LAKE TAHOE, Calif./ Nev. – While many 9-year-olds can be seen building LEGO sets, playing Minecraft or participating in games like soccer or softball, Matilda Nibouar, who often goes by the nickname Tilly, is out hiking the Sierra Nevada mountains. Most recently, her 13-day, 170-mile trek on the Tahoe Rim Trail helped raise over $1700 and counting for the Tahoe Rim Trail Association (TRTA). 

In 2017 at just one year old, Matilda and her parents, Katherine and Ryan, traversed for 17 days on the entire Tahoe Rim Trail, making Matilda one of the youngest to complete the single-track scenic hike that loops around Lake Tahoe.

This time around, Matilda was no longer being carried – she was dancing, singing and taking the trail by storm, all while carrying 11 pounds of gear. 

“I was really excited,” said Matilda, who noted that she woke up ready to get outside and get going that first morning they set off. 

Beginning at Big Meadow Trailhead, Matilda and Ryan journeyed 18.3 miles to Echo Lake over the course of two days. Along the way, they passed through the granite-lined shores of Showers Lake.

“It was really fun to get out there, and we recreated a couple photos that we took the first time around,” said Ryan. “As we were going through Meiss Meadows and all these different areas, the wildflowers were just out of control. The [indian] paintbrush was just covering the hillside in red.” 

Matilda, along with her love for hiking, also has a special place in her heart for bugs and flowers, and throughout her time on the trail, she would often point out each type of flower she encountered. 

“She would sing Tom Petty’s ‘Wildflowers’ as we were walking through, and that was an absolute highlight for me,” Ryan added.

After reaching Echo Lake, Katherine took over and hiked the rest of the trail around Lake Tahoe with Matilda.

“I think what Tilly learned, and what I was particularly very impressed with was just her mental strength and her ability to take on something so challenging,” said Katherine.

Logistically, planning this trip was a breeze compared to nine years ago as there was no need for diapers or baby food. Light gear, plenty of water, SOS beacons and a first-aid kit – the Nibouars knew what to bring to ensure that they were not only safe and secure, but that they could have an absolute blast in one of the most stunning regions in the country. Another plus – there was now an extra set of hands eager to help.

“Tilly is very autonomous now. She really enjoyed the camp chores, so setting up and tearing down camp every day was really simple because she was setting up the tent by herself, tearing it down by herself, she could make dinner by herself,” said Katherine. 

The mother-daughter duo bonded over the course of those 11 days, leaning on each other’s fortitude and looking forward to the next stellar view they could share with each other. 

“Being with Tilly for 24 hours a day, seven days a week, I never get that time. She has school and summer camp, she has siblings, so that is so rare,” Katherine said. “I learned a lot about her on the trail. I heard stories I hadn’t heard before.”  

Among the very few challenges they encountered, the heat of August in the Sierra Nevadas bore down, but they didn’t let it get the best of them.

With plans to finish the thru-hike in 15 days, Matilda had the idea to go out with a bang, and on their last day, she and Katherine hiked 20 miles instead of their planned 14. Matilda described feeling “sappy” when they finished, saying she was both sad and happy at the same time.

Along with her ambition to hike the entire loop, Matilda also set out to raise money for TRTA. Initially, her 99Pledges fundraiser page was created with the goal of raising $500. As of August 13, she has raised $1760 – more than triple her goal.  

Her advice for kids her age interested in hiking? “Don’t give up,” Matilda said. “It might be hard, but you can do it.” 

Katherine and Ryan also encourage parents looking to hike with their children to just go for it. 

“You have to just get out there,” Katherine said. “I think one of the reasons why our kids are so comfortable and excited to be out in the backcountry is because we have been doing this since they were babies.”

“Proper planning and gear plays a big role,” said Ryan. “We’ve invested in having really good gear, to make sure that it’s light because parents are carrying most of it, but also so that we’re still comfortable out there, and it’s a fun experience.”

Although she loves hiking in Tahoe, Matilda is looking to expand her horizons. Her sights are set on, one day, hiking the John Muir Trail and the Camino de Santiago.

“If she wants to keep hiking, we’ll keep supporting it,” said Ryan.

To donate to Matilda’s TRTA fund, visit https://app.99pledges.com/fund/matildaTRT?home_v2=true.