Alaska: Land of Dreams

July 31, 2019 in Adventure

“Marley, Denali is out today,” Ben says from the driver seat. “You’ll see it just around this turn.”

I put down my book and immediately feel a small knot of nerves (excitement? longing? disbelief?) materialize in my stomach. Like much of Alaska, Denali has captivated my imagination for years. I’ve devoured dozens of books, videos, photos, essays, magazine articles, and social media posts about North America’s largest mountain.

But I haven’t talked to many people about it.

Earlier in this trip, I hesitated to broach the subject of Denali with Ben. I assumed (correctly) that he had climbed it. But I wondered what he would think when I voiced my desire to summit one of the most formidable mountains in the world.

After all, I am still a baby mountaineer. My big mountain experience consists of a few trips to the Cascades. My physical fitness level is mediocre at best. My technical alpine skills are still very limited.

And yet, I have this massive life goal: Climb Denali.

Aloha Kilo Moana

July 21, 2019 in Ocean

Science says the olfactory system provides our strongest sensory connection to memory. When I step aboard the R/V Kilo Moana in Honolulu Harbor, the first thing I notice are the smells: the unique mix of industrial cleaner, steel, salt spray, and cooking oil immediately transports me back to the months I spent at sea last year. I’ve never been on this ship before, yet everything looks familiar: the beige hallways, the bolted handrails, the posted safety protocols, the bright orange EEBDs, the red immersion suits, and the strict, bold reminders printed on paper warped from humidity: Shut the doors quietly. Use hand sanitizer before meals. If it hasn’t been digested through your body, don’t flush it down the toilet.

Hold onto your akubras — we’re going full Outback.

Into the Outback

May 07, 2019 in Adventure

After a couple beers, it’s time to see more of the property. Adsy and I eye the ATVs (or “quad bikes”) eagerly. “I’m quite keen,” he says.

“Me too — I love these things.”

All of us clamber onto a variety of off-road vehicles, and as the sun beats down and dust whips our faces, we ride into the Outback.

The Trade Winds of Youth

March 31, 2019 in Adventure

After a quick stop to pick up a six pack of Kona IPA, we head straight to the beach.

“We call this pau hana,” Jubes says, as our toes sink into the soft sand. “Pau means done, and pau hana refers to being done with work for the day—it’s the time for chillin.”

When we go swimming, I try to take in everything around me: revitalizing salt water. Abundant sunshine. Picturesque views. But most of all, I feel immensely grateful to have this quality time with one of my best friends.

Doing It Like a Woman

March 08, 2019 in Adventure

In honor of International Women’s Day, I want to share stories of women who have been (and continue to be) massive sources of inspiration and motivation for me. They are mountaineers, marathon swimmers, scuba divers, and polar explorers. They are leaders. They are survivors. And they are brilliant authors.

This list below includes works of non-fiction written in first-person by women who seek adventure, discovery, and scientific endeavors in domains many consider “traditionally male-dominated.” Scrolling through the titles, you may notice recurring themes and subjects — pursuits in the alpine world, epic endeavors in the ocean, and expeditions around the world, from Antarctica to the Himalayas to the outback of Australia.

Ignore the Forecast

February 27, 2019 in Adventure

Standing in the doorway of Robert’s house in downtown Harrisonburg, I stare at monochromatic misting rain and gray skies. It’s a typical winter day in northern Virginia—wet, cold, and bleak.

“This is perfect weather to curl up with a cup of coffee and read a good book,” I say, turning to Robert. Reclined on the couch in his sweatpants, he looks exceedingly comfortable. “Are you still down to do a hike?”

He nods. “Of course.”

Snapping photos of Kate Gould as she finishes installing a coral table at a reef in Key Largo.

Stay Sexy and Do Good Science

February 15, 2019

After driving nearly 900 miles, stepping out of the car and into the warm evening air of southern Florida feels especially sweet. We have just arrived in Homestead, a small town located a few dozen miles north of the Florida Keys. Within five minutes, we pull bags and gear from the trunk, take a quick look around our AirBnB, then head straight to the back yard. While Kate strums a melody on her ukulele, I stretch and stare at the day’s final rays of sun peeking through giant palm leaves. It almost feels like a vacation. Almost.

Merely Tenacity

February 09, 2019

A year ago today, I quit my job at UNC to pursue being a full-time freelance photographer, videographer, and professional adventurer.

Hope in a rope. A tree branch and few pieces of rope can become life-saving tools when dealing with a broken femur in the backcountry.

Do the best you can with what you have

January 25, 2019 in Adventure

Faced with the daunting task of handling life-threatening situations, the WFR protocol arms us with a set of systems. We learn how to check heart rate, respiration rate, and blood pressure. We learn how to evaluate a patient’s skin, and pupils, and level of consciousness. We learn these six measures are our vital signs.

We cover topic after topic: Sprains. Strains. Fractures. Seizure. Stoke. Heart attack. Shock.

With each new subject, Randy tosses out a short story or one-liner. A stroke is “the brain’s version of a heart attack.” Shock is “a momentary pause in the process of dying.” Skin is “the best Gortex you’re ever going to get!”

A high point of 2018: taking in the stunning scenery of Glacier National Park [photo by Jon Haas]

It adds up

December 31, 2018

Today is December 31st. In just a few hours, the righteous, volatile, and life-changing year that has been 2018 will come to an end. In an attempt to make sense of the past 365 days, I am adding up numbers.

128: the number of days I spent at home in Chapel Hill/Durham.

237: the number of days I spent traveling.

Four major road trips across 18 states in the U.S., a corner of Canada, and two regions of Japan equals roughly 12,000 miles traveled by car.

105 days of living and working at sea comes out to over 9,000 nautical miles traveled by ship.

16 flights equate to about 17,500 miles traveled by plane.

Kim Collins, Pat Hull, and Scott Collins pose for a photo in a bamboo forest in Kyoto, Japan.

With the band in Japan

December 17, 2018 in Travel

After spending two months at sea this summer, one of my colleagues from the ship told me her buddy was planning to bring a group of American musicians to Japan for the first time. She suggested I reach out to him about documenting the tour.

A couple e-mails, two phone calls, and one very long plane ride later, I find myself in Japan, meeting Gus Bennett for the first time, along with with singer-songwriter Pat Hull and folk rock duo The Smoking Flowers. I have landed in a strange, foreign place, but I quickly come to find I am among friends.

Navigating through rough seas in the Eastern Tropical Pacific during hurricane season.

100 Days at Sea

November 28, 2018 in Ocean

Before 2018, I had never spent more than two days on a boat in the open ocean.

In the past nine months, I have joined four different major research expeditions, culminating in over 100 days spent living and working at sea. Below are just a few moments (and people) that stand out in my mind.

On the summit of Trapper Peak just after 6am on August 1, 2018.

Sunrise Summits

October 01, 2018 in Mountains

In just a few hours, we’ll cross another state border, and I’ll savor the joy of seeing yet another rugged, beautiful place that I’ve never visited before. While I still have signal, I Google some quick facts about Montana.

Montana comes from the Spanish word Montaña which in turn comes from the Latin word Montanea, meaning "mountain", or more broadly, "mountainous country". Montaña del Norte was the name given by early Spanish explorers to the entire mountainous region of the west.

Jon stares up at the crumbling rock of the Red Banks during white out conditions on Mt. Shasta

Marvel and Misery on Mt. Shasta

September 24, 2018 in Mountains

This is my favorite thing. This is my favorite thing.

As the midday sun beats down on us, and the muscles in my legs strain against the rocky incline, I repeat this phrase silently to myself, over and over again.

I'm climbing up a giant volcano. This is my favorite thing. This is my favorite thing!

Cruising towards the eastern Sierra Nevada mountains in central California.

The Scenic Route

September 04, 2018 in Adventure

As the bartender places the beers on the counter, I tell her today is the first day of an epic road trip.

"No way!" she says. "That is so cool. Where are you guys headed?"

"Everywhere," Jon says.

We give her a quick overview of our itinerary—drive from here (San Diego) straight to northern California, then into southern Oregon, across Idaho into Montana and Canada, then down into Wyoming, Utah, and eventually end up in New Mexico.

She stares at us, with her mouth open. "I'm so jealous! That sounds amazing!"

Chief Officer Jason Garwood watches the sunrise from the bridge of R/V Falkor.

Press Repeat

September 03, 2018 in Ocean

When Chief Officer Jason Garwood hands me a mug of tea, I accept it gratefully and gently blow on the emanating steam. The force of my breath forms tiny ripples across the small circle of hot liquid. Outside, the early morning breeze generates the same effect, creating steady, rhythmic waves across the surface of the northeastern tropical Pacific. Right now we are roughly 215 miles off the coast of southern Mexico.

Ease at Sea

June 22, 2018 in Ocean

As we lower down and splash into the rolling water, I feel a child-like sense of joy. This is fun! Especially today—the sunshine is righteous. When I went out in this boat three days ago, I wore my fleece and soft shell jacket. Now, after so many cool gray days, it finally feels like summer. We zoom away from the ship and I relish the sensation of hard wind in my face and the sight of sunlight twinkling on the water's surface.

Nomad life: preparing to pack everything I'll need for three months of traveling this summer.

A Little Space

May 28, 2018 in Adventure

I’m exhausted. Hauling boxes and bags is fine, but the mental fortitude required to go through everything I’ve ever owned necessitates a different kind of strength.

Austin and I take in the epic view from my favorite spot on the Woody Ridge Trail.

Every Day is Sibling Day

April 17, 2018 in Mountains

"Today is Sibling Day!" I shake my head in disbelief. "We forgot again!"

Austin and I are closer than most siblings I know, but we almost always forget to mark "Sibling Day" on our calendars. More often than not, we happen to be together on April 10th, doing something awesome.

I didn't take a photo at that moment, but if I had, it would have captured the identical grins on our faces.

Lounging in my happy place.

The Pago Files | Part Ten: Post Script

March 28, 2018 in Mountains

Throughout our time in Antarctica, I never felt homesick. I never wished I wasn’t there. But I did spend a few nights tossing and turning—either from the lurching of the ship or the turbulence of my own mind.

In those moments, as I squirmed around in the small bunk, I allowed my thoughts to drift to my "happy place"—not my bed, not my house in Chapel Hill—but my little orange tent, the Creamsicle.

Now, as I pull my sleeping bag up to my face and breathe in the cold, crisp mountain air, I can't believe I'm finally here.