This is the second part of the interview with Michelle Finch. Read the first part below.

How did this trip change you as a person?

This trip opened my eyes the rest of the way. It was like the second half of a realization about hiking and the world around us (that sounds a lot bigger than I intended). A few years earlier, we were on an guided hike near Banff, Alberta. Since I live an hour away and have hiked through Banff most of my life, I think I was a little arrogant about my hiking prowess and figured I was just along for the ride. I came away humble in the knowledge I knew next to nothing about true hiking. I was hiking, but not seeing. I was missing so much. Now I've learned about animals and the flowers and trees. I've learned to stop for the "sweet spots" where the forests smell amazing, and learned how to look for markings and other signs of animals. I've learned to look for signs of the history of the forest, the floods, the fires, the mountains themselves.

The hikes in Hawaii taught me that what I know only holds true in my small section of the world. My eyes were open in Maui, but I had to learn all over again to know what I saw. On Maui hikes, there are no small animals.... it's an island. And that's become one of my favorite parts of hiking, learning the area ahead of time, learning what makes it unique and why.

What's your next adventure? Where and why?

Our next hike is a local mountain called Yamnuska. A friend started hiking regularly this year and Yamnuska was the goal for the summer. It's not the toughest hike in the area by a long shot, but it's a beautiful one. The mountain is right on the edge of the rockies, so the view is astounding. For someone in their first summer of regular hiking it's a hike to be proud of. I'm finding a lot of joy in taking people on their first hikes up the really good mountains and paths. I love seeing it again through them.

Our next trip is just forming now. Around here, October is the last really good month before snow becomes a factor, and we're taking up cross-country skiing this winter as well. However, I do keep looking at the southern states - Arizona, New Mexico - and thinking that is going to be the place to be at some point this winter. I've seem some recent photos of hikes in those areas and it's really given me the itch.

Name three items/gadgets essential to the outdoor lover and why.

When I'm on the trail I'm as gadget-less as they come, strangely enough. I work in IT, so maybe it's my way of keeping my work away when I'm on the trail. I'd say for me it's as simple as my digital camera. I've been looking at altimeters so I'll list that one as well. Beyond that, a map, a backpack, some food and water, and I'm thrilled to pieces!

Thanks Michelle!