Jennel McDonald

Hometown: Kent, Washington

Superpower:

I’m oddly amazing at guessing the puzzles on Wheel of Fortune.

What's your favorite Trail Mavens lesson to teach?

How to light a fire. Everyone feels so solid and capable after lighting their own fire (literally and figuratively).

How'd you develop your prowess as an outdoorswoman?

The love of the great outdoors was instilled in me at a very young age. As a kid growing up in the Pacific Northwest, my family and I spent all of our summer vacation time camping, swimming, hiking, fishing--basic general merriment. But at that time, the only thing I was in charge of was not getting into trouble. My dad handled all the other stuff like finding the perfect spot next to the river to camp, frying our fresh caught trout over the camp stove, and building the perfect fire we all gazed at each night.

The years passed and I came to a point where being outside wasn’t just a nice-to-have, it was a must-have. I signed up for a Trail Mavens backpacking trip (my first ever) and I found myself wandering along a mountain trail in the company of several other women. On this trip I learned how to pack a backpack, set up a tent, use a cook stove, purify water, and so many more. I remember gazing out over the mountains on our last day and thought “I am so lucky.” I. WAS. HOOKED.

About a year later, I joined the Trail Mavens family supporting different trips and now, 4 years after that first backpacking trip, I’m working as a guide! Every day I’m learning more and helping others to become the wilderness lionesses they see in their dreams.

How do you spend your time when you're not leading Trail Mavens adventures?

I thrive off variety and challenge and I’m lucky that my career provides me with both.

I lead organizational change management efforts within Kaiser Permanente, a position where my primary focus is helping people feel successful during times of challenge and change.

It’s all about creating a sense of psychological safety and meeting people where they are in a given moment.

Outside of work, I tend to go with the flow and gravitate toward things that are fun! One day it may be acting all cultured at an art museum, another day it might be getting my rock-n-roll on, and the third day it may be appreciating the fine television magic coming out of Netflix.

At the end of every day, however, you’ll always find me lost in a good book.

What do you love about leading Trail Mavens trips?

The amazing women I meet. Every trip is a little bit different because of what the participants bring with them. I’ve learned, expanded, and developed so much more because of the remarkable people I am lucky to share a weekend with.

What’s the most amazing thing that’s ever happened on a trip?

We were up at Ten Lakes in Yosemite National Park and there was some rustling behind us. Slowly and quietly, a young black bear emerged looking around and pushed on a log a few times the way that black bears do. We all sat back and watched in silence, a feeling mixed with both apprehension and awe. The bear sensed us, locked eyes on our group, turned and high-tailed it out of there, leaving us looking at the cutest little bear butt ever.

It was really special.

Tell us your go-to story of a personal outdoor adventure experience.

I was 10 years old camping with my family at Ohanapecosh Campground in Mt. Rainier National Park. It was around that time that I was starting to reeeeaaaalllly get into music. I remember hiking in the woods over the course of 10 days, playing Rob Bass and DJ E-Z Rock’s latest single “It Takes Two” on repeat on my walkman so that I could remember (and subsequently repeat) every single lyric of the rap.  To this day, I can go for broke on that song, and the hills behind the campground will always be alive with the sound of that music.

Describe your most favorite campsite meal (make our mouths water!).

Hot, black, elixir of the gods...coffee, I mean. Without a doubt, my absolute favorite thing to consume while outdoors is a good pour-over coffee piping hot in my camping mug. It’s what I use in a private moment to help fortify me and get mentally prepared for the day.

Top three places you like to play outdoors:

Mt. Rainier National Forest, WA; Oregon Coast, OR; Lake Tahoe National Forest, CA

What should ladies who are on Trail Mavens trips with you be sure to ask you about?

What it felt like looking over the Himalayan foothills on my first hike in Bhutan.