PINE

P I N E VOL. 1

Spirituality in nature

PARK CITY UTAH: ADVENTURER’S PARADISE

The North Face Duffle Review Spring 2018

Shredding The Mountain Fashion

CONTENTS Page 4: Letter from the editor Page 5: If you go: Park City, Utah Page 6: Gear Review & Shredding the mountain fashion Page 7: Finding spirituality in nature Page 12: Nature’s therapy

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Photo by Michael Bueno

FROM THE EDITOR

“Embrace mother nature’s blessings”

For as long as mankind has been around we have had a constant connection with nature, we have learned to control the elements and evolved from it. The need to reconnect with the outdoors is greater than ever now as we come across threats that are looking to run the land dry. The everyday stresses of life often disconnect us from appreciating the beautiful world around us. Our goal at PINE is to spread good vibes and keep an environmentally concious mindset and picking up this issue is just the first step in a long journey.

Thank you for reading PINE

Michael Bueno Editor-in-Chief 4

If You Go: Park City, Utah

By Michael Bueno

Home to some of the “best snow on earth,” The Sundance Film Festival, and internationally acclaimed trails Park City, Utah is the perfect mountain town over flowing with good vibes and incredible views.

Whether you drive into town from faraway lands or fly over the impressive Wasatch Mountain range and in to the Salt Lake City international airport Park City has something for everybody.

Park City has a variety of beautiful hotels around that fit any budget.

The hotels surrounded by enormous mountain allow visitors to ski, hike, and mountain bike right outside their hotel doors. When looking for a place to stay, Park City offers a beautiful variety of places to stay that appeal to everyone.

Just 35 minutes from Salt Lake City, Park City is full of vibrant restaurants that range from a variety of prices. The award winning Riverhorse on Main is listen as one of the top restaurants in the nation.

Riverhorse on Main is located at 540 Main Street in Park City, Utah. For

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Photo courtesy of visitutah.com.

you beer connoisseurs there is a very special place located 250 Main Street called Wasatch Brewery and Pub. One of the oldest craft breweries in Utah, the Wasatch Brewery and Pub has a great line up of beers and American food within a very reasonable price range. A final recommendation and another amazing gem in

Photo by Jason Cameron / Getty Park City is Fuego Bistro & Pizzeria.

At Fuego & Bistro Pizzeria you can find some of Park City’s best and most inexpensive Pizza and Italian food. This colorful establishment can be found at 2001 Sidewinder Drive in Park City.

Park City, Utah is an adrenaline junkies dream, you can hike, bike, climb, or ski the majestic mountains that seem to just swallow the town. The impressive views will satisfy your hunger for the outdoors.

The mountain sport scene here is huge, in 2002 the winter Olympics were held and athletes from all corners of the world gathered.

The Utah Olympic Park, only 15 minutes away, gives you the opportunity to climb multiple obstacle course, go on a tour and experience the exciting rush of a winter bobsled. For those who like to explore urban areas instead of the outdoors, Park City’s historic district on Main Street offers a robust shopping and dining experience.

Review: The North Face Basecamp Duffle

By Michael Bueno The North Face Base Camp Duffle is the perfect allaround bag for people with an active lifestyle. Coming in a variety of sizes and colors from XS to XXL, the Base Camp Duffle can accommodate all your expedition needs. When I first purchased the $139 medium bag I was very hesitant considering the price tag, but I needed a bag where I can put it to multiple uses and not worry about it breaking.

The Base Camp Duffle features a massive main compartment offering 71 liters of volume with a zippered mesh pocket on the lid and a large exterior zippered pocket with a mesh divider. You can fit all your necessities for any weekend expedition and then some, the duffle measures in at 13.9 x 25.4 inches and weighing in at 3lbs. I’m able to fit my ski boots along with all my ski accessories such as, ski pants, jacket, gloves, goggles, socks and helmet; even with all that gear there is still more room.

The North Face has really out done them selves with the Base Camp Duffle, it’s tough, almost too tough. The super water-resistant material is durable but difficult to fold up and store away. When full, the duffle becomes difficult to fit in small spaces. That being said, that was about the only cons the bag had. The Base Camp Duffle offers features like handles on all sides of the bag for easy accessibility, compression straps, extra bar tacks, double stitching and a water-resistant ID pocket. The padded straps on the bag offer the convenience of carrying the duffle like a back pack or like a regular duffle.

Shredding the mountain fashion

By Michael Bueno

There is no doubt that the ski and snowboarding scene has grown exponentially since its debut. Expressing yourself on the slopes has become a big part of the culture, a culture that has turned the snow cover mountains into playgrounds for the adrenaline junkies looking for some winter fun. With bright colors, and patterns, many riders choose brands and attire that express who they are. Brands like Burton Salomon, and Oakley and have dominated the gear world by providing riders with quality equipment, it’s often times that designs that go into these pieces aren’t as expressive to a rider. It’s the small-time brands that are starting to steal the show with their combination of quality and self-expression. Brands like Planks, Ski the East and Dakine are showing us that you can have quality gear without sacrificing your wallet or personality in your equipment.

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Near the small town of Talkeetna, Alaska, the Aurora Borealis dances in the sky. Photo by Michael Bueno.

Finding Spirituality in nature

By Michael Bueno

Views from Denali National Park, Alaska. Photo by Michael Bueno.

For decades now, we as a species have looked to nature for enlightenment, knowledge, and comfort. In an age where technology rule’s everything around us, there are still a small demographic of people that venture off seeking the same thing our ancestors did. The hikers, climbers, trail runners, mountain bikers, and other mountain sport enthusiast all seek some form of adrenaline rush in nature. Could it be that the outdoors encourages us to seek some form of spirituality that in theory completes who we are as a person?

According to the Oxford Dictionary spirituality is the quality of being concerned with the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical 9

things. As every day stresses such as work, school, bills and personal struggles takes a toll on you it starts to become more visible. Having an outlet that connects you with the outdoors is more than just a way to spend your afternoon. Outdoor Enthusiast Megan Palumbo said “being outside helps me release my inner thoughts and get them out in the open with no judgement. I don’t feel anxious when I’m in nature because I know that everything is at peace around me.”

Technology has given us the opportunity to be connected with everyone at all times, this is a blessing and a curse. Our cellphones are more of a burden than anything, wasting time and constantly checking

Deep in Denali National Park, Alaska, the cold mountain stream runs through a valley. Photo

by Michael Bueno

our notifications in hopes that someone liked our most recent post. Distractions such as a cellphone or social media often take away from much needed time we need to heal during stressful times. Ben Lane, a Vermont native said, “one of my favorite things about being in the outdoors is listening to the sounds of nature all around me, it’s a great change from listening to phones ringing and the constant sound of traffic that you get from the city”

“When I was abroad I got homesick sometimes. I felt down in the dumps and just wanted to be in the comfort of my home with my family who knows me well and my dog that loves me so much. When I was abroad it was easy to feel alone and misunderstood because, well, I was alone. However, that was a choice I made, and I had to roll with the punches as they came,” Said Palumbo. “Whenever I felt like this I would go on a hike or find a nearby nature reserve just to be outside in the fresh air, or around the mountains. I felt better just being in nature because when I was there I knew that none of my worries really mattered. I was more in the present and whatever was bothering me seemed so minimal to life itself.”

We connect with nature more than we think, we connect through our mind, body and soul. The idea of spirituality in nature doesn’t limit the experience because of location. Whether it be on some mountain top or just taking a walk through the concrete jungle. Taking time out of your day to disconnect to feel and embrace the environment around gives us major benefits. Corinne Hennessey, a student at Lasell College, said “My favorite part about being outside is that it feels easier to breath.

Whenever I need to clear my head or am upset, or even if I feel sick, my first reaction is to go outside for a walk. Nature is my favorite medicine, in the most literal sense- I can always rely on it for my mental and physical health.”

There’s something about the fresh air, warm sunlight and unique views that’ll make you feel a sense of tranquility. Even if it’s just for a few minutes during your break at work or trekking through the backcountry.

The connection you feel will be like no other. It gives you the opportunity to self-reflect and think about life. Let your mind drift as you let the fresh air fill your lungs, reconnecting with the outdoors comes in many different ways. “I’ve been skiing for 13 years, it’s a sport that my dad’s family has been doing together for years so he passed it down to me. It’s an activity that my dad and I can do together and it’s fun to have that connection with him,” said Hennessey. “I also really enjoy swimming, I started swimming when I was 3 and have loved spending time in the water any way I can- I especially love floating in the ocean.”

Nature has beautiful way of showing you that everything will be alright. Katy O’Connor, an avid skier and student said, “I certainly turn to nature for comfort when I am stressed out and feeling overwhelmed.”

Being connected by her favorite sport, skiing has overall changed who she is as a person. “I think nature and mountain sports have made me more relaxed and outgoing as a person. I am more willing to get out of my comfort zone and try new things even though I may not be good at them,” said O’Connor.

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“I felt better being in nature because when I was there I knew that none of my worries mattered. I was more in the present and whatever was bothering me seemed minimal to life itself. ”

The Alaskan backcountry. Photo by Michael Bueno.

-Megan Palumbo

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Many of these outdoor enthusiasts grew up and learned to love the outdoors at a young age. Lane said, “the main thing that got me into the outdoors would have to be due to where I grew up. I’m from Rutland, VT and my dad has a house right next to one of the State Parks which allowed me to spend a lot of my time outside on the trails and in the park.”

Meanwhile, Web Content Producer, Phillip Spencer grew up finding joy on his bike.

“I grew up biking on a bike path near my house and have always loved biking. The path goes through the woods and into different nature settings, and while I enjoy the exercise and speed

of biking, I enjoy it more when it is through a scenic view of nature,” said Spencer. “I think nature provides a form of escape that facilitate spirituality because we don’t constantly live or exist in nature – when we do experience nature, is an unusual occurrence, which gives way to reflection and thought.”

Self-enlightenment is something often desired and the path towards it becomes clearer when you’re embraced by the outdoors. Spencer said, “I think it’s important for people to unplug from technology occasional and engage with nature, to self-reflect and think deep thoughts.” He added that since becoming more engaged with nature he began caring less about what people thought of him. “During one of reflections at Walden [Pond], I realized that I didn’t want to live my life for anyone but myself.”

Nature is not only a healer but also a teacher, you begin to learn more about who you are as a person. From being out you begin to grow as an individual. “I feel accomplished.

Doing things outdoors makes me feel like a real human being because this is what we were meant to do—be outside and one with nature, not hiding away inside,” said Palumbo. “It’s made me more independent because I know what my body is capable of. It’s also taught me how long things happen in nature (to grow, migrate, form) so I’ve learned to be more patient.

I think that being outdoors just makes me a happier person in general.”

Spirituality and self-enlightenment tends to occur when you start letting go of the daily distractions that tarnish your view on life. Letting the mother nature guide you into a state of tranquility will leave you with a different perspective on life. Not only will you find that you have grown as an individual but, being outside enjoying nature’s blessings will promote a healthier and happier lifestyle.

Nature’s therapy

By Michael Bueno

Hikers Kim and Mike pose for a picture in the Adirondacks, New York. Photo by Michael Bueno.

What does one do when life is coming at you hard and it’s getting hard to stay afloat? Take a hike. The experiences encountered in the mountains and forests are a beautiful thing, nature is one of the best healers and can help cope with the many stressors of life.

Having just experienced a bad break up, I took to the mountains. It was the first time I went on a serious hike alone, so I was nervous. With a few weeks of planning and prepping I finally managed to get time off and go on this adventure of self-discovery.

I was hesitant at first, but I dismissed all the doubt and decided to just go for it.

My destination was Gothics Mountain, located in the Adirondack Park, New York.

One of the more difficult trails in all the Adirondack Mountains. From where I lived at the time it was a five-hour drive, a very lonely five-hour drive but relaxing none the less. I arrived at 10 o’clock at the trail head, grabbed my gear and made my way to what I believed to be the trail. As I walked through a golf course I immediately realized that this was not the right way, luckily a nice man saw the lost look on my face and sent me in the right direction with a map.

About 30 minutes into the hike I met another kind man that was fishing alongside a river, we chatted and shared stories and we wished each other luck. I crossed the bridge leading to the side of the mountain and for hours I hiked, surrounded by trees and

mountains, I continued up the strenuous terrain.

I scrambled up the wet boulders and old wooden ladders, while using rope to help me get where I needed to go without slipping and falling down the mountain. I made it to a dry spot and sat down for a second. As I caught my breath, I admired the view. I had gotten to a point in the trail where the trees began allowing a sneak peak of the view.

It had rained earlier that morning and the clouds began to part and let out the sunshine.

As I arrived at the summit I met two wonderful people that in my short time of knowing them, changed the way I looked at life.

The trek was a difficult one and I thought I was done. Kim and Mike, the two older hikers that interrupted my nap on the mountain, had invited me to continue hiking with them. My exhausted body and mind had said no but something inside me “bursted” out with the word “yes!” Kim and Mike strong armed me (I’m easily convinced) to continue hiking. That day we hiked roughly 18 miles and four mountains, we hiked all day and all night.

Hiking under the mercy of the moonlight and stars, Kim and Mike taught me that life has its ups and downs. Sometimes you get a little lost but, with the help of friends you can overcome life’s biggest struggles and then all of a sudden, the bumpy road that is life doesn’t seem so bad.

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