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CAL HIKES
Educate, Explore, Inspire
WELCOME
Everything Backpacking, Running, Education, Advocacy, Inclusion, Accessibility, Social Responsibility, and dogs.
Welcome to Cal Hikes, by queer trans educator, activist, distance runner, backpacker, and dog dad Cal "Starburst" Dobbs (they/them).
Great to have you here.
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Redefining Masculinity
I chose the name Caelan because it means “brave warrior” and I work to live up to my name everyday. My name is my masculinity but my...
Calvin Dobbs-Breslin
Feb 24, 20221 min read
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Coming Out Many Times
When I was 13 I came out to myself as “not normal” I didn’t know what I was but I knew it wasn’t normal to masturbate to Lady Gaga in...
Calvin Dobbs-Breslin
Feb 24, 20222 min read
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Queer Gatekeeping
CW: homophobia Throughout my life I endured countless homophobic micro aggressions that stuffed me back into the closet but the most...
Calvin Dobbs-Breslin
Feb 24, 20222 min read
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Coming Out
*cue Chrissy Chlapeka* ~ hey gay people. are you gay? I am. I can say that now but for many years I couldn’t. Throughout my life I have...
Calvin Dobbs-Breslin
Feb 24, 20223 min read
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Why come out during a pandemic?
Recently I’ve been seeing a bunch of jokes and memes about how everyone came out as non-binary and/or queer during the pandemic. But why...
Calvin Dobbs-Breslin
Feb 24, 20222 min read
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Being LGBTQ During the Holidays
Holidays are hard for everyone, even if you like the family/people you’re spending them with. This is a time to be extra kind to one...
Calvin Dobbs-Breslin
Feb 24, 20222 min read
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Thank You
Nearly two weeks after finishing the longest walk of my life, I’ve had some time to reflect on this journey (though not much bc three...
Calvin Dobbs-Breslin
Feb 24, 20223 min read
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Finishing the CDT
Start Date at Canadian Border June 16, 2021 End Date at Mexican Border November 20, 2021 My first tattoo was a composition by my mom of...
Calvin Dobbs-Breslin
Feb 24, 20222 min read
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Gila River
A few days ago we finished the Gila River alternate route on the CDT. It diverges from the official CDT for approximately 100 miles and...
Calvin Dobbs-Breslin
Feb 21, 20221 min read
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Hiking with Dogs
I get a lot of questions about hiking with dogs. I have hiked with dogs and without and taking your furry friend on trail makes...
Calvin Dobbs-Breslin
Feb 21, 20222 min read
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Hiking Intentions
With ~600 miles left on the CDT I am looking back at the goals and intentions I set for myself before I embarked on on this journey to...
Calvin Dobbs-Breslin
Feb 20, 20221 min read
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Why does everything you post have to be about gender?
Because you still misgender and deadname me Because you think trans people are too “complicated” Because asking you to call me my real...
Calvin Dobbs-Breslin
Feb 20, 20222 min read
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Changes
Trans I used to be golden I used to be untouchable I used to be everyone’s favorite I used to be “a very nice young lady” Parents loved...
Calvin Dobbs-Breslin
Feb 20, 20221 min read
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What makes a successful hike?
There is no such thing as the dichotomy between “success” and “failure” on trail and I personally don’t think that’s a helpful framework...
Calvin Dobbs-Breslin
Feb 20, 20222 min read
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Outdoorsy
A few months ago an old friend saw my post of climbing Tumanguya (Mt.Whitney) last year. She said it was her dream to hike it and asked...
Calvin Dobbs-Breslin
Feb 20, 20223 min read
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Thru hiking SUCKS and odds are you would hate it
That’s right! 85% of people who attempt the Appalachian Trail DONT FINISH. In 2021 a big reason is that people don’t know what they’re...
Calvin Dobbs-Breslin
Feb 20, 20223 min read
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Cup of Tea
Nobody's everybody's favorite So you might as well just make it how you please 'Cause you can't be everybody's cup of tea ~ Kacey...
Calvin Dobbs-Breslin
Feb 17, 20222 min read
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Letting Go
Letting Go A few days after I graduated high school, my (adopted) Auntie B (Barbara Morrison) took me with her on tour. She lost both of...
Calvin Dobbs-Breslin
Feb 17, 20222 min read
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Gender Dysphoria and Body Dysmorphia
CW: gender dysphoria and body dysmorphia/ disordered eating In seventh grade we had a journal prompt to list three things we hate and...
Calvin Dobbs-Breslin
Feb 17, 20224 min read
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Fear and Projection
PART 1 “we have been taught to fear the very things that have the potential to set us free” - Alok We are taught shame at an early age. I...
Calvin Dobbs-Breslin
Feb 17, 20223 min read
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CONTACT
Mailbox at
3967 Sawtelle Blvd apt. E
Los Angeles, CA
90066
Email: scaitlindobbs@gmail.com
Instagram: @cal_dobbs_
Venmo: @cal_dobbs_96
Paypal: paypal.me/SARAHDOBBS152
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