Random

Essays

Random thoughts, mostly about the outdoors, conservation, and adventure.

Conquering Fear: Sea Kayaking the San Juans

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!!

Essays

The 2012 Ragnar and Ironheart Racing

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".

Essays

Finding Community at the Altai Skis Backcountry Festival

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.

Essays

The Healing Power of the Desert Southwest

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.

Essays

What I Learned From a Weekend of Silence

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.

Essays

Returning to Goldmyer

After being stranded on the Middle Fork by flood waters after a visit to Goldmyer Hot Springs, I returned with friends and Goldmyer's caretakers to retrieve my Jeep and help clear the road of debris.

Essays

Musings of a Serial Soloist

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."

Essays

My dad, my outdoor hero!

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.

Essays

Trail Angels are Real

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.

Essays

Going Solo

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.

Essays

The Wild Olympics

The Wild Olympics campaign would permanently protect more than 126,000 acres of new wilderness in the Olympic National Forest and designate 19 rivers and their tributaries as Wild And Scenic Rivers. What does the natural beauty of the Olympics mean to you?

Essays

Goldmyer Hot Springs and Forces of Nature

In January 2015, a simple visit to Goldmyer Hot Springs turned into quite the 24-hour adventure when I was trapped with two friends by one of the largest floods Snoqualmie Valley has seen since 2009. Mother Nature is mighty awesome.

Lookout Point: A Hearse and a Shovel

Traversing the Golden Stairway: Starvation to Old Baldy

Larches and Lookouts: Funk, Bonaparte, Steliko and More

The Healing Power of the Desert Southwest

The 2012 Ragnar and Ironheart Racing

An Inside Look at King County Search and Rescue

An Off-Grid Airstream Winter

Investing in Energy Independence

Off-Grid Lessons: When Winter Says “Nope!”

Essays

Conquering Fear: Sea Kayaking the San Juans

The 2012 Ragnar and Ironheart Racing

Finding Community at the Altai Skis Backcountry Festival

The Healing Power of the Desert Southwest

What I Learned From a Weekend of Silence

Returning to Goldmyer

Musings of a Serial Soloist

My dad, my outdoor hero!

Trail Angels are Real

Going Solo

The Wild Olympics

Goldmyer Hot Springs and Forces of Nature

Hiking the Grand Canyon’s Rim to River and Back in a Day

Washington State Hot Springs

Viewing the Northern Lights

Backpacking to Heaven on the Devils Dome Loop

Goats Rocks Loop: Goat Ridge and Hawkeye Point Lookout Sites

Boondocking with Bambi: 2 Weeks of Solar-Powered Living