Do you remember the girl you were on your very first summit? Eager and wide eyed and frustrated and captivated all in one. Remember the voice that said, "there's no way my body is gonna make it", as you took one small step at a time up that mountain? Remember the self doubt and negative self talk? Remember how often you thought about giving up?

Read more about my very first big hike, Half Dome.

Between Sequoia National Park updating to the recreation.gov permitting system to wilderness closures from recent fires to updated COVID regulations, here's what you need to know for backpacking the High Sierra Trail in the summer of 2021.