A few years ago I participated in a weekend seminar called the Landmark Forum. Standing in front of a room of about one hundred total strangers I was describing what my life would look like if I achieved my potential. Speaking into a microphone, I was tasked with sharing a mission statement for my life.
Itโs an alarming yet well-known statistic in the world of agriculture that the average age of the American small farmer is 58. As our farmers retire, will there be younger farmers coming in to replace them? In many cases, offspring and heirs have moved from the farm and are not interested in returning. The next generation of beginning and aspiring farmers, many of them first-timers, face big obstacles to getting started and succeeding as farmers. The top two are lack of access to land and lack of access to capital.
Recently a select group of Yosemite visitors soaked in views of Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, El Capitan and every other stately Yosemite Valley landmark. This sightseeing tour happened without setting foot on a trail or driving a car, and no, they werenโt looking at Google Earth either. They were floating down the Merced River in kayaks and rafts. I was honored to be among them, and now that the rules have changed, you can do it too.
If flatwater stand up paddling isnโt providing the thrill it once did, take it to the river and test your finesse with downriver SUP. Before jumping in over your head, know that river SUP is a potentially serious undertaking because the water can be relentless and overwhelming.
I rolled the front tire of my mountain bike to the lip of the jump. Staring down at the edge where the dirt fell away, my eyes crossed over the deep divide to the landing. It was built up with massive logs that I envisioned my body crashing against if I failed to clear the gap. My heart raced. After retreating down the takeoff, I rode past the jump without hitting it. Continuing down the trail I was met with another jump, this one with a landing formed out of jagged boulders.
1. Believe in Yourself
First and foremost, you have to believe that you will succeed. Learn to silence the doubtful voices in your head and focus on believing 100% that you can do it!
Though hundreds of hikers per year attempt the 2,600-mile Pacific Crest Trail, my cousin Zach Padlo and I hit the wall around mile 26. We werenโt rookies but the first days are always tough when starting at high elevation, like 9,624-foot Sonora Pass.
I wanted to quit. It wouldnโt be the first time and most certainly not the last. By this point in the 1996 Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race, nearly 15 of the starting field of 64 paddlers had already given in to the channelโs merciless conditions. In the end, only 38 paddlers would finish the race. The wind, the waves, the ripping southerly current, and the unseasonably cold waterโฆit was all just miserable. I had been paddling for over five hours and had only covered about 20 of the 32 race miles. I was in a cold-water hell.
The Tahoe Rim Trail is a 165-mile loop around Lake Tahoe. It traverses the side of lofty mountains, and meanders along ridgelines high above Lake Tahoe. It passes by sparkling mountain lakes and saunters through deep forests of red fir and western white pine. Itโs well worth the two weeks it takes to hike it. But wouldnโt it be cool to hike a 72-mile version instead?
The driest place in North America was hammered by catastrophic flooding last year, and the hottest place in the world got hotter. ๐ฆ ๐ โ
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In our current issue, Leonie Sherman reports on how @deathvalleynps staff dealt with the devastating impacts of Hurricane Hilary and another heat record-breaking summer, while also preparing for the next disaster. ๐ฌ๐กโ
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Read the article in our Winter 2023/2024 issue or at the ๐ in our bio โฌ๏ธโ
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#deathvalleynationalpark #deathvalley #climatechange #adventuresportsjournal โ ...
In our current issue, Matt โDetourโ Johanson takes us along the SoCal stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail. This fourth installment of Mattโs five-part series details his experience this past spring pushing through challenging conditions in the aftermath of a record-breaking winter.โ
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Hop on trail with our intrepid adventurer at the link in our bio!โ
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#adventuresportsjournal #pacificcresttrail #pct2023 #pctsectionhike #backpacking #earnyourbeerโ
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Story and photos by Matt Johansonโ
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โ ๐ป A pack of hikers approach the snowy summit of San Jacinto Peak.โ
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โ ๐ต Cacti frame a view of the Colorado Desert.โ
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โ ๐ San Gorgonio Mountain marks the highest point in Southern California.โ
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โ ๐ San Jacinto Peak is the steepest mountain in the lower 48 states.โ
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โ โ๏ธ Hikers cross a snowfield in the San Gabriel Mountains.โ
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Roadtrip idea ๐๏ธโ๏ธ Have you ever seen Zion in the snow?! ๐ตโ
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From sandy deserts to snowy landscapes, this roadtrip idea will take you on an unforgettable journey through the contrasting beauty of Zion National Park. Make sure to check out Angels Landing, with snow covered peaks and contrasting desert canyons. But don't forget ice spikes! This is an adventure that will leave you in awe! โ๏ธ๐ต#WinterWonders #ZionNationalPark #RoadtripGoals...
๐ ๐ตJoin us with our latest feature with the incredible artist @zielizgโ
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Lizzie is a landscape artist based out of Salt Lake City, using her art as a form of activism and environmental protection, depicting scenes from the western states ๐๏ธ โ
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Learn more about Lizzie at the link in our bio! ๐โ
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Interview by contributing writer @ellasuring...
Our recent article with Michael Allen is up! Featuring his new film A Long Road To Tao, that's being featured in the Las Cruces International Film Festival this spring along with his work as a fine art surf and wave photographer ๐๐ฅโ
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Check out Michael's work at the link in our bio ๐โ
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Written by contributing writer @ellasuring...
๐ฒ๐ Adventure awaits! ๐ Hannah from @ilikebigbuttress shares her journey moving across the country, starting a new career, and living out of a van full time. ๐โ
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This interview is part of a series of women in the outdoors. Learn more at the link in our bio ๐โ
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Story by our contributing writer @ellasuring...
Winter is in full swing. She is challenging us to leave our cozy houses and our cozy cars once again. Will you answer the call? โ๏ธ โ
Letโs get committed and embrace winter once again. Inside is cozy but outside is fun! ๐โ
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Click the link in our bio to see what is new at your favorite resort this year. ๐ ๐โ
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Compiled by @skicalifornia ๐๐ฝ โ
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Photos ๐ธโ
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Tamarack Mammothโ
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Can anyone guess where this iconic Redwood Tree ring is in Santa Cruz? ๐ฒThe canopies of redwood trees support entire ecosystems of wildlife, insects, plants, and they even create soil up there from decomposing leaves ๐. Next time you go mountain biking, running, or hiking, take a glance up and wonder at the marvels towering above you! #hiking #santacruz #adventuresportsjournal...
Last season was one for the record books โ when Mammoth Mountain received over 700 inches of snow and stayed open for more than 270 days of skiing and riding. โท๐โ
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While skiers and riders played in the snow well into summer, the Mammoth construction teams were hard at work replacing chairlifts, building new activities, and improving Mammothโs already robust snowmaking system. ๐ช๐ฝ โ๏ธโ
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Click the link in our bio to see the fun that is on tap this winter in Mammoth. ๐ ๐โ
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"My husband is a dirt hound. He loves the call of an empty, desolate dirt road. Growing up in Arizona, dirt excursions were a fundamental part of his upbringing, which is how my journey into the adventurous world of overlanding began." ๐๏ธโ
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If you have a passion for isolation, unspoiled nature, and tackling challenging remote roads, overland camping might be just what youโre looking for. ๐โ
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Click the link in our bio to read Krista Houghton's latest article and discover what to expect and some vital tips to ensure your overlanding adventure is both enjoyable and safe. ๐ ๐โ
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#offroadadventure #overlanding #overlandcamping #adventure #outside #fourwheelcampers #expion360 #rhinogear #toyota #outbackโ
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Mark your calendar for the second of this season's @alpenglowsports Winter Speaker Series on Thursday, January 4th. ๐ โ
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Brothers @jimwmorrison and @johnmorrison.sierraskijournal will present "Skiing the High Sierra and Beyond" at @palisadestahoe's Olympic Village Events Center. All giveaway, bar, and a portion of food proceeds will benefit the @senditfoundation. โท๏ธโ
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Doors open at 6pm and the show starts at 7pm. The event is free and all ages are welcome! Live streaming is also available on YouTube. There will be giveaways for both in-person attendees and those tuning in from afar. ๐๐ฝโ
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See the link in our bio for more info! ๐ ๐โ
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๐ธ Photos by @christianpondella...