Vesper Peak: Sunset Photography [Video]
We hike up to the summit of Vesper Peak to photograph sunset, the night sky and sunrise over the North Cascade Mountains. Unfortunately, forest fire smoke blew in from Eastern Washington, obscuring the night sky and sunrise. But the sunset was magical.
Saddlebag Island: Sea Kayak Camping & Spring Wildflowers [Video]
Join me on a sea kayaking paddle to Saddlebag Island to see its wildlife, explore its forests and to check out the spring wildflowers that grow along its rocky shoreline.
Gear List for Multi-Day Packrafting Trips
Here is the packrafting gear list I use when packing for a typical week-long packrafting trip.
Grande Ronde River – 7 Days Minam to Heller Bar by Packraft & Canoe [Video]
We enjoyed paddling the Grande Ronde so much last year, that we just had to do it again this year, this time paddling 91 miles over 7 days from Minam, Oregon down the Wallowa and Grande Ronde Rivers to Heller Bar, Washington on the Snake River. This National Wild and Scenic River offers tons of […]
Spray Park Wildflower Photo Shoot – Mount Rainier National Park [Video]
Join me on a quick backpacking trip up to Spray Park in the northwest corner of Mount Rainier National Park to photograph Mount Rainier reflected in tranquil ponds. The wildflower meadows were in peak bloom, and so were the mosquitoes! The mosquitoes are atrocious, but calm weather and warm evening light made for perfect reflections […]
Skagit Island Sea Kayak Camping [Video]
Join me for an overnight sea kayaking paddle to little Skagit Island. We photograph the beautiful Pacific madrone trees (Arbutus menziesii) that grow along its rocky shoreline. We load the sea kayak with overnight camping gear, make the quick paddle across Skagit Bay, set up camp and explore the 0.9 mile trail above the shoreline […]
Grande Ronde River – 4 Days by Packraft [Video]
Join us on a 4-day packrafting adventure down the Wallowa and Grande Ronde Rivers in NE Oregon and SE Washington. The Grande Ronde is a National Wild and Scenic River, administered by the BLM, Oregon Parks and Recreation and the US Forest Service. Four of us paddled Alpacka packrafts. We put-in on the Wallowa River […]
John Day River – 5 Days by Packraft & Canoe [Video]
The John Day River, located in north central Oregon, made for a great 5-day paddle with friends last week. The John Day is a national Wild and Scenic River, an Oregon Scenic Waterway, and is the second longest free-flowing river in the continental United States. Three of us paddled Alpacka packrafts, and one a Clipper […]
Skyline Divide Trail – Washington North Cascades [Video]
If you want to do some hiking in Washington State’s North Cascade mountains, consider the Skyline Divide trail. This classic ridge hike is accessed from a 4400 foot altitude trailhead. This quickly gets you up into flower-filled sub-alpine meadows. Mount Baker’s north face dominates the view to the south, while Mount Shuksan fills the eastern […]
Powell Forest Canoe Route [Video]
Join us on a 6-day family canoe camping trip on the Powell Forest Canoe Route, on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia, Canada. Our journey covers 32.2 km of paddling and 10.3 km of portaging on this classic West Coast canoeing adventure. We paddle 9 lakes, get doused by rain, portage through some mossy old-growth […]
Seaplane Hanger, Petersburg, Alaska
“What if i fall? Oh, but my darling, what if you fly?” — Erin Hanson
Camping on Sermilik Fjord, East Greenland
“We do not remember days, we remember moments.” — Cesare Pavese
Seal Launching into the Kananaskis River, Alberta, Canada
“If you think adventure is dangerous, try routine, it’s fatal.” — Paolo Coelho
Snowshoeing in the North Cascades, Washington
“To appreciate the beauty of a snowflake it is necessary to stand out in the cold.” — Aristotle
Girl hiking Schilthorn mountain, Switzerland
“Only as high as I reach can I grow, only as far as I seek can I go, only as deep as I look can I see, only as much as I dream can I be.” — Karen Ravn
Snowshoeing Mount Baker National Recreation Area, Washington
“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
Scrambling in Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Washington State
“The gladdest moment in human life, me thinks, is a departure into unknown lands.” — Sir Richard Burton
Sea Kayaking among icebergs, Sermilik Fjord, East Greenland
“You have exactly one life in which to do everything you’ll ever do.” — Colin Wright
Paddling among icebergs, Sermilik Fjord, East Greenland
“Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors where there were only walls.” — Joseph Campbell
Mountain Bike Stoppy, Banff, Canada
“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” — Albert Einstein
Rock Climber, Banff, Canada
“Only those who risk going to far can possibly find out how far they can go.” –T.S. Eliot
Diving in, Kananaskis River, Alberta
“Those who flow as life flows know they need no other force.” — Lao Tzu
Winter Hike in the Cascade Mountains
“May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds.” — Edward Abbey
