Megan Culp
The search
Megan is a physical therapist from Salt Lake City, Utah. She had always wanted to see Machu Picchu, but what made this trip stand out was that it was completely sober. It was her first time signing up for a group trip with strangers, and she wanted something that would feel like an adventure and a reset at the same time.
“I saw that it was a sober experience, and I was excited and stoked on that. That was number one.”
The transformation
The trail to Machu Picchu challenged Megan in ways she hadn’t expected. She had done some high-altitude hikes before, but nothing that demanded this much from her. Still, she found herself loving the exhaustion, the scenery, and the satisfaction that came with finishing each climb. Every day felt like proof of what she was capable of.
“I knew that we would get to above 15,000 feet, and that would be intense because I’ve done some 14ers. So, the intensity of the steep climbs was tough, but fun. I loved it.”
The shift
When Megan joined the trip, she noticed right away how different the group dynamic felt. Without the usual focus on alcohol, everyone was more present. There was more laughter, more genuine connection, and no one was waiting for the next drink to loosen up. The shared experience of hiking and traveling sober made everyone open up faster.
“There was so much Less focus on when we’re gonna get our next drink, which was nice because then we could actually just focus on the views, the experiences, laughing together, bonding, and getting to know each other.”
Vivid memories with Capsule Adventures
Looking back, what stands out to Megan is the raw reality of it all. There was no pressure to drink, no one pretending to connect. The shared challenge, humor, and small daily rituals brought everyone together in a way that felt genuine. It reminded her that a n epic challenge like this doesn’t need anything added to make it meaningful.