Welcome to My First Blog: New Chapters & Mountain Trails
Welcome to my first blog post! My name is Erin Crownover, and as Taylor Swift continues to celebrate her engagement (yes, that happened last week!), I'm celebrating a new beginning of my own: launching this blog as I start my final year as a PhD student at The University of Texas at Austin. As I enter my final stretch of dissertation work, I am thrilled to open a space to share stories, reflections, and moments of inspiration from my life as a scholar, athlete, and passionate advocate for health, exercise, and sports equity.
New Year Energy: Why We Love the Start of a New School Year
There is nothing like the first day and week of a new school year at UT Austin. As a doctoral student, this school year feels doubly meaningful: my last “first day” was last Monday. I am now faced with dissertation writing and my oral defense, as well as a new set of goals ahead for life post-graduation. I’ve been taking time to reflect on what drew me to UT Austin about six years ago, when I embarked on pursuing a master’s degree and moving across the country: a love for learning, a sense of adventure, and a desire to understand more about my experiences as a woman in sport.
Why a blog?
My academic path explores the intersection of exercise physiology, health, and sports history, particularly in the context of women in sports. I’ve long been fascinated by the stories of pioneering female athletes, and love the power of storytelling, whether it’s historic sports articles, capturing moment-in-time events, and personal reflections. I believe that sharing our journeys are stories that can inspire a sense of purpose, action, and a greater sense of belonging for us all.
This blog will serve as a creative space for monthly exploration, featuring stories from the world of sports, moments I have on campus, research discoveries, and, of course, the adventures that keep me grounded. I hope to foster a dialogue around women’s leadership, the beauty of movement and nature, and the everyday wins and challenges of being on the academic frontlines.
Life-Changing Mountain Trails: Lassen Volcanic National Park
This summer brought one of those pivotal experiences that completely shifts perspective. I joined one of my younger sisters, a National Park seasonal employee, on a breathtaking and refreshingly beautiful trip to Lassen Volcanic National Park in Northern California, where she is currently working for the season (# jealous!!! Like, can you imagine having the mountains as your playground and office every day?)
One thing I want to highlight is that I am still on a healing journey. Something I will get more into on a separate blog, but I have struggled with body dysmorphia since I was 18 years old. I have had five knee surgeries between the ages of 18-22 years old and two years of overcoming disordered eating. I just turned 30 this past June (WOOF! Definitely not hard to get hung up on age….as my sister would say, “Erin, it’s not that deep!”), and I am on a mission to keep trying new things and not letting one thing become my identity. More to come on this in my next blog post!
My trip to see my sister was short but jam-packed with fun. In 3 days, we hiked 19.5 miles together (7,033 ft of total elevation change!), and explored three of the four primary types of volcanoes, which was a moment when I never felt more empowered or strong about my body. This was an instance of realignment for me, because I freaking CRUSHED those hikes with no pain in my knees, and I felt confident about my body. Hiking with my sister was a tad intimidating as this is her world: she knows all the ins and outs of hiking, and outdoor adventures are ingrained in her. She was patient with me (I’m not a totally newbie to hiking, but definitely not as experienced as her) and showed me the importance of trekking poles (if you don’t use these….smh!!!!!) and she let me lead each trail, which was a total class move. By having the opportunity to lead, I was able to experience and navigate things myself. My sister has walked many of those trails before, and she wanted me to be able to set my pace and experience the trail for the first time uninterrupted. As she said to me, “I think leading gives you that fun feeling of exploring something for the first time”.
Here are some of the highlights:
Starting off a hike by eating a chocolate chip cookie is a must.
Pushing through the cold post-peak lung burn and feeling simultaneously small and gigantic among volcanoes is a WILD feeling.
Watching the sunset atop Bumpass Hell trail, where my sister said, “I feel like I’m getting hugged”—and honestly, it felt like nature was embracing us both.
Experiencing a deep empowerment: when you look back at the miles conquered, you realize just how much you’re capable of—body, mind, and spirit. It’s inspiring.
Devouring a PB & J post summit SMACKS.
It’s empowering to see what you can see with your own two feet.
When I said to my sister it’s cool “to be one with nature,” she reminded me that “you are nature.”
Sister time is the best time.
Stargazing is at another level in the mountains.
Having cell service is overrated.
This trip changed my life.
What we explored:
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Volcano Types
Lassen Peak (plug dome volcano)
Brokeoff (composite volcano)
Cinder Cone (cinder cone volcano)
Butte Lake (we swam across it!!!)
Hydrothermal Features
Sulphur Works
Bumpass Hell Trail
Devastated Area (An interpretive trail that showcases a section of land that was stripped of vegetation by avalanches, mudflows, and hot blasts from the May 1915 eruptions of Lassen Peak. Side note: has NOTHING to do with forest fires…sorry sis LOL)
Outside of the Park
Explored Downtown Redding, CA
Turtle Bay Park + Sundial Bridge (Redding, CA)
Night in Chico, CA
Dinner in Manton, CA
Tidbits from My Ranger Sister I learned:
Setting yourself up for success is a critical element of outdoor recreation. Packing the 10 essentials and any additional safety items for your specific activity (lifejacket, avalanche beacon, helmet etc.) can determine whether or not you will be successful. By “successful” I mean ending the day safe and with fun memories created. The 10 essentials are a collection of basic items that can aid you in minor injuries, weather changes, or unexpected delays.
Navigation…map, compass, GPS system etc.
Test navigation equipment BEFORE going out and know how to use them.
Sun Protection…sunglasses, sunshirt, sunscreen, hat etc.
Layers (rain and cold)...jacket, hat, gloves, rain jacket/pants etc.
Weather is unpredictable and changes suddenly. Hypothermia kills. Bonus points for bright colored clothing (makes it much easier for response teams to locate you).
Light…flashlight, headlamp, etc.
Don’t forget extra batteries.
First Aid Kit
Modify it to fit your trip and personal medical needs. Check expiration dates and consider a first aid booklet for medical scenarios you may be unfamiliar with.
Fire…Matches (in water proof case), lighter, fire starters etc.
Fire can be an emergency signal and heat source. DO NOT FORGET to familiarize yourself with fire use regulations for the area you will be recreating in.
Tools…duct tape, knife, scissors, multitool, etc.
To make basic equipment repairs.
Extra Food
Plans change, have extra food. Salt and easily digestible snacks are great options.
Extra Water…water and supplies for water treatment
Physical activity leads to water and salt loss. Before heading out, identify water sources in the area.
Shelter…tent, space blanket, bivy, tarp etc.
Protects from exposure to the elements.
Did you know?
The National Park Service, a federal bureau in the Department of the Interior, was established in 1916 to maintain national parks and monuments. There are 433 individual units, 150+ related areas, and numerous programs that assist in conserving the natural and cultural heritage. You can learn more about the NPS here:
https://www.nps.gov/aboutus/national-park-system.htm
The Year Ahead: Goals & Hopes
As Taylor Swift writes a new chapter and UT Austin welcomes another class of bright-eyed scholars, I’m more inspired than ever to dig into purpose, learning, and community. I look forward to posting here at least once a month, sharing my research, adventures, successes, setbacks, and the knowledge I produce along the way.
To everyone out there starting something new, finishing a journey, or simply taking it one step at a time, thanks for being here. Let’s make the most of this wild, beautiful life.
Here’s to new beginnings, empowered movement, and knowledge production.
Happy Trails as they say ☺
~Erin
Please Connect! Have thoughts on Taylor Swift’s engagement, starting school, or transformative hikes? I’d love to hear from you—drop a comment or reach out to share your story!
