After Bryce Canyon we went to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Since we traveled during prime season we did not expect to get a camping spot inside the National Park without reservation, so we grabbed a spot on the National Forest campground Demotte just outside the park. After picking a site we went straight into the park. Along the way we saw a herd of bison and of course stopped for some picture. On the way to the visitor center we checked at the campground to see if we could reserve a site for the next day. To our surprise we got one.Continue reading “North Kaibab Trail, Grand Canyon”
Bryce Canyon
After Snow Canyon and Zion we went to Bryce canyon. Continue reading “Bryce Canyon”
Snow Canyon Flash Flood and Zion
We had my nephew, his best friend and my niece visiting, so we decided to show them some places and activities around the Southwest we like.Continue reading “Snow Canyon Flash Flood and Zion”
Alaska Adventure
Our Alaska vacation started with a little jolt from some wind-shear upon landing in Anchorage. About 200 ft off the deck we had a great side look at the runway as the wing flipped what seemed like 45⁰.Continue reading “Alaska Adventure”
San Bernardino Divide – Over Night
John’s report:
In preparation for their Aug-Sep 10 day backpacking adventure into the High Sierras, Jack, Uwe, and Klaus did an overnight backpack into the San Bernardino mountains for conditioning and to shake down their gear. Srisuda and I joined them. Continue reading “San Bernardino Divide – Over Night”
Backpacking in the White Mountains, NH
Last week I went backpacking for three days / two nights with my brother-in-law, Casey, in the White Mountains of NH. These are the mountains I grew up hiking in and it was great to get a chance to see them again before heading over to Europe. We had a full-value White Mountain experience: hard rain, driving wind, piercing blue skies, bright sunshine, clammy fog, trails full of boulders & roots & downed trees left at just the right height to poke out your eye, beautiful alpine meadows & vistas, and barely anyone else on most of the trail. Unfortunately my phone battery died after the first night so I don’t have many pics & will instead have to rely on the descriptive power of my words instead ;).
Asbestos and Lookout Mountains
Just to nail two more peaks on the Sierra Club list, I hiked Lookout and Asbestos mountain in the San Jacinto Range.Continue reading “Asbestos and Lookout Mountains”
Knife Edge – Sandias Mountains, NM
On my drive home from CA -> VT the first stop I made was in Sante Fe, NM to visit my climbing partner Dan. For the full day I was there I first spent a little bit of time hanging out in downtown Sante Fe while Dan worked in the morning, then we went climbing/scrambling for the afternoon. The route we chose was the Knife Edge in the Sandias mountains, which follows the ridgeline to the north (left in the featured pic) of the large Shield rock wall.
Kayaking with Orcas
Kayaking with the Orcas has been on the agenda for a long while and was a perfect plan for Quinn’s and my annual father/daughter trip. We took the 1 ½ ferry ride from Anacortes to Friday Harbor Washington. It was raining so the trip out through the San Juan Islands offered little. Continue reading “Kayaking with Orcas”
San Gorgonio (again), Strawberry++
One day of hiking in the San Bernardino’s: San Gorgonio Peak. One day of hiking in the San Gabriel’s: Strawberry Peak, Mount Lawlor, Barley Flats. Total weekend stats: ~28 miles, 8,270 ft elevation gain.Continue reading “San Gorgonio (again), Strawberry++”