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Outdoor goals for 2024 - effort vs interest matrix

January 03, 2024

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.

Outdoor goals for 2023 - effort vs interest matrix

January 05, 2023

I finally feel like I’ve settled into the Pacific Northwest after completing a full year in my new home. I’ve still got a lot to learn as a newcomer to the west coast, but I credit my obsessive personality for pushing me to new corners of the map. Last year, I shared my 2022 outdoor goals for the year, which was basically a plotting of my daydreams on a chart. Having it as a reference allowed me to plan more thoughtfully, train smarter, and be more intentional about where I place my energy.

In order to do everything on my actual wish list, I’d have to quit my job and live two lifetimes. I’ve used this framework of effort vs interest to help narrow down what it is I’d arrange logistics for, train for, and ultimately prioritize. Last year, I only got to half of the goals on my list but I still had the most active year of my life. Throughout 2022, several injuries (e.g., torn finger ligament), environmental factors (e.g., wildfire smoke), life circumstances, and new inspiration crept in and I needed to adapt. I don’t see these goals as a contract with the universe, but more like a visualization of what’s in my head. I’ve had this approach for years, usually scribbling thoughts on paper. I’m sharing it again as lots of friends have gotten value from arranging their own goals in this way. Hopefully you get some ideas from this. If any are on your own list, do let me know!

Skiing

More than any other activity, my ski goals are highest on my priority list. Part of this has to do with the winter season being so short and precious, but also because it’s where I feel the biggest gap between what I want to be doing and what I’m capable of. Last year, I focused on leveling up my technique inbounds and this year I’m hoping to push into touring. This also means I better improve on my powder skiing.

AIARE 1 Avalanche + Rescue training - The larger goal here is to get out into the backcountry and earn my turns by skinning up the mountain. Before I can do that, I need to learn how to read snow conditions for avalanche risk. I’ve been dreaming about this for a while and I finally got a spot on a February Intro to Backcountry Course w/ AAIRE, joined by Leah and my buddy Ben. More info.
250,000 feet skiing - Last year I had a stretch goal of 300k feet of descent while skiing. I saw a dramatic increase in my skiing ability, but I also felt like I put my knees through a meat grinder by the end. Hopefully this is another year of improvement, ideally with stronger knees this time. I’ll be spending most of my time at Stevens Pass again, but hopefully will get laps in the backcountry.
Backcountry skiing near Stevens Pass - I have two guidebooks that tell me Stevens Pass is a great launchpad for some easy and moderate backcountry skiing. I also have lots of friends who stay at the nearby lodge and I’m eager to take pointers from them. I know that anything I plan in depth as a total noob will be foolish in comparison to getting advice from them, so I’m keeping an open mind. 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 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. Surfing isn’t high on my interest list, but it’s definitely there.

Surfing in Cerritos Beach, MX - After taking a bunch of lessons in 2022, Leah and I feel like we know our way around the water enough to just rent boards. Unlike Leah, I still can’t reliably catch a wave but I’ve hit a point where I don’t hate being out on the water; I’ve got the fire to finally figure this out. A co-worker gave me a tip that I should go to Costa Rica where I could find reliable beginner waves and get more “at-bats” without having to fight my way through the surf. Leah and I had some sticker shock at the flight and lodging for Costa Rica, so we settled on Cerritos Beach on the Baja Peninsula. Given my limited PTO this year, I’m hoping to do this by working remotely (2hrs on the water + work rest of day), probably in March when the waves are beginner-friendly.
Surfing in Sayulita, MX - We got a tip to check out the surf in Sayulita from a surf instructor. It’s a cheap flight to Puerto Vallarta from Seattle and Leah and I have been daydreaming about working remotely from Mexico for over a year. I’m also hoping to combine this with a trip to Oaxaca which has been in my thoughts for years for the food and culture. One idea could be to visit in early November, when Seattle gets blanketed with grey skies and enjoy some Día de Muertos festivities.
Swimming once each month in Lake Washington - This sounds miserable, and that’s the point. I don’t like getting wet or splashing around in water even in the summer, so my thinking is that by making a habit of dipping myself into the lake regardless of how unpleasant it is, I’ll develop a new relationship with water and my local lake (~5min from home). I’ve got a wetsuit, gloves, and booties to take some of the bite away in the winter temps.

Cycling (road & gravel)

Last year, I signed up for two official cycling events (Seattle to Portland at 206mi and RAMROD at 150mi). As a result, cycling dominated the spring and early summer for me; there was little room for much else given the training and exhaustion. I’d still like to experience the freedom of being on a bike, but less of the intense grind. Many of these goals I’d love to do with Leah and are about using the bike to immerse myself in a new place. A few rides from last year (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.

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 last year, 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.
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.
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. I had it on my list last year, but didn’t prioritize it enough to get a campsite at Fairholme Campground, which isn’t necessary but makes it a lot more pleasant. This year will be different and I’ve locked in a site! 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.
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). 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.
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.
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.

Mountain biking

Last year, I only had two extremely modest goals for mountain biking. I had no idea I’d spend so much time on singletrack, but I saw an improvement in my riding ability. Now, whenever I’m on a hiking trail I think about how much more fun it’d be if I had a mountain bike.

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. More info.
Three days at a mountain bike park - Last year, I went to a lift-assisted mountain bike park for the first time at Whistler. Half the fun for me is earning the descent, so I was skeptical about how much I’d enjoy paying for the privilege of being lifted to the top. My buddies and I spent three days on the mountain and I was surprised at how much I loved it. Most impressive to me was how much better we were getting in our technique since we could repeat laps on features and jumps. My hope this year is to get comfortable with small jumps with practice. I’m most interested in checking out Coast Gravity Park on the sunshine coast of British Columbia because of it’s location, as well as the new Summit at Snoqualmie bike park near home. 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. More info.
Esmerelda basin loop (12mi, 3k ft ele) - I’d like to do more “backcountry” mountain biking, where the trails are deeper within the mountains and the climbing is as much a part of the experience as the descent. This short loop is apparently a great intro into alpine mtb, but it’s shared with motos, horses, and hikers. There’s also a very short window when the trail is ideal in early July, just after the snow melts but before it gets too sandy. The key to maximizing fun out of this trail will be getting there early, maybe even on a weekday. Route 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.

Backpacking & day-hiking

Langtang Trek & Yala Peak in Nepal trekking for 21 days - For our honeymoon, Leah and I are taking several weeks off in April to explore Nepal. I was extremely reluctant to go to Everest Base Camp or any of the other more overpopulated itineraries. Leah found a trek near the Tibetan border that seems like it’s avoided a flood of trekker tourism without compromising on scenery. This is largely because the valley experienced a devastating landslide triggered by an earthquake in 2015 that killed nearly 200 people. The entire village was buried under a mass of snow, ice, and debris. There’s been a remarkable rebuilding effort from the survivors but the pandemic put a hold on tourism for a few years longer. At the end of the valley, there’s a non-technical summit we’re interested in getting to Yala Peak (18,000 feet). We’re planning to go without a guide or porter for the trekking, but we’ll see how feasible that is for Yala Peak. The exact stats of the journey are unclear since we’re still figuring out specifics and I imagine there’ll be a bit of improvising when we’re there. I expect it’ll be around 100 miles of travel at altitude with tens of thousands of feet of elevation gain. 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, and the challenge of finding a capable/reliable partner to rope up with. I had a lot of goals last year in this category, and accomplished almost none. This year, I’ve got far more reasonable goals, but the biggest challenge will be finding a partner.

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.
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.

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 ligament tear on my hand from a climb at Smith Rock in Nov 2021 put a hold on this. I spent 2022 recovering and am happy to say I’ve mostly caught up with my pre-injury self. There are more goals here than any other activity. Climbing outside is where my heart and soul feel full.

Work through John Kettle’s climbing technique book - Rather than focus on max strength and pulling hard, I’ve been more attracted to focusing on graceful and efficient movement. A few years ago I came across a book by John Kettle where he suggest focusing on simple technique drills. I bought the book but never had the discipline to commit to following the exercises. It was always tempting to just spend a gym session on trying a fun route or problem with a friend. I’d like to see how much I can progress with dedicated focus here. My expectation is that an investment here will pay dividends for many years. More info.
Cragging: Mt Erie - Mt Erie is a small mountain within the city of Anacortes, just north of Seattle and partially benefits from the Olympic rain shadow so climbing is possible year-round, especially given the sun exposure the wall often gets. The routes here are generally moderate and single pitch. There’s a beautiful view of the San Juans on a clear day and there’s a fairly laid back vibe. I’ve climbed here a few times and would like to familiarize myself more with the routes, especially because the climbing season can start earlier here. 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. 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: Frenchman Coulee - Frenchman Coulee feels like a unique gem for the PNW given its desert environment due to the Cascade rain shadow. The walls are made of basalt columns that allow for crack climbing between bolted routes on the face of the pillars. Leah and I have climbed here once before and it’s a reliable source of sunshine when the skies turn grey over Western Washington. Routes here are moderate single pitches, but a few ticks harder than at Mt. Erie. 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: Red Dihedral on Incredible Hulk (5.10 IV, 12 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 injury. 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: 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. 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.

Almost all of these are more fun than they are challenging, which is a different theme than my goals from last year. At the end of 2023, I hope I’ll be thinking less about the stats accumulated and more on the photos taken, memories created with Leah, and friends I’ve connected with.

I do expect to travel back to the east coast to visit family. Our parents are getting older and every day I think about how lucky I am to spend time with my folks and Leah’s. It’s the conversations at the dinner table I’ll be thinking more deeply about decades later, not the alpenglow over the Cascades that one day.

I don’t expect to accomplish all of these goals, and I’m open to new inspiration. The purpose of this is to make sure I make the most of every moment I’ve got. Of course, I wouldn’t get very much done at all if not for the full love and support of incredible wife, Leah.

In order to help coordinate plans, I created a chart indicating ideal times to accomplish each goal given expected weather. A few things I’ve already locked in for certain dates (e.g., the Nepal trip), which I’ve indicated below. Let me know if you’d like this template as well.

Solo hiking Section J of the PCT in 4 days

October 08, 2022

Earlier this year, I publicly shared my outdoor goals for 2022. Hiking Section J of the Pacific Crest Trail, from Snoqualmie to Stevens Pass was on that list. Eight months ago, here’s how I described it:

As soon as I saw this line on a map, I was immediately interested…there isn’t a single road that you’d come across til you’re finished. Many of the dozen alpine lakes are even swimmable in late summer. Some areas are impassable until the snow fully melts in August…and would require taking some days off to complete…Five days would be the plan if Leah can join me, but I’d attempt it in four days if I was going solo. The hardest part may be arranging transportation for a drop-off and pickup.

As the summer started to come to a close, I’d become aware this objective hadn’t yet been crossed off. A late-September window of mild temps and clear skies was in the forecast. Leah was away for another week. Just like that, a few days before heading off, I committed to what I fully expected would be a leisurely long weekend of solitude in the mountains.

Map of four segments of the PCT Section J with the Bolt Creek Fire outlined

Day 1 of 4 — 19 miles, 5,200ft elevation gain

My initial concerns about getting to the Snoqualmie Pass trailhead were settled when Cindy offered to drive. She had been eager to get on a day hike and also loved helping PCT thru-hikers as a trail angel. We pulled up to a mostly empty parking lot on Thursday morning. She kept me company for the morning hours, eventually turning back to return home after wishing me well.

I was now alone, but I kept the same pace. There was enough daylight for me to cover the next fifteen miles. Pretty soon the Kendall Katwalk, a 600ft section of trail, appeared through the thick fog that draped the mountains. This footpath, blasted into the side of a cliff, is estimated to have cost $10,000 per foot to build and was the most dangerous and complex section of the PCT. It was intended to relocate the original line of the trail to the ‘true crest’ of the Cascades.

The handful of day hikers that passed me earlier in the day were now turning back. There were only two other PCT thru-hikers heading deeper into the mountains with me. One of them, Burner (named for being easily sunburned), had a goal of 30 miles a day to make his flight home to Prague. Even by PCT thru-hiker standards, that was ambitious. Anyone who has made it this far, after starting at the US-Mexico border, had spent the greater part of the year on trail every day, hammering their bodies to the routine of walking on rough terrain with a loaded pack.

I, on the other hand, hadn’t exercised in at least three weeks and it had been months since I even laced up my running shoes. I assumed fitness from early-summer cycling would help me get through the four days ahead of me. I didn’t think much about how the body mechanics of hiking were different from pedaling.

The seeds of doubts were on my mind when I stumbled and fell, halfway to my intended campsite. I landed directly onto my right knee. My my chest was pressed into the sandy dirt, pinned down by my heavy pack. I rolled over to get back up. I looked around and couldn’t believe what had just happened. I had tripped on completely flat ground, without any obstacles bigger than a clearly visible small root. I rolled up my pants for a quick glance and spotted the fresh gash on my kneecap. It was still new, a clean white streak brightly shining against my skin; in a minute it would begin oozing with blood. I rolled my pants back down, hoping to distance myself from what just happened.

I continued along the trail, with a faint patch of red darkening on my my pants with each step. Regardless of what I did next, making it to camp was a non-negotiable. My pace had slowed down significantly and waiting around to clean my wound would cost minutes of daylight that I didn’t have to spare. There wasn’t much I would’ve been able to do anyway with my wound. In an effort to go light, the my first aid kit was a tube of antibiotic ointment and wet wipes.

Eventually, I found my stride again while I contemplated what I should do to avoid an infection. I could always spend a night at camp and retrace my steps back to Snoqualmie Pass, calling off the entire attempt. I decided to defer the decision til the next morning.

Spectacle Lake, my destination for day one came into view. My camp for the night would be the small spit of land jutting out into the lake. My spirits were lifted, especially knowing I’d have the entire place to myself. Despite the spectacular stumble and the gear with my backpack’s outer pocket falling off, I started to feel lucky.

When I arrived after nine and a half hours, I settled on a campsite with a view of the Three Queens. I imagined I was a castaway on an island with views of water on both sides of me. A howling wind was racing over the passes from the north. As I began to set up my tent sheltered by a patch of trees, to my surprise, the shock cord on my tent poles were completely limp. I hadn’t used this tent in over a year and it must have deteriorated in my closet. I managed to still connect every segment with some effort but saw this as a continuation of the bad luck of the day.

Over dinner, I studied my the gash on my knee. Dry blood thickly coated the surface, sticking to my skin and tinting my entire knee a blush. I did my best to clean with sanitized hands. I vowed to bring a proper kit next time. Being Wilderness First Responder certified doesn’t mean much without the right tools.

After eating what felt like not enough food, I slipped into my tent just as light of the day was fading away. I laid down, exhausted and defeated. Today was already a lot more than I was mentally and physically prepared for and this was the easy day.

Day 2 of 4 — 27 miles, 4,800 elevation gain

Three Queens mountain at dawn bathed in a purple sunrise

I was wide awake just before my 5am alarm. I peeled myself out of my sleeping bag, quite literally. My knee had left a stain on the nylon overnight.

My view of the Three Queens was changing every time I glanced over while preparing in the dark for the day ahead. I decided I was lucky to be here. My father-in-law often mentions how few people he’d come across in the wilderness when he hiked as a student in Colorado College and how special that felt. I wanted to experience some of that magic of being remote in the woods. Although I had my inReach, I chose not to turn it on until the last day. I wanted to be alone with my thoughts and see where they’d take me, and even resisted the urge to entertain myself with music or my long queue of podcasts.

Jagged peaks of Lemah Mountain viewed from the south in the early morning sunlight

My knee looked and felt fine, so I committed to my plan and pushed myself north towards Stevens Pass. Today’s goal would be Deep Lake, over a marathon length away. My body overall was feeling stiff, but I had more daylight today with an earlier start.

My campsite had been a half mile off the main PCT trail, and to avoid backtracking I chose to follow what looked like another trail that paralleled the PCT until it eventually merged.

Within minutes I was navigating through a web of crisscrossing footpaths, some leading to nowhere. I relied on my watch to guide me and always finding a cairn and what was certainly a faint trail below the overgrown forest. Eventually, I found myself in thick, chest-high brush, lurching forward with every step. It was so thick that I doubt my feet ever fully touched the ground. I asked myself whether I should stubbornly push forward at this snails pace or backtrack. I decided to keep on for a few minutes longer. Once out of the brush, I was greeted with an open clearing that ended with a 40ft cliff that didn’t appear on my map. My gps wanted me to be on the other side of the drop and I couldn’t see an obvious path. I wandered around for ten minutes before I found a safe crossing down a steep and loose ravine. The only footprints I saw were from deer, and my map told me this was the Old Spectacle Lake Trail. Losing almost an hour of time, I tried not to think too much about my unfortunate start to the morning.

From the bottom of Lemah Meadows, I pushed myself up almost twenty switchbacks, trying not to think too hard about how the outer part of my right knee was growing stiffer and more painful by the hour. I paused for a break at a clearing and gazed into the open valley sweeping up into the jagged peaks characteristic of the Cascades. I was only a quarter of the way through the day but I tried to find little truths to tell myself, like how I was almost halfway done with the climbing for today at least.

Just as I was getting ready to pack up, I heard a booming sound that was growing louder. It echoed across the valley and I finally spotted them. Two military planes were cruising through the mountains heading north. I was a little jealous imagining how much fun they must be having. I hadn’t seen a single person all day except the pilots. It made me feel a little less alone and occupied my thoughts for the next hour of climbing.

I kept waiting to see who I’d run into today, but there was no one. Hours later on my descent I got a view of Bears Breast Mountain, one of the most spectacular peaks I’d ever seen, like several mountains layered onto each other. Within seconds of putting my camera away, the pilots from hours before came by to do a lap around Bears Breast.

My mind was feeling weary at this point in addition to my body. By the time I reached the Waptus River, my watch was telling me I had covered the same mileage as yesterday. I took my shoes off and let my bare feet soak in the running water, rubbing the bottoms of my feet on the cool, polished stones to try and dry them. At the bottom of both feet, hotspots had formed into fat blisters that I felt with every step today. I poked at them in fascination. Although the trail runners I wore weren’t new, the custom insoles I had on from my podiatrist had never seen this kind of mileage before. Another poor gear choice.

It had been over ten hours since I left camp and I’d covered over 20 miles. There was one final climb left before closing the chapter on my longest day on the trail. I had enough left in me to make the push, even though my right leg’s IT band had gone from yelling at me to now screaming. I took both an Aleve and Tylenol just to get by.

As I thought about how much damage I was doing to my body, and how quickly I would recover, I heard a soft “hello” above me. It startled me and I panic-jumped. A forest ranger was waving to me and apologizing for the surprise. She and her partner came closer and chatted with me about my day. They had just finished digging a new pit toilet at Deep Lake, my destination for the evening. She seemed to trust that I had good LNT skills, so she gave me a directions to her secret camping spot right on the water. Her partner agreed that it was his favorite as well. I promised to take good care of it and thanked them for their work on the toilet.

I had a burst of joy from hearing about the special site, and I hurried to get there. Unfortunately, even though mentally I had unlocked a new level of excitement, I couldn’t shift my body into a higher gear no matter how hard I tried. My legs felt like stumps that could only move at one speed.

I was thrilled to make it into the camp at Deep Lake, and it was a beautiful welcome to my home for the night. The light was beginning to fade from the sky and there wasn’t a single breeze or bug in the air. Most importantly, I was all alone again. I hurriedly set some water to boil for dinner before I would need to eat by headlamp. I set up my tent while my meal rehydrated. I was getting into the groove of setting up for the night, even with a broken tent. I was even a little happy. I resisted the temptation to message Leah from the inReach. I felt so far away from everyone and there was a bit of sweetness to my loneliness. As I drifted off to sleep, I was happy to know that I had found what I was looking for when I set off on the trail, even if it hurt a bit.

Day 3 of 4 — 21 miles, 4,800 elevation gain

I woke up at 5am again after another dreamless night. Within minutes of opening my eyes, I rolled over in my bag to begin heating up water. It’d be another morning of oatmeal with a piece of leftover chocolate. I was struggling to keep the food down today though. I tried eating faster, but that made me want to throw up even more. I eventually forced it down and made a mental note to add more sweetener next time.

I packed up my tent and started to look for the fresh toilet I had heard about yesterday. I needed to backtrack a half mile on the trail to find it, and without realizing it I added an extra mile to my day.

Cathedral Rock at sunrise, with a reflection on the very still Deep Lake

My day started with a steep and steady climb. I saw no one and was starting to get used to this solitude. The first hour of every day started the same way. The air was perfectly still and the only sounds was shuffling of my legs and the occasional ding of my poles hitting a rock. The blisters below my feet would remind me of their existence but eventually the wincing pain that dominated my headspace would recede into the background of my thoughts.

As I crested over Cathedral Pass, I saw other people ahead. By the looks of their clean outfits and thin packs it was obvious they were day hiking from a side trail. A few of them stopped to ask me what I was up to. For a brief moment, I felt pretty smug when they were impressed I had only started two days ago.

It wasn’t long before I was alone again. For the next few hours on trail, I felt possessed. My body was moving forward slowly without conscious effort. I had shut my brain off, and wasn’t thinking about how stiff my knees felt, or how the small muscles in my shins were burning with every ankle flexion. I wasn’t even allowing myself to enjoy the sweet smell of pine trees for very long. If I tuned out for long enough, this would go faster I figured.

At this point on the trail, I was mostly within the woods. I was grateful for the shade and could see hints of the bright sun that I was being shielded from. While shuffling robotically along on the trail, I came across another hiker, Giuseppe, who was doing the same hike but had started a day earlier with the intention of completing in five days. Both of us agreed that this would have been a lot more enjoyable in six.

I would have hiked with Giuseppe, but my goal for today was several miles past where he intended to stop. Both of us were hurting, and it had been nice to share what had been on our minds while we quietly pushed our bodies along the PCT. I was hoping he would catch up, and I’d often turn to see if he’d be around the corner.

As I headed further north, I was finally experiencing the smoke of the Bolt Creek fire which had started two weeks ago and was continuing to smolder. The threat of smoke was enough for me to consider calling off the entire trip and I spent more time studying air quality maps than anything else leading up to the trip. I packed a bundle of N95 masks that I was willing to hike in if necessary. It smelled faintly like being at a campground but the smokiness grew fainter as I climbed higher up to Pieper Pass.

Surprise Mountain visible on the PCT trail descent

As soon as I made it to the other side of the pass, I breathed a lot more easily. The wildfire smoke only crossed my path for less than an hour. I didn’t feel so lucky descending the other side though. The descent was a set of switchbacks carved into a steep boulder field. As beautiful as this experience of being deep in the mountains was, I wanted to be home. Each uneven and unbalanced step on loose talus sent a shooting pain into my shins. I even yelped at a few moments.

Fortunately, I didn’t have much longer to go and knew I’d clear the last two miles before dark. My last long day on the trail was almost over. This felt like a small a finish line before the real finish. Trap Lake lay below me and I could see exactly where I’d be camping, right at the head of the lake. I could already tell I’d have the place to myself.

View of Trap Lake from the descending switchbacks

Once I made it to camp, I dipped my feet into the soft sand below the water. I stepped in further, almost to my knees. I didn’t want to risk an infection from the open wound I had.

I was limping around the campsite setting up my tent. My legs had been dominating my thoughts for the last three days, but they felt entirely foreign to me. This level of damage to my body was unfamiliar to me. The only reason I hadn’t given up was because it wasn’t an option. After a certain point, going back to the start would be just as difficult as finishing. In my tent, I pointed my headlamp down at the bottom of my feet, studying the blisters, bruises, and incredible swelling of my ankles. I had enough left in me to finish this tomorrow.

Day 4 of 4 — 13 miles, 2,300 elevation gain

After yesterday’s regrettable oatmeal, I skipped making breakfast and went straight onto the trail with snacks. I figured the sooner I started, the sooner this would all be over. Mentally, it already felt like it was over. I had settled my mind into a headspace of today being my victory lap. There was a real bed and warm meals awaiting me, and the only thing that separated me from rest was half the mileage and elevation of the previous days.

Early morning sunrise on a cliff wall above Trap Lake with a tent in front on the PCT

Even though my pack had been lightened by the meals I consumed, my body carried the fatigue of more mileage and elevation than I had ever done in a short window of time. I buckled to the need for extra motivation, so I finally put on some earbuds to listen to music saved offline. The songs kept my mind occupied and my body now was purely a machine moving along.

After an hour or so on trail, I came across a junction to the Tunnel Creek trailhead, which just over a mile away. This was a shortcut, an escape hatch from my suffering. The sign promised that this could all be over in less than an hour. I was already aware of this path and had been thinking about it all day.

I could skip the last ten miles of the PCT Section J by just veering left instead of continuing north. I walked in circles trying to decide what to do. I wondered if the last ten miles would break my body down in a way that I’d regret, or whether I’d regret that I hadn’t actually done Section J of the PCT. To justify all that I had already endured, I wanted to I complete it properly. I skipped the shortcut and plodded along.

The next ten miles felt like the longest miles of the entire trip. Because I expected today to be twice as fast, I must have also expected it to be twice as easy. Instead, every step was just as challenging today as it was yesterday, if not more. As I got closer to Stevens Pass ski resort, the trees disappeared and I found myself walking over the same ski runs that I enjoyed so much just five months ago. I was finally feeling the full force of the sun without the shade I had grown accustomed to. I did at least have cell service and called Leah. I shared with her what I’d seen and done. I was only gone for four days but it felt like so much more.

Earlier in the day I sent my friends an inReach message letting them know when I’d arrive to Stevens Pass. They were there already doing volunteer work and promised me a big lunch. It was a warm thought to know I had friends waiting for me at the end with crispy and juicy pork roast. 80 miles and 17,000ft of elevation gain later, it was finally done and I could cross it off my damn list.

Post-trail thoughts

Unlike most of my adventures outdoors, this one doesn’t end in triumph or joy. I was just relieved to be done. I went into it thinking this would be something I could do off the couch, without any ramp up of my hiking fitness. I was very wrong. On the one hand, I’m proud of myself for mentally pushing through a level of suffering far beyond what I thought I could manage. On the other hand, I was woefully unprepared in gear (first aid kit), in hiking fitness (cycling fitness is not hiking fitness), and I’ve got several weeks of recovery to heal the damage to my body.

This was also a lesson in humility. A year ago, when I drafted up my ambitions for 2022, I severely underestimated this challenge and overestimated my ability. A common problem with dreaming big is that you sometimes dream too big, and this isn’t the first time that’s happened to me (although it was the most painful). Still, I wouldn’t change my approach in the slightest. My muscles and tendons will heal. The callouses beneath my feet will soften up. My big toenail will eventually not be black from blood pooled underneath it. Instead, what I’ll have forever is intimately knowing what this thin line on the map looks and feels like. Maybe someday I’ll retrace these steps, long after I’ve forgotten how much it hurt and have convinced myself that “yea, I could totally do that again no problem.”

Outdoor goals for 2022 - effort vs interest matrix

January 20, 2022

UPDATE: here’s an end-of-year look back at 2022.

This’ll be my first full year of living in the Pacific Northwest, the closest I’ve ever been to big mountains. For the past few years, I’ve been daydreaming about all the activities I’d finally be able to immerse myself in once I moved out West. I always felt like I was playing catch-up, having grown up in a family that couldn’t afford to expose me to the great outdoors.

Comparing myself to others is not a healthy thing to do generally, but it helped me to dream big and do more than I would have otherwise. It all just pushed me to plan more thoughtfully, train harder, and be more intentional about where I place my energy.

In order to do everything on my wish list, I’d have to quit my job and live at least two lifetimes. I’ve used this framework of effort vs interest to help narrow down what it is I’d arrange logistics for, train for, and ultimately prioritize. The exercise of doing this helps me be realistic about what I can and can’t do in a given year. I’ve talked about this with friends and figured it’d be easiest to share a visual. Usually this happens on a piece of scrap paper that I scribble on for weeks. It also changes throughout the year based on any injuries, environmental factors, life circumstances, and new inspiration. Hopefully you get some ideas from this. If any are on your own list, do let me know!

Skiing

I didn’t have a ski season last year because of the pandemic, so I regressed a bit in my skills. Much of this year is just playing catch-up aggressively so that I could feel confident doing some touring.

AIARE 1 Avalanche + Rescue training - The larger goal here is to get out into the backcountry and earn my turns by skinning up the mountain. Before I can do that, I need to learn how to read snow conditions for avalanche risk. Accomplishing this is a matter of signing up for a course. At this point, it’s most likely that I’ll book it for the winter of 2023.
300,000 feet of resort skiing - The purpose of this goal is to feel more comfortable on skis by putting in lots of reps. To avoid practicing bad habits, I’ve committed to three ski lessons to correct my form. So far I’m at 27,000 feet of descent from two and a half days of skiing without trying too hard. This is a stretch goal, but pretty do-able if I take advantage of the night skiing at Stevens Pass.

Surfing

This is pretty low on the interest axis, but it’s on there. Leah’s trying to get more into surfing and I’ve been reluctant given my aversion to being wet and thrashed around. I see this as a way to spend more time doing something she loves. The main goal here is to be good enough to enjoy doing it. The water won’t start warming up til May around here, so I’ll probably have to get used to a thick wetsuit.

Surfing in Westport, WA - The closest decent destination for surfing in Seattle is just below the Olympic Peninsula in Westport. It’s about 3hrs away from Seattle, so it’s too far to make a day trip out of it so we’ll make a weekend of it.
Surfing at Short Sand Beach, OR - On our drive along the Oregon coast we stopped by to check it out. It looked like a beginner surfer’s paradise: smooth sand, sheltered cove, and a short hike through a magical PNW forest.

Cycling (road & gravel)

I have a lot of cycling goals, but it’s not because it’s the activity I enjoy the most. Every time I’m on my bike, I am mildly annoyed because I wish I was spending time climbing instead (true story). Still, I get excited looking at a map and drawing an ambitious line through a place I’ve never been to. Cycling also is something I can do on my own without much advanced planning. The endurance I built up from my low HR runs also means that I can cover a lot of mileage without breaking a sweat on two wheels.

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.
Car-free Highway 20 cycling (50+ mi, 6k ft ele) - Highway 20 is the iconic road that cuts through the Northern Cascades. I’ve done some climbing there and never appreciated how special the scenery was until I moved to Washington. I just assumed the entire state looked like this. 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.
Mt Adams gravel cycling loop (50mi, 4k ft ele) - I only got into cycling two years ago, but I was most excited about gravel riding. The views, solitude from cars, and adventure aspect all appealed to me. This is a route that’s at the foothills of Mt Adams. Someone described is as one of the best rides from their summer. I’d probably do this in early July. Route line.
2-day bikepacking Olympic Adventure Trail (66mi, 8k ft ele) - I’ve never bikepacked before, but it doesn’t seem very complicated. Still, I decided to ease into it with this route in Olympic National Park. I initially planned on doing this out and back in a day, but figured it’d be more enjoyable if I took my time even though I’d be carrying overnight gear. Someone recommended doing this in the winter when there are fewer people around, so I’ll want to wait for a streak of dry weather in March to ensure the singletrack isn’t muddy. Route line.
Mt St Helens 2-day bikepacking loop (80mi, 12k ft ele) - The scenery here is notably different from the lush Olympic Nat’l Park. The eruption of Mt St Helens in 1980 left the landscape still recovering, with green ferns dotting the landscape but plenty of open vistas in all directions. Best time to do this would be mid-July to late-September before the first snow falls. Route line.
Seattle triple-ferry bike ride (100+mi, 6k ft ele) - This was something that I saw on Reddit that interested me. It’s a loop around the greater Seattle area that incorporates three ferries. Timing of the riding is pretty important to line up departures so I’d attempt on a long summer day. Route line.
RAMROD: Ride Around Mt Rainier in a Day (150mi, 10k ft ele) - This is a very popular event typically held on the third Thursday of July. There’s a lottery to get in but some tickets are auctioned for several times the face value, with the proceeds going to the National Parks. The scenery is spectacular as you ride with Mt Rainier looming over one shoulder. Getting one of the 800 spots is mostly a matter of luck. I’ve considered attempting it unsupported, but I’d only consider this if I wasn’t alone given how mentally exhausting the mileage sounds. Route line.
Seattle to Portland in a day cycling (200mi, 5k ft ele) - This is an annual event that attracts a massive amount of riders, almost too many from what I’ve read. The route is often done in two days but I’d be keen to try it in a single push. Much of it is flat, so it’s more of a mental challenge to endure the monotony. Much of it isn’t particularly scenic, so it’s low on my interests, but I’d like to do it just because it sounds cool to say I’ve done it. I haven’t registered yet, but it’s scheduled to be held on July 16-17 this year. Route line.

Mountain biking

There are so many fantastic destinations to ride around Seattle, and mountain biking is something Leah and I can easily do on a weekday summer afternoon when it’s still bright outside for hours. I’m still a beginner and need to learn how to make smoother turns without losing speed. Most of these are pretty modest goals but it will take effort. Getting really good at the sport would require a lot more dedicated practice than I’m willing to commit. Mostly, I’m just trying to have fun with this one.

Clean descent of Inside Passage, Tiger Mountain (1.7mi, blue) - If I do this route enough times, I’ll get it dialed and can know when to speed up and when to slow down. Route line.
Clean descent of Olallie (9mi, blue/black) - I haven’t done this route yet, but it looks beautiful. After a long climb, it’s a sweet descent. It’s longer than my other goal, so it’ll require a lot of pedaling up to get it dialed in with repeat laps. Hopefully I can get this done by the end of October, when the Seattle rain typically starts. Route line.

Climbing

Climbing is what inspires me to train and stay in shape. I like to say that all of my other activities exist to make me a more capable climber. Being in the alpine environment on moderate terrain is what I’m most passionate about. The North Cascades is a perfect playground for this. To make most of these happen, I’ll need to train for endurance in the climbing gym and also get myself out there on smaller, less committing routes at Index, Exit 38/32, Frenchman Coulee, and maybe even Beacon Rock along the Columbia River.

Guided climb: 3rd Pillar of Dana (5.10- III, 5 pitch) - For my birthday, Leah gifted me a guided climb with my favorite climber, Peter Croft! I am thinking I’d take advantage of this amazing gift by climbing one of the High Sierra classics in August. I just have to hope wildfire smoke doesn’t ruin my plans. Route beta.
Guided climb: Red Dihedral, Incredible Hulk (5.10b IV, 12 pitch) - While I’m down there, I figure I might as well get guided on another big classic. Hopefully all this movement on big terrain helps me feel more comfortable having longer days on the sharp end. Route beta.
Sport climb 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. I would’ve tried this route last summer if not for the wildfires that overwhelmed the Methow Valley. Making this route happen is mostly about picking a quiet day, finding the right partner who can move fast, and starting early on a weekday to avoid crowds. Route beta.
Sport climb Flyboys (5.9, 18 pitch) - Just next door to Prime Rib is Flyboys, which is around the same grade but almost twice as long. If I can pull off Prime Rib with the right partner, I’ll have a better sense of how feasible this objective would be. Route beta.
Trad climb Ragged Edge of Vesper Peak (5.7, 6 pitch) - This is a solid alpine rock route with stunning views and great exposure. It’s exactly the kind of moderate route that sings to me. Unfortunately, I’m not the only one. Just like the other climbs noted earlier, finding the right partner, moving fast, and starting early are key. Route beta.
Trad climb Outer Space (5.9, 6 pitch) - This is one of the most popular crag routes in Washington. The easy access does mean that I’ll be less “out there” if things go south, but it’s also not a grade I’ve ever led on gear (that’d be a 5.8 in Joshua Tree). Fortunately, it’s a crack system that I’d follow, which I love to climb. Route beta.

Mountaineering & scrambling

I spent a total of five weeks guided in the North Cascades, learning to navigate safely through glaciers to reach icy summits. That was several years ago, and the amount of logistics to get onto glaciated terrain when I lived in NYC meant that it wasn’t something I practiced often. The skills I had have eroded away, so I’d like to rebuild and I’m living in the perfect place for it these days. Fortunately, my fitness is dramatically better than it was years ago and I’ve become more capable in other ways (e.g., I got my Wilderness First Responder certification).

Mt Adams South Spur, snow scramble (14mi, 7k ft ele) - This is basically an intermediary goal to get me comfortable again with my crampons and ice axe. It’s the easiest route up to the summit of Mt Adams and used to be climbed by mules back in the day. You can even bring your dog up. The more snow there is, the easier the route becomes, so it’s likely I’d attempt this in late April or early May (buying a $10-15 pass is required after May 1); I’d most likely want to attempt this in one big day to keep it fast and light (and also not have to carry my poop out). Route beta.
Ruth Mtn Glacier climb (12mi, 4k ft ele) - This is another easy objective that would provide spectacular views of Mt Shuksan and Nooksack Tower. The additional skill to incorporate here is roping up for glacier travel. 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.
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. “…it is in the middle of a collection of beautiful peaks. Massively aloof, perched at the edge of the largest contiguous ice-sheet in the lower 48 states not connected to a volcano, 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. Route beta.
Colchuck Peak glacier climb (14mi, 5k feet ele) - This peak sits in the gorgeous Enchantments area of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. It seems to be easier earlier in the season when snow is covering the talus, but given that I’ve got other objectives in mind already, I’d likely attempt this in early August. The additional skill being challenged here is routefinding on both the ascent and descent. I’d most likely take advantage of long daylight by attempting this in a big day with an early start, but I’m still dependent on a camping permit for Colchuck Lake (~14% success rate). Depending on my comfort level, I may combine this with Dragontail peak. 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. If I arrive to the base of the rock portion tired from the hike up, that’s a bad sign. Training my endurance will be important. Most likely I’d attempt this in mid or late August. Route beta.

Backpacking & day-hiking

I lost interest in backpacking and hiking when I was exploring the peaks of New England, but I’ve got a renewed interest for it with the expansive terrain of Washington. I wouldn’t consider myself a trail runner, but I would say that I’m a fast hiker, especially when I’m on my own and can get in a certain headspace.

Thru-hiking Snoqualmie to Stevens Pass in 5 days (75mi, 16k ft ele) - As soon as I saw this line on a map, I was immediately interested. This is considered Section J of the Pacific Crest Trail and there isn’t a single road that you’d come across til you’re finished. Many of the dozen alpine lakes are even swimmable in late summer. Some areas are impassable until the snow fully melts in August, so this likely would be something for late August and would require taking some days off to complete. I’d most likely try this during the days before Labor Day or after, to avoid the holiday crowds. Five days would be the plan if Leah can join me, but I’d attempt it in four days if I was going solo. The hardest part may be arranging transportation for a dropoff and pickup. Route beta.
Enchantments thru-hike in a day (18mi, 5k ft ele) - This is probably the most popular trail in all of Washington state. Most people attempt to spend only a day in the Enchantments because of how hard it is to get a permit (less than 2% success rate). For those who can manage it, a day hike is the best way to do it. Because this is a point to point trail, arranging transportation is likely to be the hardest part. Logistics are made easier if I don’t attempt this alone, but I would love to get lost in my own head out there. Route beta.
Day hike Harts Pass to Rainy Pass (31mi, 4k ft ele) - This is another section of the PCT that I’d be interested in doing. It’s a small section that could be feasible in a day, and seems perfect for late September or early October when the larches are glowing gold. Again, the transportation logistics would be the challenge given it’s a point to point trail. I know of one person who did this trail with another solo hiker traveling in the opposite direction. When they crossed paths, they traded car keys. Route beta.
Mt Rainier Wonderland trail in 3 days (93mi, 22k ft ele) - The Wonderland trail is a giant loop around Mt Raininer, with broad meadows of wildflowers, waterfalls, and inspiring views of the mountain over your shoulder. This is by far the most intimidating goal on the entire list, even though it’s probably safer than any of my climbing objectives. What gives me chills is the rigor of hardcore training that would be required to pull this off. Most people do this trail in 7-10 days, but that requires a lot of permitting for campsites per night. The people who do this in 3 days are legit ultra-runners, and usually have support from the outside to make it happen (either friends or paying a company $1500). The best time to do this seems to be August. If for whatever reason this doesn’t go down in 2022, it’ll be a priority goal for 2023. This will happen. Route beta.

All of this is pretty local to where I live, with the exception of going to the High Sierras to climb. One of my priorities for the year was to explore locally as much as possible. There’s so much to do around here that it felt wrong to hop on a plane to recreate. Still I’ll be traveling back to NYC often to visit my family, Massachusetts for Leah’s family, and I’ll be taking my dad out to the Kenai peninsula in Alaska to go fishing for five days as a retirement gift in early July.

Writing this out in more detail than the usual notepad scribbles helped me tremendously. Rather than feel like there’s too much to do, I’ve limited my focus to a few goals that are within reach if I put in the effort (and get lucky with conditions). Even if I accomplish half of this list, it would be an epic year. Although my calendar is looks full, there’s still lots of blank spaces to fill with spontaneity and new inspiration. There’ll certainly need to be other objectives along the way that serve as stepping stones. I’m sure to learn a lot and make new friends along the way. What’s most exciting is how these experiences will set me up for an even more ambitious 2023! And of course, much of this will rely heavily on the support of my loving and beautiful partner in life, Leah.