Craig Romano                                 

Growing up in rural New Hampshire I fell in love with the natural world. A former Boy Scout, back country ranger in the White Mountain National Forest, and a ski bum in Vermont, the outdoors is my calling! I have traveled extensively, from Alaska to Argentina, Sicily to South Korea, seeking wild and spectacular landscapes. I rank Washington State, my home since 1989, among the most beautiful places on the planet and I have thoroughly hiked it, over 15,000 miles worth from Cape Flattery in the NW to Puffer Butte in the SE; Cape Disappointment in the SW to the Salmo-Priest Wilderness in the NE.

I'm an avid hiker, runner, kayaker, and cyclist, and have written about these passions for over a dozen publications, including; Seattle Met, Backpacker, Paddler, Adventures NW, Northwest Runner, AMC Outdoors, CityDog, and Outdoors NW. Co-creator of Hikeoftheweek.com, author of eight books and co-author of two others, I am currently working on Day Hiking Eastern Washington with Rich Landers of the Spokesman-Review scheduled for release in the spring of 2013; and Day Hiking San Juan and Gulf Islands (2014).

I hold the following degrees; an AA in Forestry from White Mountains Community College (NH); and a BA in history and Masters in Education from the University of Washington. I live with my wife Heather and cats Giuseppe and Scruffy Gray in Skagit County close to the North Cascades and the San Juan Islands.

Hiking Guide

When not writing about the outdoors I'm out in them. I have worked in the past as a hiking guide in the Pyrenees of France and Spain and as a backcountry ranger in New Hampshire's White Mountains. I am available from time to time to lead hikes as part of fundraising and book events.

Hiking to Protect our Environment

I regulary lead hikes with/for various conservation organizations to help raise funds and awareness for protecting our natural heritage. Organizations that I have worked with include:

Washington Trails Association

Skagit Land Trust

Columbia Land Trust

Friends of the Columbia Gorge

Washington National Parks Foundation

 I am also currently serving on the Advisory Board for the Pacific Northwest Trail Association.

About Giuseppe and Scruffy Gray

Giuseppe joined me in July of 2008 to be my trusted office assistant. Scruffy Gray showed up on my deck the following winter looking for a job. They both bring a postive and cheerful attitude to my office except when they're napping-which is frequent-reminding me to nap as well before diving into my next project.

Top photo by Karen Sykes