Atypical.

Over the last 17 years or so, I have realized that a big part of the fun of trying something new is the process of getting ready for it. I love the training, the prepping, the gathering of items that will enhance my experience. In mentioning this to others, some people are very interested and this is my attempt to help share what I have learned and will learn with those people.

A bit of history.

I did not grow up doing outside things. I played outside of my suburban house, rode my bike, rollerbladed, but had never been on a mountain until I was 23. In 2006, I was invited to go to Estes Park, CO with my boyfriend's entire family (grandparents, aunts, uncles, parents, etc); and even then, as an undiagnosed Enneagram 7, I was totally up for it.

As cliche as it sounds, I knew I was never going to be the same after I saw the Rocky Mountains for the first time.

We were going to be in Estes Park for 4 or 5 days and we didn't really have much planned. I wanted to try hiking, and the boyfriend was up for it. We picked a trail that we were absolutely unprepared for - I don't even remember the name of it - but know it was rated "black diamond" and was around 4 miles out and back.

I also know we did not reach the top. But I loved every second of it.

When I returned home from this trip, my interest in spending time outdoors was piqued and I wanted to do more of it. I started working at a local adventure outfitting company a few years later. I started planning vacations around hikes and outdoor activities. I started to realize how much fun it was to get ready for the next crazy thing I decided I wanted to do.

That hasn't changed! Right now, I'm getting ready to go to Patagonia in Chile and complete the W Trek. I leave in March and have a ton to do.