My Journey to Becoming a Backpacker
From Injury to Guiding and Beyond
As a young kid I was always striving for perfection. I lived 8 years of my life as a competitive cross country runner. I would wake up every morning for a quick run before school and end my day with a long afternoon run with my team. During these runs I would often veer off from the group and start running towards the mountains wondering how far I could go and if I would ever get close enough to touch them.
The year I tore my ACL was one of the hardest years of my life. For a period of time I struggled to walk on my own and was told by physical therapists that I should end my season for my own health. As an athlete that was devastating to me because it meant that I could no longer compete, but it hurt more to think that my connection to the outdoors was now gone.
I started to question if I would ever reach those mountains.
After college I traded in my running shoes for a pair of hiking boots. As my movement improved I became more and more active, visiting all the waterfalls, mountains and landscapes Southern California had to offer. I completed the Six Pack of Peaks summiting mountains across the California desert and soon began dreaming of more.
Despite having absolutely no experience in backpacking I booked a flight to New Zealand and made plans to do a solo backpacking trip through one of their most famous walking treks: The Routeburn Track. I picked up a backpack from REI, slowly started collecting used (but heavy!) gear, and created a training plan where I would hike through the San Gabriel mountains with textbooks in my pack.
In no time at all I was on my way to New Zealand to start my adventure. On my first day it rained non stop as I hiked 12 miles uphill in a humid forest. The second day I passed by a “Warning: Hypothermia conditions” sign as I stuffed my naked hands in my armpits trying to warm them up. That day the fog was so dense I couldn’t see down the side of the mountain as I held onto a chain and traversed the bare side of the mountain. I was definitely rethinking my life’s choices as I wondered how the hell Frodo was ever able to make it. But he did eventually make it to Mordor, and I did my own journey as well.
I walked up forest staircases that were pulled straight out of a fairytale. I came face to face with some of the most majestic mountains I’ve ever seen to this day. Watching the peaks come into view as the fog cleared was an unbeatable memory. But what I truly loved was the fact that I had done something incredible for myself. I managed to shed my need for perfectionism and just enjoy the unexpected nature and limitless joy that comes from being outdoors.
In the process I had also finished my first backpacking trip, and a solo one abroad at that!
Years later, feeling more experienced and seasoned, I took the training to become one of Wild Diversity’s first backpacking guides. I was so eager as I walked through the dry good section of the grocery store, meal prepping for my first trip. I got to our office two hours before our meeting time to prepare gear and I waited eagerly as participants started to file in. To experience another’s joy and excitement when sharing an adventure you love, was something that I will always remember.
It became my dream to share this passion with as many future outdoorists as I could find.
When having our “dream big” sessions at Wild Diversity our staff took turns talking about what their vision was for our organization. My eyes lit up as we talked about week long trips on the Pacific Crest Trail or perhaps one day destination backpacking trips! To be able to see the accomplishment, strength and pride in one’s face after finishing a long trip would truly be a dream for me to see.
This season Wild Diversity is dreaming BIG and is making my own personal dreams of sharing my passion with as many outdoorists as possible come true. Help us make this dream a reality by donating to our “Dare to Dream Campaign” this season.
