ReflectionsThe Pacific Northwest is a veritable playground for the adventuring hiker, climber or mountaineer. No matter what the time of year, each trip offers something new and different, even if it's a trip you've taken many times in the past. By making use of all four seasons, my (not-so-wild) adventures provide me a wide variety of experiences that allow me to share what I have learned with others.
I enjoy travelling alone, but I try to be careful and sensible in the trips I select. Alone, I stick to snow trips and scramble destinations that I can accomplish in a day. I have seen many types of animals (deer, elk, bear, marmot, etc.) and even more tracks (bear, cougar). When I'm alone, I can enjoy the quiet solitude of the mountains as it helps to clear my mind of everyday things, and I can become lost in my innermost thoughts and dreams.
Many of my excursions are with close friends Jay and Chris where we attempt the more difficult climbs (at least for us) that test our mountaineering skills. As a team, we gather strength and confidence from each other, plus make better decisions concerning a route, a direction or a technique. I also assist in teaching mountaineering skills and lead many trips for the Mountaineers, a climbing group based in the Puget Sound area of Washington. Leading these trips provide mountaineers with a destination and 'experience' which may fulfill a course requirement, or just friendly company for those with a common interest.
The stories I've complied here are of those that provided me a unique experience that I wanted to share with others. It may be of a "classic" climb, or of a particulary scenic trip, or even of a time where I injured myself while traveling alone. In any case, I hope that through my stories, or 'narratives' you catch a glimpse of the beauty I see and the thoughts I've felt during my hikes and climbs. |