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    • The Girl Behind the Backpack
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  • green and brown chaparral mountain range abutting the coast, sand, foam and water
    About me,  Backpacking & Thru-Hiking,  California,  Photo Journals,  Trail Journals,  Trip Itineraries,  United States of America,  West Coast

    Barefoot In The Dunes: My First Contact With Thru-Hiking

    September 27, 2024 / 1 Comment

    This is the story about my first encounter with the idea of thru-hiking. On a random weekend social hike through the dunes with some coworkers, I made a fateful decision that forever changed how I viewed backpacking. And changed the trajectory of my life to set me up to be a long distance hiker, ultralight backpacker, and blogger. This post includes a short story, a photo journal, and advice for hiking the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Complex. How it All Began One of the coworkers on this fateful hike was Blake, aka Chunky Chuckwalla before he earned the name, who at the time was more of an acquaintance than a good friend.…

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  • Kirsten dressed in purple, holding a purple chicken tramper ultralight gear wallet
    Accessories,  Backpacking & Thru-Hiking,  Chicken Tramper Ultralight Gear,  Gear Reviews

    Chicken Tramper Ultralight Wallet Review

    October 26, 2023 / 0 Comments

    Affiliate Disclaimer: Some links on this ultralight wallet review may be affiliate links. When you purchase something via these links, I may receive a form of compensation. My reviews will be unbiased and well-rounded. Check out my Privacy Policy for more information. On the trail or on the town, this CTUG wallet is a colorful accessory for any environment! In April of 2022 I had to leave the PCT after only 450 miles because I ran out of money. Two emails in my inbox kept me from being too dejected. One was from a summer camp offering me a job as a backpacking instructor. The other email was from Chicken Tramper Ultralight…

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  • Backpacking & Thru-Hiking,  California,  NOBO PCT 2022,  Pacific Crest Trail,  Trail Journals,  West Coast

    PCT 2022: Cabezon to Big Bear Lake

    May 15, 2022 / 0 Comments

    Low desert or ski town, the wind was relentless the whole way. We had our first snow storm, and vortexed in town for 3 days. Read on for my trail journals for the PCT nobo Cabezon to Big Bear Lake section

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  • Backpacking & Thru-Hiking,  California,  NOBO PCT 2022,  Pacific Crest Trail,  Trail Journals,  West Coast

    PCT 2022: Idyllwild to Cabezon

    May 9, 2022 / 0 Comments

    From freezing high altitude evergreens with snow, to low, windy desert, we marched on. Read on to hear about my trail journal for PCT Nobo 2022 from Idyllwild to Cabezon.

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  • Backpacking & Thru-Hiking,  California,  NOBO PCT 2022,  Pacific Crest Trail,  Trail Journals,  West Coast

    PCT 2022: Warner Springs to Idyllwild

    May 6, 2022 / 0 Comments

    We came out of the chilly, windy mountains to our first zero days in the cute little hiker friendly town of Idyllwild. Read on to hear about the PCT nobo sections Warner Springs to Idyllwild.

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  • Backpacking & Thru-Hiking,  California,  NOBO PCT 2022,  Pacific Crest Trail,  Trail Journals,  West Coast

    PCT 2022: Julian to Warner Springs

    April 29, 2022 / 0 Comments

    More freezing, wet nights and I'd think we we weren't in the desert! Only the hot days make sense. Read on for my 3rd trail journal posting for PCT 2022: Julian to Warner Springs

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  • Backpacking & Thru-Hiking,  California,  NOBO PCT 2022,  Pacific Crest Trail,  Trail Journals,  West Coast

    PCT 2022: Mount Laguna to Julian

    April 26, 2022 / 0 Comments

    With our first resupply down, we're starting to actually feel like we're on the trail for real. Read on to hear my trail journals for the 2nd section of the PCT, Mount Laguna to Julian.

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  • Backpacking & Thru-Hiking,  California,  NOBO PCT 2022,  Pacific Crest Trail,  Trail Journals,  West Coast

    PCT 2022: Campo to Mount Laguna

    April 23, 2022 / 0 Comments

    And so begins my journey northbound through the desert. Canada bound! Read on for my nobo PCT trail journals from Campo to Mount Laguna.

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  • Backpacking & Thru-Hiking,  NOBO PCT 2022,  Pacific Crest Trail,  Trail Journals,  West Coast

    PCT 2022: Preparation to Get Back on Trail

    April 18, 2022 / 0 Comments

    I'm attempting at least a section of the PCT again this year. Here's how I prepared myself and my gear.

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  • Backpacking & Thru-Hiking,  Pacific Crest Trail,  Trail Journals,  West Coast

    PCT 2021 Attempt: My 1,100 Mile Journey in a Nutshell

    April 14, 2022 / 0 Comments

    This is my summary of my 2021 Pacific Crest Trail attempt, and the things I learned from it.

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Who is the Girl Behind the Backpack?

Kirsten Cook

Kirsten Cook

hiking the world before it gets dark

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  • Barefoot In The Dunes: My First Contact With Thru-Hiking
  • Chicken Tramper Ultralight Wallet Review
  • PCT 2022: Cabezon to Big Bear Lake

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