Have you ever driven down the same road for 30 years and then one day you see the sign for something and think, “I’m going to check that out today”? This was one of those roads, one of those signs and one of those times. Check out my trip report from Lake Sylvia State Park and the 1.5…
I was introduced to the Mazama Store during my first backpacking trip on the Pacific Crest Trail with the wonderful group of women from my church I mention here. I had never been to the town of Mazama, WA, in the Methow Valley and I was excited to see what this area was like. The…
So just how DO I train for hiking season? For someone who lives for stability and rituals, I really suck at routines. Say taking vitamins, for example. I am good for a few days but then it is hit or miss remembering to gag down those little capsules before heading out in the morning. I have…
Have you heard of the Wolf Camp and Conservation College out of Puyallup, WA? It is run by Chris Chisholm and Kim McKillip, two people with a love for nature and the outdoors. They have a variety of programs for folks of all ages to learn more about conservation, sustainable living and traditional crafts and…
There is just something about walking a trail and gazing up at a glacier that gives you pause. Not only because glaciers seem to be on the endangered species list but they seem to embody the history of the mountain. This was a hike I did in 2015 and I will be returning to this trail…
This last week I had my first lecture with the Everett Mountaineers for their Alpine Scrambling Course. It was a full house with about 35 students and 8 leaders but I am glad I am taking it here and not in Seattle. I hear they have up to 200 students! Going around the room it…