Author: Hatti Fletcher
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Where Salmon and Summer Collide
Visiting Rivers at Their Most Vulnerable There’s a certain magic to summer on the river.The sun hangs long, the water beckons, and everything feels alive.But beneath the surface (sometimes literally), our rivers are at their breaking point. This is the season when salmon return.And the season when we show up in record numbers, too. It’s
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Why We Built WildKind
A Manifesto for Adventurous Conservation We were tired of choosing. Between adventure and advocacy.Between play and protection.Between our love for wild rivers, alpine ridgelines, and powder mornings—and the gnawing truth that these places are changing. Fast. We didn’t want to be just another voice shouting protect the planet from the sidelines.We also didn’t want to
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The Myth of the Secret Spot
Why keeping it quiet doesn’t keep it safe I used to think I was doing the right thing. I wouldn’t share the name of that lake I loved. Wouldn’t post the trailhead. I’d zoom in on photos to crop out landmarks, scribble over geotags, protect it like it was a secret I had earned. Because
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Why Lakes Turn Green in Late Summer—And What You Can Do About It
You hike to a favorite alpine lake in August. The sun is out, your feet are dusty, and you’re ready to dive in. But something’s off. The water looks murky. Almost…green. There’s a strange film near the edges. Maybe even a funky smell. What you’re seeing isn’t just nature doing its thing—it’s likely algae bloom,
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The Alpine is Melting: What Warming Summers Mean for Your Favorite Hikes
Because trail conditions aren’t the only things changing. Hiking above the treeline in the Pacific Northwest is a unique experience. You see jagged peaks and feel the cool air. There’s also the fleeting flush of wildflowers in bloom. But our alpine landscapes are changing fast. You may have hiked the same trail over the last
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Microtrash: The Tiny Problem That’s Trashing the Backcountry
It’s not always the big things that leave a mark. We’ve all seen the obvious culprits: abandoned tents, crushed beer cans, and the dreaded TP flower. But there’s another kind of litter that’s harder to see—and in many ways, more harmful. It’s called microtrash, and it’s quietly piling up in our wild places. What Is
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River First Aid: What to Carry in Your Dry Bag
Because nature doesn’t wait for cell service. Whether you’re paddling mellow flatwater or dropping into whitewater, the river is a wild and unpredictable place. A good first aid kit—one that’s thoughtfully packed for the environment you’re in—can make all the difference in an emergency. This guide breaks down the essential items every paddler should carry
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Five Small Actions That Actually Help Wild Salmon
Every summer, salmon return from the sea to the rivers they were born in—some traveling hundreds of miles upstream. It’s one of the greatest migrations on Earth. And yet, each year, fewer make it home. Habitat loss, dams, pollution, warming waters, and overfishing have all taken a toll. But here’s the good news: you don’t
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Meet the Founder
WildKind Collective was born from the river. It emerged from long days guiding whitewater trips and from witnessing the beauty and fragility of salmon runs. It also came from a deep belief that adventure can lead to action. Our founder has spent years on the water. With a camera in hand and a paddle in
WildKind Collective 