Last year I published my goals for 2023, but didn’t accomplish any of them besides completing an AIARE course in January. I tore my ACL in February and had surgery in May to reconstruct the torn ligament. My entire 2023 revolved around physical therapy with the goal of coming back stronger and more capable for 2024 and beyond. During the countless sessions relearning how to walk, I've had ample time to daydream about the activities I wanted to be pursuing. The thought of being able to move through the mountains again someday is what kept me focused and motivated through the monotonous exercises.
Although it appears I'm planning every weekend of the year, I’m always open to surprises, like our unexpected cycling trip this year to Corsica and Sardinia, planned just nine days before our flight. The point of this list isn’t to limit my opportunities. Instead, focusing my attention inspires me to train appropriately and always have something to look forward to.
If this all seems unrealistic for a year, that’s because it probably is. I like to dream big.
Skiing
Although I’ve been cleared by my PT, I’ll be conservative with my skiing this season to avoid re-injury. Of all the activities on this list, skiing is the one I need to be most careful with. It looks like there won’t be much snowfall in the PNW this winter, so I’m skeptical if I’ll get much of this done.
Ski lessons at Snoqualmie Pass - I’m concerned that my new body mechanics and any mental hesitation I have would create bad habits, so I thought it may be a good idea to take at least one private lesson to focus on improving my form.
Ski touring 30,000ft ele - I’d like to get in some uphilling action at a nearby ski resort hill that has a groomed run for skinning. There’s about 1,100ft of climbing so I’d be getting in some “fitness laps” before work meetings on weekdays. I’d likely work from Passlife, the new coworking space at Snoqualmie Pass, and maybe make some new friends there. In addition to getting my hip flexors stronger, I’ll practice dialing in my transitions between skinning and skiing.
XC skiing Methow Trails - The Methow Valley in summer is heaven on earth for me and in the winter has the largest cross-country ski area in North America. I have zero interest in XC skiing given my past experience with it, but it deserves another chance, especially given the setting. More info.
Backcountry skiing Muir Snowfield on Rainier (9.5mi, 5000 feet desc) - The descent starts up at 10,000 feet in elevation, considered the halfway point for those ascending up to Rainier’s summit. The snowfield is probably one of the easiest-to-access ~5,000ft backcountry ski descents in the country, and it’s rated at moderate difficulty. While the Muir Snowfield can be skied all year round, it’s a lot more fun to go when you can ski all the way back to your car (usually til late June). On a clear day, views of Adams, Helens, Hood, and even Jefferson are visible. The biggest challenge here would likely be monitoring for weather changes and snow stability, as weather above 7,000ft is unpredictable. Route beta.
Backcountry skiing Worm Flows on Mt St Helens (11mi, 5500 feet desc) - MSH is often considered the easiest of the Cascade volcanoes. Although this route crosses the Swift Glacier, it’s fairly non-technical without crevasse concern. On a clear day, Mount Adams’ broad summit can be seen to the east. Catching clear weather on a day with minimal wind is ideal. Likely I’d try this as an overnighter from Seattle (i.e., sleeping in the car at the trailhead). The big question is whether to go before March 31 (free permits) or after (limited). Route beta.
Surfing/swimming
I’ve always been averse to water activities given my poor swimming skills. Leah has been encouraging me to improve and I also irrationally feel I need to get better before I have kids.
Swimming once each month - Last year’s goal was to swim once a month in Lake Washington, and I even took a cold dip in January and February. Since the goal is to learn how to swim better, I’ll allow myself the option to swim in an indoor public pool to remove the inconvenience of having to dry out my wetsuit after each dip in the lake.
Kayaking and camping on Blake Island - Blake Island is a state park that’s a moderately easy paddle from Seattle. The island is only accessible by boat and there are miles of hiking trails and campsites along the water. We have an Oru tandem kayak, whistles, and life jackets. I’ll need a basic understanding of currents and winds, as well as be mindful of the large ships I’ll be sharing the water with. More info.
Surfing in Mexico - November’s usually a wet and grey month in Seattle. There isn’t enough snow yet in the mountains and it gets dark earlier. I love the idea of spending that time each year exploring a new part of Mexico and getting some attempts to stand on a surfboard before my arms give out.
Cycling (road & gravel)
Cycling was the one activity I was able to do last year that helped get me outdoors. Many of these goals I’d love to do with Leah and the theme here is about using the bike to immerse myself in a new place. A few favorite rides from 2022 (e.g., Sunrise Road w/o cars, and Highway 20 w/o cars) I’d love to try again with Leah if she’s up for it.
Car-free Highway 20 cycling (50+ mi, 6k ft ele) - Highway 20 is the iconic road that cuts through the Northern Cascades. The road is popular with cyclists all-year round but there’s a sweet spot in the year when it’s plowed but not yet open to cars. This usually happens between late-April to early-May. Depending on how much is plowed, this can be a 30mi ride or a 100mi out and back. I’ll be checking WSDOT pretty regularly. More info.
Car-free Mt Rainier Sunrise Road (30+ mi, 3k ft ele) - Sunrise, nestled on the east side of Mt Rainier, is the highest point you can drive to in Mt Rainier National Park at 6,400ft in elevation. It’s also the last road to get plowed and open to cars. While the plows are still making progress, it’s possible to bike up for face-to-face views with the mountain without not have to worry about sticking to a shoulder lane. The trick is to time it so you ride it as late as possible, when it’s warmest and the most amount of road is accessible, but before cars are allowed through. This usually happens late-June or early-July depending on snowfall that winter. I’ve set a reminder on my calendar to check road conditions every few days. More info.
Crater Rim ride at Crater Lake (32mi, 4k ft ele) - I’ve been to Crater Lake before on a road trip with Ben and was stunned at how massive and blue the caldera was. There’s a road that traces around the crater rim and it’s almost entirely closed to car traffic for just two Saturdays out of the year (Sept 9 and 16 for 2023). The rim ranges in elevation from 7,000 to 8,000 feet, so I’d be curious if I could comfortably get two laps in. I’d love to go for a swim with Leah in the lake halfway through the ride too in America’s deepest lake. Given how long of a drive from Seattle this is, it may make sense to combine it with a visit to Bend, Oregon. More info.
San Juan Island road ride (45mi, 3800ft ele) - Just along the border with Canada is the San Juan Island archipelago. One island in particular, San Juan Island, I’m keen to check out for it’s bucolic and leisurely vibes. In addition to the rural farms and slow lifestyle, the island is home to Lime Kiln State Park along the western coastline. It’s one of the best places in the country for seeing orcas from atop a sea cliff without having to pay for a boat tour during the salmon runs (May through September). This path follows as much of the coastline as possible with a stop halfway through where we’d hopefully see some whales! Route line.
2-day bikepack Olympic Bridges (39mi, 3k ft ele) - Leah and I did our first bikepacking trip in 2022, which meant buying lots more gear. Now that we’ve got it all, I figure we better make use of it. This is an easy route that goes over two of the state’s highest arched bridges through the lush and dense rainforest in the Olympic Peninsula. It can easily be done in a day, and in fact may be easier to do in a day. This may be a good one to do with friends for a super chill weekend. Best done in the early summer (e.g., late May or June), when the rain has lessened but the trees are still glowing from all the spring precipitation. More info.
Darrington box loop ride (105mi, 3k ft ele) - This is a mostly unremarkable century road ride close to home without much elevation gain. It follows some scenic mountain roads that I’ve driven plenty of times and have daydreamed about pedaling through. I saw someone come up with this loop in a Facebook group and figure it’s a fun one to rip through whenever the temps are mild and the skies are clear. Route line.
2-day bikepack Olympic Adventure Trail (66mi, 8k ft ele) - This is the classic bikepacking route for those living in Seattle (i.e., seems like everyone is doing it). It’s almost entirely smooth gravel and dirt and effortless riding bliss with views of the forested mountains while tracing Lake Crescent’s shoreline. This year I booked two weekends in case of weather for a campsite at Fairholme Campground, which isn’t necessary but makes it a lot more pleasant. More info.
Lone Butte gravel ride (54mi, 5200 ft ele) - In August of 2022, I explored the vast Gifford Pinchot Nat’l Forest on my gravel bike and loved it. The area is nestled between Mt Adams and the remains of Mt St Helens and felt remote, dense, and felt far away. The ride also felt pretty rugged. I came across another trail that offers the same solitude and challenge with the highlight being the wild and pristine Lewis River Valley. I’m hoping to check it out in October as the leaves are turning. More info.
2-day bikepack Teanaway River (42mi, 4.5k ft ele) - This trail is a little more challenging but much easier to get to from Seattle. The loop offers views of the Central Cascades (including the jagged Stuart range). Some sections of trail are overgrown, have downed bridges, and steep sections that hiking a loaded bike should be expected. Fortunately, the route sits nicely in a bit of a rain shadow so it should be a nice escape from grey skies, making it a great candidate for September. More info.
Tour de Whidbey route (103mi, 6k ft ele) - Whidbey Island is near to Seattle but feels like an escape from the city given the slight rain shadow. This route, covering both the north and south part of the island, is one I copied from an official cycling event. The line goes through some towns, so resupplying would be easy enough. There’s a lot of up and down to keep things interesting while following the coastline. Route line.
Cowichan Valley 8 bikepacking (118mi, 6k ft ele) - Leah and I both want to explore more of British Columbia and a 2-3 day cycling trip in the Cowichan Valley seemed like a great way to test our bikepacking skills and experience the deeply forested trails of Vancouver Island. We’re also keen to check out Victoria, BC. While the trail can be ridden all-year round, we’d like to avoid being rained on. Route beta.
Mountain biking
I didn’t realize how much I’d miss mountain biking while I was in rehab. I enjoy it almost as much as I enjoy climbing. One surprise from all the strength training for my ACL rehab is that I’m a lot more confident moving the bike around.
Fluidride clinics - Simon Lawton is the owner of Fluidride and he runs the best YouTube channel for mountain biking skills. I’ve benefitted a lot from guided instruction in general, and he runs in-person classes. Leah and I took advantage of a sale and booked over 20 hours each of courses at the start of the season to set us up on the right foot.
Orcas Island (shuttled) - Orcas Island is another one of the San Juan islands, and after October 15 each year a network of singletrack becomes open to mountain bikers. In early November of 2022, a few friends and I rented an Airbnb on the island and shuttled our bikes up for laps off the summit of Mt Constitution. It was so much fun that we all agreed we should make it an annual tradition! More info.
Darrington (shuttled) - The riding near Darrington, tucked between the mountains close to Seattle, is best done with a shuttle. The scenery is spectacular and all of the trails were recently built to diversify the town’s economy from primarily resource extraction. This would best be done with a group of friends given the shuttling. I’d like to do this mainly because it’s relatively close to home and sounds like an incredible day. I’ll probably want to avoid overlapping with the annual bluegrass festival, or not. More info.
Methow Valley riding - The Methow Valley is my favorite place on earth and I hear the lines there are incredible thanks to the trail builders of the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance. We’d make a weekend of it. More info.
Sunset descent of Olallie (18mi, blue/black) - This is a local trail that’s a 9 mile climb up a ridge that descends back the same way. It’s positioned right at the foothills of the Cascade mountains. After doing my first night mountain bike ride and loving it, I think it’d be pretty awesome to ride this trail as the sun is setting. My friend Cliff has been doing this trail pretty regularly and has been talking about it nonstop. More info.
Angel’s Staircase (23mi, 5k ft ele) - This is one of Washington’s burliest alpine mountain biking loops, and is the highest altitude singletrack in the state at 8,000 feet. There’s some sections of mandatory hike-a-bike, but the views make it worthwhile. The trail traverses around Martin Peak through ponderosa forest to subalpine first on open ridgelines. This is another trail that has a short window given the altitude. The entire ride is physically demanding, but it’s possible to get an early start by car-camping at the trailhead. If we make a weekend of it, we could do some riding up in the nearby Methow Valley and Mazama, which is the closest thing to heaven on earth for me. More info.
Port Gamble - I’ve ridden at Port Gamble and had a lot of fun. Given the logging that occurred there and the amount of sand in the dirt due to the proximity of the sound, the trails dry out much faster after rain so it’s a good option to keep in mind. The trail builders are also eager to get more traffic to the area. More info.
St Edwards laps - My friend Jason rides the cross-country trails at St Edwards State Park several times a week and he knows the place intimately. Every time I’ve gone on my own I get lost in the web of trails lacking any signage. It’s close to home and a great place to level up my riding without having to commit to a long drive. My goal this year is to ride 100 miles of trails there, ideally with Jason leading the way so I know where to turn. More info.
Post Canyon riding - Leah and I were married in Hood River, Oregon in late May and we were thinking about visiting again around the same time if the weather is good. More info.
Whole Enchilada, Moab (27mi, 8,000ft descent) - This is one of the most famous trails in the world and somehow I already ended up riding it as one of my first ever mountain bike rides. It was as scary as it was fun, and one of the best days I’ve ever had. Moab is a great escape from the atmospheric rivers that hit Seattle in October. More info.
Backpacking & day-hiking
Despite the many opportunities for hiking in the PNW, I’ve been more excited to put time into other activities. Still, I do love getting out there when the views are grand and there’s enough of a struggle to keep the crowds away. The eccentric load of descending on trails will likely be tough on my operated knee so I’ll be curious about how hard it’ll be to get back to my previous level.
Mount Ellinor hike (6mi, 3,300ft ele) - This isn’t an intense hike but it is one of the peaks visible from Seattle when looking out onto the Olympics. It’s steep and available to do year-round as long as you’re prepared to trudge through snow. More info.
High Divide Loop day hike in Olympic NP (19mi, 5k ft ele) - I got the inspiration for this route from Climber Kyle’s blog post listing epic mountain runs of the PNW. The trail looms over a rainforest, crosses alpine meadows with open ridgelines, and overlaps with spectacular waterfalls.I chose this one because I’d like to appreciate more of the Olympic peninsula while I still live in Seattle and have relatively easy access to it. I figure I should attempt this in a day as a fast hike so that I could go light, guarantee I’ll have good weather, and not have to deal with a crowded campsite. The distance and elevation is less than what each of my days hiking the PCT Section J was, so hopefully this feels just perfect in terms of difficulty. More info.
Enchantment Peak day hike (21mi, 8k ft ele) - When I first moved to Seattle, I had dreams of doing the Enchantment thru hike in a day. It was even one of my goals for last year that I never got to. As I learned more about the conga line of folks hiking through the Enchantment zone, I lost interest in doing the same thing. Still, I’d love to experience the area in a different way, especially perched from a central summit. This approach means I’d be doing an out-and-back but I don’t mind. A trail always looks a little different when you’re looking the other direction. More info.
Mountaineering
I haven’t done glaciated mountaineering in years given the pandemic, living on the east coast til recently, my finger injury, the torn ACL, and the challenge of finding a capable/reliable partner to rope up with. This year, I think I’ve got a good idea of who I’d partner up and practice with.
Eldorado Peak glacier climb (10mi, 7k feet ele) - This is a summit I’ve stood on twice, both times under the supervision of a guide monitoring my decision-making. It’s a big day to reach base camp, and a rather short and straightforward ascent to the summit. It’ll involve roping up for glacier travel and carrying additional gear for overnighting. This would be my third summit on the peak, but I’d like to try it again because of how beautiful the terrain is and also because I’m familiar with it. “…Massively aloof…the summit has a Himalayan like splendor owing to its remoteness, position, and knife-edge summit ridge.” Best done between July and September, so I’d most likely I’d aim for late July. My longer term goals for this is to try and ski off the top…someday! Route beta, more beta, more beta.
Colchuck Peak glacier scramble (14mi, 5k feet ele) - This peak sits in the Enchantments area of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and seems to be easier when there’s snow covering the steep talus field. An ice ax, helmet, and crampons is essential but most parties forgo roping up. After topping out on the glacier, there’s some class 2/3 scrambling on rock before making it to the summit. Some groups choose to make the traverse to Dragontail Peak to make it a longer day. This is one I’d be tempted to do alone, but the responsible thing would be to go with someone else. Route beta.
Fisher Chimneys on Mt Shuksan (4th class, 7k ft ele) - This is a route that combines mountaineering with some 4th class scrambling. I’ve been on Mt Shuksan before, but we were rained off of it several hundred yards from the summit. Loose rock is another hazard to be mindful of, especially due to the popularity of the route. I’d want at least two partners to be roped up with if I attempted it. July and August seem to be primetime for this route. Route beta.
Ruth Mtn Glacier climb (12mi, 4k ft ele) - This is an easy objective that would provide spectacular views of Mt Shuksan and Nooksack Tower. It’s a great place to practice roping up for glacier travel and figuring out team dynamics. Best time to attempt is anywhere from June til October, but I’d likely aim for June. I’d definitely want to try doing this in a single day. Route beta.
Snowking Mtn snow scramble (18mi, 8k ft ele) - This is a big day in the mountains trudging through snow with some route-finding challenges. This would challenge my fitness early in the season and my ability to move efficiently through snow. Route beta, more info, more info.
Climbing
I’ve been waiting a long time for my “breakthrough climbing year,” when I’d finally have access to a great crag, a reliable gym, and a partner to help make my dreams come true. Instead, a finger ligament tear had me sit out 2022 and my ACL tear did the same for 2023. I’m nervous getting back into climbing given how much I worry I’ve forgotten, but I’m equally determined to relearn. There are more goals here than any other activity. Climbing outside is where my heart and soul feel full.
Climbing in Red Rock - I love Red Rock and can make the case that it’s the best climbing area in the world. It’s 30 min away from an international airport, there’s great food, easy lodging, tons of accessible sport and trad lines, and mild weather for half the year. The one downside is having to avoid the sandstone after rain. If the weather and schedules align, I’d like to take a trip in April to get back into the swing of things. More info.
Trad: S Face of the Tooth (5.4, 4 pitch) - This is probably the easiest and most popular multipitch in the state of Washington given how close it is to Seattle via the interstate highway. It’s often used as a training climbed for Mountaineers groups. My friend Patrick tells me there are only two decent pitches on it. I’d like to use it to vet any new partners who I’d bring with me, but also get back into the swing of climbing in the alpine again. The only way to avoid the route congestion would be to go mid-week. More info.
Cragging: Index - The climbing at Index is supposed to be world-class, but I’ve yet to go. I even have the guidebook and was studying the crag on my drive over from the east coast. The fine-grained granite has a bit of everything: from techy slab all the way to aid climbs on 500ft walls. The weather is often what keeps people away. Either the rock is too damp or the south-facing walls are blisteringly hot. The routes are more moderate-hard and I’d be a happy climber if I could manage to be a regular at Index. More info.
Guided: Third Pillar of Dana (5.10 III, 3 pitch) - For my birthday two years ago, Leah gifted me a guided climb with my favorite climber, Peter Croft. I delayed using the gift certificate with his guiding company because of my two injuries. Hopefully this year I can use it on this High Sierra classic. I just have to hope wildfire smoke doesn’t ruin my plans. Currently in a back and forth trying to schedule the date. Route beta.
Trad: West Ridge of Prusik Peak (5.7, 4 pitch) - Prusik Peak may be one of the most beautiful mountains in the country and there’s a moderate climb on solid rock with easy natural belay anchors. If not for the 6hr hike to get there, it’d be swarmed with people. I like the idea of a long approach and would like to check it out during larch season. It seems the biggest challenge is getting a permit for the area. Route beta, more info.
Trad: Ragged Edge of Vesper Peak (5.7, 6 pitch) - This is an alpine rock route with stunning views and great exposure. It’s exactly the kind of moderate route that appeals to me. Unfortunately, I’m not the only one. Finding the right partner, moving fast, and starting early are key to having a good time. I’ve read the mosquitos are merciless in the peak of summer so I’ll have to think about timing. Route beta.
Sport: Tooth Fairy (5.9, 6 pitch) - This is an alpine sport route located not far from Seattle. It also sees lots of traffic unsurprisingly. I see this as a stepping stone for longer multipitch sport routes like Prime Rib. More info.
Sport: Voie de Chaise of Chair Peak (5.9, 7 pitch) - This is a new alpine sport route pioneered by local climbers last year, and is located fairly close to Seattle. Not many people are familiar with it yet so I’m hoping to get on it before there’s a traffic jam on the route. More info.
Sport: Prime Rib (5.9-, 11 pitch) - A 5.9 sport route that goes on for 11 pitches? I couldn’t believe it when I first heard about this route years ago. This route sees people who travel from all across the country to experience it. This one is worth taking a day off for, and going mid-week will help ensure I’m not waiting behind other parties. It’s located in the Methow Valley, right outside of Mazama (my happy place). Route beta.
Trad: Outer Space (5.9, 6 pitch) - This is a grade I’ve never led on gear (i.e., my highest was a 5.8 multipitch in Joshua Tree). Fortunately, it’s a crack system that I’d follow, which I love to climb. Route beta.
In order to help coordinate plans, I created a chart indicating ideal times to accomplish each goal given expected weather and my personal schedule. A few things I’ve already locked in for certain dates. Let me know if you’d like this template as well.
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