Outside of work, I’m passionate about outdoor adventure sports and creative pursuits. Here are some of the activities I enjoy:
Rock Climbing
Rock climbing combines physical challenge with problem-solving in beautiful natural settings. Whether it's bouldering, sport climbing, or traditional climbing, I love the mental and physical aspects of this sport. These days my climbing mostly consists of regular social sessions in the gym and low-frequency trips for big trad lines like Matthes Crest and Saber Ridge.
Matthes crest in Yosemite. My brother Kory is visible ~50 meters away on the ridge, following on simul-climb.
Paragliding
Flying through the air with nothing but a wing and harness is an incredible experience. Paragliding offers a unique perspective on the world below and the freedom of flight. It's an aircraft that fits in a backpack - what more could you want?
Flying near Mount Shasta. Photo credit to my wife Haoxing, who was slightly above me one thermal to the North.
Wingfoiling
Wingfoiling combines elements of windsurfing, kitesurfing, and foiling into one exciting water sport. It's a relatively new discipline that's rapidly growing in popularity. It's an awesome way to explore the bay: cheaper, faster, and more flexible than sailing, but with the right gear still secure enough to be comfortable going miles from shore.
Wingfoiling on the bay. Hair down and no shades for the photo, normally I'm fairly covered and a lot harder to identify. Photo credit @drethelin
Backpacking
Exploring remote wilderness areas with everything I need on my back is one of my favorite ways to disconnect and reconnect with nature. There's something special about waking up to a sunrise in the backcountry. I've thru-hiked the Colorado Trail, Tour du Mont Blanc, and Cradle Mountain Trek.
An October blizzard on a solo trip in the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Extremely cold, but beautiful. I love nice weather as much as the next guy, but inclement conditions offer a different experience, and almost guarantee a good amount of solitude.
Making Things
I enjoy working with my hands and creating things, whether it’s woodworking, electronics projects, or other DIY endeavors. There’s satisfaction in bringing an idea from concept to reality.