She Hikes Mountains

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She Hikes Mountains

I am a Registered Maine Guide specializing in hiking and backpacking trips in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Learn more: www.shehikesmountains.com

10/28/2026

I met the coolest thru hiker!

Last week, I had coffee with Livvy Weld - triple-crowner and super fast UL hiker (she SoBo-ed the AT in 84 days). She’s also a writer for The Trek (post photo) and an ultra runner. Livvy was kind enough to share her time, experience, and very positive energy with me while I bombarded her with questions about the AT.

Key things I learned over lattes:

- sub 10 lb base weight IS achievable (hers was 7 lbs)

- Alpha Direct is the new puffy

- I WILL go through 5 pairs of shoes (I had some delusional dream that I could manage with fewer pairs)

- I will NOT care how bad I smell (she assured me multiple times)

- Camp shoes are unnecessary

- A sleeping pad inflator is a worth its weight in time (& breath) saved

- HOKA Mafate Speed 4s really are a magical shoe (which, of course, they stopped making)

- Night hiking is special, not scary, and I will need to embrace it to make my goal

We also talked through all the gear Livvy carried and why she chose it, and I learned about several brands I’d never heard of that are making excellent products. Reaching out to smaller companies for gear support is now my focus.

After chatting with Livvy I felt more self-assured about my goal. I was afraid I’d feel LESS confident because Livvy has so many trail accomplishments under her belt. The opposite was true. Love for the trail and the shared experience of being female in the outdoors made for easy, fun, high-quality conversation.

Every time I reach out to a fellow hiker in hopes of gathering more information and making meaningful connections, I reminded of how supportive this community is.

Thanks, Livvy! See you on the trail soon 🥾💚

10/19/2026

Shannon ⛰️ hill workout 🙏🏻 send prayers

10/12/2026

Key takeaways from switching accommodations 8 times in 20 days… navigating narrow streets, steep stairwells, and the crowded Paris Metro. Spoiler alert: bring your backpack.

10/08/2026

The vibrant Colors of Provence … as seen through food, shops, and market displays.

10/06/2026

24 hours in Paris: highlights 💛

10/03/2026

Montagne Sainte-Victoire (Mount St Victoire) had been looming in the distance since arriving in Aix-en-Provence. The distinct, imposing silhouette was the subject of over 87 works by painter Paul Cézanne, who could see it from his studio in Aix, and shows up on the canvases of many other artists.

Naturally, we had to hike it.

I was pretty much just excited for a big hike. With 2300’ of gain over 3 miles, it was a steep, challenging climb. I had no idea the top also features a 13th century priory built on the site of a former hermitage. Ermitage de Saint-Ser is an ancient 5th-century cave chapel tucked into the southern cliffs of the mountain. The Croix de Provence, a 19 meter metal cross, marks the 3100’ summit.

So cool to explore!

You also cross a massive dam built in the 40s to reach the trail and look out onto a stunning green lake, Lac de Bimont, along the dam causeway and as you climb the mountain. The terrain and the trail itself were giving mini Katahdin vibes with a narrow, rocky ridge and a sheer drop off to the south. The rock here is limestone, not granite, which tends to break into small, ankle-rolling-sized rocks, or become very smooth and slick from foot traffic and weather. The limestone seemed to have other types of rock imbedded in it, almost like it was manmade. It wasn’t, but I’ve never seen rock like that.

I highly recommend this hike if you ever find yourself in Aix-en-Provence! It’s only 15 minutes from the city and from what I can tell, there is public transportation here.

We took the Imoucha Trail: Bimont Lake - Croix de Provence
6.3 miles, 2300’ gain to the 3100’ summit

09/27/2026

The ancient doors of Provence 🤎💙💚

09/25/2026

Busy days of hiking and sightseeing since leaving Saint Remy.

We visited the ancient hilltop villages of Les Baux de Provence, Bonnieux, Seguret, and Sivergues. We stayed in a stone farmhouse in Buoux where sheep wandered by the pool. We hiked through vineyards to reach Gigondas, where we toured (and tasted) the local w**e. We navigated the uneven cobbles in the medieval city of Vaison La Romaine. Our feet touched the Alpilles, a limestone mountain range, the Luberon, a massif known for hilltop villages and lavender fields, and the Dentelles de Montmirail, named for their appearance of lace. We have also eaten amazing food and met wonderful people! Tomorrow we hike Mount Ventoux, the ‘Giant of Provence’, made famous by its inclusion in the Tour de France.

Provence is beautiful, idyllic, and so very old compared to the US. It’s feels like stepping back in time and slowing down the daily spin.

09/19/2026

A beautiful day exploring the religious history of Avignon!

Palais des Papes - the Palace of the Popes, built in 1316 and home to 9 popes. In 1309, Pope Clement moved the papacy to Avignon because Rome was considered unsafe. They moved back in 1377… kind of a short stint for such a massive construction project (the largest Gothic building in Europe!)

Noteworthy: the statues of the popes inside all lost their heads during the revolution (pictured in image 8).

Also in this series, a reminder that religious art is often dark and creepy… and also flecked with gold.

Tomorrow, we hike!

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Maricopa, AZ

Website

http://www.shehikesmountains.com/

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