Hi there. Nice to meet you!
I’m Jen, the owner, writer, photographer and dog mom behind this blog. You’ll see a variety of dogs referenced in my photos and posts. My current adventure buddy is Sitka, a rescued Red Heeler mix from Hood River, Oregon.
Long Haul Trekkers was born in 2015 when Jen and her partner at the time took off on a two-year bicycle tour across Europe and South America with their Australian Shepherd, Sora.
The adventure began in Oslo, Norway in May 2015 and slowly made our way to Athens in December, via the Balkans and Turkey. In January 2016, we flew to Ushuaia, in Patagonia, slowly crawling over the Andes toward Colombia.
A few years after that adventure, Dave and I parted ways, but one thing remains the same: If I go, they go. I never leave the dogs behind.
Today, Sitka and I hit the trails for runs, hikes, and backpacking trips. We love to travel, especially throughout our home in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
I hope my blog inspires you to take your dog along on your adventures, no matter how far or near.
Meet the Team
Jen
Jen is is a trail runner, mountain explorer, damn good vegan cook, and a fan of craft beer and dessert. She’s also dog mom AF.
Having grown up with cats, she always wanted a dog. To get her fix, she became the neighborhood dog sitter and walker. When she finally had the chance to have a dog of her own, she took that dog with her just about everywhere she went, wondering why anyone would ever leave their dog behind. She is always planning her next dog-friendly adventure.
A native of the Pacific Northwest, she developed a love for the mountains, waterways, and beauty of the region, aiming to explore as much as she can.
Jen is also a freelance journalist and content marketing writer and content creator for brands. If you’d like to work with her, please check out her other site at jensotolongo.com
Sitka
Sitka is a Red Heeler mix adopted from Hood River Adopt a Dog. He is a sweet boy with plenty of energy and spunk. A fence jumper in his first life, these days, he is learning the ropes of what it takes to be an adventure dog.
He loves the water and will hop in any river or lake, no matter the temperature. Unfortunately, he doesn’t feel the same way about bath time, despite his enjoyment of running through mud and puddles.
Sora 2005-2018
Sora was the dog who inspired this blog. She was an Australian Shepherd adopted from Family Dogs New Life in Portland, OR in 2008.
She joined Jen and Dave, her partner at the time, on their two-year bicycle trip across Europe and South America. After a recurring battle with cancer, she went to the Rainbow Bridge in 2018.
Sora traveled to nearly 30 countries on her adventures, graced the cover of a magazine and served as the face of adoption for an animal rights group in Medellin, Colombia.
Sora was the original adventure dog of the pack and inspired this blog. She was Jen’s heart dog and the love of her life.
I love my day job and love seeing people make their lives the one they really want. I also love dogs and traveling. All this means I am very much looking forward to peeking in on your journey.
Thank, Jeri! We look forward to you following along. You do such a great job in your work and I can honestly say that I’ve never worked for a company who invests so much in their employees.
Yay! Very exciting to be connected. I am a fellow BGI grad– (C6 Class) and a former bicycle tour guide. I guided my 1st year with Willie Weir– an amazing bicycle adventurer and story teller. I share his name with you in case you want to see how he cobbled together a living and followed his passion. I saw him speak at REI about 5 years ago… and he has really refined his craft. Check him out. And, enjoy!
Hi Julie, how fun that you know Willie Weir! My mom bought us two of his books just before we departed and we devoured them. I’d love to connect with him sometime to learn more about how he scraps together his living to cycle around the world. I just don’t know how approachable he is these days! Thanks so much for reaching out.
I just found your website and look forward to reading. I was on an around the world bicycle trip starting in Bangkok. I made it all the way south to Sydney and then from Inuvik in the Arctic Circle south through Canada and into Oregon, about 15,000 km. Near Bend, I was hit by a truck and survived despite a long list of injuries and a lot of bedtime. I am now sitting in the Philippines with my golden retriever. I’ll be reading and telling my dog all about the adventures that Sora is experiencing.
Your dog is going to be so jealous of all the sheep and alpacas Sora will meet! If we ever make it to the Philippines, she’d like to meet your pup.
We are so sorry to hear that you were hit by a truck, and in Oregon of all places. I hope that our fellow Oregonians treated you well in your time of recovery and we’re glad to hear that you’re doing well now. I hope that it hasn’t turned you off from visiting Oregon again.
Hi,
I was looking for some information to create an infographic on Hiking with dogs and came across your site.
Very informative and thanks for taking the effort. After completing the infographics., I would like to share it.