Tag: Hike

• Perseverance

  Posted at 6:20 AM by Brittany, on April 2, 2015

  Last spring I delved into the wide world of hiking. I wrote a post that highlighted some of the random thoughts I had about how hiking can relate to life, and would like to emphasize life lesson number five in this post, including the side note/story.

  

  If you chose not to read the post here’s the CliffsNotes version: I ventured to a mountain, and upon my arrival at the top I proudly stood tall while eating a sandwich. I was nearly knocked on my ass by a ballsy bird that tried to steal my food. STEAL.

  

  I ventured back to this very same mountain last week, and this time I decided I wanted to share my apple with the birds, but only on MY time – not on theirs. I was determined to have one land on my hand, so I ate my apple and I tried to share.

  I tried, and tried, and tried.
  

  

  Failing with the birds, and failing to see.

  Then I tried again.

  

  After standing with my arm extended for a solid 5 minutes, victory was mine.

  

  And then victory was his as he stole my apple and flew away.

  

  Rude.

  This hike was mentally brutal. The amount of snow that fell overnight was a shock. My day hike shoes are not equipped for snow, slush, and deep puddles of mud. Needless to say my feet were soaked, and my hands were numb.

  

  My face was also numb, and as I took this photo I had no idea my nose was leaking.

  I never regret summiting a mountain, but sometimes I wish I had the ability to teleport once I’m done enjoying the view from the top. I’m convinced if it weren’t for some hiking poles I would have been crawling to the top. I had zero foot traction.

  

  My first time using hiking poles, and I now feel like a real hiker. Perhaps I will invest in some poles of my own, and I think it’s time I buy some waterproof boots if I want to ensure future sensation in my toes. 
  

  To piggy back off of my last post, this hike was an example of something I (briefly) wanted to quit simply because it was “hard.” I was uncomfortable, cold, and I had thoughts of hot springs and cinnamon rolls dancing in my head. My safety wasn’t threatened, so quitting was not an option. I persevered through the thoughts, just as I did with getting the bird to land on my apple.

  

  The lessons of life come in many shapes and sizes, and often present themselves when you least expect them to. I find keeping my mind open, my demeanor calm, and my perseverance strong sets me up to succeed with anything I set my mind to.

  Q: What do you find yourself persevering through most in your daily life? Sometimes I have to work really hard in order to persevere through the time between my meals. 

  

  | 75 Comments Tagged Explore, Hike, Life, Mount Si, Snow

• Quitters Sometimes Win

  Posted at 7:30 AM by Brittany, on March 26, 2015

  Growing up I was told that quitters never win. Don’t be a quitter, and finish what you’ve started. I find this to be solid advice, and most of the time it holds true. However, as with most things in life there are some exceptions.

  I believe there is a difference between quitting something because it’s hard, and quitting something because it doesn’t feel right. Sometimes that line is very hazy, and you may have to tough it out for a while before making a decision.

  

  I’ve gotten quite comfortable with the rolling hills that life throws my way, and at times wonder if I’ve gotten too comfortable. It’s taken me a month to come to terms with what I’m about to say, but I’m ready to talk about it.

  I quit school. Again. Sort of.

  

  Once upon a midnight summer I was going to school for dental hygiene. Decided it wasn’t right, so I stopped. Then, last summer I started to take classes in preparation for a nutrition program through a holistic health college that was on par with my hippie dippie beliefs about food and living a natural life.

  It seemed perfect, until it wasn’t. 

  Some of you may remember this post I wrote about chemistry, and how it destroyed my life brought me lots of anxiety. When preparing to take the second round of it, I had no motivation. Instead of studying equilibrium’s and heat of vaporization I had something else on my mind, coming out for air once every…5 minutes.

  

  I work for an awesome company. I don’t know if you’ve heard of them, a coffee company that originated in my home state called Starbucks. Anyone? Well, they recently started offering (nearly) 100% tuition reimbursement for degrees through Arizona State University. Initially I wasn’t interested, but then I explored the options.

  

  “The world is my oyster with free education.”

  I’ve spent the last month ironing out all the details and have decided to pursue a BS in nutrition communications through ASU. Does this mean my road to hippie town holistic college in Seattle is closed? No, it just means now is not the right time.

  

  The best part about this is that all the science credits I’ve taken over the past (many, many) years have transferred and I’m over halfway done with the degree. Unless I decide to study business, then I’m really in for a wild ride.

  So what will this do for my future? I have no idea. I love to write, I love nutrition, and I love talking about both. Perhaps this will be a catalyst into a future of preaching to the world about nutrition, perhaps it will simply satisfy my ongoing desire for a bachelors degree, or perhaps it’s a stepping stone to something else.

  Only time will tell.

  

  What I do know is that my previous path didn’t feel right, and I’ve learned to listen to the voices in my head and the gremlins in my gut. Or at least I think I’ve learned. I believe that sometimes quitting is OK, and sometimes it’s the right thing to do.

  The photos in this post are from a hike I embarked on last week, a hike I did not complete. The skies turned grey, the fog rolled in, and the snow started to fall. All of these were recipes for disaster and I DID NOT WANT this to happen again. Live and learn. Zero visibility meant it was time to turn around.

  It’s OK to “quit” a hike and not summit every time…I suppose. 😉

  Q: Do you ever struggle with the fine line of quitting?

  

  | 95 Comments Tagged Hike, Life, Mount Ellinor, School

• Random Things

  Posted at 9:40 AM by Brittany, on September 5, 2014

  What happens when I have random pictures/things to talk about, but haven’t blogged in a week? You get random pictures tied to random things to talk about. What can I say, I’m living life. I’m also going to Disneyland with this babe in less than a week and about split my pants I’m so excited. Or maybe that’s from the cookies…but I digress.

  — Anniversary Blend has officially been released at Starbucks. Fall is coming, & I am so ready.

  All you haters can just stuff it because summer is done in my book, DONE! Bring on the crunchy leaves, apple pies, Halloween Joe-Joe’s, pumpkin patches, windy runs, and enough squash to fill a dump truck. Which is what I assume my backside will look like from all the Joe-Joe’s and pie I plan to consume. Winter hibernation starts now.

  

  I’m legit obsessed with this blend. Buy some NOW.

  — Remember that summer biology class I took?

  It left me with a bizarre obsession for any and all species of lichen. Now whenever I spot some on a hike I become entranced as if they have some kind of mind altering properties.

  

  Usnea – used for antibiotic and anti-fungal treatments.

  

  — I’m ready for fall, but still soaking up tank top hikes.

  

  Marmot Pass – 10.6 round trip miles, 6000ft elevation.

  

  

  “Does this look as awkward as if feels?”
  “yes.”

  — I don’t know who Levi is, but he’s got some pretty sweet wheels. I want to go for a ride.

  

  — I’ve been sitting on a secret for about 7 weeks now.

  

  More on this later…

  — I made this bread, and it basically ruined my life. So good.

  

  Not my photo, I was much too busy stuffing my suck to take my own.

  I apparently didn’t have as much to share as I thought. On that note I’m off to run/eat more bread.

  Q: Who wants to sit on top of a mountain eating chocolate bread and drinking Anniversary Blend with me? Bueller….Bueller…

  

  | 57 Comments Tagged Coffee, Explore, Hike, Marmot Pass, Olympic Mountains, Random, Run, Starbucks, Vegan

• Walk the Katwalk

  Posted at 7:46 AM by Brittany, on August 29, 2014

  On Wednesday I walked the Katwalk, not to be confused with the catwalk, you won’t find me strutting my stuff on one of those anytime soon. The Kendall Katwalk is a man made narrow pathway that was blasted out of a steep sloped rock face. Sounds pretty wild right?

  

  I strut my stuff on the katwalk, katwalk.

  

  Fellow hikers on the katwalk to the right.

  The blasted path was meant to allow the Pacific Crest Trail to continue north towards Canada (it starts down at the border of Mexico.) I long to thru-hike this trail someday, but in the meantime it was fun to bite off a chunk of it. I managed 15 miles round trip, which is like a penny into a dollar for the overall trail. Not much, but it’s a start!

  

  The trail leading to the Katwalk was lovely, as all Washington trails are.

  

  

  

  I took note of a cluster of berries, determined to discover what they were.

  

  These tiny plumcot looking berries are called “False Lily of the Valley Berries.” Interesting.

  While the trail itself was nice, the Alpine Lakes I discovered stole my heart once again.

  

  

  

  

  Be still my heart.

  It’s a good thing I had to open at work the next morning, because every fiber in my body told me to keep going. I hope to soon return to this section of the PCT and hike the 75 miles from Snoqualmie pass to Stevens pass. At 15 miles a day it could be done in 5 days.

  Ohhh how I wanderlust for backpacking. If anyone wants to join me I’m accepting applications.

  Q: Would you ever hike for multiple weeks (or days) at a time? 

  

  | 52 Comments Tagged Explore, Hike, Kendall Katwalk, PNW

• Early Morning Confessions

  Posted at 10:43 AM by Brittany, on August 25, 2014

  1. I have fallen in love with smoothie bowls. Can’t stop, won’t stop.

  

  2. One of my regular customers came in without his wallet last week. I told him breakfast was on me and not to worry about it (the perks of being a regular.) He insisted he would come back to pay, and sure enough he did.  Along with paying for his coffee and lemon loaf he proceeded to buy a $20 gift card, and then gifted it to me. Humanity can be wonderful.

  3. I also channeled my inner Pocahontas last week and canoed myself just around the river bend.

  Or Lake Washington, same thing.

  

  This is what I look like getting blown away.

  4. I’m done with school for one month. I walked away from my summer biology class with a 4.0.

  5. On Saturday I hiked Mailbox Peak again. I didn’t even wait a full 30 days before going back. It was even more brutal the second time. I won’t be hiking this one again for a while.

  

  6. The day after the hike (yesterday) I had a Sunday long run. Ouch.

  7. Roasted cabbage….that is all.

  

  8. Looking for a good energy bite recipe? My coffee bites along with ten other recipes have been featured on Daily Burns “11 No-Bake Energy Bites” article!! So many good looking balls.

  9. Speaking of balls…I’ve become obsessed with coffee tastings and parings. Like, it’s all I think about when I’m not thinking about running, eating, or breathing. Nothing says fall like Starbucks annual Anniversary Blend. I wanted to do a tasting to highlight the spice notes along with some maple and pumpkin oat flavors. So I made some Maple Pumpkin Pie Oat Bites.

  Maple Pumpkin Pie Oat Bites

  

  Ingredients

  • 1 cup + 1 heaping tblsp uncooked oats
  • 1/2 cup ground flax seed
  • 1 tblsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup creamy almond butter
  • 1/4 cup canned pumpkin
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • heaping tblsp raw pumpkin seeds

  Directions

  1. In a medium sized bowl combine oats, ground flax, and cinnamon. Mix well.
  2. Stir in your remaining ingredients until well combined.
  3. Place the mixture in the fridge for 15 minutes.
  4. Roll the mixture into approximately 1 inch sized balls. Makes 10-12 bites.
  5. Store in air tight container.

  

  10. I then proceeded to bring these to work to have a coffee tasting with some of my coworkers.

  It was a fun time.

  Q: What’s your confession?

  

  | 63 Comments Tagged Coffee, Coffee Tasting, Confessions, Hike, Mailbox Peak, Recipe, Run, Starbucks

• An Alpine Lake Stole My Heart

  Posted at 8:03 AM by Brittany, on August 21, 2014

  All of the hikes I’ve done lately have been similar. I start at the bottom, and I go to the peak – very straight forward. Or “up” forward?

  

  When I got a text from my friend about doing an Alpine Lake hike I knew it was time I checked one of these off my list, and man am I glad I did. Lake hikes are a bit different because instead of going from bottom to top, there’s lots of winding and up and down and up and down.

  

  An Alpine Lake is considered any lake or reservoir at a high altitude. Alpine lakes are usually clearer than lakes at lower elevations due to the colder water which decreases the amount of algae and moss growth in the water. Often these lakes are surrounded by varieties of pine trees, aspens, and other high altitude trees.

  My first Alpine Lake hike was to Snow Lake, and then I carried on to Gem Lake. Two birds with one stone, because why not? Ten miles total with an ending elevation of 4857 ft.

  It was the perfect balance of a climb.

  

  My compadre was a better man than I, and actually jumped crawled into both lakes. Me? Not so much, I observed just in case a wild animal came. Someone had to take care of the serious stuff.

  

  One thing on this hike that really captured my interest was this.

  

  There are camp spots all throughout these mountains, so someone built totally legit wooden toilets around them. Lucky for me, because my bladder is the size of a peanut.

  What can I say, I am easily amused.

  

  Forget a pool, I want an Alpine Lake in my backyard. With cookies, always with cookies.

  

  

  I’ll be back to uphill climbing this week, but these lakes will soon see my face again.

  For more Snow Lake photos click here.

  Q: Do you prefer long and gradual hikes, or shorter and steeper climbs? Definitely both, depending on my mood. It’s all about the balance! 

  

  | 47 Comments Tagged Alpine Lake, Gem Lake, Hike, PNW, Snow Lake

• Quality Over Quantity

  Posted at 3:56 PM by Brittany, on August 13, 2014

  Over the last couple years I’ve become very content spending a lot of my time alone. This is nothing new, as I have been blogging about my solo adventures for quite some time now. To put it bluntly, I’ve found there are very few people I actually want to spend my time with.

  

  With that said, the rare times I do spend with other people I am very picky about who those people are. My time is valuable to me, and I don’t have the energy to spend time with people that don’t add anything beneficial to my life. We all deserve quality connections.

  I don’t say this to be harsh, I say it to be real.

  

  After visiting the Starbucks corporate office, my two gal pals and I headed North to hike Rattlesnake Ridge, a hike I’ve done multiple times now. Leave it to me to suggest a hike as part of our activities.

  

  I adore these girls to pieces, but they are both leaving me very soon. One is moving to another Starbucks about 15 miles away, and  the other is moving to another Starbucks (and school) in IDAHO! 😦

  

  

  I don’t have a lot of friends, but I have quality friends and that’s what matters most to me. The kind of friends that you can go months without seeing, and pick up right where you left off.

  It’s also necessary for me to spend my time with people that understand/accept my personality, and that share similar interests. Friendship is like dating – the ones that don’t mesh well, don’t evolve and end up in a split. It also helps when they’re equally as quirky.

  

  The point of this post was not to allow me to ramble, but simply to highlight the fact that like most things in life: quality over quantity.

  

  I am quite content with my balance between alone time and time spent with others. I wouldn’t change anything about where I’m at!

  

  You should totally click this to enlarge it.

  Q: Do you prefer spending your time in large groups with a lot of people, or being more selective on time spent with others? I don’t mean like a party, because that’s a different situation. Just in general everyday friendships.

  

  | 48 Comments Tagged Explore, Hike, Nature, Rattlesnake Ridge, Starbucks

• Early Morning Confessions

  Posted at 7:06 AM by Brittany, on July 28, 2014

  1. Costco, you’ve upped your game with this one…

  

  Three pack of coconut ice cream!? This is pure gold.

  2. My washing machine broke and I’ve been doing my laundry Little Mermaid style for over a week. Minus the crab.

  3. I had my first exam for my Biology class, and I was a bit confused after seeing my score. Come to find out it IS possible to get 16 points OVER 100%. Then I got a 95% on my first lab exam. This is good.

  

  4. I’ve been running more, and enjoying it. Win.

  5. I found this gem at an antique shop in Fremont while wandering after my 5K a few weeks ago. I love it, and will hang it on my wall.

  

  1950’s matted photo.

  6. GoodBelly probiotic fruit drink was on sale so I bought some. I’m not a fan of the added sugar, but I am a fan of going to the bathroom…multiple times…in one day. I bought three more.

  7. In running I collect medals, in hiking I collect…highlights?

  

  Mid 70 MPH photo, don’t mind the shaky quality. Highlight indicates mountains CONQUERED.

  8. My Garmin officially reset itself. All of my history is gone, my settings needed to be fixed, and the beeping sound needed to be turned off. I guess I finally maxed out?

  9. I am obsessed with this drink. Along with the Ginger Spice flavor.

  

  10. I got EIGHT mosquito bites on this hike. They itched so bad at times they woke me up at night. So I busted out my inner granola and rubbed essential oils on them (lavender, peppermint, and purification.) I’ve never wanted to harm a bug so badly…

  Q: What’s your confession?

  

  | 58 Comments Tagged Confessions, Hike, Run, Vegan

• Rattlesnake Ridge – First Attempt

  Posted at 8:11 AM by Brittany, on July 25, 2014

  I took myself on a date last weekend. I really enjoy dating myself and doing things that most people do with others, all alone. Don’t get me wrong I enjoy spending time with people (sometimes) but lately I prefer to be alone. Just because I’m solo doesn’t mean I can’t explore!

  

  My date started with my first attempt at solo hiking. I have been wanting to build my confidence and become more comfortable hiking alone, so I went to a popular trail…on a Sunday.

  Needless to say my first attempt at hiking “alone” didn’t go as I had planned. I wasn’t really alone because there were SO many people on this mountain, and at times I had to weasel my way around them. Sure I came alone, but I didn’t feel alone.

  I did feel safe though, perhaps this is a start?

  

  

  In order to ditch the crowds I continued climbing past the main vantage point. I brought some homework with me and was pleased to see that the spot I wanted was completely empty. Just me & nature.

  …and biology.

  

  

  I could get used to doing homework above the trees.

  

  Post hike I took myself to PCC for a vegan brownie, and then made my way to Whole Foods to balance my brownie out with greens.

  

  I have no words…I need ten more.

  

  Despite the crowds, I found being alone on this hike to be serene. It’s funny to look back and remember a time when I was so dependent on other people for a lot of things in my life. These days I couldn’t be more independent, it’s such a beneficial quality for me to have.

  I’ll attempt another solo hike this weekend (I hope.) With my knife, my mace, lots of food, a lighter, and a trail I am familiar with! Any tips?

  For more photos of Rattlesnake Ridge click here.

  Q: Do you depend on other people a lot, or do you take your adventures into your own hands at times?

  

  | 53 Comments Tagged Explore, Hike, Mountain, Rattlesnake Ridge

• Mount Washington

  Posted at 5:54 AM by Brittany, on July 23, 2014

  Of all the mountains I’ve hiked lately, I feel as though this one is a necessary climb for anyone living in Washington. For obvious reason.

  

  

  After a weekend full of activity I found this climb to be somewhat difficult. My legs were heavy, and it took every ounce of energy I had to push me up the steep gradients. Thank goodness for cookies.

  

  Tunnel into the trees.

  I focused on taking a few more photos along the way opposed to just the photos at the summit. The journey to the top is just as exciting.

  

  

  This was the first hike of the year that I had moments where I wasn’t enjoying myself. I know it was because I was tired, but it just goes to show not every climb is full of mountain glitter and confetti.

  

  

  Alas, once I made it to the top it was all worth it. As always.

  

  

  If you recall from a hike I went on a little over a month ago (under life lesson number five), I almost had to fight a bird for my sandwich. This time, I decided to try and feed the bird myself, because only when I OFFER you my food is it OK to take it. Never without approval.

  

  

  They circled, but didn’t take it. How rude.

  So I set it down, and then they took it.

  

  Kind of hard to see, but there he is with the cherry in his mouth.

  Despite my moments of weakness this hike was the perfect cap to my fantastic adventurous weekend. I destroyed an entire Chipotle burrito afterwards, and enjoyed a sunset ferry ride home.

  

  I’ve decided to try educating myself on the local wildflowers and plants on my hikes. I now know the names of the two flowers in this post, and will for sure bust out this knowledge on my next hike!

  Q: Do you ever look up wildflowers/bird types/tree types etc..? Having this information makes me feel all “Bill Nye the Science Guy.” 

  

  | 43 Comments Tagged Adventure, Climb, Hike, Mount Washington, Mountain

• 

• 

• Search for:
• BRITTANY- Self proclaimed minimalistic nomad striving to maintain a balanced, healthy life with good food, long hikes, deep connections, exploration, and lots of potatoes.

• If this blog does not meet your standards, please lower your standards.

• Contact: blissfulbritt@yahoo.com

• ¿Quieres Más?

  Like my witty attitude and delightful charm? Enter your
  e-mail below for the party to come straight to your inbox!

  Email Address:

  Follow the adventure

  Join 4,724 other subscribers
• 

•