Page Contents
The Journey
In 2012, I traded all my possessions for a backpack and embarked on a 2,650-mile hiking journey from Mexico to Canada. That adventure reshaped my life.
Iron Tazz Scaggs is my full birth-given name and it’s great to have you here!
The beautiful Pacific Northwest is my home base & my best days are spent exploring the vast wilderness here. I live in a tiny house, in a small town at the foothills of the Olympic Mountains. My family means the world to me!
After 400+ nights under the stars and over 10,000 miles on the trail, I’ve learned the wild offers more than just scenery—it’s a place for connection, healing, and growth. Today, my work focuses on inspiring others and teaching the skills they need to be prepared and connected in the wild.
We took our son into the wild early—his first backpacking trip was at just 10 weeks old. That experience opened my eyes to the joy and value of getting kids outside, and it sparked a passion for inspiring other families to explore nature together. It’s what led me to start writing children’s nature books.
I’ve been chasing light and landscapes for over a decade, capturing the wild places I hike to through photography. Some shots in my portfolio took years of returning to the same spot—waiting patiently for that one perfect moment when everything aligned.
I’m grateful that my work has resonated with a broad audience, leading to a following of over 3 million people across my social media platforms.
My time spent in the wilderness has really shined a light on my creative side. I have painted and sold over 100 original Open Heart Canvas Paintings that are spreading love worldwide.
I’m always trying to elevate my mental and physical health, and tinkering around with ways to find more peace, when I’m not on the trail. I graduated from an intensive 30-day Sivananda yoga and meditation teacher training program in 2016. Following that path, I completed 2 separate 10-day Vipassana silent meditation courses (no talking the whole time). Needless to say, yoga and meditation have become a strong foundation in my life.
Shout out to my amazing wife, Trish—my partner, my grounding force, and the heart of my world. After 10 years together, I’m still in awe that I get to grow through life with her by my side!
Hike It – The Book
If there is one piece of work I’m most proud of, it’s this. I hope this can be the spark that inspires kids to get out in nature and have their own magical experiences. I distilled over 10,000 miles of hiking experience, into simple, easy to follow advice for people just getting into hiking.
The reading level for this book is 7+ but it was really written for adults, too, & I envision families from all over the world reading this together.
It’s available at libraries, bookstores, Amazon, and even the online Harvard bookstore. It won the 2025 Stanford Children’s travel book of the year award.
And has translations in:
- Germany
- Spain
- UK
- Italy
- France
- Czech Republic
You can check out reviews, and see Hike It on Amazon.
Awards, Interviews, Publications & Podcasts
Hiking, Wellness, and Sustainable Travel: Ultimate Library Q&A
Quit Alcohol, Find Clarity, Improve Your Photography: F-Stop Collaborate & Listen Podcast
Hike It won the – 2025 “Stanford Childeren’s Travel Book of the Year” Award
I placed 1st in the 2015 Ultimate Outsider Contest, and one time I was awarded a trophy for getting a hole in one on the 18th hole at a put-put golf course. That was the moment I knew I made it.
Collaborations & Partnerships
I’m always open to new partnerships or collaborations.
Some of my past/current collaborations include:
- Leave No Trace Organization
- Magic Cat Publishing
- Volkswagen
- The North Face
- Houdini Sportswear
- Apple
- Columbia
- USA Network
- Paleo Valley
My expertise includes:
- Teaching hiking & backpacking skills
- Writing
- Landscape photography
- Creating outdoor videos (especially short form content for social media)
Interested in collaborating? Let’s connect!
Contact Info
Email is the best way to get a hold of me: Iron@Irontazz.com
Best wishes,
Iron