Editor’s Note #135 // Cold Satori

Finding Silence in Winter’s Vast Embrace

California’s winter landscapes hold a quiet power. Whether draped in fresh snow or kissed by salt spray from the Pacific, they beckon us with their stark beauty and promise of solitude. In these colder months, as the mountains, coasts, and valleys settle into their seasonal rhythms, there’s an invitation for all of us to step into the stillness they offer and find something deeper—something beyond the endless noise of modern life.

It doesn’t matter how you move through these spaces. Maybe you carve the powder on skis or a snowboard, slicing clean lines into snowfields that seem to stretch into eternity. Perhaps you strap on snowshoes or boots, trekking into high alpine forests where the only sound is the crunch of your footsteps. You might find yourself chasing winter swells, paddling out into icy surf under the pale light of a winter sun. Or maybe your solace lies in pedaling empty trails, feeling the bite of cold air on your cheeks and the pulse of your heartbeat in your chest. Whatever your mode of adventure, what we truly seek is the same: the silence waiting beyond our cluttered minds.

It’s not just a break from noise; it’s something more profound. Call it outdoor satori, or a natural metanoia—a shift in perspective that renews not just the body, but the spirit. In the chill of winter, amidst its quiet majesty, we are stripped of our illusions. The illusion of control. The illusion of separateness. The illusion of a self apart from the world around us. Out there, in the heart of California’s winter wilderness, we are reminded of a simple truth: we are part of something infinite.

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This kind of nothingness isn’t empty. It’s the most nourishing thing you’ll find. The silence heals. It clears away the clutter, the digital distractions, the to-do lists, and the endless striving. It connects us to the essence of life itself. We push into the silence of winter not to escape the world, but to meet it fully, with all its beauty and mystery. We come back not just refreshed, but transformed.

Here at Adventure Sports Journal, we exist to celebrate this kind of connection. We are not here to tell you what gear to buy or to count your Instagram likes. We are not cool. We are not cutting-edge. And, truthfully, we don’t care to be. What we do care about is this: creating a space for stories and ideas that open the door—however narrow—to the quiet spaces within and without. Think of us as a humble guide, a simple signpost pointing toward infinite space, infinite freedom, and infinite connection.

Whether you are an athlete, an adventurer, or simply someone who finds joy in moving through the outdoors, we are grateful you’ve chosen to read Adventure Sports Journal. It’s a privilege to be part of your journey, however small a role we may play. You, our readers, are the reason we exist.

This winter, may you find the time to seek out the silence. Whether you’re gliding over frozen lakes, ascending snow-covered peaks, or simply standing on a windswept beach staring out at the horizon, let the quiet surround you. Let it seep into your bones and remind you of who you are beneath all the noise.

Here’s to finding satori in the season’s stillness. Here’s to nourishing the soul in nature’s infinite embrace. Thank you for trusting us to walk this path with you. May your adventures this winter lead you somewhere vast, quiet, and true.

Thanks and be safe.We hope you enjoy this issue and embrace the outdoors!

— Matt Niswonger

matt@adventuresportsjournal.com

Read Past Ed Notes Here