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Backpack to the Minam River Lodge
AdventuresBackpacking

Backpacking to the Minam River Lodge

by Paulina Dao August 23, 2018
written by Paulina Dao

Backpack to the Minam River Lodge

I’m all about that lazy backpacking/hibernating life these days. Give me short hikes, hut camping, happy hours, train camping on the river, and zero alpine starts. When I found out about the Minam River Lodge last year at a Travel Oregon event, I could not believe what I was hearing.

This luxurious spot, nestled in the Wallowa Whitman National Forest, is accessible only by foot. (Or by air, but let’s be real, I’m hiking those 8.5 miles in.)

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August 23, 2018 2 comments
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McKenzie River Hiking Bend Oregon
AdventuresHiking

A Weekend in Bend, Oregon

by Paulina Dao August 14, 2018
written by Paulina Dao

A Weekend in Bend, Oregon

A weekend in Bend is not entirely improbable if you’re from the Bay Area. With daily flights from SFO to Redmond, it’s easy to escape to Oregon’s high desert for a few days.

Here’s how to spend a weekend in Bend.

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August 14, 2018 1 comment
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LG.com

What’s on my 2018 Summer Reading List?

by Paulina Dao July 13, 2018
written by Paulina Dao

My 2018 Summer Reading List

Growing up, I was that kid with 30 books shoved haphazardly into her backpack for family vacation. Reading is something that I absolutely loved. I still do.

I average about 4-5 books per month, depending on workload and how much I’m sitting in a car. 

Here’s what’s on my summer reading list!

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July 13, 2018 1 comment
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AdventuresBackpackingClimbing

Climbing Prusik Peak in the Enchantments

by Paulina Dao July 11, 2018
written by Paulina Dao

Climbing Prusik Peak

All photos by Nick Lake.

“Rope!” I shouted, tugging on the rope we were rappelling on. Above us, the sky quickly turned black. It didn’t budge. I yanked on it again. Small bits of debris rained down on us. Josh grabbed it and pulled. More debris came down.

It was clear, the rope was stuck. Night was falling fast and most of our party didn’t bring a headlamp. We didn’t expect Prusik Peak to turn into such an epic…

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July 11, 2018 0 comments
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Ferment & Forage with the Little River Inn and Countryman Forager, Mendocino, CA
AdventuresFoodHiking

Ferment & Forage with the Little River Inn

by Paulina Dao July 6, 2018
written by Paulina Dao

Ferment and Forage Experience Little River Inn Mendocino Countryman Forager

The Little River Inn recently extended an invite to attend their first ever Ferment and Forage Experience celebrating the gathering food from the land and sea. I grew up picking blackberries on bushes at summer camp and eating vinegar ants right out of the ant hill. After hearing countless stories of how friends foraged for mushrooms and the like in my metaphorical backyard, I wanted to learn how.

Ferment and Forage Experience Little River Inn Mendocino Countryman Forager

The Little River Inn brought Kevin from Countryman Forager, folx from Freedive Shop, Erica from Rising Tide Sea Vegetables, and the Inn’s own manager and resident fermenter, Cally, for foraging and cooking demos. If you’ve ever been curious about eating in the wild, this event is an excellent stepping stone.

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July 6, 2018 3 comments
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Paulina Dao Little Grunts

Hi, I’m Paulina! A full time adventurer with a day job, I’m a firm believer in the 5-9, and maximizing every second of being out of office. I didn't grow up outdoorsy. This little corner of the internet chronicles my trials and tribulations of heading outside. Learn more about me or just say hi!

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littlegrunts.com
  • About
    • About Paulina
    • Why Don’t They Look Like Me? The Diversity Dilemma in Outdoor Media
    • Contact Me
  • Climbing
    • Bouldering at Castle Hill, New Zealand
    • Bouldering at the Jardines, Queenstown, New Zealand
    • The Best Beginner Boulders in the Buttermilks, Bishop, CA
  • Backpacking
  • Hiking
  • Travel
  • Destinations
    • California
    • Iceland
    • Idaho
    • Washington
    • Utah
    • Greece
    • New Zealand
    • Norway
  • Gear Reviews
    • How to Build Out a Subaru Outback Without Any Building
  • Work With Me!