Strong Women, Wild Places: The Sassy Bitches Take on the Winds

Last week, our very own Jackson Sassy Bitches spent five wonderful days and nights backpacking through the Wind River Range. Kimberly Hunt, Theresa Brunker, Floren Poliseo, Pam Larkin, and Tracey Heilbrun…with a special star appearance by the one and only Barbie. No trip is complete without their favorite blonde!

There were too many memorable moments to count. Floren and Theresa made delicious pancakes with syrup for breakfast, the ladies took a chilly swim in beautiful Wall Lake, and everyone gave the camera a big moon afterward. Even Barbie joined in!

Training together at Wright Training every Tuesday and Thursday for years. From 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.; the gym is always filled with chatter and laughter. The consistency in the gym helped them enjoy this adventure to the max.

Sassy Bitches reflect on their time together in the Winds. Here’s their scoop…

1. Before the backpacking trip, how did training at Wright Training help you feel more prepared?

Floren: “Weight training has helped me recover faster from hard efforts and made me more capable on tasks like lifting heavy packs and making uphill treks. (Also, apparently, my vertical jump!)”

Theresa: “No doubt about it, step-ups were key to preparing those glutes! Sandbag get-ups felt similar to getting that 30-plus-pound pack onto my back every day.”

Pam: “Before the backpacking trip, my whole body felt strong—legs, core, and upper body. Consistently training at Wright Training made a huge difference. I was able to hike, scramble over rocks, cross rivers, and hoist my pack onto my back with strength and confidence.”

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2. What is it like training alongside the other amazing women at Wright Training? Did that community help keep you motivated during the trip?

Tracey: “Having most of the Tuesday/Thursday team of Sassy Gym ladies together on a Wind River backpacking adventure further developed our supportive and sparkling camaraderie. It means everything to me to deepen friendships through active experiences. By helping each other in the gym and on the trail, we adventured well together.”

Kim: "After meeting at Wright, our friendships started and grew through training. On this five-day adventure, the miles became songs and stories, the challenges made everything more exciting, and we built deeper bonds.”

3. What was your favorite moment?

Skinny-dipping in Wall Lake at 10,900 feet!

Floren: “The time we spent at Wall Lake with no other hikers around was so special. We were simply sharing that space together, forever connected as a minuscule piece alongside the ancient rocks and waters that have existed longer than humans, right there in that same place. It was humbling and empowering at the same time.”

Tracey: was especially excited to get out of the lake…brrr! Afterward, they all mooned the camera, and of course, Barbie joined in too.

All agreed that Floren and Theresa’s pancakes with syrup made for a pretty unforgettable breakfast.

4. What was the hardest or most challenging moment for you?

Tracey: “The most challenging moment was staying warm in my 40-year-old Marmot sleeping bag on the first frosty night!”

Kim: “The leak in my sleeping pad made for some rough nights; there are no five-star mattresses in the Wind Rivers. My sleep deprivation had to wait until I got home.”

It sounds like a few of our ladies may need some new camping gear!

While Tracey struggled with her sleeping bag, she certainly did not struggle on the trail. Theresa said her greatest challenge was “trying to keep up with Tracey and Pam!” A close second was “getting up in the middle of the night to pee when there was a thick layer of frost on my tent!”

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5. What would you want other women in the community to know about sharing experiences like this with a group of women?

Theresa: “I look forward to every workout!  Building memories and muscles together!  Having a group of women to adventure with outside of the gym, knowing that everyone is capable and supportive.It’s amazing!!!”

Kim: “Cheers to getting stronger, saying yes to adventure, and discovering that you’re capable of more than you think. There’s nothing quite like doing it alongside a group of incredible women who love to talk, laugh, and support one another through every moment of the journey.”

Pam: “I will always have fond memories of their time together! I want other women to know that having a group of women to train with and share time in the mountains with makes life so much more fun!

The Sassy Bitches are truly one of a kind, and they have found a special kind of family in one another. Thanks for bringing us along!

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