2016 was another outstanding year for exploring the outdoors. Thank you to everyone that I’ve shared my love of the outdoors – through trips, posts, or conversations. Here’s a catalog of my 2016 trips.
Family Adventures
Most of my 2016 outdoor adventures involved my family. My five year old son and I backpacked 11 miles along the Pacific Crest Trail in the Desolation Wilderness to Tamarack Lake. We hiked an unplanned additional six miles since high winds closed a water taxi. We also spent a night at backcountry hut in January in Tahoe’s Crystal Basin. I car camped with both my boys three times – at Huddart County Park, Memorial County Park, and Lake Amador in Gold Country. For the second year in a row, the entire family spent several April days hiking in Yosemite 
Valley. In Yosemite I met an old college friend who wrote the Ranger Baldy Yosemite books. My family spent a week in South Lake Tahoe and visited relatives in Colorado. In both Tahoe and Colorado, we climbed, hiked, and fished (including catching our rainbow trout limit in Colorado with Grandpa). We hiked and visited my in-laws in Monterey. We’ve also had many California day trips including our annual Ano Nuevo State Park elephant seal hike.
Most importantly on these trips, I was able to catch up with family, friends, and my boys’ friends in beautiful settings.
With time being at a premium, I maximize my adventure while minimizing the time away from home with the 24 hour trip. During a worktrip to Mexico, I climbed to the mountaineering hut on Iztaccíhuatl (Ixta) at over 15,000 feet. Mark, my frequent outdoor partner, and I visited Pinnacles National Park. Mark and I have gone on at least one trip a year since 2002.
Ambassadors
I’ve shared my positive experiences with two excellent outdoor companies. I am a The North Face (neverstopexloring) TNFLocals ambassador, and Woolx (the softest merino wool) team member.
Volunteering
Giving back to the outdoors is as important as exploring it. I volunteer, serve on the board, and support social media of two outstanding non-profits. I serve on the board of the Trail Center, an all volunteer group that builds and maintains trails in the Bay Area. I serve on the Board of the San Mateo County Parks Foundation that supports the parks, trails, and programs of the San Mateo County Parks. The San Mateo County Parks protect Pacific Ocean, redwood, Santa Cruz Mountain, and San Francisco Bay parks. The parks include playgrounds, picnic areas, historic areas, visitor centers, and all types of trails.
Trail Running
2016 was my first full year focused on trail running. I enjoy trail running since I can cover the same ground as hiking in much less time. I met my goal of running at least 10 miles each week. I also ran my first trail race. I ran a 17k course at Huddart County Park with turtle speed (albeit on Jan 1, 2017).
Technology Hiker
I continue to share my passion for the outdoors on my blog, instagram, twitter, and my new facebook page – all named technology hiker. My most popular posts were Best Big Sur Hiking after the Soberanes Fire, The Parks are Good Hands – Interview with Marlene Finley, Question Madness – Why I spend time outdoors, my Mexico Ixta Trip, and 5 Ways to Volunteer Outdoors.
2017 promises to be another excellent year, and I have a number of trips planned. Hopefully, we’ll continue to find time outside with busy jobs, family responsibilities, and increased sports commitment from the boys. I’m most excited about sharing the outdoors with my family and watching the boys take on new challenges.
Thank you to my family and friends who have supported me. Thank you again to everyone who has read this and with whom I’ve been able to share my love of the outdoors. Happy New Year.