Mapping the Stratton Stones.

Deep in the heart of the Grand Canyon near Mile 135, floating down the Colorado, I encounter one of the most beautiful places I've ever stood. I'd been carrying a Stratton Stone on the trip, looking for the best place to leave it. A three-mile hike beneath the shade of cottonwood trees across rich red dirt, alongside Tapeats Creek, brought me to the confluence of the Thunder River. I headed uphill to the headwaters. There, ice-cold water sprang from the Redwall limestone and cascaded down a steep gorge, breathing life into the surrounding landscape. We stood in the spray and filled our water bottles. The crystal clear water nourished our souls after the long hike. I scaled a rock wall and tucked the stone on a ledge just within arm's reach. From there, you could see the last loving light trickling out of the canyon and hear the steady sound of water thundering from the spring as it had for a millennium or more. Stratton would have loved this place and the adventure. I cried, grateful for him, grateful for this place, and feeling close to him in the moment. A part of his memory is there now. Much Love Stratto.

Feeling grateful for all the time I got to spend with Stratton. And grateful for all the lessons and advice I've received from him. Every summer, Stratton, Alex and myself would have a lot of camaraderie and banter about our summer jobs. And also a lot of encouragement. We all wanted to save up enough to take the winter off and chase the snow. That was our dream. This summer has felt a little different. Times sure have shifted and I find myself thinking about my friends quite often. But also feeling compelled to keep their dream alive. Had some time off work and came down to ride some waves in Santa Cruz. Beautiful Sunday afternoon and some fun waves. Thanks Stratton. Grateful.

It is a privilege to participate in this tribute to Stratton. I placed Stratton’s stone on a mountain ridge overlooking Abiquiu Lake in New Mexico.

It is a privilege to participate in this tribute to Stratton. I placed Stratton’s stone on a mountain ridge overlooking Abiquiu Lake in New Mexico.

Found a Stratton stone sized tree hollow next to a lake. Naturally, we placed a Stratton stone in it! Thought you might have liked kayaking and picking wild blueberries around here. As our grandad would say, it looks just like Vermont!

Stratto, We miss you so much. Thank you for the journey tonight. I threw your magical stone into the only surf spot in Ft. Lauderdale and when it hit the water, it ignited like a fire cracker. Your energy will live on forever. Love ❤️ Love

Man… thought of u a lot on this hike Stratton. We took 2000 stairs up to the summit — where I placed your stone — and I couldn’t stop thinking how you would scale mountains higher than this, with no stairs, in SNOW. And then dance your way to the bottom and do it all again. And then bike home. You’re going to inspire me for the rest of my life, cuzzo. Wish we had more time together. I would have loved to go hiking or backpacking together as adults, and be graced with your expansive knowledge of the natural world. Love you so so much. I hope you enjoy this view overlooking the arctic summer fjords, with plenty of birds and flowers to keep you company.

Placed a stone in a juniper above a bird box on a juniper along the South Fork of the Crooked River on Jake's Place (a private inholding).

When Strat was getting into surfing we were reconnecting on that. Love for the ocean is huge. Many mahalos. Rip in peace boss

Shadow and I were reconnecting over surfing. Rip in peace boss

Hello to Stratton from the Lofoten Islands!! We placed a stone on the Kvalvika beach trail saddle between two huge peaks, in some beautiful yellow flowers. The sun came out right after we placed it! And an eagle swooped down to say hello. Lots of love from your cousins 💛

Placed Stratto stone along Pacific Crest Trail by junction with the user trail to Arrowhead lake. There is a good view of North and Middle Sister. Arrowhead Lake and Collier Glacier was one of Stratton's favorite campsites.

We discovered this stone by our campsite on the beach. Wanted to share how far it has traveled. 🤍

I placed the stone on a stump that frames North and Middle Sister and Collier Glacier on the Pacific Creast Trail near the user trail that goes up to Arrowhead Lake. This was one of Stratton's favorite campsites in summer.

Set a stone on a tree by a bridge over creek.

Blue Stratton stone at the peak of Nuolja in Abisko National Park. Placed in a cluster of wildflowers about 20m south from the summit marker, overlooking the valley. Beautiful flowers and snow lingering everywhere. Thinking of you :)

Went out for July 2nd skiing out on the local glaciers Stratton loved so much , this one is placed at the bottom of the renfrew at the lil pond surrounded by whitebark pine, alpine heather , buckwheat & some Davidson's penstamin! A classic Stratton saying if your ever in the alpine & theres some plant that looks familiar but you don’t know is , it’s probably penstamin there’s hundreds!!! He would have loved the day smooth gliding surfaces on all forms of substrate :) miss and love you Stratton

I placed a stone on a rock in the middle of the dried up reservoir. The mountains were in view and the sunset was spectacular. I looked up at the Hayden Glacier and imagined you were up there riding down. I miss you. ❤️

Last year, when I told Stratton I was going to run this section of the PCT, he told me to make sure I took the user trail to this spot near Opie Dildock Pass for a stunning view of North Sister. I'm sure he loved and knew every one of the million wildflowers on the way, as well.

Hiked in on PCT from Santiam Pass on Fourth of July. A warm but breezy day. Lots of wildflowers--especially penstemon--blooming on the open mountain slopes in the burn. Found a spot just where the climber's trail leaves the PCT. I hope Stratton's enthusiastic energy will buoy the climbers as they head up toward the summit of Three Fingered Jack.

I found this gem on the ground, placed below a trail sign in Jeff Park. I didn't know Stratton but I have read his story & wow! What a beautiful, kind, considerate, adventurous, amazing human! I love this way to honor him & I will strive to live like Stratton; considerate, adventurous, & always following my heart ❤️

11th Anniversary picnic bruschetta with Stratto’s loving spirit. Gave the stone a few views on the way to our picnic spot ;~) and placed it among the lava and hot red Paintbrush, for my wildflower man! ❤️

Summer Wuethner and I placed a Stratton Stone where you enter the Jefferson Park special area. There is a sign just before a creek with a bridge across it. We put the stone at the base of the sign.

We camped (Summer Wuerthner--Stratton's sister) and I at Russell Lake in Jefferson Park. I had camped at this lake with Stratton when he was in high school or shortly after. We placed the Stratton stone at the base of a tree adjacent to one of the designed campsites.

I had camped with Stratton at Russell Lake in Jefferson Park when he was still in high school or shortly after. And Mt Jefferson was one of his favorite places to snowboard. We placed a Stratton stone at the base of a sign about entering Jefferson Park just before a bridge across a small stream. Also placed a stone at base of large dead tree at a campsite on Russell Lake.

A cool day in late June. Found a little patch of icy precipitation still left from the previous stormy day. A grove of whitebark pine, Stratton’s favorite tree, and a view through the trees to his beloved Three Sisters, as well as to Paulina Peak. Stone is nestled in a spot where snows should linger.

Yellow Stratton stone placed on top of a cairn at the base of Buarbreen glacier in Norway. Didn’t have the right gear to get to the top… but still went farther than we normally would have! Stone is beyond the suspension bridge that says do not cross without a guide. Lol. I think you’d like Norway a lot. Love u Stratton!!

Stratton and I loved climbing around on these redwood trees when we were little. I miss you 😢

I left a stone on the river's edge, Stratton and I loved this campground and river. We loved to swim across to the rocks and jump off. I would always tell people the smith river was my favorite river and that's probably because of all the fond memories I had here. I love and miss you so much Stratton. 💗

Hey Strat, I’m spending the next 4 days camped out on this beach and it’s hot as balls. Mosquitos are rippin so I drowned myself in permethrin and am hoping for the best. We’re foraging oranges and false almonds and mamaki leaves, and one of our crew even speared a fish this morning on the swim back from another beach. There’s some insane caves that are only explorable during low tide this time of year, and seemingly endless waterfalls tucked into the jungle. The trees here are old. I backpacked in with one of my childhood best friends and her whole nerd squad of friends (they’re all marine biologists on Oahu). I think I’m the only one here without a phd. Enjoying the marine and terrestrial environments with people who have devoted their lives to studying them is overwhelmingly powerful. Initially, I put your stone in my pack with the intention of carrying you around a while until I found a spot that felt right, and honestly I didn’t last all that long: this view is pretty insane. They filmed Jurassic park with these spires in the background. The water’s warm here and everything. I can’t see you anymore, but I see you everywhere. I didn’t know you well, yet I feel like I know glimmers of you in the people I love. I don’t keep your stone anymore, but I still carry you with me. I hope I get to move through the world with even just a little of the joy and awe that you did. Rest here in joy and power and peace. Nat

A beautiful view for Stratton, beautiful soul.

It is Strattons love for the mountains that brought me here. Butterflies flew around us at the top of Seekseekquah for hours. I felt Strattons presence all over.

What a cool idea for these stones

Enjoy the views

Stratton, you are a beautiful soul♥️. Enjoy the views!

Stratton and Summer and I camped many times at this park along the Smith River. The kids loved climbing the giant Redwood stumps and swimming in the river i put the stone near the top of a,stump with the,sign saying day use area.

Ran coastal trail out to Endert Beach. A wild secluded part of Del Norte SP. The kind of place Stratton would love. Put stone near sedum growing a big driftwood stump.

Put a,stone near a corner of old lookout foundation on Vulcan Peak. Stratton hiked here with me when he was 5 years old. Wonderful view of Kalmiopsis Wilderness.

Put the stone on a bunch of stonecrop on cliff by this wild beach.

I placed a stone at the base of a pine, off trail on a ridge just south of Scott Pass, in the Three Sisters Wilderness. The stone faces south, toward Stratton’s beloved North Sister. The spot also nicely fits his Japanese middle name, Matsuo, meaning pine in an elevated place. I love you so much, buddy. Thanks for the gorgeous hike!

A shady view of a favorite peak, waterside and peaceful with the songs of osprey, eagle, nighthawk, and blue heron.

Placed at our summer swim spot during a circumnavigation of seekseek last year. The height of summer, we blissfully paddled around in the alpine lake that felt like bath water. A welcome reprieve from the lava rock scrambles. Sweeping views of seekseek and brook trout in the crystal clear blue water. While treading water Strat turned and said “it dosnt get much better than this, huh sister?” A peak moment!

Placed along the north santiam river behind my cabin where Stratton and I spent many days together, often prepping or recovering from a trip on seekseekqua. He loved and appreciated this place more than any of my friends, even going up without me. He told me with a big grin on his face, about one morning as he was drinking his coffee on the river bank, a bobcat came down and drank from the river and that it was a sign about how special this place is. His spirit permeates here the strongest for me, teeming with wildlife and biodiversity towered by seekseek. Stratton brought so much vibrancy and deep appreciation for what I have here. Love you strat!

To those who choose the challenging route to the sky will find a Stratton Stone perched on a fallen tree. A great resting spot to catch your breath, enjoy the views and maybe munch on a bag of crushed chips. Love and miss you Stratto!

Rhododendron ridge to Mount lowe with Sadie,coral,Megan& Brodie a wonderful lil bikey for non other than MR BIKEY himself love and miss you so much Stratton there was miles and miles of rhodys in the lower Elevation & the same up higher but it was Oregon sunshine, bridges penstamon, milkweed, fireweed, bear grass & some Wild strawbs you would of loved it so much:)

I put a piece of you where my heart will forever belong. This morning I woke up for quite possibly my last morning in my childhood home after losing my Tu-tu this weekend. The fog was raising in the creek in the backyard and there you were placed in the old stump of the birch tree where every family photo was ever taken. Thank you for being such a big space in my heart, love you company!

We left a stone on top of the Pinnacle. A beautiful high point that Stratton did some snowboarding off of. We also spread some of his ashes in this place

Left a stone tucked in a spot with a view from Mt. Hood to Mt. Jefferson to the Sisters. All of Stratto’s “home” zones. The wildflowers on the hike up were incredible. I felt his excitement at both the views and the botanical richness. I love you so much, buddy, forever. Your momma. ♥️

We barely made it up with enough time to see the sunset and we picked a random spot to sit down and eat for a moment. We just happened to sit right next to this stone

A view of the Three Sisters from the Tam Rim access road. We could see the tracks of Stratts buddies who celebrated him on Hayden Glacier. Happy.

Hiked in at low tide to ride some waves at deadmans along the gorgeous Lost Coast. No photos since I didn't have my phone as I just carried my board and one water bottle. And wanting to respect local culture. But Strattons energy and presence was strong here. The waves weren't very good at first, but the tide finally started rising and the south swell started showing. Then set after set of bliss rolled thru. 80 degrees outside and very few people around. Before meeting Stratton, I woulda stayed up north in the more well known and reliable spots. But the influence Stratton had on me for not only wild places but also some novelty, lead me to this little slice of heaven. Love and miss you buddy. You did soo much good in the world.

Summit looking out over the mountains near the platform

West side of the river, amongst juniper roots, by the bench just south of the broken bridge

Just past the trail sign to your right just off the path. We came up here to shoot Molly's maternity photos. She hiked all 5 miles! And we spotted Mt. Goats Love you Stratto 🤍 enjoy the view!

On the memorial marker on the summit of pilot butte.