Introduction to the Blog: This blog describes the University of Washington Program on the Environment course, ENVIR 380, Wilderness in the Anthropocene. Below is my introduction to the course and my reflections on wilderness*. Each student has contributed one post to this blog. We had a truly unforgettable trip with gorgeous weather, deep discussion, and Read More…
Day 1, Seattle to Three Forks (via Deer Park) (by Mitchell Knowlton)
Introduction: Little did I know that when we left on this trip, that it would be the start of an educational and experiential gold mine. Especially when I compare the start to the end, as the start of our time wasn’t quite full of exciting events. Although, excitement did underpin much of the atmosphere of Read More…
Day 2, Three Forks to Falls Camp (by Ava Vaughan)
As I woke up, I noticed the sound of the river beside our tent. The soreness in my legs hit shortly thereafter. Fit and prepared as I was going into our trip, I had not anticipated the aftereffects of carrying nine days of food and gear downhill. My ego was as bruised as the flesh Read More…
Day 3, Falls Camp to Cedar Lake (by Anika Remmers)
Part 1: An early wakeup followed by a student-led discussion after breakfast at our campsite in anticipation of a “biblical amount of bugs” at our evening destination of Cedar Lake (so as not to have to sit and get eaten alive in the evening). Ava led discussion and we talked about the barriers to participation Read More…
Day 4, Cedar Lake to Graywolf Pass (by Caitlin Naqvi)
Today we woke up next to one of the most beautiful landscapes I have ever seen, but that’s a daily occurrence in the Olympic Mountains. Cedar Lake blessed us with her luminescent presence. And the way the mountain’s reflection glistened on her surface took all our breaths away. What a way to start the day. Read More…
Day 5, Graywolf Pass to Dose Meadow (by Mae Langford)
On day 5 we hiked from Graywolf Valley to Dosewallips Meadows. What a special day this was! I had never seen a bear before, so when we stumbled upon one on the trail and got to watch it calmly eating, I was so excited and couldn’t believe what I was experiencing was reality. I remember Read More…
Day 6, Sentinel Peak climb and layover at Dose Meadow (by Jacob Jones)
Today was the rest and optional hike day. After spending the night at Dose Meadows we had a whole day to spend as we pleased whether hiking, exploring, making art or just taking some time to chill. Tim, Claire, Anika, May, Ava and I chose to go on the day hike up to Sentinel Peak. Read More…
Day 7, Dose Meadow to Cameron Ridge (by Ezra Thomason)
Description of the Day: Friday morning was by far a brisker morning than I had become accustomed to, yet the excitement of the unknown and the promise of cowboy camping stirred us all from our beds. Previously we had been given two different routes that we may take dependent on how we felt and we Read More…
Day 8, Cameron Ridge to Grand Valley (by Sylas Kasten)
By this day, my feet grew accustomed to moving with the slip of the slates, which covered the exposed hillsides with slippery, but jagged tiles. We were off trail, and off of any expectations we created before this trip ever began. By now, I imaged myself to be in more discomfort from soreness or lack Read More…
Day 9, Grand Valley to Obstruction Point (by Lauren Harris)
I opened my eyes on the last day to a sunshine filled sky and half of the camp already gone. About half the group had woken up at 5 am to go an extra 8 miles but I was in the group that got to sleep in. We slowly got ready to pack up camp Read More…