There are adventurers, and then there are winter adventurers. Emily Ford has made a name for herself by taking on some of the most remote and rugged trails in North America during the coldest months of the year. Although the timing of her adventures was initially based on her work schedule rather than personal preference, Ford embraced the cold and made waves for her record-setting effort on the Ice Age National Scenic Hiking Trail (chronicled HERE), all while, in her words, continuing to “seek adventure and represent the underrepresented in outdoor spaces.” We were thrilled at the chance to learn more about what inspires her to get outside when most people would rather stay in.
You consider yourself a winter adventurer and have accomplished some pretty incredible things – what is it about being outside in the winter that you love so much?
Jokingly, I always tell folks that I prefer the winter due to the lack of biting insects, but I have to admit that there is quite a bit of truth to that. I am the ultimate mosquito magnet for some reason! All jokes aside, there is so much beauty in the winter months. I think that freshly fallen snow on trees is one of the most beautiful things in the world. I also love the deafening silence that comes with a good layer of snow as a dampener. Within that silence, I find a lot of peace.
In 2021, you became the first woman and the first person of color to thru-hike the 1,200-mile Ice Age National Scenic Hiking Trail in winter. What unexpected challenges and/or opportunities did you encounter along the way?
It was my first 1000-mile trek, so that in itself was a huge thing to tackle! I hadn’t hiked more than 350 miles at the time. I kind of ran out of funding for that trip so I cobbled together used and borrowed gear which means my system wasn’t the most efficient. I think I chalked it up to the “essence of adventure” or “type 2 fun,” but looking back on some of my gear I think, “oof, why did I make that choice???” For example, instead of looking for a light tent, I used a 1989 Sierra Designs 2P, 3-season tent. Not the lightest thing in the world, but it held up!
In addition to the Ice Age Trail, you’ve also completed the remote 41-mile Kekekabic and 66-mile Border Route Trails bordering Ontario, Canada and Northern Minnesota, and the rugged 310-mile Superior Hiking Trail from near the Ontario border to Wrenshall, Minnesota. What inspires you to take on endurance challenges in some of the coldest conditions around?
It is the time of year that I am laid off from my job! I feel like I was put into an arranged marriage with winter. In the midst of that arranged marriage, I actually fell in love with it. Folks are afraid of the cold. I actually am too sometimes! But, once I’m out in it, I cannot deny the solace I feel in the midst of a challenging adventure. I love the push of a trail, even if it is in butt-deep snow!
You have a really special relationship with your dogs, and one of them, Diggins, accompanied you on the Ice Age Trail. Previous interviews refer to her as a “borrowed dog.” How did she end up joining you and then becoming a permanent part of your “pack?”
I put a call out on a female mushers group on Facebook! It was recommended to me by a buddy of mine. Cheri, Diggins’ handler, responded to my ask and offered up Diggins. So aptly named after Olympic XC skier Jessie Diggins, she is a fierce adventure dog! I gave her back to Cheri after I completed the Ice Age Trail. I went home and I was hit with post-trip depression. I asked to borrow Diggins for a weekend trip and ended up asking if I could buy her and keep her for life. I was really willing to spend heaps of money on her. I could feel that we were meant to do more together and that she would help me get out of the depression hole I was in. Cheri was super gracious and gave her to me for free! Now she lives in Duluth with me, my partner, and our other 3 dogs (2 sled dogs and one hound).
When did you develop a love for the outdoors?
I think it started when I was pretty young. I loved playing in the snow or riding my bike with my buddies. I loved adventuring in the woods at my grandparent’s farm with their dog. I didn’t start camping until I was on geology field trips in college and I didn’t start backpacking until I moved to Duluth, MN when I was 22!
(Check out the Breaking Trail documentary about Emily’s attempt on the 1,200-mile Ice Age Trail with her doggo Diggins on Outside+ TV!)
Where can people follow you? (social handles, website link, etc.)
Instagram: @emilyontrail
Website: emilyontrail.com