The day is packed with fine trail experiences. In the morning we meet Erica, the only other hiker we come across who is also going for a full circuit, but in the opposite direction. We hope she made it! Shortly after we’re greeted by the lovely Star lake, where we enjoy a bath and a…

We’re curious today to experience the Heavenly ski resort for the first time in the summer, on foot. What we don’t know is that our planning information leaves out at least four miles between trailheads there, making a much longer day for us than we were counting on. Any day that begins with hot coffee…

Our concern today is questionable water sources. It seems that Spooner lake will be the only sure bet for water, and it’s a ways off the trail. We start up Snow Valley peak with plenty of water from the campground well. West rim trail On the way to Spooner summit we meet a veteran hiker…

I asked for a good hike to celebrate my 40th birthday. For a while it seemed uncertain, with Ann’s work situation changing and dates impossible to pin down. Then suddenly we were bagging food, packing packs, and finding friends to give us rides. Next thing I knew our friend Nick was dropping us off on…

After a shaky night of sleep I’m up early anticipating my birthday hike on the Tahoe Rim Trail. I’ll probably post tracks afterward, but have no plans to blog during the hike. I may indulge in some twitter. Right now the #TahoeRimTrail is pretty quiet there, but I’m guessing we’ll encounter lots of outdoorists on…

Time is short for writing as I prepare for my birthday hike, but this was an amazing 4-day desert backpack trip with Friends of Nevada Wilderness. We monitored springs, climbed Pahute Peak, and enjoyed good company. There are a lot of springs out there, but not much water! I gained new respect for the creatures…

Felt pretty good today on 5 minute fast/slow intervals. Went mostly barefoot, but stopped to put the vibrams on when I thought I felt blisters coming. Lots of people on the river today – stopped by the bridge to let some kids use my phone to call for a ride. Sweaty!

Ann is still recovering from a big ascent of Mount Rose starting at the Galena creek trailhead, a 4500 foot climb, and so she offers to shuttle between trailheads for me today. (I stayed home to work on next weekend’s WordCamp talk.) So I get dropped off north of Mount Elwell, the highest peak in…

I invite Cara, a traveling Canadian without a climbing partner for the day, to come with me to meet Ann, Vanessa, Mike, and Carolyn to check out Twin Crags above lake Tahoe. Vanessa launches by sandbagging Cara (mistakenly she claims) on a 12b roof, and after she retreats safely we all enjoy single pitch trad…

The Access Fund’s adopt-a-crag program gives me a good opportunity to check out the Lover’s Leap climbing area for the first time, and help improve some trail while I’m there. The day begins without the usual tools or guidance of the Eldorado National Forest personnel due to a mysterious fire that destroyed their warehouse down…