Thrive Clues

Helping active women
decipher clues to a
vibrant life

12/25/2025

Happiest of holidays. This week I experienced awe and agony within hours of each other. Today, I reflected on how similar they are and what they have to teach me. Blog 195 is live, the last for 2025. https://thriveclues.com/awe-agony-and-the-space-between/ shares my story with photos from a mentored lead hike on Big Tree Ridge and of Ajax's recovery.

A day of awe and agony revealed how joy, grief, and caring shape us. How fleeting moments teach us about love, wilderness, and mettle.

12/12/2025

Recent flooding in the Pacific Northwest had me contemplating safer ways to enjoy nature. In Blog 194 I share photos and revelations from recent outings to Whittaker Wilderness Loop, Squak's May Valley and Central Peak, Magnuson Park, Boeing Creek / Shoreview Park, and Jackson Park, as well as a shift I noticed from last year to this year at the Mountaineers' North Sound Leadership Conference.

How I navigated December’s recent PNW storms by noticing quiet openings in nature when floods threatened to wreak havoc on my life.

11/28/2025

Blog 193 is live: https://thriveclues.com/choosing-my-own-path-toward-enough/ Courtenay Schurman reflects on the past two weeks, including a lovely Thanksgiving celebration, trips to Otter Falls, Big Creek Falls, Garfield Ledges, and a pre-Thanksgiving ramble on Tiger. What does "enough" mean for YOU? Check out a few journaling prompts. Happy holidays!

A season of gratitude, deepening courage, and choosing my own trail toward growth and renewal as I grapple with "enough."

11/13/2025

Blog 192 shares photos from hikes to the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie, Rattlesnake's Grand Prospect, and Meadowdale Beach Park for a Plein Air volunteer celebration with WTA. In it, I share whisperings of what it all means and what I'm longing for. I also include three journal prompts for you to dive deeper.

A hike leader’s reflections on Mountaineers awards, volulnteer connections, and rediscovering personal rhythm in nature.

10/31/2025

Happy Halloween! Blog 191 includes the story behind receiving the 2025 Mountaineers Service Award with photos from a hike to Granite Lakes, a brain-based class we taught at the Mountaineers, and highlights from my trip to visit my parents in Asheville. I commented to my mom, "I'm just doing me" -- seemed like an apt title.

On receiving the 2025 Mountaineers Service Award and the years of steady leadership, service, and mountain venturing that led to it.

10/12/2025

As the rains return to the Pacific Northwest, I've been reflecting on the past season of leading hikes with CHS/Mountaineers, teaching seminars, and hosting Write on the Sound in Edmonds. Learn more about the take-aways and what's coming next in Blog 190:

After a season of hiking, teaching, and leading, Courtenay reflects on resilience, renewal, and how completion makes space for what’s next.

09/28/2025

Want some inspiration? Read about Body Results client Susan Agar's experience getting to the top of the world this summer. She became the oldest American and British woman to do so. In an interview with me she shared her "Four P's of Everest" which I share in Blog 189, now live at

Learn more about Body Results client Susan Agar's successful climb of Everest, demonstrating that you can chase your dreams at any age.

09/21/2025

In this week's blog post (188) I reflect on my second graduation hike with The Mountaineers' Conditioning for Hiking Series (CHS-2) and how the obstacles -- or rather, overcoming them -- led to my most memorable and cherished hike of the season. Two down, two to go. What will the next two teach me?

An 18-mile, 5,000' hike with smoke, wind, and forgotten food became my most memorable hike. Learn how desire and obstacles create growth.

09/08/2025

In Blog 187 I reflect on our recent 2-day family backpacking trip to Cascade Pass and Basin Creek Campground. Doubtful Falls and our beautiful little creek-side camping spot, along with ripe berries and ethereal photo opps from smoky air, all contributed to a gem of a trip and memories that we'll look back on for years.

Discover how letting go of expectations led to solitude, family connection and unexpected beauty at Basin Creek Campground and Doubtful Falls.

09/03/2025

https://thriveclues.com/pivot-toward-wonder-how-to.../ Blog 186 shares my experience with recent visits to the Washington State Fair, the Coast, and my husband's superhuman efforts to obtain a backpacking permit in the North Cascades National Park. I realize I'm closer than ever to experiencing real-time pivots when things don't go as planned -- and appreciating the wonders on the alternate paths we DO get to experience on this path called LIFE.

Life rarely goes as planned. From fair ribbons to trail permits, here’s how I learned to pivot from disappointment to joy by embracing change.

08/25/2025

Multiple hikes this past week have given me plenty of fodder for reflection. Blog 185 shares photos from Blanca Lake, Tuscohatchie-Pratt-Olallie Lakes, and Mt. Pilchuck as I think about adjusting expectations heading into the final summer month of CHS hikes.

Discover how three summer hikes taught me lessons in adjusting expectations, finding connection, and embracing the trail as it is.

08/15/2025

In blog 184 I discuss the idea behind "guiding intentions" and how they can make a huge difference for your multi-day adventures, beyond just reaching your objective. Set against photos from a recent Mountaineers CHS-1 hike I led to Rainbow and Island Lakes, I share some examples from clients and hikers to help inspire and motivate you for any longer upcoming trips.

When most people prepare for a multi-day adventure—whether it’s a trek to Everest Base Camp, Bhutan’s Snowman Trek, or the Tour du Mont Blanc—their focus tends to be on the big, external goals: reaching the highest point, completing the route within a certain timeframe, or logging a specific...

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