There’s no better way to usher in a long-distance thru-hike than by entering a National Park Service entity that leads directly into a designated Wilderness Area. Two very well preserved areas rising in a mountain wilderness above an undisturbed desert vastness extending into Mexico. A sky island secretly hiding forests, snow, wildlife, and many others treasures that wouldn’t survive at its base.… Keep reading...
Our first obstacle came before we even reached the trail. I had buddied up with two other thru-hikers through an online forum. Most Arizona Trail (AZT) thru-hikers will, at some point, get pointed to the hikearizona.com website to meet other thru-hikers and collect valuable information. Such was my case since I needed help.… Keep reading...
I was alone. More alone than I could have ever imagined. I was hopelessly alone in an unfamiliar desert. All I wanted in that moment was to feel loved, but I was completely cut off from the civilized world. This was a new version of loneliness for me. It was so bad I was now getting bored of talking to myself.… Keep reading...
For one long weekend, the crowded behemoth, but magical, Yellowstone National Park was overshadowed by its next door neighbor to the south, Grand Teton National Park. The metaphorical shadow often refers to the crowds, for which Yellowstone almost always dominates. Grand Teton National Park though, actually had a literal shadow cast over it: the shadow of the moon.… Keep reading...
This past winter was a record-setter. Snow poured in more consistent and heavier amounts than usual. Kids had snow days for the first time in decades. Avalanches occurred north of Jackson along Highway 89 for the first time in anyone’s memory. Much more was detailed in a previous blog post. And so, eventually, all that snow had to melt.… Keep reading...
This past weekend was filled with wonder, disappointment, exuberation, frustration, and amazement. It was a weekend that was cut short, but in the best way possible. All of it made for incredible and fun photography in a weekend escape with my best friend/fiance.
With Memorial Day Weekend crowds descending quickly and aggressively onto Jackson Hole, Wyoming, we decided that we were ready for another mini-road trip.… Keep reading...