Dear Hemingway and Octavia, Time tends to run away from me when I’m not looking. Mired in the day to day conflicts that arise between parents and kids, it feels like we’re standing still; Like we’ll never get out of this stage –whatever it is– and onto the next. But, …
Mount Arrowsmith – My Mouth Is Full
On Sunday, August 9th, I participated in a club trip to Mount Arrowsmith. I had scheduled it in the before times, as a way to sneak in an extra day of weekend hiking with the promise that I’d take my two kids with me. They are always up for an …
Green Mountain via Sno Bird Trail
Dear Hemingway and Octavia, No one will deny that 2020 is a year of social and economic challenges. Regardless of what’s happening, you two keep growing. Every day I discover you each have a new level of understanding of the world around you, I see it reflected in your eyes …
Mount Benson: Late Fall
Dear Hemingway and Octavia, Over that past few years, I’ve been working steadily towards completing my Island Alpine Quest. Even through the winters, I’ve reached objectives that started on remote sections of highway or plowed industrial roads, but this winter will be the first in a long while where I …
Mount Drabble, The Family Way
Dear Hemingway, My trip reports usually focus on the technical details of a hike: the terrain type, weather, and simple descriptions of the route, including any notable terrain features. But sometimes those details aren’t the important ones. Our trip to Mount Drabble is a great example; it’s the things you …
Keeha Bay Family Backpacking Trip
In recent years, it’s become part of my New Year’s ritual to sit down and plan a year of adventure. It does take some finger-crossing, regarding annual precipitation and seasonal snow, but I’d rather do that than miss out on a chance to get out of the house. This year, …
Two Kids in The Kayak: Small Victories
Success is a subjective feeling, and sometimes it comes from the smallest accomplishments. Even though my family has completed several multi-day backpacking and kayaking adventures– including some amazing ones this past summer– it wasn’t until I took the kids on my own that I really experienced the rush that …
Mount Phillips Family Backpacking Trip
I struggle to find a balance between work, play, and family. When it comes to my annual vacation, I pack in as much playtime as I can, and this means I often leave my family at home while I’m off on an adventure. With my busy schedule, sometimes I’m unpacking …
Tapaltos & Cape Beale: A First Family Backpack
Dear Octavia (22 months) and Hemingway (five years), Taking the whole family on a backpacking trip is a significant milestone, and it was an excellent way for all of us to spend two days together in the middle of July. Getting everyone involved with the adventure is exciting, but I …
Mount Tzhouhalem: Mad Dog Hemingway
Dear Hemingway, Every day you do something that makes me pause and think, Dang, how did he figure that out? But what you managed to accomplish on May 12th blows my mind! At not quite five years old, you successfully finished your first hike to the summit of a mountain, …