hut trip in the Tenmile Range in Colorado this winter! I will never forget our early morning climb to watch the sun rise over the mountains and catching beautiful open turns before breakfast!
• Favorite outdoor achievement: Skiing Mt. Sopris in April! We had some obstacles along the tough eight-mile approach, but the fresh powder at the top and the bonds we formed made it such a memorable and proud experience!
• Favorite place you’ve traveled: El Chaltén, Argentina, is a magnificent place I would travel back to again and again!
• What are you most excited for this summer? Reconnecting with other returning instructors, getting to know new students and helping them grow into their best selves, and building a stronger AT community!
• Previous Adventure Treks trips include British Columbia Adventure