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Gear Review: Winter Warm Wear

Gear Review: Winter Warm Wear

Winter Warm Wear   Written for Washington Trails magazine   Visit the published article here   Just because the days are shorter and the temperature plummets doesn’t mean you need to hole up and hibernate through winter. Just bundle up and get outside. Some of the latest offerings in winter outerwear will keep you warm and cozy on your favorite snowy trails, from casual snowshoe strolls to more challenging winter hikes—and even zipping down the ski slopes. Big Agnes Pyramid DownTek Jacket For the ultimate in trail warmth, look no further than the women’s Pyramid Jacket. (Sorry guys, this one is for the ladies.) Its ultra-warmth comes from 850-fill hydrophobic down under a wind- and water-resistant shell specially designed to keep...

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Feature: Revolutionize Your Life With an Outdoor Challenge

Feature: Revolutionize Your Life With an Outdoor Challenge

Revolutionize Your Life With an Outdoor Challenge: One Inspiring Woman Shows You How   Written for Washington Trails magazine   Visit the published magazine article here and the companion blog here   Do you have trouble keeping your New Year’s resolutions? Maybe you’re thinking too small. Whether it’s to get outside more, hike farther or discover new trails, there’s a cure for the common New Year’s resolution. It’s a big, bold audacious yearlong challenge. Think it can’t be done? Meet Beautiful Existence. We first learned of Beautiful Existence (yes, that’s her legal name) and her signature yearlong challenges in early 2014, as she set out to spend the year trying every sport that REI offers gear for. In the process, she revolutionized her...

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Blog: Go Big This Year

Blog: Go Big This Year

Go Big This Year!   Written for the Washington Trails Association blog   Visit the published blog here and the companion magazine article here   Do your New Year’s resolutions always seem to fizzle? Whether your aim is to get outside more this year, hike farther or discover a few new trails, it’s possible you’re thinking too small. There’s a cure for the common New Year’s resolution. It’s a big, bold, audacious year-long challenge. Think it can’t be done? Meet Beautiful Existence. We first learned of Existence (yes, that’s her legal name) and her signature year-long challenges in early 2014, as she set out to spend the year trying every sport that REI offers gear for. Over the course of the year, she revolutionized her relationship with the...

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Gear Review: Lightweight Hiking Shoes

Gear Review: Lightweight Hiking Shoes

Lightweight Hiking Shoes for Autumn   Written for the Washington Trails Association blog   Visit the published article here   The days may be getting shorter and wetter, but that’s no reason not to hit some of your favorite local trails—just dress appropriately for the weather and wear good shoes. WTA’s gear review team has been sampling some of the latest light hiking shoes, looking for the best in comfort, water repellency and beefy tread to keep you sure-footed on the trails this fall. Here are some notable contenders. Chaco Women’s Zora One of our testers’ favorites, these lightweight hikers fit well straight out of the box and didn’t require any break-in thanks to the unique LUVSEAT footbed—so comfy! They’re perfect for people who love giving...

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Book Review: Adventure Round-Up

Book Review: Adventure Round-Up

Adventure Round-Up: Walking Distance and Microadventures   Written for Washington Trails magazine   Visit the published article here   Feel inspired to get outside but don’t know where to start? Here are some great books to help turn your dreaming into doing. Walking Distance: Extraordinary Hikes for Ordinary People By Robert and Martha Manning If your hiking goals for next year include logging some international trail miles, make your trip planning a little easier with a copy of Walking Distance: Extraordinary Hikes for Ordinary People. This colorful coffee-table book includes pictures, maps and route descriptions for 30 of the most incredible long-distance hikes around the world. The best part? All of the trails covered in the book are well...

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Feature: Lessons from Karen Sykes

Feature: Lessons from Karen Sykes

Forever on Trail and in Hearts: Lessons from Karen Sykes   Written for Washington Trails magazine   Visit the published article here   I often find myself wondering about the meaning of life. Don’t we all, at some point? There comes a time when we simply can’t go through the motions—getting up, going to work, coming home, falling asleep and living for the weekend—without wanting something more. But knowing you want more is the easy part. The hard part is discovering what that means. How, exactly, do you go about having a more meaningful life? An ancient proverb says, “When the student is ready, the teacher appears.” And I know no better teacher than Karen Sykes, the beloved and prolific Northwest outdoors writer who introduced thousands to hiking...

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