Thoughts

I love playing outside. I love teaching people how to play outside. I especially love teaching kids how to play outside. By outside, I mean rock climbing, caving, rafting, hiking, glacier climbs, backpacking, kayaking. I mean, if we are going to play outside…let’s make it an adventure. More specifically, I love the sound a carabiner makes as I clip my rope into it. The sweet … [Read more...] about Fear and The Long Walk Back

Part I: Confession, I am just as guilty....... With many of the outdoor retail companies placing a marketing emphasis on women in the outdoors, I was initially humored by this concept. I chalked it up to a marketing ploy targeted to a demographic willing to spend money to feel empowered and fulfilled. I don’t need a retail company to launch a marketing campaign to make me feel … [Read more...] about The campaign to empower women (and girls) in the Outdoors

This is Tyson. A funny, daring, energetic nine year old boy who really loves Jesus and outdoor adventures…..so you know, I may be a little partial to him. I was introduced to him when he was five and he was beginning the adoption process with my brother-in-law and his wife. He had been shuffled between several families over the years mainly because he was so full of energy. … [Read more...] about The Adventurous Child that Adopted Me

At 10:30 am, we arrived at the base of the rock wall known as Write-Off Rock. The heat had already began to melt everyone in the sun exposed climbing area. I immediately dropped the rope bag on the ground  of a 35 foot 5.9 route named Knife In The Toaster and asked my 11 year old son if he would like to lead the route. For those that don’t climb, I’m asking him if he would … [Read more...] about Teaching Kids Life Lessons on a Rock Wall

On June 6, 2016, I took my 10 year old son, 8 year old daughter, 12 year old niece, 10 year old nephew and a friend on a backpacking trip to Tunnel Falls, a 200 foot waterfall along the Eagle Creek Trail in Cascade Locks, Oregon. Instead, our trip was cut short and I found myself in the middle of near death accident, managing children throughout the experience. The … [Read more...] about Managing an Emergency with Kids in the Backcountry