Melissa Wright Photography | Adventure Photographer Traveling Worldwide

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My favorite things, adventure and photography. I haven’t even heard about yours yet, but I’m already stoked. Those memories don’t have to be left at the campsite, trail, wall or event. Let me capture it for you!

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One of my favorite climbing days. The pandemic has

One of my favorite climbing days. The pandemic has changed a lot for me. My 17 year old son has been home since spring break and I’m stressing about him going back to school for his senior year. My job duties have entirely changed (I used to be events full time) and I’m working 100% from home. I don’t get to travel as freely as I once did. The list could go on... but one thing that I miss the most is climbing. I climbed 2-3 times a week at the gym and always had weekend excursions planned. Climbing for me is mental therapy, pushing myself physically, and my social circle. I’ve replaced a little of that with mountain biking, but damn... some days I just really miss my old routine.

I know everyone is going through this. I feel incredibly lucky to not have had a friend or family member get covid yet. I feel very lucky to have a job and my living situation is stable and I’m not worrying about rent. It’s worth talking about the toll this has taken on my mental health though. The toll it’s taken on everyone. I will not be coming out of this the same person. Priorities have shifted a bit. Things I thought I cared about don’t seem to matter as much. I suppose some of that is for the best. I’ve become laser focused on what means most to me and even more determined to live the life I’ve only dreamt about, but there are still days like today where I ache for normality. This photo was taken early February and represents a weekend that was probably the last “normal” weekend I had. It’s ok to take time to mourn whatever loss you’ve had without guilt. It’s a pretty big fucking deal.
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#sedona #sedonaclimbing #sunset #wildernessbadass #onbelay #neverstopexploring #rockclimbing #rockclimbingwomen #womenwhoclimb #wildernessbabes #optoutside #wildernessculture #sedonaaz #getoutside #livelifeoutside #adventurelikeyougiveadamn #getoutside #womenwhoadventure #explorearizona #wallsaremeantforclimbing #multipitch #adventurelife #outdoorwomen #sedonaarizona #sheisnotlost #lifeofadventure #liveauthentic #outdoorproject #amongthewild #perfectday

I wish rolling into Monday’s were this fun! . .

I wish rolling into Monday’s were this fun!
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📷: @evadventureproject
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#specializedbikes #specialized #mountainbike #mountainbiking #mountainbikelife #flagstaffaz #walnutcanyon #flagstaff #getoutside #optoutside #prius #mtb #mtbaz #arizonaisgorgeous #explorearizona_ #mtbwomen #lifeofadventure #adventurelife #adventurelikeyougiveadamn #specializedrockhopper #neverstopexploring #neverstoplearning #singletrack #mtbiking #mtbgirl #aztrails #livelifeoutside #mtblife #bikeporn #mountainbikelife #arizonalife

My feet are always a troublesome issue when hiking

My feet are always a troublesome issue when hiking/backpacking. I’ve learned over the years that if we’re stopping for more than just a couple minutes, take the pack off, take the boots off and sit down and stretch. Here I am looking all awkward, making adjustments to my bag sans boots and sitting weird to stretch my hips. Every little bit helps!
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#washington #explorewashington #pnwonderland #pnwadventures #pnw #gregorypacks #womenwhohike #mtsainthelens #backpacking #optoutside #lifeofadventure #adventuretime #adventureislife #adventurelikeyougiveadamn #washingtonadventures #hikewashington #hikingadventures #exploreoutdoors #volcano #outdoorwomen #liveoutside #sheexplores #backpackingadventures #hikingculture #wildernessbabes #wildernessculture #travelwashington #loowittrail #mountsainthelens #neverstopexploring

Did you know that a group of butterflies is called

Did you know that a group of butterflies is called a kaleidoscope?! The only thing that could’ve made this moment more magical was knowing I was walking through something called a kaleidoscope.
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#mthood #mounthood #paradiseloop #oregon #mthoodnationalforest #mthoodwilderness #pnwwonderland #mtnchicks #womenwhohike #backpackingadventures #switchbackchics #optoutside #lifeofadventure #adventuretime #adventureislife #adventurelikeyougiveadamn #oregonadventures #hikeoregon #hikingadventures #exploreoutdoors #outdoorwomen #liveoutside #sheexplores #backpacking #hikingculture #wildernessbabes #wildernessculture #butterflies #kaleidoscope #neverstopexploring

I had only been less climbing for a few months bef

I had only been less climbing for a few months before COVID hit. Definitely not enough time to gain confidence in my skills! I recently climbed this same wall, just on top rope, and was surprised that I ever lead it at all 😂 Without being able to regularly practice in a gym or outside climbing partner, it’s hard to imagine getting back to even this level of confidence. I know it’ll happen, but it’s disheartening right now since I was SO excited with my progress. In a few months when it cools down again, hopefully I can get outside on some kind of regular basis to work on strength and basic skills.
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I think this photo was taken sometime last November, but I can’t remember by who 😂 Whoops!
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#flagstaff #flagstaffarizona #flagstaffclimbing #climbinggirls #visitflagstaff #climbon #onbelay #adventurelikeyougiveadamn #wallsaremeantforclimbing #rockclimbing #climbinglife #optoutside #getoutside #exloremore #neverstopexploring #climb #climbing #outdoorwomen #womenwhoclimb #womenwhoexplore #sheexplores #flashfoxy #azwcc #lifeofadventure #adventuretime #sheisnotlost #mountainchicks #wildernessculture #rockclimbingwomen #livelifeoutside

I’m actually staying home this weekend since I h

I’m actually staying home this weekend since I have piles of work to do. When I get particularly antsy (which is almost always when in my apartment), I scroll through my favorite adventures. This one is still at the top of my list.
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#neverstopexploring #californiaclimbing #climbing #womenwhodrone #lonepine #outdoorclimbing #climbon #climbingweekend #climbcalifornia #alabamahills #getoutside #optoutside #lifeofadventure #adventurelikeyougiveadamn #onbelay #exploreoutdoors #explorecalifornia #sierranevada #womenwhoclimb #climbinglife #flashfoxy #azwcc #climbingwomen #outdoorwomen #sheexplores #sheisnotlost #strongwomen #rockclimbingwomen #djimavicpro #wallsaremeantforclimbing

Perfect, isolated backpacking trip. With these 110

Perfect, isolated backpacking trip. With these 110+ degree days, I can’t help but scroll through past mountain trips, especially those with snow.

Fellow desert dwellers: any of you finding the heat extra oppressive this summer? I’m sure the stress of it is magnified by the pandemic, lack of places to escape to, and the general state of Arizona right now. It’s definitely getting me down. I have all new bike lights for both the road and mountain bike so I’m hoping that will help with mental health. Each day the heat seems like such a massive weight. I’m so done with it. If you have any coping tips, please share!
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📷: @evadventureproject
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#oregon #oregonexplored #pnwonderland #pnwadventures #pnw #backpacking #womenwhohike #twinlakes #switchbackchics #optoutside #lifeofadventure #adventuretime #adventureislife #adventurelikeyougiveadamn #oregonadventures #hikeoregon #hikingadventures #exploreoutdoors #littlealpsoforegon #outdoorwomen #liveoutside #sheexplores #backpackinglife #hikingculture #wildernessbabes #wildernessculture #traveloregon #pacificnorthwest #backpackingadventures #neverstopexploring

Mountain biking is officially on my list of activi

Mountain biking is officially on my list of activities that I don’t see going anywhere for a long time (if ever). When this pandemic started, I embraced the trails to help keep myself sane since climbing regularly at the gym was no longer an option. I love hiking, but I need something that pushes me more physically and mentally. So here I am with another outdoor activity to buy all the things for 😂

Also, I love pushing my little Prius to its limits and surprising people with what it can actually do. It hauls all my gear like a champ. All I need now is a little lift to give me a bit more clearance when heading down rough dirt roads!
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#specializedbikes #specialized #mountainbike #mountainbiking #mountainbikelife #mtbgang #flagstaff #priuslife #rticcoolers #happybirthday #getoutside #optoutside #prius #mtb #mtbaz #arizonaisgorgeous #explorearizona_ #mtbwomen #lifeofadventure #adventurelife #adventurelikeyougiveadamn #priusinthewild #specializedrockhopper #neverstopexploring #neverstoplearning #singletrack #mtbiking #mtbgirl #themountainsarecalling #livelifeoutside

It feels like there’s not much to be celebrated

It feels like there’s not much to be celebrated right now in the US.

So here’s what I focused on over the weekend: being out in nature, pushing my body harder than I have in months, taking long deep breaths, stopping to enjoy the wildflowers, being away from people, being with someone I care about.

I know it’s a privilege I have to be able to take a break and escape, but man I needed a break. We all need to take them when we can these days with the world being so heavy. My body is exhausted, but inside I feel lighter. It was a good weekend.
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#washington #explorewashington #pnwonderland #pnwadventures #pnw #mtnchicks #womenwhohike #mtsainthelens #backpacking #optoutside #lifeofadventure #adventuretime #adventureislife #adventurelikeyougiveadamn #washingtonadventures #hikewashington #hikingadventures #exploreoutdoors #volcano #outdoorwomen #liveoutside #sheexplores #backpackingadventures #hikingculture #wildernessbabes #wildernessculture #travelwashington #loowittrail #mountsainthelens #neverstopexploring

My happy place. Can someone please pay me to adven

My happy place. Can someone please pay me to adventure 😂
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📷: @evadventureproject
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#oregon #oregonexplored #pnwonderland #pnwadventures #pnw #mtnchicks #womenwhohike #twinlakes #switchbackchics #optoutside #lifeofadventure #adventuretime #adventureislife #adventurelikeyougiveadamn #oregonadventures #hikeoregon #hikingadventures #exploreoutdoors #littlealpsoforegon #outdoorwomen #liveoutside #sheexplores #sheisnotlost #hikingculture #wildernessbabes #wildernessculture #traveloregon #pacificnorthwest #womenwhoexplore #neverstopexploring

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