This is not a brand
By Land is a my reflection of a journey into the outdoors.
About Me
I grew up in SW Washington, joined the Marines, went to war, and returned home to start a new life and career.
Backpacking came to me through hunting. I was tired of relying on a vehicle for support, so I started learning all I could about backpack hunting. Before long, I fell headlong into the world of backpacking and loved it. The idea of hunting further from the trailhead and using my feet to find more backcountry adventures was all I could think about.
My desire for more knowledge led me to thru-hiking, and in 2017, I stepped off from the southern terminus of the Pacific Crest Trail and began hiking north to Canada. That summer became a turning point for me as a backpacker and a person.
Thru-hiking has a way of stripping us down to the bare essentials and showing us how easy backpacking can be if we’re thoughtful about what we bring and how we plan. By the time I reached Canada in September, I was no longer a visitor to the landscapes; I had become part of them. What began as a mindset of me vs the trail grew into one of me with the trail.
I learned to love everything the PCT had to offer; the good, bad, and everything in between.
The lessons I learned that summer followed me home and into my next adventure in life, raising a family and teaching them how to love and appreciate the outdoors in their own way.
Today, I find myself more passionate about backpacking than ever. Not for the views or the stories, but because of what it does for me on a human level. It’s become a tool for self-development, and without it, I wouldn’t be who I am today.
But, if there’s anything I’m more passionate about, it’s helping others to pursue adventures in a way that brings them the most personal joy. There is no one-size-fits-all adventure, and there’s no right or wrong way to enjoy the outdoors. We’re all different, and that’s what makes going outside so great; it becomes what you need when you need it most.
Whether camping with my family, going on day hikes, enjoying a hunt, or whatever else I find myself doing, I enjoy it all. The more I go, the better I become, no matter the adventure.
About By Land
I started By Land as a way to document my own journey into backpacking, share my findings, and offer insight into what I was learning so others could benefit from my time in the backcountry. Not everyone has a mentor to show them the ropes, and I thought if I could help even one person find their way, fix a problem, or empower them to find the adventure they’ve been looking for, then it would be worth it. If not, at the very least, my time out there would be documented for my children to read about, maybe even their children’s children.
I want to help make this world a better place through backpacking and exploring the outdoors. By Land is my way of giving back by putting a little good out into the world. Whether that’s through a podcast episode, YouTube video, photo, story, or course, I hope my work here helps someone find success out there and within themselves.
By Land is not a brand. It is a reflection of my time spent in the outdoors and there is no end to it.
It is riddled with spelling errors, poor formatting, and hit-and-miss web design, but it’s me. Flaws and all, it’s all mine, and I think that’s part of the journey as well. There was a time when I thought it needed to be perfect, but it turns out that imperfection is what makes something special.
Thank you for finding my little corner of the internet and reading these words. I hope you find what you’re looking for, and if not, don’t hesitate to reach out - that’s what I’m here for.
Sincerely,
Emory, by land