Tent-Pitcher

Overnight Backpack!

I decided that with two days off in a row, I needed to go play in the woods. I loaded up my smaller backpack with my overnight gear and some new items to test out for the season. Into the woods!

I took along a few of my favorite things: Hubba NX tent, Igneo sleeping bag, REI Flexlite Chair, ENO Hammock and Strap, ExPed sleeping pad and a backcountry tarp. I also took my knife, headlamp, journal…

Last Thursday I went Rock Climbing. It was the first time I’ve ever done it. I signed up for a beginner’s class with REI. I picked up one of my co-workers at the train station and we drove out to the REI Outdoor School Gear Shed where we met the two REI Outdoor School Instructors (Aaron and Patrick). There was a small group of us going and most of us had never climbed before.

I was a little…

Today I went with Tim and hike two peaks in the Columbia Gorge. The day was spectacular. A warm early spring has reached the NorthWest, and though we are pining for snow on our mountains, it makes for great hiking weather.

Indian Point can be found off of exit 44 on Route 84 heading East from Portland. You’ll need a Northwest Forest Pass to park. This is a great day hike and training hike for…

Three Days in the Wild

After the snowpocolypsemageddon cancelled my flight to Boston last week and my winter ski trip to visit my family was cast away like an unwanted snowflake (oh how we long for unwanted snowflakes here in the NW), I decided to salvage what I had of my vacation time and do something adventurous. I did a call-out to my friends to see who might be around with a few extra days on their hand, and low…

Bondage with Strangers – WFA Day 2

Today was exceptional. It was the 2nd day of a two day course of Wilderness First Aid. We got to tie each other up! I learned how to dress a wound, immobilize joints and bones and more. We covered hypothermia, heat stroke, broken bones, head injuries, altitude sickness and more.

It was a hands-on kind of day. We started the day off with a scenario, nothing like jumping in to remember your ABC’s…

Rolling Around in the Dirt with Strangers – WFA

I had an amazing time this weekend. I spent my entire day Saturday rolling around in the dirt with strangers! I took a Wilderness First Aid (WFA) course sponsored by the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) and REI. It is a two day course geared towards providing some education to folk who spend time outside and may encounter hazards, or perhaps folk who lead small expeditions, trip leaders,…

Whitefish, MT – Day 2

  I started my day at Loula’s again. This time getting the yuppie wrap. I couldn’t eat it all, though I really wanted to. I left my bags at the hostel and trekked with my ski gear to the bus stop which took me up to the mountain base where I acquired my pass. Skiing today was exceptional. The snow at the top of the mountain was different from below. There was a little inversion, so there was clear…

I began a little adventure yesterday afternoon from Union Station in Portland. This is a beautiful station that looks like it was hand crafted back in the day when people took time to build things. I boarded a train to Montana and set out to check off one of the 5 states I’ve yet to visit. This is so far the longest train trip I’ve taken in the USA. The seats are wide and somewhat comfy with…