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TSX Challenge
Inspiration | Trail Stories

Pass the Salt!

October 31, 2019 by tsx.challenge

While each TSX experience has moments that are "pretty hard," challenges are overcome as a team with great spirit. Get a feel for the challenge and spirit of TSX in this short 50-second video!

Read what others are saying

  • Mike P on The Confluence
  • Natalie Weekley on Grand Canyon Challenge
  • Koko on The Confluence
  • Anu Raghuraman on Grand Canyon Challenge
  • Anil on Grand Canyon Challenge
Tags:Grand Canyon hell for sure mt. whitney
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Welcome! We started TSX to change the lives of others through inspirational backpacking experiences. Whether you trek with us, or on your own, we hope these pages can be a resource to plan, prepare and get inspired.

- Chris Casado, Co-Founder & Family

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Dec 13
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

This Ain’t Yosemite: Discover Tehipite Valley

Dec 14
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Grand Canyon Backpacking for Beginners

Dec 15
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An Inspirational Trek Across the Sierra to Mt. Whitney

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tsx.challenge

Guided backpacking challenges that inspire for a lifetime. Find your trek. 👇

TSX Challenge
How are big challenges overcome? Sometimes it star How are big challenges overcome? Sometimes it starts with a warm hug, a vote of confidence and space to think. Here’s a new story written by a recent participant who unexpectedly overcomes a major challenge, assisted by her experiences on the trail. — It was supposed to be just another trek in the Grand Canyon. I had said yes to a friend who was looking for someone to join along. Little did I know that it would become more than a mental and physical achievement. I have done several strenuous treks in the past. While I’m no longer as fit as I used to be, I was mentally prepared for the physical pain. We decided to sign up with the TSX (Trans-Sierra Xtreme) Challenge after I was rejected by REI Adventures as they did not believe I could backpack the Grand Canyon, it being their Level 5 trek. I was sure that the TSX would also reject me, but Chris, who also happens to be one of the founders, assured me that I can do it. At this time I had not realized that Xtreme captured the essence of extreme emotions of wonder, fear, pain and joy all at the same time. It was our first day on the trek down Hermit Rest to Hermit Creek, a 3000 feet descent over 8 miles and each view was just more breathtaking than the next. I was slow and cautious. We came to a steep downhill by the edge and my body literally froze. I was not ready to move. My mind was alarming big sirens as I was scared of the unknown outcome of continuing on this path. I told Chris that I am scared of heights and will be slow but I will do it. He did not say much but assured me that it is ok to be at my pace and he was around if I needed help. This vote of confidence from someone who has taken hundreds of people before me on such treks was all I needed. The next few hours were just slow and steady downhill while fighting the fear of dying. What if my ankle twists or I faint and fall down the canyon? I probably will die. I asked myself why I am scared of dying? Am I worried about my son and hubby, the two strong rocks in my life? I know they love me a lot. Is it the responsibility I feel for my older siblings after my parents death? Is it that I feel… Continued at tsxchallenge.com/blog, link in bio.
Life is full of challenges. So why do we voluntari Life is full of challenges. So why do we voluntarily seek out more hardship by carrying heavy backpacks up mountains, wading through frigid rivers in the rain or sweating out long miles in desert heat? The answer is unique to each person who pushes themselves with TSX. For the month of December we will be highlighting participants and guides and letting them explain “why” in their own words. If you want to share the reason you like to challenge yourself with backpacking, DM us, we’d love to share your story. #tsxchallenge #challenge #backpacking #adventure #hiking
More friends, more fun. A friendly reminder that y More friends, more fun. A friendly reminder that you can register to join any 2023 TSX experience by November 30th and save big when you sign up with friends. Our guided small group backpacking experiences are team-oriented, easy to join and open to all. Click the link in bio to visit our website for more details! #mtwhitney #highsierratrail #grandcanyonnationalpark #sequoianationalpark #kingscanyonnationalpark #johnmuirwilderness #tsxchallenge #backpacking #offthegrid #inspiration #centralsierra #getoutside
Whether you are gathering around a campfire or the Whether you are gathering around a campfire or the dining room table, we hope it’s nothing but roses this holiday weekend. Happy Thanksgiving! #tsxchallenge #happythanksgivng #backpackingmeals #roses
We are excited to introduce our 2023 Grand Canyon We are excited to introduce our 2023 Grand Canyon Limited Edition Challenge experience, Thunder River! Our Limited Edition trips are extended backpacking experiences on routes that will change each year, so that every year we will be covering a completely different part of the Grand Canyon's trail system. Over the course of several years we will cover the entire Grand Canyon trail system. In 2023, we'll be heading to an incredibly remote and difficult to access section of the North Rim with two epic five-night, six-day treks to Thunder River (April 8 - 13, Oct 6 - 11). We'll be accessing the North Rim on old forest roads to explore some of the most breathtaking waterfalls and swimming holes that the Grand Canyon has to offer. With just over 30 miles of trail, we'll venture through some of the canyon’s oldest rock layers and travel along slickrock and winding slots while following the natural curves created by the forces wind and water throughout time. This guided TSX Grand Canyon Limited Edition experience is all inclusive, easy to join, and open to fit and motivated individuals of all ages and experience levels. Just bring your personal items, positive attitude, and be ready for an experience that can inspire for a lifetime. We will only be running two trips next year, Apr 8-13 and Oct 6-11. Click the link in bio to sign up! Thunder River photo credit: John Strother http://www.panafoot.com #tsxchallenge #tsxlimitededition #grandcanyon #thunderriver #northrim #backpacking #adventure #explore #optoutside
Experience the exhilaration of true wilderness bac Experience the exhilaration of true wilderness backpacking off-trail routes in a slice of heaven south of Yosemite and north of Kings Canyon. #hellforsure #tsxchallenge #johnmuirwilderness #inspiration #exhilaration #centralsierra #shaverlake #courtrightreservoir #highsierra
Backpacking the Sierra can bring out the little ki Backpacking the Sierra can bring out the little kid in all of us. Having recently finished summiting every 6,000 ft peak on the east coast, Ken was looking for a way to challenge himself further. He discovered TSX through @hikingradionetwork Mighty Blue, read the reviews, and signed up. In his words, “The hike was very challenging, the scenery was spectacular, and the people were incredible.” This was Ken’s first trip with TSX, and first “dive” into a high Sierra lake, but it won’t be his last. He’ll be joining us to summit the beast, Mt. Goddard, in 2023! #sierranevadamountains #colbylake #tsxchallenge #tsxroute #yolo #jumprightin #northcarolina #allwelcome #backpacking #teameffort #nevergiveup #nevergrowup #optoutside #jmt #pct #highsierratrail #mtwhitney @sequoiakingsnps
Stretch the imagination and backpacking off-trail Stretch the imagination and backpacking off-trail routes with TSX Challenge and summit Kings Canyon’s 13,560′ beautiful Beast. #mtgoddard #adventuretravel #tsxchallenge #kingscanyonnationalpark
We are excited to announce the expansion of our ed We are excited to announce the expansion of our educational program in 2023! TSX will be leading 5 trips in the Sierra that will utilize two curriculum built by our educational lead Andy Giordano (@summitphotog) The first experience is an environmental science course that will overlap with our Trans-Sierra Route to Mt. Whitney. This curriculum is anchored in environmental science protocols and concepts, leveraging the intrinsic benefits of the wild (beauty, joy, peace, challenge) in order build an understanding of how ecosystem services lead to extrinsic value (timber, mineral resources, soil health, clean air, water, biodiversity, etc.), and how we sustain and protect this balance. The second curriculum is routed youth leadership and follows our Hell For Sure Route in John Muir Wilderness. On this trip students have a golden opportunity to connect with themselves over a week of hands-on experiential learning focused on leadership and environment, leave no trace, and life skills. To learn more and download our course curriculum packet go to the link in the bio. #tsxchallenge #tsxstudenttreks #backpacking #outdooreducation #adventure #summercamp #mtwhitney #johnmuirwilderness
Transcendent emotion is defined by feeling small a Transcendent emotion is defined by feeling small and insignificant while also experiencing deep flow. Hiking with and observing Todd on our trails, it’s clear that his flow runs deep. Todd exuberates a sense of fascination and novelty, low belonging, awe, wonder, and humility toward the natural world – simultaneous with a feeling of belonging and relaxation in the forest or on the trail. He’s been hiking with us since 2015, completing our Trans-Sierra route twice, Grand Canyon Challenge twice, including our Escalante Route, Hell For Sure, Mt. Goddard, and this past year, Tehipite Valley. With memories of good friends, some no longer able to hike with us, we’ve shared moments on the trail and off, where words need not be said. The spirit and emotions can run deep… and sometimes just below the surface. No trail name, just Todd. Cheers to you. Thank you for being a part of the TSX family! #makeityou #tsxfamily #tsxchallenge #wingman #triplechallenge #goodfriends #lifelongmemories❤️ #cedonulli #nevergiveup #awe #wonder #humility #transcendentemotion #wordsneednotbespoken
Last fall we announced the beginning of our Grand Last fall we announced the beginning of our Grand Canyon Limited Edition trek series. Our Limited Edition trips are extended backpacking experiences on routes that will change each year, so that every year we will be covering a completely different part of the Grand Canyon trail system. Over the course of several years, we will cover the entire Grand Canyon trail system. Today, our second Limited Edition team will reach the Confluence (pictured), where the Little Colorado meets the main Colorado River. Where will we be going in 2023? We can’t wait to say! Be the first to know when we announce on Nov 17th! Join us at our release event, or click the new trek alert on our website to be the first notified with priority access. #newtrekalert #tsxchallenge #theconfluence #beamertrail #grandcanyon #hikeaz #earnit #neverstopexploring #leaveitallbehind #offthegrid #unplug #getoutside
Congrats to out latest Grand Canyon Challenge team Congrats to out latest Grand Canyon Challenge team to complete the Escalante Route! This close “dads” group escaped for four days below the rim, reconnecting and recharging, before topping out in the welcome bluster of Fall. Incredibly enough, we’re prepping for Spring this weekend! We begin submitting spring 2023 Grand Canyon permits on Monday. If you’re considering a trek with us, now is the time to sign up. #tsxchallenge #spring2023 #dadjokesfordays #escalanteroute #grandcanyonchallenge #grandcanyonnationalpark #cedonulli #backpacking #yolo #hikeaz #offthegrid #teameffort #grandcanyonnationalpark
We have new and exciting things coming next year! We have new and exciting things coming next year! We will be hosting an hour long launch event on November 17 to recap 2022 and detail our new trips and experiences for the year to come. One of the new treks we announced last year was our Tehipite Valley Challenge. This magical valley has just been hiding out there in the Sierra waiting for people to visit. In 2022 we led 4 trips to Tehipite. They are challenging treks over untamed terrain...but worth the effort to explore this wild and majestic canyon. Want to learn more about our new trips for 2023? Register for our launch event (Nov 17 @ 6.30PM Pacific) by clicking the link in the bio. #tsxchallenge #tehipitevalley #tehipitedome #backpacking #adventure #kingscanyonnationalpark #backpacking #sierranavada #newadventure #optoutside
It was a record year for us with six teams reachin It was a record year for us with six teams reaching the summit of Mt. Whitney. Behind each of these triumphant pictures from the summit are hours of preparation, training, determination and effort. Congratulations to everyone for the accomplishment! The journey to the top of Mt. Whitney starts months before participants ever set foot on trail. If you’re considering a trek in 2023, we are hosting two talks on hiking Mt. Whitney next week. Join us to learn more about reaching the summit. Hiking Mt. Whitney - Oct 23 @ 8AM https://tsxchallenge.com/event/hiking-mt-whitney-5/ Three Trans-Sierra Routes to Mt. Whitney - Oct 26 @ 7PM https://tsxchallenge.com/event/three-trans-sierra-routes-to-mt-whitney-4/ Events page link in bio. #tsxchallenge #mtwhitney #backpacking #environmentalscience #mtwhitneysummit #adventure #highsierratrail #jmt #pct #sequoianationalpark #kingscanyonnationalpark
The power of the Grand Canyon is impossible to ade The power of the Grand Canyon is impossible to adequately capture in pictures, paintings or poetry. While we do our best to convey what the experience is like with our photos and blog posts, you really have to see it, hike into it and live below the rim to even begin to understand its magnificence. We are starting the application process for 2023 permits. Our first applications are due November 1. If you are considering a trip to this world wonder, now is the time to reserve your spot. Benefits of booking now: -Only Pay a Deposit: $475 due at booking. Remainder due in February 2023. -Select Preferred Dates: Available trek dates will be limited once permits are issued. -Choice of Route: If you book a trip before we have applied for the permit, you can request the specific route we apply for! -Prices Increase: Trip prices rise on October 21. Click link in bio to sign up! We hope you can join us! #tsxchallenge #backpacking #grandcanyon #grandcanyonchallenge #grandcanyonnps #backpacking #Adventure #optoutside
Congratulations and thank you to Tehipite Team 4 w Congratulations and thank you to Tehipite Team 4 who just closed out our Sierra season in style! From the top of Tehipite Dome all the way to the valley below they pulled together as a team and earned their views. The ultimate reward was to explore the majesty and solitude of Tehipite Valley all on their own without another human in sight. Our 2023 Tehipite trips are posted on our calendar. Join us in visiting this hidden gem while there are still spots available! #tehipitedome #tehipitevalley #tsxchallenge #backpacking #optoutside #adventure
Congrats to our latest Grand Canyon Challenge team Congrats to our latest Grand Canyon Challenge team! They trekked along the rugged Escalante Route, swam in the Colorado River, witnessed a double rainbow and slept beneath the full moon! Come experience all the magic and wonder the Grand Canyon has to offer! Last minute spots now available for fall treks due to cancellation: Oct 20-23, Nov 4-7. DM us for details! #inspirationforalifetime #tsxchallenge #findyourpark #explorearizona #womenwhohike #adventuretravel #thebigditch #52hikechallenge
Over the last five weeks, we’ve led treks to fiv Over the last five weeks, we’ve led treks to five different locations. It’s been a whirlwind, and a treat to share so many incredible experiences with our growing TSX community. Today, two teams hit the trail, one on our Grand Canyon Challenge “Escalante Route”, and the other heads out to Tehipite Dome, and then Tehipite Valley in the Sierra. Lots of laughs, tears, and joy with incredible scenery. Here’s a sampling of our experiences over the last several weeks! #tsxchallenge #transsierra #hellforsure #grandcanyon #tehipitevalley #mtgoddard #offthegrid #unplugged #teamwork #sierranevada #centralsierra #shaverlake #flagstaff #bayarea #clovis #nevergiveup #sequioanationalpark #kingscanyonnationalpark #mtwhitney #grandtetonnationalpark
There are surprises and smiles around every corner There are surprises and smiles around every corner in the Grand Canyon. This is from the morning day hike to the Confluence on our current Grand Canyon Limited Edition trek. On this section of trail, the canyon narrows and becomes more sheer, offering closer than usual vistas of the North Rim. We will be announcing our next Grand Canyon Limited Edition trek in mid November. Be sure to check back with us! #tsxchallenge #grandcanyon #coloradoriverconfluence #backpacking #hiking #optoutside
The Tehipite Valley Challenge isn't just about cli The Tehipite Valley Challenge isn't just about climbing down into the deepest canyon in the Sierra. We also lead a long day hike out to Tehipite Dome itself. Towering 3,500' above the valley floor it is the largest granite dome in the Sierra, which John Muir described as "one of the most striking and wonderful rocks in the Sierra." To reach it involves a 4 mile hike along a rugged trail followed by 2 miles of off trail navigation to get to the dome's shoulders. The reward is well worth it with sheer cliffs, and sweeping views up the valley. If you want to get to Tehipite Dome, join us on a trip in 2023! Take a look at our trip schedule in the bio. #tsxchallenge #backpacking #tehipitedome #adventure #optoutside
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