Baring, Washington

We went into this hike knowing it was 8 miles round trip and a portion of it being 1300 feet straight up in 1.3 miles. We expected the weather to be really snotty and rainy, but it was a lot better than we expected.  Typically, this would just be your normal hike, but for Em, HAHA NOOOOOOO. Eve...

“I’ve always wanted to go there!” are six words that used to trickle out of my mouth more often than veggies went in. Just as often were the two words “One day…” I once lived a life of hesitation and slept in a deep well of procrastination. I found every excuse in the book for why I couldn’t do s...

To start, I would like to share my gratitude for The Outbound Collective for giving me the opportunity to be part of their Writers Residency program in 2021.  Despite having my writing published by the collective I still find myself struggling with the imposter syndrome that comes from being a r...

The Perfect Place for a Low-Key Snow Day! If you are looking for a low key snow day where you can play in some powder, Snoqualmie Pass is the PERFECT place to go!  Being from San Diego, my husband and I had never experienced powder like this before, and we finally figured out why everyone is obs...

What do you do when you have finals and a sunny day? Drive to a lake and hammock, duh. I just got out of class daydreaming of going out and just relaxing in the sun. I have a reputation in class for not showing up if the sun's out, so when someone asked me why I was in class, I asked myself the s...

During the day, Rattlesnake Ledge is one of the most popular hikes within the one hour of Seattle. This means that the parking lot, as well as the road leading to the trailhead, is full of cars. If you hate crowds like this, then this is the time for you to go. You don't need much for this advent...

“The summit is what drives us, but the climb is what matters.” - Conrad Anker Glacier Peak Wilderness is a beautiful area of Washington. In the center stands one of Washington's five volcanoes; Glacier Peak. At 10,514ft the mountain reaches above the clouds. I have been dreaming of climbing Gla...

This was one of those times that if we knew what we were getting into we would have thought twice. I found a twelve and a half-mile loop in an area we'd been curious about between Kachess Lake and Lake Cle Elum. I made the loop by connecting Kachess Ridge Trail, Silver Creek Tie, Domerie Peak T...

Located down the road from the San Juan Islands and kitty corner from Olympic National Park, Seattle is a mecca for outdoor adventure enthusiasts. Seattle’s infamous rain shadow allows the flora and fauna to flourish and creates some of the most breathtaking scenery you’ll ever lay eyes on. We’ve...

If you've ever been to Seattle, you know the proximity to amazing outdoor adventures is pretty ideal. If you haven't, it's about time to plan a weekend trip. From Seattle, you don't have to drive too far to find some of the most dramatic mountain landscapes in the country and of course, the best ...

Winter can often be thought of as a time to stay indoors, drink hot chocolate, and hibernate. The opposite couldn't be more true. When you explore in the winter, not only do you get to see landscapes in an entirely different way, but you also get to enjoy a little more solitude that you typically...

Skip the long lines for coffee or brunch this weekend and head out on a hike for some challenging uphill climbs, stunning lake views, cascading waterfalls, and an escape from the city. Because there are so many options immediately surrounding the city, just choosing your hike is a challenge. We'v...

While this is everything that I own and use, you don’t by any means need to buy all of it to take great photos and videos! This is my complete gear list and I definitely don’t bring it all out with me on every trip. I customize my bag for each adventure depending on what I’ll be doing and what th...

If you’re looking for a three-day getaway in the United States, you cannot go wrong with the Emerald City in the Evergreen State: Seattle, Washington. Stereotypes of never-ending rain aside, Seattle offers a diverse mix of activities and scenery to satisfy any modern day traveler.On top of numero...

Backpacking for the first time can be both scary (in a good way!) and exhilarating. Here are a few relatively easy backpacking trips in Washington to get you hiking. Trust me, once you start, you can’t stop!1. Thunder Creek - North Cascades National ParkPhoto: Dawn CoyoteDistance: options for 5-1...

It does not matter whether I am car camping with luxuries or on an expedition to climb some of the worlds most remote peaks, my Feathered Friends Swallow UL 20 Sleeping Bag goes everywhere I go. As a 3-season 20-degree bag, I have happily used it on chilly summer nights in the Blue Ridge Mountain...