Trail Therapy: The Legend of Mick Dodge

The Legend of Mick Dodge

On Tuesday January 7, 2014, National Geographic is airing a new series called "The Legend of Mick Dodge."  The opening description of Dodge, "part warrior, part philosopher and part survivalist," only starts to depict the excitement awaiting viewers from this new reality show.

Mick Dodge grew up exploring the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State and was taught by his grandfather, the ways of the forest.  Dodge grew up with a respect for life in the wild and a passion for experiencing the balance of nature.  Although his time spent in the Marines trained him in man-to-man combat, he uses his skills solely for survival as he lives happily alongside his animal friends.

Mick stated his new life the way we all start our lives; barefoot.  "My feet became my map; my feet became my compass."  Mick's 'back to the beginning' mentality speaks to all of us adventurers.  We all seek a more primal way of life that holds health and tranquility in the balance with nature.  I'm excited to see what this show has to offer.  So tune in at 10PM on January 7th on the National Geographic Channel to find what drives Mick Dodge to live his primitive life.

Trail Therapy: Backpacker Magazine's Best of 2013

For 8 years, I've been a loyal reader of Backpacker Magazine.  I have kept every issue and sometimes reread their stories, reliving some of the most exciting and captivating adventures and lighting the way for my own adventures.  My passion for extreme adventure and exploration stemmed from reading about these trips and experiences.  Like all those years before, 2013 was a year to expand the horizons of exploration into the wilderness.  Here were my favorites from this year:

Best of Backpacker Magazine 2013

January - What Kind of Hiker are You?  The Wildlife Lover?  The Mileage Master?  The Limit Pusher?  The Multisport Maniac?  Family Traveler?  Peakbagger?  I don't think I'm any one of these exactly, but I know I have a desire to be all of these.  The passion that these ideologies portray is the dedication and conviction that we should all hope to have for something in our lives.

May - All Quiet on the Western Front   A survival story unlike any other.  War has produced some of the most extreme psychological effects and it's very difficult to cope with the tragedies of wartime.  For one veteran, a thru-hike of the PCT might hold the key to putting to rest the unsettling experiences in Iraq.  As someone who wants to thru-hike the PCT someday for enlightenment or self discovery, can understand the pull life on the trail can have.  This is a wonderfully deep and emotional journey both for the author and his friend, but for us, the reader.

June - Grand Traverses   Get high and stay high.  Epic trails that get you up on the ridge and keeps you there.  Views that never end.  This amazing collaboration of treks makes you want to get out into the mountains and have an adventure.  These were a few of my favorites: the Roan Highlands section of the Appalachian Trail, the Sawtooth Ridge through the North Cascades, the Great Northern Traverse through backcountry trails of Glacier National Park, California's High Sierra Route, the Teton Crest Trail, and the Great Presidential Traverse through the White Mountains.

June - Nirvana Now!   How would you fair on a four-day backpacking trip interlaced with the practice of yoga on a mountaintop?  I don't know about you, but that sounds incredible!  The author is skeptical and while he may not have been one hundred percent on board, his aching back sure felt good at the end of the trip.  There may not be scientific research or a team of experts backing the claim; but I believe hiking and yoga were twins separated at birth, finally reunited.  And it's about time.   Ever since I started practicing yoga, I'm able to hike farther, hike stronger, and feel more rejuvenated after a trip then ever before.

August - Hidden Montana   Think you've seen the wilds of Glacier and Yellowstone?  Well, time to throw away your guidebooks.  Some of the best trips are off the beaten path.  This article highlights the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness, the Mission Mountains, the Sawtooth Range, Snowshoe Peak, and a thru-hike of the Northern Cabinet Mountains.  Sounds like a lifetime worth of adventures in one amazing wilderness expanse.

Trail Therapy: The Circle of Life

Risk is the forefront of extreme adventure sports.  No athlete becomes involved without knowing and fully understanding these risks.  Cave diving, rock climbing, mountaineering, surfing: all sports with extreme risk.  But the risk is sometimes what makes the thrill all the worthwhile.  Since the beginning of the climbing generation, humans have been pushing the limits of our imagination. James Whittaker, Yvon Chouinard, Douglas Tompkins, Edmund Hillary, Reinhold Messner have all become household climbing names for there incredible.  We commend these individuals for their vision and for seeking out new thrills in which to broaden our horizons.

One such thrill is the Slipstream rout up Mount Snow Dome in Jasper National Park, Canada.  Its reputation proceeds it with the dangers of extreme weather conditions, intense vertical climbing, and certainty of death.  Several journals depict the difficulty of this route.
A Long and Slippery Slope
The 2nd Ascent

In April 1989 mountain climber William Holland was on his descent from Slipstream when a cornice let loose under Holland's feet and swallowed him into the mountain's snowy depths.  A seasoned climber and mountaineer, Holland understood the risks associated with such an attempt.  But the pull of the

21 years later, in August of 2010, hikers found the partially buried remains of William Holland, at the base of the glacier, almost a kilometer from the location of his fall. The mountain that had taken this man from his family had given him back.

 

After 21 years, Holland's family finally have the opportunity to cope with the death of a loved one.  Holland's daughter, Laurel Holland, is writing a memoir about her father called Spindrift. Dealing with death is a human inevitability.  But under most cases, death comes with certainty, cause, and reason.  There is no doubt or lingering hope.  In rare cases, like Laurel Holland's, hope is kindled by the lack of proof and years pass with the thought of a better tomorrow.

The Holland family has lived in constant wonder for 21 years and finally the healing process can begin.  Laurel Holland's book is a tale of finding peace and coming to terms with loss.  Read about her memoir to see how tremendous tragedy has turned full circle to convey personal closure and humility.

Spindrift: Memoirs of a Climber's Daughter

Welcome 2014!!!

It's that time of the year again!  Time to wipe the slate clean, to set our resolutions for the year, and to make positive changes with our lives.  For me, 2014 is going to be about me and my body, me and my relationships, and me and my career.

#1 resolution:  Fitness.  I want to run a half marathon.  I want to hike 10 miles in a day.  I want to bike to the local trail head, hike 3500 feet of elevation gain and back down and then bike back home.  I want to run a 7.5 minute mile.  These are my fitness goals for this year.  But mostly I want to feel strong.  I want to be able to go out and do anything I want and not be hindered by my lack of endurance or stamina.  I don't want to worry about asthma.  I want to push myself to my limits and then keep going, because that's how you become better.  So the first thing I'm going to do is the COUCH TO 5K program!!!

  

#2 resolution: Healthy Eating.  I want to regulate what goes into my body.  I want those foods to be natural and unprocessed.  I want more energy by eating the things that won't slow me down. I don't want to eat fast food.  I want to make all of my meals and know exactly what's in them.  I want to save money from eating out and spend more on what truly makes me happy.  So what will be my starting line?  100 DAYS OF REAL FOOD!!!

#3 resolution: Get Out!  This year I want to hike more.  I want to explore.  I want to test my limits and backpack solo.  I want to circumnavigate Crater Lake. I want to participate in a snowshoe walk for breast cancer.  I want to snowboard at least once.  I want to live in the moment and do crazy things.  I want to become a gear tester and a hardcore blogger.  I want to inspire people.  I want to lead people into the wilderness.  I want to become a guide for the Sierra Club.  How? by HIKING 1,000 MILES THIS YEAR!!!

 #4 resolution: Career it up!  I want to be passionate about my future.  I want the desire to study, to read, to write.  I want to ensure that my future is secure and that I have a chance to make a difference in the world.  I want to prove that I am worthwhile and that I'm special. I want to do well on my GRE.  I want to be desirable to my graduate school and show them that I can do the work and succeed without exception.  The plan?  READING, WRITING, STUDYING, NETWORKING.

 

SO WHAT ARE MY SPECIFIC GOALS FOR 2014?

~LOSE 100 POUNDS

~HIKE 1,000 MILES

~SCORE HIGH ON GRE

~SIERRA CLUB LEADER

~NETWORK WITH WWU

~BE GOOD TO MYSELF 

What I'm Loving Now: December 2013

I guess this is going to turn into a monthly occurrence, since it's about this time I really wish I had a few new gadgets!  So here's the next installment of the gear I'm craving at the moment.

The Tubbs Women's Wilderness Snowshoes. I've looked at a lot of snowshoes and these seem to be the ones I keep coming back to.  The innovative Fit Step Frame makes for smooth and effortless walking in all types of terrain.  From groomed trails to deep powder, these snowshoes can keep up with whatever adventure you want to tackle.  The Active Lift heel lift, the Wilderness aids in your steep ascents. Unfortunately this is the only feature I've read problems about.  People said that it was too stiff and that they couldn't lift it with their trekking poles life you're supposed to.  Where this may seem like an issue, I don't think I would want it to be easy to lift.  I would constantly be concerned with it falling back down when I needed it the most.  Maybe it locks in place or is sturdy, but it would always be on my mind.  But for $199 (or sale as low as $159) seems like a pretty good choice to me! 

Tubbs Wilderness Women's Snowshoes