I finally feel like I’ve settled into the Pacific Northwest after completing a full year in my new home. I’ve still got a lot to learn as a newcomer to the west coast, but I credit my obsessive personality for pushing me to new corners of the map. Last year, I shared my 2022 outdoor goals for the year, which was basically a plotting of my daydreams on a chart. Having it as a reference allowed me to plan more thoughtfully, train smarter, and be more intentional about where I place my energy.

In order to do everything on my actual wish list, I’d have to quit my job and live two lifetimes. I’ve used this framework of effort vs interest to help narrow down what it is I’d arrange logistics for, train for, and ultimately prioritize. Last year, I only got to half of the goals on my list but I still had the most active year of my life. Throughout 2022, several injuries (e.g., torn finger ligament), environmental factors (e.g., wildfire smoke), life circumstances, and new inspiration crept in and I needed to adapt. I don’t see these goals as a contract with the universe, but more like a visualization of what’s in my head. I’ve had this approach for years, usually scribbling thoughts on paper. I’m sharing it again as lots of friends have gotten value from arranging their own goals in this way. Hopefully you get some ideas from this. If any are on your own list, do let me know!

Skiing

More than any other activity, my ski goals are highest on my priority list. Part of this has to do with the winter season being so short and precious, but also because it’s where I feel the biggest gap between what I want to be doing and what I’m capable of. Last year, I focused on leveling up my technique inbounds and this year I’m hoping to push into touring. This also means I better improve on my powder skiing.

1. AIARE 1 Avalanche + Rescue training - The larger goal here is to get out into the backcountry and earn my turns by skinning up the mountain. Before I can do that, I need to learn how to read snow conditions for avalanche risk. I’ve been dreaming about this for a while and I finally got a spot on a February Intro to Backcountry Course w/ AAIRE, joined by Leah and my buddy Ben. More info.

2. 250,000 feet skiing - Last year I had a stretch goal of 300k feet of descent while skiing. I saw a dramatic increase in my skiing ability, but I also felt like I put my knees through a meat grinder by the end. Hopefully this is another year of improvement, ideally with stronger knees this time. I’ll be spending most of my time at Stevens Pass again, but hopefully will get laps in the backcountry.

3. Backcountry skiing near Stevens Pass - I have two guidebooks that tell me Stevens Pass is a great launchpad for some easy and moderate backcountry skiing. I also have lots of friends who stay at the nearby lodge and I’m eager to take pointers from them. I know that anything I plan in depth as a total noob will be foolish in comparison to getting advice from them, so I’m keeping an open mind. More info.

4. Backcountry skiing Muir Snowfield on Rainier (9.5mi, 5000 feet desc) - The descent starts up at 10,000 feet in elevation, considered the halfway point for those ascending up to Rainier’s summit. The snowfield is probably one of the easiest-to-access ~5,000ft backcountry ski descents in the country, and it’s rated at moderate difficulty. While the Muir Snowfield can be skied all year round, it’s a lot more fun to go when you can ski all the way back to your car (usually til late June). On a clear day, views of Adams, Helens, Hood, and even Jefferson are visible. The biggest challenge here would likely be monitoring for weather changes and snow stability, as weather above 7,000ft is unpredictable. Route beta.

5. Backcountry skiing Worm Flows on Mt St Helens (11mi, 5500 feet desc) - MSH is often considered the easiest of the Cascade volcanoes. Although this route crosses the Swift Glacier, it’s fairly non-technical without crevasse concern. On a clear day, Mount Adams’ broad summit can be seen to the east. Catching clear weather on a day with minimal wind is ideal. Likely I’d try this as an overnighter from Seattle (i.e., sleeping in the car at the trailhead). The big question is whether to go before March 31 (free permits) or after (limited). Route beta.

Surfing/swimming

I’ve been averse to water activities given my poor swimming skills. Leah has been encouraging me to improve and I also irrationally feel I need to get better before I have kids. Surfing isn’t high on my interest list, but it’s definitely there.

1. Surfing in Cerritos Beach, MX - After taking a bunch of lessons in 2022, Leah and I feel like we know our way around the water enough to just rent boards. Unlike Leah, I still can’t reliably catch a wave but I’ve hit a point where I don’t hate being out on the water; I’ve got the fire to finally figure this out. A co-worker gave me a tip that I should go to Costa Rica where I could find reliable beginner waves and get more “at-bats” without having to fight my way through the surf. Leah and I had some sticker shock at the flight and lodging for Costa Rica, so we settled on Cerritos Beach on the Baja Peninsula. Given my limited PTO this year, I’m hoping to do this by working remotely (2hrs on the water + work rest of day), probably in March when the waves are beginner-friendly.

2. Surfing in Sayulita, MX - We got a tip to check out the surf in Sayulita from a surf instructor. It’s a cheap flight to Puerto Vallarta from Seattle and Leah and I have been daydreaming about working remotely from Mexico for over a year. I’m also hoping to combine this with a trip to Oaxaca which has been in my thoughts for years for the food and culture. One idea could be to visit in early November, when Seattle gets blanketed with grey skies and enjoy some Día de Muertos festivities.

3. Swimming once each month in Lake Washington - This sounds miserable, and that’s the point. I don’t like getting wet or splashing around in water even in the summer, so my thinking is that by making a habit of dipping myself into the lake regardless of how unpleasant it is, I’ll develop a new relationship with water and my local lake (~5min from home). I’ve got a wetsuit, gloves, and booties to take some of the bite away in the winter temps.

Cycling (road & gravel)

Last year, I signed up for two official cycling events (Seattle to Portland at 206mi and RAMROD at 150mi). As a result, cycling dominated the spring and early summer for me; there was little room for much else given the training and exhaustion. I’d still like to experience the freedom of being on a bike, but less of the intense grind. Many of these goals I’d love to do with Leah and are about using the bike to immerse myself in a new place. A few rides from last year (e.g., Sunrise Road w/o cars, and Highway 20 w/o cars) I’d love to try again with Leah if she’s up for it.

1. San Juan Island road ride (45mi, 3800ft ele) - Just along the border with Canada is the San Juan Island archipelago. One island in particular, San Juan Island, I’m keen to check out for it’s bucolic and leisurely vibes. In addition to the rural farms and slow lifestyle, the island is home to Lime Kiln State Park along the western coastline. It’s one of the best places in the country for seeing orcas from atop a sea cliff without having to pay for a boat tour during the salmon runs (May through September). This path follows as much of the coastline as possible with a stop halfway through where we’d hopefully see some whales! Route line.

1. 2-day bikepack Olympic Bridges (39mi, 3k ft ele) - Leah and I did our first bikepacking trip last year, which meant buying lots more gear. Now that we’ve got it all, I figure we better make use of it. This is an easy route that goes over two of the state’s highest arched bridges through the lush and dense rainforest in the Olympic Peninsula. It can easily be done in a day, and in fact may be easier to do in a day. This may be a good one to do with friends for a super chill weekend. Best done in the early summer (e.g., late May or June), when the rain has lessened but the trees are still glowing from all the spring precipitation. More info.

2. 2-day bikepack Teanaway River (42mi, 4.5k ft ele) - This trail is a little more challenging but much easier to get to from Seattle. The loop offers views of the Central Cascades (including the jagged Stuart range). Some sections of trail are overgrown, have downed bridges, and steep sections that hiking a loaded bike should be expected. Fortunately, the route sits nicely in a bit of a rain shadow so it should be a nice escape from grey skies, making it a great candidate for September. More info.

3. 2-day bikepack Olympic Adventure Trail (66mi, 8k ft ele) - This is the classic bikepacking route for those living in Seattle (i.e., seems like everyone is doing it). It’s almost entirely smooth gravel and dirt and effortless riding bliss with views of the forested mountains while tracing Lake Crescent’s shoreline. I had it on my list last year, but didn’t prioritize it enough to get a campsite at Fairholme Campground, which isn’t necessary but makes it a lot more pleasant. This year will be different and I’ve locked in a site! More info.

4. Lone Butte gravel ride (54mi, 5200 ft ele) - In August of 2022, I explored the vast Gifford Pinchot Nat’l Forest on my gravel bike and loved it. The area is nestled between Mt Adams and the remains of Mt St Helens and felt remote, dense, and felt far away. The ride also felt pretty rugged. I came across another trail that offers the same solitude and challenge with the highlight being the wild and pristine Lewis River Valley. I’m hoping to check it out in October as the leaves are turning. More info.

5. Crater Rim ride at Crater Lake (32mi, 4k ft ele) - I’ve been to Crater Lake before on a road trip with Ben and was stunned at how massive and blue the caldera was. There’s a road that traces around the crater rim and it’s almost entirely closed to car traffic for just two Saturdays out of the year (Sept 9 and 16 for 2023). I’d love to go for a swim with Leah in the lake halfway through the ride too in America’s deepest lake. Given how long of a drive from Seattle this is, it may make sense to combine it with a visit to Bend, Oregon. More info.

6. Darrington box loop ride (105mi, 3k ft ele) - This is a mostly unremarkable century road ride close to home without much elevation gain. It follows some scenic mountain roads that I’ve driven plenty of times and have daydreamed about pedaling through. I saw someone come up with this loop in a Facebook group and figure it’s a fun one to rip through whenever the temps are mild and the skies are clear. Route line.

7. Tour de Whidbey route (103mi, 6k ft ele) - Whidbey Island is near to Seattle but feels like an escape from the city given the slight rain shadow. This route, covering both the north and south part of the island, is one I copied from an official cycling event. The line goes through some towns, so resupplying would be easy enough. There’s a lot of up and down to keep things interesting while following the coastline. Route line.

Mountain biking

Last year, I only had two extremely modest goals for mountain biking. I had no idea I’d spend so much time on singletrack, but I saw an improvement in my riding ability. Now, whenever I’m on a hiking trail I think about how much more fun it’d be if I had a mountain bike.

1. Orcas Island (shuttled) - Orcas Island is another one of the San Juan islands, and after October 15 each year a network of singletrack becomes open to mountain bikers. In early November of 2022, a few friends and I rented an Airbnb on the island and shuttled our bikes up for laps off the summit of Mt Constitution. It was so much fun that we all agreed we should make it an annual tradition! More info.

2. Darrington (shuttled) - The riding near Darrington, tucked between the mountains close to Seattle, is best done with a shuttle. The scenery is spectacular and all of the trails were recently built to diversify the town’s economy from primarily resource extraction. This would best be done with a group of friends given the shuttling. I’d like to do this mainly because it’s relatively close to home and sounds like an incredible day. More info.

3. Three days at a mountain bike park - Last year, I went to a lift-assisted mountain bike park for the first time at Whistler. Half the fun for me is earning the descent, so I was skeptical about how much I’d enjoy paying for the privilege of being lifted to the top. My buddies and I spent three days on the mountain and I was surprised at how much I loved it. Most impressive to me was how much better we were getting in our technique since we could repeat laps on features and jumps. My hope this year is to get comfortable with small jumps with practice. I’m most interested in checking out Coast Gravity Park on the sunshine coast of British Columbia because of it’s location, as well as the new Summit at Snoqualmie bike park near home. More info.

4. Sunset descent of Olallie (18mi, blue/black) - This is a local trail that’s a 9 mile climb up a ridge that descends back the same way. It’s positioned right at the foothills of the Cascade mountains. After doing my first night mountain bike ride and loving it, I think it’d be pretty awesome to ride this trail as the sun is setting. More info.

5. Esmerelda basin loop (12mi, 3k ft ele) - I’d like to do more “backcountry” mountain biking, where the trails are deeper within the mountains and the climbing is as much a part of the experience as the descent. This short loop is apparently a great intro into alpine mtb, but it’s shared with motos, horses, and hikers. There’s also a very short window when the trail is ideal in early July, just after the snow melts but before it gets too sandy. The key to maximizing fun out of this trail will be getting there early, maybe even on a weekday. Route info.

6. Angel’s Staircase (23mi, 5k ft ele) - This is one of Washington’s burliest alpine mountain biking loops, and is the highest altitude singletrack in the state at 8,000 feet. There’s some sections of mandatory hike-a-bike, but the views make it worthwhile. The trail traverses around Martin Peak through ponderosa forest to subalpine first on open ridgelines. This is another trail that has a short window given the altitude. The entire ride is physically demanding, but it’s possible to get an early start by car-camping at the trailhead. If we make a weekend of it, we could do some riding up in the nearby Methow Valley and Mazama, which is the closest thing to heaven on earth for me. More info.

Backpacking & day-hiking

Despite the many opportunities for hiking in the PNW, I’ve been more excited to put time into other activities. Still, I do love getting out there when the views are grand and there’s enough of a struggle to keep the crowds away.

1. Langtang Trek & Yala Peak in Nepal trekking for 21 days - For our honeymoon, Leah and I are taking several weeks off in April to explore Nepal. I was extremely reluctant to go to Everest Base Camp or any of the other more overpopulated itineraries. Leah found a trek near the Tibetan border that seems like it’s avoided a flood of trekker tourism without compromising on scenery. This is largely because the valley experienced a devastating landslide triggered by an earthquake in 2015 that killed nearly 200 people. The entire village was buried under a mass of snow, ice, and debris. There’s been a remarkable rebuilding effort from the survivors but the pandemic put a hold on tourism for a few years longer. At the end of the valley, there’s a non-technical summit we’re interested in getting to Yala Peak (18,000 feet). We’re planning to go without a guide or porter for the trekking, but we’ll see how feasible that is for Yala Peak. The exact stats of the journey are unclear since we’re still figuring out specifics and I imagine there’ll be a bit of improvising when we’re there. I expect it’ll be around 100 miles of travel at altitude with tens of thousands of feet of elevation gain. More info.

2. High Divide Loop day hike in Olympic NP (19mi, 5k ft ele) - I got the inspiration for this route from Climber Kyle’s blog post listing epic mountain runs of the PNW. The trail looms over a rainforest, crosses alpine meadows with open ridgelines, and overlaps with spectacular waterfalls.I chose this one because I’d like to appreciate more of the Olympic peninsula while I still live in Seattle and have relatively easy access to it. I figure I should attempt this in a day as a fast hike so that I could go light, guarantee I’ll have good weather, and not have to deal with a crowded campsite. The distance and elevation is less than what each of my days hiking the PCT Section J was, so hopefully this feels just perfect in terms of difficulty. More info.

3. Enchantment Peak day hike (21mi, 8k ft ele) - When I first moved to Seattle, I had dreams of doing the Enchantment thru hike in a day. It was even one of my goals for last year that I never got to. As I learned more about the conga line of folks hiking through the Enchantment zone, I lost interest in doing the same thing. Still, I’d love to experience the area in a different way, especially perched from a central summit. This approach means I’d be doing an out-and-back but I don’t mind. A trail always looks a little different when you’re looking the other direction. More info.

Mountaineering

I haven’t done glaciated mountaineering in years given the pandemic, living on the east coast til recently, and the challenge of finding a capable/reliable partner to rope up with. I had a lot of goals last year in this category, and accomplished almost none. This year, I’ve got far more reasonable goals, but the biggest challenge will be finding a partner.

1. Eldorado Peak glacier climb (10mi, 7k feet ele) - This is a summit I’ve stood on twice, both times under the supervision of a guide monitoring my decision-making. It’s a big day to reach base camp, and a rather short and straightforward ascent to the summit. It’ll involve roping up for glacier travel and carrying additional gear for overnighting. This would be my third summit on the peak, but I’d like to try it again because of how beautiful the terrain is and also because I’m familiar with it. “…Massively aloof…the summit has a Himalayan like splendor owing to its remoteness, position, and knife-edge summit ridge.” Best done between July and September, so I’d most likely I’d aim for late July. My longer term goals for this is to try and ski off the top…someday! Route beta.

2. Colchuck Peak glacier scramble (14mi, 5k feet ele) - This peak sits in the Enchantments area of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and seems to be easier when there’s snow covering the steep talus field. An ice ax, helmet, and crampons is essential but most parties forgo roping up. After topping out on the glacier, there’s some class 2/3 scrambling on rock before making it to the summit. Some groups choose to make the traverse to Dragontail Peak to make it a longer day. This is one I’d be tempted to do alone, but the responsible thing would be to go with someone else. Route beta.

3. Fisher Chimneys on Mt Shuksan (4th class, 7k ft ele) - This is a route that combines mountaineering with some 4th class scrambling. I’ve been on Mt Shuksan before, but we were rained off of it several hundred yards from the summit. Loose rock is another hazard to be mindful of, especially due to the popularity of the route. I’d want at least two partners to be roped up with if I attempted it. July and August seem to be primetime for this route. Route beta.

Climbing

I’ve been waiting a long time for my “breakthrough climbing year,” when I’d finally have access to a great crag, a reliable gym, and a partner to help make my dreams come true. Instead, a ligament tear on my hand from a climb at Smith Rock in Nov 2021 put a hold on this. I spent 2022 recovering and am happy to say I’ve mostly caught up with my pre-injury self. There are more goals here than any other activity. Climbing outside is where my heart and soul feel full.

1. Work through John Kettle’s climbing technique book - Rather than focus on max strength and pulling hard, I’ve been more attracted to focusing on graceful and efficient movement. A few years ago I came across a book by John Kettle where he suggest focusing on simple technique drills. I bought the book but never had the discipline to commit to following the exercises. It was always tempting to just spend a gym session on trying a fun route or problem with a friend. I’d like to see how much I can progress with dedicated focus here. My expectation is that an investment here will pay dividends for many years. More info.

2. Cragging: Mt Erie - Mt Erie is a small mountain within the city of Anacortes, just north of Seattle and partially benefits from the Olympic rain shadow so climbing is possible year-round, especially given the sun exposure the wall often gets. The routes here are generally moderate and single pitch. There’s a beautiful view of the San Juans on a clear day and there’s a fairly laid back vibe. I’ve climbed here a few times and would like to familiarize myself more with the routes, especially because the climbing season can start earlier here. More info.

3. Trad: S Face of the Tooth (5.4, 4 pitch) - This is probably the easiest and most popular multipitch in the state of Washington given how close it is to Seattle via the interstate highway. It’s often used as a training climbed for Mountaineers groups. I’d like to use it to vet any new partners who I’d bring with me, but also get back into the swing of climbing in the alpine again. The only way to avoid the route congestion would be to go mid-week. More info.

4. Cragging: Frenchman Coulee - Frenchman Coulee feels like a unique gem for the PNW given its desert environment due to the Cascade rain shadow. The walls are made of basalt columns that allow for crack climbing between bolted routes on the face of the pillars. Leah and I have climbed here once before and it’s a reliable source of sunshine when the skies turn grey over Western Washington. Routes here are moderate single pitches, but a few ticks harder than at Mt. Erie. More info.

5. Cragging: Index - The climbing at Index is supposed to be world-class, but I’ve yet to go. I even have the guidebook and was studying the crag on my drive over from the east coast. The fine-grained granite has a bit of everything: from techy slab all the way to aid climbs on 500ft walls. The weather is often what keeps people away. Either the rock is too damp or the south-facing walls are blisteringly hot. The routes are more moderate-hard and I’d be a happy climber if I could manage to be a regular at Index. More info.

6. Guided: Red Dihedral on Incredible Hulk (5.10 IV, 12 pitch) - For my birthday two years ago, Leah gifted me a guided climb with my favorite climber, Peter Croft. I delayed using the gift certificate with his guiding company because of my injury. Hopefully this year I can use it on this High Sierra classic. I just have to hope wildfire smoke doesn’t ruin my plans. Currently in a back and forth trying to schedule the date. Route beta.

7. Trad: Ragged Edge of Vesper Peak (5.7, 6 pitch) - This is an alpine rock route with stunning views and great exposure. It’s exactly the kind of moderate route that appeals to me. Unfortunately, I’m not the only one. Finding the right partner, moving fast, and starting early are key to having a good time. Route beta.

8. Sport: Tooth Fairy (5.9, 6 pitch) - This is an alpine sport route located not far from Seattle. It also sees lots of traffic unsurprisingly. I see this as a stepping stone for longer multipitch sport routes like Prime Rib. More info.

9. Sport: Voie de Chaise of Chair Peak (5.9, 7 pitch) - This is a new alpine sport route pioneered by local climbers last year, and is located fairly close to Seattle. Not many people are familiar with it yet so I’m hoping to get on it before there’s a traffic jam on the route. More info.

10. Sport: Prime Rib (5.9-, 11 pitch) - A 5.9 sport route that goes on for 11 pitches? I couldn’t believe it when I first heard about this route years ago. This route sees people who travel from all across the country to experience it. This one is worth taking a day off for, and going mid-week will help ensure I’m not waiting behind other parties. It’s located in the Methow Valley, right outside of Mazama (my happy place). Route beta.

11. Trad: Outer Space (5.9, 6 pitch) - This is a grade I’ve never led on gear (i.e., my highest was a 5.8 multipitch in Joshua Tree). Fortunately, it’s a crack system that I’d follow, which I love to climb. Route beta.

Almost all of these are more fun than they are challenging, which is a different theme than my goals from last year. At the end of 2023, I hope I’ll be thinking less about the stats accumulated and more on the photos taken, memories created with Leah, and friends I’ve connected with.

I do expect to travel back to the east coast to visit family. Our parents are getting older and every day I think about how lucky I am to spend time with my folks and Leah’s. It’s the conversations at the dinner table I’ll be thinking more deeply about decades later, not the alpenglow over the Cascades that one day.

I don’t expect to accomplish all of these goals, and I’m open to new inspiration. The purpose of this is to make sure I make the most of every moment I’ve got. Of course, I wouldn’t get very much done at all if not for the full love and support of incredible wife, Leah.

In order to help coordinate plans, I created a chart indicating ideal times to accomplish each goal given expected weather. A few things I’ve already locked in for certain dates (e.g., the Nepal trip), which I’ve indicated below. Let me know if you’d like this template as well.