Thinker

Journey: Thinker
West Highland Way, Scotland -

Trip: West Highland Way, Scotland

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West Highland Way, Scotland -

Trip: West Highland Way, Scotland

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West Highland Way, Scotland -

Trip: West Highland Way, Scotland

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West Highland Way, Scotland -

Trip: West Highland Way, Scotland

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West Highland Way, Scotland -

Trip: West Highland Way, Scotland

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West Highland Way, Scotland -

Trip: West Highland Way, Scotland

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West Highland Way, Scotland -

Trip: West Highland Way, Scotland

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West Highland Way, Scotland -

Trip: West Highland Way, Scotland

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West Highland Way, Scotland -

Trip: West Highland Way, Scotland

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West Highland Way, Scotland -

Trip: West Highland Way, Scotland

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West Highland Way, Scotland -

Trip: West Highland Way, Scotland

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West Highland Way, Scotland -

Trip: West Highland Way, Scotland

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West Highland Way, Scotland -

Trip: West Highland Way, Scotland

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West Highland Way, Scotland -

Trip: West Highland Way, Scotland

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West Highland Way, Scotland -

Trip: West Highland Way, Scotland

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West Highland Way, Scotland -

Trip: West Highland Way, Scotland

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West Highland Way, Scotland -

Trip: West Highland Way, Scotland

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West Highland Way, Scotland -

Trip: West Highland Way, Scotland

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Selvaggio Blu, Sardinia -

Trip: Selvaggio Blu, Sardinia

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Selvaggio Blu, Sardinia -

Trip: Selvaggio Blu, Sardinia

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Selvaggio Blu, Sardinia -

Trip: Selvaggio Blu, Sardinia

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Selvaggio Blu, Sardinia -

Trip: Selvaggio Blu, Sardinia

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Selvaggio Blu, Sardinia -

Trip: Selvaggio Blu, Sardinia

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Selvaggio Blu, Sardinia -

Trip: Selvaggio Blu, Sardinia

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Selvaggio Blu, Sardinia -

Trip: Selvaggio Blu, Sardinia

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Selvaggio Blu, Sardinia -

Trip: Selvaggio Blu, Sardinia

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Selvaggio Blu, Sardinia -

Trip: Selvaggio Blu, Sardinia

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Selvaggio Blu, Sardinia -

Trip: Selvaggio Blu, Sardinia

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Selvaggio Blu, Sardinia -

Trip: Selvaggio Blu, Sardinia

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Selvaggio Blu, Sardinia -

Trip: Selvaggio Blu, Sardinia

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Selvaggio Blu, Sardinia -

Trip: Selvaggio Blu, Sardinia

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Selvaggio Blu, Sardinia -

Trip: Selvaggio Blu, Sardinia

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Selvaggio Blu, Sardinia -

Trip: Selvaggio Blu, Sardinia

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Selvaggio Blu, Sardinia -

Trip: Selvaggio Blu, Sardinia

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Selvaggio Blu, Sardinia -

Trip: Selvaggio Blu, Sardinia

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Selvaggio Blu, Sardinia -

Trip: Selvaggio Blu, Sardinia

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Kumano Kodo, Japan - This was a journey not just of miles, but also time, more than a millenium. We began with a day of immersion in the remote mountain village of Koyasan. Our lively local docent relayed the history of Kobo Daishi, who brought Buddhism to Japan 1200 years ago, when the Imperial Court of Japan gave Kobo Daishi permission to build this extensive monastic training complex deep in the mountains, isolated from distraction.

Trip: Kumano Kodo, Japan

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Kumano Kodo, Japan -

Trip: Kumano Kodo, Japan

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Kumano Kodo, Japan -

Trip: Kumano Kodo, Japan

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Kumano Kodo, Japan -

Trip: Kumano Kodo, Japan

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Kumano Kodo, Japan -

Trip: Kumano Kodo, Japan

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Kumano Kodo, Japan - And the food! We ate like queens, each meal a masterpiece of artfully plated elements, regional variety and seasonal specialties presented with thoughtful precision.

Trip: Kumano Kodo, Japan

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Kumano Kodo, Japan -

Trip: Kumano Kodo, Japan

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Kumano Kodo, Japan - If you’ve left nothing on the table and exit the woods fully exhausted, you’re doing it right.

Trip: Kumano Kodo, Japan

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Kumano Kodo, Japan - THIS WOMAN .. In retrospect, sometimes the highlight of a trip isn’t where you walked or what you saw but who you met. @kyoko_vendome is not only a remarkable artist, successful on a large scale but also known in the region for giving back, financially supporting trail maintenance and designing graphics that promote tourism to the historic sites of Kumano Hongu. With her joy, enthusiasm, local knowledge and boundless energy it’s no surprise she is in high demand as a mountain guide for the limited number of engagements she does each year.

Trip: Kumano Kodo, Japan

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Kumano Kodo, Japan -

Trip: Kumano Kodo, Japan

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Kumano Kodo, Japan -

Trip: Kumano Kodo, Japan

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Kumano Kodo, Japan - Hike-U: . Nature and trekking . Journey to Enlightenment . Kumano Kodo . – Missy Mans .

Trip: Kumano Kodo, Japan

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Kumano Kodo, Japan -

Trip: Kumano Kodo, Japan

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Desolation Wilderness California - Just yesterday, we were hiking and camping in those mountains behind us! To wind up our Desolation Wilderness adventure we spent a day kayaking around gorgeous Emerald Bay in Lake Tahoe.

Trip: Desolation Wilderness California

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Desolation Wilderness California - The last remaining unused item in our backpacks: our swimsuits. We went for a cold plunge and dried out on a large flat rock warmed by the sun. 

Trip: Desolation Wilderness California

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Desolation Wilderness California - A look back at Rockbound Pass

Trip: Desolation Wilderness California

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Desolation Wilderness California - Some of the snow had melted from the stone steps while we were gone, revealing a more direct route than the one we took on our way in. 

Trip: Desolation Wilderness California

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Havasupai - The last mile out of the Grand Canyon was grueling. Jenny, Missy and Dagmara rest while waiting for the others. 

Trip: Havasupai

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Havasupai - Together in adventure! We just swam out from a cave behind the waterfall.

Trip: Havasupai

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Havasupai - We swam towards the base of the waterfall and held our breath against the spray from the waterfall and dove underneath to reach this cave behind the waterfall. This was a transformative experience for me. I have a claustrophobic fear of underwater caves.

Trip: Havasupai

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Havasupai - Dagmara, Karen, Jenny and Missy alongside Havasu Falls.

Trip: Havasupai

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Havasupai - Give risk a chance.

Trip: Havasupai

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Havasupai - Dagmara and Jenny.

Trip: Havasupai

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Havasupai - A day of fun and adventure in the Grand Canyon.

Trip: Havasupai

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Havasupai - Jenny making her way down the chain ladders to the base of Mooney Falls.

Trip: Havasupai

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Havasupai - Good thing we are not claustrophobic! 

Trip: Havasupai

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Havasupai - Mooney Falls is the longest waterfall in Supai! Stunning, gorgeous and powerful.

Trip: Havasupai

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Havasupai - Emerging from the tunnel, you encounter a shower of spray from Mooney Falls, and descend via wet, slippery grooves in the rock with only a chain handrail for support.

Trip: Havasupai

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Havasupai - Framed by the tunnel. 

Trip: Havasupai

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Havasupai - Our overeager attempt at a waterfall selfie–we will try again later.

Trip: Havasupai

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Havasupai - Seeing the Grand Canyon is a wonderful reminder that we are tiny pieces in a much, much larger puzzle. And feeling small puts a lot of things into perspective. It makes time slow down so you can appreciate the present.

Trip: Havasupai

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Havasupai - Our campsite is beyond that curve in the canyon and it looks very far away (and exposed!). It’s difficult to imagine that a waterfall even exists in this parched desert canyon. We hope the gallon of water in our backpacks is enough for the hot and very dusty 10 mile hike.

Trip: Havasupai

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Havasupai - Jenny, Missy and Dagmara are together on another hiking adventure. We’ll be meeting up in a few short months to hike Alta Via 2 in the Dolomites and we wanted to get a training trip in before then. We’ll have to negotiate some chain ladders here which will give us a feel for the vie ferrata we’ll encounter in the Dolomites.

Trip: Havasupai

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Havasupai - Jenny flew in from London the day before the 6am pick up time for our Havasupai adventure. Adrenaline and excitement got her up before dawn to make sure her pack was ready with plenty of water and snacks for the long hike into the Grand Canyon to see the famous blue-green waterfalls of Havasupai.

Trip: Havasupai

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Mallorca, Spain - The end of the Pilgrim’s Trail took us to a lookout point with breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea. We felt changed from challenging ourselves this week, both physically and mentally. The austere diet and early morning yoga sessions had kept our bodies nourished and our minds clear. The demanding hikes reminded us that doing hard things can lead to wonderful outcomes. We’ve squashed our doubts.

Trip: Mallorca, Spain

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Mallorca, Spain - We conquered the Pilgrim’s Trail! 2000 cobbled stone steps as part of the 8 mile hike from Sóller to the monastery at Lluc. Our guides recommended hiking in silence as a way to practice mindfulness. At first, we all thought that this would be difficult as we naturally pair off on hikes to chat. But we drifted apart and soon we realized that when you’re not thinking about what to say, you can listen to what is going on in your own head.

Trip: Mallorca, Spain

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Mallorca, Spain - 360 degree views of the Serra de Tramuntana mountains from the summit at Puig de L’Ofre. It’s not the stunning backdrop of the craggy limestone mountaintops along with the blue skies that made this one of our favorite memories from this trip, but the effort required to get here.

Trip: Mallorca, Spain

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Mallorca, Spain - When you’ve dug deep into your reserves to do that something extra, you realize you’re stronger than you think. We had just reached the summit when our guide tells us there is another section we can hike to reach an even higher peak with panoramic views. We’ve only had a handful of nuts to sustain us, but we went for it. It turned out to be more of a climb than a hike with steep drop offs, but we conquered it, met this view and felt re-energized. The smile and pose say it all. 

Trip: Mallorca, Spain

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Mallorca, Spain - This is our third hiking trip together and we love how we feel in the mountains. Hiking exercises our bodies and our mind. We both live in large cities, full of man-made environments of concrete, glass, brick, plastic, wires, signals and people. Being in nature, disconnected from things that are only a click away, turns down the internal chatter in our heads and helps us to connect with ourselves and with each other. We’re so thankful to be together in adventure!

Trip: Mallorca, Spain

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Mallorca, Spain - The day dawns on this beautiful island and we set out for Andraxt for our hike to the Sa Trapa Monastery, the longest one of our trip.

Trip: Mallorca, Spain

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Mallorca, Spain - We loved Mateo’s sunny disposition. The guides on this trip were fantastic and shared their love of Mallorca with us. 

Trip: Mallorca, Spain

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Mallorca, Spain - After our hike we were rewarded with a kayak trip around the Port of Sóller. This has become a pattern since then…Tahoe, Norway…

Trip: Mallorca, Spain

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Mallorca, Spain - Hiking helps you to connect with people in a different way. When you’re hiking with someone, you’re on an interesting and challenging journey together. We met each other through our kids, but we really found each other on the mountains.

Trip: Mallorca, Spain

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Mallorca, Spain - The Ashram program is quite small, only 14 guests per session. Maarit lives in Sweden but is from Finland. She is an avid hiker and loves to travel. You can always find Maarit at the front of any hike.

Trip: Mallorca, Spain

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Mallorca, Spain - The Cala Tuent trail requires a boat ride to a remote beach for access to the trailhead. Notice the plastic bag of freshly sliced ginger in Jenny’s hand. Chewing on ginger helps to prevent seasickness.

Trip: Mallorca, Spain

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Mallorca, Spain - All smiles after finishing a 10 mile, 2700 feet elevation gain hike. 

Trip: Mallorca, Spain

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Mallorca, Spain - It’s a cool day in Mallorca but we remind ourselves to stay hydrated when we stop to take a picture.

Trip: Mallorca, Spain

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Mallorca, Spain - Jaclyn, Jenny, Dagmara and Missy are all smiles at the start of their 10 mile hike from Bunyola to Orient. We’re about to start our 2700 feet ascent!

Trip: Mallorca, Spain

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Mallorca, Spain - Dagmara is a connector: she met Missy at The Ashram in California and they it hit off. She wanted Jenny and Missy to meet and encouraged us to go to The Ashram together, but this time on the Island of Mallorca, in the middle of the beautiful mediterranean sea. Sign us up!

Trip: Mallorca, Spain

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Desolation Wilderness California - Back at last! We beat the sunset but not by much.

Trip: Desolation Wilderness California

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Desolation Wilderness California - We were getting very worried when we ran into these two park rangers doing some much-needed trail maintenance. They directed us back to the trail, granted our selfie request and accepted one of our snack bars. Before we parted ways, they asked to see our camping permit. “Uhh, would you believe we left that in camp as well?” Lesson learned: don’t leave home without it; any of it.

Trip: Desolation Wilderness California

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Desolation Wilderness California - Rock scrambling on steep granite slopes to stay on course. We feel like trailblazers in this landscape with no discernible trail.

Trip: Desolation Wilderness California

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Desolation Wilderness California - We knew it would be unwise to navigate down this steep snow-covered slope, and started a gradual traverse with eyes on the dry rocky path just across, but a missed step had some of us glissading down instead. 

Trip: Desolation Wilderness California

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Desolation Wilderness California - We secured our campsite and set out to explore the McConnell Lake Loop, one of the most beautiful hikes in Tahoe. It’s an unmaintained trail that’s reported as challenging to navigate. We felt prepared with paper maps and a fully charged Garmin but made some inexperienced choices, like leaving the spare batteries in the tent.

Trip: Desolation Wilderness California

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Desolation Wilderness California - The tree should be 50-100 yards from the campsite so if the food does attract a bear, she does not go wandering around the campsite looking for tasty tidbits lower to the the ground, like sunscreen or toothpaste. People online recommended putting any scented toiletries in the bear bag overnight as well.

Trip: Desolation Wilderness California

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Desolation Wilderness California - I started wondering how we smell to bears as we walk along the path, even during the daytime. Was it safe to carry any food at all? I watched 4-5 YouTube videos on choosing an appropriate hanging spot for the bag and more knots to know (thank you Girl Scouts!) for tying the bag to the tree. There are also YouTube videos of bears going after canisters campers had left on the ground or inadequately hung. The bears are very persistent! They usually succeed in demolishing the food supply and teaching a lesson to the hungry campers.

Trip: Desolation Wilderness California

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Desolation Wilderness California - A bear canister for storing your food is required when camping in Desolation, and we came prepared with an Ursack, made of a specially designed bear-proof material that is lightweight and easier to fit in your pack than a big canister. The point of it is to hang the bag high in a tree and on a branch far enough from the main trunk so the bear can’t reach it from the ground or from on the tree. It came with instructions on tying a bear-proof knot. Wait…bears can untie knots?!

Trip: Desolation Wilderness California

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Desolation Wilderness California - It’s beautiful, and not an easy climb. 

Trip: Desolation Wilderness California

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Desolation Wilderness California - It was a beautiful day. We were excited, fit, did not feel burdened by our backpacks or the trail.

Trip: Desolation Wilderness California

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Desolation Wilderness California - The night we had arrived to Cedar House Mike and Patty held a gear check for us and we practiced setting up the tents we rented and made sure we had all the components. Our target pack weight was 28-30 pounds.

Trip: Desolation Wilderness California

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Desolation Wilderness California - We had little to no camping experience, and the Rockbound Pass McConnell Lakes Loop hike was remote and challenging. Let’s do this!

Trip: Desolation Wilderness California

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Bhutan Dagala Trek - Dagmara and Stacey embracing the adventure and challenge of a new destination.  

Trip: Bhutan Dagala Trek

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Bhutan Dagala Trek - Sisters Sonali and Roopali at the Pagalabtsa Pass. They had never gone a trek before, had limited hiking experience and trained for months in preparation for this trip. Do you think they loved it?

Trip: Bhutan Dagala Trek

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Bhutan Dagala Trek - At the Pagalabtsa pass (4,240 m • 13,910 ft) we are rewarded with panoramic views of the entire Dagala range.

Trip: Bhutan Dagala Trek

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Bhutan Dagala Trek - This final picture of us in Bhutan in front of the Buddha Dordenma statue perfectly captures our mood: gratitude for the time spent, exhilaration for what we accomplished, and contentment for the peace we discovered in the mountains. Thank you Bhutan!

Trip: Bhutan Dagala Trek

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Bhutan Dagala Trek - End of trek celebration with all of our guides! Our cook’s helper guide injured himself with his giant machete on the first day and walked ten miles, bleeding, to the hospital so we were relieved to see him again. And would you believe that minutes after this photo was taken, as we pulled under the cover of the hotel carport, the clouds opened up and it started to pour? It seems that Dagala, the mountain goddess who reigns over the lakes, was taking care of us on the mountain. And we are forever grateful and acknowledge her on every hike.

Trip: Bhutan Dagala Trek

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Bhutan Dagala Trek - Around this time we had run out of things to talk about. Dagmara, being of Latvian heritage, suggested a sing-along. We knew the first and last verses of so many songs, but the middles were a muddle.

Trip: Bhutan Dagala Trek

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Bhutan Dagala Trek - Our last day of trekking! It has been an incredible experience hiking the Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek with this group. We take a moment to celebrate our journey thus far and to say thanks to friends who made our days here brighter and more memorable.

Trip: Bhutan Dagala Trek

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Bhutan Dagala Trek - Dagmara plays bartender with the water purifying tablets and powdered electrolytes.

Trip: Bhutan Dagala Trek

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Bhutan Dagala Trek - Dagmara is a pro at fire building, thanks to her years in Girl Scouts and Latvian Girl Guides.

Trip: Bhutan Dagala Trek

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Bhutan Dagala Trek - This was the moment that Top Set Trekkers was born. We all felt it: a sense of accomplishment, camaraderie, support and personal growth. Friends old and new, met in Bhutan and encouraged each other to reach this summit at 14,920 ft. Trekking impacted our minds, body and spirit. And we were hooked! 

Trip: Bhutan Dagala Trek

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Bhutan Dagala Trek - Jenny at 14,920 ft! It feels like you’re floating on a cloud. 

Trip: Bhutan Dagala Trek

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Bhutan Dagala Trek - Summit in sight!

Trip: Bhutan Dagala Trek

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Bhutan Dagala Trek - We’re alone in this vast, open landscape. We chose the Dagala Trek for being more off-the-beaten-path, but it is strange to trek without another soul in sight. The positive side is that it affords plenty of time for introspection and reflection.

Trip: Bhutan Dagala Trek

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Bhutan Dagala Trek - This was our first trekking trip where we slept in tents. Lessons from our tent: warmth gives you strength and remote places offer opportunities for the best connection. 

Trip: Bhutan Dagala Trek

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Bhutan Dagala Trek - Saying a positive thought and adding our stone to the cairn.

Trip: Bhutan Dagala Trek

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Bhutan Dagala Trek - Enjoying our freshly prepared camp coffee thanks to an AeroPress! And wearing a headlamp does make coffee taste better!

Trip: Bhutan Dagala Trek

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Bhutan Dagala Trek - Tent building in progress thanks to our guides. Unfortunately, this is an oft-used campsite and it was not thoroughly cleaned by the previous group(s.) There was no way we could relax and enjoy the beautiful setting with trash everywhere. It was heartbreaking. Much to the guides’ surprise and amusement, we picked up every last piece of litter. The next morning we discussed the “leave no trace” principles. It was an interesting cultural exchange. Of course, they have the utmost respect for nature and are longstanding career guides, they just prioritize things differently. After that, we left no trace.

Trip: Bhutan Dagala Trek

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Bhutan Dagala Trek - We had been climbing for about 2 hours on our first day and shortly after this picture was taken, we saw a group coming back down the mountain. One of their group members experienced altitude sickenss and needed to return to a lower elevation. We were all so thankful that we had spent 2 days in Paro getting acclimated and were taking Diamox as a precaution, to help prevent altitude sickness.

Trip: Bhutan Dagala Trek

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Bhutan Dagala Trek - Actually, this trek was Sonali’s idea. She lives in Dubai, but knew Dagmara from her time in Chicago. We were cooking up a plan to meet somewhere to hike, and she picked Bhutan.

Trip: Bhutan Dagala Trek

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Bhutan Dagala Trek - Tsheten Dorji, our guide and now our friend. From the moment he picked us up at the airport, we felt at ease with Tsheten. His inner calm made trekking with him a peaceful, mindful experience. We grilled him about Bhutanese traditions and the Bhutanese mindset. We had learned from a passenger on our plane over, a local, that Bhutanese do not joke, and do not understand irony. We respected this, but over time, Tsheten and his crew were yukking it up with us like the best of them. His is truly a warm and friendly spirit.

Trip: Bhutan Dagala Trek

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Bhutan Dagala Trek - We can’t believe we’re in Bhutan hiking the Dagala Trek! And the blue sky is such a surprise. The forecast was for rain every day and our guide Tsheten had warned us that rain is inevitable. He had never taken a group on this trek at this time of year without rain. Will the weather gods be good to us?

Trip: Bhutan Dagala Trek

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Bhutan Dagala Trek - Safely on the other side of the chain bridge, we pose to commemorate the official start of the trek.

Trip: Bhutan Dagala Trek

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Bhutan Dagala Trek - Our pre-hike ritual. All the months of planning, emails, reservations and decisions are behind us and we are ready to embark. So thankful for friends who without hesitation said “Yes” to the Bhutan adventure.  

Trip: Bhutan Dagala Trek

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Bhutan Dagala Trek - Adventure time! Packs on and ready to start the Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek in Bhutan.

Trip: Bhutan Dagala Trek

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Bhutan Dagala Trek - The water for a Bhutanese hot stone bath is prepared by mixing fresh river water with local Artemisia leaves. Hot stones are roasted in a fire until they are glowing red and then added directly to the bath water via a connecting section in the wooden trough-like tub. The hot stones heat up the water and release minerals that infuse the bath with medicinal properties.

Trip: Bhutan Dagala Trek

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Bhutan Dagala Trek - The hot stone bath in Bhutan is a great experience! This humble shed located on a farmhouse was rustic and authentic. We were given Butter Tea by the owners while they prepared our bath. The tea was salty and sweet and it prevents chapped lips and keeps the body warm. 

Trip: Bhutan Dagala Trek

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Bhutan Dagala Trek - Money shot with Tiger’s Nest in the background.

Trip: Bhutan Dagala Trek

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Bhutan Dagala Trek - The Bhutan crew: Dagmara, Sonali, Jenny, Roopali, and Stacey.

Trip: Bhutan Dagala Trek

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Bhutan Dagala Trek - Our first full day in Bhutan meant an acclimatization hike where one climbs high but sleeps low. We hiked to the famous “Tiger’s Nest” monastery, which you can see clinging to the side of the mountain behind us.

Trip: Bhutan Dagala Trek

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Bhutan Dagala Trek - Discussing the trail with our freindly Bhutanese guide Tsheten Dorji! Bhutanese men and women wear their traditional costumes during the work day. For men, they wear a Gho which is a knee-length robe that is wrapped around their bodies and secured with a belt. The best part is that the upper area is used as a pouch and stores things like cell phones or papers.

Trip: Bhutan Dagala Trek

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Bhutan Dagala Trek - Paro, Bhutan is at 2200 meter above sea level so we wanted to get acclimated right away. We set out to explore the area.

Trip: Bhutan Dagala Trek

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Dolomites, Italy - Jenny and Marika scree-skating together.

Trip: Dolomites, Italy

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Dolomites, Italy - Ah yes…the scree field! This time we are headed down, so we will skate our way to the bottom.

Trip: Dolomites, Italy

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Dolomites, Italy - Soaking in everything we have done and seen thus far…and there are still surprises ahead!

Trip: Dolomites, Italy

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Dolomites, Italy - This is one of my favorite pictures from the Dolomites. We had been passing a flu bug back and forth and no one was feeling particularly well, but we were just so happy to be there and with one another we didn’t really notice.

Trip: Dolomites, Italy

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Dolomites, Italy - Either I wasn’t tired enough or the pull of a new challenge was too strong…I had to try the slack line.

Trip: Dolomites, Italy

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Dolomites, Italy - Fueled by a delicious (second) espresso we were ready to walk another 10 miles.

Trip: Dolomites, Italy

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Dolomites, Italy - Marika! She is the perfect guide: knowledgeable, confident, friendly, and proud of her home and region.

Trip: Dolomites, Italy

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Dolomites, Italy - Top Set Trekkers Dolomites group

Trip: Dolomites, Italy

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Dolomites, Italy - We celebrated the Ferrata Piz da Lech and the camaraderie of trekking Alta Via 2 on the cozy porch of Franz Kostner. It was difficult to leave. 

Trip: Dolomites, Italy

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Dolomites, Italy - A view of the Marmolada in the distance and of the Rifugio Franz Kostner below. The trail we took to the ferrata and the rock face we climbed…from the top of the Ferrata Piz da Lech.

Trip: Dolomites, Italy

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Dolomites, Italy - Piz da Lech summit for the adventure duo. 9,550 feet.

Trip: Dolomites, Italy

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Dolomites, Italy - Vie ferrata are scattered throughout the Dolomites. This one is close enough to the Rifugio Franz Kostner to allow for a fun morning diversion. You can see how far we’ve come! The rifugio is just out of the shot to the right.

Trip: Dolomites, Italy

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Dolomites, Italy - We both reached for our cameras at the same time. 

Trip: Dolomites, Italy

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Dolomites, Italy - Weird hiking fact: It’s actually harder to motivate yourself to keep walking when you see your destination and it’s still out of reach.

Trip: Dolomites, Italy

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Dolomites, Italy - We were in high spirits, looking forward to the next challenge.

Trip: Dolomites, Italy

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Dolomites, Italy - Marika knows this section of the Dolomites well. She grew up here.

Trip: Dolomites, Italy

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Dolomites, Italy - The sisterhood of the trekking braids.

Trip: Dolomites, Italy

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Dolomites, Italy - At some point on the ferrata I noticed the bite valve of my hydration pack had gone missing, a bummer this early on in the trek. Little did I know that it had bounced its way down the mountain and…remember the group climbing after us? He had the presence of mind to grab it. When he got to the top he returned it to me…karma.

Trip: Dolomites, Italy

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Dolomites, Italy - Ferrata accompli ✅

Trip: Dolomites, Italy

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Dolomites, Italy - Marco’s rope team: Dawn, Dagmara, Jenny

Trip: Dolomites, Italy

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Dolomites, Italy - She likes it! We are hooked.

Trip: Dolomites, Italy

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Dolomites, Italy - Marco, our guide, was very patient with us!!

Trip: Dolomites, Italy

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Dolomites, Italy - This was to be the beginning of my love for vie ferrata, motivation to train in Chicago at a climbing gym, and future trips based on climbing.

Trip: Dolomites, Italy

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Dolomites, Italy - Smiles of excitement, anticipation, anxiety…all of the above!

Trip: Dolomites, Italy

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Dolomites, Italy - We are climbing straight up and over using this narrow cut-out in the rock, with the help of occasional iron hand and foot holds and a cable-railing.

Trip: Dolomites, Italy

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Dolomites, Italy - A first taste of a via ferrata. Italian for “iron path,” a via ferrata can be iron steps, ladders, suspension bridges or a steel cable fixed into a rock wall. First created during World War I to help troops carry supplies to remote areas in the Italian Alps, vie ferrata are now enjoyed by recreational hikers and mountain enthusiasts.

Trip: Dolomites, Italy

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Dolomites, Italy -

Trip: Dolomites, Italy

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Dolomites, Italy - Hiking is about patience and persistence. Your destination looks far away, maybe you can’t even see it, but you keep putting one foot in front of the other and the miles tick away.

Trip: Dolomites, Italy

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Dolomites, Italy - Hiking into the unknown with our fearless group, along Sass Pütia.

Trip: Dolomites, Italy

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Dolomites, Italy - After the warm-up hike we regrouped on the lawn, assessed our gear choices and shedded quite a bit of unnecessary weight.

Trip: Dolomites, Italy

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Dolomites, Italy - California, Oregon, Illinois, Maine and the UK: we’ve come together from both coasts, the midwest and across the pond.

Trip: Dolomites, Italy

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Dolomites, Italy - No such thing as to-go cups of coffee in Italy. You sit and enjoy your coffee in a proper cup!

Trip: Dolomites, Italy

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Dolomites, Italy - City girls-cum-hikers; fueled up and ready to go!

Trip: Dolomites, Italy

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Dolomites, Italy - A room with a view! Rosa Alpina in San Cassiano in Badia is a picture perfect start to our Dolomites trek.

Trip: Dolomites, Italy

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Norway -

Trip: Norway

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Norway - Safely back at the original Saksa summit, we gather to sign the logbook.

Trip: Norway

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Norway - Missy always packs Swedish Fish, Dagmara’s favorite treat.

Trip: Norway

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Norway - Jenny G

Trip: Norway

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Norway - Jenny F, happy we agreed to visit the second summit.

Trip: Norway

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Norway - Stacey celebrating on the second summit of Saksa.

Trip: Norway

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Norway - What’s that knob over there? It looks like we could head down and back up. Is that knob at a higher elevation than the one we are on?

Trip: Norway

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Norway - We paused for a snack at the summit, not ready to head back. Jenny F surveyed the surroundings. There was a sense of something left undone…

Trip: Norway

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Norway - Jenny F and Jenny G, friends from when they both were living in Portland, OR.

Trip: Norway

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Norway - It’s impossible to pick one best moment from the trip, but this was one of them.

Trip: Norway

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Norway - Refreshing!!

Trip: Norway

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Norway - I’ll do it if you do it. And yes, Geirangerfjord is cold.

Trip: Norway

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Norway - It was too enticing to pass up. Spontaneous frivolity is part of the bonding experience.

Trip: Norway

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Norway - We are supposed to be kayaking, but this waterfall spoke to us…

Trip: Norway

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Norway - We’re just two women who met and started an adventure trekking group. You never know what the future will bring!

Trip: Norway

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Norway - Kayaking is a treat after three rigorous hiking days.

Trip: Norway

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Norway - Blue skies-Helen is skirted up and ready.

Trip: Norway

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Norway - It was a reunion! Helen and Missy hadn’t seen one another since originally meeting at the Ashram in Calabasas, CA , eight years prior.

Trip: Norway

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Norway - Dagmara loves ferratas!

Trip: Norway

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Malibu / Mt. Baldy - We sprinted the last bit for a sub 8-hour finish. High-fives all around!

Trip: Malibu / Mt. Baldy

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Jenny
Jenny:

Who wants to do a trapeze class after we hike Baldy? I found a place nearby.

 

Dagmara
Dagmara:

I’m in if we get up and down Baldy in time!!!

Malibu / Mt. Baldy - Ready for the steep descent to the Ski Hut.

Trip: Malibu / Mt. Baldy

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Malibu / Mt. Baldy - Third time’s a charm with the self-timer photo.

Trip: Malibu / Mt. Baldy

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Malibu / Mt. Baldy - Working on our quickness for the self-timer feature.

Trip: Malibu / Mt. Baldy

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Malibu / Mt. Baldy - Not quick enough for the self-timer on the camera.

Trip: Malibu / Mt. Baldy

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Malibu / Mt. Baldy - As you hike down towards the Ski Hut, you reach a boulder field area.

Trip: Malibu / Mt. Baldy

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Malibu / Mt. Baldy - Our power pose at the top.

Trip: Malibu / Mt. Baldy

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Malibu / Mt. Baldy - 10,064 feet – the highest point in Southern California.

Trip: Malibu / Mt. Baldy

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Malibu / Mt. Baldy - Summit jubilation! Our first summit of the 2018 hiking season and we couldn’t have asked for better weather or better hiking partners.

Trip: Malibu / Mt. Baldy

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Malibu / Mt. Baldy - This is the smile after you find a lucky penny on the trail.

Trip: Malibu / Mt. Baldy

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Malibu / Mt. Baldy - The final push to the summit!

Trip: Malibu / Mt. Baldy

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Malibu / Mt. Baldy - We got this!

Trip: Malibu / Mt. Baldy

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Malibu / Mt. Baldy - One last picture before we hike up the ridge line.

Trip: Malibu / Mt. Baldy

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Malibu / Mt. Baldy - It’s a steep climb after you leave The Notch.

Trip: Malibu / Mt. Baldy

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Malibu / Mt. Baldy - We’re so grateful for our hiking friends!

Trip: Malibu / Mt. Baldy

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Malibu / Mt. Baldy - Mt Baldy has been on our hike list for awhile. We’re a bit excited.

Trip: Malibu / Mt. Baldy

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Malibu / Mt. Baldy - It must be a good sign when you discover your hat has been adorned with a natural green bow.

Trip: Malibu / Mt. Baldy

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Malibu / Mt. Baldy - What do you do when you come upon a rope swing? You try it out of course! It was the perfect ending to a great hike.

Trip: Malibu / Mt. Baldy

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Malibu / Mt. Baldy - It’s a tight squeeze through the low hanging shrubs.

Trip: Malibu / Mt. Baldy

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Malibu / Mt. Baldy - It’s not always up and over; sometimes it’s duck and under.

Trip: Malibu / Mt. Baldy

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Malibu / Mt. Baldy - We love fellow hikers – thank you hiker for taking our photo!

Trip: Malibu / Mt. Baldy

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Malibu / Mt. Baldy - Super donna pose!

Trip: Malibu / Mt. Baldy

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Malibu / Mt. Baldy - In case you were wondering, hiking skorts are quite comfortable!

Trip: Malibu / Mt. Baldy

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Malibu / Mt. Baldy - We love the inspirational inscription on this bench about friendship. “Don’t Walk In Front Of Me, Don’t Walk Behind Me, Walk Beside Me And Just Be My Friend. Keyhole 7”

Trip: Malibu / Mt. Baldy

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Malibu / Mt. Baldy - Having too much fun with the selfie stick!

Trip: Malibu / Mt. Baldy

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Malibu / Mt. Baldy - Team photo!

Trip: Malibu / Mt. Baldy

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Norway - Success!

Trip: Norway

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Dagmara
Dagmara:

Friends!! 💕 our friends.

Norway - The last challenge of the day: a single cable bridge.

Trip: Norway

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Norway - Going for it. There was no other option.

Trip: Norway

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Norway - Next up: a suspension bridge high above the gorge. And more excitement! A repair crew was working on it, yelling instructions to us in Norwegian as we crossed.

Trip: Norway

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Norway - Jenny took the E route as well. It was much harder than we expected, and despite a double carabiner system, had potentially fatal consequences. Smiles of relief; we made it.

Trip: Norway

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Dagmara
Dagmara:

It’s from the song “Road to Nowhere” (apropos) and David Byrne has a new release coming out very soon.

Jenny
Jenny:

So, knowing or not knowing what you’ll see can have both a literal and figurative element? You should be prepared for what lies ahead but let your mind be open to seeing and experiencing new things.

Norway - I didn’t stand too long at the junction between the E Expert route and the moderate option to the top. I had been training weekly at the indoor climbing gym and was eager to see how the effort would translate IRL. E it was.

Trip: Norway

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Norway - ****

Trip: Norway

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Norway - Karen’s first ferrata

Trip: Norway

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Norway - Jenny has been looking forward to the Norway ferrata since we discovered how fun they were in the Dolomites.

Trip: Norway

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Norway -

Trip: Norway

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Dagmara
Dagmara:

Idea for our t-shirt: a hiker girl with braid and buff in her hair is at camp with a bear. She is holding a coffee cup and the bear is holding a salmon and they are meeting and shaking hands. “Give risk a chance”

Norway - A new day, a new adventure. After massages and a champagne toast sent to us (from Houston) by Helen’s husband Craig for their anniversary, we were ready to tackle the via ferrata.

Trip: Norway

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Norway - Exhausted, happy and proud.

Trip: Norway

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Norway - Jenny F

Trip: Norway

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Norway - Each of us grew in her own way, to be stronger, more confident, and set new and expanded goals.

Trip: Norway

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Norway - Tired and comfy cozy under our duvets, but YOLO so we set our alarms for the sunrise at 4:20am

Trip: Norway

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Norway - Noticing we were within the lower end of the estimated hike time, perhaps inspired by “supergirl,” Jenny F and Dagmara decided to sprint the final bit to see if we could get in under 5 ½ hours total time. Yes we did.

Trip: Norway

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Malibu / Mt. Baldy - Jenny

Trip: Malibu / Mt. Baldy

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Malibu / Mt. Baldy - Is it obvious that Dagmara’s favorite colors are blue and purple?

Trip: Malibu / Mt. Baldy

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Malibu / Mt. Baldy - The lunch stop was the perfect pick-me-up. And now the sunny skies are urging us to keep going. But not before another group photo. We’re so grateful for our hiking friends who join us on the trails and our adventures.

Trip: Malibu / Mt. Baldy

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Malibu / Mt. Baldy - The perfect lunch spot!

Trip: Malibu / Mt. Baldy

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Malibu / Mt. Baldy - Stacey spies our lunch spot – at the top of the rock!

Trip: Malibu / Mt. Baldy

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Malibu / Mt. Baldy - Deborah

Trip: Malibu / Mt. Baldy

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Malibu / Mt. Baldy - Selfie success!

Trip: Malibu / Mt. Baldy

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Malibu / Mt. Baldy - Dagmara leading us on a trail over the mountains.

Trip: Malibu / Mt. Baldy

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Malibu / Mt. Baldy - Still working on our selfie technique.

Trip: Malibu / Mt. Baldy

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Norway - It felt good–damn good.

Trip: Norway

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Norway - Seeing this trail sign when we had yet to see any sign of the summit gave us the boost we needed to reach the top.

Trip: Norway

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Norway - Skåla group photo before the final summit push.

Trip: Norway

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Norway - Missy

Trip: Norway

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Norway - Jenny

Trip: Norway

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Norway - Skåla, being Norway’s longest continual ascent, is host to an annual summer event called the La Sportiva Skåla Opp, Northern Europe’s toughest uphill race.

Trip: Norway

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Norway - Stacey

Trip: Norway

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Norway - We settled into a rhythm hiking this section of gentle grassy switchbacks past the tree line. We drifted into pods of two or three, taking the time to catch up, or get to know one another better.

Trip: Norway

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Norway - Packs up and ready to hit the trail.

Trip: Norway

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Norway - Missy, Helen, Stacey, Jenny F

Trip: Norway

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Norway - Karen

Trip: Norway

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Norway - Jon and Stacey

Trip: Norway

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Norway - Jenny

Trip: Norway

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Jenny
Jenny:

More surprises in store. The weather is amazing!

Norway - Helen

Trip: Norway

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Norway - Wind in our hair, don’t care.

Trip: Norway

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Norway - Let’s get this party started! First ferry out of Bergen.

Trip: Norway

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Malibu / Mt. Baldy - The Crew: Jenny, Dagmara, Deborah and Stacey

Trip: Malibu / Mt. Baldy

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Malibu / Mt. Baldy - Starting off on the right foot! Now who’s leading the way?

Trip: Malibu / Mt. Baldy

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Norway - We paid our respects to Herr Munch as we passed by.

Trip: Norway

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Norway - We had the trail largely to ourselves, though we did encounter a few locals out trail running. One, who we nicknamed “supergirl” blitzed past us when we were just 20 minutes from the summit. We shouted encouragements to her and she tucked in and went for it, sailing by in her tank top and running shorts, her long sleeve shirt tied around her neck, floating like a cape. On her way back down, she thanked us. It had not been a PB she said, but she was pleased with her time, and off she went. The women’s record for the race: 1 hour, 20 minutes and 6 seconds.

Trip: Norway

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Norway - It didn’t have to be said. The climb was not completed until you tagged the tower.

Trip: Norway

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Norway - Bergen station, the final stop on the Bergen Railway

Trip: Norway

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Norway -

Trip: Norway

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