Within the progression of ultra running, Ras & Kathy Vaughan are rather unlikely activists. Ras’ first backpacking trip at age 11 ended with his Boy Scout troop being rescued by helicopter. When Ras and Kathy met in 1996 neither had any formal athletic experience, and Ras in particular was doing his utmost to become a member of the obesity epidemic. Despite their improbable … [Read more...] about Ras & Kathy Vaughan: Just Ordinary Human Beings
Backpacking
Jessica Kelley Goes Wild
I first got to know Jessica Kelley in 2013 when she was a coach with Cycle University, and was the liaison with the Cascade Bicycle Club's High Performance Cycling team. At the time she probably thought of herself as a triathlete, and as you can see in the video below, she certainly looked like one. She loves to give me a hard time whenever I wear a sleeveless cycling jersey … [Read more...] about Jessica Kelley Goes Wild
Destination: West Coast Trail
Located along the southwest coast of Vancouver Island, the West Coast Trail (WCT) is called "the (backpacking) trip of a lifetime," and it's been on my hit list for over 20 years. Because of the relatively remote location, it is as much a project as a backpacking trip, and I was finally able to make it happen in mid-August with a great crew of old friends. Our shared verdict: … [Read more...] about Destination: West Coast Trail