Hiking Through Liminal Space
Every time we go hiking we follow the three stages of a rite of passage. In his book, The Rites of Passage, Arnold van Gennep (1873-1957) defined the three parts … Read More
Guiding the Unknown Trail
When I first started as a wilderness therapy field guide, I knew nothing about the trails I was headed out on. Of course, I had the map, so I knew … Read More
Mentoring Marauding Elephants
There is an old African proverb that says, “If the young are not initiated into the tribe they will burn down the village just to feel its warmth.”† It’s easy … Read More
A Place in the Scheme of Things
“To be at home is to have a place in the scheme of things — a place where we are comfortable; know that we belong; can be who we are; … Read More
Seeking the Key to Transformation
On El Camino de Santiago in Spain, they would say, “Your pilgrimage begins when your Camino ends.” I didn’t fully understand the saying, because this was supposed to be my … Read More
Discovering the 3-Day Effect
Have you heard of the 3-Day Effect? It’s the idea that something “clicks” in our brains after spending 3 days in the wilderness. That could be 3 days on the … Read More
Finding our Boundaries at Fish Creek The pups and I go snowshoeing in the deep end at Fish Creek
Elevation Low: 5,100 ft High: 5,600 ft Distance: 8.3 mile loop Difficulty: Easy to moderate Best Seasons: Year-Round Maps Fish Creek Meadows Park N’ Ski Trail Fees: Park N’ Ski … Read More
Rising Up Rooted, Like Trees
I grew weary walking through the snowy woods. The trees, bent by the weight of the snow, yet glimmering in the sunlight, reminded me of this poem, which I’d like … Read More
On a New Trail in a New Year with a New Friend Snowshoeing the Palouse Divide Nordic Ski Area
Elevation Low: 3,500 ft High: 4,400 ft Distance: 5.6 mile loop Difficulty: Easy to moderate Best Seasons: Year-round Maps: Palouse Divide Park N’ Ski Area Fees: Park N’ Ski Pass Notes: The … Read More