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This weekend, I photographed people expressing joy and purpose through their creative work. While work isn’t always fun, it reminded me, as a content director, how important it is to find ways to help the creative team I support feel that same pride, purpose, and joy in their work. PS I'm working on a video about the why and the how behind these photos. So, I did a Spartan race last week—and let me tell you, I was not ready for it. I’m not an athlete. I spend most of my time in meetings or sitting at my desk, but somehow, I got through it.
I’ll walk you through what the race was really like—falling in the mud, failing on the monkey bars, and somehow making it up a rope. It wasn’t pretty, but it was fun! If you’ve ever wondered if you could do something like this, I’ll show you what it’s actually like for a normal person, not some superhuman athlete. The truth? It’s tough, but it’s totally doable. 00:01 Why do it? 3:50 Race types 4:23 Obstacle breakdown Real-world review of the women’s Altra Lone Peak 8 after taking it up Mount Washington, across the Grand Canyon, and through a Spartan Race.
Here's what I found - - I like the wide-toe box - I like the tread for climbing and descending dirt and mud trails - The tread was not super sticky on the wet rocks of Mount Washington - I need more cushioning for running on pavement I describe how the show worked for me in multiple conditions: hiking the Grand Canyon, climbing Mount Washington, hiking Vermont trails, and running on pavement. I put three easy backpacking coffee-making methods to a taste test, none requiring special equipment. I test brew-in-the-bag (brew-company) classic cowboy coffee 3 popular instant coffee brands: Medaglia d’Oro, Folgers, and Starbucks VIA to see how they stack up on the trail. I wrap up with my go-to recommendation for easy, great-tasting coffee in the backcountry. I’ll share my favorite option and a handy hack for packing coffee for multi-day trips.
Join us on an unforgettable 3-day backpacking adventure in the White Mountains! In this video, I’ll take you through our whole trip to the Lakes of the Clouds, the challenging yet rewarding summit of Mount Washington, and the stunning views from Mount Monroe.
Our group, with a range of ages and experience levels, set out from the Ammonoosuc Ravine trailhead. We navigated through woods, crossed streams, and scrambled up rocky terrains. Despite the varying levels of experience and even overcoming bronchitis, our group bonded and supported each other throughout the trip. We reached the magical Lakes of the Clouds Hut, where the fog and rugged terrain made every moment feel like a scene from a fantasy novel. The hut provided us with a cozy night’s rest and a delicious breakfast, setting us up for our next challenge: summiting Mount Washington. The climb to Mount Washington was a short but exhilarating trek through exposed alpine zones and powerful winds. Despite the famous unpredictable weather, we reached the summit and marveled at the scene at the top. On our descent, we took the Tuckerman Ravine Trail, passing by Tuckerman Ravine with its iconic skiing history, before circling back to the hut. That afternoon, we walked up Mount Monroe, where we were blessed with clear skies and breathtaking vistas. Throughout this trip, we experienced everything from dense fog to sudden clear skies, strengthening our appreciation for the rugged beauty of the White Mountains. Our journey concluded with a refreshing dip in a crystal-clear mountain pool, the perfect end to an incredible trip. In July, our group of six, ranging in age from 18 to mid-60s, enjoyed an unforgettable adventure in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. We hiked up to the Lakes of the Clouds Hut via the craggy Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail, summited Mount Washington, traversed Mount Monroe, and returned on the third day.
Here's everything I wish I had known: Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail Highlights: Elevation Gain: Over 2,500 feet, with several stream and waterfall crossings. Trail Conditions: Constantly changing terrain, making it an exciting and challenging hike. Tips for Staying at Lakes of the Clouds Hut: Book Early: Reservations fill up fast! Packing Essentials: Bring your sleeping bag and, if possible, comfy clothes for relaxing. Facilities: The composting bathrooms are odor-free. Remember, there are no lights in the rooms, so a headlamp is essential. Group Dynamics: The diverse age range added to the fun. Healthier members assisted others, making it a team effort. The terrain was exciting and challenging for everyone, providing a great bonding experience and we laughed...a lot! Gear Recommendations: Layers: Even in July, the weather can be cold, wet, and windy. Pack accordingly. Good gripppy trail runners for shoes. Hiking from Lakes of the Clouds Hut: Mount Washington: A short but exposed hike of 1.5 miles with about 1,500 feet of elevation gain. Visibility can drop to 20 feet in fog and rain. Mount Monroe: A much easier hike with only about 500 feet of elevation gain. On a clear day, the views are spectacular! General Tips: Take Your Time: Don’t rush, and use 'four points of contact' (hands and feet) for stability on challenging terrain. Join me as I share all the insights and tips for staying at this iconic AMC hut and hiking these legendary trails, and LOTS of videos so you can see before you go. More videos coming soon! We took an overnight backpacking trip for the first time in a few years. We made a bunch of mistakes, but we got a few things right, too. Here's what I learned. What did you learn your first time out?
1. Don't take equipment you haven't tested 2. Don't be super cheap 3. Don't bring too much food 4. Do download specific local maps and apps 5. Do plan a lot but be ready to change the plan 6. Do make sure your maps are downloaded 7. Do share things so you don't have to carry so much 8. Don't drive away without checking everyone's pack for borrowed gear 9.Do ask questions 10. Do enjoy it all! It was my first overnight backpacking trip in a few years, we planned to hike about 23 miles over Mount Mansfield near Stowe, Vermont in two days. Things did not turn out as planned, but here's exactly where we hiked, where we stayed and what the trails were like.
Places and trails in this video - Vermont Long Trail section 10 at Mount Mansfield - The Lake Mansfield Trail - The Clara Bow Trail - The Wampahoofus Trail - The Butler Lodge Shelter - The Taylor Lodge Shelter - The "Forehead" at Mount Mansfield - A very cool beaver pond Here I am, planning my first overnight backpacking trip in a while! In this video, I'll walk you through every step of my preparation process, from picking the perfect trail section on the Long Trail in Vermont to selecting the right gear and food for the journey. Tell me what I missed, then come back in a week or so, and I'll do a debrief video or AAR and tell you what I did right and what I did wrong.
Introduction and Purpose - 00:00:00:00 Picking the Route - 00:00:32:17 Using the Long Trail Guide - 00:01:14:06 Planning with Digital and Paper Maps - 00:02:02:03 Food Planning and Grocery Store Run - 00:02:27:08 Essential Snacks and Meals - 00:03:55:11 Water and Hydration - 00:05:43:01 Tent and Gear Check - 00:06:14:06 Final Thoughts and Preparation Summary - 00:07:12:16 My son and I had planned to take a hike on Vermont's Long Trail. We started at 4:15am I think this is a vlog But, I had a chance to hang out with two friends. Both were hosts of a podcast I spent eight years producing for Spartan Race, and hang out in the town we lived in for 28 years with two old friends, Joe DeSena, the guy that started Spartan, and Zach Even-Esh from Underground Strength. It meant getting up at four in the morning to get out to Pittsfield by five. Joe and Zach were helping with an intensive wrestling camp. It was pouring rain, but we did one of my favorite hikes and crossed the river. The wrestlers at the camp had to carry each other up the hill. I just had to hike, and we got to this cabin, and I remember when that was just a hole in the side of the hill. And getting footage of this guy, Miguel Medina, who was going to be building a cabin there. In fact, I did a whole video series: "Could Miguel be forged into a Spartan?" The goal is to live in this cabin that's being built in the ravine. My son and I finished the trip down memory lane with a stop at the Swiss market for our favorite sandwiches. Then we headed to the Long Trail. I had big plans for a long hike and a YouTube video all about that section of the trail. I was tired, and I didn't get half of what I had planned done. But I am planning to hike a 23-mile section of the Long Trail next weekend with my two grown sons. Let me know what you want to see from that. It was a perfect day if your idea of a perfect day is getting up at four in the morning to hike in the rain.
My hydration plan: I'm not an expert, but here's what I did. I used one very old 3-liter platypus big zip bladder I already owned.I tested it on several of my training hikes and it still works perfectly. I bought a One Bottle Hydration adapter for a smart water bottle. I put water with electrolytes in the bottle and plain water in the platypus.
I've heard it called the Burlington Bike Path, the Causeway, or the Island Line Trail. It's so beautiful it doesn't seem real! But it's actually very easy to get to and a great way to spend an afternoon. Here's how we rented bikes, hit the snack bar for a rootbeer float, and took the bike Ferry.
We have access to a secret spot in Vermont. To get there, you drive up a dirt road to a class 4 dirt road to another class four road. From there, you walk into the woods. We have been told by several people there's a spring there. We looked for it. The compass we had was not great. The digital map stopped tracking in several spots with no signal. We'll come back and try it again; how would you find a spring on a 100-acre piece of land?
Here is everything I carried and wore for a May 15th walk across the Grand Canyon. I go through every item, what I used it for, or if I didn't use it at all. I probably thought too much about what to pack, but one of the unexpected joys of my rim-to-rim hike was the months of anticipation, training and planning! I watched TONS of videos about how people trained, what the experience was like, and what people packed. Last week, I shared the video I made of my rim-to-rim hike. A few people asked about what was in my pack and how much it weighed. I love watching “what I packed” videos, so I made one. I didn't weigh it but I would guess it was around 15 pounds. I carried 4 liters of water the whole time, which was more than I needed but worth it for the peace of mind.
I bought a bunch of new things for my hike across the Grand Canyon. We planned to hike across in one day (rim to rim) and I had lots of worries. I bought a few things to make it easier but I wasn't sure if it was worth it. Here are 4 pieces of outdoor equipment and clothing I bought just for the hike and whether I needed them. PS - I have an 8 minute video of the hike with lots of "live" updates recorded along the way, and I'm making a video now with my COMPLETE packing list.
This spring I walked across the Grand Canyon in one day, you can watch the video here • Grand Canyon hike Rim to Rim I'm in my 50s, I have a full-time job, I volunteer in the community, and I'm married with a family. It's not easy to find time to be healthy let alone take on a challenge like this. Here's what I did to get ready.
If you've ever thought of walking across the Grand Canyon, rim to Rim or R2R, here's a video with my full experience. Starting at the North Rim on the opening day of the summer 2024 season, we hiked down the North Kaibab trail to Phantom Ranch, crossed the Colorado River, then hiked up the Bright Angel trail to the South Rim. End to end, it took about 14 hours (including a 1-hour rest at Phantom Ranch). I was with a group of 10. Three of us made the trip in one day, and five (by some miracle) got to take advantage of a last-minute cancellation that created an open cabin at Phantom Ranch. They hiked out the next day. One, Johnny, hiked out after getting the other 5 settled, then headed back the next morning to join them on the final 9 miles.
In May I'll be joining a small group to walk 24 miles across the Grand Canyon (Grand Canyon Rim to Rim) in one day. In addition to the 24 miles, the crossing starts with about 6,000 feet of descent and ends with about 5,000 feet or ascent. I recorded this video in what I thought was winter's last gasp; as it turned out, we had an amazing "bonus" late March snowstorm, and I got some great ski days in after all!! I'll be crossing the Grands Canyon in one day in May. I hope so. "Training" feels like a pretentious word - I prefer to call it "getting ready." But here's how I'm training... Ready to head into a winter wonderland with your camera?
Whether you're a seasoned photographer or just starting out, photos and videos in cold weather require the right gear. In this video, I share my 5 essential items for cold-weather photography or videography. 1. Shammy Cloths: Learn why a simple piece of shammy can be your best friend for keeping your gear dry and lenses clear in snowy conditions. 2. Hot Liquids: Discover the importance of staying warm from the inside out with hot beverages to fuel your creativity (and prevent hypothermia.) 3. Glove Liners: Find out why glove liners are essential and better than fingerless mittens or gloves. 4. Spare Batteries: Don't let the cold drain your camera's power – keep spare batteries warm and ready to ensure you never miss a shot. 5. Extra Layers: Always have a backup and stay adaptable with this tip. Get ready to elevate your winter photography or videography with these essential gear tips! I've put the Peak Designs capture clip to the test for FOUR YEARS! Would I still buy it now? I'll tell you what I like and what I don't like about it. One of the best camera equipment (video of photo) purchases I've ever made was this set of three Rokinon prime cine lenses. They came in a package with the Sony VG900, what I thought would be a game-changing full-frame camcorder with interchangeable lenses. The whole package cost about $4,000. That was a big deal at the time! The camera did not turn out to be a game changer, but the lenses did.
Rokinon 85mm T1.5 Cine DS Lens for Sony E-Mount Rokinon 35mm T1.5 Cine DS Lens for Sony E-Mount Rokinon 14mm T3.1 Cine DS Lens for Sony E-Mount I was searching for a versatile daypack that would seamlessly transition between carrying camera gear and serving as an all-around pack for your outdoor adventures.
I found the Gregory Jade 22 Women's Daypack. I share practical insights into how I use the Gregory Jade 28 Women's Daypack to carry my camera equipment while shooting videos and spending time outdoors. In the video: - The key features of the Gregory Jade 28 Women's Daypack that make it ideal for photographers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. - How the hip pockets, adjustable setup, and strong frame support of the daypack enhance functionality and comfort during long hikes and outdoor shoots. - Practical tips on organizing and accessing camera gear within the compartments of the Gregory Jade 22 Women's Daypack. - Real-life experiences and anecdotes showcasing the daypack's reliability and versatility in various outdoor settings. Whether you have plans for a photo or video expedition or a weekend hike, I hope this video provides valuable insights. I should change out of my sweatshirt. I should brush my hair, I should put on makeup.
But I want to talk about this now. I love looking at reviews. Whenever I'm going to buy something new, like a piece of video equipment, audio gear, something for backpacking, something for camping, or new clothes, I search YouTube. I want to see the object. I want to hear real-life reactions to it. The other day I was curious about a knapsack. It's a women's specific pack, and I looked it up on YouTube. There was a video from the manufacturer, there was a pretty good video from an outdoor retailer, but I wanted some real-life perspective. Someone who's actually used it... and this is why I'm telling you the story. I could not find a review from somebody who actually used the pack. I did find two videos. TWO of them that featured a woman wearing the pack (because it is a women-specific pack) with a man standing next to her, pointing and talking about its features and fit, but NOTHING from the person actually using it. I'm thinking about a little experiment ... I'm not going to buy anything new for this. I'm just going to talk about some of the things that I use. You should probably do it too ... we need more voices trying out gear and sharing their reactions. |
MarionI make content about the outdoors and about making content. I’ve done it since before the internet existed. Archives
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