Finding magic in every mountain and mischief in every meadow
About The Dragonsky Escapades
Say hello to Shilletha Curtis, aka "Dragonsky," your go-to trailblazer from New Jersey who turns hiking & traveling into an epic adventure! After snagging a Social Work degree from Rutgers in 2014, she found her true passion in 2021—taking on the Appalachian Trail and discovering she had a knack for turning every hike into a story.
Her trek through the Appalachian Trail Facebook groups was so eventful, it sparked a game-changing article about racism and the lack of Black faces in the great outdoors called “Not Just Another Hiker” Now, as a fierce activist, Shilletha is on a mission to break mental health stigma and show how nature can be the ultimate healer.
With her eyes set on becoming the first queer Black woman to achieve the Triple Crown of hiking (AT, PCT, CDT), Shilletha has already conquered the Appalachian Trail and the Continental Divide Trail. She's now prepping for the Pacific Crest Trail in 2025. When she’s not scaling mountains or wrestling with wild ideas, you’ll find her partnering with top brands & magazines, inspiring folks, and dreaming up her next big escapade. Buckle up—adventure awaits!
AS FEATURED ON
Public Speaking
Shilletha Curtis is not only an accomplished author but also an engaging public speaker who leaves audiences inspired. Her dynamic presentations have captivated listeners at prestigious events like the ESPN First Black Athlete Symposium at Mercedes Benz Stadium, Williams College in North Adams, Massachusetts, Inspiring teenagers at high schools in Denver, Colorado and a notable engagement with Arc'teryx in NYC. Known for her ability to connect and engage with her audience, Shilletha ensures that everyone feels valued and heard. Her speaking style is both compelling and personable, making each event a memorable experience.
Featured Speaker at Arc'teryx NYC
Topics
Speaking Topics
No two days on the trail are the same. Some days are just harder than others. Some days things don’t go your way. Some days, the obstacles are the size of a mountain. But there’s always a way. Shilletha talks about the strength and creativity she didn’t even know she had in overcoming obstacles and succeeding on the trail and how you can discover your own hidden abilities that allow you to succeed.
When the mountain tells you to slow down, you have no choice but to abide. It’s in those moments that Shilletha realized the importance of that lesson. In our society, we are taught we must always be doing something for us to feel productive. When we stop and breathe, we see more, learn more, and begin to find out who we are. Join Shilletha as she tells stories from her time on the trail, how she applies what she learns to everyday life, and how you can do the same.
It’s easy to think that you must pick a path in life and that’s it. So often (most times) Shilletha sets out on path on the mountain and whether by choice or necessity, the path changes. Nature forces her to adapt instead of resist. In that adaptation, comes growth. Shilletha’s original plan was not to become the first lesbian Black woman to complete the triple crown, and write a book about it, but here she is. In this talk Shilletha discusses what it takes to discover your dream and make the changes to turn it into a reality.
Shilletha talks about the impact hiking has had on her struggle with mental illness and how it improves not just her physical but mental health. She elaborates on the accomplishment of conquering the trail and how it allows her to conquer challenges off the trail.
Let's Team up For Some Epic Adventures!
Dragonsky is an elite athlete with a passion for new challenges. A thru-hiking and backpacking aficionado with four years of experience, she completed the Appalachian Trail in 2021 and the Continental Divide Trail in 2023, and has tackled 42 peaks of the NH48. With Denali and other high peaks on her radar, Dragonsky is an aspiring mountaineer. She’s worked with top-notch brands like Arc'teryx, Keen, Johnson & Johnson, Sawyer, and more.
Shilletha Curtis, also known as Dragonsky, has bared her soul in this memoir, which is deeply personal, brutally honest, and endlessly inspiring."
​— Jessica Nabongo
​ author of The Catch Me if You Can: One Woman's Journey to Every Country In the World