It's Not a Trail 10/31/2016 I have a confession to make: I have been somewhat disappointed with the Te Araroa thus far. Instead of the off-the-grid style of hiking I'm used to, I've been hiking from one town to the next, often spending hours along asphalt and forestry roads. So far I've spent more nights in a hostel bed than my own tent, and when I have slept in my tent, it's cost me about as much as a hostel would have Perhaps I didn't do enough research or maybe I set my expectations too high. Either way, while not
I have a confession to make: I have been somewhat disappointed with the Te Araroa thus far. Instead of the off-the-grid style of hiking I'm used to, I've been hiking from one town to the next, often spending hours along asphalt and forestry roads. So far I've spent more nights in a hostel bed than my own tent, and when I have slept in my tent, it's cost me about as much as a hostel would have Perhaps I didn't do enough research or maybe I set my expectations too high. Either way, while not
A Thousand Words Isn't Enough 08/20/2016 Last week I hiked from Jackson Lookout along the Going-To-The-Sun Road up to Gunsight Pass, down to Lake Ellen Wilson, back up to Sperry Chalet, and, finally, down to Lake McDonald. The 20-mile trek was abundant with steep climbs, gorgeous lakes, glacier-fed water falls, and, of course, GOATS! I'll first say, I hate bear bells. They are pointless. Bring your bear spray, talk amongst the people in your group, but leave the bear bell at home, you're only scaring away the wildlife I actually want
Last week I hiked from Jackson Lookout along the Going-To-The-Sun Road up to Gunsight Pass, down to Lake Ellen Wilson, back up to Sperry Chalet, and, finally, down to Lake McDonald. The 20-mile trek was abundant with steep climbs, gorgeous lakes, glacier-fed water falls, and, of course, GOATS! I'll first say, I hate bear bells. They are pointless. Bring your bear spray, talk amongst the people in your group, but leave the bear bell at home, you're only scaring away the wildlife I actually want
Shifting Focus 08/10/2016 It's been a busy month. From the flu, to some sort of sun-sensitive rash, to evening rides and everything in between-- and that was just outside of work. Peak season in the park is slowly starting to wind down, though you wouldn't notice if you looked at the lines going into the park during the mid-morning rush. At times there's a line up to a half-mile long or longer on sunny days. Luckily, it's starting to wind down a little bit, giving me more time to focus on writing and getting
It's been a busy month. From the flu, to some sort of sun-sensitive rash, to evening rides and everything in between-- and that was just outside of work. Peak season in the park is slowly starting to wind down, though you wouldn't notice if you looked at the lines going into the park during the mid-morning rush. At times there's a line up to a half-mile long or longer on sunny days. Luckily, it's starting to wind down a little bit, giving me more time to focus on writing and getting
