Some adventure cats are made. But Elle, a curious, confident Ragdoll who’s trekked up trails and snowboarded down mountains simply happened, according to her human, Amanda Buhler.
Elle came into Buhler’s life on Christmas Eve, a 4-month-old kitten that Buhler says is “the best gift I’ve ever received.”
But Buhler, who’s based in Vevey, Switzerland, says what makes Elle stand out isn’t the snowboarding or the epic hikes — it’s her personality.
“She’s always interested in what’s happening around her and wants to be involved in everything I do. She’s funny, expressive, stubborn at times, incredibly affectionate, and she somehow always manages to make people smile everywhere she goes.”
An adventure cat by accident
Buhler never set out to build an Instagram-famous trail cat. She herself was already active outdoors as a hike and cyclist, and, when Elle came along, involving her cat in the adventures just felt natural.
“I think that’s an important distinction,” Buhler says. “My goal was never to make my cat adventurous. My goal was to give her a life she enjoys and to include her in mine whenever it felt safe and appropriate.”
That distinction shapes everything about how the pair explores together, and a day out with Elle is rarely about covering ground.
“A typical adventure is actually much slower than people imagine,” Buhler says.
They’ll head into the mountains, a quiet forest, a lakeside trail, or an empty stretch of beach, and Elle will spend most of it doing what cats do best: smelling things, watching birds, perching on rocks, and simply taking the time to observe the world.
“People often focus on the destination, but for cats, the journey is usually the exciting part,” Buhler says. “Every smell, sound and texture is new information (so) a lot of our adventures are simply us moving through nature together at her pace.”
Building trust
Elle’s confidence on trails, slopes, and bikes comes from years of slow, deliberate trust-building that started when she was a kitten. Buhler started taking Elle for backpack rides when she was a kitten, which helped the young ragdoll get acquainted with the sights, scents and sounds of the outside world.
“The biggest thing I tell people is: Don’t stress,” Buhler says. “Cats are incredibly sensitive to our energy. If you’re nervous, they usually know before you’ve even done anything.”
Today, Elle’s offleash adventures are a result of building trust, confidence and communication over time, according to Buhler. “I learned to pay attention to her body language, and she learned that being with me was safe. The more experiences we shared, the stronger that connection became.”
That patience paid off in moments Buhler still counts among her favorites, such as the first time she took Elle snowboarding. “It felt completely surreal,” she recalls. “Not because it looked impressive, but because I could see she was comfortable, curious and enjoying the experience.”
Elle rode calmly on Amanda’s shoulder the whole way down as if she’d done it a hundred times before.
“Moments like that stay with me because they remind me how much trust exists between us,” Buhler says.
Finding the right gear
Getting Elle adequately “purrpared” for bikes and hikes took some experimentation. Buhler tested numerous bags, baskets, and carrying systems before landing on setups that suited her cat — some with a higher perch for watching the world go by, others more enclosed for longer outings.
“I don’t choose gear based on what looks good in a photo,” Amanda says. “I choose it based on what makes Elle feel the most comfortable and secure.”
When she finally nailed the right cycling setup and saw Elle sitting there completely relaxed, it was a small triumph. “I remember thinking, ‘Yes, we’ve figured it out,'” she says. “Those moments are incredibly rewarding because they’re really about understanding your cat better.”
Safety comes first
Amanda is careful about where and when she takes Elle out, steering clear of crowded trails full of dogs, bikes, and big groups, and favoring routes with plenty of trees.
“Cats naturally feel safer when they have vertical escape routes available if they ever feel uncomfortable,” she explains.
Mostly, though, safety comes down to fluency in Elle-speak.
“I’ve spent years learning how Elle communicates,” Buhler says. “I can usually tell very quickly if she’s relaxed, curious, overwhelmed or tired.”
Elle even has different vocalizations for different wants. “At this point, we understand each other surprisingly well. The better you know your cat, the safer every adventure becomes.”
Seeing the world through a cat’s eyes
Ask Amanda what her Instagram account is really about, and adventure isn’t the first word she uses — to her, the remarkable photos she shares are really about seeing the world through Elle’s eyes and sharing her feline friend’s “big, rich life.”
“Humans often rush from one place to another, while cats notice everything,” she says. “They’ll stop to smell a flower, watch an insect for ten minutes or become completely fascinated by a patch of sunlight.”
In other words, Buhler and Elle are, to use a word coined by Zac Robinson, “catting.”
Indeed, spending time with Elle in the great outdoors taught Buhler to slow down, and that’s what she tries to capture and share in her photos — not just beautiful scenery, but the way Elle experiences it.
Buhler’s advice for adventuring with your cat
Start small.
“You don’t need to take your cat up a mountain or on a paddleboard. Begin by sitting in the garden (here’s how to make your yard feline-friendly), visiting a quiet park or carrying them in a backpack for a short walk.”
Watch your cat, not the activity.
“Pay attention to your cat rather than focusing on the activity. Every cat is different. Some will love exploring. Others will prefer sitting in the sunshine and watching the world go by.”
Forget the destination.
“The goal shouldn’t be to create an adventure cat. The goal should be to understand your cat and help them live a life they genuinely enjoy.”
Focus on enrichment.
“A fulfilling life (for a cat) isn’t necessarily about doing bigger things. Sometimes it’s about creating opportunities for curiosity, choice, connection and joy.”
Fresh air, movement, mental stimulation, safety, routine — the things that make a good life for us tend to make one for our cats, too.
