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
Proxy Falls Oregon Trail Guide
Proxy Falls is arguably one of Oregon’s most unique and impressive waterfalls — and amazingly, it requires less than a 2-mile hike. This guide covers everything you need to know about hiking to Proxy Falls Oregon, plus what exactly makes it so special!
Tamolitch Falls Blue Pool Oregon: Ultimate Guide
In this article we'll cover everything you need to know about visiting the famous Blue Pool Oregon. From exactly how to get there to trail details and nearby attractions, we've got your covered!
Tumalo Falls Hike: How to Get There & What to Expect
Just 12 miles west of downtown Bend, Oregon lies Tumalo Falls, a beautiful 97-foot waterfall in the Deschutes National Forest. Here is everything you need to know before your visit to the falls, including when to go, how to get there and how to do the Tumalo Falls Loop Hike.
Colchuck Lake Trail: Washington Hiking Guide
Central Washington’s Colchuck Lake hike rewards trail blazers with a jaw-dropping turquoise lake nestled under some of the most dramatic peaks in the PNW. A challenging trail, hiking Colchuck Lake takes some advance planning, so we put together this guide with everything you need to know!
Perfect Itinerary for Olympic National Park (2, 3 and 4 days!)
In this flexible 2-4 day itinerary for Olympic National Park, we cover exactly how to see highlights like Hurricane Ridge, the Hoh Rainforest, and iconic beaches, as well as hidden gems and the best hikes, plus offer tips on camping, when to visit, and more!
5 Day Glacier National Park to Yellowstone Itinerary
Want to experience two of the best national parks in one epic trip? This 5-day itinerary takes you from Glacier National Park to Yellowstone, with two adventure-filled days in each park. This guide details the highlights, plus important things to know.
3 Day Glacier National Park Itinerary (+ 4 & 5 day options!)
With so many incredible things to do and see, planning the perfect Glacier National Park itinerary can be tricky. We put together this itinerary to help you do exactly that, with several easy ways to customize it and some helpful tips for first-time visitors.
3 Days in Yellowstone Itinerary
We put together this detailed 3 days in Yellowstone itinerary to help you make the most of your time in this incredible, one-of-a-kind park. Between hikes and scenic drives, you’ll explore geothermal wonders like geysers and hot springs, wildlife, gorgeous scenery, and more.
Emerald Lake Trail: Rocky Mountain National Park Trail Guide
With multiple mountain lakes, non-stop views, and a relatively short distance, it’s no surprise that Emerald Lake Trail is one of the most popular hikes in Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park. We put this trail guide together so you can plan out every detail of your Emerald Lake hike.