You want to respond “yes”, but you can’t bring yourself to press send. You haven’t really been training and there’s grocery shopping to do and errands to be run. Plus, that new movie comes out tomorrow. Finally, you bite the…
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The big day is here. You trained right, slept well and feel ready to go. You’ve spent hours scouring over maps and amassed the gear that will best set you up to succeed in your objective. Everything seems to be…
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Venturing into unknown territory is always a scary prospect. Whether it’s starting a new job, moving to a new city, or learning a technical outdoor pursuit, the new and unknown is intimidating. The new can challenge us both physically and…
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I’ve been on more than 65 expeditions and over 20 of them have been solo missions. I’ve learned that when I’m climbing and adventuring many days and miles in the backcountry where a rescue may not be an option, preparation…
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Every adventure has lessons to teach. Like that one backpacking trip that taught you to always check out the scenic overlook, even if it means a mile detour. Maybe that one rafting trip that taught you to always pack a…
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What happens when you end up on a three-week trip to attempt the highest peak in the Western hemisphere with four strangers? You quickly learn how to have fun while staying safe with your new team. After all, what other…
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Earlier this Spring, five friends and I went on a sea kayaking adventure in the San Juan Islands of Washington. We were all excited, but only a few of us had actually sea kayaked before. Luckily one of our team…
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You’ve been dreaming about this trip for months. After an expensive plane ticket and hours of travel, you shoulder your pack and head out. Pulling into the lot, your heart drops. Hordes of people mill about and there isn’t a…
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The desert. An arid landscape that, despite its natural beauty, makes life very difficult. Huge temperature swings, lack of water and limited shade can make desert adventures difficult. However, those that venture out into this terrain are rewarded with glowing…
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You dig through the pile of borrowed gear. This isn’t how you normally spend your weekends, but your friends promised they would show you the ropes and keep it mellow. Regardless of their encouragement, you are very aware of the…
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There’s a certain feeling that accompanies crossing a state or county line. It fulfills our innate desire to roam and wander. New experiences and settings are on the horizon and a simple rotation of the steering wheel can take us…
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You’ve been strolling around the gear shop for hours, wandering aisles filled with packs, sleeping bags, stoves and sleeping pads. The shop’s employees and have given up on you. It’s not that you are trying to be difficult. It’s just…
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