Ready to start backpacking?
Learn how to become a safe, confident, and self-sufficient outdoor backpacking badass (no matter what age or level of experience you’re starting at), so that you can go on and finally take charge of your biggest, wildest, outdoor adventure dreams.
Become an outdoor Backpacking badass!
YOU deserve to feel safe,
confident, and self-sufficient
on the trail (& in life). And
that’s EXACTLY what I teach.
Hey, I’m Allison
I’m an Outdoor Backpacking Educator & Empowerment Coach.
I teach women how to become truly confident, safe, & self-sufficient in the outdoors (specifically through the skill of BACKPACKING) so that they can finally start taking real ownership of their safety on the trail and start making some real momentum on their big adventurous dreams – no matter what level of experience or time in their life they’re starting from.
Through outdoor backpacking and our signature coaching program, Become an Outdoor Backpacking Badass®, we teach women how to be self-made, self-sufficient, and the creators of their dreams—and to stop living on the sidelines of their dreams due to fear. We believe backpacking is a powerful catalyst for self-empowerment and is a radical form of self-care that every woman who is drawn to the outdoors can benefit immensely from.
Safe, confident, self-sufficient, resilient, empowered, free >> That is a Backpacking Badass™ Will you join us?
Outdoor Backpacker Starter Kit
START TODAY: I created the ultimate Outdoor Backpacker Starter Kit for you (and it's FREE)! This starter kit is filled with 14 pages of my best hiking and backpacking tips to help you learn what it takes to become a safe, confident, and self-sufficient outdoor backpacker!
The adventurous womans guide to thriving during chaotic & uncertain times
YOUR ADVENTUROUS MINDSET: Inside this free 11 page PDF guide you’ll find my very best tips for shifting from panic & uncertainty to thriving & growing no matter what you have going on in your life.
Backpacking Resources & Packing Checklist
GET ORGANIZED: Grab my full Backpacking Gear Checklist that is perfect for 2-5 day backpacking trips. In addition to this organized checklist, you’ll also get a visual checklist, layering essentials tip-sheet, and 25+ backpacking food ideas that I personally love on backpacking trips.
The Most Amazing Hikes on the East Coast | From the seaside cliffs of Acadia National Park to the stunning peaks of the White Mountains to the towering rock cliffs of the Shawangunks and the Red River Gorge, the east coast is filled with spectacular hikes. This guide covers the very best east coast hikes, including the ultimate thru-hike on the east coast, the Appalachian Trail. | shedreamsofalpine.com
70 Beautifully Inspirational Mountain Quotes | I’m a sucker for quotes y’all.If you read a lot of my articles, particularly some of the more personal ones then you will know that I quote things all the time. So I’ve compiled 70 of my favorite inspirational mountain quotes of all time into this post. Help me build this list by sharing your favorites! | shedreamsofalpine.com
How to Get a Mt. Whitney Permit: Understanding the Permit & Lottery Process for Day Hiking and Backpacking the Whitney Area | Mount Whitney is the tallest peak in the lower 48 states, which makes it a very popular peak to hike and climb. Due to its popularity, there is a very structured permit process, and this post covers everything you need to know about grabbing Mount Whitney permits so you can plan your hike up this epic California peak. | shedreamsofalpine.com
Hiking Mt. Whitney Trail Guide: How to Successfully Summit the Highest Peak in the Lower 48 | This Mount Whitney Trail Guide is your A to Z resource on any and all things involving the Mount Whitney Hike. From day hiking Mt. Whitney to backpacking Mt Whitney, you’ll find everything you need to successfully summit and tackle one of the tallest peaks in the United States. A bucket list hike for every outdoor lover! | shedreamsofalpine.com
13 Awesome Hiking Groups and Hiking Challenges to Encourage You on Your Hiking Adventures + Additional Hiking Club Resources | Finding a fun hiking challenge or a strong hiking community, group or club can be a key ingredient to getting outdoors more and learning to push yourself on the trails. Check out my 13 favorite hiking groups and hiking challenges that will help you get connected with an awesome hiking community and help you hit the mountains more often this year! | shedreamsofalpine.com
How to Find the Backpacking Program That’s Right for You | A backpacking program can help guide you on your dream adventure and learn the skills you need to go on your own backpacking trips. Choosing the right backpacking program for you can be a challenge, so this post will help guide you through the process of choosing a backpacking program.| shedreamsofalpine.com
11 Lesser Known Rules to Learn for Your First Time Backpacking | When it comes to going backpacking, all of the rules, tips, tricks, and hacks can feel totally overwhelming, and I get that.But fear not, I’m here to give you a little insight into some of the more advanced backpacking tips to keep in mind for your first backpacking trip. So let’s dive in to 11 essential rules to remember your first time backpacking outdoors. | shedreamsofalpine.com
11 Essential Tips for Backpacking in the Rain Like a Pro | Nothing puts a damper on an excellent backpacking trip quite like a rainy forecast. However, a little rain doesn’t have to stop you from getting outside. In fact, backpacking in the rain can (sometimes!) even be fun, especially if you go into it prepared for anything. Even the best formulated adventure plans can go awry, so be prepared for how to backpack in rainy weather with these 11 pro tips. | shedreamsofalpine.com
18 Adventure-Worthy Backpacking Trips for Beginners | You may have heard me say this before, but it’s worth repeating: I believe that outdoor backpacking is the gateway into epic outdoor adventure. That’s why I’m really excited to share these 18 adventure-worthy backpacking trips for beginners with you. In this list you’ll find an assortment of backpacking trails including some easier international thru-hiking trails and easy 2 day backpacking trips that aren’t too far off from civilization. A bit of adventure for every comfort level! | shedreamsofalpine.com
Hiking Mount Langley - California 14er Complete Trail Guide | Mount Langley is the 9th tallest mountain in California and one of three California 14ers that can be accessed via a Class-1 hiking trail which makes it one of the easiest California 14ers to summit. Even if you aren't interested in summiting Mount Langley, just hiking to the Cottonwood Lakes is a worthwhile trip all on its own. This is by far one of the best hikes in California.| shedreamsofalpine.com
Backpacking Onion Valley to Whitney Portal – John Muir Trail Section Hike | This backpacking trail is one of the most amazing and challenging trails in the Sierra Nevada. Each day is full-on and at high altitudes, but it affords you amazing views along the John Muir Trail plus you get to cross over 3 different mountain passes (Kearsarge Pass, Forester Pass, and Trail Crest). You also have the opportunity to summit Mount Whitney, one of the tallest peaks in the US. Are you up to the challenge? | shedreamsofalpine.com
day hiking
In my day hiking gear list post I go through my complete hiking gear list with examples of brands I trust and love for my own hiking gear, but also be sure to download my day hike checklist and print it off so that you never forget the essentials again!
backpacking
This blog post will take each of my backpacking gear list items and will break it down into the gear that I personally recommend and love using myself. So basically, this post is a look at my backpacking gear closet… my backpacking must haves so-to-speak + a Free Downloadable Checklist to go with it of course!
Here’s a small sampling from the students enrolled in the Become an Outdoor Backpacking Badass® program.
— melani —
My number one goal was to be self-sufficient and to be fully reliant on myself...which was the main reason I jumped all in on this course. And I love the alumni piece of it where I can see all the women who are in there and maybe connect with them. To have a place to ask the questions you sometimes feel stupid to ask.
— laurie —
I decided to enroll in Allison’s course. That decision set me on the path to my first solo backpacking trip to Havasu Falls…it was a success! I am so, so glad that I stumbled upon Allison’s initial email. Otherwise I think I would have quickly given up or, worse, I might have become one of those people who put the first responders at risk while they rescue you.
— heather —
I decided I wanted to do more and I was tired of watching everyone else have the adventures and being too scared to do them myself… Everything that Allison taught was everything I needed to do to prepare myself, and my kids for this trip. We ended up doing a 4-day backpacking trip in West Virginia that was 23 miles, and it was amazing!
Read more student stories here.
The Ultimate List of Best Hikes in the World According to These Adventurous Travel Bloggers | I’m super excited to share this ultimate list of best hikes in the world! I reached out to some of the top adventure & travel bloggers for their favorite hikes from around the globe and compiled that list into this epic binge-worthy post. And of course I’ve sprinkled in a few of the hikes I personally consider the worlds best hikes into this post as well. | shedreamsofalpine.com