The Draw of Washington’s Wild Places for Tiffanie Yang
Tiffanie Yang at Mount Townsend
We spoke with Tiffanie, a landscape and outdoor adventure photographer based in Seattle, about her love of Washington’s wilderness areas and why protecting these spaces are so important to her. You can find her hiking up a mountain at 3 a.m. to catch sunrise, making her way down the trail at 11 p.m. after sunset, dipping into an alpine lake, or relaxing in a hammock. Tiffanie is passionate about inspiring others to seek adventures in the outdoors and to explore the world outside their comfort zone. You can find her work on Instagram at @photosby.tiff.
WA Wild: What is your favorite way to experience the outdoors?
Wing Lake, Photo by Tiffanie Yang
Tiffanie: Hiking and backpacking are my bread and butter. They allow me to enjoy the outdoors while also offering ample opportunities to capture it through photography. More recently, backcountry skiing and canoeing have opened up new ways for me to explore what the outdoors has to offer. On a day-to-day basis though, I love simple neighborhood walks, just taking in the local flora and fauna.
WA Wild: For you, what is so unique about Washington’s wild places?
Barclay Lake, Photo by Tiffanie Yang
Tiffanie: I love the variety Washington offers and the opportunity to fully immerse myself in the wilderness. On a single trail, I can go from hiking through mossy trees to a rocky alpine landscape dotted with wildflowers. There are trails of all difficulty levels that allow me to get into the backcountry and experience real solitude.
WA Wild: What draws you to photograph these places?
Maple Pass, Photo by Tiffanie Yang
Tiffanie: When I first moved to Washington and started hiking, I wanted to photograph my trips to share with my parents, who live across the country. Coming from New York, the landscapes were unlike anything I’d ever experienced before, and I was struck by how accessible so much of it was. Now, I photograph these places so others can enjoy their beauty and feel inspired to get outside and capture their own adventures. In a rapidly changing world, I hope that my photos serve as a reminder of the happiness that simply spending time outside can bring.
WA Wild: Why is defending our public lands important to you?
Cooney Lake, Photo by Tiffanie Yang
Tiffanie: People won’t understand why protecting public lands matters until they’ve had the chance to experience it firsthand. If the lands aren’t accessible, then that chance will never come. And if we don’t show our current administration how important these lands are to us, we risk sending the message, to them and future lawmakers, that they can roll back protections without consequence.
WA Wild: If you had to choose one, what would be your favorite hike or favorite area to go to in Washington’s Roadless areas?
Snowy Lakes, Photo by Tiffanie Yang
Tiffanie: The Roadless areas in the North Cascades have been some of my favorites to explore, especially in the fall. It’s the season when larches, a type of deciduous conifer, turn golden yellow before their needles fall off. The weather conditions are always variable during that period of time and make for some interesting photography opportunities. Last year, I experienced “snowliage”, the combination of golden larch foliage with a dusting of snow.
Help protect these wild spaces and tell the administration to protect the Roadless Rule. The comment period is extended to October 6. Send your comment in today.
