This time of year is always a bit of an anomaly for me. Stuck somewhere between winter and summer we find so much beauty. Waterfalls, flowers, green mountainsides crowned still with snow. I find myself yearning to launch into our normal summer menu of backpacking and summitting mountains. And yet, it is still too rainy,…

It is only one week until the St. George Ironman 70.3, a race I enthusiastically signed up for 5 months ago, when it was snowing outside and the thought of actually training for it was hidden behind Christmas vacation and general holiday busyness. But we are headed down to Snow Canyon for a weekend of…

I love it when our readers contacts us for more information! That is what we are about here! Sharing information, having conversation, making adventures possible simply by creating more ideas for HOW to make it happen! Recently my friend Amelia from Tales of a Mountain Mama and I got to field some questions regarding backpacking…

As a jack-of-all-trades family, our collection of eyewear is impressive. Between the five of us, sunglasses, goggles, running sunglasses, work glasses, etc litter our house like my son’s lego collection. But our eye wear has become increasing important to us. And although I’d long given up on glasses or goggles with interchanging lenses (it simply…

Earlier we posted on our fun and low-key hike to Delicate Arch late last fall. Fall and early spring are amazing times to visit Arches National Park. The air temperatures are cool or pleasantly warm, and there are less crowds. Two days prior to our Delicate Arch hike, we took on the longer Black Angel…

The air was crisp and cool, requiring down vests and fleece jackets. But the sun was strong, promising warmth as we hiked into the day. For once, instead of refereeing an argument all the kids were geared up for our hike. We had one of those rare moments of bliss as parents where no one wants…

Chris came bouncing into the kitchen yesterday, like Tigger from Winnie The Pooh. He’d just spent a morning skiing thigh deep powder in the Wasatch backcountry and was busy riding a powder high… one I’ve learned that lasts much longer than a runner’s high… I was replacing our 2014 Runner’s World Calendar with a new…

Stonewear Designs is on my top 5 women’s apparel companies.  Plain and simple, they make fantastic clothing that is flattering and high performing.  But more than that, I love the women behind the clothing and the community they are building and using to promote women in the outdoors. While I’ve tested a few pieces for…

Larkin Pack by Boreas Tested in: Alpine day hikes, city bike commuting, slot canyons. Cost: $79.99 Best Use: 18-liter Day pack for hiking, bike commuting, or travel. Selling Points: The sleek styling and compact design of the pack will appeal to both the adventurer and city slicker looking for an easy access, multi-use pack. It has…

We have received a ton of interest and inquiry over our recent trip down to Goblin Valley and the popular Little Wild Horse and Bell Canyons in Utah. We have been looking forward to the trip for months and it did not disappoint! Due to recent tragedy, we are reiterating the danger of slot canyons…

This summer began with what was, in my mind, an outrageous endeavor: to hike Grandeur Peak in the Wasatch Range of Utah with our three kids ages 4,6 and 7. After a successful summit and a summer full of hiking and backpacking, it seems that Grandeur was only the beginning. I read once that kids…

Dare I say I’ve lived in Utah for almost 4 years and never visited Goblin Valley? Until last weekend this was true! Goblin Valley, a secluded valley in central Utah, is filled with hundreds of unique sandstone formations known as Hoodoos. These Hoodoos take many forms, most looking like overgrown mushrooms, nobs and spires. The most…

An hour north of Zion National Park and just south of Cedar Springs, UT is the small town of Kanarraville. Until recently my only experience with Kanarraville was trying to say the name three times fast as we passed on our way to Zion or St. George. But tucked in the hills outside of town…

A good approach shoe will quickly become your most used shoe in your arsenal. Great for easy climbing and scrambling, they [usually] are also great for urban adventures, hiking, backpacking and for wear in the winter or shoulder seasons. After previously wearing out my Camp Four approach shoes by Five Ten, I’ve been on the…

I’ve never regretted taking our kids into the backcountry. We’ve taken small steps in that direction, biting off only what we are comfortable with. But after a few summers of backpacking with the kids, the only thing I’ve regretted was not doing it sooner! I’d like to call the Uintas, “the land of lakes.” It…

Sometimes I feel conflicted posting about my all-women’s trips on the Kid Project blog… After all they have nothing to do with kids. But they do have everything to do with inspiring people to get into the outdoors, push new limits, and explore new places… which is what we are all about here. And even mom…

For the last few summers (and winters) we’ve collected our crew and headed to the Outdoor Retailer show in Salt Lake. The fun part is seeing all the friends you’ve made along the way. Think huge outdoor block party. The part I hate? So much stuff… for supposedly being a group of people who love…

It is about that time of year again, when we gather our wits, a whole bunch of gear… and head into the Colorado backcountry in search of summits.  This is my third year joining one of my favorite groups of ladies on a backpacking adventure and my mom joined me this year! Not many girls…

Ok, I should straight up say this review isn’t going to be unbias. First, I haven’t used any products similar to Lifestraw, with which to compare. But secondly, a Lifestraw came as close as I want to get to saving my life last summer while summiting two fourteeners in the Sangre de Cristo Range of…

So last week I signed up for my first Olympic length triathlon. Then I looked at past race reports and freaked! Hills, a trail run, and a large number of elite athletes while I am just aiming to finish! So last weekend I took my fears head on, went up to the venue and did…