It’s that time of year again! Time to unpack the ol’ ski suit. But if it is your first time grabbing your ski gear and you are noticing a bit of funk, let’s talk about how to wash a ski jacket to make sure you stay fresh, warm and dry this ski season. Note: This post is sponsored by Nikwax Waterproofing, but all thoughts are my own. Why Proper Winter Apparel Care is Important Chances are you spent a lot…
Back before I knew much about COVID, I applied for an overnight permit for The Enchantments hike in Washington State. After lockdown began, I found out I won the golden ticket – an overnight permit lottery win for 2 to the Core Enchantments – one of the most coveted wilderness permits out there. Before I go too much further, this hike is incredibly difficult and if you are considering it, please be prepared, both physically and mentally as it was…
Neither words nor pictures could possibly describe the beauty of New Zealand. And while I thought that the North Island was incredibly cool, I can see why some people only ever make it to the South Island of New Zealand. It was incredible and the country really has something for everyone. While we chose to go on more adventurous hiking in most of our destinations, there were plenty of short walks and stunning sights to be seen from the comfort…
The Stairway to Heaven in Hawaii is one of my favorite hikes of all time. Also known as the Haiku Stairs, this is one of the most well-known hikes on Oahu. Unfortunately, over concerns of safety as well as privacy of the neighborhood where the trailhead is located, this hike has been closed for a while with significant (read: $1000) fines. In April 2020, it was decided to transfer ownership of the stairs. The ownership of the stairs was officiallly transferred…
Utah is a skier’s paradise, with world-class ski resorts located throughout the state. Whether you’re looking for powdery slopes or groomed trails, Utah has something to offer everyone. In this blog post, we will take a look at some of the best places to ski in Utah according to your preferences. We’ll also provide some tips for first-time skiers! Where is the Skiing in Utah The snow in Utah is heralded as the “Greatest Snow on Earth” and certainly Utah…
For the second year in a row, my trip to Havasupai included a trek down to the confluence of the Havasu Creek and the Colorado River. And for the second year, hiking to the Confluence at Havasupai was the most dramatic part of my backpacking trip. Let me start off right away by saying I’m just sharing my experience and not looking for anything other than that… My first time hiking to the Confluence at Havasupai last year my girl…
The Pacific Northwest is famous for its waterfalls and Oregon in particular has some beautiful waterfalls that you won’t want to miss. There are so many different options to choose from so to help narrow it down, here are the best waterfall hikes in Oregon. If you are planning to visit the Columbia River Gorge between Memorial Day and Labor Day, a vehicle permit is now required. Learn more by checking out this link. Note: If your home base for…
Crater Lake National Park has been at the top of my list since we moved to Portland last summer. However because of the fires and air quality at the end of the summer and early fall, we were unable to go. Since I had some free time midweek in January I wanted to see if visiting Crater Lake in the winter was possible. It turns out that since Crater Lake is at about 6200 ft of elevation that it actually…
Just because the temperature is dropping, doesn’t mean that you need to stay inside. In fact, winter is a great time to explore the many hiking trails near Salt Lake City. The snow-capped mountains and crisp air make for a beautiful backdrop, and the trails are usually less crowded than in the summer. In this blog post, we will discuss some of our favorite Salt Lake City winter hikes. Whether you are looking for an easy hike or a more…
If you are looking to explore more of the Pacific Northwest, Portland is an excellent hub for your explorations. You can get out on the trails or enjoy scenic drives during the day and then hit up some incredibe restaurants, breweries, and wineries in the evening. If you are looking for specific hikes to explore, this post has the best hikes near Portland, Oregon to get you started planning your trip. Note: Check out this post if you are specifically…