Meet Christine Reed – hiking guide, backpacker, rock climber, trail runner, van lifer and author. Her new book, Alone in Wonderland, on the surface is a story about her solo thru-hike of the Wonderland Trail around Mount Rainier. In truth, it’s about so much more. In this episode we discuss:
- How discovering an Appalachian Trail forum led this unlikely outdoor enthusiast to long-distance backpacking in order to reinvent herself.
- Her challenges with asserting her independence while also searching for connection and a sense of community.
- The meaning of female independence and how her view became vastly different than what she was taught.
- Her insights on the loss of her mother and establishing a separate identity while also embracing and appreciating the ways her mom is still present in her own characteristics.
- How a newly diagnosed heart condition gave her a new perspective of her body and a level of self-acceptance and self-compassion for what she has been able to accomplish.
- How long-distance hiking can be a way to face yourself, be observant of your thoughts and elicit a full spectrum of emotions.
- How the book Alone in Wonderland was written for the reader so that they can feel less alone in their experience of being alone.
Connect with Christine Reed on Instagram
Order Alone in Wonderland here or if outside the US order here.
Email Free: The Podcast at Info@InspiredLifeExpeditions.com
Connect with Megan Shumaker on Instagram
Call and leave a message at 1 (216) 202-5050
Music provided by “Farm” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/