Despite an endless flow of gorgeous, taunting, tempting images and trip reports in my pandemic social feeds, I've mostly limited my pandemic fitness activities to what I can do from the front door. Even under non-pandemic conditions, trailhead parking lots and pit toilets are pushed to overflowing during the summer months. But, under coronavirus conditions this level of … [Read more...] about Hiking Summerland & Panhandle Gap
Hiking
Swiftwick Merino Wool @ Bridle Trails
During some recent Bridle Trail laps, we tested Swiftwick's Pursuit Ultralight and Pursuit Hike socks. The Pursuit Ultralight is constructed with the lightest weight, fine-gauge merino wool which provides maximum moisture and sweat management. Moisture on your feet = friction, friction = blisters. Keeping your feet dry is the key to keeping them blister-free. The thin, … [Read more...] about Swiftwick Merino Wool @ Bridle Trails
Fred Hutch Obliteride 2020 Obliteride Goes Global
Fred Hutch Obliteride, one of the largest community fundraising events in the Pacific Northwest, announced changes for 2020. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Obliteride weekend has been reimagined and will not include group gatherings in 2020. Participants will choose when and where to complete their individual events, enabling people all over the world to safely support … [Read more...] about Fred Hutch Obliteride 2020 Obliteride Goes Global
Poo Poo Point Power Hike
After a record cold and snowy February, the sudden switch to summertime temperatures the past few days has been just the prescription to get over our collective cabin fever. Saturday afternoon I got out for a spin around Mercer Island, and it felt as though the entire region with letting out a group "...ahhh...." Mid-way around the island I crossed paths with cycling and … [Read more...] about Poo Poo Point Power Hike
Stuke Sowle: #everysinglesummit
Although 44-year-old Stuke Sowle has only been running for about five years, he has been feverishly working on ambitious projects that are animating the PNW running community. He dubbed his most recently completed adventure #everysinglesummit. The #everysinglesummit idea was based on a Strava trend in which folks cycle every single street in their cities. Inspired, Stuke … [Read more...] about Stuke Sowle: #everysinglesummit
Team UltraPedestrian Completes First UP North Loop
Although 100-mile ultra runs are a relatively popular "thing" these days, several regional athletes are upping the ante just a tad. A few recent "ultra-ultra" projects include: 1. In the summer of 2017 mother/daughter duo Tania and Martina Halik became the second team to ski the entire 2,300km length of the Coast Mountains from Squamish, British Columbia to Skagway, … [Read more...] about Team UltraPedestrian Completes First UP North Loop
Wonderland Trail 3 of 3: White River to Longmire
This is the third of a three-part series about doing a 3-day trail run/hike on the Wonderland Trail. It's typically done as a week-long backpacking trip, or at the fast end of the spectrum, as a fast ultra run in under 1.5 days. To understand what is involved in a 3-day, here is a primer about day three. White River to Longmire 31 Miles, Elevation Gain/Loss +6,800’/ … [Read more...] about Wonderland Trail 3 of 3: White River to Longmire
Larch Season Hike: Maple Pass Loop
Among the most popular fall hikes in the Cascades are those with abundant larch trees. The Maple Pass Loop near Rainy Pass on Highway 20 (aka "The North Cascades Highway") offers a great mix of larches, views, meadows, and lakes. Larches are an unusual "deciduous conifer" whose needles change a spectacular golden color and completely fall off during the fall. They … [Read more...] about Larch Season Hike: Maple Pass Loop
Wonderland Trail 2 of 3: Mowich Lake to White River
This is the second of a three-part series about doing a 3-day trail run/hike on the Wonderland Trail. It's typically done as a week-long backpacking trip, or at the fast end of the spectrum, as a fast ultra run in under 1.5 days. To understand what is involved in a 3-day, here is a primer about day two: Mowich Lake to White River 26 Miles, Elevation Gain/Loss … [Read more...] about Wonderland Trail 2 of 3: Mowich Lake to White River