For me, 2013 has been quite the year of adventure and travel. I am so very grateful for the places I have seen, the people I have met, and the photos I have taken. These things really have fueled my desire to live and grow. Since this year is rapidly coming to a close, I wanted to take this chance to look back of some of the best moments of 2013.
1.) Mount Washington and The Boston Marathon.
It was supposed to be another routine trip to Mount Washington in New Hampshire for James, Jason and I. We were going to climb to the summit of Mount Washington, then James and I would snowboard off the summit and down into Tuckerman Ravine via the Left Gully. After hours of exhaustion and shifting conditions, we made it to the top of the ravine and decided that was as far as we were going. The unstable snow conditions made for a pretty epic descent, but that was nothing compared to what we were about to experience two days later at the finish line of the Boston Marathon. I will never forget that earth shattering boom.
Photo by Jason Gebauer
2.) Iceland
This really was a trip of a lifetime for me. Seeing such an untouched landscape really changed my perspective on the world and how we treat the land here in the US. The endless days, and the juxtaposition between the frozen glaciers, and geothermal heat really made me realize how powerful the forces of the this planet are. This is one place that I will revisit.
3.) Acadia National Park
This stop actually happened as a a reaction to weather more than being a solid plan. We were on our way north to Baxter State Park to climb Mount Katahdin when we decided to change course due to poor weather conditions reported on the mountain. Our choice proved to be the right one as the weather turned out to be beautiful in Acadia. This was the first time I had been to Acadia so I was ok with the change in plans. The rugged coastal cliffs and the hike up the beehive trail made this an unforgettable experience.
4.) Return to the Delaware Coast
I remember as a child and teenager coming to the Delaware Seashore every summer to camp with my family. I really appreciate this in retrospect because while many family would go to crowded Ocean City, Maryland, we would camp in relative seclusion at Delaware Seashore State Park. This summer I returned to that very spot to do some camping, photography, and cycling across the entire state.
5.) Colorado and Wyoming
In August, I booked a last minute flight out to Denver to help my friend Jason shoot a promotional video for a climbing company called Cam-Keeper. Though the trip was primarily for that project, I did get to explore Vedauwoo in Wyoming.
6.) Zion Canyon
The end of September marks the first solo trip I have taken since 2011. It was refreshing to taken on the open expanses of the southwest. Getting to see Zion National Parks epicly tall vertical walls was something I won’t soon forget. If you ever get a chance to backpack into the backcountry of this park, do so.
7.) The Grand Canyon
The big ditch, I have been trying to find my way into this part of the country for several years, and finally, the stars aligned. I still remember that dumb smile that I had on my face when I first looked down upon the seemingly endless depth of this canyon. I arrived there with no real plan regarding where to stay or what to do, so I definitely was winging it when I decided to take a chance and sleep on the couch of the Grand Canyon Lodge. I awoke the next morning rested and ready to hike down into the canyon via the North Kaibab Trail.
8.) Bryce Canyon
This canyon really has an otherworldly look to it. The thousands of rock hoodoos lining the canyon floor resembled a spike pit or an evil fortress. Accessing the canyon floor and walking among the hoodoos was really easy and an enjoyable experience. I only spent a half a day there, but I feel like I still took in so much. Can’t wait to get back.
9.) Delicate Arch
The last time I was in Arches National Park, it was nearly 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and making the three mile round trip was not enticing in that heat. This year when I got to arches, the temps were in the mid 80’s, and there was some cloud cover. Perfect for photography I thought, so I made the hike out and hung around until after sunset. During my stay at the arch, I met a young yogi named Kira who I remain friends with until this day.
10.) Mesa Verde
This was the biggest accident of the entire trip. I was planning on staying in Moab for a few days and doing some climbing with a friend, but when she was unable to meet me, I decided to continue my journey into Colorado. The ancient ruins of Mesa Verde were so very cool. I was also surprised that I could take an up close guided tour of the ruins for only three bucks.
11.) Horseshoe Bend
This might be one of the most recognizable features in the southern US, maybe the whole country, but I knew I still needed to photograph this curious wonder of nature. Upon seeing it in person for the first time, I was really blown away by how massive it actually is. I easily spent 2 hrs there watching and photographing as the sunset, and could have stayed even longer had I not been hungry and the wind was a little tamer.
12.) Niagara Falls
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For as long as I have been traveling, and for as close as Niagara Falls is, it surprises even me that I just got around to visiting the falls this year. I have seen a lot of pretty epic views, and Horseshoe Falls is now one of them. It is amazing to think about how many gallons of water is falling over that cliff each second, and how much energy is being created. I definitely would like to get back here when it is a bit warmer and ride the Maid of the Mist.
13.) Toronto
This skyline still blows my mind. The sheer size of the CN Tower is unimaginable, and it is hard to think that it isn’t even the tallest building in the world. The dome of the Rogers Center sticking out of the skyline reminds me of an alien spacecraft getting ready to take off. This shot was taken from Algonquin Island which Emalee and I got to by taking a chilly ferry ride across the harbor.
14.) Disney
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This place brings back great childhood travel memories for me. Every few years, My folks would take my brother and I to Disney World in Florida and we would be in all our glory. Once we got older and started having other obligations, we stopped going. So when I was given and opportunity to return there after twelve years, I jumped on it. Even though my idea of travel is exploring foreign places, camping, and going on crazy adventures into the wilderness, this was a welcome change of pace, and I really enjoyed each of the parks for different reasons, but I still think Epcot is my favorite. The world showcase really channels my love of diversity and travel.
15.) Kennedy Space Center
Space travel has always fascinated me, and the programs of NASA definitely fuel that fascination. Getting to see both the Atlantis space shuttle, and one of the Saturn V rockets has to be in my top five experiences of the year. Everything that happens at Kennedy Space Center is a huge testament to the power of the human imagination. The enormity of these flying machines is just mind boggling, and have re-ignited my desire to learn more about space travel and to plan on being there when we launch the next mission into the deeper reaches of space.
What’s In Store for 2014?
It is hard to tell what the next year will bring for me and my adventurous soul, but I do have a few things planned or in mind. I am kicking the year off with Columbia Sportswear in Park City Utah for the Omnigames and some fun in the snow, and we are also in the planning stages of a trip to Norway in August. But as it often happens, there will be many surprise trips and I think thats what makes me excited the most. I hope everyone has a safe and happy new year!
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