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What Type of Bailer Are You? COVID Edition.
Today we’re exploring a new category of bailer that didn’t exist before: The COVID Bailer. Naming that COVID is horrible*, it has given us new vocabulary by which to bail and, frankly, better excuses for our own flakiness. Are you guilty of being one of these COVID...
Ananth’s Mt. Rainier 100 Peaks
For the summer 2022 edition of Mountaineer magazine, I had the pleasure of interviewing Ananth Maniam (ஆனந்த் மணியம்). He recently completed Mt. Rainier 100 Peaks, over half of which he accessed through public transportation or carpool. He shared many incredible...
How To Make a Backcountry Poop Kit
A backcountry poop kit is an essential item for any backcountry traveler. Learn why they're important and how to make your own. It took a lot of practice, but I finally learned how to poop directly into a dog bag. I’d been getting outside for years – crag climbing and...
Five Pregnancies. Four Miscarriages. One Abortion. One Baby. Still Trying.
I had an abortion while desperately wanting to be pregnant. There was no heartbeat. I had no choice. In truth, I did have a choice. But I'm getting ahead of myself. Let's start from the beginning. One I've had four miscarriages. The first stole my innocence. It took...
Feel Better Instantly with This Trick for Maladies and Ailments
Whether you have a bum shoulder, a broken tailbone, a weird thumbnail, a bunny-shaped hematoma, a recurring benign gonad cyst, or anything in between, I hope you choose to name your malady. I promise naming your ailments and maladies will help you feel better instantly. Bonus points for an awesome ailment alliteration.
Infertility & Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): How We Got Pregnant
I suffer from infertility and PCOS. This story explains how we got pregnant thanks to modern medicine (despite its many shortcomings). I cannot get pregnant on my own. We tried for over a year and suffered two pregnancy losses before Lucca arrived. He has already...
An Iranian Climber on Finding Belonging in the Outdoors
In this interview, Iranian climber Kiana Ehsani shares why finding belonging in the outdoors is so important, and how those of us with privilege and access can make more space for the historically excluded. Meryl Lassen (she/they) is a 7-year member, Super Volunteer,...
Celebrating Love: A Mountain Elopement
Want to elope? Read about how Molly and Ashley pulled off their memorable mountain wedding, and learn how to plan your own elopement. Escape. Flee. Run away. Most likely derived from the 1500s Middle Dutch word lopen, the meaning of the word elope has shifted over...
Non-Trekking Uses for Trekking Poles
In the spirit of innovation, I asked you to share your most creative uses for trekking poles. First, my story: The car is locked, and the keys are inside. Having already endured a 3am start, many miles of skinning in tough conditions, and a sporty ski and hike back to...
