Adventure Destinations
We have all been living in our vehicles at the Buttermilks for a while now, typically sleeping until the sun comes out as the mornings have been cold. However, after some bribery, I convinced the crew that waking up early to watch the sunrise and enjoy a cup of coffee before bouldering would be a great refresh.
They begrudgingly agreed.
Read MoreWe came to Indian Creek on a week-long climbing trip, but mother nature had other plans. It was our third day of the trip and we awoke to a full-blown snow storm. We went to bed watching the sunset over the red landscape, only to open the van doors to a winter wonderland.
Read MoreMount Forker bathing in last night just before we begin our trek across the Kahiltna Glacier. Photo by Dalton Johnson
Midnight struck, the sun had technically set behind the ridge, but sunscreen and sunglasses were still needed. Crawling out of my sleeping bag, I reached for layers. It was cold. Base layers, socks, boot liner, jacket number one, jacket number two, and gloves… I was now ready to shed the sleeping bag, put my boots on, and start packing my pack. Just as I got started, “Hot water and breakfast is ready,” shouted Hannah. I guess packing will have to wait.
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A vanlifer enjoying the last light while surfing at Cerritos Beach in Baja, Mexico. Photo by Dalton Johnson
Beach camping in Baja, Mexico is dreamlike. Where else can you; wake up to the sound of waves crashing, making a cup of coffee, and taking it out to your chair planted in the sand to watch the sunrise for free? Yes, using “dreamlike” is over-done, but it fits, I promise. After 7 years of living on the road, I’ve realized there isn’t much out there which compares to Baja. More specifically, Baja Sur. While several beaches have become over-populated in recent years, Baja’s coastline is still relatively unpopulated. The beaches that are crowded are often close to a main road with easy access. My guess, if you just go a few turns north, or south, you will find something similar, if not better, without anyone. So, if you are on a road trip, or currently planning a road trip to Baja, Mexico, here are four beaches you should check out!
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The Eastern Sierra skyline just outside of Bishop, CA. Photo by Dalton Johnson
Are you looking to stand on the summit of a mountain in the Eastern Sierra on your next road trip? Perfect! You found the right place for a tick list. Below you will find 10 peaks, some obvious, some not so much, that have been challenging, enjoyable, and made my list of “Must Summit” peaks. Most of these peaks can be done in a single day of hiking, but are often made more enjoyable if you have the time for a backpacking trip. Regardless, park your vehicle at the trailhead and get started, the Eastern Sierra is calling!
Read MoreIn this episode, we chat with Ryan Lynch, the founder and head shaper at Timber Surf Co. Throughout this interview we chat about a wide variety of topics, but there is a theme; pursue your dreams. I know, this is cliche, but Ryan has embodied this mantra as he quit his corporate job working at Tesla, road tripped through Central America as a honeymoon—for several months—, and started his own sustainable surf board shaping business. Over the past few years, his shaping bay has transformed, as his goal of moving the shaping industry towards a scalable and sustainable endeavor. Check out his boards, give this a listen, and enjoy the video at the bottom!
Read MoreAs we flew, the Alaska Range skyline reviewed itself to us. Transitioning from green to white, we glided over glaciers, jagged peaks, and stared out upon our object. Thirty minutes passed and the descent towards the glacier began. Time had moved faster than ever before.
Read MoreHeading to the beach to escape the cold, in search of the best mix of surf swells, or for all around fun? I’ve been heading down to Baja during the winter for most my life. Living out of my van and walking distance from the ocean presents some pretty awesome opportunities to dive in for your own snack, especially ceviche.
Read MoreLooking for travel ideas in Baja, Mexico? Well, you are in the correct place. I have traveled through Baja, Mexico over 30 times in search of adventures. Throughout the experiences, there have been many take aways, but the most important is to be open. Traveling in Baja is much slower than the US, the people are friendlier, and the landscape is uninhabited in comparison. While you do not need to know Spanish, if you know the basics, you’ll be happier. Below you will find a bucket list of adventure travel ideas for your travels to Baja, Mexico.
Read MoreSucking it up, I put my big boy pants on— mainly to avoid being left behind by Kristin—and head to the hot spring. It was my first time here, I didn’t know what to expect and I was blown away. The landscape was cloaked in a orange glow as the light danced down the mountains and across the fields in the distance. Staring out from the warmths of the hot spring, I was proud that we persevered.
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The twinkle of first light and stars high in the sky on a cloudy morning at Emerald Bay in Lake Tahoe. Photograph by Dalton Johnson
Growing up in a small town outside the city limits on the north shore of the lake, my family spent every opportunity skiing, hiking, swimming, and mountain biking around the blue waters. However, my parents were never keen on sleeping in tents, so backpacking was an activity I fell in love with during my time in college. When I returned home the summer after graduating and told my parents that I was going to thru-hike the 165 mile Tahoe Rim Trail, alone—to collect my thoughts before diving into a career—they rolled their eyes.
Read MoreWe were hesitant, at first, as we got a lay of the land and understood how packed the sand was. Smashing corners felt a bit risky, as did putting the pedal to the metal, but we wanted to kick up some dust for the shots. In the back of our minds, we couldn’t shake the reality that breaking breaking down here had consequences. Running out of gas in Cataviña had smaller consequences, but it would not be ideal. Regardless, we were committed to fun and creating stellar images.
Read MoreHighway 395, the scenic road which gives you access to the Eastern Sierra, stretches from Palm Springs to Mount Shasta. This old trade route has now become the land of adventure for many reasons. The famous black and white photographer, Ansel Adams, main body of work is based throughout the Eastern Sierra. Mount Whitney, the highest point in the continental US can be gawked at from the highway.
Read MoreToday is February 1st, which means it is time to flip your calendar :-) In addition to the video and calendar flip, I wanted to share some insights for your next visit to Yosemite National Park. If you are looking for a good day hike, iconic photographs to recreate, or just want to brainstorm ideas for your next trip to Yosemite, this is the blog for you.
Read MoreDANG!! This was a cold one. Lake Sabrina is one of my favorite lakes to swim in during the summer, but I had not taken a dip in the winter… or late fall. When I say cold, I mean that I was shaking, my lips turned purple, and at some point, I ended up throwing up because I was so dang cold! Swimming in the Eastern Sierra during the winter was a fun challenge I am not sure I would take on for myself again. Once out of the water, I hunkered down in a sleeping bag, inside of my van, turned the heater on, and tried to warm up. Andrew was laughing at me the whole time!
Read MoreAfter a little mix up, @cbeaumartino and I met up in the buttermilks just outside of Bishop, CA for some climbing. While waiting, the morning was quite productive as I worked on a blog about cool camping spots in the Eastern Sierra.
Read MoreAs you plan and research your trip along HWY 1, I wanted to toss in a few of my favorite places, for you to consider. Some of these are spots are seasonal and some are just good for a quick stop. My goal is to share a few places that aren’t already on your list! I must say, this is not a comprehensive list and is focused on the Big Sur to San Francisco section of HWY 1. Be on the lookout for ideas that are more south and north in the future! Here are my four suggestions:
Read MoreOur thighs were burning as we tromped up Keasarge Pass to gain our first view into Kings Canyon. All three of us have explored different sections of the Eastern Sierra and JMT, but none of us had been to this area. To avoid the burn, we diverted our attention to the "What do you think is over there” game, trying to see who could paint a better picture of what was on the other side of the pass. Turns out, we were all wrong.
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