Welcome to the Washington Cascades! Carrie and Molly are so excited to bring you along on their next adventure—the long awaited Glacier Peak circumnavigation! This episode lays the foundation for the entire epic hike around Washington’s most remote volcano. The girls provide a preview of the upcoming route, highlighting the distinct challenges they are about to encounter. They discuss considerations for what time of year to complete the circumnavigation and why they had to change their start date at the last minute.
The girl’s first trip to the Glacier Peak wilderness in 2021 was one of their most formative experiences as they built their backpacking skillset. They are thrilled to bring you back to one of their favorite places on earth.
The sisters are excited to discuss one of their favorite topics in backpacking — developing resilience and mental toughness. They discuss how unpleasant experiences on trail shape their ability to take on challenges off trail. They talk about different anxiety experienced before getting on trail and reveal their biggest fear as beginner backpackers, and how this has changed with years of hiking. They discuss dealing with challenges in the moment and the sense of accomplishment which translates to daily life. Stay to the end to learn what mindset advice Carrie and Molly would give their “beginner backpacker” selves.
Carrie and Molly discuss the one important item they did not originally bring backpacking., why reading instructions is important, their first experience using a bear can and the unique experience of sighting an unknown mammal. They give a strange, yet important tip for keeping gear safe. Hear how they plan their trips, the things to remember to check for, what weather resources they use, and other planning considerations. They discuss the hygiene items they bring and talk about their belief in the “hike your own hike” mantra. Tune in for fun and helpful stories alike!
Carrie and Molly delve into their experiences as new backpackers. They discuss their biggest barriers when transitioning from day hikers to backpackers. The girls talk about the five items they purchased to begin backpacking and the root of Molly’s biggest backpacking fear. They discuss how they prepared for their first backpacking trip and what pushed them to take that first trip. They discuss food storage, tips for new backpackers, and how they moved past one of their biggest backpacking fears.
The sisters reflect on their takeaways from their time in The Winds. They decide to tackle some additional off-trail travel and contemplate an oddly named pass. They discuss the surprising creatures that live in boulder fields and which became a big part of their off-trail experience in the winds. They finally get the perfect opportunity for a swim. They take candy from a stranger and learn about a new flavor combination which leads to a tasty trail snack! Once they leave the Winds, they add a bonus adventure in true Molly and Carrie fashion.
Molly and Carrie journey to the Cirque of the Towers. They discuss the best tent for The Winds, why you should always check behind your cat hole, the campsite element that makes them think twice, how they keep from fantasizing about food and what makes a pass go from intimidating to doable. Cross Texas Pass with them, swim in Lonesome lake, go off trail, admire Pingora Peak and wonder at the loudmouthed little Pikas.
Carrie and Molly are excited to be back, bringing you stories from their fifth day in the Wind River Range! You’ll hear a ballad which Carrie deems an instant classic, inspiring your very own theme song for the Winds. Revel in the incredible granite peaks for a phenomenal alpineglow while camping at Shadow Lake. Then, without surprise, the rain is back! Bringing lightning, thunder, and hail.
Mark your calendars so you can be sure to join the HIGHLANDER giveaway running May 8-15 to embark on your own adventure in Big Bear, California coming June 17-21, 2025. Check out our social media accounts (find us at 2 Sisters on Adventures) starting May 8th to enter!
The girls start off with a slow morning and bemoan condensation’s effects on a small tent. They head through beautiful passes and get rained on many times—even while it was sunny. They ford creeks and Carrie comes up with a new style of wearing rain pants. They meet people from their past and question the right route through the winds for themselves. They enjoy a dip in sandpoint lake and find their way to an epically cozy campsite on the continental divide trail.
Join Carrie and Molly as they venture deeper into the Winds! The sisters compare the scenery with some of their favorite west coast locations. They meet an exotic group of hikers and Carrie reveals her culinary triumph. They commit to a rock hop and make a new friend in a coming-full-circle moment! Learn more about a “rat king” than you’d ever like to know and enjoy when backpacking feels like an outdoor sleepover.
An early morning surprise throws a wrench into the sister’s plans to begin the Alan Dixon route. Molly discusses an embarrassing incident. The sisters discuss the emotions of seeing a Pringles can that doesn’t belong to you. They find a slippery rock hop and talk through how they made tough decisions on this route. They make new friends with CDT hikers as well as others who were planning to join the Dixon route. An afternoon thunderstorm chases them for miles. Carrie has a new theory for waiting out a thunderstorm. The effects of altitude catch up with them. A beautiful evening provides the opportunity for an animal sighting before they camp at a stunning and quiet lake.
The sisters admire the animals roaming through the basin as they make their way toward the Winds. Once they meet the shuttle, they give some tips on items to bring and items to leave before heading to the trailhead. One missed turn (& u-turn) later, their feet hit the trail and they discuss the unique scenery as they enter the Winds from Green River Lakes Trailhead. Work through first-day jitters and basque in the beauty that is the Winds!
The sisters reveal the location for their next podcast series: Wyoming’s Wind River Range! Carrie and Molly detail their journey to Wyoming as they prepare to set out on Andrew Skurka’s high route. Last minute jitters turn into a major pivot for the girls as they make decisions which will significantly impact their upcoming hike.
Join the sisters for their final day on the Wonderland Trail! At the beginning, they have a New Year’s resolution for you! Then, they give you a glimpse into their morning routine in camp. Molly gives herself a gift on Carrie’s birthday and Carrie finds herself in a creek. Molly bemoans the fact that they have yet to see a bear on the trip—guess what happens next? The girls discuss the beauty of Spray Park and reveal the final revenge of the mice that have plagued their journey.
The morning begins with the sisters learning a leave no trace tip from Rachel. The group travels along and above glaciers and marvel at the stunning scenery. A lenticular cloud forms over the mountain, putting their weather forecasting skills to the test. They make an observation about Mystic Camp. A commentary about sitting on anthills. They relate Grey’s anatomy to this day on trail. The girls discuss moving through rockfall terrain and a way they keep themselves safe. They finally reach their campsite where they experience the phenomenon of being rained on by plants. They ask themselves why they can never stay at the first campsite they see. The sisters also discuss the emotions you experience as a trip comes to an end. Tune in!
During their second longest day on trail, the girls get an early start…not! They wake to cold temperatures and discuss procrastinating vs productivity. After literally taking candy from strangers, they discuss the phenomenon of every snack someone else brings being better than the ones you brought. Portions of the discussion lead to the real question: has Molly been cryogenically frozen? After leaving camp, they enjoy a big day, cross frying pan creek, remember the cruelty of the sudden, hidden uphill, cross the White River and get their resupply. Hear their thoughts on whether or not it’s a good idea to resupply from “hiker buckets”. They go to the Sunrise area and are surprised by their thoughts on the northern region of Rainier. Sunset shenanigans lead to night hiking and the creation of the ballad “We don’t need no trouble”. Their tent site is the location of “spider-maggedon.” Join us for another day on trail!!
The girls hit the trail for the longest day on their trek around Mount Rainier. Right away, Carrie is met with an unwelcome surprise. The girls cross Kautz Creek and arrive in Longmire, where they complete their first resupply and sneak a little laundry. Back on the trail, the sisters recount a humorous encounter and their surprising company at lunch. The girls navigate a trail reroute and finally make it to Nickel Creek Camp, where they pass the evening with laughter and storytelling.
Join the sisters on trail as they discuss their favorite parts of camping at Klapatche Park and resolve their debate on the best place to pitch a tent in the rain. Molly and Carrie marvel in how close they got to Mount Rainier’s glaciers on this day, and catch their first marmot sightings. Molly reveals one of her favorite vistas from the trip while Carrie discusses the unique features left by glaciers on this section of the trail. The sisters cross a 200 ft suspension bridge and hear a surprising sound. Find out our theory on why a campsite was named “Devil’s Dream” and more!!
The girls’ night begins with the sound of piercing screams, which initially is a cause for concern. After a rainy night, they emerge to begin their second day on the Wonderland Trail. The sisters contrast the pros and cons of pitching a tent under a tree in rainy conditions. After bemoaning the specific challenges of wet gear, they find an interesting approach to drying their soaking wet clothes. Carrie shares a word of warning about a certain animal. The girls hit the trail and bask in the fall views around Mount Rainier. The sisters try a new trail lunch. Carrie is feeling sassy as the sisters discuss how to approach negative attitudes about the trail on a thru hike. Molly and Carrie provide a review of Klapatche Park camp and reflect on a beautiful view they found. The sisters share a tip for staying warm in your sleep system on chilly nights.
Morning brings a beautiful day for the girls to begin the Wonderland Trail, but the forecast tells a different story. The sisters find humor in parking preferences prior to beginning by a long distance hike. Carrie and Molly talk all things trail, including elevation profile, river crossings, and their first day lunch and dinner strategy. Upon arriving at Golden Lakes, the girls find a surprising form of refuge from the rain. They reflect on the discouragement that comes with hiking on a rainy day and compare it to facing tough times off trail.
