In 2017 the Hidden Lakes area of the central Pasayten was badly burned by fire. 3 days backpacking here made me realize there is immense beauty in devastation and that nature is extraordinarily resilient.
A wonderful 3 days spent backpacking the White Pass/Pilot Ridge loop in the Glacier Peak Wilderness. This one has it all: wildflowers, green meadows, alpine lakes, old-growth forests, and mountains for miles.
I can't tell you how excited I am to have finally checked off my first solo backpacking adventure! It was a "beary" exciting weekend of wildlife encounters, hot spring soaking, and beautiful trails!
A trip report from a 3 day solo backpack of the Devil's Dome loop in the Pasayten. Devilishly steep? Absolutely, but full of heavenly ridgetop camps, North Cascades vistas, and surprising solitude.
The late 1800s gold mining ghost town of Bodie in the Okanogan Highlands of Washington State is a particularly photogenic historical attraction, especially in fall and winter.
After 12 years I finally checked the mail again, successfully scrambled to Dirtybox AND narrowly avoided a lightning storm on the summit, I'd say that's a win!
Clark Peak (7,890') just south of Tiffany Mountain in the Tiffany Highlands has an incredibly steep north face and makes a great peakbagging destination, especially during the summer wildflower show.
This post was originally published on the Rad Girls Life blog and was written about my very first mountaineering outing: climbing Mount St. Helens in 2015 on New Year's Day.
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!!
Doe Mountain in the Okanogan Range is a former fire lookout site that makes for a sublime ridge line cross country outing. Neighboring Ike Mountain is an easy bonus.
Driveway Butte is a fantastic former fire lookout site just west of Mazama. The route is notoriously dry and hot and will test your legs but reward you with gorgeous views of the North Cascades, Pasayten, and spectacular Goat Wall.
Playing gear Tetris on a Friday night, sleeping in my Jeep with my dog during a rainstorm.. just your normal Labor Day weekend outing!