Ever realize you've bought into a belief without intending to, maybe even one you actually thought you disagreed with? This happened to me in a surprising way when it comes to the notion of "doing more." What I always assumed was that when it came to mountains, I just did whatever I wanted, and sometimes... Continue Reading →
It wasn't muggy anymore like it had been in the forest. It smelled like water, like the grey glacier that was just far enough away from me that I couldn't feel the cold. It smelled like the several dispersed streams flowing over the sand and rocks around us, never a big flow but branching out... Continue Reading →
I'm writing about 100 mountains I love. The full list so far is here. When I'm feeling like taking it easy, walking in no particular hurry and seeing beautiful things, a hike through subalpine meadows is the perfect option. Cashmere Mountain had been on my list for a long time, and a 20-ish mile hike... Continue Reading →
I'm writing about 100 mountains I find interesting. The list is here. I should have known not to climb Prusik on a weekend. The iconic peak in the Enchantments, probably the most photographed thing in the most photographed place in Washington, is as popular of a destination as you might expect. In fact, it was... Continue Reading →
I'm writing about 100 peaks I find interesting. The full list is here. "What terrified me was the Thing of nightmares... The Thing now symbolized in broad daylight by that horrid thrust of lava." That's Harvey Manning describing Cruiser, the high point of the Sawtooth Range in the Olympic Peninsula. When we set out to... Continue Reading →
I've been making stickers with self-deprecating awards for climbers, especially new trad leaders, such as "didn't freak the heck out on a 5.7," "only got a little off route," and "made it home." This reflects the nature of the learning process. For most people, starting to lead (especially trad, especially in a remote, "alpine" setting)... Continue Reading →
When we got to the top of Mt. Stuart last year, we were basking in the excitement that we could climb something so prominent in one day and with no technical skills. Climbing something so obviously massive, the 6th highest peak in Washington, as inexperienced climbers, seemed to make all of us feel like we... Continue Reading →
