Field Notes

Gay at Gauley Fest
Gay at Gauley Fest
I went to Gauley Fest excited to paddle. I left thinking about homophobia, sexism, trust, and what LGBTQ+ paddlers should be able to expect from the whitewater community. Read more...
Justin Bickley and Sarah standing with packrafts and paddles beside a river in Idaho
I Bought an Inflatable Boat and Somehow Ended Up on the Board
I bought a packraft because I wanted to get on more rivers. Somehow that turned into a seat on the American Packrafting Association board. Read more...
Justin Bickley packrafting beside a waterfall in Alaska wearing a bright yellow paddling top
They DM’d Me. Then They Actually Came to Alaska.
A random Instagram message, a soaked original plan and a very good Alaska pivot. Read more...
Justin Bickley with a packraft beneath a waterfall
150 Packrafters Walk Into Idaho...
About 150 packrafters showed up in Idaho for the APA RoundUp. It was chaotic in the best possible way. Read more...
Justin being kissed on the cheek in front of Sacré-Cœur in Paris
The Part of Pride I Want to Hold Onto
A slightly weird Pride Month thought about being proud of who I am and remembering the people who stood next to me while I got here. Read more...
Justin sleeping in a tent under an orange quilt
A Blanket Called Home
As a kid I had a blanket literally named Home. We moved a lot and, looking back... yeah, that tracks. Apparently I still carry home around, it just looks like... Read more...
Justin drinking coffee shirtless in a wood sauna
I’ve Been Thinking About Coming Out Again
I don't miss coming out. But lately I've been remembering the weird mental math of it, and why that feeling still matters when I'm trying to understand someone else. Read more...
I Took an Ice Rescue Course in Alaska. It Was Cold as Hell.
I Took an Ice Rescue Course in Alaska. It Was Cold as Hell.
I climbed through lake ice in Alaska, then tried to change clothes while everything froze to me. Mostly, it made me want to be even more conservative around winter water. Read more...
I Came Here for the Seasons
I Came Here for the Seasons
Alaska was getting dark again and I caught myself scrolling old desert videos for warmth. I came here for the seasons... even when one of them is kind of a... Read more...
Justin hiking shirtless through snow with a backpack and trekking poles
Why I’m Always Shirtless Outside
Yes, I'm shirtless a lot. It has less to do with showing off than people think. I just really like feeling the weather on my skin. Read more...