Category Archives: PNW

The Hiking Boots that Have a Piece of My Heart (and maybe some blood, sweat, and tears)

For those that know, buying hiking boots is like buying a car. You need to do your research on reliability, maintenance, consumer reviews, and ultimately take it for a test drive (or hike). It’s not an easy decision to make and the consequences of a bad shoe for your feet can be brutal.

In August of 2014, the month before I moved to the PNW, I made that hard decision and my Cinderella feet chose that year’s model of the Merrell Moab hiking boot. These faithful shoes stood by my side for 6 years until they couldn’t take anymore halfway through this summer.

6 years later they look a little beat up but full of love (and other unmentionable foot related things).

Like all lives, these shoes had stages. The first was the infancy, the growing, and adjusting stage. This was in the first year or two when I was really starting to grow into my own as a hiker. The hikes were shorter, dryer, and flatter. My faithful boots and I were getting a lay of the land (pun intended).

The next was the clingy stage. This was when I discovered that hiking boots were the most versatile, all be it dorky, shoes in rainy Seattle weather. I wore them every day and everywhere (a couple times to college house parties…I know…). I was one of “those” people that always dressed like they were ready to storm up a mountain. Not that there is anything wrong with that! It’s still an occasional go-to look for me but I have grown out of the hiking boots every day stage.

The sophomore year of college every day look a rain jacket, hiking boots, and some sort of loud sock.

The final and longest stage of my boots life was the stage of maturity and experience. We went on full day thru hikes, multi-day backpacking trips, and walked through many rivers and streams. They provided me with support and confidence to cross boulder fields and summit long scrambles. With them, I truly came into my own as an outdoor enthusiast.

Their working life came to an end this summer when no amount of moleskin and double-lined socks could save my feet from blisters and water easily crept in at every stream crossing or rainy day hike. It was a tragic end to an era but they will continue to have a place in my shoe rack for the day that I might need them. I’m not one to hold on to items after their use is complete but these bad boys will have to stick around a little longer.

Like I said in the beginning, buying hiking boots is a chore and can cause stress, but when you find your perfect boot it’s all worth it. Check back to hear what boots I have now and the journey to picking the right boot!

Camping in the San Juan Islands with my trusty boots keeping me balanced.

*This was not a sponsored post about Merrell’s hiking boots, but I just thought my readers ought to know they were some damn good boots.

What I Learned from Hiking the Same Trail 5x in One Summer

Hiking a favorite trail more than once is super common but 5x in one summer… probably seems obsessive? Boring? Cowardly? Well, I did it. I hiked the same 9.5-mile trail 5 times (Three Burroughs on the Sunrise side of Mt. Rainier).

I did this hike 5x to watch those I brought with me experience the wonder that is hiking under a giant volcano. Close (quarantine) friends, my aunt, and my father all got to spend at least 4 hours with me talking their ears off while breathing hard and staring at the mountain.

On our way to the first burrough

Initially, it was a friend who showed me the trail. It’s one of her favorites. I now feel the same way. The full 9.5-mile hike begins at 6,000 feet in alpine meadows covered in wildflowers. It then continues up to a series of three peaks (the three Burroughs) with the last being the snowiest and closest to Mount Rainier.

At the top of the second burrough

Doing this hike 5x with 6 different people was never a chore and each time felt equally special. After the first go-around, I was excited to share it with all who would agree to join me. Sharing what I love with others is one of the most rewarding things in my life. I have hiked and traveled alone, but it never feels as fulfilling as when I get to share it with the ones I love.

One of my hike “victims” was my 49-year-old aunt. She is about to turn 50 but you would have no idea by looking at her. We ended up completing the hike in the fastest time and arguably had the most fun. We glissaded down some of the mountain with childlike laughter and howls. Others hikers on the trail saw her youthfulness and were inspired to do the same. Not only did I provide my aunt with a unique experience unlike any she had had before but we also influenced others to take risks and slide on their butts down a snowy, icy mountain. From my aunt, I learned that there is no age restriction on fun (specifically, when it comes to sledding on your butt).

My aunt glissading down from the third burrough. This is a screenshot from a video of her going full speed and then grabbing my ankle to slow down which resulted in me face planting into the snow.

Another hike “victim” was my 60-year-old dad. Although I possibly had the most fun with my aunt, the hike with my father will go down as the most important person to have joined me on my 5x adventure. He is the one who initially sparked my interest in the outdoors and I owe him so much for all he has given me. Being able to share this experience with him was so important for me because we don’t get to see each other often and making lasting memories with him can be hard to come by.

From him, I learned patience on this hike. He was once an amazing athlete but the ravages of time and being 6’4″ has taken a toll on his knees. The going up was fast, the going down was slow. I consider my normal hiking speed to be fast, so slowing down and taking breaks was not initially easy. I learned to appreciate more of the little things, like the quartz that filled fractures in the trail boulders, or the butterflies that seemed to hop more than fly between wildflowers.

My father at the beginning of our hike. Other people were nearby so mask on

And lastly, from the friends I initially went with and the friends I later took with me, I learned to just be young and take advantage of our lack of real responsibilities. We have our day jobs, and our rent to pay but realistically now is the prime time to get out and see the world.

I may not do this hike again this year but I know I’ll be back next year with more people and new lessons.

Lunch with a view at the top of the third burrough