On  the evening of July 26, 2024, as soon as our van pulled into the parking lot at Rollins Pass, Colorado, the excitement was palpable. With brand-new Fjällräven backpacks in tow, the Camping to Connect team eagerly sprinted to Trekker’s Inn—a makeshift green HQ set up by Fjällräven in Nederland, CO for its Classic USA 2024. Over the next three days, we would journey across 30.5 miles and reach elevations of up to 12,000 feet in the Arapaho Roosevelt National Forest, deep in the Colorado Rockies, crossing the US Continental Divide.

Our adventure kicked off as the team set up their tents for the night and joined 150 participants from around the world under a rustic canvas tent for dinner and orientation. We were warmly welcomed by Fjällräven’s CEO of  North America, Nathan Dopp, who shared the inspiring story behind the event. 

The Fjällräven Classic began 12 years ago in Sweden and has become an annual tradition, drawing over 2,000 hikers to Swedish Lapland each year to traverse the 112-kilometer Kungsleden trail. The FjällrävenClassic USA aims to bring the same spirit to American soil, offering novice backpackers a supportive first overnight experience complete with food and water stations, and a celebratory BBQ at the end. The Camping to Connect team, a mix of twelve teens and adult chaperones from New York City and Denver, was thrilled to share this experience, connecting with new and old friends eager to hear our stories. The team was sponsored and outfitted by Fjällräven for the second year in a row.

The next morning, we set off with the first wave of hikers. The first day was especially challenging for the majority of our group, who flew in from New York two days before and weren’t accustomed to the high elevation. Starting at 9,200 ft The USA Classic course ascends 2,500 ft up a historic wagon trail through Colorado pine forest. We covered over ten miles to our first campsite under clear blue skies, grateful for every break, snack, and electrolyte drink. By the time we reached Yankee Doodle Lake, an alpine gem nestled at 10,800 feet, the kids were tired but content—breaking in their new Vasque Breeze boots with ease.

That evening, we faced an unexpected hurdle. One of our young men, who has asthma, began experiencing acute altitude sickness. Our team leader, Young Masterminds Initiative’s CEO Manny Almonte, followed the advice of paramedics and accompanied him to a lower elevation. Tearful, the young man expressed his disappointment, saying he didn’t want to “quit.” The team gathered around him, reassuring him that prioritizing his health was not quitting. “The mountains will always be here,” they said. “You can join us next time!” This moment of vulnerability and support became one of the most profound lessons of the trip. He vowed to prepare better and to be back next year.

On the second day, we hiked along the Hidden Valley Trail, through fields of wildflowers and across mountain passes, with the breathtaking Rocky Mountains as our backdrop. The descent to Jenny Lake, at 11,800 feet of elevation, felt like a scene of a movie, and a cheerful crew greeted us with snacks and much needed encouragement. That evening, we enjoyed a stunning starlit sky before retreating to our tents to avoid a light drizzle.

By the third and final morning, any remaining exhaustion was replaced by the excitement of returning to basecamp to a BBQ celebration with friends. It was then that the true impact of the experience hit. “I’ll never forget this,” one young man shared with tears in his eyes. “I’m thinking of all the ways I can bring this newfound strength into my life back home.”

This journey was much more than miles hiked or calories burned. It was a testament to how immersion in nature teaches lessons of healing, resilience, and empowerment—lessons that these young men will carry with them long after they’ve returned home. It’s about discovering one’s true potential and bringing that sense of possibility and purpose back to their communities. 

For these kids, Camping to Connect partnership with Fjällräven was more than just an outdoor adventure. It’s a transformative experience that builds confidence and fosters lifelong connections. We look forward to our continued partnership with Fjällräven, helping more kids from underrepresented communities to walk with nature!