TRIP DETAILS LENGTH 5.5 miles DIFFICULTY Easy DATE Jan 6, 2018 MAIN FEATURES Flat trail with views of the river and 9 mile creek. Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1976 to provide habitat for a large number of migratory waterfowl, fish, and other wildlife species threatened by commercial and industrial development, and to provide environmental education, … Continue reading Hiking Minnesota National Wildlife Refuge: Nine Mile Creek
10 Winter Hacks to Keep You Warm
Expanding on my previous post, The California Transplant's Guide to Winter Layers, here's a quick list of 10 hacks and skills to help you stay warm this winter!
A California Transplant’s Guide to Winter Layers
If you know how to layer, it’s never too cold to go outside. So here are a few tips, whether you are sub zero, sub 60 or completely buried in snow, to help ya get through the next cold snap.
2017 Year in Review
On January 1st 2017, I started this blog, as a place to write about my outdoor adventures, learning experiences, failures and encourage others to get outside at any skill level. In 2017, I also challenged myself to ask, before starting or continuing various activities, "Does this make me feel strong? Or will this build strength?” … Continue reading 2017 Year in Review
Winter Camping at Fred C. Andersen Scout Camp
Another year at Winter Scout Camp and a review of two different sleep set ups I used: Hammock and Solo Tent. Winter camping takes more planning and effort but refines my outdoor skills each time I do it.
Hike 52: Eagle Mountain-BWCA!
TRIP DETAILS LENGTH 7 miles roundtrip DIFFICULTY Moderate DATE December 9, 2017 MAIN FEATURES Highest Point in MN, Amazing views of the BWCA Wilderness, No wind, no rain Or winters cold can stop me, 'Cause you are my goal. There ain't no mountain high enough Ain't no valley low enough Ain't no river wide enough To keep me from getting to … Continue reading Hike 52: Eagle Mountain-BWCA!
Hike 52 Adventure Part 1 – Lake Superior
"Those who have never seen Superior get an inadequate idea by hearing it spoken of as a lake Superior is a sea It breeds storms and rain and fog like a sea. It is cold, masterful, and dreaded." -Rev. George Grant, 1872 If you have been following along on the 2017 Wandering Pine journey, you … Continue reading Hike 52 Adventure Part 1 – Lake Superior
My First Winter Camping Experience aka ‘The coldest night of my life’
I was a new Scout Leader, and knew nothing about winter camping but enthusiastically volunteered to coordinate a winter overnight as a camping merit badge requirement. From there, I led my first backpacking trip the following summer without any experience. Powered by this same enthusiasm and thirst for wilderness knowledge, we trekked to Glacier National Park. Lots of learning and we've survived every adventure since!
Moarrr Gearrr… and my new favorite backpacking book!
"Fear is heavy..." -Hiking Dude In my quest for updating to lightweight gear without breaking the bank for next year's SHT Thru hike, I've been selling or giving away the older stuff and picking up new gear at gear swaps or sales. See last week's post on 10 ways to rock an REI Garage sale! … Continue reading Moarrr Gearrr… and my new favorite backpacking book!
Superfog & Snow Predictions
“I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields (and windshields), that it kisses them so gently? And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says, "Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again.” ― Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass … Continue reading Superfog & Snow Predictions
Mile 1 | Superior Hiking Trail
The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. -Lao Tzu Or in my case, the journey of 310 miles... Last week feels like I walked my first mile on the trail. Making the decision to go, working on a plan to get there, nerding out on gear excel grids - trying … Continue reading Mile 1 | Superior Hiking Trail
Glacier National Park | St Mary, Virginia Falls, Garden Wall and Final Trip Thoughts
TRIP DETAILS LENGTH 3 mi + 2 mi DIFFICULTY Easy, with a few blazing hot hills on the way out of the falls. DATE July 6, 2017 MAIN FEATURES Two hikes in one day! The trail to the falls follows the path of a recent forest fire, 3 miles out and back. Several great spots for lunch and enjoying … Continue reading Glacier National Park | St Mary, Virginia Falls, Garden Wall and Final Trip Thoughts
Glacier National Park | Many Glacier
TRIP DETAILS LENGTH 5-10 mi DIFFICULTY Easy and flat to Grinnell Lake, then hilly on the loop back. DATE July 5, 2017 MAIN FEATURES The trail follows the shoreline of Swiftcurrent Lake, Lake Josephine and Grinnell Lake with views of 5 Glaciers from the Many Glacier Hotel area. No synonym for God is so perfect as Beauty. Whether as seen carving … Continue reading Glacier National Park | Many Glacier
Glacier National Park | Trail of the Cedars, Avalanche Lake and Paradise Point.
TRIP DETAILS LENGTH 5-6 miles DIFFICULTY Easy with some elevation up to Avalanche Lake DATE July 4, 2017 MAIN FEATURES Trail winds through towering Cedars and evergreen forest along waterfalls and rushing river to turquoise blue Avalanche Lake. Be sure to walk to the end of the trail for the best view. Woke up before everyone again and ordered … Continue reading Glacier National Park | Trail of the Cedars, Avalanche Lake and Paradise Point.
Glacier National Park | Whitewater Rafting
TRIP DETAILS LENGTH about 3 hours (I lost track) DIFFICULTY Easy with an awesome guide like "SOCCER MIKE"! DATE July 3, 2017 MAIN FEATURES Amazing views of Middle Fork of the Flathead River. Woke up at 4:45am, made the hostel coffee and headed out to Brownie's front porch to enjoy the sunrise. I get the feeling that I am … Continue reading Glacier National Park | Whitewater Rafting
Glacier National Park | Logan Pass & Hidden Lake Trail
TRIP DETAILS LENGTH 4-5 mi DIFFICULTY Easy to overlook without snow, but extremely steep down to the lake. Moderate to Difficult with snow. DATE July 2, 2017 MAIN FEATURES Panoramic views across mountains, glacial lakes and snow fields, mountain goats. One of the benefits of adventuring with Scouts is that the Senior Patrol Leader and ASPL decide each night what time … Continue reading Glacier National Park | Logan Pass & Hidden Lake Trail
Glacier National Park | Scenic Point
TRIP DETAILS LENGTH 7.9 mi (longer if you start at the visitor center) DIFFICULTY Moderate to Difficult DATE July 1, 2017 MAIN FEATURES Beargrass, wide mountain views, Hoary Marmot and Sheep My day started at 5am. Made a pot of coffee and relaxed on the Brownie's Hostel porch with a mountain view for a good hour or so. Today's … Continue reading Glacier National Park | Scenic Point
Glacier National Park – Day 1 & 2: Amtrak & Brownies
Welcome to the first post from last week's trip to Glacier National Park! Last year, 18 of us went to Isle Royale, this year another group of 18 Scouts and adults to East Glacier for our Boy Scout Troop's 2017 High Adventure Trip. We planned the trip 9 months out and held almost all of … Continue reading Glacier National Park – Day 1 & 2: Amtrak & Brownies
Glacier National Park Part 1: Remembering our first trip.
“Wander here a whole summer, if you can. Thousands of God’s wild blessings will search you and soak you as if your were a sponge, and the big days will go uncounted. If you are business-tangled, and so burdened with duty that only tweeks can be got out of the heavy laden year, then go … Continue reading Glacier National Park Part 1: Remembering our first trip.
WRFA-Wilderness and Remote First Aid Certification weekend!
Wilderness and Remote First Aid, CPR, AED certification is 18-20 hours of intense training packed into two or three days. As a leader of High Adventure treks with Scouts, I am required to take it every two years. Last weekend was my 3rd time going through the course and I learn something new every time. … Continue reading WRFA-Wilderness and Remote First Aid Certification weekend!