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.
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.
Exploring alpine lakes is perfect for summer or when higher peaks are snowed in. Check off one or more of these four lake lists and if you're a Mountaineers member, you can earn some cool awards!
Need a fun way to challenge yourself this year? Consider tackling one or more of these 8 Washington State Peak Lists. Some can be completed in a season and others might take your whole life, but whether you're a hiker, scrambler, or mountaineer, each one has something for everyone. Get out there and get your challenge on!
An incredible 30+ mile ultralight overnight to Miner's Ridge Lookout, deep in the Glacier Peak Wilderness. This was lookout #46 for me and I enjoyed not only surprising solitude, but one of the most fantastic mountain sunrises I've ever seen!
It's a pretty great thing when you can spend a few days celebrating your dad's 70th birthday with tamales, apple pie, and fire lookout adventures!
With its plentiful blue skies, sunshine, and warm temps, Eastern Washington's Coulee Country offers a fantastic spring reprieve from Western Washington's drizzle as well as some of the state's most amazing geological wonders! The earth's once largest waterfall? A soapy lake similar in alkalinity to the Jupiter moons? Consider a weekend road trip to soak up the sun and explore these incredible attractions!
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!!
Sometimes the most memorable adventures are the biggest disasters, aren't they? The story of kayak camping in a Mad Max-like apocalypse of wildfire smoke...
Rich with history, The Pasayten Wilderness in Washington State spans 531,000 acres, skirts more than 50 miles of the Canadian border, and is one of the largest wilderness areas in the contiguous US. Horseshoe Basin in its northeastern corner is a high alpine tundra-like environment unlike anything else in the state. It's been on my list to explore for far too long. Last weekend I finally ventured there and left in awe of its landscape, solitude, and wildness.
Hot springs have been used as a natural medicine for centuries and are rich in minerals that increase blood flow and circulation. If you're looking for a fun adventure and a little warmth, soak your way to better health by visiting one of Washington’s natural hot springs. These three springs offer a little something for everyone and have an incredible history.
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!