We’re Ben and Katie, high school sweethearts turned full-time bloggers, and full-on lovers of the outdoors!
We’re both from Minneapolis, Minnesota. If you’re never been, here are two things you need to know about Minnesota:
- We have more than 10,000 lakes, and we are very proud of it. Some of them are clean enough to drink from.
- It gets cold in the wintertime. Like, really cold. If you don’t like seeing your breath and having your boogers freeze, don’t visit Minnesota in the winter. (You’re welcome!)
Katie was raised camping and fishing on the many lakes of Minnesota. Ben, on the other hand, grew up playing organized sports like football, basketball and track, and his introduction to the outdoor world came a bit later in life.
And while we always liked to consider ourselves “outdoorsy”, it took us moving to the mountains of Washington state to realize…
…we felt like total outsiders in the outdoor community.
There was all this lingo we didn’t understand, and sometimes it felt like a competition where everyone was trying to prove they were the most adventurous.
Over the next several years, we became kind of obsessed with all things outdoorsy.
We are still very much in the learning process. And we have so many skills we want to work on and adventures on our ginormous dream list.
Wherever you are on your outdoor journey, we’re here for you. We’re here to provide inspiration, tips we’ve learned by making mistakes, and helpful information to get you outdoors. To show you you’re not alone is feeling new or confused or overwhelmed.
Remember this: Everybody starts somewhere.
Expert skiers have fallen many times. Every climber has their first ascent. Each backcountry camper has a first time.
After a pretty traditional start to adulthood (i.e. graduating university with loads of student loans and starting jobs in the so-called “real world”), we had a crazy idea…
What if we took a break for a while and traveled?
And that’s just what we did. Over the next 6 years, we taught English in South Korea, hiked to Everest Base Camp, trekked to remote villages, volunteered on organic farms, worked at a ski resort, built our own campervan and lived in it for three months.
We saw the most epic sunrises and sunsets. Connected with people from all around the world. Lived with little. Spent countless hours outside.
Hiked in remote places without another soul for miles. Learned more about ourselves and this world than we ever thought possible. And fell deeply in love with life, the outdoors, and this earth that we’ve been so privileged to explore.
But after a handful of years of being nomadic, we found ourselves craving a home.
Psst! If you are curious about our international travels, check out our website, Two Wandering Soles, for the full story.
Long story short, we ended up moving to central Oregon, where we can be found working on our computers from coffee shops and getting out to explore this new on the weekends when we’re not traveling abroad.
And so, Go Wander Wild was created. A place for us to share what we’ve learned, to inspire and be inspired.
We’re obsessed with camping and hiking and learning new outdoor skills. And while our love for outdoor adventuring started as a hobby for just the two of us, we now have a young daughter who we bring on many of our outdoor adventures these days!
Based in: Bend, Oregon
Favorite PNW hike: Colchuck Lake and the Enchantments
Favorite things:
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Hiking to hot springs
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Our recipe for “grown up” mac ’n cheese backpacking meals
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Backcountry sunsets with no other people around
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Playing Monopoly Deal by the light of our headlamps in our tent
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Swimming in alpine lakes
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“Zero days” where we hike somewhere, hang our hammock, and relax with a beer
Ask us about:
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Backcountry camping
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DIY-ing backcountry camping meals
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Hiking
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Campervanning
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Snowshoeing
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Snowboarding
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Wilderness First Aid certifications (NOLS)
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Outdoor adventures with baby and toddler
Ben & Katie’s recent articles
21 Fantastic Columbia River Gorge Hikes
The Columbia River Gorge may be famous for epic waterfalls, but there’s so much more to explore, like challenging summits and blankets of wildflowers. To help you maximize your time in the Gorge, we put together this list of our favorite Columbia River Gorge hikes.
19 Awesome Hikes in Oregon near Portland
With towering volcanoes, lush forests, and the Pacific Ocean all within two hours, there’s an outdoor adventure to match every taste. We rounded up the best hikes near Portland to highlight a diversity of trails, from easy urban escapes to full-day treks with overnight camping options.
Falls Creek Falls: Washington’s Most Impressive Falls?
Falls Creek Falls is one of the most impressive waterfalls in Washington—and one that’s still flying under the radar. In this complete trail guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to hike to Falls Creek Falls and what to expect along the way.
12 Best Waterfalls in Washington State
From dramatic cascades in lush forests to hidden gems off the beaten path, these falls are as diverse as they are breathtaking. We’ve rounded up a handful of the best waterfalls in Washington to add to your PNW bucket list, plus insider tips as well as important things to know [...]
16 Spectacular Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls
From gentle tiered cascades to dramatic drops of several hundred feet, the vast variety of Columbia River Gorge waterfalls is incredible. This guide covers our top recommendations (out of nearly 100!), with options for every type of adventurer, plus tips and insider info.
Panther Creek Falls: Unique Hidden Gem in Washington
Panther Creek Falls is one of the most underrated waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge. In this guide, we’ll share everything you need to know to visit this hidden gem—how to get there, what to expect on the trail, and tips for an unforgettable visit.
Dog Mountain Trail: Best Wildflower Hike in Washington
Dog Mountain trail in the Columbia River Gorge is one of Washington’s most iconic wildflower hikes. In this detailed trail guide, we share when to go, how to get a permit, and our insider tips for tackling this steep but rewarding adventure.
Perfect Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary
Planning the perfect Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary can be overwhelming, especially with so much natural beauty to explore. This 3-day guide covers scenic drives, must-see trails, and breathtaking overlooks to ensure you experience the very best of this Colorado treasure.
2-Day Grand Teton National Park Itinerary
With so much natural beauty to explore, planning the perfect itinerary can feel overwhelming. This 2-day Grand Teton National Park itinerary covers breathtaking hikes, iconic viewpoints, and scenic drives, ensuring you make the most of every moment.