Quote of the Month:
“Nature gives to every time and season some beauties of its own." - Charles Dickens
If you are an experienced hiker, or even if you are a newcomer on the trails of the Pacific Northwest Region, you’ve probably read one or two books written by 
Craig Romano or at least viewed one of his abundant online articles describing thousands of trails. He is also the author of numerous publications which you may found at Seattle Met, Backpacker, Paddler, Canoe and Kayak, Northwest Travel, Adventures NW, Outdoors NW, Northwest Runner, AMC Outdoors, CityDog, Oregon Coast, and Via.
Often called a successor of well-known Harvey Manning and Ira Spring, Craig Romano is an author of ten captivating guidebooks and the coauthor of another four; his three new books (100 Classic Hikes Washington, Urban Trails: Bremerton, and Day Hiking Olympic Peninsula 2nd Edition) are currently getting ready to see the world. His book “Columbia Highlands: Exploring Washington's Last Frontier” became a Washington Reads Award Winner in 2010.
Craig Romano was born in Connecticut and grew up in New Hampshire, where he experienced his first hikes and gained his incredible passion for nature and outdoors. But in 1989 he decided to move to our beautiful Washington State, becoming a resident of Mount Vernon.
After earning an undergraduate degree in Forestry from White Mountains Community College in New Hampshire, Bachelor degree in History and Masters in education (both from the University of Washington), Romano spent one school year (1999-2000) being a History teacher at Edmonds-Woodway High School.
But his love for writing and fondness of outdoors helped him to become a person who managed to combine his career with his passion. Now this award-winning author of numerous guidebooks and outdoor writer inspires other people to get out on the trails exploring the beautiful nature surrounding them.
Today we have a chance to talk to Craig about his lifework.
Do you remember your first hike? Where was it and when?
Sleeping Giant in Connecticut sometime in the 1960s when I was a bambino.
When did you understand that you want “outdoors writing“ to become your lifework?
Probably in my teen years—I knew I didn’t want to work in an office.
Can you describe the most unforgettable hike in your life?
So many! Definitely watching a glacier break apart while hiking in Chile’s Torres de Paine National Park. Seeing a grizzly for the first time while hiking Montana’s Glacier National Park. And my first solo backpacking trip which was on the High Divide in Olympic National Park.
Why the decision to move to Washington State came to your mind?
I had been out here three times prior via two cross-country bike trips and one cross-country car camping trip. During a big life change in 1989, I came out for what was going to be a short stint to get my head together-and I ended up staying. It was fate!
Throughout all these years of staying on the trail, you surely must have had some extreme situations. Can you tell us about one of them?
I had a near death experience in an electrical storm on the top of Mount Shasta and I got caught in a wild fire in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Both of these occurrences where life changing and brought me closer to God.
Who is your favorite companion during your trail explorations?
My wife Heather.
Travelling, especially with the current economic situation, is quite expensive, especially if you overnight in hotels. Where do you prefer to spend nights (in a tent, or may be in a trailer), during your day-hikes and during your backpacking trips?
I have spent many nights in the back of my pick-up truck and in my tent. There are lots of good deals too for lodging when I don’t want to camp—you just have to stay away from the busy seasons.
You cannot take too many things with you for a hike. What are the most essential things to your mind, which every hiker should have with him during a day-hike and during the trips with overnight outdoor?
The ten essentials are key to any hike beyond a short jaunt in the park. I take a few convenience items too when I am camping—like my lightweight stool. Of course I always have a camera and note pad with me on every hike.
We understand that you are often hiking alone. Were there any moments in your life when you felt fear while staying alone outdoors?
I’ve had a few challenging moments and they force you to concentrate and be prudent. You need to always be aware of your surroundings and know when to make a quick decision to change plans. Fear is a good emotion that keeps us from getting in trouble.
You have been travelling throughout US from Alaska to Argentina. Do you feel fear or anxiety while choosing a trail for you hike, where you know that you may meet wild animals, like bears or jaguars?
One of the most exciting things when hiking is seeing wild animals. You have to be smart and be aware of situations around you to make sure that the encounters are good ones.
Have you ever met wild animals on the trails? What have you felt at the moment of staying one-on-one with a wild animal?
I have encountered lots of wild animals from bobcats, wolves, grizzly bears and caribou. All of these encounters were invigorating and forever etched into my mind—they make you feel alive and appreciate the beauty and complexities of nature.
What can you advise to the hikers in the situation if they meet a wild animal?
Every animal is different and I go into detail in my books on what to do if you encounter them. With proper knowledge of animal behavior and knowing what to do in a situation, the risks are greatly diminished.
Is it frightening to sleep alone in a tent?
Lonely sometimes-but generally very peaceful.
Were there any moments during your hikes when your life was in danger?
Yes, in bad weather and wildfires.
You have been hiking since your childhood. What do you think, have the number of people on the trails changed throughout all these years?
Yes, we are seeing a great increase in the number of hikers over the years. This is generally good, but there seems to be more bad behavior on the trail with this new wave of hikers. It is up to all of us to model good behavior and teach proper trail etiquette.
While hiking myself I noticed that some trails are overcrowded and some are quite rarely visited. Why such a situation happens and how can this problem be solved, to your mind?
Folks generally head to trails that are close to population centers and easy to get to. There are so many other trails out there if you are willing to drive a little farther and forgo some convenience. I pack my books with lots of lesser known destinations so folks can get off the beaten path.
When you ascend a mountain and see all the breathtaking views which open in front of you, what do you feel at such moments? What thoughts come to your mind?
I usually feel God. Being in nature is very spiritual to me—it gives purpose to my life and to my being. Nature is beautiful. The natural world has no flaws. Its complexities are mind staggering!
After traveling for so many years and seeing a lot of amazing places, is Washington State still the only place you want to live at? If you have to move somewhere, what place would you chose?
Washington is indeed a beautiful state and I enjoy living here. But there are so many other great places out there to explore, too! I miss and enjoy going back to my home state of New Hampshire—another one of my favorite places to hike. If I had to move somewhere else outside of Washington and New England—Oregon, California, Idaho, Montana would all work. I love traveling to many places too—just give me some wild areas and lots of trails!
What recommendations can you give to inexperienced hikers?
Make sure you are properly prepared before setting out. That means having the appropriate gear and sticking to a trail within your fitness level. Always check weather and trail conditions. And do your homework before you hit the trail—that’s what my guidebooks and maps are for!
We know that your 3 new books are coming this year: 100 Classic Hikes: Washington; Urban Trails: Bremerton, and Day Hiking Olympic Peninsula 2nd Edition. But we are sure that you already have millions of new ideas and projects in mind. Can you share with us some of your plans for the future?
You bet. There are six more books coming out in the Urban Hikes series. Bellingham and Olympia will be out next year. I am also working on the 2nd Edition of Day Hiking North Cascades which should be out in 2018. My dream book for the future is to write one on British Columbia’s North Cascades.
We are thankful to Craig for taking time to talk to us. To learn more about this experienced hiker and amazing places he has visited you may by visiting his website: www.craigromano.com.
You may also find and order his incredible books, which are a great help if hiking is your passion, at the websites of Mountaineers Books or Amazon.com.
We hope that Craig Romano will inspire you for new hikes and nature explorations!!!
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