Hey everyone! Thanks for checking in on my blog. I go by Will and my trail name is the self-adopted PanCanMan. I’m the big guy on the left of my kids in the photo above.

My hope this blog provides several things for you. First, I hope my stories help you find your inner desire to wander outwardly and wonder inwardly. If not in the position to hike or backpack then I hope the blog allows you to live vicariously through my stories. I hope through my experiences (and mistakes) you learn about the do’s and don’ts and the preparation needed for these trips. I hope this blog encourages you to face the challenges of hiking and backpacking with confidence. At times on the trail, you will ask yourself “why am I doing this to myself?” But when done, the sense of finishing, the insightfulness and triumph are emotional and palpable. The recollection of the rough going gathered during hikes wanes into the allure the places visited and memories  consummated while hiking. The photos of my treks shared with family and friends on social media have been received with replies of encouragement to continue. I truly love to share my photos and stories. The feedback I get back inspires me.

Second, I hope to encourage people to help conserve our precious National Parks, forests, and wilderness areas. I’m not the traditional tree-hugger in the sense of conservation being an all-or-nothing proposition. I believe their are resources that we as humans need, that can only be garnered in some cases from beautiful, natural areas. I believe there are ways to extract to resources without permanently damaging or marring these beautiful areas. I believe there are areas that need to remain untouched, whose beauty is the predominant resource, over-riding the tangible earth-born resources that may exist (Redwood and Sequoia groves for example). I believe there are areas that need to be reclaimed to their natural states (Hetch-Hetchy for example) and fixing past wrongs. I believe that the fringe side of environmental issues, one being the eco-warriors, the other being the unfettered developers, have for too long dominated the wilderness discussions with one-sided stances, without a consideration for compromise or new management ideas. The management of our National Parks and Wilderness areas will require concessions on both sides and agreements on how to gain these resources, so they can be utilized for human good. However that is accomplished, a respect for and a return to a pristine state of beauty must be part of the equation.

Third and most important, this hobby of mine has allowed me to share the wilderness experiences with my children. I encourage you to do the same through a wilderness trek. To come upon a beautiful natural scene and watch my kids react has been epic. To hear them exclaim, “Man, look at that!” makes my heart sing. I love the campsite banter, the stories, and laughs. I love the process of preparation, to see them put on a backpack, put up a tent, cook meals, filter water, read maps, and build a fire. It’s all part of a participatory process that is family at its heart. One day, long after I’m gone, I envision my kids hiking with their kids and passing along story’s of hiking with their dad, and who knows, maybe even feel me walking at their sides.

To close, feel free to respond to my blog. I hope you find it interesting, entertaining and helpful. In the meantime, go get some trail dirt on those boots!

(Note: Now into my eighth year, I’ve befriended a cadre fellow hikers and backpackers. Through these friendships I learned so much from them about backpacking. Their willingness to share knowledge, experiences and equipment with me have been invaluable. I’ve been invited to join them on epic treks, knowing my enthusiasm to participate could not be matched by my know-how or abilities. Yet, they insisted I go and while on the trail, taught me so much about being in the wild. Those people know who they are and if I haven’t said it before I say it here…THANK YOU!

To save the best for last, I dedicate this blog to my wonderful wife Annette. She does not have the hiking or backpacking wanderlust that I have. She does hike with me on shorter hikes & and even has camp overnight with me. But as a constant, it’s not her thing. Now this could be a problem in some marriages, but not ours. She has encourage me to hike and do these treks. She has sacrificed vacation time with me so I can go off on some adventure. She has looked the other way when I buy the newest, hottest, gear or equipment. I think of her often when I’m on the trail and miss her when out there. I’m blessed to have the love and support of such a wonderful wife.)