The Closed Outdoors
This story was originally published in the Winter/Spring 2021 issue of Appalachia Journal. My first impulse was to flee to the mountains. “The Appalachian Trail, here I come!” The Quarantine My first impulse was to…
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How to Love Winter
The first snow has fallen. Temperatures are dropping. For many people, this time of year comes with a low-key sense of dread. You bundle yourself into thick layers, dig out the ice scraper and shovel,...
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The Vertical Mile
This story was originally published in the Winter/Spring 2021 issue of Appalachia Journal. At a secluded crag near my house, there’s a climbing route called Malevolent Eye. It’s 32 feet high, with a 3-foot overhang…
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Going Small
This story was originally published in the Winter/Spring 2021 issue of Appalachia Journal. In a small patch of crumbly dirt and mulch, near the weather-worn trellis where the hydrangea had begun to bloom, my 5-year-old…
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Winter Hiking Essential Gear List
Hiking in the winter demands more. More preparedness and more planning. More outdoor experience and ability, and—perhaps most easily overlooked—more time. The cold months require better decision-making and a more cautious mindset. The same trail…
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Winter Outdoor Activities for Kids
Maybe you’re feeling it already, fellow moms and dads: the dread of not knowing how you’re going to keep your kids occupied and active through the long Northeast winter and early spring. These feelings…
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How to Leave No Trace in Winter
Leave No Trace is a practice that applies to any outdoor activity, providing hikers, bikers, skiers, and other users with the tools they need to ensure minimal impact on the environment during their trip. While…
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A Clean Air Win – Time for Action
Yesterday the DC Circuit Court of Appeals decided to reject the Trump Administration’s inadequate greenhouse gas power plant rule that sought to repeal the Clean Power Plan. In doing so the court rejected the Trump-era EPA’s false…
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Avalanche Safety: Understanding the Risks Before You Hit the...
Sarah Goodnow says she was lucky the first time she saw a natural avalanche. Lucky, as in she and others around her were in a safe place, allowing them to witness the phenomenon without…
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Nutrition for a Winter Hike
When venturing out on a hike in the colder months, staying warm and safe with traction and proper layers are key differences from summertime adventures, but don’t underestimate the importance of eating the right…
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