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They say the most riveting climbing stories come from tragedies. I totally agree, but success does not take away the beauty or pride of a well-executed climb or backcountry trip.

In the summer of 2016, I traveled to the state of Washington to not only attempt my first unguided glaciated climb, but to also stay in a secluded fire tower with breathtaking views of Mount Baker. I climbed Baker with my good friend and favorite climbing partner Han. After a flawless ascent, I headed back down to town to meet up with an amazing photographer and one of my best friends Brad North to trek up the Park Butte Lookout tower. Everything went smoothly, and I managed to grab some great images along the way. Hope you enjoy.

 

The Coleman Deming Glacier Route
Our approach to Hogback to build camp.

Mount Baker.

Han settling in at camp.

The colorful Hogback camp at the base of the Coleman-Deming Glacier route.

The summit in the distance beyond  camp.

Gearing up for our 2 a.m. alpine start.

The Roman wall.

Looking down from the base of the Roman wall.

If you look closely, you can see a tiny row of climbers ascending behind us.

Crossing a platte toward the summit.

The summit of Mount Baker.

Climbing Baker unguided was a thrilling experience, and one that will stick with me for a long time.

 
The Lookout

After a successful summit, I took a day’s rest and then made my way to Park Butte Lookout for a night. The lookout tower is open for backcountry travelers with expansive views of Mount Baker.

Brad and I walked up into the clouds as we approached the lookout, so with no view we took some time to read a few entries left by previous visitors.

As the sun set the clouds broke. We set out to get some shots.

Changing weather made for some breathtaking views.

One of the most beautiful places I’ve ever stayed.

This lookout accommodates a small party on a first-come, first-served basis. We got an early start. That, combined with a little luck, landed us this perfect spot for the night.

A clear night sky over Mount Baker.

Morning views.

Another angle of Mount Baker.

105 mile stand up paddle board down the Current River in Southern Missouri

link to full story

Special thanks to

Continue reading “Standing on the Current” →

Thomas & Mark Malkowicz

According to the National Park Service, ” The Ozark National Scenic Riverways is the first National Park area to protect a river system. The Current and Jacks Fork Rivers are two of the finest floating rivers you’ll find anywhere.” In an effort to help share this special place with the world, we are planning another first.

We have always been looking for new ways to explore and experience the Current River in Southern Missouri. We first started canoeing the river every summer as kids, as we grew older we began taking longer trips, camping on the gravel beaches, backpacking along the Ozark Trail, and eventually exploring the entire region. The plan for our next adventure is to paddleboard the length of the Current River inside the Ozark National Scenic Riverways – A 104 mile journey that we have set aside a week to complete. From our very limited research, we think this is the first time this has ever been attempted (and there may be good reason). As we prepare for this expedition, there are only a few things we can plan for certain; when and where to start, who will shuttle our vehicle, what food to bring and what gear to pack. Everything else, we just have to be ready for and that’s the wilderness experience we search for every time we depart.

Follow our expedition on Facebook and WheresMalko.com.

Special thanks:

In March of 2015, while Tom was out West exploring in the desert, my girlfriend Rachel and I decided to challenge ourselves in the Ozarks.

With the Jacks Fork River being one of the many common interests that brought us together in the first place, we knew it had to be involved. I had floated the entire river numerous times, but never on one trip. Rachel had been on a few overnight float trips and endless day floats. After a little disagreement on which section to float, we threw our hands up and decided to float all 46.5 miles of the Jacks Fork.

So we started at the beginning, on the South Prong, a creek that, when joined by the North Prong, starts the Jacks Fork. You need high water to put a canoe in on the South Prong. But on the day before we set off, the water on the Jacks Fork was way too high, causing some of the lower sections to be closed. With a little luck and the quickly fluctuating water levels of spring, the water level was perfect by the time we were headed to the Prongs.

Pushing off from the South Prong around noon, it was snowing and cool. The forecast showed a consistent improvement in weather for the next 48 hours, but at the beginning it was real cold! Ideally, we needed to do just over 15 miles a day to arive at our car at Two Rivers Access just below the confluence of the Jacks Fork and Current rivers on time. On the first day we were lured off the river early by thoughts of a warm fire and down sleeping bags. Once we established camp for the night, we got our blood flowing by scrambling up a bluff near our camp and caught a view. Continue reading “47 in 48: The Jacks Fork in Winter” →

Setting up camp on a remote beach, watching the sunset behind a massive bluff after a long day of paddling is our idea of home. Add a few good buddies, a campfire and cold beverages, and what more could you ask for? Any day paddling is a good day, but being able to totally immerse yourself on a scenic river for a few days is without a doubt one of the best ways to explore.

On a recent overnight trip down the Current River, we noticed we were the only two canoes on a 25-mile section. While it was nice to have this amazing river all to ourselves, it was difficult not to wonder where everyone was. This has prompted us to put together some helpful information that hopefully will inspire others to undertake longer river trips.

Safety is the most important thing while paddling on a river, and an overnight trip shouldn’t be attempted by beginners. If you have experience paddling a canoe in a river and have a working knowledge of all the rules and regulations, then this list is a perfect introduction to packing up and spending a few days on the river:

1. Bring and study a map: Yes, rivers flow downhill and it’s hard to get lost, but maps can help you explore the river. More importantly, knowing the relative distance between access points and features will help pinpoint your location. Knowing your location will help you stay on track, paddle the necessary miles in each day, and make it to your takeout point on time.

Continue reading “Paddle further: 7 tips for multiple-day canoe trips” →

Growing up on the rivers and lakes of the Midwest, I naturally fell in love with water. But recently, I’ve been flirting with deserts.

I think it’s something about extremes. I have always enjoyed the solitude of nature just as much as crowds at a concert. Compared to my normal weekends in the middle of the country, an extreme for me is a place like Joshua Tree National Park in California.

It was there, on a trip this March with my wife to Joshua Tree, I fell in love with the desert.

Before I visited the deserts of the Southwest, I thought of it as a barren, expansive waste land. It sounded interesting, but not the kind of place I would bring my wife on vacation. This couldn’t be further from the truth — everything about the park is magical.

Continue reading “Flirting with Joshua Tree National Park” →

Ever since I have been a serious paddler, I have wanted to see St. Louis and especially the Gateway Arch from a canoe. On a freezing November morning, I finally got my chance. From what I have heard the waters around St. Louis are some of the most dangerous along the Mississippi River, although I have floated hundreds of miles of the Missouri River, this was an entirely different experience. Luckily I was with the Quapaw Canoe Company, some of the finest big river guides I have encountered. They were putting the finishing touches on the Rivergator, a paddlers guide to the Middle and Lower Mississippi River, and I had the privilege to tag along.

Click here to read their log of the trip.

5 things I learned paddling the Middle Mississippi

1. There is always a new way to look at your hometown. No matter how well you know a place, you can always rediscover it.

Continue reading “Paddling Past St. Louis” →