Outdoors
McClellan Butte
Take a steep hike, followed by a short scramble, up this odd shaped butte for 360 degree views of the I-90 corridor and beyond. Type: Trip Report Category: Alpine Scrambling Location: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest (WA) Date: September 9, 2021 |
La Bohn Gap and Mount Hinman
Coming Soon Type: Trip Report Category: Alpine Scrambling Location: Alpine Lakes Wilderness (WA) Date: September 4-6, 2021 |
Putrid Pete's Peak (P3)
A lesser trafficked I-90 peak that delivers plenty of cardio, roots, and rocks, plus easy class two scrambling to reach the summit. Type: Trip Report Category: Alpine Scrambling Location: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest (WA) Date: August 28, 2021 |
On the Rocks at Spray Park
On the Rocks...Bourbon, Tequila, Scotch, and Gin...Oops, not that kind of "on the rocks". I was so impressed by the variety of rocks that I saw at Spray Park, in Mount Rainier National Park, that I decided to make an entire post to share images of the most interesting varieties. Type: Blog Story Category: Alpine Scrambling Location: Mount Rainier National Park (WA) Date: August 21, 2021 |
Spray Park
Spend a day off the beaten path, in your own little slice of alpine paradise, to explore meadows, lingering snowfields, and every type of rock imaginable. Type: Trip Report Category: Alpine Scrambling Location: Mount Rainier National Park (WA) Day: August 21, 2021 |
Mount Adams
Scramble 14 miles and 6,600 feet of elevation gain to/from the summit of Mount Adams, a Cascade volcano and second highest peak (12,281) in WA. Type: Trip Report Category: Alpine Scrambling Location: Gifford Pinchot National Forest (WA) Date: August 13-14, 2021 |
Camp Muir
Hike/Scramble 4 miles and 4,680 feet of elevation up the Muir snowfield to Camp Muir (10,100 feet), the highest accessible, non-technical point on Tahoma. Type: Trip Report Category: Alpine Scrambling Location: Mount Rainier National Park (WA) Date: August 8, 2021 |
Video Montage: A Weekend in Alpine Lakes Wilderness
Travel along with me, by video, to experience all the big mountain views and alpine lakes from my recent backpacking trip in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Type: Blog Story Category: Backpacking Location: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest (WA) Date: July 30 - August 1, 2021 |
Alpine Lakes Wilderness
Explore near the Mount Daniel area of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness to see all the alpine lakes and Cascade Range views that you can handle. Type: Trip Report Category: Backpacking Location: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest (WA) Date: July 30 - August 1, 2021 |
The Teanaway Scrambling Highlights
Teanaway is a scrambler's playground of in your face views, accessible peaks and ridgelines, and tons of possibilities to explore. Check out the highlights from my four summits in 24 hours - each with a selfie, a landscape photo, and a 360 degree video of the view! Type: Blog Story Category: Alpine Scrambling Location: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest (WA) Date: July 17-18, 2021 |
Teanaway 4 Peak Scramble
Head to Teanaway for in your face views, accessible peaks and ridgelines, and plenty of on trail and off trail route options to explore. Type: Trip Report Category: Alpine Scrambling Location: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest (WA) Date: July 17-18, 2021 |
360 Degree Virtual Tour Around Mount St. Helens (Loowit)
Ever wondered what it is like to walk 360 degrees around a volcano? Well, I did just that over the 4th of July weekend. But if you cannot make it there in person - check out my photo slideshow to "walk with me" and virtually experience the mountain from every angle. Type: Blog Story Category: Backpacking Location: Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument (WA) Date: July 3-4, 2021 |
Loowit Trail
This entertaining, short backpacking trip takes you 360 degrees around a recent volcanic eruption, leaving you with many different perspectives on the destruction and the recovery. Type: Trip Report Category: Backpacking Location: Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument (WA) Date: July 3-4, 2021 |
Silver Peak
Scrambling up the north basin of Silver Peak will test all your snow and rock travel skills, but the scenic, 360 degree views from the top are well worth it! Type: Trip Report Category: Alpine Scrambling Location: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest (WA) Date: June 26, 2021 |
To and From the Alaskan Bush - The Float Plane Experience
Read an overview of what it is like to spend a week backpacking in (and traveling to/from) the Gates of the Arctic National Park along the Brooks Range in northern Alaska. Type: Blog Story Category: Backpacking Location: Gates of the Arctic National Park (AK) Date: June 15-22, 2021 |
Gates of the Arctic Expedition
Read an overview of what it is like to spend a week backpacking in (and traveling to/from) the Gates of the Arctic National Park along the Brooks Range in northern Alaska. Type: Trip Report Category: Backpacking Location: Gates of the Arctic National Park (AK) Date: June 15-22, 2021 |
Gearing Up for Alaska: The Last Frontier
Read an overview of what it is like to spend a week backpacking in (and traveling to/from) the Gates of the Arctic National Park along the Brooks Range in northern Alaska. Type: Blog Story Category: Backpacking Location: Gates of the Arctic National Park (AK) Date: June 15-22, 2021 |
Guess It Can't be About the Views All the Time
Over the Memorial Day long weekend I spent a lot of time hiking. But these trails were not to any fantastic vistas or mountain peaks. Sometimes you have to just put in the miles in preparation for that future objective...to those fantastic vistas and mountain peaks! Type: Blog Story Category: Hiking Location: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest (WA) Date: May 31, 2021 |
Snoqualmie Mountain
Up for a short, but very steep snow scramble? This one yields great views of the Cascade Range, Snoqualmie Pass, and Mount Rainier on the horizon. Type: Trip Report Category: Alpine Scrambling Location: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest (WA) Date: May 5, 2021 |
Mount St. Helens: Summer vs. Winter Route Comparison
Within 8 months apart I climbed Mount St. Helens via the summer rock scrambling route and via the winter snow scrambling route. Check out this side by side comparison of my two summit climbs to see drastically different conditions/experiences on the same mountain! Type: Blog Story Category: Alpine Scrambling Location: Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument (WA) Date: May 3, 2021 |
Mount St. Helens (Winter Route)
Scramble 5 miles and 5,600 feet of elevation gain up the snow covered Worm Flows winter route to the Mount St. Helens crater rim. Type: Trip Report Category: Alpine Scrambling Location: Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument (WA) Date: May 1, 2021 |
Mount Ellinor
Summit Mount Ellinor, on the Olympic Peninsula, for excellent views of the Olympic range, four volcanoes on the horizon, and a fun glissade! Type: Trip Report Category: Alpine Scrambling Location: Olympic National Forest (WA) Date: April 29, 2021 |
Alpine Scrambling in Paradise
Make a weekend out of scrambling in Paradise. Literally. Well, something close to it in the Paradise area of Mount Rainier National Park. Type: Trip Report Category: Alpine Scrambling Location: Mount Rainier National Park (WA) Date: April 17-18, 2021 |
Mount Washington (Cascades)
Take a snowy, spring conditioning hike up Mount Washington, in the Snoqualmie region, for great views of the Cascades and the Seattle watershed. Type: Trip Report Category: Alpine Scrambling Location: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest (WA) Date: April 11, 2021 |
Pacific Northwest Winter Forest Mood
Around Seattle you can hike year round on snow free trails. But hiking in the Pacific Northwest during winter months does require a certain tolerance for being outside in the 30s and 40s with the frequent drizzle of rain. Type: Blog Story Category: Hiking Location: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest (WA) Date: March 11, 2021 |
Mount Storm King
Make it up this short, steep trail - including a climber's route with ropes - to the rocky outcropping with signature views of Lake Crescent. Type: Trip Report Category: Hiking Location: Olympic National Park (WA) Date: January 23, 2021 |
Don't Go Chasing Waterfalls
The 1990s TLC song advises: "Don't go chasing waterfalls. Please stick to the rivers and the lakes that you're used to." Now what kind of advice is that? If not for chasing waterfalls, literally and metaphorically, life would be a lot less fun, adventurous, and beautiful. Type: Blog Story Category: Hiking Location: Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area (WA and OR) Date: January 19, 2021 |
Ring of Fire
I fell into a burning ring of fire... Well not the Johnny Cash song, but Washington volcanoes of Summer 2020! Although, I have to admit, I did listen to the famously annoying Johnny Cash song (multiple times) while writing this blog post! Type: Blog Story Category: Backpacking, Hiking Location: Multiple (WA) Date: December 9, 2020 |
Hoh River Trail Section Backpack
Meander through rainforest along the Hoh River for a few miles or tackle all 17 out to Blue Glacier at the base of Mount Olympus. Type: Trip Report Category: Backpacking Location: Olympic National Park (WA) Date: October 24-25, 2020 |
Heliotrope Ridge
Hike this relatively moderate route up a forested ridgeline for a close perspective on Mount Baker and its Coleman glacier. Type: Trip Report Category: Hiking Location: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest (WA) Date: October 3, 2020 |
Mount St. Helens (Summer Route)
Hike and rock scramble 5 miles with 4,500+ feet of elevation gain through forest, rock fields, and ash to the Mount St. Helens crater rim. Type: Trip Report Category: Alpine Scrambling Location: Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument (WA) Date: September 22, 2020 |
Heather - Maple Pass Loop
Enjoy alpine lakes, meadows, ridges, and miles of views on this popular loop hike, plus options for several extensions! Type: Trip Report Category: Hiking Location: North Cascades National Park (WA) Date: September 20, 2020 |
Spider Gap-Buck Creek Loop
Enjoy multiple days of wild, remote hiking across meadows, ridgelines, glaciers, alpine lakes, and mountain passes. Type: Trip Report Category: Backpacking Location: Glacier Peak Wilderness (WA) Date: September 4-7, 2020 |
Gothic Basin
Hike up a steep, rocky trail to emerge in an alpine basin. Take advantage of the endless possibilities (and boot paths) to explore. Type: Trip Report Category: Hiking Location: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest (WA) Date: August 29, 2020 |
Necklace Valley - Tank Lakes
Explore a hanging valley and travel across a backcountry alpine flatland with all the tarns, granite, alpine lakes, and peaks you desire! Type: Trip Report Category: Backpacking Location: Alpine Lakes Wilderness (WA) Date: August 22-23, 2020 |
Cady Ridge
Hike a ridgeline to connect to the Pacific Crest Trail (and beyond) for views of Glacier Peak, beautiful meadows, and alpine lakes. Type: Trip Report Category: Backpacking Location: Henry M. Jackson Wilderness (WA) Date: August 14-16, 2020 |
Burroughs Mountains Loop in Mount Rainier
Spend a day linking up several trails, with a little off trail travel, to see some of the best sights near the Mount Rainier Sunrise base. Type: Trip Report Category: Hiking Location: Mount Rainier National Park (WA) Date: August 8, 2020 |
Rainbow Ridge
In the heart of the North Cascades, link trail travel with a backcountry ridge walk for beautiful, secluded Cascade Range views. Type: Trip Report Category: Backpacking Location: North Cascades National Park (WA) Date: August 2-3, 2020 |
A Day in the Life: Yosemite Backpacking Adventure
Backpacking..."A Day in the Life". For the uninitiated, sharing a quick photo tour of what backpacking involves. As seen by my group members this July as part of Andrew Skurka's five day adventure backpacking trip in Yosemite National Park. Type: Blog Story Category: Backpacking Location: Yosemite National Park (CA) Date: July 20-24, 2020 |
Yosemite 5 Day Adventure
A five day, 60 mile adventure and group backpacking trip with Andrew Skurka Adventures in Yosemite National Park. Type: Trip Report Category: Backpacking Location: Yosemite National Park (CA) Date: July 20-24, 2020 |
Ancient Lakes
Feel like you have stepped into another world exploring this glacial carved desert oasis with several lakes and waterfalls. Type: Trip Report Category: Hiking Location: North Columbia Basin Wildlife Area (WA) Date: June 13, 2020 |