Hey There, Welcome!
Mission
Savvy Treks aims to inspire joy and growth from being outdoors through sharing stories, experiences, and knowledge to increase accessibility and break down gatekeeping
​
Values
Honesty and Integrity
​
Accessibility and Community
​
Responsibility and Stewardship
About Me
My name is Savannah, I'm also known on trail as "Songbird." I am from the San Francisco Bay Area and have lived in California for most of my life. Since I was a kid, I have loved the outdoors and the natural world. However, it wasn't until college when I was really allowed to explore this side of myself more. I studied ecology and evolutionary biology at UC Santa Cruz and was given the opportunity to fall in love with the world. I took a class called Natural History Field Quarter where, for 10 weeks, I and my 26 classmates traveled around California and learned all about the natural history of the different ecosystems we
experienced. It was during this time that I learned several very important things about myself:
-
I thrive in immersive outdoor experiences
-
I can never be bored when I am outside
-
I have a deep, unwavering passion for birds
​
In 2016, the Fall after I graduated college, I went on my first backpacking trip. I had just finished my first wildlife biology internship and was desperately searching for another. Weeks went by with no luck and I was beginning to feel very, very low. I had been interested in going on a backpacking trip for a while, but hadn't managed to do it yet. Unemployed and facing some existential dread felt like the perfect time to start.
​
In the span of 3 days, I planned my very first overnight hiking trip. I went to REI and bought a full backpacking setup. I already had some basic camping gear, but I still needed backpacking gear. I let the employees guide me all the way. As for what I was hiking, I decided on the Lost Coast Trail in Northern California. I thought there was something poetic about hiking this "lost" trail while I was feeling so lost in life. Through this experience, I learned something else about myself: I can find healing in nature.
Since then, I have grown a deep love for backpacking and hiking. I continued to do shorter weekend adventures for several years. Then, in 2021, I did my first long distance hike and I thru hiked the 2,650 mile Pacific Crest Trail. A month later, I thru hiked the 300 mile Superior Hiking Trail. In 2022, I thru hiked the 2,200 mile Appalachian Trail. This year, I am planning to do the 3,100 mile Continental Divide Trail. I find so much joy in thru hiking. I love being able to fully immerse myself in the experience and really live on trail for weeks or months at a time. I also think it is a great way to travel and visit new towns and cities. Walking into a small town and needing to rely on the kindness of strangers is a unique experience for many. It is humbling and allows you to see a place in a way you never would have otherwise.
I am an avid hiker and lover of the outdoors. I love spending time exploring places new to me and also returning and getting to know places well. Being able to connect with the outdoors and learn about the plants and animals that live there is a privilege and I am grateful every day. I am excited for what is to come and can't wait to share it with you all.
​
All my love,
Songbird
