Contact — PAULINA PEÑA MEDIA

There’s a moment when dusk is approaching and you look up at the mountains and the mountains are crisp and the sky is a solid turquoise blue and as you stare up at the rocky face, you start to debate whether the mountains are real or just a really large cardboard cutout #utahisrad

You’re too sensitive. You’re too emotional. It’s not safe for a pretty girl like you to travel alone. You climbed to the top of that yourself? Weren’t you scared? That’s your beefed up car?! I thought it was a mans. Your arms look like a dudes. You know how to change a tire? That’s rare for a girl. Why are you mad, is it because you’re on your period?— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — I am sensitive, not because I am a girl but because I choose to feel deeply. I am emotional not because I am a girl but because I am empathetic. I travel alone without fear because I want to see the world. I’ve climbed to the top of many mountains, myself, while leading men. Many times I was scared, but because I am a girl, I overlooked the fear and pushed on. I drive a lifted 4Runner with all the works because it takes me to the places that most other cars can’t. I changed it’s 18” tires by myself because I had to. My arms are defined because I’ve climbed competitively for 12 years, swam for 16 and did gymnastics for 5. I’m mad because I’m allowed to be whenever the hell I want to be. My period isn’t an excuse for my attitude, it only shows my strength as I dealt with endometriosis for years. Through the doubt, the emotions, the fear and the pain #stillshegoes — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — It is in all of us to defy expectations, to go into the world and to be brave, and to want, to need, to hunger for adventures. To embrace the chance and risk so that we may breathe and know what it is to be free. I feel so blessed to be a woman. Whenever a woman is confronted with feelings of self-doubt it is so important to have a couple of strong, independent women one can look up to. They can inspire you to become a strong woman yourself that approaches life with confidence. Here is to all the strong, independent women who incite the fire of self-worth, inspiration and a good dose of sassiness within me. I am who I am because of the strong women who raised me and are who they are 💪🏼👊🏼 #internationalwomensday

I’ve been waiting for this day all season. It’s been a bad winter here in Utah..which means we’ve had no snow. This weekend the storm blew in more than 14 inches of powder which we threw ourselves through for the entire day on Sunday. I spent the day with all my favorite men aka my dad, my adopted dad for the week, my man and two of the most badass boys. Nothing beats a deep powder day with my boys #freerefills

Of all the things in this world, there are three things that consistently catch my breath; the mountains, sunsets and the stars. How lucky we are to experience and understand such beauty and magnificence. Everyday my breathe gets taken away #Chile

My life changed when I moved to Utah. The mountains have me wrapped around their fingers and I don’t plan on ever letting go #utahisrad #cheesin • • • 📸: @creightonbaird 🕸: @sketchyandylewis

I like to go out of my way to get the shot that I want. Sometimes I end up putting myself in stupid situations, getting too close to large animals that I shouldn’t even be near, hanging off the side of a cliff or even dangling 400ft above a canyon. Then there are moments like this one. I pulled out the drone, my gut screaming at me “don’t you even think about flying this thing” and two seconds later the drone is taking off from my dads hand. We both felt uneasy about this. For one, we were in a national park aka a no fly zone and to add on to that, it was windy, it’s above a fast flowing river and there were trees surrounding me. With photography it can be a gamble. I decided to take the gamble knowing that if I walked away without trying to get this view on camera, I would have regretted it. Well this shot happened to be the last thing that drone ever saw. Right after snapping this photo a gust of wind threw the drone into the tree nearby sending it barreling to the ground. I tried for an hour looking for a spot to cross the river to grab the fallen drone. I knew exactly where it was. It was still on and still working but it was tangled in a bush. My dad and I debated swimming across, we talked to the rafting company, the national parks services, we drove around looking for a calm area to cross over...all of which failed. So before calling it quits, I took a screen grab of this photo and decided that flying it was worth it after all #chile

I’d freeze my ass off any day for views that we had on this day. It was cloudy all day and as the day was coming to an end, the sun peaked out and lit up the snow covered mountains. Why would anyone wish away winter? I’ll enjoy the snow and the cold everyday and when summer comes I’ll enjoy it just as much. I love living in a state where every season is equally as amazing as the next #utahisrad

I stared out at the mountains, sitting on the lava rocks for hours. My dad and just stood there in the sun trying to soak in as much of the view as we could. I took so many photos, not wanting to forget a second of what I saw. Whatever feeds your will for adventure, eat it up and get out there. Views are waiting for you #chile

Growing up, I always enjoyed spending more time with my parents and sisters than I did with friends. We went everywhere together and we traveled constantly. When we lived in France, every weekend was spent in my dads VW van, traveling somewhere new. When we moved to SC, those things didn’t change. Though we didn’t live in a small French village anymore and the Alps weren’t in our backyard, we discovered somewhere new every weekend in the Blue Ridge mountains, camping out of the VW van still, hiking and climbing as often as we could. The thing I love about my family is that we choose to spend all of our time together. When my older sister got a job in Utah, we literally all followed her out here, because we are those crazy people who follow each other wherever we go. I’m lucky to have been raised with the spirit of constant adventure along side my best friends. Thank you faja for bringing me along with you to Chile, again! You’re my favorite travel companion ❤️ #chile

I remember the first time I saw this river. I was 10 years old. I couldn’t believe that a place like this existed. The water seemed too perfect to be real. The river was the brightest turquoise blue I’d have ever seen in nature. I swear, even now, I have a hard time understanding the true essence and power of nature. That it produces the most vibrant and beautiful colors in this world. Those mountains in the background too...it’s just too beautiful to be real! This river, this national park and of course this country hold some of my greatest memories. I f*cking love Mother Nature #patagonia

This is the beginning of a beautiful relationship...