As hikers, campers, and climbers begin their summer plans for high altitude fun, we wanted to pull this piece from our archives and put it back on the homepage, a reminder that there’s no shame in turning around if things take a turn for the dicey. It could, in fact, save a life. – Ed. … Read more
Ang Rita Sherpa climbed Everest for the final time on May 23, 1996, alongside Göran Kropp, just days after the disaster that took the lives of eight climbers. It was Ang Rita’s 10th summit of Everest and the veteran mountain guide did not use bottled oxygen to ascend the peak that day. This was not … Read more
I was backpacking somewhere in that ephemeral never-neverland where the high desert melts into the southernmost Sierra pines when the feeling first appeared, something between an unusual warmth and a gentle irritation. I ignored it, because there were other, bigger body discomforts—the soles of my feet, the ache of my calves, the mosquito bite lodged … Read more
Think about being able to say to your camping counterparts, “Do you want freshly baked bread tonight?” This will certainly win you points. Of course, you’re not going to make a yeasty, fluffy loaf – that requires 24 hours to rise – but who cares, anytime someone offers to make freshly baked anything on an … Read more
In Southeastern Utah, atop the mesas of the Colorado Plateau, lies Canyonlands National Park. It’s a wonderland of strange and beautiful geologic formations, hiking and mountain biking opportunities, and stunning 4WD trails and dirt roads. The stargazing is unparalleled, the views of arches and canyons are life affirming, and, time it right and have the … Read more
Face down in deep water, I float. I inhale through a snorkel. My eyes are closed. Body relaxed. I raise one finger, motioning to my dive buddy that I am taking my last breath. Finally, after several minutes of floating meditation, I am ready. I exhale all the air I possibly can. My chest deflates. An uncomfortable … Read more
This first part is embarrassing. I drove over the tent pole and that’s how it broke. I was camping at Tioga Lake, just outside the eastern boundary of Yosemite National Park, at Tioga Pass. It gets really windy there and while setting up camp, I decided to move my truck a little bit to block … Read more
Rearranging my mudroom recently, stashing the winter gear and staging the summer gear, I was forced to confront the sad and troubling fact that my cherished approach shoes are on death’s doorstep: half a heel missing, toes utterly blown, hemorrhaging sticky rubber, leather like a piece of Parmesan smashed against the grater. I’m hoping to … Read more
Mountain goats always seem like they know more than they’re letting on. Photo: JJ Shev In the spring of 2022, while conducting research for a book, I spoke with a bird biologist who was studying meadowlarks, a grassland species with a lovely melodic song that for me signals the onset of spring. The biologist was … Read more
If walking was the primary means of locomotion during your adventures, would you be as stoked as you are now? No overlanding, no airplanes, no vehicles of any kind. Moving at a human pace, a slower, more intimate way of travel. Whaddya think, do you need to get far away, very quickly for proper adventure? … Read more