#BlackLivesMatter

This campaign is against violence and systemic racism towards black people.

And broader issues such as racial profiling, police brutality, and racial inequality.

Those are part of the bigger issue – human rights regardless of age, ethnic origin, location, language, religion, ethnicity, or any other status.

Out in the wilds it’s easy to see we are all created equal.

View this post on Instagram

Hello, friends. Hello, white people. Hello, everyone. We have issues. Just because many of you (myself included) enjoy extended periods of time in the mountains – away from "the world" – doesn't mean that we are absolved of societal obligations. The United States has never been great. Slavery was around until 1865. Women couldn't vote until 1920. Race-based discrimination was legal until 1964. Same-sex marriage could be outlawed until 2015. Unarmed black people are killed in the streets and in their homes with virtual immunity to this day. The US is plagued by systemic racism. Police who commit murder and beat protesters need to be held accountable. Police are (supposedly) trained professionals whose job it is to protect and serve their communities. There's no excuse. Have you ever seen a report of some corrupt and dysfunctional-looking country and thought to yourself, "I sure am glad I don't have to live there."? Guess what – that's us. The world is looking at the US and thanking whatever god they pray to that they weren't born here – that they don't have to worry about being killed or beaten in the streets by their police. This is far from the greatest country on Earth. The delusion you're immune to these issues (yes, even those of us who choose to occupy outdoor spaces – seemingly untouched by society) only allows this cancer to grow into a larger problem. Just as COVID-19 managed to infiltrate every societal crevasse, so too will failure to address the need for policy and police reform. This is on you. You can help make this country better. Don’t know where to start? Start by saying you care and that you aren’t okay with the state of this country. We don't just vote for the President and Congress. We vote for judges, mayors, governors, district attorneys, and sheriffs. Local authorities hold a lot of power (e.g. the current pandemic) – it's not just about Washington DC. So support Black Lives Matter, support the National Police Accountability Project, educate those who are choosing to focus on looting and rioting instead of why these things are happening in the first place. Much love, friends. -Mac #blacklivesmatter

A post shared by Mac | Halfway Anywhere (@halfwayanywhere) on Jun 1, 2020 at 12:33pm PDT

May 22, 2020May 20, 2020

documentary – Nomad women migrating in Mongolia

Marinel Malvar de Jesus is a Filipina American lawyer who decided to leave that world to set up her own trekking company Peak Explorations.

She relocated to Peru. And is currently in Mongolia for the COVID-19 lockdown.

She was there working on a documentary about a group of nomad Kazakh women making a camel trek through the Altai Mountains.

“We Are Nomads is a film about celebrating the relevance and history of women in the adventure and outdoor spaces. …

It will play during a film festival May 30-June 1, 2020.

Click PLAY or watch a trailer on YouTube.

Details.

April 24, 2020August 16, 2020

Recommendation for COVID-19 Hikers

For your physical and mental health, get outdoors as much as you can.

TIPS for hiking legally and ethically.

April 12, 2020April 12, 2020

Tips for hiking during COVID-19

Obey all laws.

Do nothing unethical.

Ensure you stay physically distant from strangers.

But get out of doors as much as you can.

Click PLAY or see tips on Instagram.

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For some of you, your mental & physical health relies on being in the outdoors. During COVID it can feel difficult to know how to be safe & mindful of your community while fulfilling those needs. If you are still allowed to head outdoors in your area, here are some tips for hiking cautiously.

A post shared by Wild Diversity (@wilddiversity) on Mar 27, 2020 at 5:03pm PDT

March 30, 2020March 29, 2020

Hiking in Place: Inspiration Near Home

Hike in Place: What It Means

Hike in place does not mean to literally walk in place. No, instead, the Superior Hiking Trail Association encourages people to rediscover hikes and nature in your neighborhood. …

GearJunkie

As I’m physically isolating in a small town on Vancouver Island, each day I’m cycling, running or walking the closest parks.

March 21, 2020March 20, 2020

Nepal Trekking Permits temporarily halted

As of March 20, 2020.

Trekking permit for foreign national(s) has been temporarily halted in a bid to prevent possible spread of the COVID-19 in the country …

Asia Live

The excellent visa-on-arrival service at Kathmandu airport has also been suspended.

March 20, 2020

American thru hikes cancelled for 2020

Mac:

… The Pacific Crest Trail Association, the Continental Divide Trail Coalition, and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy have all officially requested hikers to postpone or cancel their thru-hikes

… (in related news, the Arizona Trail Association and the Great Divide Trail Association have done the same). …

Your Pacific Crest Trail Thru-hike Is Canceled

You can certainly still day hike. And should be able to plan multi-day hikes.

BUT check camping and resupply options. California State Parks, for example, has closed all campgrounds.

February 18, 2020February 8, 2020

Deer 139 – mule deer documentary

Deer 139 (Tour Edit) was one of the films selected for the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour 2019-20.

Very entertaining.

“Three women follow the 137km migration path of a scruffy, pregnant mule deer doe and in the process, learn to see the world differently.”

Hopelessly overloaded, much of the entertainment is watching their misadventures en route in Wyoming.

Deer 139 knows how to migrate. These ladies … not so much. 😀

Click PLAY or watch it on Vimeo.

February 13, 2020February 8, 2020

Documentary – Into the Canyon

Premiered February 2019.

VERY entertaining.

You might be able to find it on the National Geographic Channel.

In 2016 filmmaker/photographer Pete McBride and writer Kevin Fedarko set out on a 750-mile journey on foot through the entire length of the Grand Canyon.

From the outset, the challenge was far more than they bargained for. More people have stood on the moon than have completed a continuous through hike of the Canyon.

… But their quest was more than just an endurance test – it was also a way to draw attention to the unprecedented threats facing one of our most revered landscapes. …

Uranium mines, tourist development, maintaining indigenous flora and fauna. Native peoples are interviewed thoughout.

Click PLAY or watch the trailer on YouTube.

January 27, 2020January 25, 2020

Wild & Scenic Film Festival 2020

I attended the 3rd Annual (Gainesville FL hosted) Wild & Scenic Film Festival (WSFF).

It was hosted by The Florida Trail Association. Good people.

For this outdoor screening, we chose a unique program of environmental and adventure films that illustrate the Earth’s beauty. They also show the challenges facing our planet and the communities working to protect it.