Alexa here, better known on trail as Bonsai. I'm a Minnesota transplant living in the beautiful driftless region of Winona. It was there that I first fell in love with backpacking after attempting a thru hike of Missouri's Ozark Trail. Since then, I've completed the Pacific Crest Trail (17') and have plans to attempt a solo hike of the Superior Hiking Trail in the fall of 2018. When not backpacking, I'm trying my best to overcome my fear of heights by rock climbing, practicing yoga, and searching for the best burrito in the Midwest.. so far with no luck. You can follow my adventures here on The Trek or on Instagram @alexamshapiro. And... seriously... if you know of a good burrito place... hit me up.
Posts
Northern California ??
The desert and Northern California done, were setting our sights on the High Sierras. Here we come!
Lending a Hand: Lessons Learned from Generosity
People help hikers out so often on the trail, it lends for some fantastic lessons of why being compassionate and generous to others is so important.
Challenges of the Trail: Coming to Terms with Competing Needs
Backpackers have hundreds of different reasons for why they hike. But what do you do when your reason for hiking is in conflict with your partners reason for hiking? Reevaluating what it is we're doing out here and coming to terms with competing desires for fulfillment.
I am not a Mountaineer
Go to Oregon, they said. There's no snow for 400 miles they said! Trials and tribulation of finding snow where you don't expect it.
A force of nature: Reevaluating our plans to move forward
Sometimes changes have to be made, but that's not always a bad thing. Here's an update from the trail as to our plans for tackling the Sierras.
Four things I never thought I would say before becoming a backpacker
Life on trail is so different then real life. Here are the four things I never thought I would say before becoming a backpacker. Can you relate?
Remoteness on the Trail
For being in the middle of nowhere, you surprisingly never feel too alone. What are the impacts of decreased remoteness in nature?
Yoga on the Trail: Having an Off-the-Mat Practice
Using yoga on the trail doesn't always mean a physical practice. Here are some "off the mat" yoga practices I've been using to sustain my mind while hiking.
Trials of the trail: Dealing with not foot stuff
Sometimes hiker pains are more then just blisters and sore feet.
Small Trail Connections
The trail is full of small world connections.