Adventures with less
Tho’ much is taken, much abides; and tho’ We are not now that strength which in old days Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are; One equal temper of heroic hearts, Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield. -Alfred, Lord Tennyson It was 3 … Read more
A cold trickle of water ran through my hair and down the side of my face. I swiped it away irritably as I stomped past what probably would have been some of the Adirondacks’ crown jewels. I tried not to let the weather get to me, but I didn’t always succeed. The forecast now called … Read more
Published in Backpacking Light, March 2014 “We’ll be fine”, I said, not very confidently. Doug had just asked me how far I thought we’d get before the car ran out of gas. I wasn’t sure, but had that sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach that we weren’t going to get very far. The … Read more
Published in Backpacking Light Magazine, December 2013. It had initially been titled “Twenty Shades of Gray” in reference to the winter skies over Lake Superior, but they thought the title too provocative. J raised an eyebrow inquisitively. She must have noticed the look of longing that had flitted across my face. “You’re not planning something … Read more
Originally published in Backpacking Light Magazine, October 2013 I had pored over the squiggly blue lines for hours, trying to make them connect. Packrafting changes the way you look at a map for sure. Now my eyes were always first drawn to the waterways, those wilderness superhighways. What would they look like? Could they be … Read more
Originally published August 2013 I’ve always liked sleeping in airports. Draped over a couch or crashed out on the floor, I feel like a hobo, cut loose from societal norms and on the verge of a great adventure. I guess that’s why I found myself in the Anchorage airport, rolling out my quilt in the … Read more
Originally published March 2013 The internet is a great and terrible tool for communication. It brings together people with diverse backgrounds, geographic ranges, and interests who all share a love for backcountry travel. Unfortunately, forum members come to the table with their own set of assumptions, and absent the subtleties of facial expression and other … Read more
Originally published March 2013 Adventure begins with the planning of a trip. Poring over maps, planning routes, and selecting gear usually begins weeks in advance, watching the weather as the date approaches to fine tune clothing systems. For me at least, this anticipation is the glue that connects the last trip to the next. Anticipation … Read more
Originally Published February 2013 I’ve never been one to let the weather dictate my activities. Changing weather patterns are an immutable fact in wilderness travel and, as such, acceptance is generally a better strategy than cursing, fighting, or running from them. I guess that’s why I found myself back in the slop again this weekend, … Read more
Originally published January 2013 My favorite type of adventure usually spans at least 5 days and averages 100-150 miles. This type of trip gives me the range to really explore an area and the time to become completely immersed in the process. Not all days are equal though. The first day is a gradual process … Read more