Cairn Connection

We are headed to Bishop in 3 weeks!
We will be camping, making new friends, connecting with old friends, eating delicious potlucks, and laughing a whole lot! We will be hiking Bishop Pass, Piute Pass, and Lake Sabrina areas. Come join the fun!

What's your favorite pass in the Sierra?
It's hard to pick just one. But Kearsarge Pass is pretty spectacular. It's a short 5-mile hike to the pass with lots of lakes and flowers along the way.
What's your favorite pass??

14 amazing women showed up for our Whitney Portal Women’s Campout. We had so much fun hiking, laughing, sitting around the bonfire, making friends, and escaping our busy lives. Thank you for joining in on the fun.

We are headed to Whitney Portal campground this weekend! ⛺️
14+ adventurous and fun women!
There will be hiking, potlucks, bonfires, lots of laughs, friendship, and a break from crazy life.
We still have room. Can’t make it? We are headed to Bishop next month. Check out Cairn Connection Group on Facebook for more information.

Who’s heading up to the Sierra soon?
Conditions are pretty clear of snow to 10,000 feet with patches of snow up to 11,000 feet. Mosquitoes 🦟 are not too bad yet. But make sure you pretreat your clothing with permethrin and bring bug spray. The heat wave this week will melt the snow more and make the water crossings higher. Sunscreen, shade, and electrolytes will be your friend. Microspikes are not too useful at lower elevations since the snow is soft. Be careful of post holing and hitting a rock.

Headed up to Whitney Portal for camping Memorial Day weekend. We hiked up to Lone Pine Lake on a short 6.5 mile hike and saw many people heading up to the peak without the proper equipment and skills. Unfortunately, there have already been 3 deaths on the mountain this year. It's crucial to have the right equipment and skills for using an ice axe and crampons. If you're not experienced, consider hiring a guide or taking courses to learn how to climb mountains in the early season. Safety is key when it comes to mountain adventures, so please be safe, be prepared, and prioritize mountain education.

May is a tough month. It's Mother's Day and the anniversary of the loss of my son. It's been 6 long years.
I try to immerse myself in nature on my hardest days. There I am surrounded by the calmness of alpine lakes, babbling creeks, grand peaks, beautiful sunrises, and unforgettable sunsets. It's beautiful, yet harsh.
How do you survive your hardest days?

Another trip on the books. One of the ladies asked for a private canoe trip for a group and we made it happen. The weather was beautiful and warm.
New for 2024 is the use of a fire pan, ember mat, kitchen tarp, emergency plan, and satellite communication device.
I don’t know if I can pull off a trip this spring, but maybe in the late fall. Watch the private Facebook Cairn group for events.

Have you been out snowshoeing yet this season? Plan a trip to the eastern Sierra and I can take you to all the places.

It's been almost 4 weeks living in a van and working in Mammoth.
I've found cool places to park the van at night, found local walks, attended some local events like an Avalanche meeting, and a movie premier, and went to a weaving class. I had friends come to visit and had more snow fall. I'm still adjusting, but I'm enjoying the adventure.

I made it through my first 2 weeks of living in a van and working in Mammoth at International Alpine Guides. I also made it through my first snow storm. Work is going good. Learning lots. Joined the gym so I can work out and shower. Everything is more expensive up here and the Vons grocery store is always picked over. I’ve been staying at friend’s driveways and once slept in a park and ride with other nomads.
Any questions about van life, let me know. 🚐🏔️☃️

Happy New Year!!
What another great year in the books.
I hope you grew as an adventurer and have more adventures planned for 2024.
This year was busy for me, as I started in Nepal, visited Patagonia, hiked the PCT, traveled to Banff, Glacier, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Grand Canyon, and now I’m living in a van working in Mammoth for International Alpine Guides. If you are up on the Eastside come visit me.
Next year will be less events planned by me while I settle into my new life. I will be home a couple weekends a month. I hope to see more ladies planning fun events for the group to sign up for. I’m always here as a resource.
Keep living, keep exploring, and step out of your comfort zone.
Happy New Year 🎊
Beth

Today's painting event was fun.
Thanks Christine Bowman.

Friday Feelings 🥹😆🙃
When things are on your mind a great coping strategy (besides hiking) is writing in a journal📓
iPhone just came out with a journal application with the latest software update.
You can write about what you want or use the reflection prompts to get your thoughts going.
This would also be a great resource for journaling when thru hiking.
Do you journal? Have you used the new app?

International Mountain Day
December 11, 2023 ⛰
This year’s theme is restoring mountain ecosystems.
How can we save the mountains we love?
Share your ideas here to get conversations started.

One of our own needs our help 🆘
If you have gone on a hike over the past 4 years most likely you have hiked with Tami. She has been diagnosed with a brain tumor and needs help with her medical. If you can spare anything, she would be grateful. Gofundme Tami Schulte. 💜

https://www.gofundme.com/f/helping-tami-with-medical-expenses

What If Wedneday❓🚨
What if something goes wrong on a hike?
• Stay calm
• Create a plan
• Can you self evacuate?
• Can you call for help? 🆘 Once you call for help stay put or update your location if you move.
• Can someone in your group hike to an area to call for help?
• Did you bring your 10 essentials?
1. Shelter (tent, bivy, or emergency blanket)
2. Extra layers (rain jacket, down jacket, fleece jacket, gloves, beanie, buff, etc)
3. Medical kit (bandages, medicine, supplies to stop a bleed and wrap a sprain)
4. Extra water (or water filter)
5. Extra snacks (enough for 2-3 days)
6. Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunblock, chapstick, sun umbrella, etc)
7. Fire source (stove, matches, or lighter)
8. Multi-tool (swiss army knife, duct tape, extra battery for phone, etc)
9. Headlamp and extra batteries
10. Map or GPS

Be extra prepared as the winter months arrive. Do you have the proper gear for the terrain you are hiking? (microspikes, crampons, ice axe, helmet, satellite device, etc)

Keep your phone in airplane mode while you hike to save the battery. Also for freezing temperatures protect your electronics from the cold so they don't drain fast.

Did you tell someone where you were hiking and when you would be home?

You never know when you are on a hike and you accidentally injure yourself and can't hike out or you lose the trail due to snow. It's best to be prepared.

Have you ever cried while exercising? 🙋‍♀️ I sure have.
I just cried on the Peloton with Christine's class. She's very motivational in her classes. I've also cried while running when a song comes on with words that speak to me. I've cried a lot while hiking. Grieving my son. When I finally made it up to the dam summit after long hard hours of climbing. When I had to quit the PCT due to injury. When I made it to the top of the peak on a mountain I didn't think I could climb. I cried when I saw the scenery that took my breath away and I just sat and enjoyed being present in the moment. It's okay to cry and know you are not alone. Many people cry, they just don't show it or talk about it. Why are we raised to not cry? Why is it a sign of weakness versus a sign of strength? We are strong and resilient! We have all kinds of emotions we get to feel. Feel them!! Be in them!! Welcome them!! You are courageous to share them. It's beautiful to have emotions.

A wheeling good time!!
Today we supported our fellow group members by taking a try at the pottery wheel at Handled Pottery Studio in Carlsbad. We learned the basic techniques to make two pieces that we get to take home 2 weeks after they have been glazed and fired. If you like trying something new, I highly recommend Handled Pottery Studio.

Who is Cairn Connection?
It’s a local small women’s business helping women with mental health by walking, hiking, biking, canoeing, camping, pickle-balling, painting, educating, and grief retreats while making new friends.
If you would like to support a small business I have merchandise for sale or just share this amazing group with a friend.
Thank you for supporting 💜

A great day for a hike!!
Thanks to everyone who joined the Tahquitz Hike today!! We had great conversations about life, grief, mental health, aging parents, and staying out of your own head. Thank you 💜

Holidays can be tough. Especially when we are missing someone.
But I turn to be thankful for the things in my life that I can. I am thankful for you.
Thank you for supporting my grief journey, for supporting my small little business, and for being my friend.

Let’s paint with the talented Christine Bowman 🎨

Sunday December 17
10am to 12pm
Harveston Lake
$40

Limited to 8 spots
Reserve your spot today!
To sign up go to Cairn Connection Group

christinebowman.com

It's National Hiking Day!!

Where's your favorite hike?

Where are you hiking next??

How does hiking help you?

It's World Kindness Day!!
Spread kindness like confetti today!! (and every day)
•Smile at everyone
•Buy someone flowers
•Give someone a compliment
•Let someone cut in front of you at the grocery store or on the road.
•Call a friend
•Take someone out to lunch
•Take someone on a walk/hike
•Call a family member
•Send someone a letter/postcard
•Make someone dinner
•Ask someone how they are doing
•Be a good listener today
•Buy a homeless person a meal
•Volunteer today
•Say “please” and “thank you”
•Hold the door open
•Donate blood
•Thank a teacher
•Pick up trash
•Leave a bigger tip
•Give someone a hug
•Be patient

3 Things Thursday
When the world seems dark, practice being grateful.
Before you go to bed every night think of 3 things you are grateful for. 3 different things every night. Over time this changes your focus toward the good versus the bad.
What are you grateful for??

Training Tuesday 🏋🏼‍♀️🧘‍♀️🏊🏼‍♀️🧗🏼‍♀️🚴🏼‍♀️
What are you training for??
After getting home from the PCT I felt a little lost. I had nothing planned and nothing to train for. I need motivation.
So I signed up for my first century ride. Now I am training daily.
What are you training for?
How do you stay motivated without something planned??

Feel Good Friday 🥰
As I age the more I am still the more my body hurts and the more I stay moving the better I feel.
So I try to move some every day. I also try to do things I enjoy doing; hiking, walking, stretching, paddle boarding, canoeing, biking, weight training, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and anything else that keeps me active.
It doesn't have to be long, just 10 minutes.

Motivation Monday 🏋️‍♀️
Most of you know as you age your metabolism slows down and your muscle mass decreases. This process starts as early as 30 years old. There is also an increase in osteoporosis and bone fractures.
A couple of things you can do to combat this is to increase strength training, exercise, and eat enough protein. Don't be afraid to head to the gym and lift weights. Lifting weights will help build muscle, tone your body, and speed up your metabolism. You can gather information on the web to find out your suggested protein intake and weight-lifting routines.