Summits in Salt Lake City, Outdoor Retailer, Menasha Ridge Press

Summits to Bag in Salt Lake City

The Wasatch Mountains tower over Salt Lake City, beckoning those of us who attend Outdoor Retailer to come hike and ski for the past two decades. They’re rugged and spectacular and offer a reprieve from the busyness that exists inside Salt Palace. With this being the...

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60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Philadelphia, hiking in Philadelphia, swimming near Philadelphia, Green Lane Park

Fantastic Summer Lake Hikes Near Philadelphia

Nature abounds in Philadelphia and its surrounding areas. In fact, the city’s founder, William Penn, dubbed it his “greene country towne.” And Pennsylvania, which translates to Penn’s Woods, was so named because of the area’s lush forest. This area was the birthplace of our nation...

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Wildflowers of the Appalachian Trail, wildflowers,

Wildflowers of the Appalachian Trail

"It has been several decades since I first set foot on the Appalachian Trail. As I stepped forth from Springer Mountain, Georgia, on that early spring day, I was ready to revel in the grand scenery of the mountains, the far-off vistas, the roaring waterfalls,...

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Mount Magazine, Five-Star Trails: The Ozarks, Jim Warnock, Hiker-dog, hiking in Arkansas

Arkansas’ Island in the Sky

Residents of the Ozarks hanker for higher elevations this time of year. I wish Arkansas had an 8,000-foot mountain, but it would be crowded with the whole state huddled at the top through July and August. Fortunately, there is a place where you can sometimes escape...

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Women of the White Blaze, Menasha Ridge Press, Birmingham women hiking Appalachian Trail, Appalachian Trail

Reflections: Women of the White Blaze

The Women of the White Blaze are yawning as dusk falls around them, their tired bodies begging them to lie down for the night. But something more important than sleep beckons on this night. Their shuttle bus driver mentioned that they might get to see the...

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60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Philadelphia

Top Hikes for Kids in Philadelphia

People flock to Philadelphia for its history and its architecture, but the City of Brotherly Love is also full of fantastic outdoor spaces to stretch your legs and get a good dose of Mother Nature. And if you want to combine education with recreation, summer...

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Women of the White Blaze, Menasha Ridge Press, Birmingham women hiking Appalachian Trail, Appalachian Trail

Cutting Weight: The Women of the White Blaze

The women sit in a living room chatting. Laughter bounces off the walls. Wine flows freely and snacks fill the table. If you were to close your eyes, you’d envision a cocktail party full of fancy ladies and juicy gossip. Only the juicy gossip here is...

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Women of the White Blaze, Menasha Ridge Press, Birmingham women hiking Appalachian Trail, Appalachian Trail

Defying Expectations: The Women of the White Blaze

The three women awoke in a shelter on the Appalachian Trail, stretched their stiff hiking muscles, made coffee and oatmeal, and broke camp. They paused to check the weather forecast warning of thunderstorms and possible hail. Normally, weather like this would be alarming, but there...

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