This summer was supposed to be my busiest guiding season yet—full of back-to-back expeditions and travel. Instead, it’s been interrupted by mysterious pain, swelling joints, and a medical system that can’t keep up with my schedule. Between cancelled trips, tentative diagnoses, and fleeting moments of relief, I’m learning patience, leaning on my community, and trying to find joy even in uncertainty.

A behind-the-scenes look at a sea kayak guide’s seasonal life—149 field days, 23 programs, and a year built around wild places and meaningful work.

The 'Shifty One' crew sails across Prince William Sound and ski tours every slope they find!