I’ve been settling in Mammoth for the past week and to say the least, I am overwhelmed with outdoors information! It’s like an information overload in the best possible way. Here I’ll list some of Mammoth’s Lakes that I found particularly stunning and accessible. Twin Lakes Elevation: 8,600 feet Activities: Walking, fishing, biking, camping, kayaking, …
Here I’ll describe 3 of my favorite ways to spend the day in beautiful Santa Barbara, California. Much of that has to do with tacos, picnicking, and being by the beach. I was born and raised in SB. Since growing up here, I’ve returned to spend a few weeks with my family ever year. Morning …
Published March 2021, Updated 2025 Routeburn in 2 Days: Panoramic Views, Excellent Company Some friends and I decided to hike the Routeburn in 2 days and 1 night. New Zealand’s Great Walks are truly epic. Especially the Routeburn. “I want to do the Routeburn,” “I want to too,” my friends would chirp up when we …
Intro to Mount Aspiring I first learned about Liverpool Hut last summer on my first backpacking trip in New Zealand to Mount Aspiring Hut in Mount Aspiring National Park. We heard Liverpool was one of the coolest hikes and huts in New Zealand. Last year, this hut was not bookable, meaning people would wake up …
I wrote this in winter August 2020. The restrictions for Covid had just been lifted in New Zealand. Queenstown to Mount Cook Three friends and I shot off to Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park bright and early on Friday morning to spend a winter weekend in Mount Cook. We drove from Queenstown to Mount Cook in …
Welcome to Mars For some reason, I never had any huge desire to explore the Omarama Clay Cliffs. Over the past few months, I had seen photos and heard about them. I couldn’t really picture the alien-looking Mars-like cliffs and surrounding area in my head. Yet I’m glad I waited to go, because I feel …
What’s the Kepler Track? The Kepler Track is one of New Zealand’s Great Walks. The country’s Department of Conservation (DOC) maintains 10 hiking tracks across New Zealand throughout unique and stunning landscapes. The Kepler is one of the most famous for its diverse environments from alpine mountains to beech tree forests to sandy lake shores. …
Longing for the Routeburn Conquering the Routeburn, one of NZ’s Great Walks, has been high on my list since arriving to the South Island. With its crystal clear river and beautiful valleys, there’s nothing not to love! The Routeburn is on one side of Mount Aspiring National Park, which we visited from the northern end …
One of the best parts of Queenstown is its proximity to such interesting locales for weekend trips! Queenstown has plenty of stellar weekend trips and things to do. Unfortunately, all of the well-known backpacking huts are booked well in advance for the summer season. Therefore, we looked elsewhere for outdoors adventures. Ultimately, my friends and …
Published December 2019. Backpacking in Abel Tasman is my favorite thing I have done in my 8 months in New Zealand, hands down! After hiking 13km with blisters on our feet, Nick and I arrived at the most incredible beach; it happened to be the wrong beach. We then swam 30 meters to the south …