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brooke beyond

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Alta Via 4 Italian Dolomites hiking via ferrata guide

   travel beyond

travel beyond the ordinary

welcome, explorer.

This blog is all about exploring the incredible world that exists beyond— discovering hidden gems beyond the typical tourist track, reaching new heights beyond the marked trail, connecting with different cultures beyond the headlines & pushing beyond the boundaries of what you imagined life could be.

I’ve written hundreds of travel guides & detailed itineraries designed to inspire adventure in every corner of the globe. It all starts here.

explore trail + summit guides
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Hi, i’m brooke!

full-time traveller, mountain girl & adventure blogger

I’m obsessed with getting off the beaten path, exploring backcountry gems & travelling beyond the ordinary! I left Australia 5 years ago after finishing a PhD in Biomechanics & have been travelling the world full-time ever since (now joined by my life/climbing partner, James).

Whether it’s road-tripping through Mexico, climbing alpine peaks in the Andes, scuba diving in the Red Sea, or tackling epic via ferrata in the Dolomites, I hope this blog will inspire your future adventures & help you find wonder in every corner of the globe.

read my story
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Climbing Iztaccíhuatl volcano
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brooke beyond

latest adventures
USA / Wyoming

Complete Teton Crest Trail + Middle/South Teton scramble packing list

21 April 2025
Estado de México / Latin America / Mexico / Puebla

Complete Iztaccíhuatl packing list: what to pack for climbing Mexico’s 3rd highest volcano

21 April 2025
Latin America / Mexico / Puebla / Veracruz

Complete Pico de Orizaba packing list: what to pack for climbing Mexico’s highest volcano

21 April 2025
USA / Washington

Complete Mt Rainier summit packing list: essential gear + layers for climbing

21 April 2025
Europe / France

Complete Mont Blanc summit packing list: what to pack for climbing Mont Blanc solo + unsupported

21 April 2025
Argentina / Latin America

Complete Aconcagua expedition packing list: what I packed for a successful solo climb

21 April 2025
outdoor gear

How to pack food for multi-day backcountry adventures: our tips for maximising calories & minimising weight

16 April 2025
outdoor gear

How to choose the best trail shoes, hiking boots & mountaineering boots for every outdoor adventure

15 April 2025
outdoor gear

How to build an outdoor layering system for backcountry hiking & extreme alpine conditions

15 April 2025
see all posts
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travel beyond the ordinary

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  • ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨ Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12]. Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion. Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨ . . . . . #ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
  • CUSTOM GPS MAPS NOW LIVE!!!!! 🗺️🌎📍 ✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨ Before every single backpacking trip, hut-to-hut & alpine expedition, I spend dozens of hours building a custom GPS track to help me navigate along the route confidently, especially when going off-trail (as I love to do). And after MANY requests to share my custom routes, I am finally ready to release super detailed JSON/GPX files that you can use to plan your own epic adventure off the beaten path— navigating right off your smartphone!!! With new detailed notes at every single waypoint, better route beta, more alternatives, and updates based on my successful adventures, these maps reflect a lot of work + I am super excited to share them with the world 🗺️ For now, I’ve got Alta Via 2, Alta Via 4, and Aconcagua summit (via Horcones Valley) for sale, with more in the pipeline sooooon ✨ please share with anyone planning to hike AV2/AV4 or climb Aconcagua✨ . . . . . #altavia2 #altavia4 #av2 #av4 #italiandolomites #dolomites #dolomiti #aconcagua #horconesvalley #aconcaguasummit #solohiking #GPSmaps
  • Ethiopia is one of the few places on Earth where you can trek across day-old lava flows & stand at the edge of a crater filled with liquid fire. ✨ Erta Ale & more included on our Ethiopia adventure trip in November, check out full details at bit.ly/beyond-Ethiopia ✨ Would you get this close?! 👀🔥 . . . . . #ertaale #ethiopia #travelethiopia #travelafrica #volcano #bucketlist #travelgirls #adventuretravel #volcanoes
  • Come with us to explore one of the craziest places on the entire planet:📍 Danakil Depression, Ethiopia ✨ this & more included on our Ethiopia adventure trip in November, check out full details at the link in bio! ✨ . . . . . #textures #ethiopia #travelethiopia #travelafrica #simienmountains #bucketlist #travelgirls #adventuretravel
  • ETHIOPIA GROUP TRIP 🌈🌋☕️✨ I’ve been teasing it all month, but I’m so excited to finally open bookings for our group adventure trip to Ethiopia from 3-12 November! ✨click the link in my bio for trip details ✨ our 10-day Ethiopia itinerary includes: 🧆 cooking class + Addis Ababa city tour 🌋 hiking on Erta Ale, an active volcano 🌈 neon acid springs in the Danakil Depression ⛰️ scrambling to ancient cliffside monasteries in Gheralta to camp with the local monks 🥾 3-day trek through the Simien Mountains + 🐋 optional 3-day extension to Djibouti to swim with whale sharks!! ✨full itinerary + booking details at bit.ly/beyond-ethiopia ✨
ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨ Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12]. Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion. Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨ . . . . . #ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨ Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12]. Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion. Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨ . . . . . #ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨ Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12]. Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion. Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨ . . . . . #ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨ Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12]. Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion. Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨ . . . . . #ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨ Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12]. Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion. Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨ . . . . . #ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨ Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12]. Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion. Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨ . . . . . #ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨ Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12]. Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion. Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨ . . . . . #ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨ Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12]. Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion. Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨ . . . . . #ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨ Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12]. Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion. Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨ . . . . . #ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨ Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12]. Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion. Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨ . . . . . #ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨ Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12]. Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion. Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨ . . . . . #ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨ Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12]. Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion. Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨ . . . . . #ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨ Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12]. Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion. Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨ . . . . . #ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨ Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12]. Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion. Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨ . . . . . #ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨ Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12]. Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion. Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨ . . . . . #ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨ Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12]. Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion. Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨ . . . . . #ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨ Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12]. Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion. Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨ . . . . . #ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
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ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨ Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12]. Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion. Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨ . . . . . #ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
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1/5
CUSTOM GPS MAPS NOW LIVE!!!!! 🗺️🌎📍 ✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨ Before every single backpacking trip, hut-to-hut & alpine expedition, I spend dozens of hours building a custom GPS track to help me navigate along the route confidently, especially when going off-trail (as I love to do). And after MANY requests to share my custom routes, I am finally ready to release super detailed JSON/GPX files that you can use to plan your own epic adventure off the beaten path— navigating right off your smartphone!!! With new detailed notes at every single waypoint, better route beta, more alternatives, and updates based on my successful adventures, these maps reflect a lot of work + I am super excited to share them with the world 🗺️ For now, I’ve got Alta Via 2, Alta Via 4, and Aconcagua summit (via Horcones Valley) for sale, with more in the pipeline sooooon ✨ please share with anyone planning to hike AV2/AV4 or climb Aconcagua✨ . . . . . #altavia2 #altavia4 #av2 #av4 #italiandolomites #dolomites #dolomiti #aconcagua #horconesvalley #aconcaguasummit #solohiking #GPSmaps
CUSTOM GPS MAPS NOW LIVE!!!!! 🗺️🌎📍 ✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨ Before every single backpacking trip, hut-to-hut & alpine expedition, I spend dozens of hours building a custom GPS track to help me navigate along the route confidently, especially when going off-trail (as I love to do). And after MANY requests to share my custom routes, I am finally ready to release super detailed JSON/GPX files that you can use to plan your own epic adventure off the beaten path— navigating right off your smartphone!!! With new detailed notes at every single waypoint, better route beta, more alternatives, and updates based on my successful adventures, these maps reflect a lot of work + I am super excited to share them with the world 🗺️ For now, I’ve got Alta Via 2, Alta Via 4, and Aconcagua summit (via Horcones Valley) for sale, with more in the pipeline sooooon ✨ please share with anyone planning to hike AV2/AV4 or climb Aconcagua✨ . . . . . #altavia2 #altavia4 #av2 #av4 #italiandolomites #dolomites #dolomiti #aconcagua #horconesvalley #aconcaguasummit #solohiking #GPSmaps
CUSTOM GPS MAPS NOW LIVE!!!!! 🗺️🌎📍 ✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨ Before every single backpacking trip, hut-to-hut & alpine expedition, I spend dozens of hours building a custom GPS track to help me navigate along the route confidently, especially when going off-trail (as I love to do). And after MANY requests to share my custom routes, I am finally ready to release super detailed JSON/GPX files that you can use to plan your own epic adventure off the beaten path— navigating right off your smartphone!!! With new detailed notes at every single waypoint, better route beta, more alternatives, and updates based on my successful adventures, these maps reflect a lot of work + I am super excited to share them with the world 🗺️ For now, I’ve got Alta Via 2, Alta Via 4, and Aconcagua summit (via Horcones Valley) for sale, with more in the pipeline sooooon ✨ please share with anyone planning to hike AV2/AV4 or climb Aconcagua✨ . . . . . #altavia2 #altavia4 #av2 #av4 #italiandolomites #dolomites #dolomiti #aconcagua #horconesvalley #aconcaguasummit #solohiking #GPSmaps
CUSTOM GPS MAPS NOW LIVE!!!!! 🗺️🌎📍 ✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨ Before every single backpacking trip, hut-to-hut & alpine expedition, I spend dozens of hours building a custom GPS track to help me navigate along the route confidently, especially when going off-trail (as I love to do). And after MANY requests to share my custom routes, I am finally ready to release super detailed JSON/GPX files that you can use to plan your own epic adventure off the beaten path— navigating right off your smartphone!!! With new detailed notes at every single waypoint, better route beta, more alternatives, and updates based on my successful adventures, these maps reflect a lot of work + I am super excited to share them with the world 🗺️ For now, I’ve got Alta Via 2, Alta Via 4, and Aconcagua summit (via Horcones Valley) for sale, with more in the pipeline sooooon ✨ please share with anyone planning to hike AV2/AV4 or climb Aconcagua✨ . . . . . #altavia2 #altavia4 #av2 #av4 #italiandolomites #dolomites #dolomiti #aconcagua #horconesvalley #aconcaguasummit #solohiking #GPSmaps
CUSTOM GPS MAPS NOW LIVE!!!!! 🗺️🌎📍 ✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨ Before every single backpacking trip, hut-to-hut & alpine expedition, I spend dozens of hours building a custom GPS track to help me navigate along the route confidently, especially when going off-trail (as I love to do). And after MANY requests to share my custom routes, I am finally ready to release super detailed JSON/GPX files that you can use to plan your own epic adventure off the beaten path— navigating right off your smartphone!!! With new detailed notes at every single waypoint, better route beta, more alternatives, and updates based on my successful adventures, these maps reflect a lot of work + I am super excited to share them with the world 🗺️ For now, I’ve got Alta Via 2, Alta Via 4, and Aconcagua summit (via Horcones Valley) for sale, with more in the pipeline sooooon ✨ please share with anyone planning to hike AV2/AV4 or climb Aconcagua✨ . . . . . #altavia2 #altavia4 #av2 #av4 #italiandolomites #dolomites #dolomiti #aconcagua #horconesvalley #aconcaguasummit #solohiking #GPSmaps
CUSTOM GPS MAPS NOW LIVE!!!!! 🗺️🌎📍 ✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨ Before every single backpacking trip, hut-to-hut & alpine expedition, I spend dozens of hours building a custom GPS track to help me navigate along the route confidently, especially when going off-trail (as I love to do). And after MANY requests to share my custom routes, I am finally ready to release super detailed JSON/GPX files that you can use to plan your own epic adventure off the beaten path— navigating right off your smartphone!!! With new detailed notes at every single waypoint, better route beta, more alternatives, and updates based on my successful adventures, these maps reflect a lot of work + I am super excited to share them with the world 🗺️ For now, I’ve got Alta Via 2, Alta Via 4, and Aconcagua summit (via Horcones Valley) for sale, with more in the pipeline sooooon ✨ please share with anyone planning to hike AV2/AV4 or climb Aconcagua✨ . . . . . #altavia2 #altavia4 #av2 #av4 #italiandolomites #dolomites #dolomiti #aconcagua #horconesvalley #aconcaguasummit #solohiking #GPSmaps
CUSTOM GPS MAPS NOW LIVE!!!!! 🗺️🌎📍 ✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨ Before every single backpacking trip, hut-to-hut & alpine expedition, I spend dozens of hours building a custom GPS track to help me navigate along the route confidently, especially when going off-trail (as I love to do). And after MANY requests to share my custom routes, I am finally ready to release super detailed JSON/GPX files that you can use to plan your own epic adventure off the beaten path— navigating right off your smartphone!!! With new detailed notes at every single waypoint, better route beta, more alternatives, and updates based on my successful adventures, these maps reflect a lot of work + I am super excited to share them with the world 🗺️ For now, I’ve got Alta Via 2, Alta Via 4, and Aconcagua summit (via Horcones Valley) for sale, with more in the pipeline sooooon ✨ please share with anyone planning to hike AV2/AV4 or climb Aconcagua✨ . . . . . #altavia2 #altavia4 #av2 #av4 #italiandolomites #dolomites #dolomiti #aconcagua #horconesvalley #aconcaguasummit #solohiking #GPSmaps
CUSTOM GPS MAPS NOW LIVE!!!!! 🗺️🌎📍 ✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨ Before every single backpacking trip, hut-to-hut & alpine expedition, I spend dozens of hours building a custom GPS track to help me navigate along the route confidently, especially when going off-trail (as I love to do). And after MANY requests to share my custom routes, I am finally ready to release super detailed JSON/GPX files that you can use to plan your own epic adventure off the beaten path— navigating right off your smartphone!!! With new detailed notes at every single waypoint, better route beta, more alternatives, and updates based on my successful adventures, these maps reflect a lot of work + I am super excited to share them with the world 🗺️ For now, I’ve got Alta Via 2, Alta Via 4, and Aconcagua summit (via Horcones Valley) for sale, with more in the pipeline sooooon ✨ please share with anyone planning to hike AV2/AV4 or climb Aconcagua✨ . . . . . #altavia2 #altavia4 #av2 #av4 #italiandolomites #dolomites #dolomiti #aconcagua #horconesvalley #aconcaguasummit #solohiking #GPSmaps
CUSTOM GPS MAPS NOW LIVE!!!!! 🗺️🌎📍 ✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨ Before every single backpacking trip, hut-to-hut & alpine expedition, I spend dozens of hours building a custom GPS track to help me navigate along the route confidently, especially when going off-trail (as I love to do). And after MANY requests to share my custom routes, I am finally ready to release super detailed JSON/GPX files that you can use to plan your own epic adventure off the beaten path— navigating right off your smartphone!!! With new detailed notes at every single waypoint, better route beta, more alternatives, and updates based on my successful adventures, these maps reflect a lot of work + I am super excited to share them with the world 🗺️ For now, I’ve got Alta Via 2, Alta Via 4, and Aconcagua summit (via Horcones Valley) for sale, with more in the pipeline sooooon ✨ please share with anyone planning to hike AV2/AV4 or climb Aconcagua✨ . . . . . #altavia2 #altavia4 #av2 #av4 #italiandolomites #dolomites #dolomiti #aconcagua #horconesvalley #aconcaguasummit #solohiking #GPSmaps
@brookebeyond_
@brookebeyond_
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CUSTOM GPS MAPS NOW LIVE!!!!! 🗺️🌎📍 ✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨ Before every single backpacking trip, hut-to-hut & alpine expedition, I spend dozens of hours building a custom GPS track to help me navigate along the route confidently, especially when going off-trail (as I love to do). And after MANY requests to share my custom routes, I am finally ready to release super detailed JSON/GPX files that you can use to plan your own epic adventure off the beaten path— navigating right off your smartphone!!! With new detailed notes at every single waypoint, better route beta, more alternatives, and updates based on my successful adventures, these maps reflect a lot of work + I am super excited to share them with the world 🗺️ For now, I’ve got Alta Via 2, Alta Via 4, and Aconcagua summit (via Horcones Valley) for sale, with more in the pipeline sooooon ✨ please share with anyone planning to hike AV2/AV4 or climb Aconcagua✨ . . . . . #altavia2 #altavia4 #av2 #av4 #italiandolomites #dolomites #dolomiti #aconcagua #horconesvalley #aconcaguasummit #solohiking #GPSmaps
2 weeks ago
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2/5
@brookebeyond_
@brookebeyond_
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Ethiopia is one of the few places on Earth where you can trek across day-old lava flows & stand at the edge of a crater filled with liquid fire. ✨ Erta Ale & more included on our Ethiopia adventure trip in November, check out full details at bit.ly/beyond-Ethiopia ✨ Would you get this close?! 👀🔥 . . . . . #ertaale #ethiopia #travelethiopia #travelafrica #volcano #bucketlist #travelgirls #adventuretravel #volcanoes
3 weeks ago
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3/5
@brookebeyond_
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Come with us to explore one of the craziest places on the entire planet:📍 Danakil Depression, Ethiopia ✨ this & more included on our Ethiopia adventure trip in November, check out full details at the link in bio! ✨ . . . . . #textures #ethiopia #travelethiopia #travelafrica #simienmountains #bucketlist #travelgirls #adventuretravel
3 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
4/5
ETHIOPIA GROUP TRIP 🌈🌋☕️✨ I’ve been teasing it all month, but I’m so excited to finally open bookings for our group adventure trip to Ethiopia from 3-12 November! ✨click the link in my bio for trip details ✨ our 10-day Ethiopia itinerary includes: 🧆 cooking class + Addis Ababa city tour 🌋 hiking on Erta Ale, an active volcano 🌈 neon acid springs in the Danakil Depression ⛰️ scrambling to ancient cliffside monasteries in Gheralta to camp with the local monks 🥾 3-day trek through the Simien Mountains + 🐋 optional 3-day extension to Djibouti to swim with whale sharks!! ✨full itinerary + booking details at bit.ly/beyond-ethiopia ✨
ETHIOPIA GROUP TRIP 🌈🌋☕️✨ I’ve been teasing it all month, but I’m so excited to finally open bookings for our group adventure trip to Ethiopia from 3-12 November! ✨click the link in my bio for trip details ✨ our 10-day Ethiopia itinerary includes: 🧆 cooking class + Addis Ababa city tour 🌋 hiking on Erta Ale, an active volcano 🌈 neon acid springs in the Danakil Depression ⛰️ scrambling to ancient cliffside monasteries in Gheralta to camp with the local monks 🥾 3-day trek through the Simien Mountains + 🐋 optional 3-day extension to Djibouti to swim with whale sharks!! ✨full itinerary + booking details at bit.ly/beyond-ethiopia ✨
ETHIOPIA GROUP TRIP 🌈🌋☕️✨ I’ve been teasing it all month, but I’m so excited to finally open bookings for our group adventure trip to Ethiopia from 3-12 November! ✨click the link in my bio for trip details ✨ our 10-day Ethiopia itinerary includes: 🧆 cooking class + Addis Ababa city tour 🌋 hiking on Erta Ale, an active volcano 🌈 neon acid springs in the Danakil Depression ⛰️ scrambling to ancient cliffside monasteries in Gheralta to camp with the local monks 🥾 3-day trek through the Simien Mountains + 🐋 optional 3-day extension to Djibouti to swim with whale sharks!! ✨full itinerary + booking details at bit.ly/beyond-ethiopia ✨
ETHIOPIA GROUP TRIP 🌈🌋☕️✨ I’ve been teasing it all month, but I’m so excited to finally open bookings for our group adventure trip to Ethiopia from 3-12 November! ✨click the link in my bio for trip details ✨ our 10-day Ethiopia itinerary includes: 🧆 cooking class + Addis Ababa city tour 🌋 hiking on Erta Ale, an active volcano 🌈 neon acid springs in the Danakil Depression ⛰️ scrambling to ancient cliffside monasteries in Gheralta to camp with the local monks 🥾 3-day trek through the Simien Mountains + 🐋 optional 3-day extension to Djibouti to swim with whale sharks!! ✨full itinerary + booking details at bit.ly/beyond-ethiopia ✨
ETHIOPIA GROUP TRIP 🌈🌋☕️✨ I’ve been teasing it all month, but I’m so excited to finally open bookings for our group adventure trip to Ethiopia from 3-12 November! ✨click the link in my bio for trip details ✨ our 10-day Ethiopia itinerary includes: 🧆 cooking class + Addis Ababa city tour 🌋 hiking on Erta Ale, an active volcano 🌈 neon acid springs in the Danakil Depression ⛰️ scrambling to ancient cliffside monasteries in Gheralta to camp with the local monks 🥾 3-day trek through the Simien Mountains + 🐋 optional 3-day extension to Djibouti to swim with whale sharks!! ✨full itinerary + booking details at bit.ly/beyond-ethiopia ✨
ETHIOPIA GROUP TRIP 🌈🌋☕️✨ I’ve been teasing it all month, but I’m so excited to finally open bookings for our group adventure trip to Ethiopia from 3-12 November! ✨click the link in my bio for trip details ✨ our 10-day Ethiopia itinerary includes: 🧆 cooking class + Addis Ababa city tour 🌋 hiking on Erta Ale, an active volcano 🌈 neon acid springs in the Danakil Depression ⛰️ scrambling to ancient cliffside monasteries in Gheralta to camp with the local monks 🥾 3-day trek through the Simien Mountains + 🐋 optional 3-day extension to Djibouti to swim with whale sharks!! ✨full itinerary + booking details at bit.ly/beyond-ethiopia ✨
ETHIOPIA GROUP TRIP 🌈🌋☕️✨ I’ve been teasing it all month, but I’m so excited to finally open bookings for our group adventure trip to Ethiopia from 3-12 November! ✨click the link in my bio for trip details ✨ our 10-day Ethiopia itinerary includes: 🧆 cooking class + Addis Ababa city tour 🌋 hiking on Erta Ale, an active volcano 🌈 neon acid springs in the Danakil Depression ⛰️ scrambling to ancient cliffside monasteries in Gheralta to camp with the local monks 🥾 3-day trek through the Simien Mountains + 🐋 optional 3-day extension to Djibouti to swim with whale sharks!! ✨full itinerary + booking details at bit.ly/beyond-ethiopia ✨
ETHIOPIA GROUP TRIP 🌈🌋☕️✨ I’ve been teasing it all month, but I’m so excited to finally open bookings for our group adventure trip to Ethiopia from 3-12 November! ✨click the link in my bio for trip details ✨ our 10-day Ethiopia itinerary includes: 🧆 cooking class + Addis Ababa city tour 🌋 hiking on Erta Ale, an active volcano 🌈 neon acid springs in the Danakil Depression ⛰️ scrambling to ancient cliffside monasteries in Gheralta to camp with the local monks 🥾 3-day trek through the Simien Mountains + 🐋 optional 3-day extension to Djibouti to swim with whale sharks!! ✨full itinerary + booking details at bit.ly/beyond-ethiopia ✨
ETHIOPIA GROUP TRIP 🌈🌋☕️✨ I’ve been teasing it all month, but I’m so excited to finally open bookings for our group adventure trip to Ethiopia from 3-12 November! ✨click the link in my bio for trip details ✨ our 10-day Ethiopia itinerary includes: 🧆 cooking class + Addis Ababa city tour 🌋 hiking on Erta Ale, an active volcano 🌈 neon acid springs in the Danakil Depression ⛰️ scrambling to ancient cliffside monasteries in Gheralta to camp with the local monks 🥾 3-day trek through the Simien Mountains + 🐋 optional 3-day extension to Djibouti to swim with whale sharks!! ✨full itinerary + booking details at bit.ly/beyond-ethiopia ✨
ETHIOPIA GROUP TRIP 🌈🌋☕️✨ I’ve been teasing it all month, but I’m so excited to finally open bookings for our group adventure trip to Ethiopia from 3-12 November! ✨click the link in my bio for trip details ✨ our 10-day Ethiopia itinerary includes: 🧆 cooking class + Addis Ababa city tour 🌋 hiking on Erta Ale, an active volcano 🌈 neon acid springs in the Danakil Depression ⛰️ scrambling to ancient cliffside monasteries in Gheralta to camp with the local monks 🥾 3-day trek through the Simien Mountains + 🐋 optional 3-day extension to Djibouti to swim with whale sharks!! ✨full itinerary + booking details at bit.ly/beyond-ethiopia ✨
ETHIOPIA GROUP TRIP 🌈🌋☕️✨ I’ve been teasing it all month, but I’m so excited to finally open bookings for our group adventure trip to Ethiopia from 3-12 November! ✨click the link in my bio for trip details ✨ our 10-day Ethiopia itinerary includes: 🧆 cooking class + Addis Ababa city tour 🌋 hiking on Erta Ale, an active volcano 🌈 neon acid springs in the Danakil Depression ⛰️ scrambling to ancient cliffside monasteries in Gheralta to camp with the local monks 🥾 3-day trek through the Simien Mountains + 🐋 optional 3-day extension to Djibouti to swim with whale sharks!! ✨full itinerary + booking details at bit.ly/beyond-ethiopia ✨
ETHIOPIA GROUP TRIP 🌈🌋☕️✨ I’ve been teasing it all month, but I’m so excited to finally open bookings for our group adventure trip to Ethiopia from 3-12 November! ✨click the link in my bio for trip details ✨ our 10-day Ethiopia itinerary includes: 🧆 cooking class + Addis Ababa city tour 🌋 hiking on Erta Ale, an active volcano 🌈 neon acid springs in the Danakil Depression ⛰️ scrambling to ancient cliffside monasteries in Gheralta to camp with the local monks 🥾 3-day trek through the Simien Mountains + 🐋 optional 3-day extension to Djibouti to swim with whale sharks!! ✨full itinerary + booking details at bit.ly/beyond-ethiopia ✨
ETHIOPIA GROUP TRIP 🌈🌋☕️✨ I’ve been teasing it all month, but I’m so excited to finally open bookings for our group adventure trip to Ethiopia from 3-12 November! ✨click the link in my bio for trip details ✨ our 10-day Ethiopia itinerary includes: 🧆 cooking class + Addis Ababa city tour 🌋 hiking on Erta Ale, an active volcano 🌈 neon acid springs in the Danakil Depression ⛰️ scrambling to ancient cliffside monasteries in Gheralta to camp with the local monks 🥾 3-day trek through the Simien Mountains + 🐋 optional 3-day extension to Djibouti to swim with whale sharks!! ✨full itinerary + booking details at bit.ly/beyond-ethiopia ✨
@brookebeyond_
@brookebeyond_
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ETHIOPIA GROUP TRIP 🌈🌋☕️✨ I’ve been teasing it all month, but I’m so excited to finally open bookings for our group adventure trip to Ethiopia from 3-12 November! ✨click the link in my bio for trip details ✨ our 10-day Ethiopia itinerary includes: 🧆 cooking class + Addis Ababa city tour 🌋 hiking on Erta Ale, an active volcano 🌈 neon acid springs in the Danakil Depression ⛰️ scrambling to ancient cliffside monasteries in Gheralta to camp with the local monks 🥾 3-day trek through the Simien Mountains + 🐋 optional 3-day extension to Djibouti to swim with whale sharks!! ✨full itinerary + booking details at bit.ly/beyond-ethiopia ✨
1 month ago
View on Instagram |
5/5

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