Ground Up Adventures

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Ground Up Adventures

I'm Shelby, a Professional Hiking Guide. Join me on an adventure customized for your outdoor goals!

05/22/2026

Truly nothing humbles you faster than being that uphill hiker clawing your way to the top, passing the guy coming down who somehow looks fully reborn 🤣

Learn the proper ways to summit a mountain so you feel less in survival mode and more like you actually belong up there.

If you want help getting to that point, hit me up, I’ll help you climb your mountain this summer - from the ground up.

Who has some fun summit plans this summer?!

05/05/2026

Happy May! April always seems to go by quick, but this time I felt like I got to enjoy it more because I’ve been forced to slow down and heal.

I made so much progress this month and I’m really proud of how I’ve put the brakes on despite how exceedingly impossible that typically is for me.

Unpictured: lots of mountain lion s**t (found on my walks bc I can actually do that again!!), the first bear sighting of the year, a whole lot of man hours between work, my business and my community, and as many hours resting as possible (not as many as I would like but made the most of the month).

What made you smile this month?!

Cheers to it finally being guiding season again! Can’t wait to get out there with some of you this year ◡̈

Happy trails,
Shelby

04/29/2026

Only you can prevent wildfires 🐻

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU head out camping this summer:

Most wildfires are human-caused. With more of us getting outside, camping, hiking, and exploring, it’s really important that we understand how to reduce wildfire risk and recreate responsibly.

Here are a few simple ways to help prevent wildfires:

🔥 Always check current fire restrictions before you go. Some areas have seasonal or year-round campfire bans to protect the land, wildlife, and nearby communities. For example, my county is in a Stage 1 restriction until at least August.

🔥 Don’t start a fire on windy days - way too risky

🔥 Never leave a campfire unattended…not even for a minute. Having a campfire in the West can be a full time job.

🔥 Fully drown your fire when you’re done - douse completely. Stir it, add more water, and make sure the embers are completely out and cool to the touch before you leave.

🔥 Use existing fire rings (DO NOT BUILD FIRE RINGS) when fires are allowed, and keep your fire small.

🔥 Pack out cigarette butts PLEASE. Lit or not, they do not belong on the ground.

🔥 Cook with a stove whenever possible. They’re easier, cook food faster, work better in wind, and you don’t have to chop firewood just to make dinner. Win-win :)

When considering a fire - ask yourself WHY you need it. If it’s for warmth, bring more layers. For food - pack a stove. For entertainment - well, come on. Enjoy the great outdoors!

Save this for your next trip and send it to whoever you’re camping with this summer 🏕️

Follow for more hiking and camping tips!

Happy camping this summer!

04/23/2026

A lil earth day reminder for ya 🌎

Take care of the places you love. Be their advocate and their voice. And for the love of Mother Nature, please leave it better than you found it.

It adds up more than you think 🌿

Lots of small actions have BIG impacts.

Thanks for being here and I hope you were able to get outside today 🧡

📸Last pic:

04/22/2026

Did you know this? 🤯

Backwashing your water filter will allow it to last longer overtime and ensure it’s working properly when you filter water on your backpacking trips.

After filtering multiple liters of water, the flow rate of your water filter can decrease if you don’t backwash it, meaning it will take longer to filter your water.

PS - MAKE SURE YOURE TESTING YOUR WATER FILTER BEFORE YOU GO OUTSIDE TO USE IT! And ideally always carry a second method of filtration like .us !!

Share this video with the backpacker in your group that always filters the water 🤪

Follow for more backpacking tips!

Happy trails,
Shelby

Keywords: backpacking, backpackers, backpacking hacks, hiking hacks, water filters, How to filter water, gear maintenance, sleeping outside, 10 essentials

04/20/2026

Bears are coming out of hibernation - have you ever wondered what to actually do if you see a bear on trail? 🐻

See video for what not to do… and what could potentially save your life. ^

If you want to learn more about this, including how to use bear spray, store food properly, and prevent encounters for bears and other mountain wildlife, join me for my Wild Encounters workshop on May 23, near Buena Vista, CO where I’ll teach you these skills and more to get you prepared and help keep you safe this hiking season ◡̈

New here? I’m Shelby, a Hiking and Backpacking Guide for . I live in the mountains of Colorado and love all things adventure and outdoors. My job is to help people get outside safely, responsibly, and confidently so you can live your best life outdoors. More info and signups are in my bi0!

Follow along for hiking, backpacking, and camping tips, gear recs, outdoor safety tips, and more! Thanks for being here 😊

Keywords: black bears, leave no trace, hiking tips, bear safety, wildlife safety, hike Colorado, bears, protect wildlife

09/30/2025

30 years, 30 lessons ✨

Some are little reminders, some are hard-won truths, but all of them shaped me into who I am today. Maybe they’ll land for you too :)

Save this or send to a friend for when you need a pep talk or a gentle nudge 💛

⸻

30 things I’ve learned in 30 years (Cont’d)👇

21. Boundaries are so necessary and a great way to practice self-respect. Learn to set them and learn how to advocate for yourself if people can’t meet them
22. People show you who they are; believe them.
23. You can forgive someone and still hold a boundary.
24. Celebrate the tiny wins, they help build the big ones!
25. Speak kindly to yourself; you’re always listening.
26. Comparison steals joy faster than anything. Don’t forget what’s right in front of you is most important 💓
27. Rest is productive. Burnout isn’t a badge of honor
28. You don’t have to earn rest, joy, or love. You’re already worthy!!
29. Trust your gut; it’s usually right.
30. Life’s messy, beautiful, heartbreaking, scary, hilarious, and absolutely wonderful. Let it be all of it 🥰

Tell me if any of these resonated with you or if you have any to add!

09/08/2025

These last three weeks have been some of the busiest and some of the best of my entire life and all I can think about is how grateful I am to have:

Spent more nights in my tent than in my bed, hiked more miles than hours slept, see more sunrises & sunsets than texts sent, and made memories that I will carry forever. Here’s a summary of the past month 😊

1: catching the sunrise from this mountain, vs the sunrise looking out at it from town
2: clouds clearing after a big storm makes for a moody sunset
3: rocks and rock formations
4: fall in the alpine has begun
5: alpine starts always accompany the best adventures
6: and allow for some remarkable moments like these. Can you believe that cloud inversion?!
7: hiking these rad ladies deep into the mountains for a big adventure
8: 3 days in the woods & alpine make for big smiles and dirty legs
9: so grateful to have on the team this year! We’ve had some awesome trips so far
10: a snowy summit with this great group
11: waiting for the clouds to clear & eating snowflakes (the clouds did not clear)
12: woke up at 3am after a 3-day guided summit trip to get this rada$$ gal a birthday summit! My clients are so cool 😎
13: just to wake up the same time the next morning and hop on a plane to officiate & photograph my sisters wedding! I trained Ranger to be her flower dog & walk her down the aisle 🥹
14: hit the same trail that made me fall in love with hiking and led me on the path I’m on now. Full circle moment after almost 10 years!
15: the best service dog. He crushed his first flight
16: boat rides & beach days with my boys
17: guide life at its finest → a few sleepless nights outside, the never ending battle of flipping gear for the next trip, and rewaterproofing rain gear in the rain

Only ONE month left of the season & I can’t believe it! I’m still taking private trips through October and have 5️⃣ spots left for our group 14er day hike/camp trip Sept 26-27! Let me know if you want more info and I’ll send it your way :)

Wishing you a great rest of your summer!! I’ll be soaking up every last bit of it before fall hits the lower elevations 🍂

Address

Buena Vista, CO

Telephone

+19702198983

Website

http://www.groundupadventuresco.com/links, http://www.groundupadventuresco.com/

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