I enjoy the opportunity that a changing year provides for looking back. 2018 was a big year! I spent more time outside than ever before, started grad school, traveled to Alaska and had a merry time. The year certainly had its challenges but a great many gifts and people to share them with. Read on for some reflections on my 2018 goals, highlights and a timeline of my favorite moments from the year. Let me know how your year went in the comments!
Best Of
Best Swim
Best Sunrise
Best New Hiking Buddies
Best self-timer fail
Best Mountain Dance Party
Best Wildlife Moment
Best Campfire
Best Mountain Selfie
Best Yurt
Best Sexy Photoshoot
Best Flattering Portrait
Best Breakfast
I aimed for 52 hikes in 52 weeks and came close, though did not fully complete my goal. This was mostly due to time constraints with adopting then rehoming a dog, and starting grad school. I did hike whenever physically possible, so I don’t feel too bad about not hitting that 52 mark! More importantly, I outlined the reasons I wanted to do the 52 hike project and I believe that they were all achieved this year.
I got out more on shorter hikes, tried to find ways to fit in half-day hikes and went on more solo trips.
I did get out more often when weather was less than ideal, especially at the beginning of the year.
I managed to meet many new hiking friends this year from Instagram. Finding my outdoor community has been richly rewarding and an unexpected joy.
Year In Review
January
- Rang in the New Year with a snowshoe trip to Source Lake with some favorite friends and family, starting the first hike of the 52 hike project.
- First snow camping trip with PNWOW at Mount Rainier
- Went to a lovely cabin near Skykomish and attempted to snowshoe at Surprise Lake, only to be thwarted by creek crossings.
March
- Snowshoe at Lanham Lake for Jessica’s first snowshoe
- Climbed at Vantage for the first time with the Never Stop Moving crew
- Completed Mazama Ridge snowshoe at Mt. Rainier
- Snowshoe to Granite Lakes
April
- Final snowshoe of the season at Hurricane Hill
- Adopted a dog, learned that he needed to be in a home with another dog to be happy and found him a new family. He is thriving in his new home but I miss you pup.
May
- First hike of the season to Otter Falls for a waterfall trifecta!
- Spent some outdoor time at work on a research cruise counting fish
- Hiked to Green Lake and stopped at Ranger Falls on the way.
- Did some outdoor bouldering then a quick hike to Lake Stuart
- First backpack of the season to Toleak Point in the Olympic National Park
June
- Enjoyed some family time in Chelan
- Went to Alaska and road-tripped around the Kenai Peninsula then backpacked in Denali
July
- Hike to Iron Bear-Teanaway Ridge to celebrate the 4th of July
- Visited the Glacier Peak Wilderness for the first time.
- Quick overnight trip in Salmon la Sac after enduring a rainstorm
- Backpacked to Royal Basin in the Olympic National Park
August
- Backpacked to Navaho Pass for Danielle’s first backpacking trip.
- Went to Portland for the world’s longest daytrip (23 hours!) to attend the Pickathon Music Festival
- Braved the wildfire smoke to visit Tuck and Robin Lakes
- Enjoyed my first solo hike of the year to Mt Dickerman
September
- Managed a quick overnighter to Marmot Pass on Labor Day Weekend
- Solo hike to Margaret Lake
- Scrambled to Goat Island Mountain with new hiking friends Sarina and Katherine
- Completed my first solo backpacking trip in the Goat Rocks Wilderness
- Started graduate school at the University of Washington!
October
- Hiked Heather-Maple Pass Loop for the beginning of Larch March!
- Joined many new friends for a hike to Cutthroat Pass and camping trip in the North Cascades
- Hiked the Chain Lakes Loop with my sister for spectacular fall colors.
- Second solo backpacking trip of the year to Gothic Basin, complete with an icy October swim!
November
- First sunrise hike to Mt. Elinor to celebrate Sarina’s birthday!
- Quick trip to Lake Valhalla between studying for midterms.
