The count down begins. Just 23 more days and I will be taking my first steps on the Continental Divide Trail with the goal to walk through Colorado and Wyoming. As I sit typing this post, I hear the hum of my food dehydrator, multiple to-do lists on post-it notes seem to be everywhere, trail … Continue reading »
We headed to the Mexican border for our fourth year at the Annual Day Zero Pacific Crest Trail Kick Off (ADZPCTKO) at Lake Morena State Park. This gathering is like a big healthy pep rally for PCT hikers, section hikers, trail angels, groupies, gear vendors, and organizers. Many of this year’s aspiring thru-hikers will start … Continue reading »
A lucky lady I am. Lucky to be surrounded by people who inspire, challenge, and leave me in awe. My hiking buddy, Arrow is one of those special individuals. She is the one when life is throwing every rotten thing imaginable, she manages to come up smiling, open, giving, and positive and then heads into … Continue reading »
Kids + Camping = LOVE Red Rock Canyon State Park located right off of Highway 14 in the southernmost tip of the Sierra Nevada Mountains is the perfect fall, winter, or spring desert get-away. Red Rock is loaded with unique canyons with dramatic shapes, geologic features, and vivid colors. A perfect location to explore, hike, … Continue reading »
Solitude, stark beauty, and great company Continue reading »
My room is not messy; it is an obstacle course designed to keep me fit. You know it is time to take action when you can’t find gear quickly to go on trips. Enough was enough. Got to admit after all my day hikes and backpacks since Christmas, gear just landed and made a home … Continue reading »
A gear list is like candy to a backpacker or in the case of lightweight backpackers, a vital document. A list can serve as a checklist, weight reference, or a dream shopping list. This summer my plan is to hike a large chunk of the Continental Divide Trail, starting the beginning of June at Pagosa … Continue reading »
I’d like to welcome tHInK outsidE’s second interview with Monkey, the youngest thru-hiker to complete the Pacific Crest Trail. She is another dynamo young lady that is packed with energy, adventure, and determination. Enjoy this heart-warming and truly inspiring interview. From Heather and Sierra’s PCT Thru- Hike Journal: “Heather aka “Mama Bear” and Sierra aka … Continue reading »
A few weeks ago I introduced tHInK outsidE, a Pacific Crest trail curriculum for kids. I’d like to share a very inspiring and unique interview conducted on-line by middle-schoolers and famous Sunshine. Sunshine has completed the PCT in 2011, the AT in 2012, and will be starting the CDT in a few weeks. She will … Continue reading »
Baden-Powell in winter…crowdless Continue reading »
Join a marathon of peak bagging. Continue reading »
Swami: Hiker with SUPER powers. This amazing gentleman finished hiking over 14,000 miles on 12 long walks, all in 18 months! You can close your mouth now, however, mine is still agape. I am one of the lucky few to not only have met him, but also to have walked behind this legend for a … Continue reading »
Facebook to the rescue. A few weeks ago, I posted the name of my new curriculum project with help the from my Facebook followers. In the next couple of months I have the pleasure to teach a 10 week course about the Pacific Crest Trail to students 6th-8th grades. Students will be exploring a variety … Continue reading »
Taaaaaaa Daaaaaaaa! It is time for my annual Hiking Favorites list. 2012 was very good to me. I logged well over 1000 miles hiking, climbing, and backpacking and added a few small gear items that made huge differences in my comfort and protection. Thanks to Pinterest, my 2012 Hiking Favorites are visually portrayed with purchasing … Continue reading »
With winter in full force, many of you have expressed a deep longing for the trail. I think this guest post by Kit Mitchell is just the ticket. Kit “Chinchilla’ and her husband, Jacob ‘Pyrite’ completed the entire Pacific Crest Trail in 2011, one of the snowiest in history. On their way through Tehachapi they … Continue reading »
“A journey is best measured in friends rather than miles” ~Tim Cathill In 2012, I was overwhelmed with gratefulness and amazement by you my readers. My subscribers and followers more that doubled this year, which is very cool. You took the time out of your busy lives to share your stories, ideas, thoughts, and lives … Continue reading »
I am so honored to be nominated twice for the Blog of the Year 2012 Award. A huge thank you to Bill and his family at Motion Photography and to Janet at califraven. Please check out their sites. They both have a unique love and appreciation for the great outdoors. I always look forward to … Continue reading »
When I was a kid, life would sometimes spin out of control. My mom would say “Christy, you need a tune-up.” Lately, I have needed precisely that, a re-boot of sorts. Moving Art by filmmaker Louie Schwartzberg created this gorgeous gift. The one I precisely needed. Not in the mood for a tune-up? Then outdoor … Continue reading »
Recently I have noticed a few ranger stations in California now offer quart size zip-lock bags to hikers for the use of storing used toilet paper while in the back-country. This offering is for the hiker’s convenience and to promote LEAVE NO TRACE principles. Many wilderness areas now require or strongly recommend all hikers pack … Continue reading »
I love and am thankful for these two little guys: their imagination, sense of adventure, eagerness to explore outside, and general excitement of simple things. I am also thankful for Georgia Peaches, their constant guardian and companion. Sharing the outdoors is my passion. I think good information and planning leads to safe and happy outdoor … Continue reading »
Travel the JMT Continue reading »
I admit it. I have been one of the last to embrace Facebook. Yes, I have dabbled a bit, largely to keep up with my own kids and the students I teach. But really… not so much. I even resisted while posting on this blog from the trail over the last 3 summers. All the … Continue reading »
There is just something fantastic about following in real-time incredible human journeys. Just the knowing that someone is out there just doing it, while I am at work is so uplifting. The knowing can literally get me through a difficult day, helping me to keep up a positive attitude. Last week, Halfmile connected me with … Continue reading »
The end of the Pacific Crest Trail season has left me in a state of withdrawal. PCT hikers have a deadline date of October 1 to reach the Canadian border or they run the risk of snow and storms terminating their journey, sometimes just miles from their destination. That date has come and gone. I … Continue reading »
Nancy Romanovsky’s artwork. Continue reading »
I am a teacher. One thing that teachers love more than anything besides chocolate and Starbucks coffee, is learning new things. This weekend I attended a technology conference sponsored by KernCUE. I came home feeling energized and a bit overwhelmed, but full new ideas. Last year I contacted the Pacific Crest Trail Association to get … Continue reading »
The Eastern Sierras in full fall glory featuring McGee Creek Canyon and North Fork Big Pine Creek Canyon. Violin music is compliments of my youngest daughter. “Ashokan Farewell” was recorded for a middle school history project when she was 12 years old using our bathroom as a recording studio. Turns out bathrooms have great acoustics. … Continue reading »
Go NOW if you’re interested in enjoying the Eastern Sierra in full color. We just got back from a weekend taking a ton of photos and video of spectacular fall kaleidoscope. Go NOW. The leaves are changing quick and will be gone. Don’t know where to start planning a trip to enjoy the Sierras at … Continue reading »
Cirque Peak b-day climb Continue reading »
