It has always been difficult to write about our time in Patagonia, where a mix of bravado and stupidity almost got my wife, my brother, and I killed. A few days before Chelsea and I set off on our around-the-world trip, we were watching a late night Survivorman episode with my younger brother, Matt, aka […]
Hikes Before 2016
Iceland – Ponies, Volcanoes and Glaciers September 2015
Why do I love Iceland? Definitely not for the rainy weather or funky seafood. I love Iceland because visiting Iceland feels like you are travelling back to some primordial time when the great mountain ranges of the world were just beginning to form. It’s seeing geology in action! Volcanoes are constantly reshaping the landscape, adding new […]
Teton Crest Trail September 2013
In September 2013, we hiked the Teton Crest Trail with my brother-in-law, Matt, and his girlfriend, Kelsey. The permitting system at Grand Teton National Park can be difficult, but we planned for delays and were able to secure a permit for the day after our arrival. We took the free day to explore Yellowstone National […]
Wind River Magic August 2014
When we moved to the East Coast in 2014 we had high hopes that the rolling green hills and plentiful rock climbing would keep our interests piqued. Unfortunately, after a season of hiking and climbing we were restless and pining for the thin mountain air and big scenic vistas of the West. So that fall, […]
Uintas Highline Trail August 2013
In August 2013, we put together a nice 5 day loop which included a large chunk of the Uintas Highline trail. This is a nice place for solitude and pretty views. While we saw traces people wherever we went (mainly trash, toilet paper), we actually only encountered one other person. This was the first trip in […]
Weminuche Wilderness/Elk Park-Chicago Basin Loop June 2013
In June 2013, we had planned to go on a 7 day canoe trip down the beautiful spring-fed Current River in Missouri. However, extreme rainfall caused the river to flood and we had to come up with another plan. The second week of June is normally earlier than we like to start our hikes in […]
Peru/Inca Trail and Amazon June 2012
Joe and I went to Peru in June 2012 along with his brother, Matt. We hiked the Inca Trial and spent 3 days in the Amazon. We also had one day touring the city in Lima – which was plenty. Lima is a bustling city with lots to see, but it was a little overwhelming. […]
John Muir Trail – 20 Days in the Sierras August 2011
In 2011, my husband and I decided to hike the 220 mile John Muir Trail (JMT) from Yosemite Valley to Mount Whitney.After a historic winter left the Sierras packed with the most snow seen in 50 years, our August hike felt more like a late June hike. Small patches of snow turned into large snow […]