WHAT DOES BEING “BEAR AWARE” MEAN? It’s that time of year again! Here in the Appalachian Mountains, the wildflowers are blossoming, the baren branches are finally leafing out, and everything has that exquisite, fresh [...]
One beautiful winter’s day in 2010, I was day-hiking with a dear friend just a few weeks before leaving for my thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail. Her former career had been as a successful surgeon [...]
I have to be honest. My first two “hitches” (each 4-day stretch on the trail is called a hitch) have been relatively intense. I knew the weather could potentially be brutal in the Smokies… [...]
Walking in the depths of winter is to experience life in a cycle of quiet, peaceful slumber. The gilded glow of the winter sun streams dimly through windswept trees. The air is crisp and still… As we [...]
Hey friends, I have big news!! I have officially accepted an Appalachian Trail Ridgerunner position in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park for the 2024 season! What is a Ridgerunner, you ask? A Ridgerunner works [...]
I was honored to have eight incredible women accompany me on the trek of a lifetime in the Annapurna region. Everyone did fantastic and an unforgettable adventure was had by all. We began our journey [...]
There is a delight in every step when you walk in autumn's wonder... As the world transitions from the warm embrace of summer to the gentle chill of fall, the beauty that unfolds beneath your [...]
Are you considering hiking a long trail? There are numerous benefits to committing to such an undertaking. Here is an (unedited) section of my soon-to-be-published book about Backpacking as a Sacred Practice that gives a [...]
Why have the woods traditionally been portrayed as a dark and scary place? Timeless fairytales of old often feature the deep, dark forest where who only knows what is lurking around the corner. Throughout history, [...]
Walking as a Sacred Path… Have you heard the phrase “Hike your own hike?” It is one of those phrases that make a lot of sense when you first hear it, and then it becomes [...]
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT PAIR OF HIKING SHOES OR BOOTS: “I firmly believe that with the right footwear one can rule the world.” -Bette Midler And Bette is absolutely correct. The foundation and [...]
MY FAVORITE PRACTICAL TIPS TO BEGIN WALKING AS A SACRED PRACTICE Set an intention for yourself. It all begins with a purpose. Have realistic goals that are conceivable and achievable for you. Prepare for [...]
No matter what type of walk you lace up your shoes and step out the door to take, it is the energy and intention that distinguishes one style from another. What is always the same, [...]
(Mount Everest Base Camp Trek: Part III) I set out on a trek to Everest base camp for many reasons. I quickly realized some were less important than I thought, and other intentions became their [...]
(Mount Everest Base Camp Trek: Part II) Things I inadvertently learned while ascending to 17,598' in elevation… Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) It took nine days to ascend to Mount Everest Base Camp (17,598') [...]
Do you carry rain pants in your backpack? I know many people who never carry rain pants, and a genuine “Yay!” for lessening pack weight by several ounces. Me? I never leave home without [...]
The Three Rivers Land Trust, the Uwharrie Mountain Trail Club, and many wonderful volunteers make this 4-day backpacking "thruhike" a truly spectacular event! They truly spoil us with cookouts, snacks, cold drinks, [...]
This post is inspired by the intuitive feeling of resistance and negativity I feel when I see hikers identify with the word “hikertrash.” I have a lot of friends in the hiking community. And [...]
I am delighted to announce the completion of my Leave No Trace Master Educator Course! Since finishing my trainer course several years ago, I have contemplated furthering my Leave No Trace (LNT) education, and I [...]
Life will always be full of legitimate hazards. The only thing we can truly control is how we prepare for and respond to the myriad of everyday perils. When we practice growing our sense of [...]
Let's take a Walk... and celebrate Earth Day every day! Here are some of the gorgeous waterfalls at Stone Mountain State Park in Roaring Gap, NC. Enjoy! xoCollin https://vimeo.com/702686102
Oh, Peru! You are so wild and wonderful, how I miss you so! But, as I reflect upon all the truly remarkable experiences, places, and amazing people I met during my time there (just [...]
Packing my backpack to walk the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu has me thinking ahead of how I want to present my being... my essence... to this ancient and mystical place. What kind of energy [...]
I find myself these days particularly searching for positive things that have resulted from the pandemic. I am grateful to report that I have accumulated quite a long list, and now I can add [...]
Have you ever been to a place that moved you so deeply you felt you had no words capable of describing it? My two-day trip to el Santuario de Veronica has left me completely [...]
Well, we made it. It’s New Year’s Eve 2021, and many cannot see the dawn of 2022 soon enough. Me? Well, I am thrilled to be here, in this time and space, no matter what [...]
Walking as a Sacred Path Wilderness Retreat: The pure beauty of wilderness blended with sacred movement, magical rituals, and personal transformation… Is your soul calling for a profoundly healing, spiritual experience in nature, in [...]
I am convinced, now more than ever, that even our most complex issues in life can have ridiculously simple solutions. I find this to be true for every aspect, even taking a walk. Whether on [...]
MY FAVORITE TIPS TO STAY COOL WHILE WALKING IN THE SUMMER HEAT! Whether you enjoy summer or not, it gets hot for at least a part of the year in most places on earth. But [...]
