Misadventures - Issue 4 by Misadventures

THE HORIZONS ISSUE THE COLDWATER SURFERS OF CANADA WHAT’S NEXT FOR @BROWNGIRLSCLIMB GLACIOLOGY 101, AND OTHER LIFE LESSONS TAKES ON TODAY’S OUTDOORS SCENE: TRIPS, TIPS, & TRENDS + HOW TO STACK WOOD, COMMUNE WITH ANIMALS, AND FERMENT FOR THE FUTURE

ISSUE 4 WINTER 2017

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FAMILY

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For some, the end of the trail is just the beginning.

COLDWATER

Tofino, Canada Some people get into surfing because the lifestyle comes off as 'cool,’ but the only part about surfing year-round in Canada that is 'cool’ is the temperature (and that’s an understatement). But the thick neoprene and the frozen extremities don’t stop the women in Canada's small town of Tofino from getting in the water, and they make up nearly half the lineup on any given day of the year. The unique equality found there amongst the far-from-tropical waves is a testament to the locals’ love for the ocean and for that cold, beautiful part of the world they call home.

Surfer icon by Ashley Holt

WORDS AND PHOTOS BY BRYANNA BRADLEY

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SURF QUEENS The Queen of the Peak is an all-women’s surf competition held in Tofino every year since 2009.

Issue 4, Winter 2017

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The unique equality found there amongst the far-from-tropical waves is a testament to that cold, beautiful part of the world they call home.

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YOUR COMPASS

THE GUIDEBOOK 34 The Minefield of Memory Endurance mountain biker Rebecca Rusch on cycling toward her father's Vietnam crash site.

PHOTO by Josh Letchworth/Red Bull Content Pool

BY JESSICA C. MALORDY

THE HORIZONS ISSUE HORIZONS CALL TO US, have an uncanny ability to draw us near. How many countless expeditions, adventures, tragedies, and triumphs have the quest for the horizon inspired?

30 Ice Fish 30 Gear Up For Winter Cycling 30 Speak Sled Dog 31 Soothe Skin (For Lizards) 31 Stack Wood 31 Start Fire With Dryer Lint

29 How To: Overwinter

Spice up your winter with these DIY misadventures.

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32 Read Palms 32 Bowl Cut 32 Bird for Birds in Winter 33 Make Kimchi (For Life!) 33 Brew Winter Spice Amaro

FLIPBOOK Behold, a lumberjill. Read more about competitive lumberjacking on page 18.

21 Color the Crag A conversation with Bethany Lebewitz, the brains behind Brown Girls Climb. BY ZOË BALACONIS

24 The CEO Buzz Camber Outdoors is working to make the outdoor industry a more equitable place for women. BY JESSICA C. MALORDY

2 Canada Dreaming The waves of Tofino and the women who ride them. BY BRYANNA BRADLEY

12 Horizons How does one experience the horizon without seeing it? BY KERRY KIJEWSKI

25 Footprints in the Snow It can be difficult to quantify the environmental impact of something like a ski trip, but we'll try anyways.

62 Voices of the Women’s Outdoor Movement Women in the outdoors are so in right now! So...what does that mean for us, exactly?

BY JEN GURECKI

75 Holiday Gift Guide

45 So Long, Sun

A curated trove of treasures, tools, and trinkets.

It's written in the stars. BY SULAGNA MISRA

48 Oceans Away NatGeo photographer, activist, and scientist Cristina Mittermeier shares her story. BY ZOË BALACONIS

82 Camp Cook As the ladies of Dirty Gourmet like to say, "Make food part of your adventure." Learn how to whip up Sweet Potato and Black Bean Hash and Coconut Tapioca Pudding. BY ANNA BRONES, AND BY EMILY TRUDEAU, AIMEE TRUDEAU, AND MAI-YAN KWAN

86 An Ocean Among Mountains A chilly, but striking trip to the Scottish Highlands.

14 10,000 Hours on Powder

BY CELESTE NOCHE

Pro skier Kate Howe on tackling a new sport later in life.

93 Winter Reading

BY HALEY LITTLETON

18 Logging On If anything says "stereotypical burly man," it's lumberjack. Well, apparently not anymore. BY CAMILLE VON KAENEL

56 Glaciology 101 A primer on all things glacial for the adventurous sort. BY CHARLOTTE AUSTIN ILLUSTRATED BY NIKKI FRUMKIN

Burrow into one of these books this winter. BY JESSICA C. MALORDY

95 Women's [Mad] Lib Take each sentence as an opportunity to make this more absurd.

WIDE OPEN SPACES

EDITORS’ LETTER UMOR HAS IT, when your eyes linger on the horizon, your brain releases waves of endorphins, giving you a runner’s high without moving at all. And while the science explaining this sensation is new to us, the experience isn’t—and we suspect you know the feeling, too. Horizons call to us, have an uncanny ability to draw us near...even though of course no matter how hard we try, we can never quite reach them. That reality doesn’t stop us from making the attempt, though. In many ways, in fact, outdoor adventure is defined by the pursuit of those lines where mountains meet the clouds, or where sea gives way to sky. How many countless expeditions, adventures, tragedies, and triumphs, has the quest for the horizon inspired? We may never know. Here in these pages of The Horizons Issue, however, we’ve gathered at least some of them. From a daughter’s journey to discover her father’s Vietnam War crash site to a mother’s drive to become a pro-skier later in life to a rock climber’s pursuit of a community of color who shares her experiences, not to mention many women’s perspectives on the rapidly-expanding playing field for outdoor-loving ladies, this latest edition of the magazine charts the many ways women are (sometimes literally) chasing down opportunities to get out and beyond, no matter what it takes. We know a magazine is not a mountain. But we are hopeful that this issue inspires in you the same high-up feeling. Just over the horizon are your own adventures, after all.

Outdoor adventure is defined by the pursuit of those lines where mountains meet the clouds, or where sea gives way to sky.

Yours in misadventure, Zoë Balaconis, Editor-in-Chief Jessica C. Malordy, Senior Editor

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THE MISADVENTURES TEAM

Zoë Balaconis EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Marybeth Campeau CREATIVE DIRECTOR

S U N R IS E V S S U NS E T

Sunrise. Either I've stayed up so long with good people that I get to witness it, or it means we're waking up for something worth braving the early morning cold and darkness to witness. – Allison Dyer Bluemel

Jessica C. Malordy SENIOR EDITOR

Sarah Connette OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

ILLUSTRATOR: Julienne Alexander CONTRIBUTORS: Lola Akinmade Åkerström, Charlotte Austin, Allison Dyer Bluemel, Bryanna Bradley, Anna Brones, Tracy Chandler, Sarah Connette, Abby Cooper, Anthony Cupaiuolo, Nikki Frumkin, Jen Gurecki, Rachel Heydemann, Kerry Kijewski, Mai-yan Kwan, Bethany Lebewitz, Josh Letchworth, Haley Littleton, Laraine Martin, Sulagna Misra, Cristina Mittermeier, Celeste Noche, Sam Ortiz, Dylan Page, Aimee Trudeau, Emily Trudeau, Camille von Kaenel, Kimberly Yavorski, Megan Walsh, Liz Weber

ON THE HORIZON

In the Bay there's always somehow a giant hill over the horizon. I can't get over it figuratively, even if I can get over it literally. – Sulagna Misra

S U N R IS E V S S U N S E T

Sunrise because it feels like a million possibilities. – Nikki Frumkin

S U N R IS E V S S U NS E T

Sunset, because it means I get to make coffee. – Anna Brones

S U N R IS E V S S U NS E T

ON THE HORIZON

Sunrise. I never see enough of them yet I still continue to set my alarms in the hopes of waking up early. Always an optimist. – Liz Weber

More travel and adventure are on my horizon. Beaches, mountains, deserts, even some cities: I want to see them all. – Kimberly Yavorski

WITH THANKS TO: Lila Allen, The Awesome Foundation, Karen Beattie, Eddie Brawner, Hannah Brotherton, Camber Outdoors, Candyman, Suzanne Churchill, Davidson College, Maria Fackler, Ellyn Gibbs, Shane Gibson, Franny Goffinet, Katie Ives, Zoran Kuzmanovich, Rachel Leeds, Hannah Levinson, Mark Meunier, Moon, Tim Morin, Walter Olin Nisbet III, Marian Nisbet, Walter Olin “Chip” Nisbet IV, William McGowan Nisbet, Obie, Leslie Hsu Oh, Alan Michael Parker, Jeanine Pesce, Deborah Pleva, Kate Reutersward, Rebecca Rusch, Allison Dulin Salisbury, Peter Scorcia, Scout, Rebecca Sgouros, Claire Smiley, Liz Song, Jon Springfield, Matt Stirn, Ross Saldarini, Teresa Walkup, Wedge, Emmett Weindruch, Mark Williams, Matt Wingo, moms and dads everywhere ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: advertise@misadventuresmag.com PRESS INQUIRIES: hello@misadventuresmag.com COVER PHOTO BY Bryanna Bradley FLIP BOOK BY Julienne Alexander ICONS BY The Noun Project artists

EARTH AND SKY

HORIZONS BY KERRY KIJEWSKI I COULD RUN AND reach and run and never get to that distant line—so imaginary, begging to be defined. Risking fruitless, limitless, endless pursuits, and still, I walk into a fathomless open sky, unsure of what might be out there, missing everything going by as I pass. And just how do I adequately describe this thing, this concept to him? I try to explain what the horizon is to my younger brother. We were both born blind, but I once had a fair bit of sight. I learned, early on,

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the line dividing the earth from the sky. There’s little that is concrete to help my brother grasp the concept. Like when I try to describe a colour, one of the many brilliant hues I once loved. He may never know them, but I’m glad I do—though that memory is fading fast. I try and try to recall, but like a horizon I will never reach the bright shades that recede just beyond my scope. Standing, looking down a busy city street with high and towering buildings on both sides: I once took this image for granted and drew it

with dark pencil. I learned about perspective of objects in art class. Soon after I learned that what you see sometimes tricks the mind. What appears to be there might not be anywhere close at all. I loved drawing the line of the horizon. Either water or rolling hills, cityscapes, views from the shore with a setting sun along its edge. It always felt like somewhere, out there, with somewhere new just on the other side of it; again and again and again.

OPTICAL ILLUSIONS Horizons are all about perception. In fact, the precise distance of the horizon can be difficult to calculate even with the proper equation because of the way temperature impacts light refraction. The result? Mirages in the desert, green flashes at the poles, and other “refraction phenomena” all over the world.

Sunrise icon by Maurizio Fusillo // ILLUSTRATION by Julienne Alexander

A Lesson On Perspective

This is what a horizon might feel like, if we could touch one.

An edge is the basis for it, so I place my brother’s hand along the line between the couch and the back of a cement wall in his Toronto apartment. This is what a horizon might feel like, if we could touch one, I say to him. I want him to know. But even the perfect word to describe something as wildly lovely as a colour doesn’t quite manage to capture the proper essence of the thing, so why do I think this could ever clarify anything? Recently, leaving my home in Ontario far behind, I headed across

TEXTURE That's how you spell "horizon" in Braille.

practically an entire country. Flying into the west, I saw no sign of those famous peaks down below, or the sea and its horizon beyond, but I did know I was heading for an absence of darkness. Northern Canada is, half the year, a melding of bright skies and earth, a short-lived twilight in place of night. In that brightness, I strove to touch that distant streak of mountain ranges and lakes. It seems that as the blur of my sight deepens, my need to travel grows,

but the longer I go without seeing, the harder it becomes to describe those things I once saw. Travel and heading out for the horizon have become one, just as the darker water always did give way to the light of the sky. I can hardly describe something so visual to my brother, but even so, I promise him— and myself—that we will continue to set out for the horizon—that we won’t ever stop searching for our own definition of perspective.

MAKING IT

10,000 Hours on Powder Let go of everything you think you know BY HALEY LITTLETON

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PHOTO by Dylan Page

“WE NEED ALPINE INSTRUCTORS. Do you want to work for us?” Kate Howe assumed the Snow Sports Supervisor at Bridger Bowl, near Bozeman, MT, was joking. “I was much heavier than I am now and a terrible skier,” Howe reminisces. She had brought her three-year-old son for lessons and only intended to watch from the sidelines. But Howe was also a local teacher with a particular zeal

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for educating—so she agreed. “When you’re 35 and the mother of two toddlers and declare: ‘I’m going to become a professional skier,’ you get incredulous looks, at best,” Howe recalls. More often: “You can’t possibly be serious.” At worst: “You’ll never be good enough.” None of that deterred Kate Howe. Ten years later, she is a member of the Professional Ski Instructors of America - Rocky Mountain (PSIA-RM) Education Staff and an instructor based out of Aspen, known for introducing clients to big mountain skiing and globetrotting for powder. The desire to credit Howe and her accomplishments with superhuman powers of focus and ability is quickly shot down by Howe herself. She has a fervent belief in training and discipline; in younger years, she was a competitive figure

skater. When she began her new career in skiing, she wanted to be a great skier as well as a great teacher. The higher-level instructors raced over icy moguls with ease and grace, and Howe wondered what that capability would feel like. “I decided I wanted that.” Transitioning from Bridger Bowl to Aspen Mountain, Howe quickly passed all three levels of PSIA. “I don’t think you need 20 years on skis to be great,” she says. “Don’t mistake that for me saying there is a fast track. There isn’t. But you can realize where you are trying to go, and focus all your energy on getting there. You can condense the amount of time it takes for you to put your 10,000 hours in if you are always practicing. You need dedicated time on skis, and a lot of it. Access to good coaching, and a willingness to let go of everything you think you know.”

PHOTO by Dylan Page

A BRIEF HISTORY LESSON

"When you’re 35, the mother of two toddlers, and declare: ‘I’m going to become a professional skier,’ you get incredulous looks." Transitioning from Bridger Bowl to Aspen Mountain, Howe quickly passed all three levels of PSIA. For Howe, anyone willing to take on this perspective and do the hard work, at any age, can achieve similar success in a new sport. She embodies a unique approach to outdoor skill acquisition, one that preaches a complete release of personal ego. “Learning and perfecting new skills comes from the mental battle of letting go of your ego and the thoughts that tell you that you should have

done better,” Howe explains. “It’s binary, like a math test. You can tell what you need to study harder simply because you don’t get the answers right. It’s not offensive. You don’t get mad at the paper or the book. It just is.” But none of this dedication is done in a vacuum. Howe has intimately learned the value of community, and describes her family’s support through financial issues, the demands of parenting, difficulty understanding her choices, and a decade of gear investments. Her mother devoted

extensive time to watching Howe’s children, and her partner moved to Aspen to help her achieve her dream. Howe jokes that the motto was often, “We’re here for you. And just so you know… This sucks.” Now the mother of teenage sons, Howe cherishes their part in the journey. Often, you could find her two sons doing homework in the conference rooms where Kate gave ski lectures or studied manuals. Now, her sons travel all over the world by her side. “They’re kind and adventurous and well-adjusted and we get to spend a lot of time together.” Howe doesn’t believe age, finances, toddlers, or a lack of experience should disqualify women from achieving high levels of success in a new sport. What matters instead is a woman’s—any woman’s—willingness to ask for help and invest the time.

SUPPORTING OUR NATIONAL PARKS APPAREL WITH PURPOSE

“We the people” own 84 million acres of pristine park wilderness that need our attention, action, & funding. Passionate pioneers fought to protect 17 America’s greatest landscapes & most awe-inspiring views. Parks Project was created to make sure we don’t forget. Visit www.parksproject.us and use code MISADVENTURES15 for 15% off your first order. Join us @parksproject.

CUTTING EDGE

Logging On

The changing face of competitive lumberjack sports

TOGETHER, THEY WON: TWO women, each grabbing an end of a five-foot saw with jagged teeth the length of their hands, pushing and pulling the metal through a log, faster and faster, wood chips flying, until a round of wood fell to the ground. This event, called a double-buck, is one of many that make up logging sports. In the 19th century, bored loggers wanting to test their strength developed the series of feats; now, college students and even some pros travel to competitions to show off their technique and strength. The two women are Lizzie Ebert and Ariel Thomson. Now professional foresters, the friends captained the logging sports team at University of California, Berkeley when they were students. Back then, they found themselves vastly outnumbered in the big

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ILLUSTRATIONS by Julienne Alexander / Lumberjack icon by Anbileru Adaleru / Saw icon by Sergey Demushkin

BY CAMILLE VON KAENEL

They found themselves vastly outnumbered in the big intercollegiate competitions—but that didn’t stop them from winning the double-buck. intercollegiate competitions—but that didn’t stop them from winning the double-buck. It all started when Thomson and the women on the Cal team decided to accompany their fellow forestry majors to a weekend of competitions named after the most stereotypical man of all: Paul Bunyan. They were the only women to compete, but the following year, the organizers added a women’s division and advertised the event with images of the Cal women. “The audience loved watching us compete,” said Ebert. “At first we were a little like new blood, and they didn't know if we would stick around or not. By the time we were finished, we were getting invited everywhere.” It didn’t hurt that they kept winning. Nowadays, the Cal alumni make a point of welcoming newcomers between events. They share tips and training techniques—the risk of injury is very real in these competitions and “there's not a lot of good female coaching,” says Ebert. But even these days women are only able to compete in female-only and gender-neutral events. There's the classic

SLASH AND BURN Wood chips, bark, small branches and other lumberjacking debris are known as “slash,” and can become a fire hazard if not burned on the spot or cleared away.

“Jack and Jill,” which pairs a man and a woman with a double saw. There are timed axing races. There are timed sawing races— these are all considered “muscle glamour” events, says Thomson. There are axe-throwing competitions. Sometimes, some balance is required: athletes have to run as far out as possible on chained logs floating in a pond or balance a pole suspended above a river. Some competitions include what are tellingly known as “nerd” events for the budding foresters, like speed plant identification or orienteering. The good news is that times are changing, and much of that is due to the Cal team, which continues to lead the way in terms of gender equality; for the past decade, women have made up more than half of the team. That reflects breakdown of the forestry major at U.C. Berkeley, which started in 1914 and graduated only eight women in the following 50 years. In the 1980s, however, the program reached gender equality and has since graduated more women than men. The trend is bigger than just Cal: more women are competing

How to Chop Firewood* (If You're Not Built Like Bunyan) *Competitive chopping is different because athletes cut against the grain. THE PREP

• Find a good log that is dry and clear, without knots.

THE GEAR

• Use a lightweight axe. Lizzie Ebert’s favorite is the Fiskars wood splitting axe.

DIRECTIONS

1. THE SWING With your stance wide, swing the axe above your shoulder and let the tip fall into the log. Try a small arc first. 2. THE SPLIT Go with the grain. Let the weight and direction of the axe do the work. Aim small, miss small. And work the corners.

in logging sports at other schools, and more are entering forestry because of a love of the outdoors. The college teams give women freshmen an introduction to the professional field, and it gives graduates a leg up in job-hunting—“street cred,” says Thomson. After watching her throw axes, one after another, with practiced precision, street cred seems like an understatement.

WHISTLE WHILE YOU WORK Singing was a popular part of 19th-century lumberjack culture, which led to the nickname “Swedish fiddle” for the long, two-person cross saw.

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CLIMB ON

Color the Crag

Bethany Lebewitz and fellow members of the Brown Girls Climb community at Earth Treks Climbing and Fitness in Maryland, September 2017.

Bethany Lebewitz on creating community for women climbers of color

Climbing icon by Ashley Holt

INTERVIEW BY ZOË BALACONIS

BETHANY LEBEWITZ STARTED THE Instagram account @browngirlsclimb, and the handle says it all— it’s a declaration of strength, a call to what’s possible, and a challenge to those who might say differently: people of color can, should, and will climb on. We’ve been following and applauding the work @browngirlsclimb has been doing for the inclusivity of the outdoorsing world, so it was beyond exciting to speak with the founder herself about her motivations, the community she’s brought together, and what’s next.

TRAD CLIMBING Trad, or traditional, climbing, is how it used to be done before pre-bolted climbing routes and sport climbing. Involves more mental game, technical knowledge, and protection.

W H E N D I D Y OU STA RT C L I M B I N G ?

I started climbing a little over five years ago. My first outdoor experience was a few tow ropes in Ecuador and Peru. When I returned to the States, I decided to really try it out. I went to the gym, asked for some help, and I haven’t looked back since. Climbing is a part of life now. It’s a routine part of my self-care, and I love it! W H AT M OT IVAT E D Y OU TO C R E AT E @ B R OW N G I R L SC L I M B ?

CLIMB ON

LEFT Lebewitz working on her fear of heights by top-roping a 12c at The New River Gorge. RIGHT Lebewitz practicing her pro placement and mental game at Elizabeth's Furnace.

HOW DO YOU USE A N O NLI NE CO M MUNITY TO MOT IVAT E A ND B RI NG PEO PLE TOGETHER O F F LI NE ?

Everyday I get to see all these great women of so many different backgrounds and life stages posting their progress. Sometimes it’s getting on top rope at the gym for the first time, sometimes it’s trying out trad climbing, and sometimes it’s crushing a one-armed

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pull-up. These images motivate me, and I hope others, to share my story more and to use social media as an approachable way to meet other women of color who want to build relationships and reach their goals. From the messages I receive, we want to continue to build this community, we want to get stronger, and we want to discuss issues that are affecting our communities. W H AT H AS B E E N T H E R E S P ONS E TO @ B R OW N G I R L SC L I M B ?

The response has been overwhelmingly positive! We are psyched right now! We are discovering the power of our voice and our abilities in all of these unique and challenging places. I didn’t realize there were so many women of color climbing. There are biracial women like me climbing who experience the duality of colorism on the crag. There are also women with different backgrounds from me, pushing themselves past their comfort levels, all while being advocates in their communities and for the identities they represent. We’ve also found great community with men and gender-nonconforming people of color. There’s definitely a conversation about the differences of men and women

CREATING SPACE Color the Crag is a three-day festival that took place on October 20th-22nd, 2017 in Horse Pens 40 Alabama, with the mission of celebrating diversity in the sport of rock climbing.

GET YER GEAR HERE Join the club. Grab a sweet Brown Girls Climb shirt at bonfire.com/brown-girls-climb-fall-sale

Rock Climber icon by Shems Dance

I was prompted by a friend and my brother to start the Instagram account. I started having the conversation about being a person of color at the gym or at the crag with a few close friends and wanted to find a way to encourage anyone else interested in climbing to try it out! There can be a lot of barriers to getting into these outdoor sports, so if we can help make them more accessible by organizing climbers of color and sharing their stories then that’s exactly what I’m going to try to do. Knowing other people like you who climb, and having opportunities to go outside with friends and neighbors who understand you, is really a pretty simple thing that can make a big impact on someone’s choice to try or continue a sport.

"I've never been part of such a big, beautiful community like this one." in climbing right now, and although I think this is still true in communities of color, we’re at a stage where supporting each other and advocating for ourselves in any space is a much more pressing topic. BGC is one of many accounts, and we are all pushing to support one another in the best way we can. I’ve never been a part of such a big, beautiful community like this one. WHAT PER CEPT I O NS A ND ASSU MPTIONS ABOUT C LI MB I NG WO U LD YO U L IKE TO CHAL LE NGE A ND C HA NGE ?

I’ve first tried to tackle my own insecurities around the climbing community. When I first started, I felt really embarrassed about my education level and my income.

I felt like I didn’t belong because buying extraneous items like climbing shoes just wasn’t feasible and neither was spending extra time on an activity none of my friends or family knew about. Being one of the few women of color climbers in my gym seemed to exacerbate the cultural differences I felt while climbing. The women of Brown Girls Climb want to create a community that addresses the misconceptions we often have about ourselves. I really want to see the face of climbing look and speak and represent the communities that surround these great spaces, regardless of income. If someone has even a slight interest to try climbing, I’m going to do what I can to help create a welcoming space to do just that!

#SpinningOutBeautifulIntentionsOneNecklaceAtATime “It sits upon your neck, no one knows what it says until you share. Each time you move and it spins just the tiniest bit, know that your intention is being spun out to the universe, for everyone.” What will your handcrafted prayer wheel necklace spin out? Personalize a piece today.

inspired. between the pines

www.inspiredbetweenthepines.com

STEP UP

The CEO Buzz

The CEOs of the outdoor industry step up IN A BEEHIVE, THE queen isn’t just the biggest, baddest bee; she sets the tone for the whole hive. If she’s aggressive, the hive’s aggressive. If she’s productive, the hive’s productive. It’s not so different with, say, a company. The worker human/worker bee comparison is, granted, overplayed, but something about the queen’s far-reaching power rings true. That is, I’m sure, what the people at Camber Outdoors were thinking when they invented the CEO Pledge. And—like many other organizations in the outdoor industry—we’re downright abuzz.

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In case you’re not familiar: Camber Outdoors is the national organization dedicated to achieving equality for women in the active and outdoor industries. Formerly known as the Outdoor Industries Women’s Coalition, they’re the queen bee of this humming hive of an industry...and the CEO Pledge is their way of setting the hive’s tone, by asking outdoor companies (and the individuals who lead them) to make a concrete commitment to attract, retain, and advance women in their workplaces. “The idea,” explains Camber Outdoors Executive Director Deanne Buck, “was to highlight bright spots and provide a community of companies who are invested in women’s leadership as a strategic business imperative. Today, almost 70 companies have signed the CEO Pledge.” Of course, all of us at Misadventures are in favor of more women in the outdoor industry (and every industry!)—and we’re betting you, our readers, are too. Women’s equality in the workplace is the right thing to do, period. But as signers of the CEO Pledge point out, making this commitment has tangible benefits for companies, too. As signer Donna Carpenter, CEO of Burton Snowboards, puts it: companies that aren’t women-friendly workplaces “are missing half the talent out there, [which means] innovation and creativity will suffer. To be truly innovative, you have to have people from a diversity of backgrounds and perspectives sitting at the table.” She adds: “There is very compelling evidence that companies

BOTTOM LINE According to Camber Outdoors, companies with women on their boards have 84% higher profit margins.

IMAGE CREDIT Camber Outdoors / Hannah Brie Gender Equality icon by Adrien Coquet / Bee icon by alican

BY JESSICA C. MALORDY

PHOTO by Anthony Cupaiuolo of @firsttracksproductions

The CEO Pledge asks leaders of the outdoor industry to commit to attracting, retaining, and advancing women in their workplaces.

with a higher proportion of women, especially at the top, are better governed and more profitable.” Jerry Stritzke, President and CEO of REI, is another stalwart champion of the Pledge, and at the forefront of persuading more companies and CEOs to sign on. Back in 2015 at Outdoor Retailer, the industry’s largest meeting of the minds, Stritzke said, “I’m asking my fellow CEOs to join me in making a real, substantive pledge to elevate the role of women’s leadership in the outdoor industry...REI has pledged because we believe change is possible, and change requires action.” Stritzke’s got a nuanced understanding of what those actions should look like, too. “Words alone are not enough. REI recognizes that transformational change—of processes, practices, and cultural shifts—requires resources.” As a result, on top of the programmatic elements of REI’s groundbreaking Force of Nature campaign (like Outessa retreats and REI Outdoor School’s women-only classes and experiences) the Force of Nature Fund is designed to support organizations that promote opportunities for women and girls in the outdoors. Deanne Buck acknowledges that the CEO Pledge is just the beginning—“the first point of engagement for companies seeking to attract and retain women employees.” But we have to start somewhere, and asking CEOs to make a public declaration of their companies’ dedication to women’s equality and opportunity is a mighty fine way to do it. Even if you’re not a CEO, Rose Marcario, CEO of Patagonia and another key signer of the Pledge, reminds us that we can still make an impact as individuals in the industry. “Ask for what you want,” she says. “Define what you want. If you don’t get it where you are, create it.” In other words: your turn to buzz, queen bees.

Footprints in the Snow Tracking the carbon footprint of a pair of skis BY JEN GURECKI

THE-MOUNTAINS-ARE-CALLING-AND-I-MUSTREDUCE-MY-CARBON-FOOTPRINT isn’t exactly a hashtag that has blown up Instagram, and that’s a little surprising given the very clear link between our ability to find fresh powder on snowcapped mountains and climate change. Skiing has been depicted as a sort of canary in the coalmine for our impact on the climate, and, perhaps ironically, the equipment and travel needed to take part in the sport make it one of the most impactful outdoors activities. It’s something even the most environmentally-minded among us rarely think about—so here are a few facts about the impact of a pair of skis...not so that you can become wracked with guilt and give

THE THAW

up snowsports for all time, but instead so you can become an informed consumer and maybe even an advocate for change. Dr. Tobias Luthe, Thomas Kägi, and Dr. Jan Reger (all very smart dudes from Switzerland and Germany) conducted a lifecycle analysis for a pair of skis back in 2013. Here’s what they found: a traditional pair of skis produces 22 kilograms of carbon emissions per pair (think of all the materials, transportation of the materials, and energy used to press the ski). Compare that to some other things we love consuming to give it some context. One gallon of gas: 19 kilograms. One bottle of beer: 328 grams. One ride up the chairlift: 3 kilograms. You might be asking yourself about environmentally sustainable skis. They must put a dent in the carbon footprint, right? Well, using basalt instead of fiberglass, sourcing core wood materials locally, and switching out epoxy for a eco-friendly resin all have a positive impact—a reduction of 3.15 kgs of CO2. Ideally we’d see more of this in ski manufacturing,

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because who doesn’t want to do good things for Mother Earth? But unfortunately, even those substitutions don’t undo much of skis’ footprint because of the amount of energy it takes to press them (7.8 kgs of CO2 to be precise). And here’s the thing: if we look at the entire lifecycle of a ski, improvements on the micro scale (such as swapping out materials to make a more sustainable ski) don’t always lead to improvements on the macro scale (just the car drive alone to and from the mountain one time produces six times more CO2 than the whole life of a ski). What’s the lesson here? You can’t shop yourself out of this one, babe. You might actually have to change the way you do things, like taking the bus, carpooling to the mountain, and sharpening and caring for a favorite pair so they last longer. (Good news is you can keep drinking and not feel guilty.) This isn’t to say that it’s not worth supporting businesses that value new sustainability methods—it is—because, who knows, maybe a breakthrough is just around the corner. Maybe one of you will make it happen.

MEASURE UP When we measure carbon footprint, what we’re really measuring are all emissions of a product or process, before we then translate that figure into how much CO2 would create an equivalent amount of warming for the earth.

Lorry icon by SBTS

Skiing has been depicted as a sort of canary in the coalmine for our impact on the climate.

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HOW TO OV E R W I NT E R WHAT WE'LL BE DOING DURING THE COLD MONTHS

THE M IS A DV E NT U R E S SUMMER GUIDE 29

SURVIVE

Ice Fishing The concept of hygge can be summed up with a feeling of deep coziness, and it’ll get you through the long winter. You know what might not come to mind when you think of cozy? Spending a day sitting on ice. But...you would be wrong! Here's a primer on what you might need, but remember to do careful research. YOU WILL NEED

DIRECTIONS

Winter Cycling Fashion/ Survival Tips

2. Use your auger to drill into the cold, cold ice. The hole should be no wider than 12”.

Propelling yourself on two wheels can be enough of a challenge in fair weather. In winter, it can be downright preposterous. If prepared, you can withstand rough conditions and keep up your prized rides or commutes with an extra badge of winter road warrior.

1. Load up the ol’ toboggan with your supplies and slide out onto the ice! Go with someone who knows the area, and don’t go unless you are absolutely sure the ice is thick enough to hold you.

3. Use the ice chisel to widen your hole. 4. Use the skimmer to scoop out slush. 5. Rig up your rod, drop your line down into the deep, take a seat, and stay warm. 6. We recommend bringing a hot drink out there with you. You may be waiting a while...good luck.

Speak Sled Dog Oh, to mush! To feel the wind in your hair! The warmth of the sun! The crackle of breaking snow! The faint musk of husky wafting back from the thundering team! YOU WILL NEED

• a husky or a team of huskies • dog sledding or skijoring equipment • a steely look

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YOU WILL NEED

• layers • lights • bike accoutrements

DIRECTIONS

1. For the sake of this short how-to, we’re going to skip the part where you get yourself to a snowy wonderland, procure a team of dogs, train them, harness them, and prepare all of your equipment. Let’s get straight to the good stuff. 2. First, you start your team down the trail by yelling some combination of “Mush!” “Hike!” “All right!” and “Let’s go!” You should be firm and confident in your tone. Apply the “steely look” here. 3. If you want to turn right, yell, “Gee!”

DIRECTIONS

1. Layer up. Base layers, warm socks, gloves, all that. Go thermal if you need to. As you ride and figure out how many layers is too many layers, adjust for your next ride. A balaclava or a sweet winter hat/scarf combo can do wonders to keep your neck and head warm. 2. Trick out. Make sure your bike is equipped for winter rides. Look into lower tire pressure, a fender to keep the slush from spraying you, and studded bike tires, if necessary. Keep that bike clean after each ride. 3. Light up. Wear as much reflective clothing as you can. Get LED lights, helmet lights, wheel lights, spotlights. Make drivers wonder if you’re a Christmas tree on wheels. 4. Prep. Make sure you’ve got spare tubes, a pump, or CO2 cartridges on you. A hot drink to sip at a long light. You know the drill. Be safe out there!

4. If you want to turn left, yell, “Haw!” 5. If you want to do a 180° turn in either direction, yell, “Come gee!” or “Come haw!” respectively. 6. When someone is coming toward you on the trail, yell, “Trail!” to signal that you want the right-of-way. Make sure they see you! 7. When you finally want to slow down and stop the team, call out, “Whoa!” 8. Whoa!

ILLUSTRATIONS by Julienne Alexander

• sled or toboggan • ice auger • skimmer • ice chisel • bait bucket • gaff hook • dip net • seat • tackle: rod, hooks, lure, line—all that good stuff

H OW TO : OV E R W I NT E R

Dryer Lint Firestarter YOU WILL NEED

We can learn many lessons from dryer fires: don’t leave running appliances unattended, don’t try to tumble dry wet books or ancient scrolls, and, most importantly, dryer lint is incredibly flammable.

DIRECTIONS

YOU WILL NEED

• 1 cup of coconut oil • 1 part lavender • 2 parts dried calendula • 1 part dried rose • 1 ounce of beeswax • 15-20 drops of grapefruit essential oil to uplift

1. Create herbal oil infusion: Place herbs and oil in Pyrex container or smaller pot, over top of a large pot with water about 1¼ full, bring water to a boil, then turn the stove down to a simmer and let the herbs and oils infuse in this double boiler method for 30-60 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

Skin Salve for Lizards Let’s be real. Winter can make you feel more reptilian than human at times. The sun is weak, the wind is sharp, the air is dry, and if there’s a hot rock somewhere, you are going to be on it, splayed out, trying to defrost your sluggish, cold-blooded extremities. Instead, try treating your scaly derm to balmier weather with bottled summer days.

Wood Stacking They say that wood warms you thrice: in the cutting, in the stacking, and then, finally, in the burning. YOU WILL NEED

• chopped, split wood • some longer, thin logs • some patience

DIRECTIONS

1. So, you’ve chopped and split your wood (see “Logging On” for some wood-chopping tips)—now what? 2. Before beginning, keep in mind that stacked wood needs good air circulation so that it stays dry and ready to burn. Uniformity will help keep things neat and tidy!

2. Prepare infusion for the salve: Place three layers of cheesecloth over top of a funnel or atop a bowl, pour the infused oils over cheesecloth to strain oil and keep herbs separated. Once drained, gather the cheesecloth with your clean, dry hands and squeeze out the remaining oil. 3. Make that salve: Place your shaved beeswax in a pan over low heat, and pour the infused oil over top and melt together. Once the beeswax and oil have combined, pour the mixture into jars. Place your herbal salves in the refrigerator for about 10-15 minutes to determine the solidification of the salve. Using less beeswax will yield a more creamy salve, and more generous usage will yield a harder salve.

• a small, sealable, waterproof bag • dryer lint, straight from the trap • some fire-building skills

DIRECTIONS

1. Empty your lint trap and put the lint in a ziploc bag until you have a nice little stock. 2. If you’re in an area where building fires is allowed, proceed. 3. Build a small campfire setup by stacking dry pencil wood and increasingly larger dry wood in a triangle or “log cabin” formation. But, instead of pine needles or kindling, use some of that linty goodness. 4. Carefully light the dryer lint and tend your small fire. Be vigilant! Use the lint to help catch larger sticks and logs—works like a charm and smells like fresh linen. Sit back and enjoy!

RECIPE FROM The Herbal Academy

3. The tried and true method is the simple tower stack. It depends on your wood pieces being roughly the same length. 4. Lay three pieces of wood next to each other on the ground or on your wood stand. (You can keep them off the ground by laying them across the longer, thin logs, catamaran-style.) 5. Lay three more pieces directly on top, but their formation should be rotated 90° so that the stack is stable. 6. Continue stacking in threes and rotating the stack until the tower is about waist high. (Feel free to go higher if your stacking is more stable than mine.)

7. Start a new tower a few inches away from it using the same method. 8. When you’ve got several uniform towers, you can cover your little neighborhood with a strong tarp to keep them dry. 9. Now, the burning!

THRIVE

Palm Reading Stick out your palm. Which palm? Any palm! (How many times can you say “palm” until it stops sounding like a real word?) The fates tell us that your non-dominant hand’s palm shows your baseline potential, while your dominant palm tells you how you’ve put that potential to use. YOU WILL NEED • Your palms • Your eyes

DIRECTIONS

1. Identify the four major lines: heart, head, life, and fate. Your heart line runs horizontally across the top of your palm; your head line horizontally across the middle. Your life line starts at the fleshy part between your thumb and index finger, and curves around the base of your thumb. Your fate line runs vertically from the base of your palm up to the middle. (FYI: some folks are missing their fate line.)

Bowl Cuts I think they’re back in style? YOU WILL NEED

• haircutting scissors, or very sharp scissors • a willing victim friend, with hair • a bowl big enough to fit over aforementioned head

DIRECTIONS

1. These days, if you go in a salon and ask for a bowl cut, they won’t put a bowl on your head. This how to isn’t about those high-fashion salon situations; this is for those times when you just need to cut some hair, and fast. So grab the bowl, chop chop. 2. Brush (or arrange) the dear friend’s hair so that it is falling down evenly around their head, even in front of their face. You may want to wet it so it stays. If you’ve got a comb, wet that and comb downward. 3. Place the bowl on the dear friend’s head. Have them hold it in place. Are their hands shaking? They don’t want a haircut. If they are holding the bowl confidently, nary a shake, proceed with a level of confidence that matches theirs. You don’t want to be more or less confident

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2. Interpret! Let’s focus on the life line, where most misadventurers will find meaning, since it reflects your health, wellbeing, and major life changes. (There are plenty of other palmistry sources that can help you unpack the rest.) 3. Consider depth. If your life line is a deep groove, you’re likely someone who easily overcomes obstacles, and is full of stamina; your path is smooth. A faint line, on the other hand (no pun intended) can mean a life without adventure...yikes! And if your life line is missing altogether? You may be a little high-strung.

5. Consider shape. Circles in your life line, or a chained life line, are often interpreted to mean a life pulled in many different directions. A broken line can foretell a sudden change in lifestyle—and broken life lines on both palms might mean serious illness or injury. 6. Do you have multiple life lines? Congrats! You’ve got a double dose of the strength and vitality you need to always go the extra mile.

4. Consider direction. A curvy life line indicates lots of energy and enthusiasm, while a straight line close to your palm’s edge can indicate caution. Does your life line stick close to your thumb? You may tire easily. Or does it swoop way out into your palm? That shows strength and enthusiasm.

than the haircut getter or this will never work. Takes two to tango on this one-way street. 4. Tilt the bowl to the level that they want their bangs (or “fringe”) and cut across, straight and true, following the line of the bowl’s edge. 5. Continue around the edge of the bowl, making small trims. If your dear friend has very thick hair, don’t worry if you aren’t cutting it all on this first go-round. You’ll get it next time. 6. Continue around till you reach da bangs. Then, remove the bowl! 7. You’re not done yet, don’t “tada,” whatever you do. 8. Using the layer of hair you cut as a guide, clean up the lower layers so that they are as long (or a little shorter) than the outer layer. You can use clips to hold up that outer layer if you have those (fancy!) to make it easier. 9. When done, brush out hair and see how it naturally falls. Make small adjustments. 10. Back away from dear friend and show them a mirror. 11. Back away...

Winter Birding Good news for you amateur birders out there: no leaves mean it’s easier to see those birdos. YOU WILL NEED

• binoculars • warm gloves (with fingers!) • commitment

DIRECTIONS

1. Check out eBird, an online birding platform, to explore hotspots near you. Peruse species that have been seen recently, and get out there with your binocs. Maybe you’ll catch some species that typically don’t hang out in your area. 2. If you get bored, just know that you look amazing and serious with those binocs. 3. If you’d rather just bird out from your window, set up a bird feeder in a sheltered spot and watch those beauties swing by for a meal.

H OW TO : OV E R W I NT E R

Kimchi for Life There’s nothing like kimchi to add to some color to a drab, ho-hum, this-and-that, day-in-day-out, dark-and-darker, gray-to-black, you-see-the-abyss-opening-upbefore-you-like-a-gaping-maw, winter existence. With some chopping, salting, and spicing, you’ll leave all that navel-gazing behind and be well on your way to happy homesteader of the century. And hey—beneficial bacteria to ward off winter illnesses and nagging blues! You’ll never be alone again with bacteria by your side. YOU WILL NEED

• sea salt • 1 lb. cabbage • A few radishes • 1-2 carrots • 1-2 onions • 3-4 cloves of garlic • 3-4 hot red chilies • 3 Tbsp. fresh grated ginger

DIRECTIONS

1. Mix a brine of about 4 cups of water and 4 Tbsp. salt. Stir well to dissolve salt. 2. Coarsely chop the cabbage, radishes, carrots, and let veggies soak in the brine. You might need to weigh down the veggies to make sure they’re submerged. 3. Prepare ye, spices. Grate ginger, chop garlic and onion, remove seeds from chilies and chop. Mix spices into a paste. If you like, you can add fish sauce to the spice paste. 4. Drain brine off veggies and reserve the brine. Taste veggies to see how salty they are. Add salt or rinse some salt off, depending. 5. Mix veggies with the spice paste, then pack tightly in a clean quart-size jar. If you need more brine to submerge the veggies, add some from your reserves. Weight the veggies down with a smaller jar, or a ziplock bag filled with some brine. 6. Ferment! Preferably in a place that’s warmer as opposed to colder. In about a week, move your kimchi to the refrigerator. 7. Feast!

Winter Spice Amaro Curiosity has long driven humankind to see what happens when fruits, vegetables, and grains ferment into bubbly goodness. Whether by mistake or intention, we’ve tried to make alcohol from literally everything. Thanks to a well-worn guide book, we ourselves have dabbled in the dark arts of amaro, that famous herbal liqueur of Italian grandfathers—and we can’t recommend it enough for winter evenings beside the fire, patting a belly, saying, “remember...?” Whipping up this brew will have you feeling like a nostalgic old sorceress in no time. Once ready and the charm’s wound up, serve in a tiny glass as an aperitif to impress the friends you’ve lured over to your drafty cave. YOU WILL NEED

• 1 Tbsp. chopped dried orange peel • 1 star anise pod • 1 tsp. anise seeds • 6 green cardamom pods • 6 juniper berries • 4 cloves • 2 Tbsp. gentian root • 1 Tbsp. white pine bark • 1 Tbsp. pine needles • 1 tsp. dried wintergreen • 1 tsp. dried mint leaves • ½ cup chopped dried cranberries • ½ cup chopped dried figs • zest of 1 grapefruit, cut into strips • zest of 1 tangerine, cut into strips • zest of 1 lemon, cut into strips • 1 (1-inch) piece peeled fresh ginger, cut into ¼-inch slices • 1 cinnamon stick • 3 cups high-proof vodka • ½ cup Demerara syrup*

DIRECTIONS

1. Using a mortar and pestle, lightly break up the dried orange peel, star anise pod, anise seeds, cardamom pods, juniper berries, cloves, gentian root, pine bark, pine needles, wintergreen, and mint. 2. Place all the ingredients except the vodka and Demerara syrup in a quart-sized mason jar or other large glass container with a lid. Pour in the vodka, adding more if necessary so that all the ingredients are covered. Seal the jar and shake it. Store at room temperature out of direct sunlight for 3 weeks, shaking the jar on occasion. 3. After 3 weeks strain the solution through a fine-mesh strainer into a clean bowl or quart-sized jar to remove the solids, then strain the liquid through a damp cheese-cloth lined funnel into a new clean glass jar. Repeat until all the sediment has been filtered out. Squeeze the cheesecloth over the jar to release any excess liquid. 4. Add the Demerara syrup to the jar and stir to incorporate, then cover and shake to fully dissolve the syrup. Store at room temperature out of direct sunlight for 2 more weeks, shaking the jar on occasion. 5. Taste to see if the amaro is to your liking. If it’s too strong, you can add more syrup or filtered water. 6. Using a damp cheesecloth-lined funnel, decant the mixture into one large bottle or several smaller bottles and label. Shake the bottles before using. The amaro will last indefinitely, but for optimum flavor use within a year. It’s best served neat in a chilled glass or with a couple of ice cubes. RECIPE FROM Amaro: The Spirited World of Bittersweet, Herbal Liqueurs, with Cocktails, Recipes, and Formulas by Brad Thomas Parsons *Demerara syrup is a 1:1 simple syrup using demerara sugar.

An Interview with Rebecca Rusch, Queen of Pain

Rebecca Rusch, nicknamed “The Queen of Pain,” is among the greatest ultra-endurance mountain bikers in the world, and holds 10 years’ worth of world records and championships. In 2015, she took on a new challenge—physically, emotionally, and mentally—when she decided to pedal the 1,200 miles of the Ho Chi Minh Trail, in search of the site where her U.S. Air Force pilot father’s plane crashed during the Vietnam War. Along the way, Rusch gained new perspective on the conflict from her riding partner, cyclist Huyen Nguyen, one of the most decorated athletes in Vietnamese history. Rusch also discovered another tragic legacy of the war — unexploded ordnance, the explosive remnants of bombs and other munitions that continue to devastate the Vietnamese, Laotians, and Cambodians who live today along “Blood Road.” Rusch and Nguyen’s experience was filmed, and became the 2017 documentary Blood Road. 34

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The Minefield of Memory Interview by JESSICA C. MALORDY

PHOTO by Josh Letchworth/Red Bull Content Pool

PHOTO by Josh Letchworth/Red Bull Content Pool / Touring Bike icon by Phil Smith / Explode icon by Hopkins

BLOOD ROAD

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HEN DID YO U FIR ST HAV E THE IDE A TO R IDE TH E HO CHI MINH TR AI L A ND WHAT WAS YO U R INSPIR ATION?

It was 2003 when I first visited Vietnam and that’s when the seed for this expedition was planted, but it took another 12 years for it to materialize. I was competing in a jungle expedition race that entailed navigating more than 1,000 miles of the brutal terrain on bikes, in kayaks, and on foot. We weren’t being shot at, but we were being chased as we struggled to survive the intense elements and unforgiving landscape. Physically immersing myself in the jungle of Vietnam gave me a distinct feeling of empathy for my Dad that I had never felt before. I wondered, “Is this similar to what he and the other soldiers went through?” After the race ended, my mom and I visited Da Nang Air Force Base, where my father was stationed, the DMZ (demilitarized zone) border between the north and the south, and the Khe Sanh, the location of one of the bloodiest battles in the war. So many physical remnants of the war still remain such as bomb craters, defoliation from Agent Orange, tunnels that were homes and plane wreckage. But the people have moved on and in most places the landscape rejuvenated, like at Khe Sahn.

It’s now a beautiful coffee plantation and you would never know its horrific history without reading about it in a book. This was where our guide at the time pointed out the Ho Chi Minh Trail across the border, and I could see a little road running through the jungle. I knew my Dad, an Air Force fighter pilot, was shot down over the Ho Chi Minh Trail, but I didn’t know much more about its complex history or the route. I took a picture of the lush green hills and the trail. I had a fleeting thought that I wanted to go there one day and travel along that trail. I didn’t think about it again for years. In 2007 a search and recovery mission finally identified my dad’s remains at the crash site, and that’s when we finally knew that he had died in the crash that day in 1972. It took 30 years for us to know that he wasn’t alive, that he wasn’t a prisoner of war. There was part of me that was relieved to find out he was dead, more than anything, that he hadn’t been tortured and hadn’t suffered. This discovery sparked my curiosity about the place and I thought again about going back. As my cycling was evolving to include more expedition riding, my idea to ride the Ho Chi Minh Trail took shape. The inspiration was twofold: to

BOMBARDED From 1964 to 1973, the U.S. conducted more than half a million bombing missions along the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Of the three million tons of bombs dropped directly on Laos, nearly a third failed to detonate. Since 1975, more than 60,000 people have been killed or injured by this unexploded ordnance.

attempt the biggest, most adventurous ride of my life and also to explore my family history and find a piece of myself that I never knew. W H AT WAS IT L I K E TO P L A N A N D T H E N TAC K L E T H IS J OU R N E Y AS A F E M A L E C Y C L IST, S P E C I F IC A L LY ?

I’ve never thought of myself as a “female” athlete. Of course I’m female, but I’m an athlete first and being female doesn’t change how I plan and prepare for a big expedition or train for riding. Experience and skill are not gender based. You build those things over time by spending time with mentors (regardless of gender), honing your skills and preparing as anyone would. I think it’s important to celebrate great athletes who happen to be women, but not categorizing them as female athletes…they are athletes and should be respected for their skill not because they had to overcome a gender bias.

de France). However, if you are good at what you do, there is less competition, so sometimes it’s easier to get noticed and get recognition or stand out in a crowd of men. One example is the Leadville Trail 100, which I’ve won four times. Since the men and women race on the same course at the same time, there is a ton of recognition for the top women who finish quite high up in the men’s field. There is a powerful message displayed when a woman is passing hundreds of elite men.

M OR E B R OA D LY, H OW WOU L D Y OU D E SC R I B E T H E E X P E R I E NC E OF B E I N G A WOM A N I N THE CYCLING AND OUT D OOR WOR L DS ?

Women are still outnumbered in cycling race participation; however in general participation, the estimate is nearly 50/50 female to male. The women are riding and participating in outdoor sports at increasing levels. I came from a rock climbing, paddling and adventure racing background and have been an athlete for more than 30 years. I see a marked difference in participation in all of those sports and cycling. When I launched the SRAM Gold Rusch Tour six years ago, there were very few women’s mountain bike clinics and now there are tons of them.

Being a female athlete in outdoor sports provides limitations and opportunities. There is less prize money, often less salary, limited races (example, there’s no Women’s Tour

All it takes is for the door to be cracked open a little to invite women in and they will kick it down. This is happening. (Albeit a little too slowly for my liking, but it’s

BLOOD ROAD

Huyen Nguyen fastens her helmet. PHOTO by Josh Letchworth/Red Bull Content Pool

happening.) The cycling industry is still dominated by white men, but it is changing...so it just takes people like you and me inviting friends to ride, teaching people, mentoring them and also pushing our own way through the door. I’ve gotten to where I am by sheer brute determination and persistence. That’s the only way change happens. HOW DID YOU CO NNECT WITH HUY E N NGUYEN, A ND PL AN FOR THIS JO U R NEY HAVING NEV ER R IDDEN TO G ETHER BEFOR E ?

I’ve never planned an expedition of this magnitude with a

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stranger. We found Huyen through research and word of mouth. She’s the most decorated cyclist in Vietnam and has won the Southeast Asia games four times, which is a really big deal. But she’s been retired from racing for 10 years, she’s a mom of two, she works, she’s been away from regular training for a long time, and she had little notice, like I did, to prepare. We met for the first time authentically in the film. I admit, I was terrified. Having a new partner was the one thing that I was the most unsure about, because it was the one thing that was completely out of my

control. She had so many new things to learn about expedition riding. I taught her how to use a CamelBak. The brand new Niner bicycle was different than what she used to ride. I just didn’t know if she could take the day-to-day toll. It takes a certain mindset and physical ability to be able to ride for 8-10 hours a day for almost a month. She ended up being the perfect teammate. What she lacked in experience and training, she made up for with determination and dedication. She was so compassionate, intuitive and supportive of my mission that we ended up becoming like

Rebecca Rusch on the Ho Chi Minh Trail for the feature film project 'Blood Road' in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia in March, 2015. PHOTO by Josh Letchworth/Red Bull Content Pool

I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t set out to plan an emotional journey. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not sure anyone can plan for that type of thing.

BLOOD ROAD

sisters in the end, and we are now bonded for life from this experience. WHAT DID YOU LE A RN FR OM HUY E N DUR ING THIS J OUR NEY?

She taught me to slow down, which allowed me to look, to listen, to change focus from just me and look outward beyond just my mission and open my eyes to the bigger world around me. This change in pace and perspective allowed me to experience the ride in a much more complete way. She also taught me that you don’t need words to communicate and that despite very different upbringings and experiences, we are all very much the same. And she is very friendly, where I’m more quiet and reserved. She would tell me how rice is planted and harvested and she let me know that the people we were riding by were probably laughing because they couldn’t believe that two women were out riding in the countryside by themselves. And she would share stories about what her family was going through during the war from her perspective. What I predicted would be the biggest weakness and challenge during the trip ended up being one of the most enlightening and powerful aspects. D I D Y OU EVER GET THE C HANCE TO TA LK FURTHER WIT H

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HUYE N A BO UT GE ND E R A ND C YC LI NG?

On the very first day of riding, we were on rural roads in Vietnam, but they were fairly busy with local traffic from trucks, scooters, cars. Almost everyone would look and wave enthusiastically. At one stop on a bridge, a group of teenage Vietnamese kids ran up and wanted to take pictures with us. I was baffled at how friendly and enthusiastic everyone was. When I asked Huyen about their reactions she told me that it’s because it’s very unusual to see two women cycling together in the countryside. So the reaction was one of surprise but also of encouragement and excitement to see us out there on a big journey together as two women. She is also one of the most decorated cyclists in Vietnam (male or female). No one has ever earned her record. She is also a mother and a teacher, but is viewed as a local hero. Women’s roles are more traditional than in the United States, but both of us are proof that if you work hard enough at something, you can push through the traditional norms. W HAT MOT IVAT E D YO U MO RE , T HE PHYSIC A L JO U RNE Y O R T HE E MOT I O NA L JO U RNE Y?

I initially planned the trip as a physical challenge... because that’s what is

familiar to me. This was a dream expedition; heading into the unknown and mapping our own route in remote places that few people had ever visited. I was extremely motivated and intrigued by the history of the trail and wanting to see what was out there. Of course, my dad’s story is what inspired the idea, but I didn’t set out to plan an emotional journey. I’m not sure anyone can plan for that type of thing. D I D T H AT C H A N G E BY T H E E N D ?

I had the crash coordinates as my main goal the whole time. That was the reason to do this physical journey, but I didn’t expect the kind of emotional transformation that I had. Slowly day-by-day, I started to change. It was almost imperceptible and two years later, looking back, I can see it. What I thought would be the most challenging ride of my life became the most impactful ride of my life for very different reasons. In the end, the physical journey was the easiest part for me. Getting to the crash site was more impactful and expansive than I expected. I am not the same person as the one who began the ride. Obviously, I knew it would be emotional, but as we rode closer to the crash site, I started to strongly feel my dad’s presence. The many miles on the bike riding

toward the place allowed me time to mentally prepare, to meditate and also physically strip away my armor. It sounds very cliché but I finally found what I was looking for, even though I wasn’t aware that I was searching. All my life as an endurance athlete people have asked, “Why do you push so hard? Why do you do such long races? What are you searching for?” I never had an answer for that and I never would have said, “I was searching for my father,” because it just didn’t occur to me. Now it’s clear that he brought me there to find a missing part of myself. Initially I was frustrated that the film crew slowed me down, but now I’m grateful because it gave me a lot of time to journal, and think, and process. As a competitive athlete, I’m usually trying to go fast to win a race or break a record and rarely take time to slow down. The hardest part for the film crew and Huyen was probably stripping away my competitive nature for this ride. It was a sore point for the early part of the trip, but eventually I was able to let go of what I trained my whole life to do and experience this ride in a more complete way. After reaching the goal of the crash site, we still had hundreds of miles

A LETTER FROM THE PAST Dear Judy, Sharon, and Becky, I’m not looking forward to this next year. I love the flying and the airplane but I don’t love the job. Regardless of any opinions I have of this war or any other, it is hard to think about the killing that I will be doing. I try to rationalize and say that it has to be done but I can’t see any reason why. If anything should happen to me, please don’t let me die to Sharon and Becky. That is very important to me…. (From a letter written by Stephen Rusch)

The inspiration was twofold: to attempt the biggest, most adventurous ride of my life and also to explore my family history and find a piece of myself that I never knew.

of riding ahead. I felt a lightness, happiness and stillness that I’ve never felt while riding my bike. I was still moving the pedals like before, but I was free. It’s hard to articulate, but it’s as if I was no longer looking for something. I was completely at peace in the moment without having to strive for the next accomplishment. Looking for him at

the crash site was really about finding out and understanding who I am and what is important to me. WHAT HAS THAT EMOTIONAL CONNECTION MEANT FOR YOU (AS AN INDIVIDUAL, AND AS A CYCLIST) NOW THAT THE TRIP IS OVER? WHERE DOES IT POINT YOUR WHEELS NEXT?

I’ve been home from the ride over two years and the lessons and the emotional part of the journey still continues. On the trail, the emotional journey was about getting to know my father, how he died, and how he lived. In the process of planning for and completing the trip, I uncovered personal history from our family, such as his letters,

more of his music, stories from my mother that I’d never heard. People have always said that the trip must have been great closure for me but it was exactly the opposite. I wasn’t putting a close on a chapter of my life and his life; instead I got to know him and continue to get to know who he was through this

BLOOD ROAD

process. I’m finding him and also recognizing pieces of myself in the man I’m getting to know. The part of him that will always be there with me. I do believe that he’s been calling me there to that place my entire career. I can trace back through the years and see now how the pieces all

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fell into place. Even though my path seemed circuitous, it was all leading me to that tree in Laos. I needed all the skill I’d developed as an athlete, all of the maturity I’d developed, and the 15-year relationship with Red Bull, who sponsored the film, to enable this trip to happen.

The trip has made an impact on the next phase of my career. It reinforced my desire to take long, exploratory journeys by bike. This is where my motivation lies, what I love to do, where my skill base lies, and the trip down the Ho Chi Minh Trail reinforced that desire to see the world by bike.

SAVE LIVES, BUILD FUTURES Though bomb removal teams have been working in Laos for 20 years, at the current pace it will take over a century to remove all the unexploded ordnance. To support the effort, Rusch is raising donations for the Mines Advisory Group America. Head to http://bloodroadfilm.com/support to find out how you can help.

L AST B UT N OT L E AST — A NY WIS D OM Y OU ’ D L I K E TO PASS ON TO OU R R E A D E R S ; OR A NY N E W R E V E L AT I ONS AS Y OU E X P E R I E NC E T H E F I L M TOU R ?

Really the main thing is that we are all part of one world and as different as we may seem to

Bomb Defusing Robot icon by Lluisa Iborra

TOP: by Josh Letchworth/Red Bull Content Pool R: Rebecca Rusch greets fans outside the Blood Road screening in Santa Monica, CA, USA on June 12, 2017. PHOTO by Josh Glazebrook/Red Bull Content Pool

someone on the other side of the world, we all feel the same emotions in the same way. Traveling outside your normal circle is essential in being able to understand our world and also really appreciate what you have at home. I’ve also learned that the only way to find forgiveness

for a war (or anything else) is to build awareness. We cannot learn to forgive if we don’t understand and learn who people are and what they go through. Lastly, we do have the ability to make an

FACTS AND FIGURES Rusch and Nguyen rode 1200 miles for 380 hours across 78 water crossings and 3 international borders. They got lost 16 times... but suffered only 1 flat tire!

impact no matter how small we feel. It’s hard not to be discouraged by all of the suffering and hate and uncertainty in our world, but instead of being beaten down by it, I think it’s important to tackle

whatever small bit of good that we can. For me, I’ve started working to help clean up the unexploded ordnance in Laos in my dad’s name. I want to help clean up the same bombs that he was dropping if I can.

SUPPORT Download the film Blood Road at bloodroadfilm.com/support

“THE QUEEN NOT ONLY AM I

OF PAIN ”

I AM ALSO THE QUEEN OF COMFORT

- REBECCA RUSCH NEW SLEEPING BAGS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR WOMEN Available in Latitude (shown), Trek and Talus sleeping bag models

DESIGNED FOR WOMEN Tailored to fit the shape of a woman’s body plus additional down in the torso and foot box

COMFORT THAT BREATHES

“

After a long technical ride, sleep and comfort is the best form of recovery. 44 Misadventures Issue 4

”

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KEEP YOUR FEET COMFY Thermolite® insulation keeps toes toasty warm while secondary zipper frees feet to ventilate

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TOTALITY

SO L NG, SUN Traveling to the path of the solar eclipse BY SULAGNA MISRA

Camper Van icon by Rachel Pagliarini

THE SUN IS A sliver in the sky–at least, through my glasses it is: an orange peel, hovering just above. Behind me, a woman says, “I looked! I looked for a second without my glasses.” A male relative murmurs to her that yep, she’ll probably go blind. It’s too late to care, though; the sliver is disappearing. Around us, people start shrieking in excitement. And then— But I’m getting ahead of myself. THE BEST WAY TO experience an eclipse is to anticipate it beforehand. This process should be started well in advance—years, if you’re lucky, decades if you’re luckier. Perhaps you’ll hear of an eclipse in a novel, or in school, or from a friend. I heard about one in science class and discussed it with my mother, who told me she’d seen one. I don’t remember the story

exactly, but I remember the picture it evoked: my mother, a teenager in India in 1980, reverently watching as the sky darkened and animals ran and hid in dumb fear. The eclipse was not in the picture. I’d seen images and they seemed nice enough. I was more envious of her having experienced something so otherworldly when it seemed like I never would. She’d simply gone outside and it was there, waiting for her! Meanwhile, my hometown in New Jersey experienced no such celestial events—nothing special or eerie or weird happened as far as I could tell. Well, that’s not true. The closest I’d come to such an event was when cicadas arrived in the state in 1996. I was six or seven, and heard a strange, sinister noise over and over around our house while playing by myself in the fall leaves. No one had told me the cicadas were here; my first assumption was aliens, looking for someone. The noise was loud and insistent; I assumed they were looking for me. So I sat behind my house and looked at the sun filtering through the trees, waiting for them. I wasn’t disappointed when they didn’t—I was just confused, wondering if they’d chosen someone else instead. I only tell you this so you know that the otherworldly seemed commonplace to me—which made it all the more frustrating that the regular world

was, more often than not, regular. It’s not that I hadn’t been around natural beauty before. (They call New Jersey the Garden State for a reason, and it’s not just to distract from the landfills.) But I wanted nature to present me with an event—an event bigger than butterflies emerging from chrysalides, more surprising than the Niagara Falls, more dynamic than the Grand Canyon. A solar eclipse was what I wanted, and it seemed nothing better would ever do. It’s strange to call the eclipse otherworldly because it seems that our world might be the only one to experience it. The moon is just the right size, the sun just far enough away. It’s special to us, the only living species in our solar system. When I heard about the solar eclipse at the beginning of this year, I assumed that I would not be able to go, much as I wanted to. Not only did I not live in any of the areas that would experience totality, I knew no one there. But as summer crept closer, I became edgy. I was having a better year than I’d had in awhile, but it was still a hard one. I realized I had not taken a summer vacation at all, and I was tired—my body and mind were fatigued with the news cycle and my own work and it wasn’t that I wanted to get away and not think of it all. I wanted to think of something else. I wanted to be excited about something that I didn’t have to

ECLIPSE TRIPS 12 million Americans live along the eclipse’s path of totality, and up to 7.8 million more people traveled from around the country and the world to witness the full spectacle. Talk about traffic!

TOTALITY

It wasn’t the best set-up, but I thought maybe something good would happen. Maybe things would just fall into place, celestially. Part of my logic was derived from astrology, the patron saint of wishful thinking. The solar eclipse was an even bigger deal in astrology than astronomy—it promised change, renewal, upheaval, transcendence. Personally, that’s what I was looking for. I was trying to change—to pay attention to smaller feelings, feelings of acceptance and hope, rather than my bigger, brutal emotions of anxiety, despair, and malaise. It was nice to anticipate something happening when the moon passed in front of the sun, whatever it might be. As I made plans for Asheville, it became clear that things might not just fall into place. I wasn’t

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a driver, but even if I could find transportation to the parks nearby, it seemed I’d be shut out—tickets had been bought months in advance. I discussed plans with an acquaintance who lived there— Carrie—who was fretting about traffic and unsure if she was even going at all. I asked if she’d want to travel to Brevard, a small town not an hour away, which was set to get a full minute of totality. She reiterated her concerns. I remembered my vision of my mother watching the eclipse. It’ll never be this easy again, I told Carrie in an email. To my surprise, that did it: it was on, she’d be bringing her husband

and a packed lunch, and we were going. We drove to Brevard, leaving at 7 a.m. for an eclipse that would happen around 2:30 p.m. (The streets were empty.) We walked around the area and set up our picnic a few times, finally alighting on the college campus near a stream; our discussion, as aimless as we were, meandered around books, literary ambitions, life. Carrie was one of those people who asked a lot of questions about personality and one’s hopes and dreams—which is usually the role I play when I first meet someone, so it was a delight, and fit my mood. The group of eclipse-watchers gathering around us was lively—full of families, doing one of the things families are most practiced at: SEE FOR YOURSELF Your next shot at seeing a full solar eclipse in the United States is April 8, 2024. The path will span Texas to Maine; major cities along the route include Dallas, Cleveland, and Buffalo.

waiting for something, together. People set up chairs in the shallow stream, eager for the coolness on such a warm day; an older man was making the rounds, talking about the eclipse and how he’d seen one before. He warned against not using the glasses. “I accidentally looked without and I got a blue dot,” he said, pointing at his right eye. Across the stream, teenagers set up a game that Carrie and her husband told me was a mainstay in the South. One of the teens said, “Loser gives up their glasses!” At this, a woman in their party who was sitting in a chair a bit aways turned and went, “Don’t you dare! The adult

says no!” The teens returned to their game, somewhat subdued. The moment was soon approaching. We kept putting our eclipse glasses on, gazing at the sun’s waning state from behind our specs. Carrie took pictures to little avail, while I became nervous over every cloud that happened to flit across the sky. The anticipation brewed and brewed and brewed as we ate our sandwiches, watched the crowd grow thick with college students, kids, grandparents. The sun’s might was visibly diminishing. It wasn’t significantly chillier—North Carolina in August is hardly bearable—but it was getting darker. I took notes in my sketchbook, trying to drink

Eclipse icon by Ates Evren Aydinel

work to make happen, the way I had to do with freelance work or making plans with friends or trying to prevent my healthcare from being taken away. I wanted to experience something beyond the everyday turns of the world. Of course, I still couldn’t find a simple solution. I scrounged up miles for tickets and picked the cheapest flights to someplace that was close to totality: Asheville, North Carolina. I booked cheap rooms and made plans with the few people I knew in the whole state, but I knew I’d have to figure things out as I went along.

it all in: the upturned faces, the shadows turning into sickles. The family behind us—which included a baby in a special sun-safe carrier on his father’s back—was teasing each other and laughing. As the slivers shading the ground grew, a woman yelled, “Oh my gosh, sweetheart, put those back on! We can’t afford to pay for your eye surgery!” I wrote that down, too. People stopped moving and started paying attention, the collective tittering rising to a cicadan hum as the sun became completely covered. Then, suddenly, we were covered in darkness; we said it over and over to each other, trying to make sense of the midday night. We tried to take pictures—

but, of course, they were dark. Finally, it happened—what I’d been waiting for. Pictures of the eclipse ignore the sensation that it’s a kind of living thing. The moon looks like a hole in the sky, the sun’s corona pulsing around it. The corona isn’t like the strident sunlight one is so used to—the solid, strong beams. Instead, the corona has multiple colors and dimensions of light, like white velvet; the beams move with the glimmer and quickness of a fish underwater. I’ll fully admit to the mixed metaphors; I spent months afterwards trying to describe the corona at its peak, and it eluded comparison. The best I can

PICTURES OF THE ECLIPSE IGNORE THE SENSATION THAT IT’S A KIND OF LIVING THING. do is collage, splice together a texture of the scene in the hopes that the sum can capture it. We only had a minute of totality, but the people around me packed it with sighs and shouts of delight, which were more than welcome. For me it felt like watching a movie on opening night, all of us laughing with earnest surprise at a good joke. We were suddenly bound by this odd shared vision. The pure chance choice of that lawn

in Brevard meant we all—once strangers—were close enough to hear each other’s joys. And one minute wasn’t long enough. We blinked and regarded the world again when it was over. Things were the same. A car drove by. I looked up with longing at the already passing shadow. People began packing up; no one was that interested in the end credits. I felt an intense expansiveness, my chest full of celestial sparks. Crickets chirped ruefully as we left the campus while the dusk reversed itself. As we all got in the car and struggled to keep our eyes open in the traffic, I didn’t even notice how long

it took to navigate through the packed lot; I felt a fluidity of spirit, a peace I hadn’t felt in so long. Later, I’d realize it was likely a kind of adrenaline crash— the level of anticipation was incredible, and the payoff was quick; of course I’d been woozy. Of course my brain and body struggled to keep up with it. I’d read about eclipse chasers who love that high, but I wonder how much of that feeling is the cathartic release of anticipation. It’s like falling in love

with someone and preparing and planning and scraping to see them for only a few minutes, hoping that the brief tryst will hold you over for years. Maybe it would. But since I experienced it, I don’t know if I need another eclipse for that high. The sense of calm I felt didn’t go away. I had wanted something, a desire held over from childhood that burst and broke open. The desire was more than anticipation; it was a reminder and a promise to myself to align the stars and go after what I wanted. Of course I found peace.

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INTERVIEW BY ZoĂŤ Balaconis

Camera icon by Alfa Design / Microphone icon by Setyo Ari Wibowo

PHOTOS BY Cristina Mittermeier

OCEANS For most of us, we see the ocean as a surfaceâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a vast, moody expanse, below which is an abyss whose depths defy imagining. It is the definition of unfathomable. There are some, though, who are drawn to that mystery, who cannot go long without going under, and who show us, the landlubbers, what it is weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re missing.

AWAY

UNDER THE SEA

ristina Mittermeier began her career as a scientist, but has since turned her focus to photography, activism, and awareness. She’s a National Geographic explorer who has distinguished herself with her incredible, otherworldly shots, and her conservation efforts, including the founding of her own nonprofit, SeaLegacy. We spoke with her about her career and what’s on the horizon for our oceans.

INTERVIEW BY ZOË B ALACONIS

HOW DID YOU MOVE F RO M B E C O MI NG A M A RINE BIOLOGIST TO A PHOTO GRA PHE R?

I grew up in Mexico, and as a young, dreamy person, I was enamored with the sea. So, I went to study Marine Biology. At the time, however, there were no such schools in Mexico, so instead I got a degree as a Biochemical Engineer in Marine Sciences with a specialty in fisheries and aquaculture. My first job after university, however, was not in fisheries, but in conservation. The almost 30 years since I graduated have taken me on a journey of understanding how abused our oceans are and how serious this is for the survival of our planet as a whole. I have also come to understand that science, although very important, does not create an emotional connection. I stumbled into photography as a great tool to communicate as an accident. I never meant to become a photographer, but when I realized how easily images can convey complex ideas and stories, I was hooked. WHY DO YOU THINK D O C U ME NT I NG NAT U RE IS I M PORTANT FOR C O NSE RVAT I O N?

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W H AT D O Y OU S E E AS T H E B I G G E ST C H A L L E N G E F OR C ONS E R VAT I ON IST S A N D C ONS E R VAT I ON P H OTOG R A P H E R S IN THE YEARS AHEAD?

The lack of political will and funding for conservation, coupled with a general public apathy. Our job is to make people care—to snap them out of their apathy so that they can join our voices in speaking loudly for the kind of planet that we want. C A N Y OU D E SC R I B E WH AT G OE S I NTO G E T T I N G A ST R I K I N G U N D E R WAT E R S H OT ?

Photograph icon by Ema Dimitrova

Susan Sontag once wrote that "war tears, rends. War rips open, eviscerates. War scorches. War dismembers. War ruins. Not to be pained by photographs of war, not to recoil from them, not to strive to abolish what causes this havoc, this carnage, is a failure of imagination, of empathy." Photographs are the only reason people in far-off places care about the horrors of war. The war on nature is no different. The reason we document nature is to put it at the forefront of people’s minds. When my half a million followers check their social media in the morning, they will find an uplifting, engaging, interesting, or simply beautiful story about nature. Many of them would otherwise perhaps not give nature a second thought during their day. People care about what they know and understand.

OUR JOB IS TO MAKE PEOPLE CAREâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; TO SNAP THEM OUT OF THEIR APATHY SO THAT THEY CAN JOIN OUR VOICES IN SPEAKING LOUDLY FOR THE KIND OF PLANET THAT WE WANT.

SEA STORIES SeaLegacy is a collective of some of the most experienced and renowned photographers, filmmakers and storytellers working on behalf of our oceans.

A lot of failure. Underwater photography is challenging because on top of having to find engaging subjects, think about light, mood and composition, one often has to also think about staying alive. Some of the most interesting photo opportunities happen in open seas, often rough, cold, and remote. Being an accomplished swimmer and diver is the most important skill of the underwater photographer. W H AT M OT IVAT E D T H E F OU N D I N G OF S E A L E G AC Y ? WH AT A R E Y OU R F OR E M OST P R OJ E C T S ?

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EVERY SECOND BREATH A HUMAN TAKES COMES FROM THE SEA.

I am lucky because as a National Geographic Photographer I have had a front row seat into the most magnificent spectacle on our planet: our world’s oceans. From that privileged position I have witnessed, over many years, the devastating effects we have had on fish stocks, marine mammal populations and the overall health of marine ecosystems. I felt a responsibility to do something with my camera to focus the world’s attention on the health of our oceans. WHAT CONTINUES TO DRAW YOU TO THE OCEAN, AND WHY DO WE NEED TO PROTECT IT? WHAT IS THE BEST THING WE CAN DO, ON A

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Ocean icon by Blair Adams

UNDER THE SEA

PERSONAL, NATIONAL, OR INTERNATIONAL SCALE?

We need to protect the ocean because without a healthy ocean, humans cannot live on this planet. Every second breath a human takes comes from the sea; the ocean moderates our climate, drives the weather patterns and provides billions of people with food and jobs. As a people, we can speak loudly on our social media, our circles of influence, the voting booth, about our desire for a healthy ocean. We can educate ourselves to make better choices in the seafood we buy and we can strive, every day, to lessen our carbon footprint. The easiest way to do that is by slowing down

on our meat consumption. We don’t all have to be vegetarians, but every piece of meat we put in our mouths carries with it the future of our planet, so less is more. W H AT ' S ON T H E H OR I Z ON F OR Y OU ?

I am going to spend the next 20 years working as hard as I can to remind my followers every day of the power we have to create a better planet. I will be focusing my camera on coastal communities around the world. They are the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change and I want to be there to help and to document that story.

SEALEGACY ON HOW TO HELP 1. Join SeaLegacy’s efforts 2. Reduce your own carbon footprint 3. Offset your carbon emissions 4. Use your investor power 5. Mind your seafood 6. No more plastic 7. Support Marine Protected Areas 8. Shift your diet 9. Avoid palm oil 10. Support a carbon tax 11. Be mindful of hazardous materials 12. Whenever possible, stick your head beneath “The Thin Blue Line.”

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Words by CHARLOTTE AUSTIN Illustrations by NIKKI FRUMKIN

WHEN YOU’RE STANDING ON A GLACIER,

the ice is so blue that it hurts. Crampons squeak on brittle névé. There might be wind in your face, or rain or sun or snow. You can’t help but let your eyes sweep the landscape, tracing that undulating curve of relentless frozen power. There’s no denying it: they’re dangerous, beautiful, dynamic beings. Scientists currently estimate that 10% of the land area on Earth is covered with ice, storing 75% of the world’s fresh water. That’s down from a high of 32% during the last ice age, but it still equates to more than 15 million square miles. Like huge rivers of ice, those glaciers carve valleys, sculpt mountains, and reshape every landscape they touch.

Each glacier is unique, of course. There are ice sheets, like those found in Greenland, which are permanent layers of ice covering extensive tracts of land. There are ice shelves, which are slabs of ice that float on the sea—including the famous Ross Ice Shelf in Antarctica, which is roughly the size of France. And there are the glaciers that form in the mountains, which are varied, dynamic, and plentiful. Mountain glaciers are on every continent, but in the United States alone they cover more than 30,000 square miles. You can find them in state parks, national monuments, and other public lands. They’re yours to hike, ski, climb, and explore, so here’s what you need to know.

Glacier icon by Ed Harrison

GLACIOLOGY 101 56

THE EXQUISITE ART AND SUBTLE SCIENCE OF GLACIERS

ICE ICE BABY

GLACIOLOGY 101

ANATOMY OF A GLACIER

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THE ACCUMULATION ZONE is where a

glacier gains snow and ice through snowfall and compression. Ice begins to flow like a conveyor belt, driven by gravity and ever-mounting snows. THE ABLATION ZONE is where the glacier loses ice through melting and evaporation. THE FIRN LINE is a line across a glacier—

usually visible from edge to edge—that marks the transition between exposed glacier ice (below) and the snow-covered surface of a glacier (above). During the summer melt season, this line migrates up-glacier; at the end of the melt season, the firn line separates the accumulation zone from the ablation zone. CREVASSES are a crack (or series of cracks) that open in the surface of a moving glacier. They can be linear or arcuate, and they vary dramatically in both length and depth. Their orientation can be in any direction relative to the glacier’s flow. COMPRESSION ZONES can be

found where the underlying bedrock flattens out, which forces the glacier ice to compress. Crevasses often narrow or disappear.

LATERAL AND TERMINAL MORAINES

are formed on the sides and tongue of the glacier respectively as ice recedes, scraping and grinding the bedrock and leaving boulders, gravel, and sand. Be careful if you travel on glaciers near these zones; the ice can be brittle, cracked, and unstable. A BERGSHRUND is a single large crevasse that develops at the top (or “head”) of a glacier as the ice pulls away from the bedrock wall.

MOULINS are narrow, tubular chutes through which water enters a glacier from the surface. These are dangerous, as they’re often very deep.

A NUNATUK is an Inuit word that has come to refer to an exposed, rocky peak or ridge that pokes through the surface of an ice field or glacier.

EXTRA CRE DIT

CLIMATE CHANGE

BECAUSE THEY GROW OR SHRINK IN RESPONSE TO SNOWFALL AND SNOWMELT, glaciers are sensitive indicators of changes in regional and global climate. To grow, a glacier must receive more snow in winter than melts or evaporates the following summer. If more melts than accumulates, a glacier will shrink. Case in point: in a recent National Geographic article titled “The Big Thaw,” Daniel Glick wrote that “the famed

snows of Kilimanjaro have melted more than 80% since 1912. Glaciers in the [Himalaya] are retreating so fast that researchers believe that [they] could virtually disappear by 2035.” In a recent study conducted in the Olympic National Park, the 266 glaciers recorded in 1982 had been reduced to 184 in 2009. And the United States Environmental Protection

Agency uses glacial mass as a key climate change measurement, stating that “glaciers worldwide have been losing mass since at least the 1970s, which in turn has contributed to observed changes in sea level.” The effects of climate change on glacial ice will be felt around the world; sea levels will change, drinking water may become less available, and glaciers themselves may become less and less stable. As one geologist said, “If you want to explore these frozen treasures, don’t wait. Go now.”

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1 2 3

LOOK FOR COMPRESSION ZONES.

They're often less crevasse-riddled than other parts of the glacier, making them good places to camp, travel, or rest. On Mount Rainier, for example, many climbers choose to camp in the compression zone of the Ingraham Glacier, which is colloquially known as “Ingraham Flats.” WHEN YOU'RE PLANNING YOUR TRIP, ALWAYS CONSIDER HOW CONDITIONS WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE DIFFERENT TIMES OF DAY.

At night and in the early morning, for example, colder temperatures often make ice easier to navigate—crevasse bridges are more solid, you won't get baked by the sun, and icefall is less likely before the full heat of the day. If you’re on a boat hoping to see a glacier calve into the ocean, though, you’ll want to schedule your adventure in the mid-to-late afternoon. KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR WORMS!

Iceworms—which are also called Mesenchytraeus solifugus, or “sun-avoiders”—hide deep in some glaciers during bright sunny days, then emerge to the surface of the snow and ice at dusk. Scientists believe that these tiny worms feed on algae and pollen grains, and are eaten in turn by birds and bats. They’re not on every glacier, but if you look closely you’ll find them in many places around North America.

Iceberg icon by KΛPKLΛM

GLACIOLOGY 101 60

IF YOU’RE ON OR NEAR A GLACIER…

4 5 6 7

DON'T EXPECT MAPS TO REFLECT WHAT YOU SEE IN REAL LIFE.

Climate change has dramatically affected glaciers, snowfields, and other ice formations, and many navigational aids haven't been updated to reflect new terrain. Double-, triple-, and quadruple-check all navigational and terrain management decisions—and whenever possible, assess conditions from above, where you’ll have a better perspective on the terrain. IF YOU GET A CHANCE, CHECK OUT SOME OF THE ICE CAVES IN NORTH AMERICA!

They’re disappearing fast, but adventurous spelunkers can still find these chilly caverns in Washington, Idaho, Iowa, New York, and Alaska. WATCH OUT FOR THE SUN.

Because snow and ice both have a very high albedo (meaning that they reflect a very high percentage of the solar radiation that hits their surface), glacier travelers are notoriously prone to terrible sunburns—even when it’s cloudy, overcast, or even precipitating. Use sunscreen with a high SPF, wear a hat, and always protect your eyes. IF YOU SEE SOMETHING INTERESTING, DOCUMENT IT!

Glaciologists always want to know about current conditions, unique findings, and other phenomena that they may not have noticed (or have the resources to go see). If you see anything that strikes you as unique, snap some photos, note the GPS coordinates, and contact the National Snow & Ice Data Center at nsidc.org.

RESOURCES Check out Glacier Mountaineering: An Illustrated Guide to Glacier Travel and Crevasse Rescue (written by Andy Tyson and Mike Clelland), Chasing Ice (an award-winning documentary about glaciers and climate change), and the National Park Service webpage on glaciers and glacial landforms: nps.gov/subjects/geology/glacial-landforms.htm.

MOVING OFFLINE

PHOTOS by Rachel Heydemann

VOICE S O F THE WO M ENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S OU TDO OR MOVEM ENT

Misadventures Issue 4

Women sound off on the state of the outdoors scene

CRUISE DOWN ANY MAINSTREAM OUTDOOR BRAND'S SOCIAL MEDIA and a theme will start to develop. White. Fit. Athletic build. Often male. For those paying attention, it’s no great shock that the outdoors has a diversity problem. There are numbers to back it up. In the 2016 Outdoor Foundation’s Participation Report, 74% of outdoor participants were white. And less than 40% of women reported participation in one outdoor activity. And yes, brands like REI, Outdoor Research, and Outside Online have

IN A WORLD THAT PUSHES IDEALS OF PERFECTION, LEARNING HOW TO FAIL IS PERHAPS THE GREATEST LESSON THE CAMPS CAN TEACH. launched million dollar initiatives to promote inclusive spaces and amplify women’s voices in the outdoor industry. It’s a long-awaited move toward inclusion and equality, with 6 in 10 women reporting men’s interest in outdoor

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UNDER PRESSURE According to REI’s 2017 National Study on Women in the Outdoors, nearly three-quarters of women ages 18-35 feel they are under more pressure to conform to social norms than men.

activities were taken more seriously than women’s, in an REI-funded survey. But it’s just one step. The women shown in those marketing campaigns are still often white, young, and already fit. They exude confidence, strength, and know-how. For a lot of women, this image can feel alienating and unattainable. So where do we go when we don’t find our body type, skin color, age, or ability represented? How do we start when we’ve never roped up or pitched a tent? Besides adventure and adrenaline, women want connection and a safe place to learn. Outdoor camps geared towards women are providing this space. Branded as part summer camp, part female-empowerment, and part outdoor education, these camps have been gaining in popularity. From REI’s Outessa to And She’s Dope Too’s Rendezvous, regardless of skill level or desired activity, there’s something for everyone. In a world that pushes ideals of perfection, learning how to fail is perhaps the greatest lesson the camps can teach. These events provide an opportunity to try a new activity, fail, and get back up. They acknowledge that trying a new sport is scary and intimidating but then provide the training, gear, and encouragement to kick ass. Away from the glossy campaign ads, carefully curated Instagram feeds, and million-dollar media blitzes, women are searching out these safe places to get dirty in and, more importantly, fail in. LIZ WEBER

High Pressure icon by Martyn Jasinski

MOVING OFFLINE

LEAVE YOUR EGO AT THE DOOR

PHOTO CREDIT Sam Ortiz

AND SHE’S DOPE TOO

NESTLED BETWEEN THE WASATCH Mountains and the Ogden River, And She’s Dope Too’s weekend Rendezvous is an adventure woman’s dream. Start your morning with sunrise yoga, then hop on a SUP in the Causey Reservoir and a chill meditation session on open water. In the afternoon, take a clinic led by experienced and amped mountain bikers before hitting the trails around Snowbasin Resort. Finish up the day with an evening hike or trail run through the surrounding hills. Mix and match to any experience level. Jenn and Taylor Killian, the founders, believe in the relatability and authenticity of the community they’ve created. “We want to create an environment where women leave the egos at the door; where they can meet and just be themselves.” Understanding people come to the outdoors for both adrenaline and reflection, ASDT built in creative hours (rock painting and intention setting) alongside the action. These downbeats become the heartbeat of the camp: the quiet moments between activities or around the Saturday campfire where the bonds of adventure are solidified by sharing personal struggles and triumphs. Within this circle, vulnerability is seen as strength and applauded with equal part tears and laughter. As one participant put it, being surrounded by like-minded women “feels like coming home. A reunion with strangers I didn’t know I needed.” LIZ WEBER

START AT THE BEGINNING THE PURSUIT SERIES

IT’S SURPRISINGLY CHALLENGING TO try something new, particularly in adulthood, when the combination of entrenched muscle memory, an elevated center of gravity, and a variety of limiting beliefs compress into fixed ideas about the world and how our bodies can move through it. It’s hard work to reprogram your brain around a new, possibly risky activity, to feel your way through heart-pounding, stomach-turning trepidation. If you’ve pushed past your comfort zone you’ve been there. You’ve felt the arc of the struggle: the mounting concern, the overanalyzing as you observe your instructor and mimic your peers, the awkward, clumsy slips and snags as you try it out yourself. You’ve also felt the bliss of the breakthrough: the thinking mind quiets long enough to surrender and experience what it’s supposed to feel like in your own body. That rush of knowing that you can do this is like nothing else. The achievement is exhilarating, and you can’t wait to get back on the bike, the ropes, or the board. My weekend at the CamelBak Pursuit Series took me through this arc numerous times, and I left Sunday feeling a reinvigorated strength in myself that comes from pushing boundaries. In a safe, supportive, empowering environment I learned how to do things I’d never done before, and I strengthened skills I’d built over the years with expert instruction. I watched as new friends

PHOTOS by Rachel Heydemann

Misadventures Issue 4

did the same in our shared classes, and the collective confidence boost was contagious. The Pursuit Series is an immersive outdoor experience that allows you to choose your own adventure from one hour to the next through over 300 activities in multiple time slots, from Intro to Rock Climbing to Fly Fishing 101 to Wilderness Survival Skills to Eco-Conscious Self Care. What felt particularly moving about the experience was the emphasis on a beginner's mindset regardless of background or skill level. In preparing for the event, I’d felt a surge of excitement, but I also felt overwhelmed. Would I be in over my head? After signing up for the Intro to Mountain Biking course I knew I’d face at least one significant fear as I’d learned how to ride a bike just 15 months prior, and I’d only ridden a bike about 10 times since. Right away though, within the first few moments of arriving and changing into my running clothes for my trail running clinic with Altra, I was supremely reassured by a totally non-judgmental, unpretentious, and accessible vibe. At Pursuit, you simply need to bring yourself and an open mind, and you’re provided with the industry’s best gear and guides who meet you where your skills are. Every session welcomed each of us to an equal playing field. I spoke with numerous attendees, instructors and even the two co-founders about this, and in particular, about how gender played into the vision of this event. While the Pursuit Series saw 60% female attendees, this event is distinctly

co-ed for a reason. In a campfire conversation with co-founders Julia Stamps Mallon and Bart Davis that felt like speaking to old friends, they talked candidly about bringing men and women together in this experience. Their working partnership exemplifies the importance of this balance. They maximize each others’ skills and complement each others’ strengths as humans, not as female or male. Through their authenticity, their passion, and their generosity, they embody the experience they provide for their guests. “One of the most beautiful things about being at this event is that we all come in as beginners, as someone with a yoga interest or a mountain biking interest or a rock climbing interest. We don’t see ourselves as men or women. We see ourselves as beginners or adventurers. We see each other as a commonality rather than a gender,” shared Kirsten Beverley-Waters, wellness coach and founder of Thryve. The Pursuit Series is an equalizing event for adventurers at all levels with something to offer everyone. With two events under their belt, Pursuit is off to a refreshing, inspiring start. RACHEL HEYDEMANN

MOVING OFFLINE

LESLIE HSU OH

A FORCE OF NATURE REI’S “FORCE OF NATURE” campaign aims to combat gender disparity in the outdoors by recognizing women role models, such as travel writer and photographer Leslie Hsu Oh—a tall order by any measure. At an REI event in Conshohocken, PA, Oh talked about the importance of outdoor adventure. “From my personal experience raising four kids, I have seen that adventure travel really builds character,” she says. Her children, age one to twelve, have conquered fears while learning the importance of preparing for a trip and having the right gear. She noted that moms are generally the ones to plan family trips, often for children of different ages, abilities, and personalities. Her mother provided her with a model on how to do it well. Oh’s childhood

trips to National Parks in the U.S. and Canada began when her mom asked the ranger, “What’s the most dangerous thing we can do in your park?” Oh says, “We thought she was badass.” It was a different story when Oh tried the approach herself. During a horseback riding trip, their horses took off and “there was no way we could help our kids....We didn’t see them until the end of the tour. They were really on their own. They had to figure out what to do. It was an empowering moment.” I had had my doubts that a marketing campaign could do much for the community of outdoorswomen, but it was listening to this speech that made me realize the strength of “Force of Nature.” The focus isn’t on pro athletes; it’s on people like Oh, unknown to most, but badass to many. KIMBERLY YAVORSKI

Oh with her husband and children identifying plants in a lava field in Iceland. PHOTO by Lola Akinmade Åkerström

Misadventures Issue 4

PHOTO by Tiny Atlas Quarterly

MOVE AND BE MOVED REI OUTESSA

Outdoors icon by Ben Davis

MOVEMENT SHAPES OUR LIVES. How we choose to move defines us, sketches the outline of experience. Yet movement also invites the space to be moved—in unexpected, even tectonic ways. In the weeks leading up to REI Outessa, I imagined a weekend bursting with movement. Hiking, running, biking, climbing, all in a gorgeous mountain setting with amazing, strong women who love the outdoors. Outessa offers over 200 classes, from intro mountain biking to intermediate

rock climbing to navigation skills—you can choose your own adventure. All-star REI guides lead each guided activity and draw on a wealth of outdoor education experience. From panels and talks to refreshing down-time activities, and a range of lodging options to boot, Outessa offers the chance to build a custom retreat experience of your dreams. It’s a rare combination of adventure, inspiration, and community, designed for women of all ages and backgrounds. What more could you want from a retreat? But the real power behind Outessa lies in the experience of being moved and watching others be moved—by the fierce overcoming of fear, by the grit a woman shows on her first climb, by the spontaneous formation of a whooping high-five line, by the dawning of transformation and realization of possibility. Allison Arevalo reflects, “When you open yourself at an event

ESCAPE VALVE REI’s research also found that 75% of women see the outdoors as a liberating space to escape social pressures.

MOVING OFFLINE

L: The women of Dirty Gourmet whipping up peach cobbler in a cast iron cooking demonstration. R: Introduction to Rock Climbing class with Elaina Arenz of Chicks Climbing and Skiing PHOTOS by Sarah Connette

We each left with new friends and battle scars, each telling a story, a cartography of the body in motion. We carved out new space, crossed lines, and embraced various hues of meaning. For some, Outessa has motivated them to give back. Karolyn Dupree was so thrilled by mountain biking last year that she continued to take classes and now mentors young girls and teaches them about mountain biking in her community. Karolyn shares, “That positive experience at Outessa last year made me want more. I wanted to ride as much as possible and I wanted to get more girls on bikes…I think sharing my Outessa experience and mentoring to others helped me find a deeper sense of purpose and fulfillment.” It turns out Outessa’s greatest gift isn’t just the power to move and be moved—but to create a movement of women fired up about our place in the outdoors. SARAH CONNETTE

Binoculars icon by Mello

like Outessa, you realize that you are stronger than you think, and that you are not alone.” Halle Enyedy, REI Outdoor School Instructor, shares her experience as a mountain biking instructor: “I was blown away by the level of positive energy that everyone brought to the weekend. It was palpable. There were so many options and challenging activities for everyone to participate in during the weekend, and being at altitude, there could have been fatigue but I just didn’t see any. Everyone was there to play and learn as much as possible. On my drive home from the weekend, I was struck by the magic of a couple hundred strangers coming together to play in the outdoors and genuinely enjoy each other’s company. I was inspired by so many amazing women and their accomplishments, big and small. I think the individuals that I will continue to think about are the ones who were determined not to let their fear define them. I saw a lot of courage at Outessa and that pushes me to identify my next challenge.”

Misadventures Issue 4

YOU CAN’T BE WHAT YOU CAN’T SEE REI’s study also found that 63% of women said they could not think of an outdoor female role model...yet another reason why representation of women’s stories in outdoor media is so vital.

BEHIND THE PRETTY PICTURE IT’S SAFE TO SAY that most women keeping up with the outdoors industry have come across messaging like REI’s #forceofnature movement and Outdoor Research’s cheeky take on Vogue’s rock climbing feature. These campaigns have finally begun to speak to the inclusive outdoors women have long dreamed of—but the lack of diversity in sport, skill level, ethnicity and experience among advertisements indicates there’s still some ways to go. “When I think of women in the outdoors, I think of strength,” says Marisa Jarae, an outdoorswoman and photographer from Denver, Colorado. “I also think of ‘trendy,’ unfortunately, because there has been such a marketing focus this year.” For some, this mainstream representation of women getting after it inspires them. “I don’t think the sentiment is disingenuous at all,” Jarae says. “But I worry that it has a bit of a bandwagon feel.” For others—particularly those women who do more risky non-traditional sports or who fall outside the target millennial generation—it’s hard to connect to what’s on screens and newsfeeds. When reviewing these recent highlights of women outdoors, there’s a definite skew toward the more accessible sports or those with a more marketable draw, such as yoga, hiking, and trail running. “I rarely see women without makeup, covered in grit and with three-day dirty hair in actual marketing campaigns,” says Sarah Breeding, a rock climber and mountaineer also based in Denver. “And I really don’t ever see mountaineering women.” “I love that there is a focus on women—don’t get me wrong,” Jarae adds. “But I don’t want to be a trend.” It can be difficult not to view it as such, especially when the majority of those campaigns focus on millennial women already proficient at trendier sports, leaving less marketable activities such as mountain-

eering and whitewater sports in their wake. “Most campaigns seem to be about the easier side of outdoorsy activities,” Breeding says. “I get stuck in terrible weather, have lightning strikes nearby, summit mountains in 40 mph winds, and I don’t see that sort of thing in advertising.” The trendy tone of these campaigns— coupled with their focus on the stoke and the sunshine—also downplays the very real obstacles, such as sexual assault and harassment, that women face in outdoor spaces and the outdoor industry. “I think positive images are positive, but they don’t address rampant sexism and prejudice in outdoor sports,” Breeding says. “They paint a pretty picture, kind of like social media in general.” Behind these pretty pictures, women often struggle with oppression, ranging from casual (and often unintentional) put-downs about how well they crush “for a girl,” to outright assault at the hands of men they seek instruction or partnership from as adventurers. “It’s the kind of issue that people just need to speak out about, men and women both,” says Elisha McArthur, who has been a Rocky Mountain whitewater kayaking guide for 18 years, and recently described her experiences encountering sexism on the river in 5280: Denver’s Mile High Magazine. Nevertheless, there’s still hope that these campaigns will help raise the profile of issues women face in the outdoors, regardless of their marketing blind spots. And as the industry makes the leap to its newfound understanding of outdoor women’s strength, women themselves are ready to continue to enforce the concept of the outdoor community as an equal playing field. Jarae concludes: “I don’t think we will be a trend—something that dies after the marketing moves to focus on something else—if we keep this message of strength, ability and acceptance alive.” ALLISON DYER BLUEMEL

PHOTO by Abby Cooper

FIGURE EIGHT ON A BIGHT, AND OTHER LESSONS FROM SHEJUMPS ALPINE FINISHING SCHOOL THE NIGHT MY PLANE landed, it rained so hard that I wished the rental car’s wipers had turbo mode. Exhausted and disoriented, I could barely keep my eyes open long enough to glimpse the painted lines on the two-lane highway, slick from the downpour. I had a date with a helipad on the outskirts

Misadventures Issue 4

of Revelstoke, British Columbia, where I would catch a flight up Albert Canyon with an all-female crew of SheJumps Alpine Finishing School participants, staff, and backcountry ski guides. Albert Canyon cuts a deep knife-edge up the hill from Revelstoke, and we trace its upward swing in the helicopter. Even when lower ground has begun to thaw with spring, the glaciated terrain high above the clouds holds a deep and vast winter. The Selkirk Lodge sits perched upon a knoll in between icefields whose pale blue glow provides the backdrop for these women to march upon—skis on our feet, harnesses tethered to each other by a 60-meter piece of rope, and the blinking light of an avalanche beacon strapped around each chest. In my past mind, “girl’s trip” may have connoted pedicures or a sandy strip of beach. This, too, was a girl’s trip…but it contained a certain magic; the

BELOW, LEFT Claire Smallwood, Executive Director of SheJumps. PHOTO by Abby Cooper

PHOTO by Laraine Martin

kind we only experience when motivated to be better and stronger by our peers. Our guides and instructors unapologetically defied the majority-male demographic of backcountry ski guides. Learning from them was different from all the male-taught moments of my life in a profound way. Their stories mingled with that of the lodge owner, a woman who had lost her husband in an avalanche before he could experience the lodge opening—she raised their daughter (now a heli-ski guide) to love the Selkirk backcountry and to move in it as if she were borne of the very mountains around them. We were a group of complete strangers, traveling across glaciers, connected by rope that can save a partner’s life. We tied in at transition points with a figure eight on a bight—the knot that connected our harness to the rope with our group. There would be joking and dancing around in the snow, but once moving, we would cross the glacier in near silence. It was conservative

terrain absent of glaring danger, but the distance between our knots along the rope, and the general reverence one feels when traveling across an expanse of ever-changing ice, caused us to fall quiet in thought. I mulled over the metaphor of being bound to someone by rope. Our everyday struggles and insecurities keep us divided, but a great weight lifts when we are open to trust in our companions. The hard skills we gained in B.C. were secondary to the fundamental success of the course—a testimony to a postmodern definition of womanhood. We are reminded that it’s OK to sacrifice the age-old concept of what a woman wants out of life. We can re-define success, happiness, and sense of self however we see fit for our own life. And if we should be so lucky as to see the sun cast sparkles on a mountain top on a winter afternoon, we should thank the women who came before us to set the skin track uphill. LARAINE MARTIN

MOVING OFFLINE

LOOKING AHEAD FEMALE BADASSERY HAS BEEN SHOWCASING ITSELF across social media channels, in magazines like Outside and Misadventures, and on podcasts like She Explores, more frequently than ever. Each day I’m inspired by women who are charging––through snowy aspen glades, down winding single tracks, or across traditionally male-dominated arenas in the business world. For so long women have been viewed as less-than. Today, we are changing that narrative. I recently became involved with the Outdoor Women’s Alliance in the Salt Lake City region. Creating opportunities for women to come together and explore the Wasatch front has been an empowering and freeing experience. Without a doubt, women’s organizations create a safe environment where we can learn and dream and relate to one another. As a married woman with a perma-stoked, supportive husband, I’ve struggled to find balance with exclusively female events. While attending the And She’s Dope Too Rendezvous, or any of the Outdoor Women’s Alliance meet-ups, has been empowering, and allowed me to meet other authentic and inspiring women, I wonder

Misadventures Issue 4

what the future looks like for these groups. Safe spaces are important for women to explore who they are and how they connect to the natural world (and each other). That said, I believe we must look beyond what good can come from women empowering other women, to what good can come from women empowering men as well. Our voices are so important, and because our history includes male-dominated boardrooms, and male-led conversations, it is necessary to swing the pendulum in the opposite way, where women can create in female-only spaces. At some point, however, men need to be brought to the table. If we leave them out of the conversation entirely, how and when will we reinforce the importance of female voices, and that empathy, compassion, and vulnerability are qualities we can cultivate––that these qualities are strengths instead of weaknesses? I dream of a gender-indifferent future, where every voice is represented and valued equally. I envision a world where women are leading more conversations in gender-neutral spaces. I love the narrative we’re creating: that women are valuable, that our voices are important, and that the characteristics that make us so uniquely female are necessary for humanity. Today’s empowered women are leaders for our generation, and the tremendous task of leaders is to create a dialogue between all sections of our society. MEGAN WALSH

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HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

The Misadventures

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE GIFT-GIVING IS A GIFT—IT’S like being able to tell when it’s about to rain or what will make someone laugh. But, sometimes, even the most gifted givers need a little direction. Here, we’ve compiled some of the things that caught our eye this year, and in a rare moment of practicality, we’ve organized them by price. The following pages are a snapshot of the choicest women’s outdoor apparel and gear of 2017. See what fits.

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HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

VARIETY $0-$50 1 12 11

Straight to the point. We get it. A subscription box with different outdoor goodies every month?? Into it. Use promo code MISADVENTURES to receive the Trailhead collection, featuring the Cotopaxi Luzon 18L Daypack.

Lightweight, colorful, recycled—what more could you want?

7 16

Misadventures Issue 4

A CALL TO ACTION “We the people” own 84 million acres of pristine park wilderness that need our attention, action, and funding. Passionate pioneers fought to protect America’s greatest landscapes and most awe-inspiring views, creating our national parks. Parks Project was created to make sure we don’t forget.

Park icon by Made by Made

Section hike a gorgeous part of the PCT with Salabert as your companion and guide!

Details, details...

All about that base (layer)

1 PARKS PROJECT National Parks Are For Lovers Sticker $8 // A truly suggestive gift.

2 UNITED BY BLUE Balsam Fir Incense $8 // Bring the forest home. 3 FLOWFOLD Sailcloth Minimalist - Card Holder Wallet $12 4 UNITED BY BLUE Elbert Bartrams Sock $12 // Comforting and warm—just like oatmeal. Like all good relationships, this bra is supportive, durable, and allows you to breathe.

5 FITS Light Hiker - Crew $20.99 // It's all in the name: fits like a glove on your foot.

6 ICEBREAKER Women's Hike + Medium Crew $23 // Sock of choice for winter adventures. 7 HIKING THE PACIFIC CREST TRAIL: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA by Shawnté Salabert $24.95 8 ICEBREAKER Women's LifeStyle Fine Gauge Over the Knee Yoals $25 // Sometimes a longer sock is the move. 9 UNITED BY BLUE To the Woods Pennant $28 // Live deliberately, like Thoreau. 10 CAIRN Subscription Box $29.95 11 PARKS PROJECT Grand Teton National Park Wildflower Candle $30 // Breathe in the Tetons. Every purchase supports the Grand Teton NP Foundation. 12 BUFF Borae Hat $33 // Fleece liner = a blanket for your head. 13 PARKS PROJECT The Shortcut Hat $34

14 ICEBREAKER Women's Sprite Hot Pants $40 // Hot hot hot. 15 PARKS PROJECT Defend Our Parklands Raglan Tee $40 // Now's the time to show your support for our public lands. 16 PARKS PROJECT Glacier Vista Raglan Tee $40 // Ultra-soft tee supporting Glacier National Park.

4 6

17 THE NORTH FACE Women's Motivation Tech Bra $50

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HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

VERSATILITY $50-$114 PANTASIA

11 7 10 5

Pack them in, pack them out. These tights are perfect for long trips. 3

Skin hydration for people who spend every spare minute outside. 14

Is it a tote? Is it a backpack? You don't have to decide!

Misadventures Issue 4

If you're gonna cook outside, do it right.

Makes us feel prepared for any situation. Love the fire-starting ferro rod!

THOUSAND’S STORY As a long time cyclist, I was never a fan of wearing a bicycle helmet. I always thought they were bulky, “sci-fi” nuisances. But after the loss of a friend, I knew I needed to change. Wanting to give others an option to change as well, I emptied my savings account and convinced my friends to help me build Thousand. --Gloria Hwang, Co-Founder and CEO

Bicycle icon by Anna Smylie

A roundup for your bike-commuting friend/goddess

Durable, stylish, and organized. Perfect for that person with a job. 2

Details, details... 1 URSA MAJOR Bright Up Vitamin C Serum $54 2 COTOPAXI Palpa Laptop Bag $69.95 3 PARKS PROJECT Grand Canyon River Crew Sweatshirt $70 // Perhaps the most comfortable sweater we've ever worn. 4 UNITED BY BLUE Women's Fox Printed Button Down $78 // As UBB says, "For when youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re feeling foxy." 5 UNITED BY BLUE Women's Penn Pixie $78 // Stretch fabric for all the ways you move.

6 PATAGONIA Women's Light and Lined Studio Pants $79 // The only pants you'll want to put on every morning. 7 PATAGONIA Women's Pack Out Tights $89 8 BAREBONES LIVING 10" Cast Iron Dutch Oven $90 9 ICEBREAKER Women's Oasis Long Sleeve Crewe Diamond Line $90 // A versatile and breathable base layer for winter hikes and adventures. 10 ICEBREAKER Women's Oasis Leggings Diamond Line $90 // As functional and comfortable as its matching long-sleeve crewe (see above). 11 THE NORTH FACE Women's Motus Tight III $90 // Digging the reflective print and moisture-wicking ability of these tights. 12 ONEFORTYTHREE Bike Wall Rack $95

Before I even knew they existed I had dreams about these helmets.

13 LEATHERMAN Signal 19-in-1 Multi-Tool $99.95 14 FLOWFOLD Denizen 18L Tote Backpack $109 15 THOUSAND Epoch Collection Helmet $115

That bike's never looked so good. 12

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HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

PERFORMANCE $115+ 14

3 6

The ventilation works with your body to keep it not too hot and not too cold. Genius.

Outerwear

7 10

Sewing Machine icon by Jae Deasigner // Llama icon by Iconic

Dress it up // dress it down. Also, POCKETS.

9 2 Cotopaxi's take on a modern flight jacket. Llama fleece insulation. Obsessed.

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SWIFT START “In 2008, I started Swift Industries with my sweetheart, now husband, Jason Goodman. We were two kids with a sewing machine, some chicken scratch sketches, and an insatiable obsession with bicycles.” --Martina Brimmer, Co-Founder and Creative Director

LLAMARAMA Cotopaxi’s Kusa Collection uses llama fleece insulation. Llama fiber is lightweight, moisture-shedding, quick-drying, and antimicrobial.

PHOTO by Tracy Chandler

Details, details... 1 PATAGONIA Women's Retro Pile Fleece Vest $119 // Fair Trade Certified™ fleece. Incredibly warm. 2 COTOPAXI Kusa Bomber Jacket - Women's $120

SPOTLIGHT

MACHINES FOR FREEDOM JENNIFER HANNON CREATED MACHINES FOR FREEDOM, a premium women’s cycling brand, after sensing that women’s cycling apparel was derivative of men’s clothes and geared towards racing culture. In our piece at misadventuresmag.com on Camber Outdoors’ Pitchfest, Hannon The only shared thoughts on cycling jacket you'll being an entrepreneur need. in the outdoor industry. Hannon reflects, 13 "In my previous creative industries there was a lot of acceptance around new ideas and doing things differently, but cycling is very steeped in tradition. There are 'right ways' and 'wrong ways.' As an outsider, there was a pressure to be 'accepted.' But on the other hand, having that outside perspective and seeing a community positively engage with new and different ideas has been extremely rewarding. The experience has taught me so many lessons about trusting my instincts that it’s impossible to count them all.” Lucky for us, this instinct and 11 creativity have shaped Machines for Freedom with "the radical notion that women deserve clothing that functions the way they need it to and looks damn good."

"The radical notion that women deserve clothing that functions the way they need it to and looks damn good"

3 SALOMON Sense Ride Trail-Running Shoes - Women's $120 // Make a style statement on the trail. 4 TOAD & CO Arriva Jacket $135 // The perfect crossover jacket. 5 COTOPAXI Libre Sweater - Unisex - Women's $139.95 // Love the retro look. Plus, it's made from llama fiber. Instant conversation starter. 6 KEEN Women's Terradora Waterproof Mid Hiking Boots $140 // The only hiking boot we'll wear this winter. 7 COTOPAXI Pacaya Insulated Hoodless Jacket - Women's $144.95 // So warm! Our buds at Polartec are at it again. 8 PATAGONIA Women's Tin Shed Jacket $149 // From Patagonia's Workwear Collection. Durable and abrasion-resistant. 9 TOPO DESIGNS Women's Shirt Dress $149 10 THE NORTH FACE Women's Flight Touji Jacket $150 // This running jacket thought of everything. 11 MACHINES FOR FREEDOM Galaxie Wind Vest $160 12 TOAD & CO Airvoyant Puff Jacket $179 // A brilliant and eco-friendly puff jacket. 13 MACHINES FOR FREEDOM Daybreak Wind Jacket $215 14 THE NORTH FACE Women's Ventrix Hoodie $220 15 SWIFT INDUSTRIES Cascade Mini Roll Top Pannier Set $263 // All gear from Martina Brimmer and the Swift Industries Team is thoughtful, well-designed, and durable. These roll-top panniers are top of the line. 16 FREITAG F512 Voyager $380 // Each one of these is one-of-a-kind and made from recycled truck tarps. 17 BIG AGNES Hazel SL 15 Sleeping Bag $299.95 to $309.95 // Slept better in this than in my own bed.

Designed for women, this vest is a cycling must.

FAIR IS FAIR This fall, close to 30% of Patagonia’s product offering is Fair Trade Certified, including their most popular fleece pieces.

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TRAVEL

Camp Cook Extraordinaire

WITH SOME SIMPLE PLANNING and knockout recipes, you can delight your companions—and your stomach—with minimal toil. From an innovative and tropical take on tapioca to a hearty breakfast hash, these recipes from the author of Best Served Wild, Anna Brones, and the women of Dirty Gourmet, rockstar camp caterers, will work like a charm.

COCONUT TAPIOCA PUDDING Makes: 3 to 4 servings

YOU WILL NEED Ingredients: • 1/2 cup small pearl tapioca • 1/4 cup sugar • 1/4 cup coconut milk powder • pinch of salt • 2 cups water • 1/4 cup freeze dried mangoes or other fruit (optional)

Tools: • backpacking stove • 1 liter pot • spoon

DIRECTIONS First, at home: Place the tapioca in a medium ziplock bag. Combine sugar, coconut milk powder, and salt in a small ziplock bag, breaking up any clumps of coconut milk powder with your fingers. Place the freeze dried mangoes in a separate small ziplock bag.

Stir the coconut milk powder mixture into the tapioca in the pot and return the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes. Serve warm, sprinkled with freeze dried mango pieces.

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FOOD FOR ANY OCCASION From backpacking to car camping and day trips, the ladies of Dirty Gourmet have a host of recipes for all styles of adventure. Red Lentil Sweet Potato Dal, Blueberry Coconut Almond Bars...whose mouth is watering!? They also do camp catering and workshops. Check ‘em out at dirtygourmet.com.

Cooking Pot icon by W. X. Chee

Then, at camp: Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a 1 liter pot. Remove from heat and stir in the tapioca pearls. Set aside to soak for about 10 minutes.

Dirty Gourmet A tried and true favorite

By EMILY TRUDEAU, AIMEE TRUDEAU, AND MAI-YAN KWAN

PHOTOS by Dirty Gourmet

WHO DOESN’T LOVE SOMETHING a little sweet at the end of a day spent outdoors? The answer, we’ve found, is almost no one. This delightfully simple camping treat can be prepped at home and packed into the backcountry (or the backyard).

BACKCOUNTRY GOURMAND

SWEET POTATO AND BLACK BEAN HASH Makes: 3 to 4 servings

YOU WILL NEED Ingredients: • 3 Tbsp. olive oil • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped • 1 small onion, finely chopped • ½ teaspoon chili powder • 1 teaspoon cumin powder • 1 medium-sized sweet potato,

peeled and diced • 1 15-ounce can black beans, drained

Optional toppings:

DIRECTIONS Add the olive oil, chopped garlic, onions, chili powder and cumin powder to a pot and place over medium heat. Sauté for about two minutes, then add the diced sweet potato. Cook until the sweet potato has softened, about 7 to 10 minutes, stirring regularly. To make this go a little faster, you can cover the pan—just be sure to stir it regularly so that the sweet potato doesn’t stick to the bottom. Add the black beans and cook for an additional minute, until the beans are warm. Place in a bowl and top with a fried egg. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and drizzle a little olive oil on top. Add hot sauce if your heart so desires, and serve with freshly sliced bread or a few corn tortillas. Enjoy!

• fried egg • hot sauce • red pepper flakes

PHOTO by Anna Brones / Cookbook icon by Juraj Sedlák

MAKE

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Breakfast of Champions Put an egg on it. By ANNA BRONES

AS THE SEASONS CHANGE, so too change the rhythms of cooking. The sun rises later and sets earlier, and while this might lead some to try to maximize the daylight by packing it full, I find that this time of year I want to slow down and savor every moment. That’s certainly true for breakfast, luxuriously stretched into long mornings spent over coffee and conversation.

As the seasons change, so too change the rhythms of cooking.

This is a hearty dish intended for those kinds of days when you want to enjoy a leisurely, meandering breakfast. It’s perfect for an overnight or a car camping trip where you aren’t too worried about pack weight, and it involves just a few simple ingredients that are pretty easy to find now matter where you are. The sweet potato is sautéed with a few spices to make for a warm and filling dish that’s easy to tweak depending on your ingredients at hand. It’s certainly hearty enough on its own, but I like to add a fried egg on top. You can also substitute red or purple yams for the sweet potato if you want a brighter color in your breakfast bowl.

Here’s to all the long breakfasts on your horizon.

BEST SERVED WILD With recipes like “Orange and Raisin Couscous for Scurvy Prevention (Even Though That’s Not Really a Thing Anymore)” Anna Brones’ cookbook of real food for real adventures is hilarious, delicious, and 100% vegetarian to boot.

DISCOVER

TRAVEL

SCOTLAND

AN OCEAN AMONG MOUNTAINS A View of Glencoe WORDS AND PHOTOS BY CELESTE NOCHE

I'VE ALWAYS BEEN AN ocean girl. I grew up on the California coast and other than scenes of Gimli and his home in Lord of the Rings, rarely thought of mountains. In my mind, they were too still. Too quiet. I craved the expanse and movement of the ocean, and the rush of water sounded like home. The first time I saw Glencoe, I was flooded with panic. I was an American in Scotland, barely driving a manual car on the opposite side of the road. Every minute was stressful, and when the road inclined to enter the glen, my anxiety multiplied. I was entering the most majestic landscape I'd ever seen, and all I could think about was not stalling and blocking the line of cars forming behind me. The cars began to slow, in what I think was a mutual pause of wonder. None of us could believe we were here. I pulled over and let my eyes study the expanse of the towering mountains. The sun shone gold, dispelling the cold I'd anticipated. It was still and quiet, but I also thought of how ancient these mountains wereâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the lifetimes they have seen. In the stillness, I heard a sea of whispers and echoes across centuries and knew these mountains told stories in their silence. I could see that they were still moving and that I, too, had become part of their tale. I took a breath and got back in the car, peace pooling inside me.

Misadventures Issue 4

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TRAVEL

Misadventures Issue 4

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TRAVEL

Misadventures Issue 4

WINTER READING

DISCOVER

REVIEWS

No matter your taste, we've got a book for you. By JESSICA C. MALORDY

IF YOU LOVE CONTEMPORARY FICTION...

MARLENA Julie Buntin

IF YOU LOVE YOUNG ADULT FICTION...

VALLEY GIRLS Sarah Nicole Lemon

Buntin’s prose beautifully captures the dark, magnetic pull of both friendship and addiction. If you’ve been a teenage girl, this book may haunt you long after reading, but you won’t want to put it down.

A coming-of-age story with an outdoorsy twist. Sent to live with her sister, a park ranger at Yosemite, Rilla is initially loath to give up her wild-child ways, until she learns to climb... and sets her sights on El Capitan. Due in May 2018.

IF YOU LOVE NONFICTION…

IF YOU LOVE POETRY…

SUNSHINE STATE Sarah Gerard

This collection of essays explores Florida from every angle you can think of: economically, environmentally, historically, pop-culturally, autobiographically, and more. Gerard’s writing is hypnotic as her words snap, sting, crawl, float away, and then reel you back in, page after page.

WHEREAS Layli Long Soldier

Nominated for the National Book Award in Poetry, WHEREAS is a lyrical, radical reworking of the treaty language used by the U.S. government throughout centuries of violence against Native Americans. For anyone who plays on public lands, this is a must-read.

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REVIEWS

WINTER READING

IF YOU LOVE MEMOIR…

THRU-HIKING WILL BREAK YOUR HEART Carrot Quinn

Carrot Quinn tackled the Pacific Crest Trail without any long-distance hiking experience. Her memoir often veers into the mundane—exactly what she ate, where she slept—but amidst the painstaking detail, Quinn movingly tracks her evolution from hiking rookie into dedicated outdoorswoman.

GET YOU THERE

Now that she’s got 9,000 miles under her belt, Carrot Quinn offers coaching services for new thru-hikers. As a queer woman “with strong opinions on gear,” she has unique insights and advice to offer, over at carrotquinn.com.

IF YOU LOVE HISTORY…

FIRE ON THE TRACK: BETTY

ROBINSON AND THE TRIUMPH OF THE EARLY OLYMPIC WOMEN Roseanne Montillo

AKatieSEPARATION Kitamura An unnamed narrator travels to Greece in search of her estranged husband in this postmodern “whodunit,” investigating not just his disappearance but the very existence of intimacy.

IF YOU LOVE DYSTOPIAN FICTION...

THE BOOK OF JOAN Lidia Yuknavitch

In a post-apocalyptic future ravaged by war, greed, and radioactivity, a badass heroine—Joan of Arc reimagined for the digital age—fights back. Written in Yuknavitch’s stark, take-no-prisoners prose.

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A captivating read about the incredible career of Betty Robinson (who went from high school student to Olympic gold medalist in just a few months) and the other trailblazing runners who pioneered women’s track and field.

IF YOU LOVE SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY...

WHO FEARS DEATH Nnedi Okorafor

Set in a post-apocalyptic Sudan, Who Fears Death is told through the eyes of the magically-gifted Onyesonwu, who discovers that her destiny pits her against the powerful sorcerer who raped her mother. An outstanding, engrossing work of speculative fiction that tackles gender and racial inequality head-on.

ON THE TUBE Who Fears Death is now in development as a TV show at HBO, so read up before it hits the screen!

T.V. Icon by Gregor Cresnar

IF YOU LOVE THRILLERS AND MYSTERIES…

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NOT MAD, JUST DISAPPOINTED

NOTE TO SELF Women’s [Mad] Lib

ACCORDING TO REI’S 2017 National Study on Women and the Outdoors, 73% of women wish we spent even more time outdoors than we already do. And no wonder: the same research finds that those of us who spend at least an hour outdoors every day are happier and healthier. Let’s make it happen. Here’s to new beginnings, new adventures, and a new year.

Dear _____________ [your call sign here], Hey, it’s me again, you. This year, I plan to finally _____________ [lofty goal]. I hereby vow that every ____________ [day/week/month] I will _____________ [action verb] and _____________ [action verb] as much as humanly possible, even if it means I look like an old _____________ [vegetable] at the end of the day. Nary a soul shall stop me from trying to _____________ [action verb] in this life; should anyone make an attempt, I will respond: “Fie, you _____________ [small insect]! And begone!” Interestingly enough, the last time I tried to _____________ [action verb], it didn’t go so well. I tripped over a _____________ [noun], stumbled, tumbled, and my shouts could be heard all the way in _____________ [place]. Quite embarrassing. But I’m not going to let that one little trip-up keep me from achieving my _____________est [adjective], _____________est [adjective] dreams. Actually, forget I ever mentioned it. Let’s just put it behind us, yes? 95

MAKE

NOT MAD, JUST DISAPPOINTED

Speaking of dreams, some to make note of for the year ahead: the next time I board a _____________ [transportation method], I better be headed to _____________ [place]. And when next I don my trusty _____________ [article of clothing], I hope it becomes quickly soaked in my torrential sweat and _____________ [liquid] because thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s how Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll know for sure that I pushed myself to the ends of the veritable _____________ [noun], which, as we all know, is the only true place for a _____________ [noun] like me. Last but not least, should I not return in the attempt of any/ all of these goals, I bequeath my _____________ [noun], my _____________ [noun], and my beloved _____________ [noun] to my fondest friend, _____________ [any name]. You know who you are, you little _____________ [vegetable]. With the _____________est [adjective] wishes, your noble _____________ [animal], Me

Misadventures Issue 4

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Misadventures - Issue 4

Articles inside

Glaciology 101

The Minefield of Memory

10,000 Hours on Powder

An Ocean Among Mountains

Oceans Away