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thru hike syndicate ambassador 2018

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HIKING THE JOHN MUIR TRAIL (JMT)

Brown Gal Trekker has been chosen as one of the 15 Ambassadors for Thru Hike Syndicate representing Osprey, Vasque, Nemo Equipment, Leki, Otter Box and Darn Tough Vermont.  She will be thru hiking the JMT north bound in July of 2018 while raising funds for the City Kids Wilderness Project.  Learn more about the thru-hike and fundraiser here. Follow her journey via social media!

 
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BROWN GAL TREKKER WINS BEST DIVERSITY BLOG AT OUTDOOR BLOGGER SUMMIT!

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Join Brown Gal Trekker via her social enterprise, Peak Explorations, which markets treks worldwide.  Join a life-changing trek with our groups to go to Everest Base Camp, Kilimanjaro, Peru's Inca Trail and Ausangate Trek, South Africa's Drakensberg, Mongolia's Altai Mountains, Republic of Georgia's Caucasus Mountains, and plenty of other trekking destinations!  Learn more.

Be a Peak Explorer.
 
 

Welcome to the WORLD OF brown gal trekker!

Here's my story.

 
 
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BROWN GAL TREKKER MISSION & GOALS

BROWN GAL TREKKER MISSION

NO BOUNDARIES

“If you are faced with a mountain, you have several options. You can climb it and cross to the other side. You can go around it. You can dig under it. You can fly over it. You can blow it up. You can ignore it and pretend it’s not there. You can turn around and go back the way you came. Or you can stay on the mountain and make it your home.”
— VERA NAZARIAN

BROWN GAL TREKKER GOALS

  • To inspire and support solo trekkers, especially women.
  • To explore and write about off the beaten mountain trails globally.
  • To talk about controversial topics and innovative ideas in the trekking and traveling world.
  • To support the mission of my social enterprise, Peak Explorations.
  • To trek the entire length of the Great Himalaya Trail in Nepal and document the lives and voices of women in the mountain villages of the GHT via blog, book publication and/or film.

AFRICA

Africa
Kilimanjaro Kills! Here Are 13 Ways to Survive
Kilimanjaro Kills! Here Are 13 Ways to Survive

Kilimanjaro almost killed me. The first time was no joke. Lessons were taught by the mighty Kilimanjaro on how not to mess with her without proper preparation and a healthy mindset.

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Are You Brave Enough? Summiting a Peak That Almost Killed You
Are You Brave Enough? Summiting a Peak That Almost Killed You

The summit, that is.  In just a matter of days I will once again come face to face with a mountain or a volcano rather that has instilled this lingering fear in me.  Her name is Kilimanjaro.

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Enjoying Nature: South Africa’s Table Mountain
Enjoying Nature: South Africa’s Table Mountain

It’s fair to say that many travel enthusiasts will have South Africa as one of the must see countries in the world.  The country has a diverse array of activities available to enjoy nature, from hiking to scuba diving to whale watching or shark diving.

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ASIA

Asia
The Indian Himalayas: Sham Valley Trek
The Indian Himalayas: Sham Valley Trek

Whenever I get the chance to explore on my own, I always find myself saying YES to it before I even get there.  On the first leg of my journey in India's Himalayan region of Ladakh and Leh, I knew ahead of time that I was going to spend almost two weeks exploring the scenery around Leh by myself. 

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The Holy Pilgrimage: Trekking in China's Yading Nature Reserve
The Holy Pilgrimage: Trekking in China's Yading Nature Reserve

The Discovery of Yading

How I feel about Yading is incomparable to all the other trekking or travel experiences I ever had.  It was in many ways the highlight of my trekking experience in China and I cannot express in words how relevant Yading has been in my life.

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Yading Nature Reserve Photo Gallery
Yading Nature Reserve Photo Gallery

Here are some photos taken during a day hike inside the Yading Nature Reserve. Yading is the most colorful during Autumn.

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Europe
The Republic of Georgia Brings You Mountains and Unparalelled Hospitality
The Republic of Georgia Brings You Mountains and Unparalelled Hospitality

Situated between Europe and Asia, Georgia is a truly hidden gem for nature lovers. Georgia is bordered by four countries: Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Turkey. On a whirlwind of a trip, I ventured into the four areas of the Caucasus Mountains.

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Fire & Zen: Stromboli
Fire & Zen: Stromboli

Stromboli was special. It always will be. On my journey through Europe, I was trying to decide where I wanted to spend the last year of my being in my 30s. Stromboli was my birthday peak.

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OFF THE BEATEN PATH: The Albanian Alps
OFF THE BEATEN PATH: The Albanian Alps

The Albanian Alps consist of the mountain range of Prokletije. The range covers three countries – Kosovo, Montenegro and Albania.

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south america

South America
Trekking with the Quechua Women in the Peruvian Andes
Trekking with the Quechua Women in the Peruvian Andes

There’s more than just Machu Picchu that can lure a traveler to Cusco and the Andes mountains. You have the historic towns, spiritual retreats, the Peruvian cuisine, and the beauty of Sacred Valley. 

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Peru's Cordillera Blanca: Santa Cruz Trek
Peru's Cordillera Blanca: Santa Cruz Trek

Many associate Peru with Machu Picchu.  However, Peru has more to offer hikers beyond just the famous Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail.  In fact, a lesser known region called Cordillera Blanca gives its visitors a feast to their senses with its world-class landscapes. 

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Trekking the Inca Trail: Why Go With the Crowd?
Trekking the Inca Trail: Why Go With the Crowd?

It's no exaggeration.  The Classic Inca Trail has to be on every list of top 10 treks in the world.

Hence, it can get crowded.   You may even be so unlucky that you lose out on the chances of getting a permit. But, don't be discouraged! 

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Featured
Easy Going 1st Day at Bruce Peninsula
Easy Going 1st Day at Bruce Peninsula

It was for a short weekend of about 4 days.  I have never been to Toronto and so finding a flight that was less than $200 round trip sounded like a steal. 

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Bruce Wins the Crown for Mr. Photogenic
Bruce Wins the Crown for Mr. Photogenic

I don’t know about you but I do get a thrill looking at Carribean colored waters and white sand beaches. But what’s even better than that? Bruce Peninsula.

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Featured
Brown Gal Trekker's JMT Thru Hike Guide Northbound (NOBO)
Brown Gal Trekker's JMT Thru Hike Guide Northbound (NOBO)
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I Hiked to Heal in Sierra Nevada's Rae Lakes
I Hiked to Heal in Sierra Nevada's Rae Lakes

Have you noticed how happy people are on the trails when you go hiking?  I hardly imagine people without smiles or laughter when I go hiking. In fact, there's plenty of good energy when you are on the trail, whatever mountains you're exploring in whatever part of the world it may be.

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The Basics of Solo Long Distance Driving
The Basics of Solo Long Distance Driving

I solo trek all the time on muti-day treks but can a trekker handle solo long drives? 

I have a 16 year old car that just reached over 100,000 miles a few months ago.  I realized I have not driven it as much and when an opportunity arose for me to head over to Arkansas for an Outdoor Blogger Summit, I decided that perhaps it’s time for me to take my Toyota Echo for a drive.

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READ BROWN GAL TREKKER'S ARTICLES VIA

 
 
 
 

Come One, Come All

contributions & Guest posts

Hear My Voice

The Brown Gal Podcast

 
 
 
 
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See the Stories

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From a Lawyer to a Mountain Nomad Update: Nothingness leads to appreciation of everything I don't have a partner or a child. I don't have a steady flow of income or a permanent physical abode. I don't have my immediate family easily accessible in my life. And much of my identity and roots have been diminished thanks to colonialism. But because of exactly these aspects that are lacking in my life, I have come to appreciate those things that others possess. You have a partner? Cherish them. You have a child? Must be magical. You know your roots and you can claim yourself to belong to a specific indigenous community? That's power. You have a place you deem as your home? Must be soothing to have that. You have your parents and siblings nearby? Never take that for granted. You have a steady flow of income? Say thanks for that. Life has provided me a space to live with nothingness so I can remind others to love what they have. And at the very moment that I gain any of these things that are lacking in my life, I will feel like one hell of a millionaire beyond words. Living with nothingness can be a powerful way to find meaning in our lives and cherish everything that we have. Photo: En route to Kanchenjunga base camp in Sikkim, India. The nothingness that I found was everything I ever wanted. #browngaltrekker #peakexplorations #hiking #trekking #neverstopexploring #sheexplores #travelblogger #travel #explore #nomadlife #outdoorasian #outdoors #optoutside #womenwhohike #womenwhoexplore
Want to see the best of Andes? Here's the best kept secret: PERU'S HUAYHUASH TREK. I'm leading this trek in September, 2019! Plus, it's co-led by a local female guide to create incusion in the trekking tourism industry. Our group departures are set for September 12 to 29 for 18 days (all inclusive co-ed trip). This will be a special scouting trip for Brown Gal Trekker and Peak Explorations. Book your spot by February 28, 2019 and get $150 off! Book here: https://www.peakexplorations.com/peruhuayhuash Trip is open to both men and women. #browngaltrekker #peakexplorations #hiking#trekking #nomadlife #nomads #womenwhohike #womenwhoexplore #travel #travelblogger #explore #adventure #neverstopexploring #outdoors #optoutside #outside
How does a healthy work life look like? My office for the week is filled with sun, sand and water. Well-being first, this thing called "job" or "enterprise" is second. #browngaltrekker in Belize. #peakexplorations #nomad #nomadlife #FromaLawyertoaMountainNomad #hiking #trekking #wanderlust #nomadlife #sheexplores #womenwhohike #womenwhoexplore #outdoors #outside #optoutside #weareoutdoor
Aren't we all just a silhouette of nature? Island living in Belize before trekking once again. #browngaltrekker ,#peakexplorations #hiking #backpacking #outdoorasian #outdoors #optoutside #travel #travelblogger #nature #nomadlife #nomads #explore #neverstopexploring #sheexplores #trekking #socialentrepreneurship #belize
Where is life taking you today? On my way to Belize for a conference on social entrepreneurship. Work and play combined is always good.#browngaltrekker #BeaPeakExplorer #peakexplorations #hiking #trekking #travelblogger #travel #nomadlife #nomads #neverstopexploring #sheexplores #outdoorasian #outdoors #outside #optoutside #wanderlust #explore
10 Best Lessons As a Nomad: 1. It's inevitable to lose friends along the way. The real ones will reveal themselves and stay in your life. 2. I've become the most critical and most appreciative of America, all at the same time. 3. Language is no barrier to making new friends. If you think it is, then learn a new one that will create the bridge. 4. Smile got me through tricky situations in the past. It did once again in India, Bhutan, the Philippines, the John Muir Trail, Iceland and Peru. 5. Fear is here to stay. Same goes for courage. 6. You can become a resident of another country without marrying someone. 7. Discrimination can be more blatant and harmful in countries other than America. 8. Regardless of the level of disagreement, you can always choose kindness over righteousness. 9. Social entrepreneurship, when done right, feels isolating, uncertain and rebellious. 10. Possessing, owning, attaching or obsessing breeds desperation whereas detaching, letting go or surrendering yields infinite freedom. Until the next 10 best...see you all in 2019. #browngaltrekker #peakexplorations Photo: A visit to Siargao Island, Philippines. It's the only trip this year that I didn't write or talk about because some moments in life stay magical when left unsaid. #hiking #trekking #travel #travelblogger #outdoorasian #outdoors #outside #sheexplores #wanderlust #nomadlife #nomads #nomad #womenwhohike #womenwhoexplore
I didn't become a mountain nomad because I chose to be fearless. I came to realize that I didn't just become a full-time mountain nomad overnight.  There were struggles with fear. Oh, and plenty of them.  The hardest question to answer is, "When did you find the courage to just do it...leave your career, sell your house and float as a nomad globally." I always fail in answering that question because the truth of the matter is you do it gradually.  It's a slow and steady process.  First you introduce the dream you have to your mind, then you talk about it in your head some more, and then you tell yourself, "well, how about taking small steps?" And then you take the step.  You assess how that felt for you.  And then you push the comfort a little more.  Spend a little longer in the mountains.  Add a few more days to backpacking. Pick a new country to trek in with a group. And then you do it solo.  Scary as sh!t I know. But you promise yourself to try again even if you had a scare.  Then you go solo some more.  This time in a remote place that people have never heard of.  And then you trek solo for a year.  And then you research how it would be like to live overseas.  Can I do it? Not sure. But you keep on researching anyway even if it's simply for the sake of curiosity. About 15 years pass by, you're still at your job but for once you finally see the thing you have been ignoring.  Life tells you "it's time." But still you're engulfed in fear. How does one jump off the cliff?  Well, what about working on being a minimalist. Sell your house and possessions. Do an inventory of what matters to you in life.  The next thing you know you only have one path before you that you must take.  And the amount of fear you have is just enough not to bar you from taking the last step. #browngaltrekker #peakexplorations #hiking #trekking #travel #travelblogger #nomads #nomadlife #nomad #explore #adventure #sheexplores #womenwhohike #womenwhoexplore #wanderlust #outside #outdoors #optoutside
Hmm...me thinks it's a perfect day for Pho... especially when there's no Pho in Peru. Happy celebrating whatever you call today, earthlings. In specificity, From Peru: Feliz Navidad From the Philippines: Maligayang Pasko From the U.S.: Happy Holidays #browngaltrekker #peakexplorations #nomadlifem #globalcitizen #hiking #trekking #travel #travelblogger #wanderlust #outdoorasian #outdoors #outside #womenwhoexplore #sheexplores #nomadlife #nomads #nomad
Give yourself the gift of healing every day (the holiday 2018 edition). It's another Christmas. Another holiday. Another time alone. Part of my immigrant experience is the "dispersed" situation of my family which leaves it quite difficult for all of us to meet religiously for Christmas. Some of us are in Asia; others in America and the rest all over the world. As a nomad, the idea of celebrating Christmas or any major holiday for that matter has been redefined to one thing: Enjoy each day no matter if it's a holiday or not. So, I celebrate the holidays the way I celebrate each day of my life. Grateful for another day that I can breathe again and adventure my way through life wherever that maybe. This time I happen to be in the U.S., and perhaps one of the last times I'll be here for Christmas and New Year. And guess what? I'm spending it alone. I used to be afraid of solitude especially when solitude resembled fear of abandonment for someone like me who experienced child (mental & emotional) abuse growing up and even way into my adulthood. In 2017, everything shifted. I found healing from the abuse and fear of abandonment...completely that is. And how it happened? It was a gift from my mother who passed away suddenly in May of 2017. Accidentally, from my mother's death, I began to relearn being a kid again. I learned to be brave again. I learned to be playful again. I learned to follow my desires again. I learned to be free...for the first time in my life....that is, to be ME absent the fear that paralyzed me up until my mom died. Her death was sad indeed. After all, she's still my mom despite the hurtful things she did and said to me all her life. I learned above all things one thing: To be healed so I can finally "love" even those who hardened my heart including my mom. For the holidays coming and for any day really, I wish you "healing." To be you. To be free...like a mountain nomad that you are. #browngaltrekker #peakexplorations #hiking #trekking #backpacking #travel #travelblogger #explore #adventure #nomadlife #nomads #sheexplores #wanderlust #womenwhoexplore #womenwhohike #mountains #immigrantsoutdoors
The She Explores Podcast book is here. A nice return back to DC area is to be welcomed by the notion that your unconventional life has been published in print along with other women paving their own unique paths. Thanks @she_explores' Gale...just so you know it's feline approved. See below for evidence. Get your copy via https://she-explores.com/book/ #browngaltrekker #peakexplorations #hiking #trekking #sheexplores #womenwhohike #womenwhoexplore #nomadlife #nomads #nomad #adventure #outdoorasian #outdoors #optoutside #explore #neverstopexploring #backpacking #travel #travelblogger #immigrantsoutdoors
From a Lawyer to a Mountain Nomad Update When it's meant to be, you shouldn't resist it. When I quit my legal career last year, I had no clue exactly where the road will lead me. I trusted that it will work out anyway. I've been living with unpredictability and instability for a while not knowing how I can manage my social enterprise while living in America. I knew that staying in U.S. would be very expensive when much of my funds go towards growing Peak Explorations and Brown Gal Trekker. I dealt with the uncertainty with my living situation but no matter how difficult at times it was mentally, I never stopped trusting that there's a plan to all this. Why I chose Peru as my base...many have asked me this question. The mission of my enterprise is to create an impact in the trekking tourism industry, and in Peru, I happen to have found my allies alongside the local people and the Quechua women. I figured staying in the Cusco region will allow me to fully understand how best to alleviate the inequities in the industry. Accordingly, I came to Peru with a specific mission: Identify a specific mountain town for me to call as my home base. Find an apartment that suits a specific criteria. Obtain my residency visa so I can stay in Peru without the hassle of doing visa runs. Two and a half months later, I found a beautiful apartment in Urubamba - a little mountain town that I adore. And, within 30 days of application, my residency visa was approved. And I just learned that there's some icing on the cake... Ready for this? Thanks to my residency visa, I get to see Machu Picchu free on Sundays. #browngaltrekker #peakexplorations #hiking #trekking #travel #travelblogger #explore #adventure #outdoorasian #outdoors #outside #explore #sheexplores #womenwhohike #womenwhoexplore #nomadlife #nomads #nomad
Let's play Where's Brown Gal Trekker? And just like that... I'm back in civilization again. No more llamas, alpacas, cows and Andes mountains for the moment. On my way to USA. #browngaltrekker #peakexplorations #hiking #trekking #womenwhohike #womenwhoexplore #neverstopexploring #travel #travelblogger #nomadlife #nomads #nomad #sheexplores #explore #wanderlust #adventure #outdoorasian #outdoors #outside
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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