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Stephen's Gap Cave with Light Rays

Exploring Stephen’s Gap Cave, Alabama’s Hidden Gem

Stephen’s Gap Cave is one of the many reasons Alabama is known as “Alabama the Beautiful”. You’ve probably arrived here

Operation.Adventure

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COUPLES!!! We used to have two single pads and wo

COUPLES!!!

We used to have two single pads and would CONSTANTLY roll off into the crease in the middle during the night. there was really no comfortable way to cuddle- and when you’re cold in the backcountry… cuddling is a NECESSITY. We invested in a double sleeping pad years ago and have truly never looked back.

I love sharing this couples camping hack because I honestly feel like using a double sleeping pad makes the BIGGEST difference when you’re tent camping with your partner.

We currently have the @klymit double v pad but are eyeing the @bigagnes_ rapide SL insulated pad for next year because it weighs a good bit less!

Pros & cons of a double pad:

Pros
-more comfortable: a double pad is by far more comfortable for couples. Pro tip: if you can afford the weight- bring your double pad on solo trips… true luxury!

-warmer: a double pad has less air gaps and way more insulation than 2 single pads which provides a much warmer base to sleep on.

-double sleeping bag: we LOVE zipping our single sleeping bags together to make one big double bag. We were never able to do that when we had 2 pads because one person would ALWAYS end up sleeping on the ground.

Cons
-size: double pads are obviously bulkier than singles which makes it more difficult to pack- HOWEVER we just split up the weight with one person carrying the pad and the other carrying the tent.

-less versatile: we love camping together, but also enjoy going on solo trips too- which means we own BOTH a double pad and a single pad which is pretty annoying.

-movement: I have heard that some couples don’t like that they can feel their partners movement with a double pad… we have never had an issue with that, but maybe something to think about!

#campinghacks #couples #campingtips #tentcamping

Redeye flight tips ⬇️ (ad) When it comes to f

Redeye flight tips ⬇️ (ad)

When it comes to flying, we are the type of people that will do absolutely anything in order to get a cheap flight. Unfortunately, that has put us flying through the middle of the night on SO many occasions! By now, we have basically perfected the art of surviving a redeye so this is everything we do to prep, fly, and arrive as refreshed as possible:

✈️ The day of prep:
-wake up early: set your alarm for 1hr before your typical wake up time
-skip coffee: this is the WORST, but I promise it helps
-exercise: even if it’s a short walk, try to get some movement in during the day

✈️ Packing:
-it’s so important to go carry on only!! the less time you spend at the airport the better off you are. We use the @zitahli_official Trekmate pro roller for our carry on and I take the City Protector tote bag as my personal item, while sentry uses their 50L backpack. Zitahli bags are durable, waterproof, and super functional- with tons of pockets for organization (an essential for a redeye) and we’re really impressed with how comfortable they are as well!

[Use code “OPER25” for 25% off of Zitahli travel bags]

✈️ What’s in our personal item:
-noise cancelling headphones/earplugs
-eye mask
-neck pillow
-travel blanket
-OTC sleep aid
-bluetooth headphone connector
-portable battery bank
-snacks
-water

✈️ What to wear
-sweater with hood: THE HOOD IS ESSENTIAL!
-slippers: yes… I am indeed the girl in the airport wearing her house slippers.

✈️ On the flight
-no alcohol!!
-skip meal services- interrupting your sleep is the biggest mistake you can make on a redeye

✈️ On arrival
-freshen up: wash your face & brush your teeth as soon as you land!
-hydrate: we aim for 1L in the first couple of hours after landing
-caffeinate: NOW it’s time for coffee!

Any other tips you think I missed?!

#traveltips #zitahli #zitahlitravel #trekmatepro #effortlesstravel #packinghacks

Yosemite final round up + thoughts 💭 Yosemite

Yosemite final round up + thoughts 💭

Yosemite has always been a special place for us. It’s the first place we ever did a long 10+ hour day hike. The first place we ever car camped. The place we did our very first multi-pitch climb… and then our second… then third.

It’s also the place where we vowed to love each other forever! It’s a place that constantly inspires us both physically and mentally. And a place of endless adventure!

We have loved Yosemite since the very first time we stepped in the Valley and it makes me super emotional to think back to our first trip and how much we’ve grown since then- as climbers, but more importantly- as people ❤️

Some of my fav memories from the past month ⬇️

1. Fam pic w half dome!

2. Finally standing on the famous Matthes Crest ridge- a climb we’ve wanted to do for years!!

3. Sentry cruising his first aid pitch on el cap!

4. Just a casual outing in Tuolumne! We didn’t see a single other human this entire day- absolute perfection.

5. Sunrise over Cathedral peak on our approach!

6. High up on El Cap!!! Wondering how the heck I got here?!

7. After topping out on “snake dike”- a climbing route up half dome.

8. Coffee + tunnel view ☕️

9. Backpacking trip w the ladies!! My first time at Clouds Rest and absolutely blown away by the view!

10-11. My FAVORITE kind of climb- a Ridgeline traverse!

12. Absolutely dead after 2 epic days in the mountains. but you couldn’t wipe the smile off my face if you tried 🥹

13. Sentry leading us up the infamous run out slab on half dome!

14. Fitz haaaates photos 😂😂 but he loves Yosemite 🫶🏼

Until next time….

#yosemite #yosemitenationalpark

Puffy Jacket review ⬇️ I always refer to myse

Puffy Jacket review ⬇️

I always refer to myself as the coldest girl in the entire world so if there is anyone qualified to do a puffy jacket review I feel like it might be me 😂

So here are all of my favorite puffy jackets & what I use them for!!

@cotopaxi fuego down jacket
Size: S
Fit: shorter length

This has been my go-to hiking and backpacking puffy all year! I loveeee Cotopaxi’s vibrant colors + the fit is really nice for more active adventures!

@stio Hometown Down Hoody
Size: S
Fit: larger fit w longer sleeves- could size down

I LOVE having this for less strenuous activities in the Winter. If I’m on a walk or running errands, I don’t produce a ton of body heat so having a larger jacket like this is perfect for around town.

@arcteryx Nuclei FL jacket
Size: S
Fit: Slim Fit

This synthetic jacket is perfect for alpine or climbing adventures. It doubles as an insulating layer and a rain layer in one. Its not as warm as some of the others but gets the job done when you’re moving around.

@patagonia down sweater hoody
Size: S
Fit: regular- true to size

I seriously can’t believe I have had this one for 7 years now. I’ve put this jacket through the WRINGER and it still keeps me warm!

@patagonia Fitz roy down hoody
Size: S
Fit: large fit with room for layers

The warmest jacket I’ve ever owned! I use this for winter camping and it has always kept me soooo cozy!

@stio Pinion down sweater
Size: S
Fit: regular- true to size

My favorite everyday jacket! I will say this one is definitely not as warm as some of the others, but it does make a really nice “shoulder season” jacket.

@patagonia silent down parka
Size: S
Fit: slim fit/narrow shoulders, knee length

The minute we moved to Tahoe, I picked one of these up and never looked back. I don’t think I would survive Tahoe winters without it! It falls right around the knee area and keeps my entire body warm!

🔗 I’ll link all of them to our stories today & save them to a jacket highlight!

#gearreview #puffyjacket #outdoorsygirl #girlswhohike

I just wanted you to know that every single one of

I just wanted you to know that every single one of you is welcome here 🫶🏼 & it’s okay to live in the gray

brb turning off all notifications & going for a walk now 🫶🏼

This summer we flew to Switzerland with one goal i

This summer we flew to Switzerland with one goal in mind- the climb the Matterhorn… and it was probably our most challenging and rewarding summit we’ve ever stood on top of!

The Matterhorn is one of the most iconic mountain peaks in the world. It has a very distinctive pyramid-like shape and stands alone from other peaks nearby which makes it look super dramatic in the skyline as opposed to other mountains nearby.

To climb the Matterhorn you have to pack the usual things- like warm layers and rain/wind gear, but since the climb involves a mix of snow and ice travel here are all of the things you might not realize you need:

🥾 mountaineering boots

The top third of the mountain involves snow and ice travel, where you have to wear crampon compatible boots in order to continue. It doesn’t make sense to bring 2 sets of footwear on your summit attempt so for the first 2 thirds of the mountain you’ll be scrambling/rock climbing in them as well. We both wore the Kento Advanced GTX boots from @mammut and they were exceptional on both rock & ice!!

🪢 rope

For the entire climb, you are roped to your partner and are climbing in a style called “simul-climbing”. We used our 40m rope from @petzl_official and it was the perfect length! I wouldn’t go any shorter than that though, because you use it to lower yourselves on the descent as well.

🧗‍♀️harness

A lightweight alpine harness would be the best choice, but we only had our rock climbing harnesses and those did just fine- just a little heavy!

🪖 helmet

Safety is sexy!!! Never forget your helmet 🫡

🪨 alpine gear

There is fixed gear throughout the harder sections of mountain that you can use for protection so you don’t need to bring very much alpine gear- if any. We each brought one ATC and a handful of slings and that was it!

❄️ ice axe & crampons

Probably the most surprising thing to anyone interested in climbing the Matterhorn is how much ice travel there is towards the top. Ice axe and crampons are MANDATORY for a safe and successful climb.

and AS ALWAYS- if you ever have any hesitations of climbing the mountain on your own… please hire a guide!

#mountaineering #matterhorn #mountainclimbing

We CLIMBED half dome!! We have been to the top o

We CLIMBED half dome!!

We have been to the top of half dome multiple times… both with the cables up and with the cables down. But taking a technical rock climbing route to the top always felt SO intimidating to me.

Back in 2020 when we eloped in Yosemite, sentry and I made a goal that ONE DAY we would do it. We would work hard, climb harder, and eventually be ready to tackle climbing half dome in a totally different manor than we ever had before.

tbh I wasn’t sure this was going to be the year. We had been traveling all summer and not climbing as much as we would have liked to.

But when our buddies @the_adventureaddicts and @kayli.kiing said they were in… we figured NOW OR NEVER!!!

&& it ended up being one of the most memorable days we’ve had all year!!

I’m so thankful for a climbing partner that I can trust, adventurous friends that push us, and beautiful days in the mountains!!

#halfdome #yosemite #climbing #yosemitenationalpark

Don’t forget these on a day hike! I like to kee

Don’t forget these on a day hike!

I like to keep a checklist for pretty much everything- day hiking, backpacking, climbing, etc! It’s so easy to forget something in the moment and having a list just satisfies my brain and eases the “what did I forget” anxiety!

So… use this as yours! ⬇️

-rain/wind layer: always expect the unexpected! If you don’t bring a rain layer… it’s almost guaranteed that it will rain- I don’t make the rules 😂

-insulating layer: Even if it’s a warm day, the weather can change rapidly! Always bring a lightweight insulating layer that you can throw on in a pinch.

-first aid: meds and moleskin!!!

-Beanie/gloves/fleece: for the colder hikes 🥶

-Snacks: NEVER skimp on snacks!!

-headlamp: in case you get lost or are out after dark🌛

-sun protection: sunglasses/sunscreen/sun hat/sun hoodie

- @garminoutdoor inreach: for emergencies! You should always have a way to get in touch with someone even if you’re out of service.

-hair tie: this might be the no.1 item I usually forget

-water: Bring enough to get you through the whole hike AND THEN SOME. If you’re hiking on a trail with accessible fresh water then bring a water filter 💦

-bear spray: if you’re in a bear populated area, bring bear spray AND know how to use it!

What else would you add to this list?!

#dayhike #hikinggear #dayhiking #hike

If your idea of a romantic date night means hiking

If your idea of a romantic date night means hiking deep into the wilderness, sleeping in a tent, and waking up for sunrise to go summit one of the surrounding mountain peaks… then same 😂

#camping #tentcamping #tentlife #campinggear

The perfect day!! I had ONE rule for Sentry when

The perfect day!!

I had ONE rule for Sentry when it came to our engagement…. I didn’t want to know it was coming AT ALL!!!

Let’s just say, he did a good job 😂😂

#adventurecouple #mtshasta #mountainclimb

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