Everything was going according to plan as the group enjoyed an evening together on the South rim. While the majority felt excitement about tomorrow, a few were contemplating their readiness for this Grand Challenge. This is the opposite kind of hike in every way you can think of. It reminds me of what the Park…
Grand Canyon Double R2R: First Leg, NK to BA
Hiking the Grand Canyon is one of those experiences where once just isn’t enough. I’m not sure you can take it all in even after doing it twice. How many times does it take? Not sure yet. This past weekend, I hiked across for the 4th and 5th time and still loved every minute of…
My Favorite Route to Deseret Peak
May has been a busy month for me, all consumed by a garden project I’m working on for my wife. I volunteered to do it to save a few bucks but had no idea it would cost me a fortune in time! As a result, I’ve missed out on a lot of mountaineering adventures this…
Timp from Everest Ridge
This year’s Six Pack of Peaks Challenge for Utah wasn’t announced until late March. Before then, I honestly didn’t think this would continue for Utah again in 2022. I was sure it died a quick death after its inaugural year. From what I can tell, this challenge didn’t get much participation despite how many people…
Better Backcountry Communication
There have been a few situations in the mountains where I wish we all carried radios. The most recent was during our hike to South Lone Peak last month where our group got separated on the way up. A very qualified friend ventured off on his own. Which is fine, he totally knows what he’s…
Water Weight and Snowpack
I read UAC avalanche reports every day for the areas I like to play in. The intent to follow what is going on in our mountains for better decision making around safe winter recreation. Yesterday’s forecast referenced the natural avalanche on Little Water Peak and mentioned something I found very interesting. The analysis part of…
2021 Year in Review
2021 was a great year for getting some hiking stuff accomplished! I wasn’t so much about reaching a specific mileage tally or total elevation gain this time. Instead, my focus was more about knocking a few significant things off my list. My biggest goal for the year was to get all lower 48 states west…
65,000 Grand Steps from Rim to Rim
I got to do one of my favorite hikes last week for the 3rd time, a crossing of the Grand Canyon from rim to rim! This is an epic adventure that every hiker should do at least once. The views are like none other, the challenge is definitely noteworthy and the fact that one can…
Touched the Top o’ Texas
This makes 21/50 for me and brings my season of State Highpoints to an end for the year. 12 states in 5 months has been one heck of a ride! Guadalupe is one of the easier ones, I think! …right up there with Humphreys, Mansfield and maybe even Marcy. You climb a mere 2,800′ over…
A Lovely Day on Longs
My wife has attended a conference in Denver every year in September since 2018. Coming from Utah, I have tagged along with her each time in order to hike another Colorado 14er. That was my plan again today, with Longs Peak being my peak of choice this year. The day was a beautiful one. In…