the blog

@kyfriq showing us how the backflip is done off the diving board.

There’s nothing like a night under the stars, a cool mountain breeze and tired legs to slow down the mind. Out here, we can be really present, something that I think we’re missing in more and more daily life.

‘Nothing erases the past. There is repentance, there is atonement, and there is forgiveness. That is all, but that is enough.’ ~ Ted Chiang

I’m still struggling to try and explain the Grand. It doesn’t feel fair to say “you just had to be there”… But that’s kind of how it feels. There’s a rhythm to your soul that happens after that long so deep in one place, you begin to belong there.

Preferred sleeping locations.

The river turned to chocolate for only two of the days we spend on the Colorado. It was an amazing sight to see, the river going from green to brown, only for it to return to green the next day.

Pulling into camp above Lava Rapid. Words have failed me thus far trying to explain this place.

Coincidence and intention or two sides of the same tapestry. You may find one more agreeable to look at but you cannot say one is true and one is false.

Miss you friend. Hope to see you next month. @pattiegonia
Swipe for a more accurate depiction.

The last few months have been non-stop, only having a day or two between trips. I’ve spent most of those nights sleeping under the stars, rarely in a tent, preferring to camp in the good ole fashioned Cowboy style. It’s hard to complain about anything with the Milky Way soaring overhead, reminding me of my infinitesimally small place in the universe. It’s good to have that reminder.

I’ve been dreaming about being on this river since I first got a small taste of it on a Packraft trip a few years back. That desire was fully reinvigorated this summer after reading The Emerald Mile, when I started ambitiously entering the Grand Canyon lottery. Little did I know my winning ticket wasn’t going to be from the lottery, but through my friends. Getting a text asking if I could come on this trip was a thrill, but also made me second guess if I could actually paddle sections of this river. Here’s to taking chances and learning new skills.

Van living New Zealand edition. In my opinion traveling out of a van is the best way to see most places. It allows you to bring more gear so you can do more of the activities, and it brings you a little closer to the local vibe. You can stop in the small towns and little hole in the wall fish and chips food trucks that tours might miss. It also is generally more economical, especially when you go with friends. Backpacks, camping gear, coffee making supplies (obviously), and a few good books always make their way with me on international trips. The other, arguably most important thing to bring, is friends. I love traveling alone, but dang it’s great to experience a place with people you love.
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I am partnering with @backcountry to keep encouraging you to get outside and find your backcountry, wherever that may be. Use code WILL15 for 15% off your first purchase at backcountry.com! (exclusions apply ) #findyourbackcountry

Hi friends. I’ve been thinking a decent amount about this little app lately. About the good that I’ve seen come from it, but also the bad. It’s really hard to have one without the other, so I suppose the question is can we outweigh the bad with the good, and I think the answer is yes. But it comes with intention. The intention of trying to bring joy and support to one another, in all the ways we need it. Is it a big ask, sure, but I’d rather give it a go than sit back idle and wait for the collapse. So for now, I’ll leave you with this dad joke that actually works best when written down: Why isn’t camouflage spelled

The vibe is strong with this one.

Fun fact: mountains are more fun with friends. Life happens fast, but certain places help us slow down. Let’s not forget why we go outside, why we prioritize self improvement; for with self improvement we can begin to improve the world.
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For me climbing and growth go hand in hand. I can’t imagine one without the other. Climbing gear or camera gear, it is all a piece of the puzzle that creates these moments for me to share here.
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I am continuing to partner with @backcountry in hopes to encourage you to get outside and find your backcountry, wherever that may be. Use code WILL15 for 15% off your first purchase at backcountry.com! (exclusions apply ) #findyourbackcountry

Hiking into Narnia with mr @gregbalkin I’m really hoping to make New Zealand 2022 a possibility. Get ready @stephwrighttt @kelseykobasick @thefunhog @dirtbagdarling @briannamadia

I still feel like last year’s sailing trip was one of the most important things I’ve done in my adult life, really setting the stage for things to come. It made me realize more about who I am, and the things I have to be thankful for. One of those things is the friendship that I developed in such a deep way with Captain Eric. Thank you, see you soon.
@nomadixco

Day 26 of 30 #broncosport_ambassador Of all the parks that we have visited, I think the park that surprised me the most was Custer. The Black Hills area of South Dakota is stunning, seeing herds of bison roaming the plains, and then driving 30 minutes north and being among these incredible granite spires, which offer some really sporty climbing was a real treat. #statesofadventure