Cover Stories

The Hiker’s Guide to Search and Rescue   Written for Washington Trails magazine   Visit the published article here and the companion web pages here   For Josh Hancock, 31, there was never a reason to suspect that his daytrip to Alpental would end any differently than the dozens of excursions he’d done before. It was an ordinary Wednesday, and the environmental consultant was taking a day off work with his climbing partner, Kjel. The weather was beautiful and the climbing conditions were favorable—it should have been a fun day away from the office and enjoying the great outdoors. Instead, it was one of the scariest days of Hancock’s life. The two friends hiked 3 snowy miles toward Kiddie Cliff and a spectacular frozen waterfall that was...

Lessons from Legends: Washington’s Hiking Icons   Coordinated, written  and edited for Washington Trails magazine   Visit the published article here   How do you leave a legacy for trails? That’s a big question. For inspiration in answering it, we went in search of wisdom from some of the most epic—and impactful—hikers we know. None of them set out to leave a legacy. Some of them didn’t even start out as hikers. But all of them have changed the face of the outdoors in Washington. Their stories and lessons show how you can do the same.   Joan Burton: Introduce Kids to the Outdoors (Photo above) In the Washington outdoors scene, Joan Burton is nothing short of a celebrity. As a teenager, she climbed six of the highest mountains in...

Harvest Hiking   Written for Washington Trails magazine   Visit the published article here   In autumn, the golden glow of larches pulls focus to Washington’s high country. But in the hidden folds and river canyons of central Washington, another color riot is taking place. Butter yellow, pumpkin orange, rhubarb red: For a few short weeks, the normally dry, hide- colored earth explodes with color and harvest bounty. Ripe apples decorate stout trees; plump grapes weigh down delicate vines. It’s a feast in every sense of the word. It’s also the ultimate autumn destination: Yakima Valley. Fall colors and fresh crops aren’t the only reasons to visit Yakima Valley. The region boasts more than 300 days of sunshine annually and warm temperatures that...

Hike Up Your Skirts: How Tutus and Trails Make the Best Mother’s Day Tales   Written for Washington Trails magazine   Visit the published magazine article here and the companion blog here   Each year on Mother’s Day, something magical happens at Mount St. Helens. At almost 6 a.m. on the dot, sleepy mountaineers begin making their way up the normally imposing, often snow-covered volcano in herds. They chatter relentlessly between themselves, for once excited about sharing the trail with hundreds of other climbers. Strangers don’t exist—only potential friends. Laughter echoes from the stony parking lot to the snowy summit. As the sun comes up, it illuminates a scene unlike any other—a backcountry costume ball of sorts. Gone are the Gore-Tex jackets...