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"Rachel, the highlight of our trip for me was your reading of the Muir quote as our group stood together in Pelican Valley. I won’t remember the exact words you spoke, but I will never forget being counted worthy to hear them and the impact of hearing them in your voice in that glorious location. I’m so glad you were there to lead us and I can’t thank you enough for your generous spirit and positivity. Getting to know you was absolutely one of the best things about that fantastic trip. It gives me hope for the world that awaits my granddaughter when I meet a young woman like you. I hope you’ll continue to pursue your highest dreams and express your many gifts to their fullest as you explore the bright destiny that is before you and impact the world. Be well and keep doing good. I hope to see you again. "

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"Your rating scale doesn't go high enough to rate Rachel. Despite inclement weather most of the trip, she was upbeat and positive the entire time and didn't let the weather get in the way of taking care of the guests and all the setup, cooking, clean-up, etc. Great cook, great guide, very strong hiker, and humble on top of all of it. Do all you can to keep her!"

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"Rachel was WONDERFUL and a total ray of sunshine throughout our trip!! Her caring attitude and sense of humor added so much to our adventure. She was also a wealth of knowledge and generously shared about her experiences and insights from other trips she's led. I would definitely join a future trip with Rachel as a guide!!!"

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“Rachel was the reason I booked this trip after having a trip with her in Yosemite. She is an exceptional guide! She makes the trip fun and builds an incredible sense of community while also prioritizing safety and good stewardship for nature. She has an adventurous spirit that pushes you to push yourself. She is the model of what I would expect from an REI a guide. I plan to continue to explore REI trips because of her and hope to have her as a guide again.”

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“I met Rachel on the Half Dome trip in June 2021 and I was so excited to learn that she was the lead guide for this Bechler River trip. She is super organized, detail-oriented, thoughtful, approachable, low-key and an easy communicator. Some very thoughtful touches included how the snacks were so organized in bins, decorative lights for camp for our Alpine Start morning, and attention to varied dietary needs. Rachel is also very knowledgable and comfortable in the backcountry and I felt very safe.”

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“Rachel was fantastic! She shared daily/hiking expectations, tips, created high calorie/high protein "gourmet-like" meals that kept the group fueled up. She has years of outdoors experiences that she also shared that demonstrated her knowledge of outdoor survival and the area. Her bright attitude and infectious smile radiated at every challenging element of the excursion.”

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"In 2023, Rachel ushered me into the world of backpacking during a trip in northern Yellowstone.  I was blown away by her backcountry knowledge, sunny spirit, and thoughtful tailoring of the trip to participant needs - I was hooked!  My 2nd trip with Rachel and Sierra Soul was similarly outstanding, as she gave us the insider-view of Yosemite and many of the hidden gems along our route.  Rachel is now my go-to for any and all advice on Yosemite, gear, and backcountry cuisine!  I hope to make Sierra Soul an annual ritual and cannot wait for next season!"

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“I did a Half Dome trip with Rachel in 2024, and it was absolutely incredible! Rachel is extremely knowledgeable, reassuring, and kind. If you're considering a backpacking trip with her, definitely go for it. I will never forget sitting on the subdome and looking out over Yosemite, learning about the park, and getting the best night of sleep next to a stream!”