Embracing Diversity in the Outdoors
When you think of the great outdoors, what comes to mind? We often imagine long, invigorating adventures and explorations through majestic mountains, pristine lakes, and lush forests. But something specific is often missing from this picture – human diversity. Outdoor spaces are not just for a select few; they belong to everyone. Embracing diversity in […]
Olympic National Park Youth Trips
The time of year is fast approaching when parents in Portland and Seattle search for the perfect summer camp experience for their kids. But why settle for an ordinary camp when your child could embark on the adventure of a lifetime? Olympic National Park youth trips offer an unforgettable journey into one of the world’s […]
Five of the Most Famous Thru-Hikes in the United States
A thru-hike is a long-distance hike that involves walking the entire length of a trail or route, typically from one end to the other. Thru-hikers can cover hundreds or thousands of miles in several weeks or months, carrying all necessary gear and supplies. You can take these journeys all at once (thru-hiking), broken up over […]
Lodging Options in Yosemite National Park
Visiting Yosemite National Park is a once-in-a-lifetime experience (although, for some people, it’s more like once every year!), and lodging options can make or break your trip. While there aren’t a ton of options actually inside the park itself, it’s good to know what is in the valley and what lodging options are outside of […]
What to do in Yosemite With a Family
Yosemite is one of the most beautiful and most visited national parks in the United States. From the tallest waterfalls in the U.S. to towering granite structures, there’s something to see for all ages. Maybe you visited many years ago or never have before, but you’ve booked the plane tickets, rented the car, and now […]
Half Dome Hike: Everything You Need to Know
Exhilarating, exhausting, and absolutely unforgettable. The Half Dome hike is a must-do for serious hikers, a challenge that combines stunning scenery, physical grit, and a sense of triumph. This iconic granite formation has drawn adventurers from across the globe to ascend its steel cables and stand atop its monumental summit. Once deemed “perfectly inaccessible” by […]
Yosemite in Winter – Experience the Magic!
You’ve experienced Yosemite in the spring with its gushing waterfalls, the summer with phenomenal weather and disappearing mosquitoes, and the fall with its kaleidoscope of changing leaves. But have you ever considered visiting Yosemite in the winter? Winter in Yosemite is a truly magical experience, like stepping into a snow globe. While some roads and […]
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 […]