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
18 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.
Rowena Plateau Trail: Oregon Hiking Guide
With colorful wildflower fields, sweeping Columbia River Gorge views, and a location just over one hour from Portland, the Rowena Plateau trail deserves a spot on your Oregon bucket list. In this guide, we share everything you need to know to hike the Rowena Plateau.
15 Best Hikes in Bend, Oregon
After living in this Central Oregon town for nearly 2 years, we’ve had plenty of time to discover the best hikes in Bend, Oregon. We put together some of our favorites suitable for all levels, including easy walks and longer full-day treks.
21 Best Hikes in Mount Rainier National Park
With several distinct regions, each boasting incredible PNW wilderness and views, it can be difficult deciding which trails provide the best hiking in Mount Rainier National Park. To help you choose, we’ve rounded up our favorites that you don’t want to miss. Prepare to be mesmerized at every step!
15 Beautiful Washington Waterfalls Near Seattle
From dramatic drops down a mountainside to peaceful trickles in a rainforest, we’ve rounded up the most beautiful Washington waterfalls near Seattle you won’t want to miss. Plus we've included everything you need to know to plan your visit.
Taggart Lake Trail: Grand Teton National Park Hiking Guide
With easy access, a shimmering glacial lake, and gorgeous scenery along the way, Taggart Lake Trail in Grand Teton National Park is deservedly one of the most popular hikes in the park. In this guide, we share everything you need to know to safely hike to Taggart Lake.
Mount Bierstadt Trail Guide: Hiking One of Colorado’s Famous 14ers
One of the closest and most accessible 14ers to Denver, Mount Bierstadt is an extremely popular hike. Even with its approachability, summiting a mountain of this size is no joke, so we put together this detailed trail guide with everything you need to know. In the perennially busy Front Range, [...]
Sahalie and Koosah Falls: Oregon Trail Guide
Central Oregon has no shortage of waterfalls, but Sahalie and Koosah Falls are standouts. Aside from being practically side-by-side and easily accessible, they’re close to several other must-see sites. This guide gives you all the details on what to expect at both falls.
50 Best Hikes in Oregon (for every ability level!)
When hiking in Oregon, there is something for everyone. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced hiker, we’ve got the perfect hike listed here just for you. From the most epic views to the most unique hikes, this article has all the best hikes in Oregon to make any outdoor-lover [...]