Callie 32, is a winter sports enthusiast who loves skiing and being in the mountains. She grew up in Southern California, before moving over to Alaska.
One of Callie’s first challenges was bike touring from Dushanbe, Tajikistan to Ulaan Baaar, Mongolia.
Callie has then gone on to successfully climb Mount Denali the highest mountain in North America and Aconcagua the highest mountain in South America. Both were unguided expeditions!
Her most recent challenge led her to complete a 5,000 mile unsupported ski, kayak and bike from Arctic Russia (in mid-winter), to the Bosporus Strait in Istanbul!
During this podcast Callie talks about her journey, the challenges she has faced along the way, the high points, the low points, the dangers and realities of being out on the road. What she has learned about being brave and why women should get out there.
Click the PLAY button below to listen NOW!
Show notes
Who is Callie
Growing up in California and moving to Alaska 10 years ago
How a SoCal girl ended up in Alaska!
Going to university and taking extra classes to get though university quicker
Her first big adventure - a big bike trip across Asia
Going to graduate school
Deciding to go cycling with her best friend
How her plans changed and why she decided to carry on solo
Transitions from being in a pair to being solo
Deciding to go to Afghanistan
What it was like in Afghanistan in 2013
Learning between bravery and recklessness
Being reported as missing…
Speaking to her parents
What happened next
Not being able to get out of the country
Managing fear and keeping calm
Getting back on the bikes again
Deciding to go skiing in Kashmir
Cycling through India and why it was her least favourite place to go as a women
Having to be so aware of her surrounding and the people she was engaging with
Planning where to sleep at night and making use of cheap hotels
Talking herself into leaving Delhi
Deciding to finish after a year of cycling
Being attacked on the side of the road
Being angry at men and why cycling wasn’t fun anymore
Heading to Turkey to meet a friend
Going to graduate school in Dublin
Studying - Philosophy of Peace
Getting into climbing and the mountains
Becoming a more competent mountaineer
2016 and climbing Mount Denali and giving herself 6 month to plan
Climbing Aconcagua in South America in 2014
Climbing before the busy season - being there for Christmas and New Year
What happened while on the mountain
2 summit attempts and the weather window
Knowing when to turn around
Heading back up by herself
Summit day!
Costs of climbing Aconcagua - permits, food, & flights - less than $3,000
Deciding to climb Denali
Gaining mountaineering skills and learning from friends
Being injured at the moment with a torn ACL and MCL…
Waiting to have surgery
The Russian Expedition in 2017!
A break down of the challenge
Dealing with the cold …. Siberia in winter …. - 40!
Going from skiing to bikes and then into kayaks!
Navigating though the mountains
Keeping positive in challenging situations
Why everything is easier with a partner
How the challenge came about
The challenges during the kayaking portion
Dealing with the Russian Army & Police
Future plans for 2019
Not being on social media
Final words of advice for women out there
Feeling inspired week after week?
You can do 3 easy things to help me continue to grow the podcast!
Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes, so you won’t miss a single episode
If you’re loving the podcast, please leave a 5-star review on iTunes! I read every single comment!
Share the podcast with your friends, especially if you think it could help them, and spread the #ToughGirlPodcast love.
Your support helps me continue to grow the podcast and do inspiring things in this space! Already done all 3? You’re a rockstar! Thank you!
Want to do more?
Please become a Patron and donate $10 every month to help fund the running costs. Which is $2.50 per episode!
EVERY PATRONS GETS THEIR NAME ON A DEDICATED PATRONS PAGE!!
