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 me
• The 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 solo
• What I learned from choosing not to summit the peak I had planned
• The mindset shifts that helped me feel safe alone at night
• 4 key takeaways for anyone dreaming of their first solo backpacking adventure

Read on our Blog: Trail Guide to Hiking Mount Langley

🗓️ PS—Don’t forget to save the date for our annual Solo Adventure Summit! It’s happening June 5–6, 2025. You’ll get practical tools, inspiration, and community support to help you take your solo adventure dreams to the next level. Details coming soon. Join our newsletter here to be FIRST to know when registration opens for the Solo Adventure Summit.

Learn more about your host, Allison (aka She Dreams of Alpine):

• She Dreams of Alpine Blog
• Instagram @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.

We’re back with another Hot Topics episode—and this time, it’s all about solo adventure season.

Allison is joined by Team Alpine’s Kellie Adkins (our social media and community manager) for a deep dive into what’s coming up most inside the Backpacking Badass Program right now: solo backpacking celebrations, pre-trip panic moments, wilderness medicine education, and the magic of building an adventure community from the inside out.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What “solo confidence” really looks like (and how students are building it, step by step)
• Real client stories of first-time solo hikes and backpacking trips—plus how they overcame fear and self-doubt
• The importance of wilderness medicine training and how to choose the right certification for your goals
• How solo adventure skills translate into group confidence and leadership
• Using solo goals to attract your dream hiking and adventure crew
• Why mindset matters just as much as miles—and how our clients are shifting the story

Whether you’re planning your first solo trip or looking to lead more confidently in the outdoors, this episode will give you honest reflections, client celebrations, and grounded inspiration to fuel your next adventure.

Read on our Blog: 7 Reasons Why You Should Learn Wilderness First Aid

🗓️ PS—Don’t forget to save the date for our annual Solo Adventure Summit! It’s happening June 5–6, 2025. You’ll get practical tools, inspiration, and community support to help you take your solo adventure dreams to the next level. Details coming soon. Join our newsletter here to be FIRST to know when registration opens for the Solo Adventure Summit.

Learn more about your host, Allison (aka She Dreams of Alpine):

• She Dreams of Alpine Blog
• Instagram @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.

In this episode, Team She Dreams of Alpine’s own Kellie Adkins—former park manager and field ecologist—dives into a hot topic that’s come up in our Backpacking Badass Program community: Should we still be visiting public lands right now?

With recent funding cuts, staff shortages, and even the illegal firing of federal employees making headlines this year, many outdoor lovers are left wondering: Is it helpful or harmful to keep showing up?

Kellie draws on her experience managing over 700 acres of parkland to give you the full scoop on what’s going on behind the scenes—and how you can continue to adventure responsibly, support public lands, and stay safe out there this season.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What’s really going on with parks staffing and budgets this year
• The unseen and visible impacts visitors might notice
• Ways to support public lands—whether or not you visit
• Why being self-sufficient on trail matters more than ever
• How to be the kind of hiker park staff love to see

If you’re wondering how to be a more thoughtful and prepared outdoor adventurer in 2025, this episode is a must-listen.

Get our link to call your reps: Comment "REP" on any of our She Dreams of Alpine social media posts on Instagram or Facebook

Have questions for Kellie? Reach out at [email protected]

Learn more about your host, Allison (aka She Dreams of Alpine):

• She Dreams of Alpine Blog
• Instagram @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.

In this episode, I’m joined by my client Kahla, who went from Florida flatlands to summiting a 14er on her very first backpacking trip inside the Adventurous Reinvention Experience.

We talk about what inspired her to join the program, how she worked through altitude fears and self-doubt, and what it was really like to take on a major challenge with a group of supportive women.

Kahla’s story is real, emotional, and packed with the kind of quiet bravery that so many of us can relate to.

What We Cover:

• What drew Kahla to ARE as a first-time backpacker
• How she trained and prepared coming from sea level
• The real challenges she faced on summit day — including tears and triumph
• Why the coaching work helped her question what’s really possible
• How the trip reshaped her confidence — on and off the trail

A huge thank-you to Kahla for sharing her journey so honestly. Her story is such a powerful example of saying yes to adventure before you're “ready.”

🎉 THE ADVENTUROUS REINVENTION EXPERIENCE IS NOW ENROLLING FOR 2025! 🎉 This is my high-touch group coaching program and in-person adventure retreat for women who want to challenge themselves, explore what’s next, and build real confidence in the outdoors and in life. It’s for the woman who’s craving more — more clarity, more confidence, more meaningful adventure — and is ready to take action, even if she’s not quite sure what that looks like yet. It’s equal parts personal transformation and unforgettable outdoor experience. Enrollment is NOW OPEN to the public✨ Click here to learn more and get first dibs on limited spots!

Learn more about your host, Allison (aka She Dreams of Alpine):

• She Dreams of Alpine Blog
• Instagram @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.

If you’ve been craving clarity, confidence, purpose—and more adventure in your life—this episode is for you.

In today’s conversation, I’m walking you through exactly what the Adventurous Reinvention Experience (ARE) is, why it’s so needed right now, and most importantly… what you could create inside this coaching container this summer.

ARE is a 4-month transformational journey that combines:

• 💬 Life Coaching – to help you reconnect with yourself and move through uncertainty with confidence
• 🏕️ Outdoor Mentorship – to help you become a self-sufficient, confident backpacker
• 🥾 An In-Person Backpacking Adventure – where you’ll embody everything you’ve learned and experience the trail life in a powerful, supported way

We’re NOW ENROLLING for Summer 2025—and this episode will help you know if it’s time to say YES to the version of you who’s ready to create something powerful this season.

In this episode, I share:

• Why the chaos of the world right now is actually the perfect time to say yes to your growth
• The 3-part structure of ARE and how it supports deep transformation
• What you’ll walk away with: physical strength, emotional clarity, outdoor confidence, and lifelong friendships
• Why it’s okay to feel scared—and how ARE supports you through it

✨ Learn more about the Adventurous Reinvention Experience now by going to: shedreamsofalpine.com/are

In this episode, my client, Marta, shares how saying yes to her very first backpacking trip — even with fears about altitude, injury, and self-doubt — opened the door to a completely new version of herself.

We talk about the mindset shifts she experienced inside the Adventurous Reinvention Experience, how she worked through the “oh shit” moments before the trip, and why following her curiosity (instead of fear) led to confidence, community, and even the courage to plan her own retreat.

What We Cover:

• What inspired Marta to join the program after summiting Kilimanjaro
• The fears she faced around backpacking and physical readiness
• How she built confidence through mindset coaching and support
• Her favorite moments on the trail — and the surprising feedback from other women
• How ARE helped her embrace her voice as a leader and pursue new dreams

A huge thank-you to Marta for sharing her real, vulnerable, and inspiring story inside the Adventurous Reinvention Experience.

🎉 THE ADVENTUROUS REINVENTION EXPERIENCE IS NOW ENROLLING FOR 2025! 🎉 This is my high-touch group coaching program and in-person adventure retreat for women who want to challenge themselves, explore what’s next, and build real confidence in the outdoors and in life. It’s for the woman who’s craving more — more clarity, more confidence, more meaningful adventure — and is ready to take action, even if she’s not quite sure what that looks like yet. It’s equal parts personal transformation and unforgettable outdoor experience. Enrollment is NOW OPEN for existing She Dreams of Alpine clients (check your email for the invitation to join). The remaining spots will open to the waitlist on April 7th. ✨ Click here to learn more and join the waitlist to get first dibs on limited spots!

Learn more about your host, Allison (aka She Dreams of Alpine):

• She Dreams of Alpine Blog
• Instagram @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.

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Jen — a client of mine who joined the Adventurous Reinvention Experience in 2024 to grow her backpacking skills and connect with a powerful community of women.

We dive into what it was like for her to say yes to the program, how she stepped outside her comfort zone on the trail, and why reinvention doesn’t have to be a dramatic 180 — it can be slow, joyful, and deeply personal. Jen shares how this experience gave her more than just trail skills — it gave her clarity, confidence, and the courage to dream even bigger after retirement.

What We Cover:

• Why Jen said yes to the program — even before fully knowing what she was signing up for
• Her growth as a backpacker and how she built lasting confidence on the trail
• How the program helped her reconnect with intuition and curiosity
• Why reinvention after retirement can be expansive, not scary
• The power of community, coaching, and taking brave action — even when it’s uncomfortable

A big thank you to Jen for joining us today and sharing such a beautiful, behind-the-scenes look at the Adventurous Reinvention Experience.

🎉 THE ADVENTUROUS REINVENTION EXPERIENCE IS NOW ENROLLING FOR 2025! 🎉 This is my high-touch group coaching program and in-person adventure retreat for women who want to challenge themselves, explore what’s next, and build real confidence in the outdoors and in life. It’s for the woman who’s craving more — more clarity, more confidence, more meaningful adventure — and is ready to take action, even if she’s not quite sure what that looks like yet. It’s equal parts personal transformation and unforgettable outdoor experience. Enrollment is NOW OPEN for existing She Dreams of Alpine clients (check your email for the invitation to join). The remaining spots will open to the waitlist on April 7th. ✨ Click here to learn more and join the waitlist to get first dibs on limited spots!

Learn more about your host, Allison (aka She Dreams of Alpine):

• She Dreams of Alpine Blog
• Instagram @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.

Have you ever noticed how the mountains challenge you—not just physically, but mentally? How they push you to confront your fears, reframe your struggles, and prove to yourself that you’re capable of more than you thought?

Before I ever became a coach, the mountains were already teaching me how to shift my mindset.

In this episode, I break down:

• How I used to see myself before I found the outdoors—and how adventure changed that.
• The three biggest mindset lessons the mountains taught me, long before I ever had the words for them.
• A powerful coaching breakthrough from one of my backpacking students—and how shifting just one thought changed her entire experience.
• The exact mindset shift that got me down Mount Rainier when I was frozen in fear.
• Why learning self-coaching tools intentionally can transform not just how you adventure, but how you show up in every part of life.

And—BIG NEWS—enrollment for The Adventurous Reinvention Experience (ARE) is opening VERY soon! This is my signature coaching + adventure program, where we spend the summer mastering these mindset tools together—and then take them to the next level on an epic group backpacking adventure.

🎧 Tune in now, and if you want to be part of this experience, get on the waitlist now at shedreamsofalpine.com/are

Learn more about your host, Allison (aka She Dreams of Alpine):

• She Dreams of Alpine Blog
• Instagram @shedreamsofalpine

Ready to challenge yourself this summer? To feel ALIVE and engaged with your life and your dreams again? 👇

The Adventurous Reinvention Experience (2025 SPOTS OPEN SOON!): This is a high-touch group coaching program and in-person adventure retreat. It is a transformative experience. It’s an adventure to reinvent yourself AND an in-person backpacking adventure with me and my team. If you want to join the waitlist for the 2025 experience, you can join the Adventurous Reinvention Experience waitlist here. Enrollment for this experience will open in April 2025. Coaching together begins in May 2025, and our in-person adventures typically take place in late July or early August.

🎁 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.

Have you ever hesitated to join a hiking group or sign up for an adventure because you were afraid you wouldn’t fit in?

Maybe you’ve told yourself:

🚶‍♀️ “I’m too slow—I don’t want to hold everyone back.”

😬 “I’m too shy—what if I feel awkward?”

🎂 “I’m too old—will I be the only one?”

If any of those thoughts have stopped you from putting yourself out there, this episode is for you.

In today’s episode, we’re talking about how to stop counting yourself out of adventure before you even try. I’ll share real stories (including my own experiences with rejection), practical mindset shifts, and what it actually takes to find your people, build adventure friendships, and create the epic experiences you crave.

You’ll learn:

• Why self-doubt is normal—but not a reason to stay home
• How to choose to belong in any adventure (even when it feels scary)
• The difference between fitting in and belonging—and why you don’t need an invitation to start
• How to embrace rejection as part of finding your people
• Tangible steps to get out of your comfort zone and start saying YES to adventure

If you’ve been waiting for permission to stop holding yourself back—this is it.

Learn more about your host, Allison (aka She Dreams of Alpine):

• She Dreams of Alpine Blog
• Instagram @shedreamsofalpine

Ready to challenge yourself this summer?

The Adventurous Reinvention Experience (2025 SPOTS OPEN SOON!): This is a high-touch group coaching program and in-person adventure retreat. It is a transformative experience. It’s an adventure to reinvent yourself AND an in-person backpacking adventure with me and my team. If you want to join the waitlist for the 2025 experience, you can join the Adventurous Reinvention Experience waitlist here. Enrollment for this experience will open in late March 2025. Coaching together begins in May 2025, and our in-person adventures typically take place in late July or early August.

🎁 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.

The Royal Arch Loop Trail Series has been a brutal, beautiful, and transformative journey—and in this final episode, I’m reflecting on what this toughest backpacking trip yet revealed about who I’ve become as an adventurer.

After four days of extreme heat, high-consequence terrain, and deep exhaustion, I realized something powerful: I’ve changed.

In this episode, I’m sharing what this adventure taught me about growth, mindset, and resilience—and why learning to navigate challenges on the trail translates to every other part of life.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• The biggest lessons I took away from the Royal Arch Loop
• How I’ve evolved as an adventurer over the past 12+ years
• Why learning to embrace the hard parts of a journey changes everything
• The power of neutrality and presence—finding peace in discomfort
• How challenges on the trail shape your identity and confidence in life

This isn’t just a reflection on a backpacking trip—it’s about how adventure transforms who you are. If you’ve ever struggled through a hard trail and wondered, Why did I sign up for this?!, this episode is for you.

Learn more about your host, Allison (aka She Dreams of Alpine):

• She Dreams of Alpine Blog
• Instagram @shedreamsofalpine

Ready to challenge yourself this summer?

The Adventurous Reinvention Experience (2025 SPOTS OPEN SOON!): This is a high-touch group coaching program and in-person adventure retreat. It is a transformative experience. It’s an adventure to reinvent yourself AND an in-person backpacking adventure with me and my team. If you want to join the waitlist for the 2025 experience, you can join the Adventurous Reinvention Experience waitlist here. Enrollment for this experience will open in late March 2025. Coaching together begins in May 2025, and our in-person adventures typically take place in late July or early August.

🎁 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.