iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Matt Hikes @matthikes.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

The gear warehouse is ready for another program year of adventure! A few goals as a guide this year: 🌵Incorporate more information on Texas nature in my sessions. 🚐 Be brave, drive the canoe trailer. 🪢 Work in camp craft and outdoor lore. #outdoors #adventure #camping #nature

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Matt Hikes @matthikes.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

A few days in a canyon would cure me. Paria Canyon along the Paria River, Fall 2023. One of the most magical and rugged trips to date. #pariacanyon #canyons #backpacking #nature

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Matt Hikes @matthikes.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

It’s not a regular meadow, it’s an alpine meadow. Pecos Wilderness Area, northern New Mexico. #newmexico #backpacking #camping #sunset #nature

Several tents are set up in an Alpine Meadow at sunset.

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Matt Hikes @matthikes.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

The packs were heavy, the views were spectacular, and the company (trees included) were perfect. I’m looking forward to a fall were the vibes are 100+ but the temperatures aren’t. #hiking #backpacking #camping #outdoors

A hiker with a backpacking pack covered in bags and gear hugs a tree in the middle of a trail.

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Matt Hikes @matthikes.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

This summer truly brought such a deeper understanding of my place in the outdoors. Guiding and teaching wilderness skills (even part-time) has cemented what I’ve always known: a critical part of the human experience is our ability to be in and embrace nature. #backpacking #hiking #outdoors

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Matt Hikes @matthikes.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

“May I be the tiniest nail in the house of the universe, tiny but useful.” - Mary Oliver #maryoliver

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Matt Hikes @matthikes.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

You’re at your campsite after navigating a potential thunderstorm shelter in place with a group of 10 6th graders, when a guide from another site calls. You immediately think it’s something worrying. It’s not; it’s because an owl landed in their campsite, and they want you to get a photo. #birds

A small barn owl sits on a branch of an oak tree surrounded by branches and leaves.

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Matt Hikes @matthikes.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

Trying to vote in the Texas Primary as a Democrat feels way more complicated this year. The location I’m at has only three stations, another location listed as my polling location is closed.

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Matt Hikes @matthikes.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

I won't be able to protest today but you know I will be canceling quite a few subscriptions today.

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Matt Hikes @matthikes.bsky.social · 06/12/2025

Pottery has not come naturally to me, and I’m so proud of this wonky little palo santo holder. Raku fired with white crackle glaze. #raku #pottery

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Matt Hikes @matthikes.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

Bar open. Valentine Texas Bar, the Diviest Bar in America. We stopped in, had a drink, pet a dog, someone gave us some crystals and we were on our way. It was the stop on a spirited trip that I didn’t know I needed. Completely unexpected and completely joyful. #westtexas #marfa #roadtrip #divebar

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Matt Hikes @matthikes.bsky.social · 28/09/2025

A month ago, after a very challenging four months of extreme fatigue, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s. I’m medicated and starting to feel back to my normal self but my running routine is absolutely wrecked. Anyone out there successfully running distance with an autoimmune disease? #running

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Matt Hikes @matthikes.bsky.social · 27/09/2025

Sadly, it’s been a solid decade since I’ve been a professional outdoor guide. That’s changing this month! I’ve spent the last few years reconnecting with my outdoorsy side, and it feels right to start guiding again. Part time for now… #outdoors #adventure #hiking #biking #canoeing

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Matt Hikes @matthikes.bsky.social · 24/09/2025

Where is the wildest place you’ve been? I’d love to see some pictures. For me it was my backing trip through the Paria Canyon. Days in a remote slot canyon, no other people in sight, a little risky, but entirely extraordinary. #backpacking #hiking #canyons #Utah #Arizona

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Matt Hikes @matthikes.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

I don’t want to be raptured just yet, there are trails I still have on my bucket list. #rapture

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Matt Hikes @matthikes.bsky.social · 25/08/2025

The best boy going on 13 with the spirit of a 7 year old. #dogs #blacklabs

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Matt Hikes @matthikes.bsky.social · 23/08/2025

It’s weeks like this where it becomes impossible to be a proud Texan. #Texas do better.

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Matt Hikes @matthikes.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

Happy World Photography Day to all my fellow photographers on here! It’s a joy to share some of my favorite photos with this wonderful community! I’d love to see yours. Here is a photo from a peaceful camping trip on a ranch in Texas. #worldphotographyday #camping #nightsky #tents

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Matt Hikes @matthikes.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

Nothing like a grueling day in the office to be the push to finally start planning that next big adventure? I want something as epic as my last backpacking trip through the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness minus the wagbags… #backpacking #utah #arizona #canyon #hiking #adventure

A single backpacker hikes through a slot canyon in the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness.

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Matt Hikes @matthikes.bsky.social · 15/08/2025

Idaho you were a complete surprise. It took me 35 years to finally get on a mountain bike, and while I'm sure my health care provider would recommend I lay off, it is becoming my new favorite way to hit the trails. #mountainbiking #idaho #biking #wilderness #photography

A mountain biker in the middle of a mountain landscape full of pine trees and aspens.

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Matt Hikes @matthikes.bsky.social · 25/07/2025

Morning meditations. That communal experience of unzipping your tent to see your friends start their mornings is one of my favorite things. Sharing these rituals with each other is such a gift. #camping #sunrise #wilderness #mornings #texas #naturephotography

A women sits on a rocky foreground writing in her journal as the sun comes up.

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Matt Hikes @matthikes.bsky.social · 20/07/2025

A hard climb up, navigating switchbacks and aspens to stand in awe of the Tetons. #mountainbiking #tetons #outdoors #mountains #photography

A group of men stand with their backs facing the camera looking off at the Tetons, with mountain bikes scattered in the foreground.

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Matt Hikes @matthikes.bsky.social · 19/07/2025

Mind if I reintroduce myself? I’m Matt, currently calling Central Texas my home. When I'm not in the office (brand strategy) 😑 i’m in the woods guiding, hiking, biking, canoeing, and trail running. Follow me for photos of my adventures and lets talk about yours! #nature #outdoors #photography

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Matt Hikes @matthikes.bsky.social · 18/07/2025

Decisions and destinations. Surrounding myself with people dedicated to sharing their love of the outdoors with the next generation of adventurers was the best decision I've ever made. #mountainbiking #wilderness #outdoors #photograohy #westvirgina

A group of people look at a map to decide the beat route for a mountain biking day trip.

A single mountain bike on a dirt trail heads into a dense forest.

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Matt Hikes @matthikes.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

This little pitstop at Wippoorwill in Mount Lookout, West Virginia on Summersville Lake was the perfect spot to squeeze in some deep water soloing. Solid grippy rock, tons of routes and space. #westvirgina #deepwatersoloing #rockclimbing #outdoorphotography #camping #wilderness

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Matt Hikes @matthikes.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

A week exploring New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. Five days of mountain biking with plenty of down time waiting for the rain to stop. I’m stoked for the chance to get out from under the Texas sun and pack under an East Coast forest. #nationalparks #camping #mountainbiking #photography

A man walks through a wet and rainy forest to his bright orange tent.

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Matt Hikes @matthikes.bsky.social · 25/05/2025

When I was a kid attending a very conservative Roman Catholic grammar school I actively sought out all the banned books I could find. Scared conservative adults will not prevent a new generation of curious, independent thinkers. They are only creating the kindling for the bonfire. #bannedbooks

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Matt Hikes @matthikes.bsky.social · 11/05/2025

The bridge between former Pokemon kid to adult birdwatcher is very short. #birdwatching

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Matt Hikes @matthikes.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

Celebrating spring with blooming cherry blossoms at the Buffalo History Museum. The building is the sole surviving permanent structure from the 1901 Pan-American Exposition. #cherryblossoms #photography #flowers #trees #spring #sonyalpha

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Matt Hikes @matthikes.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

I want to be the type of person that knows a lot about trees and how to identify them. #goals

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Matt Hikes @matthikes.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

It’s the start of wildflower season in Central Texas. A short season that I look forward to each year. This is where I ignore a few responsibilities to take my camera and journal into the woods. #naturephotography #wildflowers #flowers #hiking

Yellow flowers grow along side an old wooden fence post.

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Matt Hikes @matthikes.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

Morning fog heavy on the grass bending each blade to greet us with a heavy hearted ‘mornin’ The sun has turned my brown hair blond, and my grey hair grayer. #buffaloriver #poetry #camping #nature #film #outdoors

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Matt Hikes @matthikes.bsky.social · 26/03/2025

I am actively surrounding myself with people who want to spend all their free time in the woods and it is creating a wonderful little circle of dirtbags. #hiking #naturephotography #wilderness #Texas #nature #photography

Three hikers hike in a dried creek bed in Austin Texas.

A man swings on a rope swing over a dried creek bed in Austin, Texas.

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Matt Hikes @matthikes.bsky.social · 25/03/2025

I really like that on Bluesky I can share the closest version of myself, the one that my closest friends see. One that full of an overwhelming awe of nature, scribbled poetry, photography and the call to be a better version of myself. All the little likes are fuel to be that person elsewhere.

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Matt Hikes @matthikes.bsky.social · 25/03/2025

The bank of the river The call of birds The distant humming of a better me #hiking #naturephotography #poetry #trees #naturephotography

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Matt Hikes @matthikes.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

"And now I understand something so frightening & wonderful- how the mind clings to the road it knows, rushing through crossroads, sticking like lint to the familiar." — Mary Oliver #poetry #maryoliver

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Matt Hikes @matthikes.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

A cloudy view from the top of Whiteface Mountain in the Adirondacks many moons ago. This was the trip that inspired me to try and hike all 46 peaks in the ADK, which become a small obsession I was sad to leave behind when I moved to TX. 2025 is the year I make my way back. #hiking #wilderness

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Matt Hikes @matthikes.bsky.social · 23/03/2025

I love hiking when all the trees are waking up from their winter sleep. 7ish mile hike around Buescher State Park about an hour or so outside of Austin. I can't wait to come back and run this trail. #hiking #trailrunning #nature #35mm #naturephotography #trees

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Matt Hikes @matthikes.bsky.social · 21/03/2025

In spring, in Texas, when the days are longer and the seven o’clock sun starts to sings, I wonder what to do with this hole in my chest. What joy will be big enough to fill it? Or rather, what kindnesses I might cobble together to makeshift a patch? #hiking #poetry #naturephotography #trees

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Matt Hikes @matthikes.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

“May I be the tiniest nail in the house of the universe, tiny but useful.” - Mary Oliver

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Matt Hikes @matthikes.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

For the past few years, I’ve dedicated the day after my birthday to a few hours alone in the woods. It’s a moment to quietly meet myself and think about what my next year should be like. I want to fill 37 with more art, humility, and, of course, copious deep belly laughs. #hiking #nature #35mm

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Matt Hikes @matthikes.bsky.social · 15/03/2025

New running sneaker day is one of the best days. #running

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