Like most hikers and backpackers I have enjoyed climbing to high places over the years, though I would not consider myself to be a “peak bagger.” Dangling from a climbing rope or pounding pitons into solid rock has always been a little too scary for me. I prefer to have my feet on solid ground,Continue reading “A Peak Experience”
Tag Archives: Aging Hikers
A New Companion on the Trail
The common denominator in all these conditions—whether in the lungs, the muscles, or the bones—is overwhelming pain… It’s not a question of whether you will hurt, or of how much you will hurt; it’s a question of what you will do, and how well you will do it, while pain has her wanton way withContinue reading “A New Companion on the Trail”
Remembering Mom’s Home Cooking
In 1968 when several friends and I decided to hike the Wonderland Trail around Mt. Rainier to celebrate our graduation from high school, I volunteered to plan and prepare all of the food for the trip. That meant planning, shopping, and packing lightweight food for five girls for ten days, a daunting task. What IContinue reading “Remembering Mom’s Home Cooking”
Hiking the Duck
In old age I shall walk quietly the beautiful trail. Navajo Prayer Last week I completed my first backpacking trip of the year. Ordinarily such an event would be no big deal. Until a few years ago I typically would do an early trip in the spring, several short ones during the summer months, andContinue reading “Hiking the Duck”
With Love from Red Reef Rock
Dream or nightmare we have to live our experience as it is and we have to live it awake. Jacob Bronowski When I was about five years old my family camped at Staircase Campground in Olympic National Park, as we did for many years. It was one of our favorite campgrounds, and I always lovedContinue reading “With Love from Red Reef Rock”
Shall We Gather at the River?
Soon we’ll reach the silver river, Soon our pilgrimage will cease; Soon our happy hearts will quiver With the melody of peace. American Gospel I first heard this old hymn at my grandmother’s funeral many years ago as a young child. I remember holding the tattered gray hymnal as we sang, and I envisioned aContinue reading “Shall We Gather at the River?”
Hiking with Bruno
Feeling the Fear
Always in the big woods when you leave familiar ground and step off alone into a new place there will be, along with the feelings of curiosity and excitement, a little nagging of dread. It is the ancient fear of the Unknown and it is your first bond with the wilderness you are going into.Continue reading “Feeling the Fear”
One Last Time
Most of my hiking friends have favorite destinations, places they have perhaps visited only once but linger in their memories as particularly beautiful. At my age these memories occur as places where I would like to return one last time. Avalanche Valley on the eastern slope of Mt. Adams in the Cascades is one suchContinue reading “One Last Time”
With Me On the Trail
I cannot live without books. Thomas Jefferson On a bottom book shelf in my bedroom is a collection of books that have always been precious to me. Most books are precious to me, but these books are especially so, and I keep them there so that if my house is ever beset by wildfire andContinue reading “With Me On the Trail”
The Solitude Trail 