Hiking & Backpacking - Some Bold Adventure

Walking the West Highland Way Day 5: Tyndrum to Bridge of Orchy

It’s my shortest hiking day on Scotland’s West Highland Way – only 7 miles! There are mountains all around, a rocky stream, and I spend the night at a bunkhouse in an active train station.

Walking the West Highland Way Day 4: Inverarnan to Tyndrum

I walked from Inverarnan to Tyndrum on West Highland Way day 4. I see rapids on River Falloch, beautiful highland scenery, and so much heather!

Walking the West Highland Way Day 3: Rowardennan to Inverarnan

I walked from Rowardennan to Inverarnan on West Highland Way day 3, and chose the high route to see waterfalls. I was not disappointed!

Walking the West Highland Way Day 2: Drymen to Rowardennan

Day 2 of my West Highland Way solo hike in Scotland was my longest mileage day of the trip – I finished with 17. 1 miles. There were farms, fields, and forests, a tough climb up and down Conic Hill, and my first views of the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.

Walking the West Highland Way Day 1: Milngavie to Drymen

Hiking the West Highland Way Day 1 from Milngavie to Drymen. It was a perfect day – beautiful weather, a lovely trail, amazing food – a great way to start my solo hike on the West Highland Way.

Training for the West Highland Way: Backpacking the Manistee River Trail

To prepare for hiking West Highland Way in Scotland, I had a very rainy weekend backpacking the Manistee River Trail in Michigan. See what I learned while training for the WHW.

Isle Royale Backpacking Tips

Planning a trip to one of the least visited national parks in the United States? This rugged island wilderness requires more planning that most other National Parks. Here are ten tips for planning an Isle Royale Backpacking trip.

Hiking Camelback Mountain in Phoenix, AZ

Hiking Camelback Mountain in Phoenix, Arizona. It’s a fun, challenging hike – just be sure to plan for it!

Backpacking Isle Royale 14: S Lake Desor to Hatchet Lake

I finally found ripe thimbleberries as I hiked on Isle Royale’s Greenstone Ridge Trail from South Lake Desor to Hatchet Lake. The Hatchet Lake campground is peaceful and secluded.

Backpacking Isle Royale 13: Washington Creek to S. Lake Desor

I leave Windigo on the Greenstone Ridge Trail to South Lake Desor. It’s a long day, but the tree-covered trail is much easier than the Minong.

Backpacking Isle Royale 12: Rest day at Windigo

My rest day on Isle Royale was spent at Windigo doing laundry, cleaning up, and watching moose.

Isle Royale Part 11: On the Minong Ridge to Windigo

I’ve got two more beaver dam crossings and some big climbs to make it to Windigo, where I have the lowest moment of my trip.