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Backpacking Alaska – Returning Home

January 10, 2018January 9, 2018 by Brianna Shade
Brianna Shade
As we were turning around at the Johnson River to head back to the lodge and our pick-up spot, our early pilot spotted us and touched down in the soft sand. Good news: we didn't have to hike anymore.  Bad news: that sand was really soft.  So much so that the…
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Backpacking Alaska – Day 5: Bears

January 3, 2018January 2, 2018 by Brianna Shade
Brianna Shade
Ordinarily, this post would be for my monthly photo challenge, but that didn't seem too popular, so I'm tabling that for now.  Perhaps I'll revive that sometime later.  In the meantime, you get more bears! In fact, this is the last daily installment of my grand backpacking adventure through the…
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Backpacking Alaska – Day 4: Rain

December 27, 2017December 26, 2017 by Brianna Shade
Brianna Shade
Day 4 of our backpacking bear adventure was a bit damp.  We woke to moisture on the tents, and we really couldn't avoid packing up wet gear. The tides once more amazed me.  While I had been brushing my teeth fairly close to camp the night before, the morning routine required…
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Backpacking Alaska – Day 3: The Red River

December 13, 2017December 26, 2017 by Brianna Shade
Brianna Shade
Day 3 was all about the Red River.  This was our major obstacle.  We knew it was coming, and we knew it would pose a challenge.  I'm told when our fearless leader divulged our planned course to a bush plane pilot, his first question was, "do you have a floatation…
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Backpacking Alaska – Day 3: Wind

November 29, 2017November 27, 2017 by Brianna Shade
Brianna Shade
The second night came and went in a blink of exhaustion.  Crawling out of my tent, I found some of our crew were already down on the beach.  They'd spotted a bear out clamming in the receding morning tide. This was my first real opportunity for shooting the bears we…
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Backpacking Alaska – Day 2: Rocks

November 15, 2017November 9, 2017 by Brianna Shade
Brianna Shade
Day 1 was all about distance.  But that turned out being a good thing, because Day 2 rocked.  And sadly, that wasn't a good thing. We woke on Day 2 to find moisture on our tents and moose tracks feet from our camp.  It was fortunate we were so tired;…
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Backpacking Alaska – Day 1: Distance

November 8, 2017November 5, 2017 by Brianna Shade
Brianna Shade
Who's ready for backpacking adventures?  I know I've been promising them for a long time, and you've had a taste here and there, but I'm finally getting into the heart of my epic adventure into the Alaskan wilderness.  I appreciate your patience.  It was truly a remarkable journey, and I'm…
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Alaska: My First Bush Plane Flight

October 25, 2017October 21, 2017 by Brianna Shade
Brianna Shade
Apologies for the hiatus!  I know I took a little break from the Alaska posts, but they're back! Right from the start, I knew a flight in a bush plane was on the itinerary for Alaska.  Much of the Alaskan wilderness is completely wild.  No roads or modern conveniences.  Completely…
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Preview: Alaska

September 6, 2017 by Brianna Shade
Brianna Shade
Alright, everyone!  I know you've all been anxious for bears, so I'm finally getting to processing pictures from Alaska! (more…)
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I Survived the Alaskan Wilderness!

July 12, 2017October 10, 2017 by Brianna Shade
Brianna Shade
Apologies for the short post this week, but I am operating on very little sleep (about three hours) having just returned on a delayed red-eye.  I'm working to get back to my day-to-day life following one of the most amazing trips of my life, but it'll take a little time.…
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#NoRegrets. A friend of ours asked if we wanted to join him on a trip he was planning to #Norway. What were we going to do, say no?? We even saved money by camping in the phenomenally warm May weather - did you know it's legal to camp anywhere in Norway, thanks to their "Freedom to Roam" laws?
#NoRegrets. We took a guest who was staying with us on this wild hike to chase down a #waterfall. We had to traverse a tunnel, scramble across a couple rock slides, carefully descend the steep riverbank, and then follow the water upstream to this hidden nook. Fun day? Absolutely! A little crazy? Yeah.. Worth it? No doubt!
#NoRegrets. I had no idea what I was in for when our photo group suggested we hike to the top of #Zion's #AngelsLanding trail. I love surprises, so I didn't look into it. The original ascent was a bit grueling, but the view at the top was worth it.
#NoRegrets. We busted the doors at the #SeattleJapaneseGarden, and it's so good that we did! We chatted up a another doorbuster (and now new friend @jimnix), and for a while, we had the garden all to ourselves. Bonus: there was just enough cloud cover to make for perfect lighting. Photographically speaking, it's always worth getting up early!
#NoRegrets. Even though we were just barely too late for the #predawn light above #SeattleWA, I made the most of the available scene. The fog even later cleared, but I kind of like this eerie shroud.
#NoRegrets. I simply love my big 70-200mm lens. It's wonderfully sharp, and it lets me zoom in close. However, that sucker is *heavy*. And when we're talking a hike scaling up a mountain with loads of other gear already on my back, it's difficult to justify. However, there have been times when I wish I had it. In this instance, I was actually glad to have it in my bag, as I was able to capture this detail shot of #MtAdams. It might be heavy, but I love the pictures it takes.
#NoRegrets. I took soooo many pictures in #BryceCanyonNationalPark. Between the #hoodoos and the snow, the trails and the rich red rock, I was tickled pink just being there! Of course, that meant I had a lot to edit when I got back home, but every shot was well worth the extra work. This world truly is a #beautifulplace.
#NoRegrets. Most #Norwegianviewpoints had little trails spidering away from the roadside placards. My explorative instincts would immediately kick in, and I'd just *have to know* what was at the end of the trail. While others were shooting pictures, I dashed down the path for as far as I dared.. and I was never disappointed.
#NoRegrets. I just couldn't get enough of this #BryceAmphitheater. At all times of the day, it was mesmerizing. We really lucked out on our timing. We were able to catch some snow from a recent storm, but we left just before the area was hit by another. It was even clear enough to hike many of the trails! Now I can't wait to go back and explore the rest.

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