Introducing Rachel Sicheneder

Rachel cuddles with Q before a run

Rachel was born in the suburbs of the Twin Cities and some of her earliest memories are of camping in state parks and forests near her home. Her parents instilled in her a sense of adventure and respect for nature that has continued to be a foundation for how she views the world.  She attended Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA and earned a Bachelors in Biology. Her degree has taken her all around the world for research including Costa Rica, North Carolina and Africa. Despite the thrills of traveling, Rachel always felt drawn to Minnesota and the north woods and returned home in 2012. She went on an adventure with Points Unknown in 2014 and fell in love with the dogs and quiet lifestyle at Irish Creek Homestead.

Last year Rachel quit her job as a natural resource contractor to realize her dream of thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail. She completed her hike in the beginning of September and is excited to be once again back with the dogs and in the woods. She didn’t have dogs growing up and is using all the furry friends at Points Unknown to make up lost time. After her time up north she is heading to Officer Training for the Coast Guard and is crossing her fingers hoping she will get placed somewhere cold with sled dogs!

Please welcome Rachel to the Points Unknown team! She'll be with us through December, helping with fall and early winter training.