Ever since Katy and I started trail running this past spring, we started thinking about how to combine this with backpacking. A few research articles hinted that this is totally a thing, and suddenly we didn’t feel so weird calling it “fastpacking”.
Matt’s an amazing friend and was my roommate at UW-Madison my Junior year.
Among other things, he and his fiance Greta were there when Katy and I first met at Grand Targhee, and we’ve all been snowboard and adventure buddies since. Plus, they definitely helped influence our decision to move to the PNW!
So when it came to planning Matt’s bachelor party weekend, I wanted to make sure we had all the elements that would keep the stoke high all weekend.
I’ll start this trip report with a brag: Katy and I have a killer view of Mt. Rainier from our apartment.
Context for the brag: as two people who spend a decent amount of time outdoors and in the mountains, it’s brutal to see that gorgeous mountain on clear days and not be able to say “I’ve been on top.”
Luckily, we have a great crew of friends who feel similarly. July-4th weekend, 1 year after Katy, Brad, and I climbed Mt. Hood, we added Christian to the mix, packed the car, and started driving south.
Jun 27
20140
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Better late than never! A photo of @kaytlyn1579 and I from this past Sunday on our way home from San Juan Island. Another 26.2 in the books for both of us. The course was new, and intense. Over 2000ft elevation gain, plus the last 4 miles were uphill-ish. Ran the first 19 miles or so at a great pace but got crushed by the second half. This is a run that doesn’t have the aid nor spectators of other bigger marathons, and because of that it’s mentally that much tougher. However, that difficulty, the physical challenge, and solitude and beauty of the course make it one of my favorite races in the US. Stoked on finishing and can’t wait until next year to do it all over again. #marathon #running #sjimatathon
Leavenworth in the spring. Everything’s blooming. The air feels so fresh!
When you’re running the environment becomes this blur of vibrant colors.
At the same time, it feels like we figured out how to slow down time and fit in more distances, sites, and experiences into each adventure.
Can’t wait to see where our feet take us.
24 miles out and back on the East Bank trail along Ross Lake in the North Cascades National Park.
Unbelievable weather, a gorgeous trail, and a beautiful lake. The water was this beautiful alpine-lake blue, fed by cascading creeks off of distant glaciers.
Jun 09
20140
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Not a bad spot for a rest and fuel on our trail run yesterday. We did an awesome out and back along the East Bank trail on Ross Lake from hwy 20 to devils junction. Perfect weather and almost no one on the trail made for one of the best runs I’ve ever had. #trailrunning #marathontraining #longrun #mountaingoating
Jun 02
20140
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After posting that last photo of the enchantments, @kaytlyn1579 and I decided that seeing them from a plane wasn’t enough. A weekend of trail running and bouldering hit the spot. This is Dragontail Peak towering over Colchuck Lake. The trail was totally melted out and made for an awesome run that we linked up with Stuart Lake. #enchantments #mountains #trailrunning #leavenworth #mountaingoating
I grew up outside of New York City, so for me, when I think about what running through the city is like, I categorize it into three buckets.
May 29
20140
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The Enchantments at 37,000 feet. High alpine lakes, sheer granite walls, golden larches, mountain goats, serenity, isolation, and some of the most beautiful and demanding terrain in Washington State. Still covered in snow, but May and June’s heat and rain should melt things out before we know it. #enchantments #mountains #flying #mountaingoating