In this episode, Allison and her team member Kellie sit down fresh off the trail in Allison’s van to recap the 2025 Adventurous Reinvention Experience Intermediate Backpacking Trip in the Eastern Sierra.
After spending nearly two weeks in the mountains guiding both beginner and intermediate groups, they recorded this conversation while the memories were still fresh — sharing what actually happens on these trips beyond the highlight photos.
From gear shakedowns and acclimatization days to alpine lake swims, big climbs, and late-night conversations under the stars, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the adventure, challenge, and connection that unfolds when a group of women spend several days together in the wilderness.
Because the Adventurous Reinvention Experience isn’t just a backpacking trip. It’s a summer-long container for personal reinvention, confidence building, and community, with the backpacking adventure becoming the physical expression of that growth.
In this episode, we talk about:
- What a typical ARE backpacking retreat itinerary looks like
- The 5-day route last year's group took through the Eastern Sierra lake basin
- Why alpine lake swims became a theme of this year’s trip
- How a group of women who met on the internet became adventure friends in a few days
- The powerful conversations that happen when women unplug and spend time in the mountains
And so much more...
By the end of the trip, these women didn’t just finish a backpacking route.
They walked away with new confidence, new friendships, and a deeper sense of what they’re capable of.
If you've ever wondered what it's really like to join the Adventurous Reinvention Experience, this episode gives you a candid, fresh-off-the-trail look inside.
🔥 The 2026 Adventurous Reinvention Experience is opening soon! This is our once-a-year, four-month intimate coaching container where we work on identity evolution, self-trust, and embodied courage — and then take it into the mountains together in the Eastern Sierra. Only 36 spots are available in the 2026 cohort.
👉 Join the Waitlist at shedreamsofalpine.com/are so you don't miss a single update when doors open in April.
Where to learn more about Allison:
- She Dreams of Alpine Blog (shedreamsofalpine.com)
- Instagram @shedreamsofalpine
