The Seattle sun poked through the clouds overhead as a fresh gust of wind filled our main sail. Nick Cann, my friend and fellow seamen, manned the helm of his 35-foot sailboat as I sat back to take it all in. Lazy waves slapped our starboard side, rocking us just enough for me to feel … More Sailing and Stargazing in Seattle
Rock climbing in the summer can be brutal. The sun turns any rock face into a giant skillet, frying whoever decides to climb it. So to avoid the summer heat, our climbing crew chose to hit up Banks Lake in Washington. This place is a climber’s paradise. Located near the Grand Coulee Dam, Banks Lake … More Back to Banks Lake
Through my years as an avid fisherman, I have caught some real record breakers. Perch the size of my pinky and smallmouth bass that can pass of as an actual fishing lure. If my wife and I survived off my fishing, we wouldn’t last long. A day, maybe. Regardless of my lack of skill and … More Catching Onto a New Hobby
I may have a tattoo of a compass on my back, but I’m terrible with directions. I’m the type of guy that gives directions by describing the buildings on the way to the destination. I carry this lack of direction into the woods with me from time to time. Trisha, Diesel and I crawled up a ridgeline … More A Little Lost at Stevens Peak
Four inches of ice is all it takes to support the weight of an average-sized person. So it was a relief to know the ice I found myself walking on was over eight inches thick. Keeping this in mind, I trudged across Avondale Lake towards my buddy Kody and his brother, Matt. It all begins … More What Lies Below Avondale’s Ice
A gloomy Saturday morning greeted my sleepy eyes as I stumbled out of bed and into a pair of slippers. Why was I awake at 4 a.m.? Did my nose catch a whiff of some sizzling bacon? Nope. Did Diesel (our lab/retriever mix) nut tap me again with his clumsy ass paws? Not even. It was the morning … More Palouse Falls Field Trip Style
Frigid weather is still upon us and sometimes the warmth of summer seems so far away. The warmth of an all natural hot spring sounded like a wonderful idea. David and his wife Trisha invited Josh and I to enjoy Jerry Johnson Hot Springs in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness in Idaho. It was a week before … More A Road Trip That Left Us Stranded, Almost
I’m not normally one to make New Year’s resolutions, but I feel inclined to impose one on myself this year. It’s for my own safety, you see. But before I introduce my 2017 resolution, there’s something you should know. I’m a clumsy bastard. Been that way since I was a wee lad. So even in broad … More A Ridgeline Resolution
It’s Time to Climb at Wild Walls! Winter. It’s a rock climber’s kryptonite. As temperatures drop and daylight dwindles, outdoor climbing spots are less than optimal during the frosty months. How do we keep our sanity until spring? Are we destined for months of hangboard hell? No way, Jose. Thanks to Wild Walls Climbing Gym in Spokane, … More It’s Time to Climb at Wild Walls!
BEEP.. BEEP.. BEEP..You know, that sound of an alarm at 3:50 in the morning to go chase the sunrise and climb a mountain with friends. Thankfully, I know people who are just as anxious as I, to say “screw sleep” and go with me. I pack my gear and pick my buddy Steven and his … More Summiting Stevens Peak
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