The desert Southwest is a magical place of extreme contrast and powerful energy. When life throws you some unexpected hits, there really isn't a better place to find yourself again.
The story of my dad and stepmoms accident on a remote peak in the Sierras and a reminder that trail angels really do exist! You can never be too prepared in the wilderness.
A weekend of Hok skiing in northern Ferry County, Washington at the Altai Skis Backcountry Festival with perfect snow, fantastic weather, and a welcoming local community of Hoksters.
I think it's easy for most of us to support our local search and rescue teams, but it's tough to grasp the level of effort required for a rescue. Some friends and I played mock victims for a large avalanche training exercise and witnessed firsthand the amazing skills and dedication of search and rescue volunteers.
Who inspires you to get out and explore? My outdoor hero is my amazing 70-year old dad who is living proof that staying fit and having an intrepid spirit keeps you eternally youthful.
All of us have fears, yet living in fear keeps us from truly living. Since my childhood I've been terrified of the water and it's taken me over 30 years to finally defeat it. Recently I was able to fulfill a dream to sea kayak to the beautiful San Juan Islands, which is proof that all of us can conquer our fears!!
11 years ago I walked into an animal shelter and came home with Crazy Jake dog. In the years since he's become my peakbagging partner, camping companion, and road trip co-pilot. I can't think of a single memory without him! Here's the story of Jake dog and how to cope when your best adventure buddy grows old.
I often call myself a serial soloist because I love solo hiking, backpacking, and adventures. When someone told me I should be scared to be in the woods alone it got me thinking. How many of you hike alone? Some thoughts and tips for going solo.
Last summer I did something completely crazy: I spent 3 days at a silent yoga/meditation retreat. What I thought would be my worst idea ever actually became my best. I learned a lot about myself, rebooted my brain, sharpened my senses, and experienced first-hand how powerful the mind can really be.
I jokingly refer to myself as a serial soloist and think "don't hike alone" is terrible advice. I think the better advice is "never underestimate nature."
For years, people have told me I should write more. Share more stories. Write a book. Start something. So here it is, a new Substack for storytelling: Off-grid, underfunded, and occasionally unbridled.
Lately I've been doing a lot of race reports. This isn't so much a race report but more a story about the amazing people you meet along the way while participating in races and events and crazy relays. This year after volunteering at the Ragnar for a group of friends I met on last year's Ragnar relay, I realized they're just the sort of people that define "amazing".