What’s on Your Bucket List?
Bucket list items give you a chance to set a goal and then, enjoy a sense of accomplishment when you achieve!
A bucket list item for me was a one day Rim-to-Rim hike in the magnificent Grand Canyon! Amazingly, the opportunity presented itself a few months ago and I took advantage of it.
I trained on McBee Hill’s steep slopes but, after the hike, I realized I could benefit from even more training. It seems like many, many flights of stairs would be helpful as it would mimic what you face when descending into the Grand Canyon and climbing back out!
I love putting together videos of my adventures and this Grand Canyon hike was no different. I hope you enjoy this video!
One of many sandstone sculptures along the White Bluffs hike on the Hanford Reach National Monument
Smokey mountain spectacular view from Lunch Counter on Mt. Adams
Hiking outside in nature tied to better mental health!
Now is the time to start enjoying the spring weather around the Columbia Basin and improving our health! Yes, there may be some chills or sprinkles but, just dress appropriately and you can get out and spend time in the great outdoors.
And, hiking it isn’t just the physical health benefits, your mental health can improve too! In an article from the American Psychological Association, exposure to the outdoors has many positive impacts including increased happiness and decreased mental stress!
021417 Paul on top of Badger Mountain Jump!
Mt. Adams view from Lunch Counter
You don’t have to climb Mount Adams or even Badger Mountain to get in better physical shape. Just a simple walk around the block 4 days a week can really make a difference. But, if you’re interested in climbing Mt. Adams, you can read about our climb from August, 2020 at this link.
Help Maintain Access to hiking Areas
If you enjoy the hiking opportunities we have here in the Columbia Basin, you can help maintain and even improve that access by being respectful of the existing trails. Please take a minute to review this hiking etiquette and even share it with others. If you see others who don’t follow these guidelines, please give them a gentle reminder. We already have examples of hikes which are no longer available, please help prevent more closures!
- Mind your own trash, don’t litter. Pick up litter you may encounter
- Curb your dog, keep on leash and pick up after them (don’t leave waste bags along the trail, dispose of them properly)
- Stay on the trail, shortcuts only tear up the areas we’re there to see and they mar the natural beauty we have in our area
- Smile and say hi to your fellow hikers
- Yield to uphill traffic, step to the side of the trail to let uphill traffic pass (don’t step off the trail)
12 Trail Manners Tips You Should Share with Everyone, Hiking Etiquette!
You can check this blog post for some pictures from a hike I took on the Skyline Trail on Badger Mountain, it is fantastic!
Robinsons Onion
Hike on the right side of the trail, pass on the left, yield to uphill traffic.
Mission of Hike TriCities.com
1. Encourage people to get off the couch and get outdoors.
2. Help people make and keep commitments to improve their level of physical activity.
3. Increase use of our local resources while creating ownership and pride which will lead to responsible outdoor recreation, preserving our beautiful surroundings.