The Adventurous Reinvention

Welcome to the Bougie Barr Camp to Pikes Peak Trail Series — a set of 2 mini episodes from a low-key, high-comfort backpacking weekend in Colorado with my friends Meg and Charlie.Day 2 was summit day — the whole reason for the bougie detour.We were up at 4am and on trail by 5:10, climbing through overnight storm leftovers, a sunrise cloud inversion that put us "in the meat of the sandwich" between two cloud layers, and every kind of weather in small doses — wind, snow, thunder, rain, each lasting about two seconds.Above treeline the switchbacks felt endless, mild altitude sickness showed up uninvited, and the microspikes came out for the last snowy mile. We summited just as the cog train pulled in and sprinted for the visitor center to beat the crowd to donuts. 3,700 feet of gain, almost 12 miles, and a well-earned nap back at camp before spaghetti and the best bread of the trip.In this episode:A sunrise cloud inversion and back-to-back microclimatesAltitude nausea above treeline (even for a Colorado Springs local)Microspikes, switchbacks, and a summit photo finish vs. the cog trainDonuts, coffee, and hot chocolate standing in for pancakesReflections on bougie backpacking, mom-life perspective shifts, and planning the next "insane" trip🎧 Hit play for summit views, weather roulette, and a well-earned donut victory.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.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)

By now you've seen it. Some version of this plays out in every solo hiking forum, every Facebook group, every comment section where a woman dares to ask about going outside alone.👉 "Just bring a gun."This advice is lazy. It's often irresponsible. And it completely misses what women are actually asking.Because the question underneath the gun question? It's not really about firearms at all. It's: Am I safe enough to do this alone?In this episode, I'm answering that, for real. With expert-backed research, actual statistics, and the reframe that I think changes everything about how women approach safety on trail.In this episode, I share:Why "just bring a gun" is the outdoor version of a get-rich-quick scheme, and what the research actually shows about firearms and personal safety for womenThe data Nicole Snell (Girls Fight Back) brought to our conversation that stopped me in my tracksWhat wildlife safety expert Kim Titchener found when researchers studied hundreds of firearms-in-bear-encounters casesWhy both Nicole and Kim (independently, from completely different fields) landed on the exact same answer for what actually keeps solo women safeThe "don't outsource your safety" philosophy and what building real safety from the inside out actually looks like in practiceWhat's coming at the free 2026 Solo Hiker Summit, June 3–5 — and why Nicole and Kim are both presenting there this yearThis one is for you. For your hiking partner. And for every Todd in your comment section.Resources mentioned:Free guide: "Should I Carry?" → https://www.shedreamsofalpine.co/download-firearm-factsGrab your free Summit seat → shedreamsofalpine.com/summitEpisode 31 Interview with Nicole SnellEpisode 33 Interview with Kim Titchener🗓️ PS—Registration is NOW OPEN 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. 😉👉 Register NOW at shedreamsofalpine.com/summitWhere 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.

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.

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 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 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, 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

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 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 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

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!

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

As we head toward a new year, many of us start thinking about goals, but not all goals are created equal.In this episode, Allison shares 5 powerful reasons backpacking might be one of the most important goals you set for 2026, whether you’re brand new to backpacking or already love spending time on trail.This conversation goes beyond backpacking as a hobby and explores how backpacking can become a tool for reinvention, confidence, aliveness, and building a life that feels deeply lived — especially in a world that’s becoming more digital, automated, and optimized by the day. In this episode, we explore:How backpacking unlocks access to quieter places, deeper wilderness, and new versions of yourselfWhy backpacking creates real experiences that can’t be automated or simulated by AIHow backpacking acts as an identity reset buttonWhy time in the backcountry wakes you back up and reconnects you with presence and alivenessHow backpacking builds the foundational skill stack for bigger, bolder adventuresIf this episode stirred something in you, consider what kind of year you want 2026 to be... not just productive or optimized, but alive.🔥 Save the Dates: Your Adventure Era Challenge (Jan 12–16). Our free Your Adventure Era Challenge is coming 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 👀Registration will open at the end of December. And 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.Important Upcoming Dates:Your Adventure Era Challenge: January 12–16, 2026 (registration opening end of December 2025)Backpacking Badass Program Enrollment: New Year's enrollment opens January 19–23, 2026Where 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