Kris lives in Madison, Wisconsin and is an avid hiker. In 2016 Kris, aka Hair Tie, began section hiking the Ice Age Trail. Kris completed the trail in 2018 and immediately began hiking it for a second time. Photography is a favorite hobby, so she always has a camera with her while hiking. Kris also wrote a memoir about her first hike on the trail; Hiking with Hair Tie: Section Hiking the Ice Age Trail. Kris is currently working on section hiking the Ice Age Trail for a second time and hopes to be done by summer 2020. She plans to section hike the trail for a third time after her second completion and thru hike the trail in the future. When Kris isn't hiking, she enjoys photography, crocheting, attending University of Wisconsin women's hockey and softball games, and participating in a wide variety of outdoor activities. You can follow Kris on Instagram at kris_vanhandel.