A deep dive into the environmental externalities of snowmaking in the Tahoe Basin during the drought of 2012 - 2016.
A review of environmental scientist Lauren Oakes' 2018 release, In Search of the Canary Tree.
Findings from the American Alpine Club's Sustainable Summits conference, organized to address the unintended consequences of overuse.
A feature-length look at how the creators of Patagonia's new museum of products from its past intend it to sustain the company well into the future.
The Mount Whitney Zone, a designated wilderness, sees more visitors each year than its land managers can handle. This feature explains why.
In progress. Publication: Summit Journal. Spring 2027....
The story of how the mechanics of memory created four divergent origin myths of a famous climb in Joshua Tree National Park.
A 5,200-word profile of Joshua Tree National Park and its superintendent, David Smith.
I sat to Palmer’s right, a motion-sickness bracelet on my left wrist, anti-nausea gum in my mouth, and a gallon-size ziplock at my feet.
Combining travel journalism and profile, this feature-length inquiry explores the Norwegian concept of friluftsliv, as seen through the eyes of professional skijorer Karoline Conradi Øksnevad.
Short-form interview with Lindsay Van, the plaintiff in a suit against the IOC demanding the right to compete in the Olympic Games.
A remembrance of the late Fred Beckey and an analysis of how climbing's folkloric tradition imbued his legend.
Feature profile of Dr. Jesse Leaman and his metamorphosis from able-bodied athlete to quadriplegic college student to astrophysicist.
A feature-length tongue-in-cheek review of UC Berkeley's Science of Happiness course. The Outside piece was later picked up by The Guardian.
Researchers Lauren Oaks and Nik Sawe converted Oakes' doctoral research into music, a process called sonification. This piece explains how and why.
A feature-length exploration of the natural and human history of California's greatest inland sea, Mono Lake.
A mashup of profile, a book review, and an inquiry into whether humans produce endogenous hallucinogens during serious play.
A feature profile of the prolific author-climber-explorer, David Roberts.
Gonzo-style recounting of the 2026 edition 0f Tennis Paradise (as ordered by Alta’s editor). Fuck ’em if they can’t take...
Contributor, 1994 - 1999, California City Sports. Short trend explainers, how-tos, and profiles, with several cover stories, about mountaineering, Alpine climbing, indoor climbing, track and backcountry skiing, and more.
Don Jensen’s genius informed the shape of the pack you wear on your back today....
A feature-length story about the importance of snowmaking to the ski industry.
Feature for Adventure Journal #40, Spring 2026 issue....
An examination of how the Bureau of Economic Analysis codified outdoor industry's contributions to gross domestic product, and what that means for outdoor recreation writ large.
Explainer about windborne dust and carbon's effect on premature runoff, and the ongoing efforts of NASA's Tom Painter to estimate future trends.