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Fall 20 Washington Trails A Publication of Washington Trails Association • wta.org Balance Finding it in our lives and on trail Emotional equilibrium: Hiking as a path to healing 53 Hike for a lifetime: Healthy habits of a guidebook author Stay on your feet: Exercises to improve your stability Enter your photos in WTA’s Northwest Exposure Photo Contest for a chance to win awesome prizes and be featured in our annual calendar. Contest opens on August 17 For contest info and to enter, visit wta.org/photocontest. Photo by Jay Hoover Front Desk: Chief Executive Officer Washington Trails A Publication of Washington Trails Association Board of Directors President | Susan Queary Secretary | Mike Dunning A Time for Agility Treasurer | Geoff Martin o year goes exactly as planned, but 2020, I think it is fair VP, Philanthropy | Matt Martinez to say, is nothing like anyone planned. The unexpected VP, Board Development | Ken Myer challenges have required all of us to be nimble and shift quickly VP, Advocacy | Jenny Faubion to new ways of living and working. Agility — adapting rapidly to Nchanging circumstances while maintaining forward momentum — is turning Directors at Large out to be this year’s skill to master. Andrea Baines • Bruce Burger • Ethan Evans As it turns out, agility is solidly in WTA’s repertoire. We are not doing the Ashley Fontaine • Thomas Goldstein work we expected to be (and haven’t been since March), but we’re doing the Joe Gregg • Ken Helm • Charlie Lieu right work to advance our mission during this highly unusual year. Titti Ringström • Arun Sambataro Mason White When our field work needed to pause, we ramped up online communications and virtual engagement, connecting with our community in new ways to provide support and inspiration while we stayed close to home. WTA Leadership As public lands opened back up, we stayed on top of the latest information Chief Executive Officer Jill Simmons and partnered with REI to create the Recreate Responsibly Coalition — nonprofits, land agencies and businesses working together to make sure people know how to enjoy the outdoors safely. Washington Trails Staff And now, we’re back in the field with enhanced safety protocols so that our Washington Trails Editor | Jessi Loerch dedicated volunteers can continue the essential work of keeping trails open Hiking Content Manager | Anna Roth and accessible, providing places to find nature’s healing touch. Graphic Designer | Jenica Nordstrom I think the key to WTA’s agility lies in the breadth and depth of our work Copy Editor | Cassandra Overby and our community. We are a nonprofit community of thousands of hikers who come together in myriad ways — as trail volunteers, as advocates, as Volunteers information providers, as storytellers — to give back to the trails we love and Contributors | Pam McPeek, to share that joy with others. Chelsea Murphy, Roselie Rasmussen, In a year like 2020, the ways we planned to give back may be out the window, Craig Romano, Sandra Saathoff but our motivations and urgency are as strong as ever. With indoor activities Proofreaders | Jim Cavin, Rebecca Kettwig facing an uncertain future, the outdoors are where we will find rest, healing Trail Team | Lindsay Leffelman, and community. And, it’s also important to remember, we are not only Steve Payne, Rolan Shomber, working for the trails we need during these hard times; we are also working Craig Romano to ensure trails are abundant and welcoming every year. 2020 has taught us the power of agility and the power of trails. At WTA, we will continue to adjust, adapt and innovate to keep us on the path to our vision of trails for everyone, forever. Thank you for coming along with us on this year’s journey — and for making all of our work possible. Washington Trails Association 705 Second Avenue, Suite 300, Seattle, WA 98104 Jill Simmons| Chief executive officer | [email protected] 206-625-1367 • wta.org General Information | [email protected] Membership & Donations | [email protected] Editorial Submissions | [email protected] Meet all our staff atwta.org/staff Washington Trails / Fall 2020 / wta.org 3 Fall 2020: Contents 26 Find Your Footing Simple exercises to become a more nimble hiker and build confidence on any terrain. Features 16 Taking Shape Community input is helping to create a much-needed green space. 24 Healthy Hiking Guidebook author Craig Romano has hiked more than 27,000 miles in Washington. Natural, Nature Here’s how he takes care of himself to make After fighting her hair all those miles possible. for years, a hiker learns On the cover 20 to love it as it is — and 32 Hiking Toward Healing Kevin Clarridge stop letting it hold her back from outdoor How time on trail has helped a survivor of took this photo of adventures. sexual abuse find a measure of peace. his fiance, Lauren Davis, on the Dock 38 Developing a Point of View Butte Trail. Find 34 From A to Zzzzzz Find a new sense of creativity by taking them on Instagram How to gear up for a good night’s sleep in at @foxandpines. photos with film and taking it slow. the backcountry. Photos: Imran Kasmani, Chelsea Murphy Chelsea Kasmani, Imran Photos: 4 Washington Trails / Fall 2020 / wta.org Signpost: Editor Departments 3 Front Desk Greetings from our chief executive officer and Washington Trails editor 6 Community Finding balance as a parent and an Balancing Act employee in the time of coronavirus ecently, I went backpacking. It was a short trip, just 2 8 Trail Talk nights, and I probably only covered a total of 12 miles. How to sleep comfortable in your car; the But those 2 nights and 12 miles made all the difference. value of urban green spaces Normally by this time of year, I’d have gone on several 34 Trail Mix Rbackpacking trips, but nothing about this year is normal. I needed that Photography, sleep systems time outside more than ever. When I returned home, I found that I had more patience and energy. I had 44 Hike It Choose your hike — these trails can be a the mental capacity to tackle problems I’d been ignoring. Time outside day trip or a backpacking adventure can do that — it’s like a reset for the brain. 50 Flora & Fauna I’ve always found time on trail and in nature to be centering. It puts Lupine and river otter things back in perspective. That’s the focus of this issue of the magazine 51 Snapshot — finding balance. How time in nature helps us find balance — literally The story behind our favorite photos and figuratively. We write about how to stay on your feet on trail. If you’ve ever found yourself wobbling on a rocky trail or struggling on a steep slope, give this story a read. You’ll thank yourself the next time you’re descending slick POWERED BY YOU rock or navigating a rooty trail. Washington Trails Association is a nonprofit supported by a community We also explore how relationships with nature can center us in a much of hikers like you. By mobilizing deeper way. I love the story in this magazine by Chelsea Murphy, who has hikers to be explorers, stewards and written for us before and is a force in creating a more just and equitable champions for trails and public lands, together, we will ensure that there world both on and off trail. Chelsea beautifully tells the story of how are trails for everyone, forever. coming to love her own natural hair was an important part of her outdoor journey. Krista Dooley, one of WTA’s longtime employees, writes about how she’s WTA was founded by Louise B. finding balance in her many roles — from parent to employee — in a year Marshall (1915–2005). Ira Spring (1918–2003) was its primary supporter. when nothing is as expected. And maybe you just need some stories to Greg Ball (1944–2004) founded the help you be a bit more comfortable when you get outside. We share tips to volunteer trail maintenance program. help you plan your next hike or sleep through the night without shivering. Their spirit continues today through Or learn how guidebook author Craig Romano keeps his legs, passion and contributions from thousands of WTA members and volunteers. career strong as he puts in thousands of miles on trail. I hope you read this magazine, and then I hope you put it down and go outside. Because there’s no better way to find a bit of balance in your life Fall 2020 | Volume 55, Issue 3 than by enjoying a bit of time on trail. Washington Trails (ISSN 1534-6366) is published four times per year by Washington Trails Happy hiking, Association, 705 2nd Avenue, Suite 300, Seattle, WA 98104. Annual membership, which includes a subscription to Washington Trails magazine, is $20. Single copy price is $4.50. Periodicals postage paid at Seattle, WA, and at additional mailing locations. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Washington Trails Association, 705 2nd Ave., Suite 300, Seattle, WA 98104. Jessi Loerch | Washington Trails editor | [email protected] CLEAR AREA Washington Trails / Fall 2020 / wta.org 5 Community Krista Dooley’s Perspectives kids take a break from a bike ride to check out the best spot for bug Finding viewing. Balance as A Parent My life at home and work are much different than what I’d planned for 2020 — but I’m finding ways to make peace with that. By Krista Dooley other, sister, wife, friend, daughter, niece, co-worker, colleague, employee, neighbor, Mcommunity member. I wear many hats in my life.