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About Me

About Me

Hi I’m Taryn… and I’m Happiest Outdoors.

So what does that mean… “Happiest Outdoors”?

I feel best when I get outside and move my body. For me, that mostly means hiking and backpacking, but it also means biking, paddling, and snowshoeing near my home in Squamish, BC. And I also love exploring new parts of the world. But it can sometimes be as simple as walking around my neighbourhood after dinner.

I spend time outside for lots of different reasons (mental health, exercise, nature is BEAUTIFUL), but the common thread between all of these reasons, is that being outdoors makes me the happiest. (Shocker, given the website name I know!) I’m willing to bet being active outdoors makes you happy too.

But heading outside can be intimidating if it’s not something you’re familiar with. You might be wondering where to go, what to bring, or if you’re going to get eaten by a bear. (I know I was when I was new to hiking!)

When I first started hiking I had a hard time finding info online about the hikes I was interested in or about outdoor gear. I’m an information junkie so I did (and still do) as much obsessive research as possible. I figured that others probably also had trouble finding hiking info. And if I was spending waaay too much time learning, I shouldn’t just keep that info to myself – I should start a website. So Happiest Outdoors was born from that passion to know more.

I believe that the outdoors is for everyone. I want to inspire and enable you to get outdoors at home or around the world, no matter if you’re a beginner or an experienced hiker. Basically, I want to make sure that you have the info you need to get outside, have an adventure, and also be Happiest Outdoors.

Check out some of my most popular posts to read more:

A Little More About Me

Exploring the giant old growth trees of Avatar Grove on Vancouver Island

I’m a 30-something early 40s hiker, adventure traveller and Leave No Trace Master Educator from Squamish, Canada. In my next life, I’d like to be a marmot. (Wait. Wut? Well it sounds pretty great: live in an alpine meadow, eat flowers, lay in the sun, when winter comes, crawl into a burrow with my family and sleep until its over. What’s not to like?)

I grew up in Vancouver’s suburbs in a family that was pretty sporty (So. Much. Soccer!) and kinda outdoorsy. We went hiking and camping a few times a year, and I did a little bit of mountain biking with my Dad.

When I was in university I got my first car and suddenly had the freedom to go wherever I wanted. I started going on little local hikes with friends but I quickly realized that hiking as an adult was NOT the same as having my Dad organize my adventures. I had to figure out where to go, what I needed to bring, and carry it all myself. And if I got lost, it was totally my own fault.

But I figured it out… kind of. I bought a guide book and some hiking boots. I learned the hard way to always carry a rain jacket, a water bottle and a first aid kit. After a few years, I got more confident in nature.

And then my new boyfriend invited me to go backpacking with him. I tried to pretend I was an experienced hiker and was totally cool with the idea. Truthfully, I was a bit terrified. I had never slept in a tent that wasn’t next to a car. I had never gone more than 48 hours without a shower. I had never carried a backpack big enough to hold all the gear I’d need for days. I had no idea what to wear. I didn’t own a sleeping bag. But I was also a bit excited.

Oh and did I mention the destination for this first ever backpacking trip? The world famous (and famously challenging) West Coast Trail. Yup.

To prep for the trip I scoured the internet for information. I read every single WCT trip report I could find. I read gear lists. I scraped together money for new gear and told my grandma I didn’t want jewelry as a university graduation gift… I wanted a down sleeping bag. (Thanks Grandma!)

I experienced a lot of imposter syndrome on that trip and was constantly convinced I was “doing it wrong”. But the trip ended up being amazing and kind of life changing: It turns out I love backpacking! I definitely did cry a few times (It was hard! My pack was sooo heavy!), but I learned a lot and was hooked for life on both backpacking and researching hiking info. (I was hooked on the boyfriend too – we got married a few years later!)

Over the next few years I went backpacking more and more. (Here’s a list of every place I’ve ever been backpacking if you’re weirdly curious.) I started planning backpacking trips for my friends, instead of following along on other people’s trips. I learned a ton more about hiking gear and started helping my friends shop for their own gear. I became so gear obsessed that I even got a part-time job during university working at an outdoor store.

I took a Leave No Trace trainer course and then a Master Educator course, a wilderness first aid course, a wilderness survival course, and learned to orienteer to improve my map and compass skills.

Eventually I started taking trips to more “advanced” backpacking destinations like the Long Range Traverse and the Nootka Trail. And most of my vacations began to be outdoor focused as I travelled to Nepal, Iceland, and Australia.

My day job even started to reflect my outdoors obsession: I ditched the legal career I had trained for and started working as a website writer for a large outdoor retailer (if you’re Canadian, you’ve definitely heard of it). I spent seven years there, researching products, writing product descriptions and helping craft staff training materials. I learned A LOT about the technology behind outdoor gear!

In early 2019, I left that job to strike out on my own. Now I work on this website full-time. (Side note: Let’s work together!) In some ways it’s a dream job, but it’s also lots of work and just a little bit terrifying. The first few years were a bit lean, but as of 2024, I now make about twice as much money as I made at my day job… and I’m about 100 times happier!

I am also involved in the outdoor community. I’m currently the President of the Friends of Garibaldi Park Society, a trail work and advocacy group that works in my favourite park in the world, Garibaldi Provincial Park. I’ve been volunteering with Leave No Trace Canada for over a decade, teaching Leave No Trace awareness workshops. For a few years I was even on their Board of Directors.

In spring 2021, my first book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia was released. It’s the essential guide to overnight and long weekend backpacking trips near Vancouver. And in April 2024, my second guidebook, Backpacking on Vancouver Island was published.

I’ve got lots more planned for this website, and I can’t wait to share it with you. If you want to stay up to date with what I’m doing, follow me on Instagram where I often give sneak peaks of my hikes. And for the real insider’s scoop, subscribe to my Backpacking in BC newsletter.

Want to get in touch? Email me: taryn[at]happiestoutdoors[dot]ca

Lynn

Friday 22nd of November 2024

Hi Taryn, We hiked the North Coast Trail this summer, and relied on your guide. Thanks for the details!

In relation to the North Coast Trail, is the West Coast Trail a bit easier in terms of how much we need to use all four limbs to get over/around obstacles?

Taryn Eyton

Saturday 23rd of November 2024

I would say the WCT is a bit easier than the NCT because there are no ropes and very little scrambling. Instead, the WCT has ladders. The only section of the WCT that is comparable in difficulty to the NCT is the section between Camper Bay and Thrasher Cove - you can choose from the beach route or the forest route in that section. The beach route has a lot of scrambling. The forest route has a little bit.

Chris

Saturday 14th of September 2024

Any suggestions for low elevation gain fall overnight hike near Vancouver. We just did Singing Creek on Cheakamus Lake and would like to do another.

Taryn Eyton

Saturday 14th of September 2024

I've got a post with the best spring backpacking trips in BC. They are all low elevation and will work for fall too.

Victor Kollock

Tuesday 10th of September 2024

Read your article about making an informed choice of snowshoeing footwear. I've read rave reviews of the Steger Artic Mukluk for snowshoeing. Any reason it didn't make your list? Unavailable for testing, wrong size, etc. I'm going to be conducting snowshoes tours. One with a Winter Ecology theme, and in the other I'll be in the guise of mountain man John Colter wearing a lynx hat, a capote,and using traditional snowshoes.

I thought the Steger Artic Mukluks would fit nicely.

Your thoughts?

Respectfully, Victor J Kollock

Taryn Eyton

Wednesday 11th of September 2024

Hi Victor. I'm not familiar with that brand. But from looking at their website there are two reasons I wouldn't recommend them. Firstly, they don't offer ankle support. As I explained in the article, ankle support can be important when snowshoeing, especially if you are not on flat trails. Secondly, they seem far too warm for most users. When snowshoeing, your feet will heat up inside the boots as you walk and start to sweat if the boots are too warm. These look like great boots for more sedentary cold weather activities like ice fishing or snowmobiling.

tamara

Sunday 7th of April 2024

Hi; I wanted to buy your Backpacking on Vancouver Island book right away for a trip I am planning late April. Is there anywhere I can find it on bookshelves now in AB or BC? It looks like it is a pre-order and shipping in May. thank YOU

Taryn Eyton

Sunday 7th of April 2024

My book was released on April 2. You can buy it from Chapters, Amazon, independent bookstores, or order a copy from me directly through my website. The books section of my website has all the details. (Note: For some reason Amazon has the wrong date on their website along with the correct date - it says April 2 next to the title but then May 12 next to the purchase button.) My publisher has a support ticket in with Amazon and we are hoping it will be resolved soon. If you're worried about time, you should buy the book somewhere else - there are tons of places to find it.

Kristin Ebersold

Sunday 24th of March 2024

Hi. I love your blog. I have a few questions about an itinerary near Vancouver. How can I get in touch with you directly? Thanks! Kristin

Taryn Eyton

Tuesday 26th of March 2024

You can email me: [email protected] - I do provide custom itinerary consultations and trip planning help. You can find more info on my custom trip planning page.