“The Inspiring Journey of Rediscovering Myself through Backpacking”

Taking the Leap of Faith

As a mother, I had focused entirely on caring for everyone around me and forgot about my desires for almost three years. That was until I decided to take a leap of faith and join a women’s retreat to challenge myself, regain my confidence, and spend more time outdoors. I embarked on a three-day backpacking trip organized by iceagetrail.org and sponsored by REI, not knowing what to expect.

Day 1: The Challenge

On the first day, we hiked 12.4 miles, which was rough. I didn’t think I would make it, and it was the most challenging day. The hike was too long, and I had a pretty busy week at home, leaving me exhausted and lacking energy. However, we had lunch at Brady’s rocks, and camping at shelter #2 was a fantastic experience. Despite the rain, that didn’t bother us; we had a fire pit, toilets, water, wine, cheese, and a perfect night. The stunning sunset was the ideal way to seal this adventure day.

Day 2: Overcoming Obstacles

Day 2 started positively with a fire and a yummy breakfast that you could smell from your sleeping bag. We covered 10.5 miles on this day and had primitive camping without a fire for the night. However, camping overnight at a particular permission site near Oleson cabin made up for it. It was a gorgeous, warm afternoon, and we laughed, shared drinks, and had the most beautiful day. We had so much fun keeping ourselves busy and entertained, including doing a tent parade just before bedtime to learn about other ladies’ camping equipment.

Day 3: Stronger Than Ever

On Day 3, I was more vital than ever and slightly sad because it was our last day. The temperature was supposed to be the hottest day, around 66 degrees, which worried me. We departed the camp at 9:30 am and hiked to Whitewater Lake Recreation, covering 9.2 miles. The stunning view and the beautiful scenery made every step worth it.

picture by: Jessica Featherstone

                                     Conclusion

My three-day backpacking trip was a life-changing experience. It taught me to overcome my fears, push my limits, and rediscover myself. It was an adventure that gave me confidence, strengthened me, and showed me the importance of taking time for myself—everyone to leap of faith and try something new. You’ll be amazed at how much you can accomplish and how much you’ll learn about yourself.

If you’re looking for an adventure that will challenge you and help you gain confidence while connecting with nature, I highly recommend checking out iceagetrail.org and its various events. Get out there and start exploring!