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Inspiration | Trail Stories

Trees Have Hearts

February 14, 2016 by tsx.challenge

heart shaped tree on trans-sierra hike to mt. whitney
Sharing some high-Sierra love, on this Happy Valentine’s Day. This picture was taken while hiking the trail between Mt. Whitney and Chicken Spring lake, on the Pacific Crest Tail, on the final day of the Trans-Sierra Xtreme Challenge.

Tags:backpacking hiking Mt Whitney sequoia national park sierras trees have hearts tsxchallenge
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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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August is here and that means it’s time to start August is here and that means it’s time to start thinking and planning for the Grand Canyon!

There is no better way to experience this insane wonder than to hike down into it and explore its nooks and crannies. We have 5 trips in October and November that still have some space:

9/30-10/3 
10/7 – 10/10 
10/14 – 10/17
10/28 – 11/4*
11/4 – 11/7

Message us for details or go to our link in bio and book now. 

*This is our week long trip to the Confluence

#Grandcanyonbackpacking #grandcanyon #tsxchallenge #grandcanyonchallenge #backpacking #adventure #camping #rimtoriver #epic
August is here and Summer will be over before you August is here and Summer will be over before you know it....But the backpacking must continue! 

We will still be running trips into the early Fall in the Sierra as well as our trips in the Grand Canyon which go into November! We updated our virtual classes and events page with more talks about these trips as well as "How To" classes to help train, pack the right gear and otherwise prepare to  go on multi-day backpacking trips. 

Check out the class schedule and register by going to the link in our bio!

#tsxchallenge #backpacking #backpacking101 #onlineclasses #onlineevents #adventure #outside #backpackinggear
While we’ve taken many young people across the S While we’ve taken many young people across the Sierra to Mt. Whitney, our first official educational trip for students age 13-17 hits the trail today! They’ll be trekking through Sequoia and Kings Canyon National park, while getting first hand exposure to hard science and environmental challenges facing the Sierra. This curriculum-based trek has been years in the making! Click link in bio to learn about our NextGen Education treks, and stay tuned for 2023 trek dates to be released this fall! Good luck team! 
#tsxchallenge #education #environmentalstewards #nextgen #inspirationforalifetime #sequoianationalpark #kingscanyonnationalpark #team4 #mtwhitney
Celebrating on the summit with Trans-Sierra Team 2 Celebrating on the summit with Trans-Sierra Team 2! 

#tsxchallenge #mtwhitney #backpacking #summer #adventure
It’s that moment of anticipation… this week we It’s that moment of anticipation… this week we have two teams on our Trans-Sierra route to Mt. Whitney with almost all new faces (just one TSX alum). This picture is the spot where it all starts. The moment you strap on your fully loaded pack for the first time, and allow your mind to race with full curiosity about the people, trail, and experiences in store for the next 8 days. All the training, all prep, all the planning is about to be put to the test. Good luck to team #2 - headed for Big Wet Meadow tonight! And same to team #3 which follows out Friday!

#anticipation #butterflies #adrenaline #training #preparation #newfriends #gametime #tsxchallenge #mtwhitney
Full moon hike up to the summit of Mt. Whitney. Le Full moon hike up to the summit of Mt. Whitney. Left camp this morning at 1.30am to catch the sunrise. Trans-Sierra Team #1 rocking it! 

#tsxchallenge #fullmoonhike #sunrisesummit #cedonulli #nevergiveup #warriors #yolo #familytime
Trans Sierra Team 1 to Mt. Whitney steps off the g Trans Sierra Team 1 to Mt. Whitney steps off the grid today. Let’s Go!!!

#tsxchallenge #mtwhitney #sierranevada #transsierra #backpacking #challenge
Our Summer Speaker Series continues tomorrow with Our Summer Speaker Series continues tomorrow with "Outdoor Adventures with Your Kids" presented by mother and son duo Carol and Gavin. A big part of the fun and adventure we have at TSX is all about getting kids and families outside in the wilderness together. Carol and Gavin are here to help take our skills to the next level!

They are masters of adventuring local and creating near-to-home adventures that can be done over long weekends and overnights. From hiking, kayak camping, and bikepacking, to car camping, and front yard campouts, they are excited to share their experience and knowledge with you. Even the most avid outdoors person might quail at the thought of an adventure partner who needs diapers, melts down when they’re hungry or cold, or asks “are we there yet” when the parking lot is still in full view. 

This talk is all about sharing tips, techniques, encouragement, and lots of time for Q&A for families who want to live a life outdoors. Join us by registering through the event page in the bio!

#backpacking #camping #adventures #outdoors #backpackingwithkids #campingwithkids #adventureswithkids #outdoorswithkids #familyactivities
#tsxchallenge
Conquering the Knob on the Hell For Sure Challenge Conquering the Knob on the Hell For Sure Challenge is no small feat! This technical off trail route over the LeConte Divide is what takes HFS to the next level of wilderness adventure. 

Goodluck to HFS Team 4 who will be hiking the Knob on the 4th of July this weekend! And have a happy and safe 4th to the rest of our TSX Family in the US and around the World!

#tsxchallenge #theknob #backpacking #offtrail #adventure #4thofjuly
More Hell For Sure magic… it’s easy to see why More Hell For Sure magic… it’s easy to see why we love sharing this experience with others, spending time exploring the best parts of California.

#hellforsurechallenge #tsxchallenge #visitfresnocounty #centralsierra #shaverlake #inspirationforalifetime #offthegrid #peaceful #tsxfamily #leaveitallbehind
Views and smiles for days…. Our second Tehipite Views and smiles for days…. Our second Tehipite Valley trip done and dusted. 

5 days on trail and hanging out in Tehipite Valley without seeing another person. Although difficult to get to, it’s well worth the challenge. 

Keep your eyes peeled for new trips hitting our schedule for the fall! 

#tehipitevalley #hiddengems #backpacking #tsxchallenge #adventure #camping
Hell For Sure Team 1 just made it back today! Unbe Hell For Sure Team 1 just made it back today! Unbelievable weather, flowers in bloom and the snow not so bad! 

The Hell For Sure Challenge is all about having fun. Lakes, rivers, day hikes and fishing. 

HFS Team 2 takes off on Saturday! Wish us luck ☘️

#tsxchallenge #backpacking #highsierra #camping #johnmuirwilderness #summer
We are excited to have @desertsirena join us a a g We are excited to have @desertsirena join us a a guest presenter on 6/23 as part of our Summer Speaker Series to share her inspirational story and tips and tricks for backpacking the Grand Canyon! Get to know Sirena Rana below, then hop over to our events page and register to attend her talk! Link in bio.

“I didn’t grow up hiking and backpacking, though I’ve always loved the outdoors. I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago with immigrant parents, and it was not something I even heard of until later in life. I started hiking after an accident - I was hit by a truck while walking across the street.

This caused me to develop a chronic pain condition called fibromyalgia. I started with very short hikes and slowly built up my stamina. I also noticed my pain symptoms were getting better and hiking gave me positive things to focus on. As a beginner hiker, I had a lot to learn (like everything.) As I gained experience I became more comfortable. 

Now after decades of hiking, backpacking and rafting in Grand Canyon and throughout Arizona I’ve developed an extensive list of methods to stay comfortable in a desert environment.

I encourage folks to join us, especially those who are curious about hiking or backpacking the Grand Canyon but don’t know where to start. My passion is empowering people who didn’t grow up hiking, camping or backpacking with the knowledge I’ve gotten over the years so they can discover the joy of connecting with nature.” 

All donation proceeds will support the 
@grand_canyon_conservancy 

#summerspeakerseries #grandcanyonnationalpark #womenwhohike #womenwhoexplore #womenwhoinnovate #belowtherim #getinspired #shareyourstory #makeityouin2022 #tsxchallenge
On every trip, there are moments… moments where On every trip, there are moments… moments where everything seems just right. And moments where you faceplant into a cactus, bust your shoes, or on extreme rare occasions, require a helicopter lift out. There are moments where there is time to reflect, and moments where the only thing to do is keep hiking on. Our Grand Canyon treks this spring were full of memorable moments. We’re keeping it real today with a few pics that don’t typically make the highlight reel… thanks to all our participants and guides for a memorable season!

#tsxchallenge #keepingitreal #grandcanyonchallenge #tsxfamily #faceplant #cactus #siestatime #hikeon #teameffort #ducttape #grandcanyon #outtakes
Our inaugural TSX Tehipite Valley experience took Our inaugural TSX Tehipite Valley experience took place this week, and we are still feeling the high of gratitude for the team who shared the adventure with us. This route is different than any other TSX experience, with two days of base camps/day hikes, but it is no less challenging, or rewarding. 

Tehipite Dome and Tehipite Valley, practicality hidden from sight and knowledge from all but those who seek it, allows for the visitor to step back in time to enjoy a region brimming with natural wonders in peace and solitude. The cascading waterfalls, ancient petroglyphs, and towering granite that call it home have been preserved in their natural state, ripe for fresh discovery for all who brave the journey to visit.

Thank you to our inaugural Team #1 for the incredible journey! Looking forward to our three remaining teams this year (all dates are full), and those who can join us in 2023 (space available!). 

@dirkpv @travelannie @pepuntalan #tsxchallenge #tsxfamily #nevergiveup #tehipitevalley #yolo #johnmuirwilderness #kingscanyonnationalpark #visitfresnocounty #shaverlake #centralsierra #thebeauty
It can take a little getting used to but when weat It can take a little getting used to but when weather and mosquitos aren’t a factor, cowboy camping certainly has some upsides. Fresh air, a night sky full of stars, and a quick pack up in the morning for those before sun-up early starts.

#cowboycamping #tsxchallenge #camping #backpacking #sleepingoutside #nature #grandcanyonchallenge
Our first trip in the Sierra kicks off today, head Our first trip in the Sierra kicks off today, heading to Tehipite Valley! Good-luck, have fun and can’t wait to see the photos! 

Have a great weekend everyone. See you on trail. 

#tsxchallenge #sierraseason #tehipitevalley #tehipitedome #backpacking #adventure
Announcing our Summer Speaker Series! We have invi Announcing our Summer Speaker Series! We have invited some of our expert friends to give talks on a fun variety of topics all summer long! 

Starting June 16 we will have a different talk every Thursday at 7PM on topics ranging from hiking the Camino de Santiago to adventuring in the outdoors with your kids to mountain biking destinations in the southwest. We currently have 5 talks on the books with many more coming. Go to our events page by clicking the linkin bio to see the schedule and register!

#tsxchallenge #backpacking #mountainbiking #campingwithkids #forceofnature #caminodesantiago #sierranevadamountains #adventure #onlineevent
Zen moment before you start your weekend…🧘 E Zen moment before you start your weekend…🧘

Enjoy! 

#tsxchallenge #momentofzen #confluence #littlecoloradoriver #coloradoriver #outdoors
Our first Grand Canyon Limited Edition to the Conf Our first Grand Canyon Limited Edition to the Confluence trip is done and dusted! Such an amazing experience. This was a very challenging trek. Big miles, very hot days, technical terrain....but it was all worth it to see and experience such a powerful place. 

We will post more photos and videos in the coming days but here are some highlights from the 8 days spent in the canyon. Thank you to the TSX All Stars for joining us and helping us dial in this experience. 

There is one more Confluence trip going out in the fall, we have a few spots left for anyone who is interested. 

#tsxchallenge #grandcanyon #grandcanyonlimitededition #confluence #coloradoriver #littlecoloradoriver #hiking #camping #backpacking
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