Elisabeth Kwak- Hefferan is a freelance writer and editor who specializes in the outdoors, environment, travel, health, food, culture, and science. Her work has appeared in Backpacker, Grist, Organic Life, Women's Adventure, 5280 (Denver's city magazine), and more.

She is Backpacker's Rocky Mountain Editor and a contributing writer for Grist.org. Elisabeth lives in Missoula, Montana, where the spectacular natural beauty is second in renown only to the staggeringly high craft brewery-per-capita ratio (beer of choice: Kettlehouse Cold Smoke, if you're buying).