The Dolomites, Italy (Backroads Trip)

Date: June 20-27, 2022

Hiking the Dolomites with Backroads lit a fire in me I didn’t know was waiting to burn. It was the spark that ignited my passion to pursue more moments in the mountains—and to commit to my photography journey with new purpose. We hiked over 40 miles that week, our boots tracing the edges of alpine trails that once echoed with the footsteps of World War I soldiers. Along the way, we passed through ancient trenches carved into the rock, silent reminders of a brutal past surrounded by indescribable beauty.

One of the most unforgettable days was hiking the Sasso Lungo route in Seceda, overlooked by the jagged spires of Langkofel and Plattkofel. The peaks looked like something out of a dream—massive stone cathedrals painted gold by the late sun. Each switchback felt like a conversation with the Earth, each summit a quiet victory.

What made it even more meaningful was sharing it with lifelong family friends I grew up with. We laughed, pushed each other, and watched the light shift across the ridgelines in stillness. There was camaraderie, but also solitude—space to reflect, to breathe, to feel truly alive.

The Dolomites carved themselves into my soul. They taught me that the mountains aren’t just a place to visit—they’re a place to return to, again and again, to remember who I am and why I started.