Profiles, Interviews & Perspectives

How pack llamas are helping hikers with Parkinson's return to trail

When a lifelong hiker was diagnosed with the disease, he found a way to keep getting outside. And he helped others do the same. By Chloe Ferrone

From fear to safety

Hiking isn't fun or beneficial when you face discrimination on trail. Here's how one researcher is shaping a more welcoming outdoors for BIPOC recreators. By Linnea Johnson

I found my people on a WTA work party

Nov 04, 2025

I have been volunteering with WTA for almost 2 years and have participated in close to 200 work parties. Here's why the community of people at work parties keeps me coming back. By Anne Kang

6 volunteer crew leaders who build trails and community

Our amazing volunteer leaders ensure our work parties are safe, fun and even get a little work done. Their deep love for the outdoors and appreciation for our community make them a priceless part of WTA. By Victoria Obermeyer.

Tiny tents and tool time: 20 years of marriage, 18 years of volunteering

Sep 22, 2025

Spokane-area assistant crew leaders Mary Beth and Jim Fitzgerald celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary on-trail last fall by joining a day work party. Their shared love of the outdoors has shaped their relationship and shines through in their commitment to both each other and to trails. WTA gives them a way to spend time together and give back to trails at the same time.

Trip reports for the soul: How writing trip reports shifted my entire perspective

I made a goal to write 100 trip reports in a year. I didn’t expect it to change the way I thought about hiking. | By Tiffany Chou

Thumbs up: How hitchhiking brought me closer to public lands and the trail community

If you enjoy long backcountry thru-hikes like me, you’re eventually going to hitchhike. Here are some recollections from my many hitchhikes and how they brought me closer to trails. By Joseph Gonzalez

Returning to the trail after a big change — one parent's story

I discovered hiking as an adult and fell in love. But I lost track of that passion after parenthood. Here’s how I found it again — and how I’m getting out more than ever. By Sarah Nordstrom

Seeing the forest for the trees: A Midwestern transplant reminds me of the splendor of Washington’s old growth

Apr 23, 2025

I grew up in the Pacific Northwest. My partner is from rural Iowa. His excitement about our old-growth trees reminds me how lucky we are to have them.

Remembering Pete Dewell

Pete Dewell — assistant crew leader, community leader and teacher of thousands of trail workers — passed away at home at the age of 95. Pete was a loyal trail worker who shaped WTA as an organization. By Anna Roth.

Volunteer profile: Meet new ACL Cour Billadeau

Mar 04, 2025

Why Cour Billadeau — one of WTA's newest assistant crew leaders — joined WTA's trail maintenance leadership team.

What's the Tee? The scoop on WTA's backcountry shirts

Feb 05, 2025

WTA's backcountry t-shirts are a favorite with our volunteers. Get a peek behind the scenes with graphic designer Jenica Nordstrom and preview this year's design.

Why I hike through cities

Jan 21, 2025

Most urban centers in Washington provide ample green space and pedestrian infrastructure to support refreshing strolls, invigorating day hikes or epic feats of endurance. Incorporate urban walks into your ventures outside this year.

Share a story: Finding yourself on a summit journey

Jan 08, 2025

From time to time, we like to share memorable moments from our community. Here’s one of those stories from Rizka Budiati-Szkutnik (@rizkapb on Instagram).

My year at Rainier: A goal to hike all of the mountain's trails

One hiker’s quest to see it all, and how WTA helped her get there. | By Catherine Vine

Celebrating the lives of those we lost in 2024

Dec 05, 2024

We take a moment to reflect on the lives of some of those who we've recently lost. They are missed, but we will remember and celebrate their lives and contributions to our community for years to come.

Celebrating 10 years of real hikers writing for WTA

If you've used our Hiking Guide to access Mount Si, Rattlesnake Ledge, Oyster Dome or Beacon Rock, you can thank a volunteer writer. Now, we're celebrating that team, and reflecting on 10 years of their generous contributions to the hiking community in Washington. | By Anna Roth

Belonging and Joy: One WTA staff member’s journey to finding her space in the outdoors

Angelic Friday has been an integral part of WTA's team for years, but her love of the outdoors began much earlier. | By Tiffany Chou

A celebration of Jim Langdon and 100 volunteer vacations

Nearly 20 years ago, Jim Langdon decided to try out a volunteer vacation, figuring he could leave if it wasn't fun. Over 100 trips later, he still hasn't left. By Erin McMillin

Community and generosity: WTA volunteers are amazing

Volunteers power WTA, and they do it all. Trail work. Hike research. Public education. Tool cache construction, trail advocacy, app development … the list goes on (and even includes unexpected things like pie delivery and 3-D printing). | By Anna Roth

For Rachel Heaton, the summit is just a bonus

How Rachel Heaton is building Native representation outdoors and encouraging reverence for the land. | by Jessi Loerch

My life through lenses: A Northwest Exposure judge on her journey as a photographer

Aug 09, 2024

Victoria Obermeyer, WTA's multimedia content coordinator reflects on her career and passion for photography.

Outdoor educators who inspire: Whatcom Intergenerational High School

Jun 24, 2024

Science teacher Cameron Kolk on how place-based education that integrates Western and Indigenous ways of knowing can foster a stronger sense of student identity, community and lasting, trusting relationships.

Outdoor educators who inspire: Tacoma Online

Jun 19, 2024

Assistant Principal Ruth Schlattmann on why it's vital for all kids to have the opportunity to experience community, set goals and stretch their comfort zones with outdoor experiences, even when they go to school in a largely online environment.

Outdoor educators who inspire: Swiftwater Learning Center

Jun 12, 2024

Educator Michele Montgomery on how she uses hands-on learning and the outdoor classroom to share a sense of place and comfort and the outdoors. For high school students growing up in a recreation and tourism town at the foot of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, those lessons can lead to lifelong passions and potential future careers.

Meet the 2024 Lost Trails Found paid crews

Jun 04, 2024

WTA's Lost Trails Found paid crews have a big summer of trail work planned. Meet some of the maintainers doing this tough work and learn what they're looking forward to in 2024. By Joseph Gonzalez

A gift to WTA that spans generations

Jun 04, 2024

One volunteer's gift honors family memories while sustaining the trails of tomorrow. By Adam Steinberg

Volunteering is worth the trip: Why three volunteers travel interstate for Washington trails

WTA’s backcountry trips draw volunteers back year after year from across the country. Three volunteers explain why they make the trip to spend time on trail with WTA. By Anna Roth

Once Youth Volunteers, Now WTA Leaders

Anna Pree and Kat Conley each began trail work with WTA as teenagers. Now, they’re trail work professionals who are inspiring the next generation on trail. | By Tiffany Chou

Volunteer Profile: Rick Bennett

Mar 28, 2024

In the wilds of the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas, you can find Rick Bennett — one of WTA's dedicated volunteer crew leaders. Rick’s been a trail maintenance volunteer since 2008 and has been a crew leader (or blue hat) since 2022. Over the course of 16 years, Rick has provided volunteers fun and welcoming experiences on trail, and in February, he was recognized with the the Gig Harbor Rotary Club's Star Award.