Anastasia is the founder of Kula Cloth, a reusable, antimicrobial pee cloth that reduces waste and makes outdoors adventuring so much better for women. Chances are if you've been on a WHOA trip, you've seen plenty of these dangling from bags—probably even your own!
Her seriously funny Instagram normalizes women’s hygiene on the trail by talking openly about periods, pee, and all the very real things that come with being a female business owner and woman outdoors, without any shame (seriously, go read her Substack).
Mountaineering for Beginners: What Experienced Women Want You to Know
Record-breaking mountaineer Sunny Stroeer says, “Mountaineering can take you to amazing places. It can also feel pretty intimidating - steep terrain, ropes, ice axes, crampons... where do you even start? Here's the thing, though: when you break it down, mountaineering is really just backpacking on steroids. If you can carry a heavy pack and walk uphill, you've already got 70% of what you need to get into mountaineering covered. The other 30% are technical skills which, yes, are important to learn - but they're not rocket science, and super fun to get into. If mountaineering fascinates you, all you need to do is take the step to dive in and learn.
Read moreSnow, Sled Dogs, and Self-Discovery: One Mom's Journey to The Arctic
Boiling water for drinking, rehydrating meals, and to create heat packs by filling water bottles. Pro tip: place them into your sleeping bags for a toasty night’s sleep! Photo credit: @riversflowandriversrun
It’s unfair to myself and to my family to suppress the parts of me that bring out the best version of who I am. I deserve to feel strong, to chase dreams, to have joy that exists outside of motherhood. And my kids deserve a mom who is whole, not one who has lost herself in the process of caring for everyone else. I want them to know that they push me to be a better version of myself and will never be the reason why I gave up on what I love in life. If anything, they are the reason that I will continue to push to find the right balance.
Read moreFrom Kilimanjaro to a Global Movement: The Story Behind WHOA Travel's Mission
That moment was more than a personal victory—it was a turning point. It ignited something within us. It showed us what’s possible when women come together with intention, and it planted the seed that blossomed into WHOA. Since then, we’ve helped thousands of women push past their limits, connect meaningfully with the world, and look at travel as a way to support local communities in sustainable ways.
Read more3 Things I Wish Every Hiker Knew About High Altitude & Why It Matters
Sunny on her beloved Aconcagua
Ihave been thinking a lot about something that I believe doesn't get nearly enough airtime in outdoor adventure circles: the nitty gritty behind physical performance at high altitude. Which really covers everything from trekking to Machu Picchu and up Kilimanjaro to climbing on Aconcagua to learning how to swing ice tools on Mount Baker! After years of guiding and personal high-altitude pursuits, I'll say this much: there are 3 things I wish every climber and trekker knew before stepping above 14,000 ft.
Read moreThrough Her Eyes: A Local’s Insight on Meaningful Travel in Bhutan
Some guests have even said they are more humbled after their Bhutan experience. Personally, I hope they take the very essence of the impermanence of life and to be good, kind, and compassionate. It's all that is ever important in the world.
Read moreMy Mongolia Travel Story: An Adventure in Letting Go
Mongolia is one of those destinations where the lessons you take away will come from what you put in. If you learn how to keep the sand from knocking you down from your bike, you might find a totally new kind of freedom, racing through vast stretches of nothingness. If you push yourself up the seemingly impossible off-trail vertical incline, you might find yourself reenergized in a patch of snow that you couldn't even see from the bottom. If you help the neighbors herd their livestock, you might find yourself recharging with vodka and laughter at their house afterwards.
Read moreMountain Mamas: Meet Our Trailblazers
In 2019 we started our sister non-profit, The Carabiner Collective, to support more people with access to the outdoors and remove barriers to entry in adventure travel. One of the ways we do this is through Trailblazer Awards, which celebrate people who are breaking stereotypes and leading by example in their communities, creating a ripple effect of change.
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