email newsletter sent on January 21, 2025 Happy Winter! The snow and cold has finally made it across the country. I'll be heading to the Adirondacks this week for some great cross-country ski touring with friends. There's not been a ton of snow but enough to make it a go. Last year, the rain washed things out but not this year! New Book Progress I'm writing my next book 'Travel Like a Mzungu'. Being a novel gives me the liberty to invent and develop an interesting plot, but based on real people and events. The story…

Winter in the Northeast continues its warm spells and January snow washouts. It’s better for ice climbing right now, but the snow will come! Time to prepare for some skiing in the wilderness backcountry.

“Mzungu” is Swahili for “wandering aimlessly”, describing the seemingly pointless travels of early explorers and missionaries. Embracing the word, I’m not just another foreigner but an adventurer, wandering with a purpose.

The chapter titles in Climb Like a Mzungu categorize common themes that occur on a climb. This lifecycle metaphor advocates for living an adventurous life and striving to reach new heights to realize one’s full potential.

Please watch this seven minute video to get a glimpse of the first printed draft of Climb Like a Mzungu. The video discusses: What the book is about Answers what is a Mzungu? Shows you select pages from the upcoming book Explains the 5.10 club, my email newsletter for book updates https://youtu.be/JjWe9WhXh4s

When I began writing ten years ago, I didn't realize the journey would be so hard. Making the book enjoyable, combined with the constant editing, has been daunting.  I was clueless about the marketing effort required to make a bestseller. Even if I went the traditional publishing route, I'd still have to manage all the promotion work.  But the goal is worth it, the plan is in motion. This week, I'm stoked that author copies are arriving from Amazon. It will be amazing to hold the draft in my hands, making it real after all these years. What's…

It’s the need to break up the weekly routine that finds me out in Washington State. No traveling by the usual means; I hitchhiked across the Trans-Canadian Highway from Ottawa to Vancouver. Three thousand miles is a long way to go, but my lust for adventure and mountaineering has finally brought me to Paradise.

I started an outdoor adventure magazine when living in Keene Valley, NY in 1983.  After 8 issues, the effort to raise advertising to fund the magazine was becoming a full time job and I really needed money to pay back college loans.  My dream of an outdoor adventure web site still yearns for a sustainable business model.  I have some ideas ... but that's where they are ... ideas!

As a way to turn around negative energy situations in my life, I've invested in personal development or self-introspection research.  Certainly running around the mountains helps, but when at home, these books really have had an impact on me. The Four Agreements I was recommended this book by a therapist in 2005 and it made an impact on my life.  Miguel Ruiz writes in a spiritual and powerful way that really resonates.  I won't disclose his words but by following his simple agreements, I am able to turn around emotional turmoil and…

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to visit the Grand Canyon for almost a week in January, 2014.  I traveled with my best friend Tim and we hiked down the South Kaibab trail and back out the Bright Angel trail.  The best thing about the trip was every 100 yards was a totally new view.  These videos just don’t come close to being there yourself.  If you want a brief summary, this article provides a great brief overview of the hike.