Willis Wall

I moved to the Pacific Northwest in 1983 on assignment flying C141s in the Air Force. It was only then, in my late 20s, that I really discovered a passion for the outdoors. Day hikes led to backpacks. My first marathon led to running Ultras. A mountaineering class led to scrambles and climbs. A lifetime of lift skiing led to backcountry skiing. As a music major in college, long hours of handwriting scores matured into a computer based writing, recording, producing and mastering method. Willis Wall Multimedia was born as an LLC in 2006 to market "Kendo Basics", and from there the melding of the visual arts and music has spawned short films, documentaries and this website.

No, I haven't had the time or means to hike long trails or take month long expeditions; raising a family and full time jobs precluded these endeavors. However, the melding of hiking, back packing, fast packing, trail ultras and mountaineering excursions has led to a gamut of experiences allowing me to develop my own philosophies on techniques and gear over the past 40 years, which I share on these pages. Some shortcuts and examples:

•  Wonderland Trail: I've hiked the Wonderland over 35 times, and even time lapsed the trail in its entirety, including the alternate route over Spray Park. Explore every back country campsite in 300 degree panoramic video. Watch enhancement videos with topics from the history of the Wonderland to roads to specifics on the Panhandle Gap. Enjoy a taste of off trail with specific loop hikes. Look at past updates and enjoy a 3 part video on suffering the trail over 3 days in 2009, the “Selfie” hike of 2010, and recently my 3 day sojourns in 2020 thru 2023, plus #’s 36 and 37 on a YoYo in 2024.

• Willis Wall’s Views on the Wonderland Trail: New for 2024, this 17 part series is a compilation that provides a more intimate look at the trail through my camera’s lens…complete with anecdotes!

• 35 Years in MRNP: in 2018, enjoy various posts concerning my decades of exploring Mt. Rainier National Park.

• 360 Video: New for 2023, I have authored some 360 video scenes so the viewer can look where they want, from pristine fall days in the Tatoosh Range to skiing the Muir Snowfield in January, sit back and look around!

• Grand Tour: I take you around the mountain on a tour that incorporates off trail as well as established, totaling 150 miles and 50,000 feet of climb. These videos don't hand hold but give the viewer a taste of places seldom seen by the majority of hikers in the park.

• Complete Video Guide: A complete list of Willis Wall videos, also with sections on biking Rainier and other Washington state classic bike climbs, a look at the Mowich Lake road crappiness, and a 40 minute production on hiking longer distances.

• Off-Trail: Taking advantage of stabilized shoulder mounted GoPros, this series takes the viewer to the path less traveled, primarily featuring peak bagging experiences in Mt. Rainier National Park.

• Willis Wall Blog: Also with a reference list, the blog covers subjects ranging from gear reviews to specific trips to anything else that might be pertinent.

I've enjoyed many trips with my son and daughter as they've grown up, and had the opportunity to explore far afield places like the Antarctic, Alaska, Australia and Europe while traveling in my job. You'll notice a lack of advertising here; I have retired the last of my paid products, including the massive Wonderland Trail Complete Series, and everything is available for free viewing and/or download. I hope that my decades of exploring, gear selection and experiences might benefit the reader/viewer in their own endeavors. Please enjoy and don't hesitate to contact me if you think I may be able to offer any insight.

All photos, music and video on this site are realized by and at Willis Wall Multimedia studios.