01. Photographer pick: Matteo Bertaggia 

Matteo is an Italian adventure seeker/traveller eager to share his real life expeditions through creative content. As he says, "I aim to create journeys in people's minds.” His photos are vivid yet slightly gloomy, offering a unique sense of peace to the eye.

Exploring Triglav National Park, Slovenia. Photo by Matteo Bertaggia 

02. Article pick: Home Run: How the Braford Family Connect by Foot 

“Some families share religion, camping, lavish vacations, opera. Other families go running.”

We loved this short and sweet read about how two parents taught their kids to use running as the most useful life tool.

A son navigates a stretch of high-altitude terrain with his dad. Photo by Steven Gnam | Patagonia

03. Book pick: North by Scott Jurek

“Imagine running 84 marathons. Consecutively.”

Ultramarathoner Scott Jurek did just that when he broke the speed record for the Appalachian Trail in 2015. Averaging nearly 50 miles a day over 46 days, as narrated by Jurek and his wife, “North” tells the story of this grueling yet inspirational quest that reinvented one of the greatest runners of all time. 

04. Audio pick: How Has Grandma Gatewood Inspired Generations of Hikers?

In 1955, Emma Gatewood — now known as "Grandma” Gatewood — told her children she was going for a hike in the woods. Except the hike would be on the longest hiking-only footpath in the world, and she would be the first female to walk the distance. 

This quick episode of BrainStuff takes an interesting twist using Gatewood’s story to explore not only how a walk can clear the mind but how the extent to which your mind needs to be cleared might determine how long you need to walk. 

Emma “Grandma” Gatewood, the first woman to solo thru-hike the entire Appalachian Trail / WednesdaysWomen

05. Quote of the Week

“Nature’s arena has a way of humbling and energizing us.”

           — Scott Jurek