I was in North Cascades National Park in Washington late August. The one morning I wanted to hike the Cascade Pass trail which is about a 7mi hike total, nothing too crazy. I left at 4:30am from the campground and made it to start my hike at 5am and made my way towards the vantage point. I had my camera bag/accessories, water, forgot the bear spray, and there was just enough light so I left the flashlights. Turns out the bear spray wasn’t my worry.

The hike was pretty easy as I am accustomed to higher elevations in the Rocky Mountain Range. It went from around 4,300ft to 6,100ft. I was stoked as I didn’t have to take a single break or water.

I made it to the top vantage point of the hike shortly after sunrise around 7ish and watched the morning light spill through the pass and illuminating the mountains. After some time of hanging out I decided to head up another steep trail that took me off the main trail 200-300ft higher to a more open vantage point of the one mountain.

After some looking around I found my self on the edge of the mountain at 6300ft-ish with soaking shoes and clothing from the morning dew. I was walking my way around this boulder (for a photograph) that sat on the edge above some plants that seemed to been wet for days. Half-way through passing along the boulder I turned to look at the view, after a few seconds of realizing the shot would work, I immediately lost my balance, slipped and fell.

At first I had my back/backpack to the mountains edge sliding down along the soaked plants. I was able to roll over so I was sliding down on my right arm and eventually move my arms up above me. I then kept my hands open until I felt like I could grab onto one or many of the plants. Thankfully the two plants that caught me held on. I was able to then use the plants to climb back up the mountain. I’m not quite sure how far I got but I had to climb up a decent bit and it was about 5ish seconds.

I made it back to a safe section and sat down on a boulder and took in the view.

Walking up to the mountain I was trying to get a different angle on.

Images from the Hike

Sitting on the rock after I fell. Looking down at the “slip-and-slide” of a mountain side.

Glad I made it down the safe way from this hike and was able to have images I captured I’m super proud of and yes my camera is okay!

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My Cross Country road trip was full of experience and amazing adventures. There are so many destinations I was able to set foot on and see for the first time and hopefully not the last. My favorite location is always Yosemite National Park or San Francisco, but I've been to both before. After this trip I think Joshua Tree was one of my favorite National Parks; the peacefulness just stuck out to me and the temperature was a perfect 100 (in May). Things I saw went from a huge slug, to a black bear. Or these amazing tree landscapes and then to see the red rock mountains of the South West. The uniqueness of the United States is impeccable with the different ecosystems and stories each place told. Here are some of my favorite images from this journey!