Print & Magazine

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...

What New Study Reveals About Youth and the Outdoors   Written for Washington Trails magazine   Visit the published article here   The Outdoor Foundation released its 2014 Outdoor Recreation Participation Topline Report in May. The report is the only detailed study of its kind tracking American participation trends in outdoor recreation and focuses on youth, young adults and the future of the outdoors. The data came from 19,240 online interviews carried out with a nationwide sample and uncovered some encouraging trends. Major takeaways include these positives: A record 142.6 million Americans participated in at least one outdoor activity in 2013—that’s 49.2% of the population. Collectively, people went on 12.1 billion outdoor outings. Outdoor...

“Lightning Bill” Moves From Goat Peak to Leecher Lookout   Written for Washington Trails magazine   Visit the published article here   OKANOGAN–WENATCHEE NATIONAL FOREST – Those hoping to catch a glimpse of U.S. Forest Service lookout legend “Lightning Bill” Austin will find him in a new spot this year. After a 19-year tenure at Goat Peak in Mazama, Austin has been reassigned to the Leecher Mountain Lookout southeast of Twisp. The move comes amid a shrinking Forest Service budget and shifting firefighting resources. Austin, who lives in Bridgeport when he’s not watching for forest fires, is the only full-time seasonal fire lookout remaining in the Methow Valley Ranger District. But that’s not his only claim to fame. During his time at the Goat Peak...

The Down and Dirty   Written for Washington Trails magazine   Visit the published article here   It’s an intoxicating thought: trade in an office for a forest, a suit for a hard hat, a computer for a shovel. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to quit your day job and do trail maintenance for a living, you’re not alone. Dirt Work: An Education in the Woods tells the true story of Christine Byl. She forewent graduate school in favor of trail work and has since made a career out of 16 seasons spent building trails. Byl’s narrative begins before she ever holds her first Pulaski, back when she’s just a new college graduate who’s broke and looking for a life change. Moving from Michigan and an intellectual upbringing to Montana and manual...

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...

Who’s Your Buddy?   Written for Washington Trails magazine   Visit the published article here   As avid hikers—or aspiring avid hikers—we usually invest a significant amount of energy in planning our time in the outdoors. We memorize the Ten Essentials and keep our backpacks stocked with energy bars, extra socks and enough maps to outfit an invading army. We study weather forecasts and plan our hikes by season, hoping that all of our efforts will guarantee great days on the trail—fair weather, breathtaking views and successful summits. And yet, in our quest to remember everything from bandages to blister cream, many of us forget a simple truth: the only difference between a good day on trail and a great day on trail is having the right...