Search This Blog

Girls Gone Wildwood

The run diary of two girls who like to get dirty (on muddy trails, of course).

Subscribe to this blog

Follow by Email

Trail Runner Photo Contest

Get link
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

By Ann Wallace - March 27, 2013

One of our photos made it into the Trail Runner Magazine monthly photo contest! Now just click like, so we can win. :)

contest photo

Get link
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Comments

Hiking the Dolomites - Alta Via 1

By Ann Wallace - August 23, 2015

Our family hiking trip this year was to the Dolomites, more specifically Alta Via 1. John and I have done several hut to hut hiking trips in the Alps and planned them all ourselves, we never had any problems. As I started to plan our trip to the Dolomites, it became clear to me that it might be easier if we used a local company to help us book our accommodations and transportation. That way when questions came up from family members there was someone we could ask. Also letting the ultrarunner of the group plan the daily hiking itinerary probably isn't the best idea.

I ended up contacting Dolomite Mountains, I sent them my itinerary, the places I had already booked and a few other specifications and Monica created an agenda pretty similar to the one I already had in mind. As much as I like to plan things myself, it was nice to have someone local and not feel responsible for 5 other people's vacation. Plus if they thought the hike was too hard they couldn't blame me.

Staying…

Mt. St. Helens Circumnavigation

By Ann Wallace - June 29, 2015

We completed the Loowit trail, 34 miles circumnavigating the volcanic lands and forests surrounding the squat, smoldering Mt St. Helens. It was amazing, but I cannot rightly recommend this route to others.

Not because it's not beautiful, mostly fun, diverse in ecosystems, and full of fascinating wildlife. It is all of those things. But it is also full of washouts and utterly terrifying descents, ascents, and traverses on huge dunes of kitty-litter-esque scree.

Granted, I have a particular fear of scree washouts after our Mt Hood circ attempt. But some of these washouts were incredibly precarious. Each foot placement had to be strategized and the few rocks to hold on to often came away in the sandy scree, sending an avalanche of gravel and dust down the side of the slope, the sound of which reminds one what will happen if you should misstep.

We started at June Lake trailhead, from which you run about 2 miles up to join Loowit trail. From there we had heard there would be lots of walk…

Race Report: Orcas Island 50k, or Our First Aquathon

By Susan Kelley - February 10, 2020

"Let's sign up for Orcas," she said. "It'll be fun," she said.

No matter that's not at all what Ann said when she ran it six years ago. Part of being a runner-- and I'd say most especially an ultrarunner-- is foolish optimism. As soon as it's over, sometimes even while it's happening, you're dreaming about your next adventure and the pain is forgotten.