News Brief: “Lightning Bill” Austin
“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...
read moreBook Review: Dirt Work
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....
read moreBlog: Take Better Nighttime Photos
Take Better Nighttime Photos Written for the Washington Trails Association blog Visit the published article here Learn how to take better nighttime photos with this new photography guide from Mountaineers Books. Have you ever wondered how photographers capture those amazing nighttime shots of the moon, star trails and the Milky Way? Here’s your answer. Photography: Night Sky by Jennifer Wu and James Martin (Mountaineers Books) details the tips and techniques needed to photograph the night sky, including setup,...
read moreGear Review: Backpacks
Backpack Review: Pack Picks from Hydration to Trekking Written for the Washington Trails Association blog Visit the published article here From hydration pack to day pack to ultralight and backpacking, WTA’s gear team field-tested and rated ten new packs: the Osprey Rev 12, Outdoor Research Levitator 16, Outdoor Products Amphibian 20, Osprey Stratos 34, Gregory Z40, REI Crestrail 48, Gregory J53, GoLite Quest 65, Granite Gear Nimbus Trace Access 70. Whether you are looking for a light pack to hold your water during...
read moreFeature: Hike Up Your Skirts
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...
read moreFeature: Who’s Your Buddy?
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...
read moreBook Review: Seattle Stairway Walks (Print Version)
Hit the Stairs Written for Washington Trails magazine Visit the published magazine article here and the companion blog here Seattle Stairway Walks gives hikers a fun way to stay in shape during the off-season with urban hikes that include grassroots art, picturesque views and—you guessed it—plenty of stairs. Exercising in the off-season can take a lot of discipline. After all, treadmills and exercise bikes don’t reward intense physical exertion with expansive vistas, wildflower meadows or alpine lakes. For Puget Sounders...
read morePhoto: The Long Way Down
Photo: The Long Way Down Taken for Washington Trails Magazine Visit the published photo here Photo taken at Camp Muir by Cassandra Overby
read moreBook Review: Beyond the Bear
Inspiration in the Face of Tragedy Written for Washington Trails magazine Visit the published article here Beyond the Bear could have been a story about a life ruined. After all, it is the firsthand account of one of the most horrific grizzly bear attacks in recent history. Instead, Dan Bigley, with the help of coauthor Debra McKinney, crafted an inspiring tale of a life reinvented in the wake of an experience that could only be called pure, unadulterated hell. As befits a nature enthusiast and experienced outdoorsman,...
read morePress Release: Pure Home Introduces New Contextual Search Technology
Press Release: Pure Home Introduces New Contextual Search Technology Edited for Pure Home Visit the published article here FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PURE HOME INTRODUCES NEW CONTEXTUAL SEARCH TECHNOLOGY TO THE HOME DECOR INDUSTRY Pure Home has discovered a new way to measure the consumption patterns, inclinations and tastes of an entire market of consumers. New patent-pending, contextual search technology uses multi-level emotional profiling taxonomy to fuel product recommendations for home décor consumers. January 16,...
read more