extended table mountain circumnav (summer edition) | ptarmigan ridge backpacking via chain lakes loop
I call this summer edition because I did nearly the same exact loop in the winter last season on skis. After a hiatus from... // 15.5 miles . 3600 ft gain . 5950 ft high
the ultimate 2-day backpacking itinerary to see the Olympic National Park
Did you know that the Olympic National Park is divided into two distinct sections? While the majority of the park consists of mountains, half of the coastline along the Olympic Peninsula belongs...
mild adventure for tired souls | mt watson overnight scramble
I think I’ve been on more plan B trips than I could count on my fingers. But not only was this a plan B, it was also redacted... // 15 miles . 5600 ft gain . 6234 ft high
little girl, big mountain | ruby mountain backpacking
The alpenglow potential is unparalleled here. I had summited Ruby Mountain previously on skis and the views were incredible in the winter. I was so excited to go back.... // 22 miles . 6600 ft gain . 7408 ft high
painting the hills | rainbow ridge high route backpacking
I’ve known about the Rainbow - McAlester loop for a while now. But it’s a pretty long trail and while you can do it in a long trail... // 31 miles . 8200 ft gain . 7895 ft high
larch of the woods | lake mountain overnight
For this trip, we were not interested in Monument Creek itself, but getting up and over the pass that the trail climbs up to. And to make it more... // 25 miles . 7500 ft gain . 8370 ft high
bike, hike, scramble, camp | chelan slam (emerald, saska, pinnacle)
Every year I tell myself to prioritize exploring the Glacier Peak Wilderness. But every year, I barely even make it to the area. Thanks to Scott’s Bulger climb... // 29 miles . 10500 ft gain . 8420 ft high
gatorade blue | panorama ridge via helm creek
Since I began exploring Washington, I yearned to discover British Columbia as well. After all, they are neighboring states/provinces and both feature the magnanimous Cascade range. But just... // 19 miles . 4700 ft gain . 6998 ft high
sunrise scramble | columbia peak overnight
Monte Cristo subrange always seems like an elusive area. Hiking to the ghost town itself is already 8 miles round trip, through on relatively flat and well gravel... // 23.5 miles . 6600 ft gain . 7172 ft high
take it easy | tomyhoi & yellow aster butte overnight
We were planning to backpack a different summit camp but weather pushed us here to Yellow Aster Butte instead. I’ve always wanted to camp here by all the... // 15 mi . 5800 ft gain . 7439 ft high
hunting for larches | golden lakes loop backpacking
With the massive Bolt Creek Fire near Index closing Hwy 2 we were optimistic to head up southeast GPW. But driving through the smoke... // 24 miles . 5000 ft gain . 8110 high
round two | black peak overnight
I said it before and I’ll say it again, I’d scramble Black Peak an innumerable number of times. It’s hard to beat this climb from the varied... // 6700 ft gain . 8975 ft peak . 13.6 miles
years in the making | three fingers lookout overnight
I was first intrigued with Three Fingers Mountain when I drove past Darrington from a short day hike. Looking up, White Horse Mountain caught my attention, but I actually... // 21 miles . 6100 ft gain . 6780 ft high
peas for breakfast | jade and marmot lakes, dip top gap
Jade and Marmot Lakes didn’t get on my radar until much more recently. As someone who chases alpine objectives more than pure backpacking destinations... // 25 miles . 6000 ft gain . 6680 ft high
early-season backpacking | bean peak
Teanaways are always the perfect place to go when it’s early season and other destinations are a bit snowed in still. This year, snow lingered even more than before... // 9 miles . 3800 ft gain . 6700 ft high
slow and steady | thunder mountain lakes backpacking
I don’t remember how I stumbled upon this campsite, but I’d be lying if Instagram didn’t have a small component of it. I had visited the area another... // 14 miles . 3700 ft gain . 5130 ft high
bang for your buck | north olympics high route
I think I was moaning a little too much about not having an “epic adventure”. My friends, however, got me stoked on doing a high route... // 43 miles . 15600 ft gain . 6950 ft high
rain, rain go away | alpine lakes high route
It was around noon when we pulled into the parking lot of the West Fork Foss Lakes Trailhead. Looking up, we could see... // 27 miles . 6700 ft gain . 6200 ft high
feasting and glamping | goldmyer hot springs backpacking
Glamping at Goldmyer Hot Springs. Naturally, I don’t take things easy and somehow always find a way to... // 22 miles . 1200 ft gain . 2100 ft high
where feet may fail | crater mountain + devils dome loop
A long weekend calls for a long trip. This should not be the law, but in my experience, it often happens that way. Why not jam... // 48 miles . 13100 ft gain . 8132 ft high
