Field notes from the trail (with snack breaks)
This isn’t a blog full of polished itineraries or influencer vibes.
These are real trail stories — the kind where I’m sweating up a hill, crossing rivers with wet socks, or camping solo and feeling everything all at once.
Some of these trips were magical. Some were tough. Most were both.
I share them because they remind me that slow, messy, meaningful adventure still matters — maybe even more than ticking off summits or chasing the perfect photo.
So if you’re into long trails, honest reflections, and learning the hard way (with snacks, always), then you’re in the right place.
*No, I didn’t get mugged by that monkey.
Kicking Off the Year on Ice: My First Ascent of Volcán Osorno
Looking for a once-in-a-lifetime hiking experience in Patagonia? Last summer, I celebrated the new year by summiting Volcán Osorno, one of Chile’s most iconic and technically challenging volcanoes, with the expert guidance of Huella Andina Expeditions.
This 9-hour guided ascent took me across glaciers, steep ice fields, and exposed ridges—culminating at the summit with jaw-dropping views of Lago Todos los Santos and the surrounding Andes.
Racing the Volcano: Summiting Gunung Rinjani in One Push
Mount Rinjani doesn’t hand out views easily — you earn them with sweat and patience.
At 3,726m, this sacred Indonesian volcano served up over 3,100m of climbing in just 36km of trail during the Rinjani100 Ultra. We started at midnight from Sembalun Village, headlamps dancing in the dark, winding through scree fields, volcanic ash, and brutal switchbacks. By 6:30am, I stood at the summit, the sun rising over Segara Anak lake and clouds rolling beneath my feet.
It was freezing. It was glorious. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.
