Northwest Hiking

Spring is just around the corner, and I don’t know about readers out there, but I am looking forward to getting out and hiking.  After spraining my ankle a few weeks ago, I am finally walking on it again.  You take walking for granted when you are on crutches for 2 1/2 weeks.  I am definitely looking forward to a backpacking trip here in the new future, but for now, I am still unable to run or jump on my ankle.  Luckily I have another 3 weeks to heal before I head out to go backpacking.

Backpacking Excursion?
My plan to go backpacking occurs in a few weeks here near the tricities of Washington.  Not a particularly extravagant place, but beautiful when the flowers will be blooming soon.  The trip will take a full four days, traveling about 40 miles — 20 miles in and 20 out.  Not a bad hike, with four parts with heavy elevation gain and loss of over 1000 feet.  More details to be posted on the hike after I complete it.

Plan for Global Warming!
Whether you believe it or not, planning for global warming is a good idea.  Here’s why:

Just goes to show, never can tell what change will be!  Maybe not completely accurate, but I had to throw it in there.  Hiking is affected by global warming, and whether that is on a macro scale or a micro scale, I will leave that up to you to decide.

With that, stayed tuned for more information on hiking, great tips, and gear reviews to come!

By starting this new category, I hope to let readers in on a personal aspect of my life as editor of this resource.  I also hope to give readers the chance to share in the everyday joys, sadness, and fun that is associated with living in the northwest.  Comments, suggestions, and requests are always accepted readily, and are encouraged.  Enjoy!

2/23/09:
A week ago I sprained my ankle free-running.  It is one of my hidden talents that few people know about, but I find an extreme sense of joy in.  The ability to jump at will from various heights to the ground below in a rush of flurry and motion surpasses most of the joys this world offers.  Not to mention is it good exercise.

It is the second week, and I have finally started to walk on it again after extensive tearing and bruising in the ankle.  Healing is going much faster than expected using a new system I found on the internet.  Hopefully I will be back up and doing rigorous exercise in 3 weeks, but that is optimistic.

Meanwhile, this affects a much bigger factor related to this blog. . .hiking!  I have been hiking every weekend after five days of classes in rigorous preparation for firefighter training, and I am without the ability to conquer the highest peaks!  Soon enough it will change, though.  More late. . .