Before hiking the Appalachian Trail, I thought that long distance hikers would stop feeling aches & pains. They would evolve into super hikers after hiking 200+ miles. I was mistaken. I still had the same aches and pains. However, I…
Thru-hiking Then (2002) & Now (2020)
In July 2020 I am hiking the 170 mile Tahoe Rim Trail. In 2002 I hiked the Southern half of the Appalachian Trail (1000 miles) before business school. While the long distance hiking pattern of sleep, walk, and eat remains…
Comfort in Uncomfortable Places: Arc’teryx Stanford Center Presentation
On February 27, 2020, I participated in an Arc’teryx Stanford Center store event focused on how individuals find comfort in uncomfortable places in the outdoors, at work, or at home. The store invited Daphne de Jong (climbed Everest 2019, to…
Stupid vs. Wild (My Outdoor Fails): Dropping iPhone in Lake Tahoe
Man vs. Wild & Running Wild are two favorite family shows. Usually Bear Grylls successfully solves outdoor challenges. Bear Grylls episodes & most outdoor content do not highlight outdoor fails. I’m starting this new series called Stupid vs. Wild that…
Looking Backwards: 2018 Technology Hiker Year in Review
2018 was another outstanding year for exploring the outdoors. Thank you to my family and friends who have supported me. Highlights include: Family Adventures Most of my 2018 adventures involved family. I went kayak camping in Lake Tahoe for the…
Elk, Coyotes, & Owls at Tomales Point in Point Reyes National Seashore
Tomales Point Trail in Point Reyes National Seashore is the best place to watch land based wildlife in the Bay Area. The Tule Elk Preserve protects 300+ elk. Bring your telephoto lense and binoculars as the grasslands make it easier…
Best Planning Sites for California Alpine & Mountaineering Climbs
California offers many of the best American alpine & mountaineering objectives. One of the biggest challenges is where and when to climb. Fortunately, California (CA) has many resources to help mountaineers find the next climb. Here are a few of…
Cycling & Hiking Big Sur along CA 1 without Cars
Visiting the Big Sur delivers a unique experience due to limited access. Landslides, fires, and floods buffeted the region over the last 12 months. CA 1 Northern auto access is closed to a bridge outage at Big Sur. Southern access…
Backpacking with Kids to Camp Lake in Emigrant Wilderness
Granite peaks, cool mountain lakes, and a relatively easy permit system make the Emigrant Wilderness an excellent destination. The 113,000 acre Emigrant Wilderness borders Yosemite National Park to the north shares many of Yosemite’s features. In July I went backpacking…
Heather Lake Snowshoe in Sequoia National Park
Adventures that often do not go according to plan make for the best memories. In late May, Mark my frequent adventure partner and I visited Sequoia National Park. Heather Lake, Pear Lake, and Alta Peak (11,204 feet) were our destinations…