by Paty | Jan 16, 2023 | Camino del Norte, Spain
When it comes to finding your way from Irún to Santiago, modern pilgrims on the Camino Del Norte have a bevy of options. In the past, many people relied solely upon their general sense of direction and the symbols marking the way. But is the simple advice of:...
by Paty | Jan 13, 2023 | Books
Welcome to my fifth annual winter reading list! Each winter, I recommend a few outdoor-related books to keep my friends motivated for the upcoming hiking season. As an avid reader, I enjoy fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, and just about everything in between. Yet...
by Paty | Dec 24, 2022 | HP blogs
Have you ever wondered how many county high points there are in each state? Delaware has the fewest, with only 3 counties to consider. Texas has a whopping 254 county high points! And Louisiana technically has zero – but only because the state doesn’t have...
by Paty | Dec 23, 2022 | HP blogs
The new year is soon to be upon us and that means one thing. It’s time to set some new highpointing goals for 2023! This past year was filled with some epic adventures around some of the bigger peaks out West, including: My first glaciated climb on Mt. Hood, thereby...
by Paty | Nov 16, 2022 | US High Points, West Coast
Order of Visit: High Point # 46 Date Visited: November 11, 2022 Route Taken: Humu’ula Trail from the Maunakea Visitor Station – 13.4 miles (round-trip) Type of Terrain: Maunakea lays claim to being one of the most prominent (tallest)...
by Paty | Oct 25, 2022 | Camino del Norte, Gear, Spain
This was my second long-distance walk on Spain’s Camino de Santiago. I hiked both the Camino Frances and Camino Finisterre in September 2018 (you can find that year’s packing list HERE), and I probably could have used the same exact items for the Camino...
by Paty | Oct 16, 2022 | Camino del Norte, Spain, Trail Journals
October 16, 2022 The prior three Sundays I walked in Spain were filled with frustration over closed (or late opening) bars and cafes. But my experience today was remarkably different. I was in the capital city of Madrid, with all the hustle and bustle of any major...
by Paty | Oct 15, 2022 | Camino del Norte, Spain, Trail Journals
October 15, 2022 Train Route: Santiago de Compestela to Madrid, Spain Distance: 600 kilometers (372 miles) Even though my train to Madrid didn’t depart Santiago until 10:20 a.m., I was fully awake at half past six. I used some of the early morning to read quietly in...
by Paty | Oct 14, 2022 | Camino del Norte, Spain, Trail Journals
October 14, 2022 Route: Salceda to Santiago de Compestela Distance: 27.6 kilometers (17.1 miles) Cumulative Distance: 841.9 kilometers I barely slept a wink last night. I was full of nervous energy, and was checking my watch every 20 minutes throughout the...
by Paty | Oct 13, 2022 | Camino del Norte, Spain, Trail Journals
October 13, 2022 Route: Sobrado de Monxes to Salceda Distance: 33.1 kilometers (20.5 miles) Cumulative Distance: 814.3 kilometers Today be my final day on the Camino Del Norte – as least technically. Once I walked into the town of Arzúa, just 22...
