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Ethan Fichtner

@ethanisbrushinghisteethagain

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@chadmichaelbrewer is like a chia pet. Just add water and watch what happens. taken in Sequoia National Park, California by @ethanisbrushinghisteethagain

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13 days ago

Have you ever been to Choo Choo Mountain?

The story goes that one of my times up Rafferty creek in the Vogelsang zone of Tuolumne, bored, I scanned my map and spotted a random peak named Choo Choo Mountain. I knew then and there years ago that someday I would make my way to Choo Choo Mountain.

@kev.means and i this summer were seeking a day out together to hang with the actual objective a secondary consideration. I suggested we make a pilgrimage to Choo Choo Mountain, tagging Johnson and Rafferty Peaks along the way and taking Rafferty Creek back to the car.

We dubbed it the “Grand Choo Choo Traverse” - a 15 mile alpine ramble above the rolling forests of Tuolumne across some of the most pristine white granite the Sierra Nevada has to offer.

It was of course spectacular and ridiculous. The sky was wide, the ridgeline inviting, the granite spotless and the company exquisite.

It is days like these that i draw from when I need it most. No real purpose. Just hanging with my buddy catching up on life and derping around way up high in the sky. As i’ve grown bigger the terrain has grown in size but i don’t think it’s much different than when I was about 5. Just give me some space to be silly, make up songs about Choo Choo trains, and leave me to run around in the park with my friends. by @ethanisbrushinghisteethagain

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23 days ago

As far as we know, Abel and I hold the FTK (Funnest Time Known) on the Great Scree Traverse of the Crater Range in the Mono Lake basin. We started early, leaving the car around 9:30am, packs weighed down by pamplemousse La Croix and the most dubious groc-out snacks. After a laborious hour of slogging uphill we finally made it to the top of Crater Mtn., which all jokes aside, has a great view of the basin. But the adventure had just begun! From there it was a highly technical scree tour across the range to the ultimate prize - that enormous scree slope we’ve always seen from the highway!

Eventually, after many multiple loose descents followed by stops to get the rocks out of our shoes, we ascended the final rise on the range. The wind picking up and the clock ticking past 2pm, it was now or never for this scree descent! Abel yelled out, “dropping!” And he was gone. Like a dolphin in the waves, he weaved and bobbed and bounced, but never looked back! I tried to follow but could hardly keep up.

We arrived at the car sometime early that afternoon, scathed, sweaty, smiling, remarking at the reasonable hour, and at how many good spots there are to throw parties in this remote part of the outdoors. Can anyone beat our FTK? Only time will tell. by @ethanisbrushinghisteethagain

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2 months ago

inagural summer bocce sesh taken in Bishop, California by @ethanisbrushinghisteethagain

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3 months ago

Oceanside, Calif.

oct. 2025 by @ethanisbrushinghisteethagain

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3 months ago

still in a daze from those sunrise dips and cortados in Kalk Bay… south africa, midsummer, late December 2025 taken in Kalk Bay by @ethanisbrushinghisteethagain

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6 months ago

the wedding, nye 2025 near Stanford, South Africa

When Alex and Katie sent me the invite, on it was a photo of them pre-engagement I made on a backpacking trip from two summers ago. I knew before then, honestly from when i first met Katie, that they would be married someday, probably soon, that the wedding would be something unique, and I hoped I’d be invited. I was excited to receive the invite, more so that my best college friends were also attending, and even more so when they asked if i’d shoot it in 35mm.

Here are a few frames from the glorious devolvement of order into beautiful madness on that warm summer night at the Coot Club on New Years eve, 2025. A night i will long cherish and not soon forget.

… my house, your house, our house… pool!

ZA part 1 taken in Coot Club by @ethanisbrushinghisteethagain

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7 months ago

Botany nerds, unite! We're back at it with two epic adventures with @sheriff_woody_pct

Learn about the flora of the Sierra Nevada with Botanist Matt Berger, explore the vast meadows and winding creeks of the Golden Trout Wilderness, and enjoy the comforts provided by trained guides, a backcountry cook, and a pack string of mules.

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This year we have two Botany trips! A 5 day basecamp at our favorite meadow, and a 7 day traveling trip for folks looking for a big adventure.

Botany of the Sierra Basecamp
June 17 - 21, 2026
5 Days / 4 Nights

We will hike into a cozy camp in Big Whitney Meadow, where we'll explore its unique ecology and abundant plant life. There will be ample time to hike, relax, fish, and identify plants, with optional day hikes to Rocky Basin Lakes and Siberian Outpost.

Botany of the Sierra Hiking Loop
July 2 - 8, 2026
7 Days / 6 Nights

This 43+ mile trip is ideal for experienced hikers who want to see a lot of country. We will hike 5-15 miles a day, accompanied by hiking guides, a pack string of mules, wranglers, and a cook, who will set up camp at a different meadow each afternoon. There will be 2 layover days to rest, with optional day hikes, including an off-trail summit of Olancha Peak.

This trip takes us through meadows full of rare flowers, conifer forests, riparian wonderlands, and arid passes studded with high alpine plant species. Truly, a botanist’s dream.

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Matt's enthusiasm for plants is infectious and this trip is such a joy for both experienced botanists and folks looking to learn the basics. Kelly Kate churns out gourmet meals, the mules transport our gear (and munch our apple cores), and our packers share their years of experience in this beautiful section of the Sierra.

Limited space available, lots of fun to be had, hope to see you out there!

Link in bio!

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This trip is operated by Rock Creek Pack Station, under permit with the USDA Forest Service through their Special Use Permit on the Inyo National Forest.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Trip leaves from Cottonwood Pack Station, near Lone Pine, CA taken in Golden Trout Wilderness by @ethanisbrushinghisteethagain

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7 months ago

It's the Year of the Mule for those of us who wish to celebrate.

5 Trips are live! Link in bio!:

- Botany of the Sierra (×2) with @sheriff_woody_pct
- Backcountry Cooking with @ginger.tooth
- Meadow Quest with @thewoodsmansdaughter & biologist Patrice Ringelstein
- Dungeons & Dragons & Mules at ~the lake~ ⚔️

We out here learning and growing, having dinner parties and petting cute mules. The world at large is burning and it's time to touch grass.

Come thru, it'll be fun.

This was last summer, packing in with @maggymaeallen and @rainbowpackoutfit, with esteemed guest and first time rider Wok.

Captured by @11mphfilms. by @ethanisbrushinghisteethagain

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7 months ago

january, a quiet time to reflect and enjoy the paralysis of deep winter foisted upon me, graciously stilling and distilling, long before the burgeoning of spring… taken in Bishop, California by @ethanisbrushinghisteethagain

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9 months ago

more mule asmr

w/ @thebackcountrycook

Golden Trout Wilderness, Sierra Nevada by @ethanisbrushinghisteethagain

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10 months ago

bathtime

(sound up 🔊)

outtake from my time w/ @thebackcountrycook

Golden Trout Wilderness, CA by @ethanisbrushinghisteethagain

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10 months ago