Category: Guest Features

Articles and essays drawing from the outdoor community, often featuring guest contributors, news, and interviews. Head over to the Collaboration page for information regarding contributions!

My First Red Rock Rendezvous

May 31, 2018

When the festival began at the Spring Mountain Ranch State Park, I pitched my tent into a corner of the designated grass field, near the barbed-wire fence, so strangers couldn’t flank me on all sides (pro-tip?). I’m glad I did so; when the crowds arrived, tents were stacked next to each other like dominoes—and domino pieces are exactly what I thought of that very night. At 2:45 a.m., I woke to my tent pressed against my face. … More My First Red Rock Rendezvous

I have a theory.

May 17, 2018

When I think about it now, I’m honestly not sure whether I was addicted to the mountain views or to the fascination these trips inspired from others waiting back at camp. Either way, the moment allowed my power to manifest in a way that was visible to the world around me. … More I have a theory.

Falling for Nature: A Diné & Asian-American Perspective

January 3, 2018

…the more we nurture the outdoor community the less it matters where we come from and how, or what we look like—but media and society at large unfortunately see things through filtered lenses, and many of us come from places and backgrounds rarely mentioned.

From marginalized history to the epitome of a refugee family’s American Dream, the second post in this series will feature 2 people who have found the great outdoors in their own introspective ways. … More Falling for Nature: A Diné & Asian-American Perspective

Holiday Gift: A Brief Book Guide for Adventure, Environment, Poetry, and Art

December 12, 2017

For those who are looking for a book to gift to adventurous, artsy, environmentally curious friends (or to hint at as a gift for oneself), here is a short and sweet list of titles we’d recommend. All titles can be found on Amazon unless we provide a specific link to elsewhere, and keep in mind that prices may have changed since the publication of this list. Enjoy! … More Holiday Gift: A Brief Book Guide for Adventure, Environment, Poetry, and Art

BLDG Active: Skin & Wound Care for the Outdoor Masses

September 8, 2017

“The breakdown, BLDG Active explains, is that “when skin damage occurs, the body responds by sending white blood cells,” and thus, HOCL is produced to help fight bacteria and heal. Topically treating wounds with products containing HOCL only reciprocates the way the body heals itself internally.” … More BLDG Active: Skin & Wound Care for the Outdoor Masses

Never Not Collective is Pretty Strong

August 30, 2017

They consider themselves to be quite the team of “unapologetic women of the outdoors…seeking to tell the stories of everyday people doing great things, brave things…” If you’ve ever met any one of them, you know this to be very true. Their energy exudes confidence and rings with the desire to build up community. It is also apparent how passionate they are, especially with the commitment to share their passions with others. Bringing forth varied backgrounds, from writing, multi-media, to analytics, their mission is to fuse genres and create unique and diverse perspectives in order to achieve a more holistic connection with viewers. … More Never Not Collective is Pretty Strong

Outtakes and Off-the-Record Reality: Outdoor Retailer

August 17, 2017

It’s a Monday in Salt Lake City when we arrive and we’re sweaty and pressing Hydro Flasks into bathroom sinks, pens full of ink for the pages in our palm-sized notebooks and stacks of freshly-printed business cards. Locals always know when to cross the streets before we do. Exhibitors in the Salt Palace are in a mad dash to finish their booths and large crates of gear line the streets. We pick up our badges and wander around an outdoor mall. … More Outtakes and Off-the-Record Reality: Outdoor Retailer

SURVEY: Writers and Public Speaking

July 17, 2017

BivyTales is conducting a survey on topics of anxiety and disorder associated with public speaking, defined as glossophobia, particularly for writers and what their relationship may be with verbal communication versus written communication. Even if symptoms are not severe, or you believe to not suffer at all, we are still interested in what you have to say! And please, if you find this interesting, share this survey with your writer friends and family. … More SURVEY: Writers and Public Speaking

Toe the Edge

May 29, 2017

My palms erupt with sweat. THAT FAST PATRICK. That fast you could have died. I would have fallen over 100 feet and detonated on the jagged rocks next to Corey. Stunned, I finish what I was originally supposed to do, something that is so second-nature, something that I have done thousands of times and is so stupidly mundane. I do it all with shaky hands, and finally rap off the route. … More Toe the Edge

Who Do You Write For?

May 19, 2017

My husband has a point, despite his phallic humor. Giving people the benefit of the doubt, I’m sure many are simply curious. Maybe they’re aware of how difficult writing can be going solo and that successful writers often do write for an entity. And in relation to the outdoors, I admit, that exposure tends to come on behalf of a company or magazine promoting your work, hiring you on, or sponsoring further content. But more often than not, I get the feeling that I’m about to be judged when people ask me. … More Who Do You Write For?

Memory and The Self

September 9, 2016

By Patrick Hodge Down in the basement, I laid on my make-shift bed on the floor, as I didn’t yet own a mattress. My room had no windows, creating an atmosphere similar to a cool, dark cave. I shut my eyes to find solitude from the small sliver of golden light fighting its way in … More Memory and The Self

2016 Yosemite Climbing Guide Book: An Interview with Erik Sloan — Dirtbag Dreams

May 17, 2016

By Outdoor Prolink Editorial Intern Sara Aranda. Sara likes to climb, trail run, travel, adventure, test gear and write all about it. She currently lives in Yosemite. This June, a new climbing guide book for Yosemite Valley is coming out and it’s filled with color photos, new topos, and even never-before published climbs. As a … More 2016 Yosemite Climbing Guide Book: An Interview with Erik Sloan — Dirtbag Dreams