Hike With NITRO

What is NITROhikes.com?

My nickname is NITRO and I love to hike, backpack and have fun in the outdoors.  NITROhikes.com is my blog that details hikes, trips, tips, and experiences from all of my outdoor adventures.  In other words my blog is focused on “Outdoor Fun for Everyone”.   

 

I was born with the name Anitra on July 31, 1978 to a family whose summer vacation was always spent camping.  Some people aren’t surprised by my choice to be a long-distance backpacker but my interest in backpacking didn’t really begin until college.

 

In my youth I was a springboard diver.  I continued this throughout college eventually being named captain my senior year.  I also served on two student organizations’ executive boards, served a representative to the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, and was the student delegate for James Madison University at the NCAA Apple Conference. 

 

As I mentioned, I went to school at James Madison University, located in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley.  It was here that received the nickname “NITRO” and where I began hiking and backpacking, frequenting Shenandoah National Park and the Appalachian Trail.  In May of 2000, I graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Kinesiology with a concentration in Sport Management and Leisure Studies with a minor in General Business. 

 

I stayed at JMU for graduate school where I served as a graduate assistant for both the Group Fitness and Wellness program and the Informal Recreation and Intramural Sports programs at the campus recreation center.  I earned my Master of Science Degree in Kinesiology with a concentration in Recreation Management and Athletic Administration in December, 2002. 

 

In the summer of 2002, I worked at ESPN’s X-Games and in late August, I accepted a dual position at The University of Pennsylvania as their Diving Coach and Recreation Department Facility Coordinator.  After two diving seasons, it was time to pursue my own dreams…to hike the Appalachian Trail.

 

In the summer of 2004, I hiked the Appalachian Trail.  Being bitten by the long-distance backpacking bug, I hiked the Pacific Crest Trail in 2005.  The summer of 2007 was spent hiking the Continental Divide Trail and in doing so, completed the “Triple Crown” of long-distance backpacking. 

 

When I am not backpacking I can typically be found in my new office (I now work for the Pacific Crest Trail Association), tutoring, watching sports, writing, working on my book and speaking to various school and community groups. 

 

Contact NITRO via the contact form on this website or email her at:  NITRO (AT) nitrohikes.com