Mountain People: Ashani & Avery [Snake Mountain, Vermont 5.15.2021]

Ashani and Avery, with pups Leo and Harley

How long have you two been hiking together?
--Well, quite a few years, we used to live together, we lived together for like four or five years in DC. Now I live in New York and she lives in New Jersey and we came up for the weekend.

So you’re old friends? Do you hike often together?
--Yeah, old friends. 
--Every couple months.
--Yeah we try to.
--Especially when it’s nice outside. 

What do you like about hiking?
--Being out in nature, and you get good exercise. 
--Fresh air, especially living in a city, its really nice to just have a break.
--And the quietness. 
--And we both have puppies, so it’s nice to bring them along and do an activity all together.

And you like hiking with dogs? 
--Hiking with dogs is really fun. 
--This is his [Leo's] first time, this is first official hike, but it’s gonna be nice because he’s going to be so tired after!
--It’s nice for them to just run around and explore and not be confined to a yard, house, or apartment. 

Any advice or wisdom for people who hike?
--For me, I’m not the most natural hiker. . .its something, especially over the past year or two, I’ve tried to do more of. So for people who are maybe nervous and not used to it, just going out there and doing it, trying, starting out with an easier hike and then working your way up, and then it becomes something you crave. 
--And I would say, bring snacks!

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