While Adventure Treks trips are often jam-packed with the action and excitement of new experiences, like the rapids of whitewater rafting or the heights of rock climbing, there will be moments of difficulty and perseverance through challenge too, like the feeling of seeing breath-taking views from a mountain you thought you’d never be able to summit.
Climbing a mountain is no easy feat, and when that inner voice gets a little too loud, keeping your eyes above the tree line can feel almost impossible. It’s in this moment that the community around you becomes the foothold for your journey; their encouragement and support become a pillar of strength to lean on when it feels like quitting is the only option. This lays a foundation of assurance, courage, and boldness, giving students the tools to face any mountain in life–even if it’s not a real mountain at all.
That is the value of community at Adventure Treks.
Below, we chatted with Claire Hubbard, who joined us for Ultimate Northwest in 2023 and Alaska Expedition in 2024. Claire is a high school senior, currently in the college application process, hoping to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering. In this interview, Claire shares the impact of her trips at AT, the community she was welcomed into, and the delight of reaching the destination just in time for dinner!
One of my favorite memories is from Alaska, when we were backpacking in the Talkeetna Mountains. This was a unique trip because we were able to cross a river that we expected to be too high.
It had been eight years since an AT group had made the crossing, so we were excited but unsure what to expect. The route was rarely used by hikers, more by ATVs, so we bushwhacked around a river several times. At points, I wasn’t convinced our instructors knew exactly where we were, but our motto was, “we’re walking in the right general direction,” and that was good enough for all of us.
After two days of bushwhacking, we found ourselves walking along the bottom of a canyon when our instructor told us we needed to be on top of the canyon wall, about 200 feet above us. Reluctantly, we spent what felt like the last of our energy scrambling up through bushes and beehives, sometimes on our hands and knees. But at the top, our energy was immediately restored, and the view was life-changing.
Words cannot describe the euphoric feeling as we sat on the newly discovered trail, staring at the colossal mountain face-to-face, with the river we had painstakingly avoided flowing beneath us. After refueling, we enjoyed some well-deserved frolicking in a field that seemed made for the occasion. It’s this story of struggle and achievement that stands out when I think of AT.
The relationships I built and the people I met at AT are among the greatest connections in my life.
When you go on an AT trip, you gain a family that stretches across the country and even the world. But these relationships aren’t based on proximity or constant contact; they’re built on consistent connections where you can reach out after two months and say you’re in their city to meet up for dinner.
Since AT, I have never truly felt alone because I know I always have people who will answer a random phone call. In my daily life, I try to embody the kind of connections I made at AT; I try to love loudly and unconditionally. I have maintained contact with people from all my trips and believe that many of these relationships will last a lifetime.
While backpacking in the Goat Rocks, we were diverted by a landslide, so we were behind schedule as we climbed a section of switchbacks to our campsite. It felt like we had been seeing switchbacks for hours (we probably had), and the sun was starting to set, so we didn’t know if we’d make it to camp before dark.
We decided to send a group ahead to find the campsite and start dinner while the rest of us continued the grueling climb. From that point, the climb felt like my legs were made of lead, and I honestly didn’t know if I could keep going as I fell behind the group. We stopped again and realized we were rushing ourselves, which wouldn’t help us get there any faster.
So, we set off on our final push, with me walking at the front to set the pace. This last effort led us to one of the most beautiful campsites just in time to see the sunset, with dinner waiting for us.
I learned a lot from this experience. First, I discovered my limits. I now understand the difference between being uncomfortable and being unsafe. When I fell behind, I felt like I was a burden to the group, but in true AT spirit, I never once felt judged by anyone. And as I led the group, I felt only support as we pushed forward together.
As a result, I realized that slow and steady may not always win the race, but they will definitely get you to the finish. The idea that you’re only as strong as your weakest member can be accurate, but more importantly, you’re only as strong as how you support each other. Personally, there’s no way I would have made it up that mountain alone.
It was only together, when we focused more on helping each other than on our own struggles, that we found our rhythm. This was a turning point for my mindset and outlook. I now empathize more, leading to better leadership, and I am a stronger advocate for myself.
During my AT trips, I improved my leadership skills. Before, I was someone who would take on all the work to ensure it was done right, but from my first trip, I learned that being a leader is about delegating responsibility to your team’s strengths. I can confidently say I’ve become a better leader thanks to the lessons and growth I experienced during my trips.
AT also changed my mindset, as I believe almost everyone who’s been on a trip would agree. A popular saying during my PNW trip was “pain is fake, legs are real, keep walking.” Definitely rooted in tough love, the phrase “keep walking” has stuck with me throughout my life.
When times feel hard, I remember all the moments I thought about giving up during the trip, but pushing forward led me to views and memories with my favorite people that I never would have experienced if I had quit on myself. So every day, I keep walking.
I highly recommend Adventure Treks to anyone who has ever considered it, even for a second. It’s a life-changing experience you won’t regret. If you’re concerned about not having your phone, that’s actually one of the best parts of the trip. There’s no need for a phone when you have a whole community within reach. I could go days without thinking about my phone because we were having so much fun. It can be a great escape into a completely new world for a couple of weeks.
If you’re worried about not knowing anyone, that’s also one of the best parts! It’s a chance to truly be authentic and discover your best self. You’ll find that the people at AT love you for who you really are. And don’t worry, any other concern will be drowned out by singing, dancing, and tons of summit snacks!!!
