Erin Exploring

05/09/2026

Oh August, what a beautiful month you were 🥲

Here’s a little photo/video recap of the month. I know I’ve been a little quiet on here, but a lot of life has been happening these past few weeks, so much so that I’ve barely had any time to edit (or sleep, really). August truly slipped away and I’m not quite sure how it’s September 5th already.

After spending the first couple weeks of the month healing my ankle & doing a lot of work, the second half of the month was jam-packed. It was filled with hiking, backpacking, time with friends, camping with my parents, and of course, some good live music. And then I moved apartments at the end of the month, just to add to the chaos.

So much good happened this August and I’m incredibly grateful for all of it.

Some gratitudes for the month:
📷 Thanks to JP Huerta for pic 2!! We randomly met on a trail we were both backpacking and learned we have SO many mutual friends haha. Super random, but I’m so happy we crossed paths and had so many good conversations.
🐞 Seeing Noah Kahan live was incredibly special. I resonate with his music so deeply and have basically played it nonstop all year. His new album dropped when I was in Yosemite earlier this year and I remember so vividly listening to “End of August” as I was driving around the valley…it was magical ✨
🏠 A huge thanks to my Bham fam for helping me move. I wouldn’t be where I am without all of you 💕
🧚 Grateful for Jessica | probably outside 🌲🥾✨ and our good hiking yaps. We always have the best days together.
🎒 Grateful for the thru-hiking community and getting to meet so many awesome people through it. Had such a fun time at the The Trek meetup in Seattle!
💛 So grateful for all the people in my life – my friends and my family. And a huge thanks to my parents for coming out to WA to watch my dog and help me move.
🥾 Grateful for my body and all the big mile days it can handle, but also for all the experience I’ve gained over the years that lets me trust myself out there. I went on a pretty hard & VERY solo backpacking trip (more on that later) that tested me physically and mentally. It was quite literally the most alone I’ve ever been on a hike.

It was a chaotic, exhausting, and beautiful month. Thanks, August 🫶🥹

23/08/2026

The absolute beauty, grandeur, and wildness of Alaska 🏔️✨

At the end of July, I spent a week backpacking in Alaska with INDIGO ALPINE GUIDES. It was my first backpacking trip in Alaska and easily one of my favorite weeks I’ve ever spent in the backcountry. It still all feels like a dream…

We got dropped off by a helicopter near Denali and spent the next 6 days backpacking through wilderness where there are no trails. We didn’t see another person the entire time. It was definitely the most remote backpacking trip I’ve ever been on and I loved it.

One of my absolute favorite feelings in the world is being deep in the backcountry and knowing there’s no one else for miles and miles…all you have is yourself and everything you need on your back.

Being able to completely disconnect and be entirely present was everything I needed and more. It was a humbling week, but also one where I felt completely like myself. Free, happy, and exactly where I was supposed to be in that moment. I was so grateful to be there.

There is no place I love more than being in the backcountry. It feels like home to me.

I first went to Alaska 10 years ago. It’s a place that has always meant a lot to me and has always inspired me. Going back reminded me of a dream that I’d forgotten about somewhere along the way and it solidified the idea that I need to spend a lot more time in Alaska 😌

15/08/2026

Day 4 (part 1) on the Wonderland Trail 🏔️🥾

A little throwback to my fourth day (part 1) of my Wonderland Trail thru-hike a couple Augusts ago. The Wonderland Trail is a 93-mile trail that goes around Mount Rainier in Washington. It was definitely one of my favorite backpacking trips!

Interested in hiking the Wonderland Trail? Check out all my guides on permits, gear, resupply, and more!

13/08/2026

Day 3 (part 2) on the Wonderland Trail 🏔️🥾

A little throwback to my third day (part 2) of my Wonderland Trail thru-hike a couple Augusts ago. The Wonderland Trail is a 93-mile trail that goes around Mount Rainier in Washington. It was definitely one of my favorite backpacking trips!

Interested in hiking the Wonderland Trail? Check out all my guides on permits, gear, resupply, and more!

11/08/2026

a little look back on the past few months 🥹

I got home from backpacking in Alaska two weeks ago (I’m deeeep into editing everything right now - I promise a recap & photos will come soon!!). I sprained my ankle in Alaska, so I’ve been taking some time off from hiking to let it heal. I’ve been doing a lot of work, editing, and writing, but this time has also given me some much needed space to rest and reflect on the past several months (and year) of my life. Me a year ago, let alone 6 months ago, could have never imagined it all – the hard parts or the beautiful and unexpected ones.

I’ve been so “go, go, go” for months on end (intentionally) that I haven’t really stopped to really reflect and process everything. And now looking back on it all, all I feel is complete gratitude.

From the Oregon Coast to Utah to Big Sur to Yosemite and hiking here in Washington, it has been a few months of truly feeling so aligned with myself. And my most recent trip in Alaska even more so (more to come on that).

I’ve quite literally watched myself come back to life in the past few months. I feel a lightness I haven’t felt in years. I’m incredibly grateful for every experience and that I’ve been able to be so present for all of it. I can’t wait to see what’s next 😌

09/08/2026

Day 2 (part 2) on the Wonderland Trail 🏔️🥾

A little throwback to my second day (part 2) of my Wonderland Trail thru-hike a couple Augusts ago. The Wonderland Trail is a 93-mile trail that goes around Mount Rainier in Washington. It was definitely one of my favorite backpacking trips!

Interested in hiking the Wonderland Trail? Check out all my guides on permits, gear, resupply, and more!

09/08/2026

Looking for the best women’s hiking shoes or boots? After thousands of miles of hiking, I'm sharing my favorite hiking shoes, hiking boots, and trail runners for day hikes, backpacking, and thru-hiking.

Looking for the best women’s hiking shoes or boots? After thousands of miles of hiking, I'm sharing my favorite hiking shoes, hiking boots, and trail runners for day hikes, backpacking, and thru-hiking.

08/08/2026

Day 2 (part 1) on the Wonderland Trail 🏔️🥾

A little throwback to my second day (part 1) of my Wonderland Trail thru-hike a couple Augusts ago. The Wonderland Trail is a 93-mile trail that goes around Mount Rainier in Washington. It was definitely one of my favorite backpacking trips!

Interested in hiking the Wonderland Trail? Check out all my guides on permits, gear, resupply, and more!