A windstorm hit the area yesterday, forcing me to cancel my first hike as a newly minted Mountaineers Hike Leader. In the end, safety ruled. All eight hikers remained safe because…I notified hikers before anyone wasted gas driving to the trailhead. The rest of the weekend, I daydreamed about hikes I might lead in 2025 …
Continue reading “How to Add a Joy Checklist to Your Outdoor Adventures”
I recently escaped to the mountains on two separate occasions seeking solace. The first was November 7 when the nation awaited election results. The second was five days after a bomb cyclone left more than 600,000 people in Western Washington without electricity. Despite the contrast in challenging conditions, both outings brought me opportunities for growth, …
Continue reading “Finding Joy in Unusual Circumstances: Lessons from the Trail”
On Tuesday I escaped to the mountains to avoid the growing tension around national elections. I planned to hike to Thompson Lake via the Granite Creek Trail and ended up adding a stop at Granite Lake, too. This hike allowed me to gauge my physical and emotional progress in 2024. What’s more, I enjoyed an …
Continue reading “How to Thrive Alone: Facing Challenges on Election Day”
