Grief as an Exquisite Teacher
On the hike back from Island and Rainbow Lakes on Tuesday, I chatted with a fellow writer. She told me she thought grief was an “exquisite” emotion. Like Brene Brown,…
Why Celebration Isn’t Optional
I had a week that, by any measure, was a win. And I still woke up the next morning questioning myself. From the outside, it was daunting: six Mountaineers engagements,…
Season of Completion: Leadership, Transition, & Renewal
Dropping off my two riders after my 24th CHS hike on September 30th, I felt something I haven't felt before. Not because I’d led four 17-mile graduation hikes in a…
Trusting Desire, Embracing Obstacles on a Memorable Hike
On paper, my longest hike of the season looked perfect: 18 miles, 5,000 feet of elevation gain, and a creative route I had cobbled together for my Mountaineers CHS-2 graduation…
How to Stay Hydrated for Summer Hikes
This season, I’ve been reminded how crucial it is to stay hydrated during hot-weather hikes. One CHS student (Conditioning for Hiking Series) recently visited the ER after a long, exposed…