Starting one business last year was exhilarating, starting two businesses last year was daunting. I took a minute to review the progress of Intentional Hiking recently, and was thrilled to see the collective impact of this discussion series in one place.

Each event focuses on a topic about our relationship with the environment, our trails, and each other. I had speakers on subjects from practicing creativity outdoors, collecting data for science, and designing new products to fit a need in the hiking community; each speaker chose a non-profit to raise money for during registration. Participants often donated modest amounts, $5 here, $10 there, and the totals for each event were split between the speaker, the non-profit of choice, and the business. I’ll let this graphic speak for the generosity of the folks who have attended and participated in the Intentional Hiking conversations over the past year:

Amazing!

My whole premise for this event series was that small individual actions can lead to larger collective action on behalf of people and planet. That small individual donations added up to over $1,375 to support organizations doing important work in the community and for the land is quite inspiring.

So what’s on tap for year two? I do have a few changes I’ll be making, like holding one event each month instead of two, forgoing the gear giveaways (which were honestly the most time-consuming part of this whole endeavor…finding and coordinating the giveaways), and I’d like to hold more in-person events. I found that real magic happens when we come together to have discussions in person…if your organization would like to host a conversation about a topic that is important to your community, let’s talk!

I’ve got one more event in 2024, a Trail for the Trees about the Bigfoot Trail, home to the world’s most diverse temperate conifer forest. Find out more and register here:

At the heart of both businesses has been the desire to address a need that I’ve noticed in the trails community….to improve the hiking experience and encourage action on behalf of the people and places we interact with when we hike. On that note I’m working on a new project. Yes, that’s right. I love trying to build new systems and implement new ideas…and this one is aimed at helping trail organizations and developers find and secure the funding they need to do their work. In my conversations with trail organizations over the past year and a half, that seems to be the lynchpin in their abilities to create the type of trails and communities they want, so I want to see if I can help create a system to allow them to do their work with more ease.

If you want to learn more please head here to download my project one-pager and join the mailing list for more details as this initiative develops. I’m in the information gathering/feedback stage, so if you have any thoughts or suggestions I’d love to hear it!

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On the hiking front, I’m still reeling from a series of injuries that prevented me from hiking this fall. I’m solidly into month three of limited movement and pain, and that has been quite a challenge to my physical and mental state, but working on my businesses has helped me get through it. Designing a virtual hike of the Oregon Coast Trail has provided some relief, and I’m excited to say I’m starting to take short (really short) walks again. As one hiking friend said “motion is lotion,” and I’m doing my best to move even though movement still brings pain. This period in my life has been challenging. Still, it has also shown me that I have some amazing, supportive people in my life and that injuries, devastating injuries, happen to many of us. It’s a great solace to know many folks have gone through something similar and healed to continue their adventurous lives.

I can do this.

Thanks for reading folks, and thanks for your support and encouragement as I’ve hiked and evolved over the past 10 years of this blog. Here’s to 10 more years!