Remembering Dana’s Shelter
You don’t choose what to write—it chooses you. Thor Hanson In 1985, while in my mid-thirties, I set out to do a ten day trek on the Pacific Crest Trail, joining it south of White Pass, and ending on the south side of Mt. Adams. These days such a journey would be called a sectionContinue reading “Remembering Dana’s Shelter”
Impossible Conditions
Whatever you’re meant to do, do it now. The conditions are always impossible. Doris Lessing Everyone’s had a trip like this. If you haven’t been hiking for long and still believe that everyday on the trail is just another day in the sunshine, let me assure you they won’t all be like that. And I’mContinue reading “Impossible Conditions”
Taking the Plunge
A human being is born to dive deep into the stream of life. Srimad Bhagavatam I dragged my pack out from the back of my truck to a nearby picnic table, where I propped it on the bench, hoping it would be easier to put it on when I departed the trailhead. I had weighedContinue reading “Taking the Plunge”
Heavy, Heavier, Heaviest
Each step of a journey enters and alters the person who makes it. Jane Hirshfield I was nineteen years old when I acquired my first backpack. I was home from college over the Thanksgiving holiday, and on the day after the turkey feast (well before it was ever called Black Friday), my father drove meContinue reading “Heavy, Heavier, Heaviest”
Yes, Fortunately There Are Cougars
Instructions for living a life. Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it. Mary Oliver I had been in our new home in the Okanogan Highlands of Washington for only about a week. My husband had remained behind to take care of moving business, so my only companion was Lulu, a standard poodle puppy we hadContinue reading “Yes, Fortunately There Are Cougars”
Yes, Fortunately There Are Bears
When fear dominates our sense of possibility collapses. Sharon Salzberg The title for today’s post is from a trail guide to the Beartooth Mountains in northern Wyoming. It is the title of a section that includes of course all the usual recommendations for avoiding dangerous bear encounters, and since, in the words of my WyomingContinue reading “Yes, Fortunately There Are Bears”
Nameless Wildness
You are my nameless wildness. Marc Bolan A recent article in Backpacker magazine which purported to suggest what we should and should not worry about as hikers advised that we are thirty-three times more likely to be struck by lightening than to be attacked by a bear. I found this only minimally reassuring since unluckyContinue reading “Nameless Wildness”
On the Trail with Teacup
Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the world earth revolves–slowly, evenly without rushing toward the future. Thich Nhat Hahn Those of you who have followed my blog likely will have figured out by now that I have a one-size-fits-all solution to whatever may be wrong in theContinue reading “On the Trail with Teacup”
Go into the Wilderness Alone
Yet to learn to see, to learn to hear, you must do this–go into the wilderness alone. Don Jose I first started hiking alone in my early twenties and had started my first job as a Registered Nurse after graduating from college. I was newly married and had begun the life I thought I wanted:Continue reading “Go into the Wilderness Alone”
Sheltering in Place
Walk close to me. I’ll shelter you. William Barnes I was eight years old when I went on my first backpacking trip with my family. We hiked just a short distance up the Skokomish River in Olympic National Park to a well named site called Camp Pleasant, about three to four miles from the trailheadContinue reading “Sheltering in Place”
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