The Adventurous Reinvention

Welcome to the West Highland Way Trail Series—a special set of episodes from my latest long-distance hike across the Scottish Highlands.

I’ll be bringing you along day by day as I hike 100 miles from Milngavie to Fort William, sharing the real-time feels, stories, and behind-the-scenes moments from the trail.

Day 5 marked the start of the solo stretch on the West Highland Way.

Ashima headed back to Glasgow, and I made the short hike from Tyndrum to Bridge of Orchy—just seven miles, but a welcome active rest day after four bigger-mileage days in a row.

There was morning rain, a poncho-on-poncho moment, and some quiet, reflective miles through beautiful valleys. I finished the day doing laptop work at the Bridge of Orchy hotel bar, staying in a cozy hiking pod, and taking myself out to dinner—something I’d been a little nervous about pre-trip.

In this episode:

• Morning rain and a layered poncho strategy
• First solo miles and a soft hiking day
• Cozy hiking pods and a working pub stop
• Facing the solo dinner nerves—and sticky toffee wins

🎧 Hit play for a short-and-sweet reset day before the big solo stretch continues.

Where to learn more about Allison:

• 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.

Learn more and join our waitlists for these programs here:

• BACKPACKING COURSE WAITLIST
• THE ADVENTUROUS REINVENTION EXPERIENCE WAITLIST
• ROCK CLIMBING RETREATS WAITLIST

Welcome to the West Highland Way Trail Series—a special set of episodes from my latest long-distance hike across the Scottish Highlands.

I’ll be bringing you along day by day as I hike 100 miles from Milngavie to Fort William, sharing the real-time feels, stories, and behind-the-scenes moments from the trail.

Day 4 of the West Highland Way was wet, winding, and emotionally full.

We left our cozy luxury cabin after a no-modifications-allowed Scottish breakfast, tackled 12+ miles of soggy trail (complete with surprise detours), and landed in Tyndrum with muddy feet and grateful hearts.

It was Ashima’s final day on trail, and while the hike itself was a blur of rain and wet shoes, the conversations, laughter, and Real Food Cafe dinner made it one to remember.

In this episode:

• Rainy miles and the return of the ponchos
• Silly breakfast stories and trail detours
• Foot pain, wet feet, and Real Food Cafe luxury
• Saying goodbye to Ashima and preparing to go solo

🎧 Hit play for one last day of trail banter before the solo stretch begins.

Where to learn more about Allison:

• 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.

Learn more and join our waitlists for these programs here:

• BACKPACKING COURSE WAITLIST
• THE ADVENTUROUS REINVENTION EXPERIENCE WAITLIST
• ROCK CLIMBING RETREATS WAITLIST

Welcome to the West Highland Way Trail Series—a special set of episodes from my latest long-distance hike across the Scottish Highlands.

I’ll be bringing you along day by day as I hike 100 miles from Milngavie to Fort William, sharing the real-time feels, stories, and behind-the-scenes moments from the trail.

Day 3 was long, beautiful, and a little boggy.

We followed the trail along Loch Lomond—through ferns, mud, technical terrain, and glimpses of gorgeous water. The trail challenged us physically but felt easier mentally than Day 2, even with tired legs and wet boots.

In this episode:

• The rugged beauty of the Loch Lomond shoreline
• Snack wins, foot fatigue, and trail mood shifts
• An honesty box surprise that changed the whole day

🎧 Hit play to join us for one of the most iconic stretches of the West Highland Way.

Where to learn more about Allison:

• 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.

Learn more and join our waitlists for these programs here:

• BACKPACKING COURSE WAITLIST
• THE ADVENTUROUS REINVENTION EXPERIENCE WAITLIST
• ROCK CLIMBING RETREATS WAITLIST

Welcome to the West Highland Way Trail Series—a special set of episodes from my latest long-distance hike across the Scottish Highlands.

I’ll be bringing you along day by day as I hike 100 miles from Milngavie to Fort William, sharing the real-time feels, stories, and behind-the-scenes moments from the trail.

Day 2 was a big one—big miles over some rugged, windy terrain… and minimal breaks.

We conquered Conic Hill, found heaven in a hot chocolate, and then hit the wall hard. This was the day the trail reminded us we’re carrying everything on our backs, and that Beyoncé is sometimes the only thing keeping morale alive.

In this episode:

• Conic Hill was Iconic and beautiful and windy, but made us feel ALIVE
• Mood-boosting hot chocolate at St. Mochas
• Long miles along the Loch Lomond

🎧 Hit play for a real-deal day on the West Highland Way.

Where to learn more about Allison:

• 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.

Learn more and join our waitlists for these programs here:

• BACKPACKING COURSE WAITLIST
• THE ADVENTUROUS REINVENTION EXPERIENCE WAITLIST
• ROCK CLIMBING RETREATS WAITLIST

Welcome to the West Highland Way Trail Series—a special set of episodes from my latest long-distance hike across the Scottish Highlands.

I’ll be bringing you along day by day as I hike 100 miles from Milngavie to Fort William, sharing the real-time feels, stories, and behind-the-scenes moments from the trail.

Day 1 on the West Highland Way started strong. We kicked off our hike with pink sunrises, dog chaos (Tilly, tea time!), and sideways rain—powered by pure giggles and sticky toffee dreams. Locals warned us it was “a miserable day,” but honestly? We were thriving.

In this episode:

• Scottish countryside, ponies, and dog chaos
• Trail magic: dry socks and warm beds
• Stormy miles, soaked shoes & a warm pub vibes

🎧 Hit play for rain, laughter, and the real Day 1 feels.

Where to learn more about Allison:

• 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.

Learn more and join our waitlists for these programs here:

• BACKPACKING COURSE WAITLIST
• THE ADVENTUROUS REINVENTION EXPERIENCE WAITLIST
• ROCK CLIMBING RETREATS WAITLIST

Welcome to the West Highland Way Trail Series—a special set of episodes from my latest long-distance hike across the Scottish Highlands.

I’ll be bringing you along day by day as I hike 100 miles from Milngavie to Fort William, sharing the real-time feels, stories, and behind-the-scenes moments from the trail.

Day 0 kicks off in Glasgow. Jet-lagged, rain-soaked, and reunited with my best friend Ashima, we landed in Milngavie ready (ish) to start 100 miles on the West Highland Way. A cozy pub dinner, big laughs, and a literal storm on the horizon kicked things off in true Scotland style.

In this episode:

• Connecting with my friend to start our adventure!
• Jet-lagged pub stops and last-minute prep
• Early trail nerves and looming storms

🎧 Hit play for the calm before the (literal) storm.

Where to learn more about Allison:

• 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.

Learn more and join our waitlists for these programs here:

• BACKPACKING COURSE WAITLIST
• THE ADVENTUROUS REINVENTION EXPERIENCE WAITLIST
• ROCK CLIMBING RETREATS WAITLIST

Ever wondered what it’s actually like to try rock climbing for the first time—or join a women’s rock climbing retreat?

In this episode, I’m joined by Kate, our longtime Team Alpine coach and certified AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, to talk all about our Joshua Tree Women's Rock Climbing Retreat and why this kind of guided outdoor experience can be a total game-changer.

Whether you’re climbing-curious, craving a new challenge, or just looking for a supportive space to try something new, this episode pulls back the curtain on what really happens during one of our favorite annual retreats.

In this episode, we cover:

• What it’s like to go from “I’m not a climber” to actually climbing outside

• Common fears women have about trying outdoor climbing—and how we help you through them

• Why guided experiences are such a powerful first step (and no, you don’t need any gear!)

• A full breakdown of what our Joshua Tree retreat includes: climbing, camping, yoga, s’mores + more

• Real client stories, identity shifts, and what makes these retreats so damn special

If you’ve ever been even a little bit curious about climbing… this is your sign to explore it. 🎧

👉 JOIN OUR ROCK CLIMBING RETREATS WAITLIST

Where to learn more about Kate:

• Instagram: @camera_kate
• Website: headoverheelhooks.com
• Substack: https://headoverheelhooks.substack.com/

Where to learn more about Allison:

• 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.

Learn more and join our waitlists for these programs here:

• BACKPACKING COURSE WAITLIST
• THE ADVENTUROUS REINVENTION EXPERIENCE WAITLIST
• ROCK CLIMBING RETREATS WAITLIST

In this episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes of my real-life pre-trip mind drama.

What started as a dream girls trip to hike the West Highland Way in Scotland slowly unraveled… and now it’s a half-solo, half-not. It's an adventure with some packing anxiety, trail runner debates, and awkward pub meal fears thrown in.

I’m walking you through the exact pre-trip resistance I’m feeling—yes, even as an outdoor coach, backpacking guide, and experienced hiker—and how I’m coaching myself through the doubts, the drama, and the "oh crap, this is actually happening" feelings that always pop up before a big adventure.

Whether you're prepping for your first solo hike or just need a reminder that even seasoned adventurers get nervous, this episode is for you.

In this episode, I share:

• The story of how my girls trip slowly morphed into a solo-ish hike
• What I’m weirdly nervous about 😅
• My internal drama about packing, hiking shoes, and losing my climbing gains
• How to handle your own pre-trip resistance with self-compassion and mindset tools
• Why solo confidence gives you so many more options in life

🎧 Tune in to feel seen, laugh a little, and get a behind-the-scenes look at what’s really going on in my head before hitting the West Highland Way trail.

P.S. Here is a quick link to episode 10 if you want to learn even more about pre-trip resistance.

Where to learn more about Allison:

• 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.

Learn more and join our waitlists for these programs here:

• BACKPACKING COURSE WAITLIST
• THE ADVENTUROUS REINVENTION EXPERIENCE WAITLIST
• ROCK CLIMBING RETREATS WAITLIST

In this week’s episode of The Adventurous Reinvention Podcast, I’m bringing back one of your favorite series—Hot Topics in Our Backpacking Badass Community—with my teammate Kellie.

Together, we’re pulling back the curtain on what’s been buzzing in the community this season, from celebrating badass student graduations to practical tips for hitting the trail with confidence.

Here’s what we cover:

• Graduation Trips: Why that first backpacking trip unlocks all the others, plus a spotlight on a student's epic leadership on California’s Lost Coast Trail.
• Trail Leadership: How to manage group dynamics, calm pre-trip panic, and build trust in yourself and your partners.
• Backpacking Food: Our go-to meal planning strategies, favorite trail recipes, and easy hacks that make food prep less overwhelming.

Whether you’re gearing up for your first trip or looking for new ideas to shake up your trail routine, you’ll find inspiration (and plenty of food talk) in this conversation.

Where to learn more about Allison:

• 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.

Learn more and join our waitlists for these programs here:

• BACKPACKING COURSE WAITLIST
• THE ADVENTUROUS REINVENTION EXPERIENCE WAITLIST
• ROCK CLIMBING RETREATS WAITLIST

In this week’s episode of The Adventurous Reinvention Podcast, I’m sharing something a little more personal: the bold climbing goal I’ve set for myself in 2025.

Last year, I worked on rewriting my relationship with fear in lead climbing. This year, I’m chasing my boldest climbing goal yet—leading 5.12 outdoors.

In this episode, I talk about:

• How the Adventurous Reinvention Experience opened me up to locking in a new big goal
• The story of finding a new climbing partner and dreaming up wild possibilities together
• Why I’m leaning on desire instead of discipline to fuel my training and vision
• What it means to be locked in for 2025 (and how you can reflect on that for yourself, too)

Whether climbing is your thing or not, this episode is all about choosing bold goals that excite you, scare you, and ultimately grow you into the next version of yourself.

Where to learn more about Allison:

• 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.

Learn more and join our waitlists for these programs here:

• BACKPACKING COURSE WAITLIST
• THE ADVENTUROUS REINVENTION EXPERIENCE WAITLIST
• ROCK CLIMBING RETREATS WAITLIST