Life Outside Fall 2017 - 33

8.

6.

9.

7.
camp and have dinner. They average 15 to 20
miles per day.
It starts again the next morning as Ellie uses
one of her new words, "backpack," signaling that
it's time for her to climb into the pack for the
day's adventure.
Some of the bigger challenges in hiking with an
infant include dealing with diapers and finding
places to camp at night that don't impact other
hikers. The Quirins have stopped in towns along
the way, stayed in bed and breakfasts during
breaks and even found a few trail angels that
opened their home to the trio.
"We are making this a standard of normality
for [Ellie]," Derrick Quirin said before the hike
started. "We hope it continues and is easy for
her and a part of a life outside."
While the hike is a great family adventure,
the Quirins also hope to use the experience to
help others. They found out that Ellie would be
the first baby to travel the A.T. while looking for
resources during the planning phase of the hike.
There weren't many available.
"We've gotten lots of emails asking for advice,"
Bekah Quirin says. "We're happy to help anyone
who is seriously considering an extended trip."
She might even compile that information into
a guidebook for families once they return to
Roanoke. She's been documenting the journey
on Instagram (@ellieontheat) and the response
has been tremendous.
"We are trail focused," Bekah said with 1,300
miles of the Appalachian Trail behind them. "You
certainly can't turn off this lifestyle."

GETTING READY (ABOVE AND BELOW)
The family's optimism before the hike has
largely come true on the trail.

Q

LifeOutsideMag.com // Fall 2017

33
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Life Outside Fall 2017

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Life Outside Fall 2017
