We’re thrilled to introduce Barbara Sammut as ITA’s new North Idaho Trail Program Specialist! Based in Coeur d’Alene, Barbara’s passion for hiking and connecting to people through Idaho’s outdoor spaces makes her a perfect fit for our mission. Join us in giving Barbara a warm ITA welcome – we’re so glad to have you on the team! If you want to hear more about Barbara’s journey from having no camping experience to thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail and Pacific Crest Trail, check out her webinar on February 12, 6pm PT / 7pm MT.

What is your background in? What are some of the things you enjoy doing for fun?

I’ve always loved sports and getting outside. I’ve been a runner since I was 10 years old and I discovered triathlons in college. I taught myself how to swim laps and grew to love time in the pool as a meditation. I love road biking and have enjoyed getting to know the amazing bike trails in north Idaho. I began my passion for hiking when studying abroad in Cape Town. After completing my studies, I set off on a thru hike of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), where I fell in love with backpacking. I also hiked the Appalachian Trail (AT) this year and finished the trail in September. I try to get out on trail as much as possible and even have done winter backpacking trips snow shoeing! I love the quiet that comes from the snow and the feeling of defying nature by being outside in intense conditions. I studied electrical engineering in school and have led many outreach programs and retreats. I’m excited to lead projects on trail and blend my technical and leadership skills with my love for the outdoors to make a difference while doing what I love most.

Why did you want to come work for ITA? What are you looking forward to in this role?

My experiences hiking the PCT and AT opened my eyes to the importance of trails in my life. I knew that the passion I have for trails and giving people access to what I have grown to rely on was something I wanted to translate into my day-to-day life. When I found the position at ITA, I couldn’t believe my eyes! Seeing beautiful trails restored through hard work is so rewarding. Growing a team of people who are all working towards this goal of restoring access to the wilderness excites me. I am especially looking forward to getting to know ITA’s members and volunteers and connecting with people on trail projects. I’m excited to grow together as we work towards the mission of preserving trails for generations to come.

Most memorable backcountry experience (Looking for a funny/scary/interesting story here!)

One of the funniest experiences I’ve had was on the Pacific Crest Trail with my boyfriend, Jeremiah, who I met on my second day on trail. After months of clear skies and maybe one or two quick passing storms, we forgot that rain was even a possibility, so it wasn’t even on our minds when setting up camp. We were currently in a heat advisory with temperatures reaching 115°F, struggling to make it through the day. We stopped for a swim in a nearby lake as we hiked through Marble Mountain Wilderness in Northern California. Shortly after, we decided to set up camp instead of hiking on through the heat of the day. The only flat tent site had some dried horse poop, as was common on the PCT because it was shared with equestrian backpackers as well, so we didn’t think anything of it. He set up his tent and I decided to cowboy camp next to him so that we could both fit on the flat site. An hour or so later, I started to feel rain drops for the first time in over a month and immediately went to set up my tent a few feet away. I finally got all my belongings inside just in time for the downpour. The water rushed into our campsite and surrounded Jeremiah’s tent, causing the horse poop to reconstitute. The water levels got so high that rivers of horse poop were flooding into his tent. The rain turned to large pieces of hail splashing the mess onto him, covering him and his sleeping bag, which had just been washed the day before for the first time on trail. There was nothing he could do but wait it out at that point, so he had to hike on before he could wash everything again. That storm ended up being the beginning of the McKinney Fire, exploding from 300 acres to 8,000 acres overnight and causing us to evacuate the trail the next day.

Why are trails worth protecting?

After spending months in the backcountry, I learned how much I need to be in the wilderness. Being out there makes me feel alive, experiencing the movement of nature around me. It removes me from my day to day reliance on technology and reminds me of my basic needs: food, water, shelter, and that’s it! The trail is such an awakening place and access to the wilderness is something that can change so many people’s lives. I am convinced that these trails are crucial to help us connect with our deeper selves and their preservation is essential to keep these trails open. This connection with nature is something we can’t sacrifice and as we stray further away from our natural selves, we need to be reminded of who we truly are and where we come from as people. We feel dissonance in our lives inside, wondering what is missing, as we are blocked off from the way of life our people lived for thousands of years. Trails are our lifeline to connect us back and help us know where we belong, and that is something we cannot replace.