Instagram story viewer> @lenaz.jpeg> Posts

Lena 🎞️

@lenaz.jpeg

14.2K

followers

4704

following

Cash me inside*
@lena.sony_

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Download All

Sequoia in the snow 🥹

Seeing Sequoia covered in snow has been a dream of mine for years and moving to SoCal this winter meant I finally had the chance to make it happen. From the moment I got here, I checked the forecast daily, waiting for the snow to come. Just two weekends in, the timing was right and I had to go.

Walking among the massive sequoias, their branches blanketed with fresh snow, felt surreal. I’m completely obsessed with this park and these giants. Now all that’s left is to go back.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

#SequoiaNationalPark #SierraNevada #GiantSequoias #WinterWonderland #sonyAlpha #Snowshoe #CaliforniaHiking #NatureLovers #AdventureAwaits #ExploreCalifornia #NationalParks #HikingTrails #WildernessCulture #optoutside taken in Sequoia National Park, California by @lenaz.jpeg

461

25

2 years ago

Growing up, every three years, I would change schools and cities. I was always the new kid. The weird kid. The quiet one who never quite fit in. After my freshman year, just when I finally thought I had figured things out and found my circle, my parents shared the news: we were moving across the country from Pennsylvania to California. Oh, how upset I was. How could they do this to me? Again? And this time, thousands of miles away. I begged and pleaded to stay, caught up in my teenage feelings, convinced my life was over.
Little did I know, that experience would give me the courage to move to unfamiliar places, try new things, meet new people, and plant the seed of independence that has shaped who I am today.

A month ago, I took my last adventure in Colorado before beginning my new journey to California—this time, on my terms.

Oh, and a word of advice: 10/10 don’t recommend attempting Crater Lake in the winter. 3 am wake-up calls, trekking through miles of desolate land, breaking through 3 feet of untracked snow, with wolves and moose lurking nearby, is definitely not ideal. Stick to Rocky Mountain National Park instead. taken in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado by @lenaz.jpeg

352

7

2 years ago

Trading out my sweater for a T-shirt
Leaving the mountains for the ocean
Swapping out my car for a bike
Choosing sunsets over sunrises

San Diego, here I come. taken in Breckenridge, Colorado by @lenaz.jpeg

562

21

2 years ago

Bells are Ringing taken in Maroon Bells by @lenaz.jpeg

519

6

2 years ago

Went to the source. 12mm taken in Aspen, Colorado by @lenaz.jpeg

603

36

2 years ago

Pups love fall. taken in Guanella Pass by @lenaz.jpeg

284

5

2 years ago

The Enchantments… a few things went wrong for me on this hike. 10/6/23

1. No trail app downloaded: I didn’t have a trail app purchased beforehand, so I didn’t have the route downloaded. Can you predict what happens next? :)

2. Staying the night in The North Cascades: Not spending the night in Leavenworth was my second mistake. After spending three exhausting days in the North Cascades, I chose to stay the night there. As a result, I didn’t reach Colchock trailhead until 10 a.m. I still had hopes of hiking the entire route, but as the day went on, I realized I needed to turn around at Aasgard Pass.

3. The Aasgard mishap: Without a clear route down, I ended up bushwhacking through a steep boulder field. Little did I know, this was just a preview of what was to come.

4. Losing the trail around Colchuck Lake: I should’ve checked my Strava earlier to retrace my steps, but before I realized it, I was heading up a mountain at dusk. As I tried to get back on track—following only an arrow on a blank screen—it kept leading me uphill. 🤷🏼‍♀️ Soon I found myself scaling 5 meter cliffs, ducking under fallen trees in avalanche territory, and eventually stumbling through a steep boulder field. Catch me here screaming for help. At one moment I even heard a helicopter and thought it was for me. After an hour, in the dark, I finally spotted headlamps in the distance. The relief I felt. I joined two hikers on my way down. I held back the tears until I got to my car, but the moment I sat down I burst into tears.

I learned a few lessons this day but number one is NEVER hiking without a downloaded map.

My souvenirs were several twigs in my hair, leggings ripped to shreds and a nice bruise on my cheek ☺️ oh and forever subscribed to the all trails app taken in The Enchantments by @lenaz.jpeg

235

10

2 years ago

10/4/23 - Today marked my first day in North Cascades National Park and it was an emotional one, full of happy tears. I watched the sunrise from one side of Liberty Bell and the sunset from the other.

Prior to this trip I knew very little about larch trees and I had never encountered mountain goats.

On my ascent I overheard hikers discussing sightings of mountain goats - I hoped I might be lucky enough to see them! Little did I know how much time I would end up spending in their presence.

As I sat there alone, quietly enjoying the fading light on Liberty Bell I assumed the goats had disappeared for the evening. Out of nowhere I heard the sound of trotting directly towards me - there she was, the mother goat! I remained still and gradually she became accustomed to me. It was such a special sunset shared with these magnificent creatures, all set against the golden larch trees at their peak.

Can life get any better than this? Or am I dreaming? taken in North Cascades National Park by @lenaz.jpeg

391

26

2 years ago

10/5/23 - Throwback to last fall when I hiked 70 miles with 18k feet of vert in 4 days. Here are some photos from a day spent in North Cascades National Park. Those larch trees be larchin’! taken in North Cascades National Park by @lenaz.jpeg

218

4

2 years ago

Catch me here on the side of I-70 in a mound of construction dirt next to Whole Foods. Daisies will always remind me of our 2013 family photos and rainbows will forever remind me of Luke singing (squealing) ‘Somewhere over the Rainbow’ taken in Silverthorn Colorado by @lenaz.jpeg

323

2

2 years ago

I can’t imagine my life without my little sister. Congratulations to you and Trevor on your first anniversary! It’s hard to believe it’s been a year since you both tied the knot and I put waterproof makeup through the ultimate test. I love you both so much and couldn’t be happier for you.
Happy anniversary!

Photo @mado.photo taken in The Barn at Raccoon Creek by @lenaz.jpeg

211

8

2 years ago

My first mountain adventure since March! 🪻

Today marks 3 months since my knee surgery and I am beyond grateful for every step I take. This has been one of the hardest summers of my life, being cooped up inside, unable to do the stuff I love and not being able to take care of myself. I’m on the up! Looking forward to seeing what the next 3 months will bring. taken in Crested Butte, Colorado by @lenaz.jpeg

249

12

2 years ago