Join Women’s Wilderness and REI Denver for an inspiring evening with Mexican adventurer, filmmaker, trail builder, and endurance athlete Zelzin Aketzalli.

Known by her trail name, Quetzal, Zelzin made history as the first person from Mexico to complete the Triple Crown of Hiking: the Pacific Crest, Appalachian, and Continental Divide trails. Now, she is pursuing an even bigger vision: creating Mexico’s first national long-distance hiking trail through Baja California.

During the evening, Zelzin will screen her award-winning short documentary, Zelzin: Footprints That Inspire, and share stories from her remarkable journey from beginning her first long-distance hike with no previous hiking experience to becoming an internationally recognized athlete, filmmaker, and trail builder. She will also discuss the work underway to build a trail that brings together outdoor recreation, conservation, local communities, and cultural connection.

This gathering is an opportunity to learn from a true trailblazer, celebrate the power of perseverance, and support a groundbreaking project that will expand access to long-distance hiking in Mexico. Funds raised during the event will help advance Zelzin’s trail-building and documentary work.

Come ready to be inspired by what becomes possible when we refuse to let obstacles define the path ahead.

Details

👥 Who: Everyone! People of all ages, race, and gender identities are welcome
🗓️ When: Monday, August 10, 6-8pm (doors open at 6pm, program begins at 6:30pm)
📍Where: REI Denver Flagship Store, 1416 Platte St, Denver CO 80202. This space is ADA accesible
🎟️ Price: $10 online tickets, $15 door tickets

Documentary Trailer

Your Speaker

Zelzin Aketzali is a Mexican adventure filmmaker, producer, trail designer and builder, engineer, and endurance athlete whose work explores resilience, identity, conservation, and community through long-distance expeditions. Her work as a filmmaker, thru-hiker, and trail builder has been featured by Outside Magazine, Backpacker Magazine, the Continental Divide Trail Coalition, Freeman Outdoors, and Univision.