Vessi affiliate link. You’ll get some free socks, and you’ll help support me at no cost!
latest links for instagram post:
trees and powder | yodelin ski tour
trees and powder | yodelin ski tour
March 25, 2025 | pnw
March 25, 2025 | pnw
March 25, 2025 | pnw
6 miles . 3000 ft gain . 5200 ft high Yodelin was one of the first places I’d heard of to ski tour but it took some years before I finally ventured here. It’s a slightly further drive than Snoqualmie for that half-day ski vibe but honestly it’s been great thus far! It’s got plenty of trees and low angle terrain that might be a bit more challenging for the intermediate skier but overall a great place to be when avalanche danger is high. Obviously mileage and elevation gain will vary for your tour since the parking lot to the ridge is just over 1000 ft. So you have the ability to add as many runs as you want. There’s definitely areas with better open trees than others, so that will play a factor. It seems like mostly the upper 500 feet has the best trees before it gets denser below. Whether you’re on Mount Weird or Welldiggers Ass there’s plenty of room for all. The most recent trip up we saw plenty of groups, yet we kept finding fresh snow to ski on and felt like everyone was somehow spaced out enough. Occasionally, you have to trust entering the thickets before the old growth trees reveal themselves. The exit out is best by going down from near Mount Weird and generally following the skin track out. Otherwise you’ll definitely end up in dense trees even if you find a nice opening for a little bit. Not much to say about this short tour but it’s a great backpacker location to offer some variation to your easy-access terrain! Notes Park in the Yodelin lot. Generally get there before 8am to secure parking. This is a pretty well known spot so tracks are likely there to follow. This is not entirely out of avalanche terrain, so please go with caution and do your proper research and trip planning before going out Photos taken on Canon EOS R5 and Canon 5D Mark IV
triple pass | chair peak circumnavigation ski tour
triple pass | chair peak circumnavigation ski tour
March 13, 2025 | pnw
March 13, 2025 | pnw
March 13, 2025 | pnw
The thing about couloirs is that they come in a variety of widths and steepnesses and Bryant Couloir is rather wide and not terribly steep compared to many others nearby. It’s akin... // 11 miles . 3800 ft gain . 5420 ft high
journey to valhalla | lichtenberg and valhalla ski tour
journey to valhalla | lichtenberg and valhalla ski tour
February 19, 2025 | pnw
February 19, 2025 | pnw
February 19, 2025 | pnw
An exploratory day was in need after the dry spell we had. Snoqualmie was still out of the question as it was still mending and exit routes have been rather... // 9 miles . 4000 ft gain . 5825 ft high
central coastal and city japan | kansai and chūbu region
central coastal and city japan | kansai and chūbu region
January 27, 2025 | asia
January 27, 2025 | asia
January 27, 2025 | asia
For me, an overseas travel is not complete without some city sight-seeing. As much as I love nature and mountains, I feel that seeing the towns and cities are an important aspect of getting to know the culture better. I admit I am not great at immersing myself in the culture but I do believe there’s no single way to experience a new destination so long as you’re respectful and keep your mind open. I bunch together several areas around Kyoto
fall in the northern japanese alps | nagano prefecture
fall in the northern japanese alps | nagano prefecture
January 27, 2025 | asia
January 27, 2025 | asia
January 27, 2025 | asia
This is your guide to the Nagano Prefecture and the North Alps (excluding Fuji, which is located in the Southern Japanese Alps).
A Guide to Washington’s Backpacking Permit System
A Guide to Washington’s Backpacking Permit System
Let’s talk wilderness permits in Washington. It’s sore of the bane of all backpackers and while I am usually one to miss deadlines for permit applications, I have many friends who are always on top of it. Part of the problem is every region has a different system, so this is my attempt to make a succinct one-page summary of all Washington permits that you might need to know to plan a summer trip.
10+ North Cascades National Park Backpacking Itineraries
10+ North Cascades National Park Backpacking Itineraries
We all know about Cascade Pass. (Actually I didn't know about its fame till relatively recently). But it's so well known for its beautiful scenery. But getting a permit to camp there can be quite difficult...
a larch guide | 20+ crowd-free washington hikes
a larch guide | 20+ crowd-free washington hikes
Having trouble finding quieter larch hikes with just as much beauty? Learn how to discover new larch hikes in the Cascades!
things to do in the “off-season” // how to hike in the rain
things to do in the “off-season” // how to hike in the rain
Year round hiking in the Pacific Northwest. Sound crazy? Perhaps so. But when you’re in love with the outdoors, it’s hard to let weather get its way. If you’ve lived here through a winter season, you’ll know that seasonal depression is real whether or not you like to deny it. Everyone has different ways to cope and here are my favorite ways to pass the winter time and incorporating the outdoors...
Backpacking 101
Backpacking 101
New to backpacking? This guide will give you the nuts and bolts to your first backpacking trip, including what to pack!
Best Hikes Around Seattle
Best Hikes Around Seattle
For visitors and locals, here's some of my favorite hikes near Seattle ranging from easy to strenuous, and everything from peaks to lakes
Washington Hike-To-Scramble Progressions
Washington Hike-To-Scramble Progressions
Want to get into scrambling but don't know where to start? This is the perfect guide to learn about scrambling with step by step trails to progress into more difficult scrambling (non-technical rock climbing)