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Follow me on Instagram @carolinegleich

August 30th, 2018

There are steps we can take every day to be more environmentally friendly. One of the ways I try to lighten my impact on the environment is by prioritizing human-powered recreation, choosing to hike or climb up the mountain as much as possible. It’s about action over apathy and supporting people and organizations who do the same. It’s pretty next level for @AlaskaAir to talk about their commitment to reduce waste by removing straws on each of their flights. What are you doing to lighten your footprint on the planet? Share using the hashtag #StrawlessSkies for a chance to win two Alaska Air vouchers to anywhere Alaska air flies. #sponNo one is perfect, and every human has an impact, but I believe in doing the best we can every day.

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Follow me on Instagram @carolinegleich

August 30th, 2018

Five years ago, I went on my first high altitude ski mountaineering trip to Ecuador to climb and ski the three highest peaks in the country. This picture was taken on the summit plateau of Chimborazo (20,549’/6263m) which is the highest I’ve ever been. It was a challenging summit day, as the mountain was covered in head high penitentes. These ice structures are gnarly to walk through, and it made our time above 20,000’ much more strenuous. I remember how fatiguing it was to do any little thing. It was even hard to talk without getting winded. To prepare for Cho Oyu, I’ve spent the last six weeks sleeping at progressively higher elevations in a @hypoxico altitude training tent. We’ve been sleeping over 17,000’/5181m for the past few nights, all in the comfort of our own home. I’m gratitude for the opportunity to get a head start on acclimatization and I’m eager to see how the tent training pays off. Fingers crossed we have better skiing conditions than this. Despite the snow on Chimborazo, climbing and skiing the snow capped volcanoes in Ecuador was one of my favorite trips of my lifetime. I highly recommend it. #tbt #MountainsAreForEveryone

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Follow me on Instagram @carolinegleich

August 29th, 2018

For many years, I’ve had the dream of taking my ski mountaineering to the Himalayas. Along the way, many people have told me my dreams are impossible and crazy. Yet there are a handful of people who have believed in me, supported me and said let’s figure out how to get you up and down that mountain. One of those people is @adrianballinger. He is one of the most accomplished high altitude ski mountaineers and the founder of @alpenglowexpeditions. He has given me so much beta over the years (for example, spending hours on the phone with me going over logistics before I went to the Cordillera Blanca in Peru- pictured here). When others said I was crazy, he said go for it. Adrian never judged my ability as a ski mountaineer by my size, gender or appearance. I was inspired by his rapid ascent of Cho Oyu with @emilyaharrington a few years ago, their attempt on Makalu and I’m so stoked for the opportunity to go to the Himalayas (in a few days!) with the team from Alpenglow expeditions. Someday, I’ll get to make turns with Emily and Adrian. Until then, be like Adrian and believe in people and their dreams, even if they challenge your perceptions. #AdventureDoneRight #MountainsAreForEveryone #bigmtndreams Photo: @rob.lea

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Follow me on Instagram @carolinegleich

August 27th, 2018

Eating locally produced (and organic) food is one thing I prioritize to lighten my impact on the environment. It’s not only better for the planet, it tastes better too. .A few years ago, one of my big summer projects was to convert my lawn backyard into this garden pictured here. I figured if I was using water, it might as well go to growing food. Ripping up the sod, building the planter boxes, tilling the soil, spreading the compost and mulch and planting the garden was like climbing a huge mountain in the physical effort it took. But once I ate the first cherry tomato from the vine, it was all worth it. .I’m inspired by @AlaskaAir and their commitment to reduce their environmental impact by going straw-less on all their flights. For a chance to win two Alaska Air flight vouchers to a destination of your choosing, post what you are doing to lessen your impact on the planet and tag #StrawlessSkies. #iFlyAlaska #spon.I know planting a garden isn’t going to solve the world’s environmental problems but it was my way of doing my part. Going strawless or planting a garden are two examples of actions we can take to be more responsible inhabitants of the planet.

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Follow me on Instagram @carolinegleich

August 27th, 2018

I don’t think of mountains as something to be conquered. I’m not out to conquer or defeat the places I explore. I don’t think that reaching the summit of a peak makes me superior.Talk about conquering mountains also shows a lack of respect for indigenous cultures, who have stewarded these landscapes for centuries, who view these peaks as sacred (for example, it is disrespectful to stand directly on the summit of Aoraki/Mt. Cook, Land of Ngāi Tahu.) For centuries, people who look like me have shown up in wild places and said, “This belongs to me.” I want to do better. I’m not interested in conquering landscapes. I’m interested in a more intimate relationship, immersing myself, learning from a new place and doing my best to leave it better than I found it. I wanted to give a shoutout to my friends Len and Shelma who have helped me think about this in a different way. If you want to learn from them too, follow them at @nativesoutdoors and @heyflashfoxy #MountainsAreForEveryone Photo: @crossroadstudios

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