Always Hiking

Late Spring / Early Summer 2026  in Whatcom County Summer Landscape Pieces: June and July Relaxation Video Pileated Works the Snag How to Make a Garden Salad Excelsior Peak Hike An 8 film playlist on Peace:  Peace Playlist

 2026 Calendar Available:

  The Springtime Miracle of Bellingham WA Western White Trilliums in Whatcom County Excelsior Pass Snowmelt Tulip Tree Blossoms April 2025 Early April 2025

We are colder here at the 49th parallel than than the rest of the contiguous US. March temps still dip into the high 30s for many days. But the brutal NE cold has lessened as the days get longer. I think what I like most about March here is the defiance of it. The light is strong and the days are crisp and cold. This is the end of winter incarnate. But nature reminds us (with authority) that it alone paints the canvas of life, regardless of what you are ready to accept or be done with.

  Some samples from my 2025 "Always Hiking" Calendar available here : 

Mt. Shuksan bathed in wildfire smoke and fine particulate on 10/16/2022. Video:  Unaltered (no haze filter) photos  and film of smoke from Ptarmigan Ridge Trail Mt. Baker/Shuksan on 10/16/2022 : Smoke and Fire AQI was 169 in Peaceful valley[ 1 ] See other AQI maps far below. I have completed at least three  Mt. Baker and High Divide smoky hikes this summer and fall of 2022. Each was more smoky than the last. Yeah sure, I have had some tightness in my (allergic asthmatic) lungs post hike. But I had a strange, new experience yesterday.

  I found myself responding to queries from fellow Youtube hikers on dealing with animal danger on the the trail. This is my unconventional advice on dealing with wildlife and other risks on the trail. Follow my advice at your own peril. I can't be responsible for your fate. I am here just to inform you of mine.

  Samsung "Live Buds" were gifted to me for Christmas. In combination with the Note 20 Ultra Pro Video mode, you can 'blue tooth' the microphone to take long distance selfies talking to the camera. Probably they would function like a narration tool that records more of the sound of your voice than you walking while you film your trail.  I sought to test them in three different ambient noise environments with this video.  You will need to set your volume fairly high. In fairness, I did speak in conversational voice: https://youtu.be/SlDyVcF2rD8

Below the break are some examples of the Samsung Note Ultra 20 zoom feature contrasted with the wide angle lens and also 108 MP wide angle shot. The Samsung Note Ultra 20 is a $1500 retail cell phone with three lenses: ultrawide, 108 megapixel, 50x zoom hybrid optical/digital zoom. Click to enlarge the photos. Remember these pix they are adjusted for resolution and size when uploaded to blogger.

 I decided to say a few things about boots and shoes we all walk and hike in. Click to enlarge the pictures.

This is a (10/06/2020) update to my original article that now starts below the break. I have recently completed two vlogs of day hiking trips where my sole camera was the  Samsung Note 20 Ultra : The High Divide October 2020 Excelsior Pass Rainy Fall Walk falls short I am still learning the three lens Samsung way . But to date, I am  still very impressed with the  Samsung Note 20 Ultra  that I have encased in an Otterbox Defender .  Two short stories: (1) I shot the rainy day hike in the pouring, drenching rain. Obviously the  Samsung Note 20 Ultra  with  Otterbox Defender  has excellent water resistance. (2) Trekking home in the dense fog (and tired) on the second trip , I took a tumble and rolled twice on the trail. (Yes, I was fine). The  Samsung Note 20 Ultra  with  Otterbox Defender  stayed tight on my hip attached to my belt covered by my jacket. Not a hint of damage! No, I am not on the take from either Samsun...