About me

My name is Cal (he/they) and I am a transgender educator and endurance athlete. In 2023 I completed a 2,800 mile transcontinental Run from California to Florida to fight for the inclusion of transgender people in sports and access to gender affirming healthcare. Along the way I raised nearly $100,000 for grassroots lgbtq groups doing the most to support trans people most impacted by anti-trans legislation.

I have been featured on several news outlets and publications for this achievement and was invited to the White House by President Biden for the White House Pride Celebration. My team and I are currently producing a feature length documentary about my run.

In 2022 I became the first known transgender person to complete the Triple Crown of hiking which includes nearly 8,000 miles of walking across the three premier National Scenic Trails, all as a fundraiser for “The Trevor Project”

Read about me in Outside Magazine HERE

I was born and raised in Venice, CA and grew up running barefoot in the sand and body surfing in the ocean. I ran XC and Track for Venice High School and went on to compete at the collegiate level. I obtained my BA in Sociology and Anthropology and my national teaching certification from Swarthmore College. I worked as an educational researcher in both the USC Rossier Graduate School of Education and the UCLA Center for the Transformation of Schools. I teach high school history and coach cross-country and track.

This run is so much bigger than me so join us on this journey to make an impact for transgender athletes, youth, and the lgbtq community at large during these trying political times. You are welcome and cherished here. I love you.

Cal

Past Projects and Press

Appalachian Trail

2018
Continental Divide Trail

2021

Read about it here
Pacific Crest Trail

2022
Oregon Coast Trail

2022
Check out this 25min documentary I made about my time on the OCT!

OCT Documentary
Great Western Loop

2022
The GWL is a 7,000+ mile trail including the PCT, CDT, PNT, GET, AZT, and other connecting trails. only 5 people have completed the entire loop and Cal intends to be the 6th. They are more than 3/4 of the way complete and using the hike as a fundraiser for the Trevor Project (link below)

Trevor Project Fundraiser
Backpacker Magazine

Cal “Starburst“ Dobbs Becomes the First Reported Publicly Trans Triple Crowner

Read the article
First Known Transgender Person to Triple Crown

Outside Magazine : Cal “Starburst“ Dobbs Becomes the First Reported Publicly Trans Triple Crowner
“On Thursday, August 11, 25-year-old Cal “Starburst” Dobbs (they/he), completed their thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail, becoming the first reported transgender hiker to triple crown…the accomplishment involves traversing the United States three times; only about 500 people have ever finished this monumental endeavor.”

Read the article
Deuter USA

Backpacking into history
“History will be made soon. Our ambassador Caelan Dobbs is on track to be the first transgender individual to complete the US thru hike Triple Crown. (This consists of thru hiking the Appalachian Trail, the Continental Divide Trail, and the Pacific Crest Trail.) They, along with their partner Lyla Harrod and dog Truman, are about 2/3 of the way done with the PCT at the time this is being written. While walking toward history, Cal is also raising money for The Trevor Project and inspiring their students back home.”

Read here