We are now in the middle of winter. Grab a warm beverage, pull up your electronic device, and see what is so serious (and not so serious) in the outdoor world.
- Cam Honan of The Hiking Life wrote an article about the importance of sweat equity in giving back to the outdoors rather than just talking about it.
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- And speaking of Cam Homan, Ultralight Jerk’s guest interviewer asks this world-famous hiker some pointed questions.
- Not all memories of long hikes are necessarily good ones!
- Ultralight Jerk’s view of cubicle life is a bit too accurate.
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- Skis are older than the wheel?

Scientists say the Altai hunter’s lifestyle extends back thousands of years, as evidenced by this ancient rock engraving of a skier chasing an ibex. photo: npr
- And speaking of melting ice and the changing environment, Backpacker Magazine’s article of places to hike before permanent changes occur makes for interesting reading.

Ancestral Pueblo dwellings, such as the Cliff Palace in Mesa Verde, among these areas.
- With more satellite launches, more widespread connectivity is not just from the realm of science fiction. That means an impact on the night sky and the potential for accidents, too.

The Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS) has a roughly 1-in-1,000 chance of colliding with another defunct satellite Jan. 29, according to tracking data from LeoLabs. Credit: NASA/JPL
- And finally, some sobering news about the state of how many Americans participate in outdoor recreation. Spoiler: Few than half. I’m not surprised. With Americans working longer hours, and taking fewer vacation days than other nations, going outdoors is a lower priority. Never mind the outdoors part, I think it is just a reflection of many trends that have been going on for decades (financially, culturally, technology-wise). I’ll probably write some more detailed thoughts on this topic later this week.