Amber Merritt
Amber was born in Illinois before moving to Arizona with her family at the age of 5. She has been exploring the wild areas of Arizona ever since. In fact, Amber has been enjoying walks through nature long before she recognized it as hiking. She got more heavily into the culture of hiking about 15 years ago with her best friend.
Unfortunately, Amber’s friend moved to the Salt Lake City area, so Amber has been hiking alone for years. As an ambassador, Amber looks forward to meeting new people and helping them explore the state she has been exploring for 40 years.
Hiking has become a way for her to recenter herself and reflect on her current mentality. She doesn’t do it to rush to the end but to enjoy her surroundings and the people she is with.
Amber is a software engineer. In addition to having an affinity for the great outdoors, she enjoys music (especially live), the arts, and science, and she welcomes any chance to try something new. In her down time, she likes to read, do something crafty, or solve a puzzle.
Amber’s favorite hike: “In AZ, Lockett Meadow Inner Basin Loop in the San Francisco Peaks north of Flagstaff, but I have to give a shout out to Trillium Falls Trail near Orick, California, because it was so magical to walk amongst the redwoods.”
Amber’s favorite drink: “I am an eclectic drinker and pick my drinks based on mood and atmosphere. With wine, I tend to prefer reds but also enjoy a crisp, refreshing white or rose now and again.”
Amber’s favorite hiking or backpacking gear: “My water bladder. Being a desert rat, I know how to put away 100 oz of water easily.”
Find a hike in Arizona here.