We love stories like this — stories about how being in nature taught you something special about yourself. Thank you for sharing your story, Esmeralda! 😍🌈🦄🏔 . . . 📸: @pnwlatinaworks A year ago, I stood at the summit of Helens. Slowly gaining clarity on who I truly am. The climb was brutal. I wasn't in shape. Each step felt like a step closer to breaking. And then I did. I remember being half way up crying so hard because I just didn't know if I could do it. I was a ball of anxiety. I couldn't hold any food down and I was feeling weak. I started to question my own ability. My mind was telling me to give up but somewhere deep inside there was this nagging feeling that I had to do this. I gathered the rest of the mental strength I had, told myself that if I wanted to grow I needed to push past the boundaries. I had no idea that posing behind this beautifully colored flag at roughly 8,363' was going to mean more to me. I spent 28 years of my life trying to see where I fit in. Confused and lost about who I truly am. And it took being on my first summit to realize it. I am Bi. I am Latina. I am loud and proud! This is me and I wouldn't change a thing about my journey. . . . Tag us or use #womenwhoexplorewashington to be featured. . . . #womenwhoexplore #womenwhoexplorewashington #herpnwlife #wanderwashington #visitwashington #travelwashington #washingtonexplored #washingtonstate #thatpnwlife #pnwwomen #pnwonderland #pnwhikers #upperleftusa #hikewashington #adventurewomen #wearewild #outsidelife #womenofwashington #washingtonwanderer #washingtonwomen #welovewashington #lqbtq #lgbtqpride #bisexualpride