# @arielleshipe on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CEApfbdBq5H
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/18646152-arielleshipe-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/166d20ce64.jpg
- **Posted:** 2020-08-18T00:13:36.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Arielle Shipe | Outdoor Adventure + Motherhood (@arielleshipe) — https://gondola.cc/arielleshipe

## Caption

When my 2020 PCT plans fell through there was a pretty big space that opened up in my life. I had been planning for nearly a year to make this dream a reality and had planned my whole world around it. Ultimately, I decided just to postpone until next year and pursued another lifelong goal of going back to school for my masters in Holistic Nutrition. Instead of thru-hiking this summer, I was planning to study, bike, climb, and tick off some smaller hiking goals this summer until my friend krissyclimbs asked me if I wanted to join her for an 8-9 day attempt at the TRT. I didn't have to even pause to think about it- it was an immediate hell yes!
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After a few days of finding our groove out there, we realized we loved hiking late into the evening, and because of that, we watched some of the most magical sunsets of my life. Often times at sunset we'd find ourselves high on a ridge looking out over some amazing view and that golden hour magic would revive us just enough to push a few more miles- even though our bodies were pretty beat up.
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My biggest take away is that these bodies of ours are pretty freaking amazing. There were so many moments where I thought I couldn't take another step and then strength would arise from somewhere deep within and, somehow, we'd walk 3 more miles. I was surprised that by day five my body actually started to feel better and better by the day instead of worse- even with no rest days. Couple that with some of the most beautiful wilderness in the country and the legacy left over is immense gratitude and inspiration.
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Since I have been back, I have been getting a lot of DMs from all of you about my gear for the hike. I plan on doing a full Q & A on YouTube but in the meantime, I will tag my favorite gear from the trip in my stories. If you are needing to stock up on any adventure gear yourself, use the code ARIELLE15 on backcountry for 15% off *some exclusions apply*. Anyone else getting out on a big adventure this summer? #findyourbackcountry

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findyourbackcountry

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