John Muir Trail Thru-Hike Alternatives
Since I started working at Lasting Adventures in 2015, backpacking as a hobby has steadily increased in popularity. Many new backpackers find themselves itching to thru-hike the trails they see in movies like “Mile… Mile & A Half” (2013) and “Wild” (2014). With diverse landscapes, a mild climate, easily accessible trails, and a wide variety […]
Celebrating 15 Years of Adventure with Lasting Adventures Guide Service
As 2024 marks the 15th anniversary of Lasting Adventures guide service, we’re reflecting on our incredible journeys with adventurers of all ages through our national parks. From nine-year-olds to seventy-nine-year-olds, we’ve had the privilege of guiding a diverse range of guests on unforgettable trips across the wild beauty of Yosemite, Olympic, and beyond! We are […]
Best of Lasting Adventures Summer Camp for 2024
This summer, Lasting Adventures Summer Camp had the incredible opportunity to host over 420 youth on our backpacking adventures in Yosemite and Olympic National Parks. Our diverse groups included three Young Women’s Adventures, five Young Adventurers, five 13-Day Backpacking Adventures, and an impressive twenty 6-Day Backpacking Adventures! Whether exploring the enchanting forests of Olympic or […]
The Ten Best Day Hikes in Yosemite
Guide’s Picks for the Best Yosemite Day Hikes About 5 million people visit Yosemite a year. They’re attracted by the promise of blasting waterfalls, towering granite walls, massive trees, and more. But with so much to see (and usually not enough time!), how do you guarantee you’re seeing the best? After 25+ years of guiding […]
Yosemite: Plants with a Purpose
Your first visit to Yosemite National Park will likely induce extreme neck pain. Standing in the valley, it’s impossible not to tilt your head backwards and rivet your gaze upwards. Even the view from Curry Village’s crowded parking lot is impressive. Where the sky should be, immense slabs of granite rise into an atmosphere of […]
Get to Know Professional Adventure Guide: Ian Fairchild
On a steamy afternoon in Yosemite National Park, Ian Fairchild, an outdoor adventure guide and educator, led a procession of six children up a steep trail of switchbacks. As the group of Lasting Adventures summer campers hiked past meadows laden with vibrant wildflowers, Ian told riddle after riddle, all of which were cleverly solved by […]
Best Outdoor Summer Camps in California
Your Guide to the Perfect California Outdoor Summer Camp for Your Child As the days are getting longer and Spring is right around the corner, it’s a great time to start thinking about the best outdoor summer camp in California to send your children to. California is magnificent and boasts more national parks than any […]
Best Outdoor Summer Camps in Washington
Your Guide to the Perfect Washington Outdoor Summer Camps for your Kids Calling all Washington lovers! Are you looking for a can’t-miss backpacking summer camp experience for your teen or young adventurer? Look no further! Lasting Adventures offers a variety of fun and engaging experiences in Olympic National Park for youth ages 11-17. Read on […]
Best Summer Camp Locations in Washington
It’s that time of year when we all start to dream of long, sunny days spent frolicking in an alpine meadow or on a beach…if you’re wondering where to send your child for summer camp to have their dream outdoor experience, look no further! Our suggestions for the best summer camp locations in Washington will […]
Best Summer Camp Locations in California
Deciding where to send your child to summer camp can be such an overwhelming experience. If you’re considering anywhere in California, we can help. California is covered with many magnificent natural spaces that can enhance kids’ time spent at camp. It’s hard to be homesick when the scenery is stunning and the activities exciting. We […]
The Psychological Benefits of Outdoor Summer Camp
Do you find yourself reminiscing about the days you spent tromping around the creek? Or scuffing your knees as you dropped quickly to clasp a wriggling lizard? Or the quietude of your favorite bush spot where you read and held councils for your assembled fabric confidants? Do you wonder what is happening to your kids […]
2023 Guide Service Backpacking Highlights
Lasting Adventures was privileged to show guests around Olympic and Yosemite National Parks on over 40 Guide Service backpacking trips this summer! Each group was unique, from friends to families to solo travelers, but all shared that common love of nature and adventure. We had guests from around the globe, from as far away as […]
2023 Backpacking Summer Camp Trips Highlights
Backpacking Summer Camp trips are how Lasting Adventures all got started. In 1997, Lasting Adventures’ founder and CEO, Scott Gehrman, went on every trip in Yosemite with the kids, leading each group up Half Dome (no permits required!) despite his intense fear of heights. They slept out under the stars (and occasionally under some bears […]
Top Ten Gifts to Get Your Outdoorsy Friend
With the holidays fast approaching, thinking about what gifts to get your outdoorsy friend can be stressful. There are so many products out there that it can be overwhelming and difficult to figure out what is actually good and what someone would be stoked to receive. Don’t worry; we’ve narrowed the search to the top […]
Why You Should Visit Joshua Tree National Park
Rumor has it that Joshua Trees got their name from the Mormons traveling through the area who spotted the plant and thought it looked like the prophet Joshua pointing to the promised land. Whether or not this is true has been debated, but what shouldn’t be debated is that you should be planning to visit […]