At 13,400 feet, we carved a nest in the snow. Eight strangers -- nine, if you count David. I did not count David, though for one hour his name rang in the air like church bells. I knew David was dead.

The clouds at the Hunts summit allowed only a glimpse of the traverse to Red Mountain. But it seemed that each passing minute put us further behind schedule, so we walked, or practically slid, into the mist.

"This is going to be one of those trips, isn't it?" I joked.

El Diente - Mt. Wilson Traverse July 23, 2018 Read Part 1 At 3:20 am I sat up and made coffee in my vestibule while Squirrel paced outside. I dressed in all my layers for the hike and we set off, uncharacteristically quiet. The stars! How had I forgotten? They blinked and shimmered as my eyes … Continue reading A weekend in the San Juans, part 2

Lately I haven't been able to sleep. I don't know why, since life is always exhausting. I've learned to lie there complacently and resign myself to a shitty next day. Sometimes Benadryl helps; sometimes it doesn't. Some nights I don't get any sleep at all. Of all the mountain ranges in Colorado, the San Juans … Continue reading A weekend in the San Juans, part 1

2018 It's Sophie's last weekend in town and she wants to go backpacking. I know immediately what to suggest. Have you been there before? she asks. I push up my left sleeve and point to the tattoo on my shoulder. It's a topographical map, with such steep grades that the tattoo artist swore under his … Continue reading 9 walks to Willow Lake

Here is a list of things men have said to me recently: "I thought you were giving me signals." [slobbering noises and footsteps as he follows me down the street] "Bitch! I would have been nice if you had said hello." Here is the same list, but for park rangers: "Do you know how to … Continue reading Organ Needle and peakbagging while female – alone