Let's Go Exploring

A really wonderful video about an accomplished thru-hiker Christine Thürmer who has walked over 40,000 miles. Her statement about hiking lowering one's threshold for happiness is truly profound and wisdom for others. I can't wait to get back outside and on the trail myself.

Outside Last Week: Thru Hiker Christine Thurmer This content is a little different than normal but I hope you like it. Earlier this year photographer and friend Andrew Burns invited me on a trip to meet C...

I'm happy to have visited Mount St. Helens with a great group of 5 Obsidians. The weather was wonderful and we stayed in a quiet campground.

Just finished leading a 3-day trip for 8 to experience a minus tide along Oregon's coast. The tide was -2.4 feet (-73 cm) lower than usual and these tides happen only a couple of times each year. Possibly the biggest surprise was encountering eagles.

Catching up on this trip post from several weeks ago where a group of 9 enjoyed tent camping and hiking in central Oregon. We also enjoyed a page out of history from a visit to the early 1900s in the town of Shaniko, OR, and visited some lava tube caves. Our first night was spent camping along the Deschutes River and then two more nights experiencing the stark beauty of the John Day River at Cottonwood Canyon State Park. We hiked between 17-20 miles and saw a significant amount of wildlife. We observed merganser, deer, mallard ducks, turkey vultures, Canadian geese, California bighorn sheep, swallow, crows, hawks, an unidentified lizard, and several snakes along the trail. There were tracks and signs of bobcats, coyotes, more bighorn sheep, and possibly pronghorn. We heard soft hoots with a stuttering rhythm: hoo-h’HOO-hoo-hoo from a Great Horned Owl, and the chucks of what was believed to be Chukar partridges.

Clinging to the rugged shoreline of Washington’s coast is an especially tenacious Sitka Spruce. The tree is a favorite among visitors to the area because it appears to grow suspended in the air with just a few roots clinging on for support.

A little creek flows underneath, forming a little cave, and on a rainy day I was there a little waterfall could be seen.

Sitka Spruce is known for being especially sturdy. During World War I, straight-growing Sitka Spruce was sought out because the wood was the preferred wood for bi-planes that needed a high-strength to lower-weight ratio on construction materials. This Sitka Spruce displays its heartiness as it hangs on to the western shoreline of North America.

On this day, just feet away was a high tide, a violent ocean, and little room on a small beach littered with tree-sized logs. Turing one’s back to the water was not advised. I didn’t stay long, but it was good to see this unusual and inspiring tree.

The Tree of Life is located near Kalaloch and within the Olympic National Park.

The Quinault Rain Forest Nature Trail on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington is a surprising gem. This trail was about half a mile in distance but required an hour just to meander through this old-growth forest and fern-covered canyon. There were hanging carpets of lush green moss, signs of various animals, fungi, and the wonderful smell of clean air. This place, in a word, is breathtaking. I love interpretive trails but had not expected this half-mile walk to be so encompassing. For a longer walk, the nature trail connects to the Quinalt National Recreation Trail System with several additional miles of trails. The trail has some fantastic interpretive signage – kudos to those who arranged the material! This visit was in the springtime (I'm behind on my posts) with temperatures in the low 50s and lots and lots of rain.

A big thank you to those who helped me keep 83 travelers, over 4 departures (1 week each) healthy and safe, generously fed, and well informed about the ecology, geology, and cultural influences along Oregon's central coast here in the Pacific Northwest. Each week travelers explored and hiked up to 27 miles on the coast, dune fields, and temperate rainforest. I'm particularly grateful that travelers were concerned for the safety of others and those who are vulnerable by being fully vaccinated against Covid. This simple, yet responsible act allowed everyone we encountered at restaurants, shuttle drivers, park volunteers, and other travelers greater peace of mind. Managing these trips was a lot of work but exceptionally rewarding. Thank you again to those who helped these trips be successful!

Just finished leading a 3-day trip covering 19-miles on the Oregon Coast Trail for 7. We ate well, camped out, saw lots of wildlife, and had a great trip. Here are some photos.

I'm happy to be returning to the field and leading trips again after a long Covid-hiatus. Here are some photos of several group hikes I led over the last month: hiking/camping on Oregon's coast, walking to re-discover 3 local independent bookstores in Eugene, plus getting to see some amazing wildlife on local walks. I'm especially looking forward to leading 3 group hikes in July along Oregon's Coast Trail (OCT) covering a distance of 60-miles to experience some beautiful and dramatic scenery. Closer to fall, I look forward to helping Road Scholar participants discover Oregon's majestic natural history. Enjoy the trail!

https://youtu.be/aLZx0IfwU9g

Climbing 700 m Above The Abyss: Stairway To Heaven In Austria - This Ladder Is NOT For Beginners! This stairway to heaven is made of steel cables and it is the highlight of a climbing tour of the Donnerkogel, in Austria's Salzkammergut resort area. The 43...