Photo Diary: Ski Touring in the Mt. Baker Backcountry

Earlier this month Alex and I went on a dreamy backcountry ski tour with some friends in the Mt. Baker backcountry. The forecast for the day looked overcast and dreary, and we expected to be in the clouds for most of the day and possibly even snowed on. However, instead what we experienced was a winter wonderland. The clouds were light and airy and transformed the harsh sunlight into a soft golden glow on pillowy snow. We spent the entire day skiing laps in the Artist Point area, stopping often along the way just to stand in awe of the scenery surrounding us.

North Cascades, Washington, Backcountry Ski Trips, Winter TripsSonja SaxeMarch 24, 2020 Comment

Photo Diary: Winter Summit of Mt. Ellinor

On Friday, February 1 my friend Nate texted me and asked if Alex and I would like to join him for a sunrise mission up Mt. Ellinor in Olympic National Forest the very next day. It would mean we would have to wake up at 1am two Saturdays in a row (the weekend prior we climbed Mt. St. Helens), but we immediately said “yes!”

Olympic, Washington, Winter TripsSonja SaxeFebruary 9, 2019Comment

A Winter Wonderland: Mount St. Helens Summit

I’m not a peak bagger, I don’t suffer from summit fever, and I have no burning desire to stand on top of the highest mountains. I actually prefer looking at mountains from below, staring up at their lofty peaks, being overwhelmed by their impossibly massive walls, and admiring their powerful presence. But, sometimes I make an exception and that is exactly what happened a few weeks ago when Alex and I set out with a group of friends with the goal of summiting Mount St. Helens and skiing off the summit.

Mount St. Helens, Backcountry Ski Trips, Winter Trips, WashingtonSonja SaxeFebruary 5, 2019Comment

Photo Diary: Snow Camping in Gothic Basin

Last month we experienced an unseasonably dry and sunny November for Washington. Weekend after weekend the forecast was favorable so on November 17 Alex and I and a group of new friends took advantage of the weather with a snow camping trip to a place that’s been on our radar since we moved here: Gothic Basin.

Backpacking Trips, Washington, Winter Trips, Central CascadesSonja SaxeDecember 12, 2018Comment

Crater Lake Circumnavigation Attempt

In May of 2016 Alex and I visited Crater Lake for the first time. We hadn't done much research so we were surprised to find most of the park still buried in snow and the entire length of the rim road was not yet open so we were confined to the Rim Village and a few miles of road along the West Rim. We visited over Memorial Day weekend and it seemed thousands of others had the same idea as us as the park was filled to the brim with visitors.

Crater Lake, Backcountry Ski Trips, Winter Trips, OregonSonja SaxeApril 4, 2018 Comments

Photo Diary: Mt. Baker Winter Camping

Last Friday Alex, a few friends, and I ventured to the Mt. Baker wilderness to do some winter camping. The forecast called for overcast conditions with possible overnight snow flurries but instead we were treated to the most perfect bluebird day. Since we were heading out on a Friday afternoon there were very few people out on the trail and we were able to get our pick of campsites.

North Cascades, Backcountry Ski Trips, Winter Trips, WashingtonSonja SaxeMarch 24, 2018Comment

A Winter Wonderland in Mount Rainier National Park

I opened up the weather app on my phone and apprehensively scrolled to the tab for Ashford (Mount Rainier National Park) and saw a bright sun next to Saturday and Sunday—the weather window was holding and it was going to be a beautiful weekend in the mountains.

Mt. Rainier, Backcountry Ski Trips, Winter Trips, WashingtonSonja SaxeMarch 16, 2018Comment

Winter Hike to Sky Pond

On New Year's Eve Alex and I finally tackled a hike that we have wanted to do for over a year and a half, and we couldn't have done it without the help of Chelsea (who joined me on my trip to Blue Lakes in October!)

Rocky Mountain, Colorado, Winter TripsSonja SaxeJanuary 17, 2017 Comments