Over 4th of July weekend I headed to the Sierras with my dad, stepmom, and friend to get some backpacking miles AND some altitude training in preparation for this summer's 18-day backpack. And I bagged my 2nd 14er: Mount Langley!
Trip Reports
Sit back, relax, and read some good stories of adventure.
Last weekend I did a one-way 22-mile bike ride on the Cascades to Palouse State Park Trail from Renslow to the Columbia. This amazing rail trail takes you on a fantastic tour of Washington's scrublands and railway history, though rockfall is a real concern in areas.
Playing gear Tetris on a Friday night, sleeping in my Jeep with my dog during a rainstorm.. just your normal Labor Day weekend outing!
The Blue Mountains of southeast Washington span 4,000 square miles of land and contain open ridges, big mesas, deep canyons, natural springs, loads of wildlife and surprising solitude. This wilderness is one of Washington’s best surprises!
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!!
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".
A visit to the spectacular broad summit of Cooper Mountain high atop Chelan Ridge, the location of several old fire lookout structures.
A spectacularly beautiful hike through Beehive Basin in Big Sky, Montana, named one of the top 10 hikes in the country. As a solo hiker I had bears on my mind and got a surprise I didn't count on...
Relatively unknown Fawn Peak in Mazama is a gem of a peakbagging destination. One of the the 200 most prominent mountains in Washington, Fawn provides an enjoyable, open, ridge line traverse, plenty of spring flowers, and a broad summit with stunning 360 views.
Recently I was able to visit the Yakama Indian Reservation as part of a fire lookout work party. I met some incredible people and saw a gorgeous land that few are privileged to see.
A trip report from a Memorial Day weekend exploring Stehekin and running part of the Lakeshore Trail along Lake Chelan. We're so lucky to have such an amazing place in our backyard!
Disappointment over my failed JMT attempt was replaced by excitement when I somehow lucked into Whitney day hike permits AND clearing smoke conditions. Standing on top of the Whitney summit at 14,505' with my dad and stepmom right next to me was proof that life rarely unfolds exactly as planned.