Portfolio

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...

Set: Yakima Travel Photos   Taken for Washington Trails Magazine Visit the published photos here Photos taken in Yakima by Cassandra Overby

Changing the Face of the Outdoors: Q&A with Author James Edward Mills   Written for the Washington Trails Association blog   Visit the published blog here and the companion magazine article here   James Edward Mills is an outdoors journalist, the creator/producer of The Joy Trip Project and the author of upcoming book The Adventure Gap, a new book set to be released by Mountaineers Books in October 2014. In it, Mills chronicles Expedition Denali—the first all-African-American summit attempt on Alaska’s Mount Denali—and creates a compelling case for all Americans to embrace their place in the great outdoors. WTA recently spoke with Mills about his upcoming book. What is the adventure gap? James Edward Mills: We’ve often heard of the...

Changing the Face of the Outdoors: Q&A with Author James Edward Mills   Written for Washington Trails magazine   Visit the published magazine article here and the companion blog here   James Edward Mills is an outdoors journalist, the creator/producer of The Joy Trip Project (joytripproject.com) and the author of The Adventure Gap, a new book set to be released by Mountaineers Books in October 2014. In it, Mills chronicles Expedition Denali, the first all-African-American summit attempt on Alaska’s Mount Denali and creates a compelling case for all Americans to embrace their place in the great outdoors. We spoke with Mills about the book; below is a short selection from that conversation. To read more from the conversation, visit...

When it Rains . . .   Written for Washington Trails magazine   Visit the published article here   Choosing rain gear doesn’t have to be hard. Check out our recommendations below.     Editor’s Choice: Sierra Designs Stretch Rain You wouldn’t think there was much further to go with rain shell innovation, but Sierra Designs has discovered the way—and it’s so obvious you’ll wonder why it’s never been done before: backpack hipbelt accommodation. The Stretch Rain jacket (1) features zippered sides that allow you to buckle your pack’s hipbelt under the front of the jacket, eliminating that annoying bulking we’re all too familiar with. On top of that, the stretchy fabric—which sheds moisture like nobody’s business—is buttery-soft and...

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...