Backpacking the Oregon Coast Trail in Winter: A 5-Mile “Safe” Section, Creek Crossings, and a $60 Sleeping Pad Test
Winter backpacking the Oregon Coast Trail: a safe 5-mile section between Port Orford and Bandon, creek crossings, campsites, and a $60 sleeping pad test.
7 days ago4 min read
Backpacking the Channel Islands: Santa Cruz to Santa Rosa on Foot, with Foxes, Ravens, Seals, Heat, Rain, Wind and a Whole Lot of Water
Backpacking across the Channel Islands turned into one of the wildest and most rewarding week-long adventures I’ve ever had. From long ferry transfers to remote backcountry routes, I hiked from Santa Cruz to Santa Rosa with nothing but my pack, my legs, and more water weight than I care to admit.
I crossed foggy ridgelines, camped with foxes, navigated beaches filled with seals, fought through wind and clay mud, and relied on flushing toilets at exactly the right time. The C
Dec 4, 20259 min read
A Spontaneous Olympic Peninsula Road Trip
A drizzly Friday morning turned into a spontaneous road trip around Washington’s Olympic Peninsula. From soaking in the Sol Duc Hot Springs and exploring the moss-draped trails of the Hoh Rainforest to beachcombing at Ocean Shores, this weekend adventure was a full loop of fall colors, cozy campfires, and unexpected discoveries — including a 45-year-old Japanese glass float washed ashore.
Nov 6, 20254 min read