About

Morovitz Meadow, Park Butte, Cascades

BACKGROUND

Hiking in Australia’s Uluru Kata Kjuta National Park, 2017

Upper Grinnell Lake

I was an enthusiastic hiker, in Southwestern BC, Canada, during my college years.  However, moving to the Midwest, USA, in the 90’s, where trails were not enticing, followed shortly by adding 3 newborns to our family in 4.5 years did not help the cause either.  In 2004, we moved to Spokane, WA and I started hiking again.  The local trails were nice, but not exceptional.  The job demand, and a minor nagging injury put a stop to that after a couple of seasons.

In August 2013, during a trip to Glacier National Park, we embarked on a hiking trail called Grinnell Glacier (photo above).  Despite the very trying weather, I was never so moved by a hike before, hence the journey began again. Spokane’s geographic location enabled easy visits to Cascades, and Northern Rockies in Washington, Montana, BC, Alberta, I gradually expanded to other parts of US, Southwest, for instance and the World.

View from Akamina Ridge, Waterton

Skyline Trail, Mt. Rainier NP

The Pictures

I only started paying attention to photography after my hiking started in earnest.  Not creative nor trained, I, like many others, only want to capture the beauty that surrounds me.  Once in a while, I succeed.  I use point and shoot only, with the strict criteria that the camera has to fit in one of my pockets.   Most of my photos (since 2014) are taken using a Sony RX100, and further upgraded RX100 Mark VI in 2019

Siyeh Pass, Glacier NP

Swiftcurrent Summit, Glacier NP

Mt. Rainier from Panhandle Gap

Hiking Stats

2013     13 trails     98.2 miles

2014     10 trails     97 miles

2015    28 trails     213.6 miles

2016    15 trails      99.5 miles

2017    22 trails     156 miles

2018    9 trails        43.5 miles

2019   13 trails       71 miles

2020   27 trails       160 miles

2021 30 trails  125 miles

2022 12 trails  101 miles

2023 13 trails  114 miles

2024 8 (April)

Lake Yellowstone

High Divide, Olympic NP

Records:

Distance: 20+ miles, Enchantments Traverse (Cascades)

Elevation gain: 4800 feet, Half Dome (Yosemite)

Highest Elevation: 16000 feet, Cotopaxi Volcano National Park (Overseas)

Notes on Equipment

Boots – Northface Hedgehog Tall III GTX XRC, size 9.5 (first trail – Cascade Pass/Sahale Arm, 9/2013, last trail Devil’s Garden, 11/2016 >500 miles)

– Salomon X Ultra Mid II GTX, size 10 (first trail – Hog Lake Canyon 4/2017, last – Sperry Glacier 8/2020)

– Lowa Renegade GTX Mid Size 10 (first trail – Spider Meadow-Glacier 9/2020)

Backpack – Kelty Redstart 23, Women’s; 23L capacity, 0.7kg, 19×12.5×10.5 inches (first trail – Cascade Pass/Sahale Arm 9-2013, Last Trail – Plains of Six Glaciers, 7-2017)

-Osprey Talon 22, size M/L, 22L, 1.8 pounds, 0.67Kg (8-2017, Iceline-Whaleback to 9-2022, Navajo Knob)

– Osprey Talon 22, Size L/XL, 22L (10-2022)

-Outdoor Research Ferrosi pants (32/32 better); Patagonia Quandary shorts 33/10.

Santa Elena Canyon, Big Bend