Wilderness and Remote First Aid/CPR/AED certification is 18 hours of intense training packed into two or three days. As a leader of High Adventure Treks with Scouts and as a Women Who Hike Ambassador, I am required to take it every two years. Last weekend was my 4th time going through the course and I … Continue reading WRFA/CPR/AED-Wilderness First Aid and Rule #1 for Staying Safe in the Wild.
Defend Your Joy! 5 Winter Amusements to Try Before Spring!
“Defending My Joy” is a term I have been using for the last few years whenever I have to take action to keep things positive. Protecting and defending your joy is an act of resistance. This post shares some fun and silly examples of ways I’ve found joy during some of the coldest and snowiest Winters in Minnesota. I hope it will bring you a smile as well!
Roam if you want to… Women’s Winter Retreat at Roam Adventure Basecamp!
...Oh girl dancing down those [snowy] and [icy] trails Take it hip to hip, rocket through the wilderness... -Roam, The B-52's Back from a Winter retreat with Thrive Women's Outdoor Adventures! We got close to a foot of snow in parts of Northern Wisconsin, played in single digit temps and had the trails to ourselves. … Continue reading Roam if you want to… Women’s Winter Retreat at Roam Adventure Basecamp!
Crescent Moon EVA Foam Snowshoe Gear Review
As a lover of both snowshoeing and design, I have been following the development of the first EVA foam snowshoe for about a year. They have a very different look and construction compared to a traditional metal or plastic snowshoe, and the binding is greatly simplified. In talking to the President and co-founder of Crescent … Continue reading Crescent Moon EVA Foam Snowshoe Gear Review
‘Instructions for Living a Life’ and Snowshoeing at Moose Lake State Park!
TRIP DETAILS LENGTH 2 mile Hiking Club Trail DIFFICULTY Easy DATE Dec 28, 2018 MAIN FEATURES Wooded loop through rolling hills, views of a Wildlife Pond You may remember my post from Moose Lake State Park last 4th of July. Back then the park was bursting with happy campers and families celebrating their 4th of July traditions a the … Continue reading ‘Instructions for Living a Life’ and Snowshoeing at Moose Lake State Park!
Winter Camp, An Annual Holiday Tradition!
A couple of weeks ago I flooded the Wandering Pine Instagram page with snowshoeing photos after the Minnesota Monthly Magazine Feature hoping to make it snow before camp! I'm still waiting for a good old fashioned blizzard to kick off Snowshoeing season as I write this, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have fun outside! … Continue reading Winter Camp, An Annual Holiday Tradition!
Snowshoe Basics: And Re-thinking Winter
Winter is here and it's the perfect time to think about staying outside and extending the hiking season! Snowshoeing is my favorite winter activity and has been a game changer when it comes to my attitude during the colder months. So, when Minnesota Monthly Magazine contacted me to do a quick story and photo shoot on the sport, I practically did a cartwheel.
Lightweight Backpacking Tips: 5 ways I reduced my pack weight – Including packing list
FUN NEWS! Our Superior hiking Trail adventure is being featured all week as a series on the BSA Instagram page. Volunteering with our son's Boy Scout Troop has provided me with opportunities that have ignited a passion for the outdoors and empowered me to pursue adventure both inside and outside of Scouting activities. I'm grateful … Continue reading Lightweight Backpacking Tips: 5 ways I reduced my pack weight – Including packing list
Making Your Own Dehydrated Backpacking Meals
There are so many options for pre-made dehydrated meals , but making your own trail food doesn't have to be hard and you'll feel proud that you did it yourself! Its been a couple of weeks since my marathon food prep weekend for our thru hike of the Superior Hiking Trail and I'm excited to finally share … Continue reading Making Your Own Dehydrated Backpacking Meals
Update on Hikers Rash and More Thru Hike Prep
The last two weeks have been busy, balancing work, family, making new gear, dehydrating food and a final shakedown on the Superior Hiking Trail with an amazing group of women. I plan to post on our trip prep soon, but am starting with an update on my previous post about Hiker's rash. It's neck and neck … Continue reading Update on Hikers Rash and More Thru Hike Prep
Wheal n’ Flare! My Dance with Hiker’s Rash.
First, let me state what you should already know. I AM NOT A DOCTOR and ANYTHING that I share here is only based on my personal experience and you should consult your physician for ANY medical issue….NOT this blog. The being said, let’s talk about Hikers Rash aka Disney Rash, Golfers Vasculitis and Exercise Induced … Continue reading Wheal n’ Flare! My Dance with Hiker’s Rash.
Part 2: The Mystery of …Forestville | Mystery Caves!
Welcome to part 2 of the Lake Louise/Forestville/Mystery Cave post! Here's part 1 in case you missed it! Perhaps no Minnesota State Park offers a greater variety of attractions than does Forestville /Mystery Cave State Park. The park is rich in both historical and natural resources including the 1853- 1910 townsite of Forestville, meandering blue- … Continue reading Part 2: The Mystery of …Forestville | Mystery Caves!
Lake Louise and Forestville Mystery Cave State Parks| Part 1
LAKE LOUISE STATE PARK TRIP DETAILS LENGTH 1.3 mile hiking club trail DIFFICULTY Easy and flat DATE June 22, 2018 MAIN FEATURES Iowa River and Lake Louise-blood thirsty mosquitoes I left work a little early on Friday to hike my 37th Minnesota Hiking Club trail and get a head start on meeting the Scouts at Forestville Mystery … Continue reading Lake Louise and Forestville Mystery Cave State Parks| Part 1
Stillwater Stair Challenge + The Stillwater Bridge
TRIP DETAILS LENGTH 3-8 miles DIFFICULTY 500 + Steep stairs with lots of flat paved sections in between. DATE May 19, 2018 MAIN FEATURES Historic town of Stillwater with beautiful views of the St Croix River. My 26th hike of the 2018 52 Hike Challenge started at 6am at the base of the Chilkoot Stairs on Main Street in … Continue reading Stillwater Stair Challenge + The Stillwater Bridge
Backpacking and Day Hiking on the North Shore – Part 2: Split Rock, Palisade Head and George Crosby Manitou State Park.
How do you describe the beauty of a place where heaven and earth join seamlessly? Or the mind trap of telling yourself over and over again that this massive body is not the ocean or an endless sea? Or the magnetic-siren-pull of her waters that make you want to jump in and crash like … Continue reading Backpacking and Day Hiking on the North Shore – Part 2: Split Rock, Palisade Head and George Crosby Manitou State Park.
Backpacking on the North Shore – Part 1: Testing My New Pack and SHT Packing List!
I'm still mentally and spiritually unpacking my trip to the North Shore of Lake Superior. It was so beautiful, I'm at a bit of a loss for words, but they will eventually come. So, lucky for you, this will be a two part post! One of the first things I did when I decided … Continue reading Backpacking on the North Shore – Part 1: Testing My New Pack and SHT Packing List!
Making Your Own Ultralight Backpack!
Have you ever thought about making your own backpacking gear? This week's post is about my experience sewing an ultralight backpack. There are lots of reasons to do it yourself, including: financial, weight savings, customization and just learning something new! If you have been reading in the last 6 months, you already know that … Continue reading Making Your Own Ultralight Backpack!
Minnehaha Falls to Pike Island, Fort Snelling State Park
TRIP DETAILS LENGTH 10 miles DIFFICULTY Easy but very icy today (bring ice traction) DATE March 24, 2018 MAIN FEATURES 53 ft Minnehaha Falls and Pike Island My 18th hike of the 2018 52 Hike Challenge started at Minnehaha Falls Regional Park. One of Minneapolis' oldest and most popular parks features a majestic 53-foot waterfall, limestone bluffs, and river … Continue reading Minnehaha Falls to Pike Island, Fort Snelling State Park
Urban Snowshoeing and Tips for Getting Started!
Snowshoeing is my favorite winter activity because of the access it brings. Unlike hiking or skiing, I can walk right off the trail, alone into the woods and feel strong and confident. I don’t feel this same desire to venture off trail in the summer when the woods are thick, shaded and full of obstacles. I also don’t hike at night in the warmer months, but a moonlit snowshoe stomp is one of my favorite things. I feel a unique combination of safety and freedom when I am snowshoeing in the open woods, on an empty trail bathed in winter’s blue light.
Minneapolis Winter Festivals
There are 3 festivals converging in Minneapolis right now. Yesterday's temps were in the 30's so there's really no darned good reason to stay inside. The Great Northern Festival City of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival Super Bowl VII Live Hike n Pint Our morning started at Theo Wirth Park for a quick 3 mile … Continue reading Minneapolis Winter Festivals