The Adventurous Reinvention

In today’s episode, I’m taking you back to the solo backpacking trip that shaped me in all the best ways, my very first overnight alone on the trail.I share what inspired me to go solo in the first place, how I handled the fear, the unexpected snow that changed my plans, and the plot twist at the trailhead that almost stranded me.This trip wasn’t perfect, but it gave me huge confidence in myself, my decision-making, and my leadership skills.If you’ve been wondering whether you can really do this solo backpacking thing... this episode is for you.In this episode, you’ll hear about:Why I felt called to go solo—and how that decision changed meThe exact fears I faced leading up to the trip (and what helped me push through)How I rerouted my trip plan on the fly—and felt confident making safety decisions soloWhat I learned from choosing not to summit the peak I had plannedThe mindset shifts that helped me feel safe alone at night4 key takeaways for anyone dreaming of their first solo backpacking adventureRead on our Blog: Trail Guide to Hiking Mount Langley🗓️ PS—Don’t forget to save the date for our upcoming Solo Hiker Summit! It’s happening June 3-5, 2026.This virtual summit is for women who are done waiting for the right person, the right conditions, or the right version of themselves — and are ready to finally hike alone, go confidently, and maybe even spend a night or two in the backcountry. 😉Registration opens at the end of May. Join our newsletter here (shedreamsofalpine.com/email) to be FIRST to know when registration opens for the Solo Hiker Summit.Where to learn more about Allison:She Dreams of Alpine Blog (shedreamsofalpine.com)Instagram @shedreamsofalpine🎁 FREE GIFT: Grab the Outdoor Backpacker Starter Kit for FREE here to get started on your journey with backpacking. (shedreamsofalpine.com/adventure)🥾 BACKPACKING COURSE WAITLIST (shedreamsofalpine.com/waitlist): This is our signature program where women who are done waiting finally get the skills, the plan, the coaching, and the community to make backpacking real. You'll learn everything you need to get out there safely and confidently — and you'll do it surrounded by 2,000+ women who are right there in the trenches with you, cheering you on every step of the way. If you've been circling this goal for a while, this is the place to finally land.

This week's episode is a takeover — and a good one.Kellie, community manager at She Dreams of Alpine and coach inside the Backpacking Badass Program, steps in (while Allison is off with clients on a rock climbing retreat in Greece) to share something we think is one of the most important episodes we've published.A few years ago, we surveyed over 300 women about what was actually stopping them from solo hiking and backpacking. We didn't just skim the data, we read every single response. And what we found stopped us cold.This episode isn't tips. It's a mirror. It's for the woman who has been saying "someday" for years and just needs to know she's not alone.In this episode, Kellie covers:The fear nobody in the outdoor industry is openly addressing, and why it's time that changesWhat the real statistics say about safety for women on the trail (it's not what you've been told)Why solo hiking and backpacking are acts of reclamation for so many women, and what word showed up again and again in survey responses that says everythingThe loneliness piece... and how it's not just about being alone on the trail, it's about having no one who gets itAnd so much more!🗓️ PS—Don’t forget to save the date for our upcoming Solo Hiker Summit! It’s happening June 3-5, 2026.This virtual summit is for women who are done waiting for the right person, the right conditions, or the right version of themselves — and are ready to finally hike alone, go confidently, and maybe even spend a night or two in the backcountry. 😉Registration opens at the end of May. Join our newsletter here (shedreamsofalpine.com/email) to be FIRST to know when registration opens for the Solo Hiker Summit.Where to learn more about Allison:She Dreams of Alpine Blog (shedreamsofalpine.com)Instagram @shedreamsofalpine🎁 FREE GIFT: Grab the Outdoor Backpacker Starter Kit for FREE here to get started on your journey with backpacking. (shedreamsofalpine.com/adventure)🥾 BACKPACKING COURSE WAITLIST (shedreamsofalpine.com/waitlist): This is our signature program where women who are done waiting finally get the skills, the plan, the coaching, and the community to make backpacking real. You'll learn everything you need to get out there safely and confidently — and you'll do it surrounded by 2,000+ women who are right there in the trenches with you, cheering you on every step of the way. If you've been circling this goal for a while, this is the place to finally land.

You had a goal. You were fired up. And somewhere between January and now… the momentum quietly disappeared.In this mid-year check-in episode, I'm breaking down the six real reasons women stall on their adventure goals, and none of them are what your brain is currently telling you.Whether you're stuck before you've started or losing steam mid-pursuit, this one's for you.In this episode, I share:The coaching conversation that opened this episode, and why "I have no motivation" is almost never the real problemWhat's really happening when outside voices, scary news stories, or a worried partner start to drown out your own inner knowingHow to move your goal from the "I'd love to" category into the "this is already decided" categoryA real story from inside the Backpacking Badass community: a client who almost didn't go on her first solo trip, and what happened when she didWhy identity has to come before the adventures (not after), and what it looks like to start acting as the woman you're becoming right nowWhat pre-trip resistance actually means (hint: it's not a sign you should back out)A mid-year invitation: what's coming in June that could change everything for your summer adventure goalsWhere to learn more about Allison:She Dreams of Alpine Blog (shedreamsofalpine.com)Instagram @shedreamsofalpine🎁 FREE GIFT: Grab the Outdoor Backpacker Starter Kit for FREE here to get started on your journey with backpacking. (shedreamsofalpine.com/adventure)🥾 BACKPACKING COURSE WAITLIST (shedreamsofalpine.com/waitlist): This is our signature program where women who are done waiting finally get the skills, the plan, the coaching, and the community to make backpacking real. You'll learn everything you need to get out there safely and confidently — and you'll do it surrounded by 2,000+ women who are right there in the trenches with you, cheering you on every step of the way. If you've been circling this goal for a while, this is the place to finally land.Learn more and join our waitlists for these programs here:BACKPACKING COURSE WAITLIST (shedreamsofalpine.com/waitlist)THE ADVENTUROUS REINVENTION EXPERIENCE WAITLIST (shedreamsofalpine.com/are)ROCK CLIMBING RETREATS WAITLIST (shedreamsofalpine.com/climb)

In this episode, I’m sitting down with Marissa, a past student of the Adventurous Reinvention Experience, to talk about what it looked like for her to navigate that really common (but rarely talked about) season of life… The “what’s next?” phase.Marissa wasn’t unhappy with her life. She had a solid career, a stable path, and had checked a lot of the boxes she thought she was supposed to check.But underneath that, there was this growing sense of curiosity… mixed with a lot of overthinking… about what she actually wanted her life to look like moving forward.And instead of waiting for clarity to magically appear… she chose to step into the process anyway.Inside this conversation, we talk about:What it actually feels like to be in the “what’s next?” phase of lifeHow overthinking can keep you stuck (and how to start moving through it)The power of giving yourself space to explore new possibilities—without needing a perfect planWhat she learned through the coaching process inside AREBuilding confidence and competence in the outdoors (even without growing up with it)How surrounding yourself with the right community can completely shift your perspectiveAnd what it looks like to start taking aligned action… even when things still feel uncertainThis episode is such a real, honest look at what it means to feel the pull for something more—and to start exploring that, even before you have it all figured out.💛 If You’re Craving Something More…If you’ve been feeling the pull for more connection, more adventure, or a different kind of summer… The Adventurous Reinvention Experience is exactly where we explore that.It’s a 4-month experience where we blend:Personal growth + reinvention coachingOutdoor skills + physical trainingDeep community with other womenAnd a life-changing backpacking adventure to bring it all together👉 Learn more at shedreamsofalpine.com/areConnect with Marissa:You can follow Marissa along her JMT adventures (and MORE) on her Substack: https://lifeofmarchi.substack.com/Where to learn more about Allison:She Dreams of Alpine Blog (shedreamsofalpine.com)Instagram @shedreamsofalpine

In this episode, I’m sitting down with Nancie, a past student of the Adventurous Reinvention Experience, to talk about what it looked like for her to start backpacking at 58… and completely shift how she sees herself and what she’s capable of.Nancie didn’t grow up as a “backpacker,” and she didn’t come into this experience feeling fully confident or ready.She came in with curiosity, a deep pull toward adventure, and a quiet question so many women ask themselves at some point: Is it too late for me to start something like this?And instead of waiting to feel ready… she chose to begin anyway.Inside this conversation, we talk about:What her first solo backpacking trip was really like (including not sleeping at all 😅)Starting something new in your late 50s and navigating the fear that comes with itWhat she learned about resilience, adaptability, and thinking on her feetThe power of surrounding yourself with women who get itHow doing hard things on the trail translated into more confidence in everyday lifeWhy it’s never too late to choose yourself and go after what you really wantThis is such a powerful example of what becomes possible when you stop waiting for the “perfect time”… and start where you are.💛 If You’re Craving Something More…If you’ve been feeling the pull for more connection, more adventure, or a different kind of summer… The Adventurous Reinvention Experience is exactly where we explore that.It’s a 4-month experience where we blend:Personal growth + reinvention coachingOutdoor skills + physical trainingDeep community with other womenAnd a life-changing backpacking adventure to bring it all togetherThere are only 36 spots available in the 2026 cohort.👉 NOW ENROLLING, Learn more at shedreamsofalpine.com/areWhere to learn more about Allison:She Dreams of Alpine Blog (shedreamsofalpine.com)Instagram @shedreamsofalpine

In this episode, I’m sitting down with Sunny, a past student of the Adventurous Reinvention Experience, to talk about what it looked like for her to step into leadership in the outdoors and become the kind of woman she didn’t always see represented there.Sunny didn’t come into this experience feeling like she fully belonged in the outdoor space. She came in with curiosity, a desire to grow, and a deeper calling to build community and lead in a way that felt aligned with who she is.And instead of waiting to feel ready… she chose to step forward anyway.Inside this conversation, we talk about:What her first backpacking experience was really like (and why it pushed her to want more)The desire to become a leader and what that actually means in the outdoorsNavigating the fear of not belonging and choosing to show up anywayHow pushing herself physically on the trail unlocked a deeper level of self-trustThe power of community, vulnerability, and collective support in hard momentsWhat it looks like to trust your intuition and honor your own paceHow this experience shaped the way she leads and shows up in her life nowThis is such a powerful example of what becomes possible when you stop waiting to feel ready… and start becoming the person you needed.💛 If You’re Craving Something More…If you’ve been feeling the pull for more connection, more adventure, or a different kind of summer… The Adventurous Reinvention Experience is exactly where we explore that.It’s a 4-month experience where we blend:Personal growth + reinvention coachingOutdoor skills + physical trainingDeep community with other womenAnd a life-changing backpacking adventure to bring it all togetherIf something in this episode resonated with you, you can learn more and join the waitlist for our next experience, which opens SOON!There are only 36 spots available in the 2026 cohort.👉 NOW ENROLLING, Learn more at shedreamsofalpine.com/areWhere to learn more about Allison:She Dreams of Alpine Blog (shedreamsofalpine.com)Instagram @shedreamsofalpine

In this episode, I’m joined by Kellie from the She Dreams of Alpine team for a raw, honest, and deeply personal conversation about what it actually looks like to reinvent yourself, again and again.We’re pulling back the curtain on our own reinvention journeys… not just the highlight reel, but the messy, uncomfortable, and transformative moments that shaped who we are today.Because reinvention isn’t just one big life overhaul. It’s a practice, a way of living, and a decision about your life that you get to make over and over again.Inside this conversation, we explore:What reinvention really means (and why it doesn’t have to be dramatic to be powerful)The difference between big life pivots and subtle identity shiftsWhy resistance is actually a sign you’re on the edge of growthHow reinvention compounds over time (and why doing it again matters)Real-life examples of navigating grief, relationships, fear, and identity evolutionHow curiosity (not clarity) is often the starting pointThe role of community in accelerating growth and healingWhat it looks like to actively choose your life instead of living on autopilotThis episode is a reminder that you are not a fixed version of yourself. You are allowed to evolve. To change your mind. To want something different. To become someone new, again and again. And maybe most importantly… you don’t have to do it alone.💛 If You’re Craving Something More…If you’ve been feeling the pull for more connection, more adventure, or a different kind of summer… The Adventurous Reinvention Experience is exactly where we explore that.It’s a 4-month experience where we blend:Personal growth + reinvention coachingOutdoor skills + physical trainingDeep community with other womenAnd a life-changing backpacking adventure to bring it all togetherIf something in this episode resonated with you, you can learn more and join the waitlist for our next experience, which opens SOON!There are only 36 spots available in the 2026 cohort.👉 Join the Waitlist at shedreamsofalpine.com/are so you don't miss a single update when doors open in April.Where to learn more about Allison:She Dreams of Alpine Blog (shedreamsofalpine.com)Instagram @shedreamsofalpine

In this episode, I’m sitting down with Carey, a past student of the Adventurous Reinvention Experience, to talk about what it looked like for her to go all in on building community during a major life transition, and how that decision changed everything.Carey didn’t come into this experience needing backpacking skills. She came in craving connection, friendship, and a sense of belonging during a season where everything in her life felt uncertain.And instead of waiting for that community to magically appear… She created it.Inside this conversation, we talk about:What it looked like to navigate a major life transition and choose something newThe fear of not belonging (and what actually happened instead)How she built real, meaningful friendships before the backpacking trip even startedThe unexpected ways adventure can accelerate connection and growthWhat happened after the experience—new friendships, new adventures, and even a new identity as a climberThis is such a powerful example of what becomes possible when you stop waiting… and start saying yes to the life you actually want.💛 If You’re Craving Something More…If you’ve been feeling the pull for more connection, more adventure, or a different kind of summer… The Adventurous Reinvention Experience is exactly where we explore that.It’s a 4-month experience where we blend:Personal growth + reinvention coachingOutdoor skills + physical trainingDeep community with other womenAnd a life-changing backpacking adventure to bring it all togetherIf something in this episode resonated with you, you can learn more and join the waitlist for our next experience, which opens SOON!There are only 36 spots available in the 2026 cohort.👉 Join the Waitlist at shedreamsofalpine.com/are so you don't miss a single update when doors open in April.Connect with Carey:You can connect with Carey through her website at wellnessworthliving.com and reach out via her contact page.She also shares her story of hiking the John Muir Trail with her daughter at parentingoffthegrid.net.Where to learn more about the host, Allison:She Dreams of Alpine Blog (shedreamsofalpine.com)Instagram @shedreamsofalpine

In this episode, Allison and her team member Kellie sit down fresh off the trail in Allison’s van to recap the 2025 Adventurous Reinvention Experience Intermediate Backpacking Trip in the Eastern Sierra.After spending nearly two weeks in the mountains guiding both beginner and intermediate groups, they recorded this conversation while the memories were still fresh — sharing what actually happens on these trips beyond the highlight photos.From gear shakedowns and acclimatization days to alpine lake swims, big climbs, and late-night conversations under the stars, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the adventure, challenge, and connection that unfolds when a group of women spend several days together in the wilderness.Because the Adventurous Reinvention Experience isn’t just a backpacking trip. It’s a summer-long container for personal reinvention, confidence building, and community, with the backpacking adventure becoming the physical expression of that growth.In this episode, we talk about:What a typical ARE backpacking retreat itinerary looks likeThe 5-day route last year's group took through the Eastern Sierra lake basinWhy alpine lake swims became a theme of this year’s tripHow a group of women who met on the internet became adventure friends in a few daysThe powerful conversations that happen when women unplug and spend time in the mountainsAnd so much more...By the end of the trip, these women didn’t just finish a backpacking route.They walked away with new confidence, new friendships, and a deeper sense of what they’re capable of.If you've ever wondered what it's really like to join the Adventurous Reinvention Experience, this episode gives you a candid, fresh-off-the-trail look inside.🔥 The 2026 Adventurous Reinvention Experience is opening soon! This is our once-a-year, four-month intimate coaching container where we work on identity evolution, self-trust, and embodied courage — and then take it into the mountains together in the Eastern Sierra. Only 36 spots are available in the 2026 cohort.👉 Join the Waitlist at shedreamsofalpine.com/are so you don't miss a single update when doors open in April.Where to learn more about Allison:She Dreams of Alpine Blog (shedreamsofalpine.com)Instagram @shedreamsofalpine

Sometimes the most valuable adventures are the ones that don’t go according to plan.In this episode, Allison shares the story of a 2023 Adventurous Reinvention Experience backpacking trip that was supposed to summit Mount Whitney… until a powerful storm forced the group to pivot.What could have felt like a “failed” adventure ended up becoming one of the most valuable mountain experiences her clients have ever had: teaching lessons about resilience, leadership, self-trust, and learning how to make safety decisions in the backcountry.In this episode, we explore:Why adventure (and reinvention) requires the willingness to failWhat really happens when a big outdoor goal doesn’t go according to planHow making safety calls and pivots in the mountains builds real confidenceWhy the most meaningful growth often comes from the hardest momentsHow the lessons we learn on the trail translate directly into our livesThe goal of adventure isn’t perfection.It’s growth. It’s courage. It’s discovering what you’re capable of, even when things don’t unfold the way you expected.Sometimes the adventure that “fails” ends up being the one that changes you the most.🔥 The 2026 Adventurous Reinvention Experience is opening soon! This is our once-a-year, four-month intimate coaching container where we work on identity evolution, self-trust, and embodied courage — and then take it into the mountains together in the Eastern Sierra. Only 36 spots are available in the 2026 cohort.👉 Join the Waitlist at shedreamsofalpine.com/are so you don't miss a single update when doors open in April.Where to learn more about Allison:She Dreams of Alpine Blog (shedreamsofalpine.com)Instagram @shedreamsofalpine🎁 FREE GIFT: Grab the Outdoor Backpacker Starter Kit for FREE here to get started on your journey with backpacking. (shedreamsofalpine.com/adventure)🥾 BACKPACKING COURSE WAITLIST (shedreamsofalpine.com/waitlist): This is our signature program where we teach you how to become a safe, confident, and self-sufficient backpacker. It's an online course, coaching program, and community to support you in your journey to becoming a confident backpacker and step into your adventurous identity.Learn more and join our waitlists for these programs here:BACKPACKING COURSE WAITLIST (shedreamsofalpine.com/waitlist)THE ADVENTUROUS REINVENTION EXPERIENCE WAITLIST (shedreamsofalpine.com/are)ROCK CLIMBING RETREATS WAITLIST (shedreamsofalpine.com/climb)

If you've been doom-scrolling, feeling frozen, or wondering whether it's still okay to care about adventure and joy, this episode is for you.In this episode, Allison shares why aliveness isn't a luxury or an escape, it's actually how we stay strong, grounded, and capable of showing up powerfully in our lives and in the world.In this episode, we explore:Why doom-scrolling and freezing your life doesn't make you more informed, it just disconnects you from your powerHow building strength, self-trust, and outdoor skills is a form of everyday courageWhy shrinking has never made us safer, and what actually doesHow adventure builds the resilience to think clearly, lead, and stand in your values under pressureWhy aliveness is not about pretending things aren't hard... it's about staying connected to yourself inside the hardIf adventure has felt frivolous lately… maybe it's not. Maybe it's training. Maybe it's exactly how you refuse to shrink.🔥 The 2026 Adventurous Reinvention Experience is opening soon! This is our once-a-year, four-month intimate coaching container where we work on identity evolution, self-trust, and embodied courage — and then take it into the mountains together in the Eastern Sierra. Only 36 spots are available in the 2026 cohort.👉 Join the Waitlist at shedreamsofalpine.com/are so you don't miss a single update when doors open in April.Where to learn more about Allison:She Dreams of Alpine Blog (shedreamsofalpine.com)Instagram @shedreamsofalpine🎁 FREE GIFT: Grab the Outdoor Backpacker Starter Kit for FREE here to get started on your journey with backpacking. (shedreamsofalpine.com/adventure)🥾 BACKPACKING COURSE WAITLIST (shedreamsofalpine.com/waitlist): This is our signature program where we teach you how to become a safe, confident, and self-sufficient backpacker. It's an online course, coaching program, and community to support you in your journey to becoming a confident backpacker and step into your adventurous identity.Learn more and join our waitlists for these programs here:BACKPACKING COURSE WAITLIST (shedreamsofalpine.com/waitlist)THE ADVENTUROUS REINVENTION EXPERIENCE WAITLIST (shedreamsofalpine.com/are)ROCK CLIMBING RETREATS WAITLIST (shedreamsofalpine.com/climb)

This final episode of the Escalante Route Trail Series comes to you from a hotel room—because we climbed all the way out of the Grand Canyon today.After a very early wake-up, we started hiking in the dark to avoid the heat, stopping for water and breakfast before committing to the long climb out.What followed was roughly 4,000 feet of elevation gain, endless switchbacks, Redwall crossings, and some of the steepest trail of the entire route.The climb was shaded, rugged, and relentless—but also deeply satisfying. Along the way, we passed mining relics, encountered a tarantula, exchanged trail banter with other hikers, and slowly gained a full perspective of everything we had just traveled through.We topped out tired, proud, and already nostalgic.In this episode:A pre-dawn start to beat the heatClimbing through the Redwall and Horseshoe MesaSteep switchbacks and relentless elevation gainWildlife sightings and trail humorReflections on finishing the Escalante Route🎧 Hit play for the final push—4,000 feet up, one last grind, and the quiet satisfaction of completing the Escalante Route.Where to learn more about Allison:She Dreams of Alpine BlogInstagram @shedreamsofalpine🎁 FREE GIFT: Grab the Outdoor Backpacker Starter Kit for FREE here to get started on your journey with backpacking.🥾 BACKPACKING COURSE WAITLIST: This is our signature program where we teach you how to become a safe, confident, and self-sufficient backpacker. It's an online course, coaching program, and community to support you in your journey to becoming a confident backpacker and step into your adventurous identity.Learn more and join our waitlists for these programs here:BACKPACKING COURSE WAITLISTTHE ADVENTUROUS REINVENTION EXPERIENCE WAITLISTROCK CLIMBING RETREATS WAITLIST

This is Day 3 of the Escalante Route Trail Series, recorded under the stars at a dry camp high above the river.Today was a shorter-mileage day that packed in a lot of technical terrain. We left our beach paradise behind and made our way into 75 Mile Canyon, hiking high above towering walls before dropping down into the slot itself—a highlight for all of us.From there, the day became a series of decisions: choosing a low route, navigating route-finding terrain, scrambling short but consequential rock sections, and finally facing the infamous Papago Slide—a steep, loose gully that demanded focus and patience.After timing heat and shade carefully, we hauled water up to the Tonto Platform and settled into a dry camp with sweeping canyon views and one of the most colorful sunsets of the trip.In this episode:Slot canyon travel in 75 Mile CanyonChoosing low routes and navigating off-trail terrainScrambling with packs and managing exposureDescending the Papago SlideWater hauling and camping high on the Tonto🎧 Hit play for a technical canyon day full of big decisions, steep terrain, and expansive views from a quiet dry camp.Where to learn more about Allison:She Dreams of Alpine BlogInstagram @shedreamsofalpine🎁 FREE GIFT: Grab the Outdoor Backpacker Starter Kit for FREE here to get started on your journey with backpacking.🥾 BACKPACKING COURSE WAITLIST: This is our signature program where we teach you how to become a safe, confident, and self-sufficient backpacker. It's an online course, coaching program, and community to support you in your journey to becoming a confident backpacker and step into your adventurous identity.Learn more and join our waitlists for these programs here:BACKPACKING COURSE WAITLISTTHE ADVENTUROUS REINVENTION EXPERIENCE WAITLISTROCK CLIMBING RETREATS WAITLIST

Welcome back to the Escalante Route Trail Series—daily trail dispatches from our backpacking trip through the Grand Canyon.Day 2 delivered everything we love about canyon travel: mellow morning miles, ambitious side quests, and terrain that looks impossible until the route reveals itself.We eased out of camp through shaded river walking before climbing up toward Unkar Hill and the ruins, detouring in true Grand Canyon fashion to chase pottery dreams and expansive viewpoints. From there, we tackled long, off-camber traverses and an unrelenting descent back toward the river.And then... reward. We landed at one of the most unexpectedly luxurious campsites imaginable: a private-feeling river beach complete with swimming, sunbathing, yoga, and the sound of rapids in the background.In this episode:Side quests to ruins and canyon overlooksRoute finding across improbable terrainLong traverses and knee-testing descentsSwimming and lounging at a dream river campReflections on luxury, solitude, and desert magic🎧 Hit play for side quests, classic Grand Canyon route-finding, and one of the best campsites of the entire trip.Where to learn more about Allison:She Dreams of Alpine BlogInstagram @shedreamsofalpine🎁 FREE GIFT: Grab the Outdoor Backpacker Starter Kit for FREE here to get started on your journey with backpacking.🥾 BACKPACKING COURSE WAITLIST: This is our signature program where we teach you how to become a safe, confident, and self-sufficient backpacker. It's an online course, coaching program, and community to support you in your journey to becoming a confident backpacker and step into your adventurous identity.Learn more and join our waitlists for these programs here:BACKPACKING COURSE WAITLISTTHE ADVENTUROUS REINVENTION EXPERIENCE WAITLISTROCK CLIMBING RETREATS WAITLIST

Welcome to the Escalante Route Trail Series—a special set of episodes recorded on-trail during a backpacking trip deep in the Grand Canyon.In this series, I’m bringing you along day by day as my friends and I hike the Escalante Route, sharing the real-time experiences, trail conversations, and behind-the-scenes moments from camp each night.Day 1 was all about the descent.After a shuttle shuffle and a later-than-ideal start, we dropped nearly 5,000 feet from the rim down to the Colorado River via the Tanner Trail.The miles were straightforward but steep, with barking knees, tired ankles, and a whole lot of anticipation as the canyon opened up below us.We were blessed with cloud cover, cooler-than-expected temps, and an early arrival at camp Tanner Beach where we celebrated birthdays, stood knee-deep in the river, and leaned fully into Type 1 fun.In this episode:A downhill-heavy first day into the Grand CanyonManaging heat, water, and expectationsBirthday cake in the backcountryFirst impressions of canyon scale and desert vibesSettling into camp early and watching the light fade🎧 Hit play to kick off the Escalante Route with a big descent, good weather luck, and a sandy riverside camp.Where to learn more about Allison:She Dreams of Alpine BlogInstagram @shedreamsofalpine🎁 FREE GIFT: Grab the Outdoor Backpacker Starter Kit for FREE here to get started on your journey with backpacking.🥾 BACKPACKING COURSE WAITLIST: This is our signature program where we teach you how to become a safe, confident, and self-sufficient backpacker. It's an online course, coaching program, and community to support you in your journey to becoming a confident backpacker and step into your adventurous identity.Learn more and join our waitlists for these programs here:BACKPACKING COURSE WAITLISTTHE ADVENTUROUS REINVENTION EXPERIENCE WAITLISTROCK CLIMBING RETREATS WAITLIST

In today’s episode, I’m sitting down with Sarah, a Backpacking Badass client whose story perfectly captures what it looks like to step into an Adventure Era after everything changes.Sarah didn’t grow up loving the outdoors. In fact, she openly admits she despised it. But after a major life upheaval, nature became a place of healing, and eventually, a doorway into something much bigger.Since joining the Backpacking Badass Program, Sarah has gone from total beginner to:Leading her very first backpacking trip within monthsBuilding a real adventure community of women she met through the programStepping into leadership on trail — and in her lifeUsing adventure as a catalyst for reinvention, confidence, and self-trustIf you’re in a season of rebuilding…If you’re craving adventure but unsure where to start…If you feel the pull toward something bigger, braver, and more alive…This episode is for you.Where to connect with Sarah: @sarahlouiseschmidt🥾 Ready to Start Your Adventure Era? Enrollment for the Backpacking Badass Program is officially OPEN January 19-23, 2026.Inside the program, you’ll learn how to:Plan backpacking trips you actually feel ready forBuild physical, mental, and emotional trail confidenceMaster essential safety and navigation skillsAnd become a safe, self-sufficient backpacker without waiting on others👉 Join us at: shedreamsofalpine.com/enrollWhether you’re dreaming about your first backpacking trip, your first solo trip, or your boldest adventure yet... you don’t have to figure it out alone. We’ve got you.Where to learn more about Allison:She Dreams of Alpine BlogInstagram @shedreamsofalpine

My client Sherry didn’t grow up calling herself “adventurous.”She started backpacking in her mid-50s with borrowed gear, a lot of nerves, and a quiet pull toward doing something more for herself.After her first challenging trips, she realized she didn’t just want more adventure... she wanted to feel calm, capable, and confident doing it. That’s when she found the Backpacking Badass Program, began building real skills, and took her very first solo backpacking trip.Five years later, Sherry has completed solo backpacking trips, section-hiked long trails, trekked in Patagonia, volunteered in remote wilderness settings, and become a mentor to other women starting later in life.In this episode, we talk about what it actually looks like to build confidence over time, and why it’s never too late to start.In this episode, we talk about:Starting backpacking in your 50s (and why it’s not “too late”)How building skills changed Sherry’s confidence on solo tripsThe mindset shifts that made solo backpacking feel saferLearning to trust yourself in both solo and group adventuresWhy small, local adventures can create big momentumLetting your adventure era evolve as your life and priorities changeIf you’ve ever felt the pull toward adventure... but wondered if you missed your chance, this episode is for you.Where to connect with Sherry:Instagram @sherryj402The 52 Hike ChallengeWhere to learn more about Allison:She Dreams of Alpine BlogInstagram @shedreamsofalpine🎉 Register for our FREE 5-DAY CHALLENGE (shedreamsofalpine.com/challenge) - Your Adventure Era Challenge - January 12-16th, 2026 - If you want to go on MORE hiking and backpacking adventures in 2026, in this 5-day challenge, you'll make sure you finally check those trips off your bucket list!⭐️ Upgrade Option: You can also grab the Challenge All-Access Pass (shedreamsofalpine.com/upgrade) for extended replay access plus exclusive Adventure Era bonus resources.🥾 Want to join Sherry and a badass community of over 2,000 women as you step into YOUR adventure era? Join the Backpacking Course Waitlist (shedreamsofalpine.com/waitlist)—our signature program that teaches women how to become safe, confident, and self-sufficient backpackers through step-by-step education, coaching, and community support. Our next enrollment opens January 19th-23rd!

What does it really mean to be a Backpacking Badass?In this episode, Allison breaks down why being a Backpacking Badass has nothing to do with being fearless, extreme, or summiting at all costs—and everything to do with self-trust, decision-making, and knowing you have your own back on trail and in life.If you’ve ever loved the idea of being “badass” but thought, that’s not me, this episode is for you.In this episode, we cover:Why the word “badass” is worth reclaiming—especially for women in the outdoorsThe difference between being reckless vs. self-trusting on trailWhat a Backpacking Badass is not (and why that definition keeps women stuck)Why your power comes from making decisions, even when failure is possibleHow to start stepping into your Adventure Era in 2026 with intentionThis episode is a grounded redefinition of what badassery really looks like, and an invitation to step into it for yourself.Ready to take the next step?🎉 Register for our FREE 5-DAY CHALLENGE (shedreamsofalpine.com/challenge)- Your Adventure Era Challenge - January 12-16th, 2026 - If you want to go on MORE hiking and backpacking adventures in 2026, in this 5-day challenge, you'll make sure you finally check those trips off your bucket list!Learn more and join our waitlists for these programs here:BACKPACKING COURSE WAITLIST (shedreamsofalpine.com/waitlist)THE ADVENTUROUS REINVENTION EXPERIENCE WAITLIST (shedreamsofalpine.com/are)ROCK CLIMBING RETREATS WAITLIST (shedreamsofalpine.com/climb)Want to see some testimonials about the Backpacking Badass Program? Read our student stories here. (shedreamsofalpine.com/stories)Where to learn more about Allison:She Dreams of Alpine Blog (shedreamsofalpine.com)Instagram @shedreamsofalpine

In this episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes of how I’m planning my adventures in 2026. From big trips to mini getaways, client adventures, and everyday ways to keep the outdoors part of my life, this episode is all about setting the stage for a year filled with exploration.In this episode, you’ll hear:How I reflect on past adventures to shape my future plansThe exciting client trips and retreats we’ve got lined up for 2026Creative ways I’m integrating adventure into my weekly routinesWhat’s inspiring me to step out of my comfort zone this yearThe BIG adventure goal I’ve set for 2026And how I’m continuing to incorporate adventure with my puppy (Oliver 🐶) into my yearly planI hope it inspires you to dream big and start crafting your own adventurous vision for 2026.🎉 Register for our FREE 5-DAY CHALLENGE - Your Adventure Era Challenge - January 12-16th, 2026 - If you want to go on MORE hiking and backpacking adventures in 2026, in this 5-day challenge, you'll make sure you finally check those trips off your bucket list!Learn more and join our waitlists for these programs here:BACKPACKING COURSE WAITLISTTHE ADVENTUROUS REINVENTION EXPERIENCE WAITLISTROCK CLIMBING RETREATS WAITLISTWant to see some testimonials about the Backpacking Badass Program? Read our student stories here.Where to learn more about Allison:She Dreams of Alpine BlogInstagram @shedreamsofalpine

In this reflective end-of-year episode, Allison reframes why so many women experienced 2025 as a season of closure, identity shedding, and quiet endings, and why that space matters.Allison then explores why 2026 is uniquely positioned as a fresh start, a new cycle, and an invitation to step into your next adventurous identity with clarity, courage, and momentum.In this episode, you’ll hear:Why feeling slower or more inward in 2025 doesn’t mean you fell behindHow “ending” years often create the runway for reinventionWhat a true “new beginning” year supports (and what it doesn’t require)Why adventure is one of the most powerful containers for stepping into a new version of yourselfHow to intentionally step into your 2026 Adventure Era, without waiting or outsourcing confidence🔥 REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN for the Your Adventure Era Challenge (Jan 12–16). Our free Your Adventure Era Challenge is BACK, and this year, we’re going deeper than ever.Inside the challenge, we’ll work on:✨ Building self-trust and adventurous identity✨ Learning how to stop waiting and start leading✨ Finding (and creating) your adventure community✨ Turning “someday” dreams into real momentum✨ Plus… a few surprises I’ve never taught before 👀Register for the free here :👉 shedreamsofalpine.com/challengeAnd right after Challenge Week, we open enrollment for our New Year cohort of the Backpacking Badass Program, where this kind of transformation becomes your lived reality. 👉 Join the Backpacking Badass Waitlist so you don’t miss a single January update.Where to learn more about Allison:She Dreams of Alpine BlogInstagram @shedreamsofalpine