Herman the Vancouver Island Marmot wishes you all a Happy Groundhog day!

Yes, they celebrate Groundhog Day in Canada too! And groundhogs, also known as woodchucks in Eastern North America are marmots. So that makes Vancouver Island marmots woodchucks, too! Sadly Herman passed away last year in the Toronto Zoo but he wanted to thank the US Postal Service for featuring him among 19 other Endangered species…

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351.6 Miles Hiked and Run and More than $11,000 Raised

It was my most successful Hike-a-thon, ever! Wow! I am still catching up on my rest and trying to catch up with my work after an amazing August. Since 2012 I have participated in the Washington Trails Association’s annual Hike-a-thon as a way to have a little fun and help give back to the trails…

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170 Miles and $5500–Thanks for a Successful Hike-a-thon

This past August was a tough month here in the Northwest with heat, large wildfires, and the worst air quality I have ever experienced. I had to cancel several high mileage hikes that I had planned because of the dangerous air conditions. Not surprisingly, this was my lowest hike-a-thon ever when it came to total…

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Bring it on! Hike-a-thon 2018

It’s that time again! I am once again participating in the annual Hike-a-Thon for the Washington Trails Association! Last year more than 60 of you helped me raise more than $5500 for our trails! WOW! Thanks!! This year I’d like to top that and raise $6000 for our trails. Will you please consider helping me…

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Classic Hike Threatened with Clear-cut and Trail Closure

Lake Serene and Bridal Veil Falls perched within the craggy forbidden spires of Mount Index is a hike beloved by thousands of recreationists—and it’s one of my and the late Harvey Manning and Ira Springs 100 Classic Hikes in Washington. What many hikers don’t realize however is that the beginning of this hike is on…

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Getting My Goat

Quick! Name non-native invasive species in the Olympic Mountains; species that have altered the natural environment. Man, obviously! How about Scotch Broom, purple loosestrife, Robert’s geranium and mountain goats? Mountains goats? Yes, mountain goats, those furry lovable alpinists and members of the cattle family (Bovidae). They don’t belong here. The mountain goat, indigenous to the…

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