I had heard how difficult it was to get a camping permit for Havasupai, so when a friend invited me to join him after someone in their group dropped out, I immediately jumped at the chance! Thanks to his last-minute invitation, I was able to make this long-dreamed trip happen.

The entire adventure was divided into three segments, and hence three days: the hike from the Havasupai trailhead into the tribal village, a back-and-forth hike from Supai Village to the Confluence, and finally, the climb back from the campsite to the original trailhead.

Initially, we planned for a four-day, three-night leisurely trip to leave plenty room for a relaxing day exploring the waterfalls, the streams, and the “世外桃源” village (a paradise hidden from the world). However, plans changed, and we ended up tackling a very packed three-day, two-night trip, hiking a rough total of 40 miles!

Was it worth it? Absolutely. The scenery, the village, and the physical challenge proved this trip to be one of the most rewarding adventures of my life.

There were so many archived photos and words in my temp folder, a work in progress. Yet, I decided to post this short one just to share some photos taken during the trip and mark the start of the year 2025.

Mount Shuksan was definitely on my list, though I never thought I’d head there so early in mid-January. This January was extraordinarily dry. Seattle had an unusually long stretch of winter sun—roughly two weeks—and the dry days continued until almost the end of the month. As long as the weather was good, and invited by friends, I took another alpine start on the weekend of the 18th.

The recently concluded Asian trip brought back all my childhood memories of the summer heat: the extreme temperatures, the humid air, and the cloudless sky with sunlight beaming directly down. Having lived in Seattle for 10 years, I had almost forgotten what my childhood summers were like and how I managed to endure them for 18 years!

Driving east from Seattle, you’ll spot giant turbines standing proudly on the ridges of the Cascades, slowly rotating and facing you. We are often captivated by these monumental human creations—skyscrapers, cruise ships, airplanes. They are designed not only for utility but also to inspire awe.

Nice achievements!

RBC GranFondo Whistler - September 7, 2024 Time: 4:35:29 Distance: 122km / 76mi Elevation: 2300m / 7500ft

Ultra Trail Whistler by UTMB 2024 - 70K - September 28, 2024 Time: 12:05:34 Distance: 69km / 42.8mi Elevation: 3850m / 12631ft

There is so much that I would like to say, but I do not know where to start. I burst into tears after finishing them, though. :’)