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Ever wonder what it’s like to go canyoneering in Zion? It’s quite fun! Obviously it is technical and has its risks but h...
09/16/2026

Ever wonder what it’s like to go canyoneering in Zion? It’s quite fun! Obviously it is technical and has its risks but here’s just a glimpse of Mystery Canyon

I absolutely love canyons for the twists and turns and it feels so exploratory, vastly different than hiking or climbing and 100% adventurous. This one is famous for its long rappel into the little oasis and permits are required for canyons in Zion btw

And if you’re still curious, read more on my blog
https://www.alpinewanderlust.com/a-mystical-oasis-mystery-canyon/

Party in Yosemite! Had the best time celebrating Lani Chapko and giving her the best surprise, props to Sarah Anderson a...
09/15/2026

Party in Yosemite! Had the best time celebrating Lani Chapko and giving her the best surprise, props to Sarah Anderson and Liz Lampson for planning and keeping it a secret. And Mia Mueller and Bennett Rahn for all the climbing gear.

More about the trip (or if you just want to read about climbing and backpacking in Tuolumne) on the blog!

https://www.alpinewanderlust.com/tenaya-peak-to-cathedral-lakes/

Fall is here! I was amazed by all the red foliage already visible in the mountains. These were taken just last weekend f...
09/11/2026

Fall is here! I was amazed by all the red foliage already visible in the mountains. These were taken just last weekend from a couple hikes and it’s got me so excited for all fall things.

Pro tip: to photograph the full redness of huckleberry plants, view them backlit. If the sun is behind you, they look dull. If the sun is in front of you, they’re the most vivid shade of red!

Alpenglow, Golden hour, and DaylightWhich is your favorite?I say to friends over and over that literally what gets me ba...
09/09/2026

Alpenglow, Golden hour, and Daylight

Which is your favorite?

I say to friends over and over that literally what gets me backpacking is alpenglow views. If not for that, I’d gladly hike most trails with a light day pack. But there’s something glorious about the fleetingness of alpenglow. It lasts about 10 minutes depending on the season, sometimes only 5 minutes and sometimes longer but it’s a beautiful show that never repeats itself twice

And bonus points for backpacking is to not have to hike in the dark!

I just remembered it’s the 110th anniversary of the National Park Service today! It was created under the National park ...
08/25/2026

I just remembered it’s the 110th anniversary of the National Park Service today! It was created under the National park Service Organic Act which states that the “purpose is to conserve scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.”

I’m so thankful that generations ago, leaders decided to implement this act as one way to preserve nature for us to enjoy today. My hope its that we can continue doing our part so future generations can continue to enjoy nature. There’s so many nuances to what should and shouldn’t be done in wilderness and public lands and maybe there can be a balance.

Anyway, here’s a small collection of National Park Service sites! Fun fact: the NPS governs more than just national parks. Swipe to see what else it governs.

Second fun fact: NPS does not govern national forests. That is distinctly part of the United States Forest Service (USFS), which is under US Department of Agriculture (USDA). I always thought it was funny that the organization that handles your food is also the one that handles the trails. But it makes sense because the USFS handles lumber and forest management for agriculture.

Time stamping a sunset from camp up to 8:46pm in this photo because sunset isn’t just one photo. Which time is your favo...
08/24/2026

Time stamping a sunset from camp up to 8:46pm in this photo because sunset isn’t just one photo. Which time is your favorite?

7:51pm - We just finished dinner and started to pack some food away

8:02pm - I was starting to notice golden hour, ran up the ridge for pictures of a different view to abandon this view

8:07pm - snuck in a little side view from the trail as the light was getting better

8:16pm - Took a toilet break and went back to camp

8:24pm - Ran back to camp for the show and saw our first bears as I was brushing my teeth

8:30pm - ogling the light

8:31pm - The photo taking got more frequent as the light shifted quickly

8:42pm - Ahhh the moment I was waiting for. That sweet alpenglow

8:44pm - But it only lasts a few minutes because summer sunsets are rather short. Enjoy the last minute because then it’s off to hang out food bags at the bear hang and get some sleep

Increasingly more busy. Views of camps from backpacking in the Olympics. I truly hope the meadows aren’t overused and th...
08/20/2026

Increasingly more busy. Views of camps from backpacking in the Olympics. I truly hope the meadows aren’t overused and this was an exception.

As people start to camp on fragile alpine meadows, they soon disappear from being trampled on. I don’t know the exact science or statistics but definitely meadows can recover from one or two times of camping. But if people are romping all over every single weekend? I don’t think that takes any science to know that the meadow will turn into a dirt patch

But what would be the most responsible thing to do here?

Most people have hiked at least 5 miles here in hopes for a campsite, and if they can’t find a spot even with scouting around, and they’re not capable or unwilling to walk another 3-5 miles for another camp, it does seem like the next possible option is the meadows, unfortunately.

On the way out, I definitely found some spots that are more rock/soil based for a less impactful campsite if people are willing to go just half a mile further

One post for the bears 🐻I felt so lucky to be able to photograph them from a good distance away. Maxed out my 200mm lens...
08/17/2026

One post for the bears 🐻

I felt so lucky to be able to photograph them from a good distance away. Maxed out my 200mm lens and they were only maybe 50-100 feet away in the meadow below where we camped. I was so surprised by how cute I found them, especially when they really were just minding their own business.

But while they were cute to look at from camp, we took no chances at night and held our bladders till dawn 😆

Overall, I’d say this was a pretty good first backpacking encounter with some bears for me! What would you do if you saw a bear near your camp?

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