(pt.ii) The kind of last day on trail that’s made of pure magic ✨

(pt.i) This one has been sitting on the very top of my backpacking bucket list for years, and it lived up to every bit of the hype. 4 days, 34 miles, and 6 friends (who all trusted me to put on my “camp counselor hat” again and plan every detail) through the magic of Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park in Canada. The weather held out for us, the larches were starting to glow, and the mountains showed off at every turn. If you ever get the chance to rally your friends for a trip like this- take it.

Yosemite has my heart 🫶 . . . #yosemitenationalpark #halfdome #nationalparks #yosemite #yosemitebackpacking

30 for 30 🎉 Last weekend, I spent my 30th birthday doing exactly what I wanted- sweating profusely and hauling myself up granite in Yosemite. The goal? 30 miles for 30 years from Tuolumne to the Valley, linking up some of my favorite sights along the way. We hitchhiked from the valley to Cathedral Lakes trailhead and spent one night at Upper Cathedral Lake. Day 2 was our biggest push- 15 miles across snowy sections of the JMT and up to Clouds Rest via the Sunrise Lakes Trail. We navigated by melting footprints like alpine detectives and eventually hit the well-traveled superhighway to Clouds Rest. As we made our way towards the summit, thunder and lightning began to crackle overhead, forcing us into an unplanned (but very welcome) siesta underneath some trees. We kept one eye on the sky, and the other on the view, soaking in the panoramic views from Clouds Rest for as long as we could before descending down the backside. Day 3 started before sunrise, with our sights set on my first-ever summit of Half Dome. Somewhere on the quiet, steep staircase of Sub Dome, I got unexpectedly emotional- a mix of nerves, anticipation, and awe. There was a surreal feeling of arriving at a moment I’d imagined for so long, paired with a sense of turning a new chapter of life. We made it to the cables before the crowds, and when you’re face to face with them- it’s hard not to stare. I did my best to clear my mind, gripping the steel so tightly that the leather on my gloves turned black from the friction. By the time we reached the summit, the morning light had spread across the valley and the weight of it all hit me- in the best way. I FaceTimed my parents, ate my celebratory gummy bears, and took it all in before heading down. If you told my younger self that one day I’d be out here, chasing summits and finding so much joy in the tough stuff- she probably wouldn’t believe you. But here I am. 30, a little sunburned, a little weepy, knees still recovering over a week later, and deeply grateful. Here’s to the next 30 being just as wild. 🎉

Spent last week exploring Arkansas with the Outside team and… I *might* be adding mountain biking to my list of expensive outdoor hobbies 😅 There were plenty of muddy shins, waterfall stoke, and one very “grueling” day working as we paddled the Buffalo River. The trails, lush landscapes, and hipster coffee shops (yes, I have a radar for those) far exceeded expectations- even earning a spot on my highly curated “Bomb Coffee” Google Maps list. I’ll also be adding “canoe captain responsible for $30k worth of camera gear” to my resume. 💪🛶 s/o to an amazing team for all the laughs and big sends. @andrew__muse @walkwithrodolfo @micaylagatto @alexchrisco @shannonumetani @nate_dodge

Every winter, we carve out a weekend to spend in Joshua Tree, and it’s become one of my favorite traditions. Days are spent hopping from crag to crag, often getting a little lost along the way. By late afternoon, we’re back at camp for carnitas and campfire laughs that stretch well into the night. Hot coffee and firewood are the ultimate currency, and the dress code is either puffy jackets or jorts—sometimes both. This time, we stayed at Ryan Campground, my favorite site, tucked between the desert valley and Ryan Mountain, with Headstone Rock just a short walk from us. As the sun set and the stars began to appear, I nearly screamed seeing the moon rise behind Headstone Rock. A group of climbers were actively tacking the 5.8 pitch under a chilly night sky. It was one of those picture perfect moments I will never forget. . 🌵🌙 Photo 1 & 2: I have no idea who these climbers are, but if you were at Ryan Campground on Saturday December 14th around 5pm, boy do I have some sweet shots I’d love to send you.

Almost all of 2024- we had one date circled. October 4th—our hike up Mt. Whitney. 🌄 At 14,505 feet, Mt. Whitney is the tallest peak in the contiguous US, a bucket list summit for many. But as the date got closer, so did my anxiety. Living at sea level, I don’t tackle high-altitude peaks often. My highest summit before this was just shy of 12,000 feet, and even that pushed me harder than expected. Our adventure started with a life-changing moment—Reid proposed that morning in Alabama Hills, with Mt. Whitney standing tall in the background. By 9am, we were at Whitney Portal weighing our packs. I packed ultralight, leaving my 10lbs of camera gear behind and opting for two disposable cameras. One went to Reid to capture candid moments along the trail, letting me focus on the present—with my new fiancée by my side. By the time we reached Trail Camp, we were both feeling the effects of the altitude with headaches and lightheadedness. But with clear skies and perfect conditions, we set our at 4:30am the next morning, making our way up the infamous 99 switchbacks under a sea of headlamps. At 8:00am, we reached the summit. No headaches, no dizziness—just pure euphoria. Standing at the top of Mt. Whitney felt surreal, especially after I spend so much time doubting myself. The biggest lesson? Never doubt what you’re capable of.

Forever Adventure Buddies 💍💕 Still at a loss for words at how magical last week was. I got engaged to my best friend and we summited Mt Whitney all in 24 hours! I’m so excited for this life with you and all the places we’ll go together 🫶 📸 @desert.paintbrush 💍 @sarahojewelry 💕 #somewherereid