Appalachian Trail Adventure: Trekking along the NC and TN border, 27 Aug- 1 Sep 2025

On the 27^th of August, seven of us, professional women, left for a 4-day adventure on the Appalachian Trail (AT). We completed ~ 50 miles, trekking about 12 miles every day. We have encountered, as can be expected in the mountains, elevation of up to 6000 feet, with cumulative ascends and descends. We have negotiated rocks and climbed over boulders, traversed through grassy fields, and descended into “gaps” to just again start the ascend to summit some of the surrounding mountains—also known as “knobs”. 

So, it is not just about the trekking, although this incredible group of women, some who have never done a trekking trip, has risen to meet physical challenges and exceeded what they though they could endure physically and mentally! It is when we are meeting challenges and doing “hard things” that we become aware, again and again, that we have limitless potential, and that the only limitations really just exist in the stories that we are telling ourselves.

Walking in the woods, traversing valleys, and climbing the mountains demand from us to be present in the moment and to appreciate the many blessings of our incredible lives – those that are hidden and those that are viscerally felt. However, it is also an opportunity to connect with our inner spaces and to find inspiration and beauty in all that nature is affording us with.

To truly bring a deepened level of awareness to these experiences, each one of us received a word, starting with a “S”, to contemplate over the course of a few days. These words included: “Sacred, Serene, Stillness, Spiritual, Sanctity, etc.” It was incredible to hear one another’s contemplations and how these words resonated (or not); and to listen to how the words brought a new level of insight, understanding, and opportunity for growth or celebration to our lives.

We also had an assignment, i.e., to reflect on some of our experiences and occurrences that can be classified as “magical”, “mystical”, or “miraculous”. We shared our reflections on those lived experiences during the last night of our trip. These lived experiences and the sharing thereof with one another, left us breathlessly in awe and in wonder. How incredible it is to reflect on that which is making life precious, incredible, unbelievable yet true, and magnificent.

In summary, our trip was not just another walk in the woods, or trekking experience on the AT. Indeed, it was a retreat that afforded us with the opportunity to come into honest contact with our souls, to revitalize our spirits, and to share authentically with one another.

If this sounds like your type of adventure, join me on our future trips. See “Upcoming Adventures on my web-site yoursacredsummit.com for more information—or just reach out to me sherrileneclassen19@gmail.com, or 352 2213041.

Upcoming Trips

Clayton Georgia: 02-05 April 2026

Annapurna Circuit, Nepal: 12-29 May 2026