It’s a scene straight out of a winter fairytale: the solstice moon casting its silvery gaze on the wind-swept snow. Yet here I am, braving the frigid 9 degrees in nothing but cycling gear. Each step up University Mountain Ridge is a battle against the deep, crusty snow, slicing into my shins with every stride.…

The sterile hum of the IV machine lulls me into a half-sleep, the stark white walls a canvas for memories to dance upon. Ten hours in this white cocoon, the world a frantic blur outside, have offered me a peculiar clarity. Is near-death’s grip a mirror to life, reflecting it with agonizing intensity before letting…

Last Thursday, my world literally started spinning as I stepped into my apartment after a long day at work. Little did I know, this was just the beginning of a wild series of events – a trifecta of vertigo, an exhilarating sled ride, and an unexpected indoor flood. Let me take you through this rollercoaster…

I don’t think my blogs are the same without including my friends’ names. On the other hand, there are times when someone wants their privacy, probably because they’re running from something like the Saskatchewan mafia. Like my ‘friend’ from a remote part of Nova Scotia who wishes to remain a ghost to avoid detection by…

Today started pretty rough. I was late for work, had to drive, and once I arrived, it just plain sucked. Now it’s lunchtime, and I’m begging for a better second half of the day. Let’s see… Last night was my first real training day of the 2011 season, and honestly, I don’t know how I’ve…

My feet were so cold that when I jumped off my bike, I couldn’t feel the subtleties of the ice on the ground. Miraculously, I only wobbled a little and then regained my balance. I looked around to see the snow-covered mountain sides of Sentinel and Jumbo. The Hellgate winds were not blowing, but I…

There’s a theory suggesting all life forms, including us, instinctively choose the easiest path. Lightning zigzags effortlessly through the sky. Rivers wind their way through landscapes. We often opt for the shortest route to the store, even if it’s a bit hectic. Yet, simplicity doesn’t always equate to significance. Contrarily, I seldom follow the path…

There are many big races during the Thanksgiving holiday season, from the Seattle Marathon to the numerous Turkey Trots nationwide. However, the most obscure and perilous event in America is the Bear Trap 10K. Touted as the shortest adventure race, it’s far from the easiest. Entry is by secret invitation only and limited to 5…

I just woke up. It’s dark and -10 degrees outside. Last night, after a day full of adventure, I must have fallen asleep almost immediately after work. While I rested, the world seems to have moved on. I do remember having an awesome dream, though. In my dream, I was geared up for an extreme…

My left ear hurts, and my head is pounding. My left calf muscle has been aching since it thawed out. I feel like I got hit by a truck. Sure, I crashed four times, but that didn’t hurt me as much as a full-body freeze. I can’t focus my left eye, and both itch like…

I was moments from embarking on my solo hike when my friends pulled up alongside me in the Rattlesnake Wilderness parking lot. None of us were thrilled about the frigid temperatures, and as we set off towards the Stuart Peak trail, I expressed my disapproval with a few expletives. However, the chill soon subsided, replaced…

“Space Station Bill Martin to Earth. Are you there? Is anyone there? Has anyone seen the sun? I’m breaking out to try and find the sun. Repeat: I’m breaking away to find the sun. This is Space Station Bill Martin, signing out.” It’s a balmy 23 degrees, and the sun hasn’t reached our part of…

This post has been edited to protect the privacy of friends, so I hope no one thinks I’m trying to freak them out by changing the story. While reading a blog, a line catches my eye: “Mountain bikes are just wilderness wheelchairs.” Just days later, I find myself hiking with the author. I mention liking…

The week has been a tapestry of life and loss. While still basking in the glow of a 25-hour race and all that entails, I have also been grappling with tragedy. It’s Monday, and I’m sitting here sifting through my email. One message stands out, bearing a heavy and suffocating weight. The subject line is…