DMV Hikes: North Fork Mountain to Chimney Top

Do you live in Washington DC? Are you looking for a challenging day hike within reach of the city? Then you should check out North Fork Mountain.

It’s less than 3 hrs away which means you can start and end the day at home in your own bed. But I’ll also cover camping and cabin options for people who don’t like long road trips.

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Navigating Safety as a Black Woman Solo Traveler

Travel safety begins long before you board the plane. If you limit your planning to scrolling through TikTok for beautiful beaches or cozy coffee shops, you may be in for a surprise. It’s important to understand the cultural attitudes of your destination, especially toward race, gender, and sexuality. In some places, you may attract curious stares; in others, you could encounter microaggressions or discrimination.

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Injured? Find a Good Chiropractor in a Few Simple Steps

I’ve been seeing chiros since I was 12 to help manage my Ehler-Danlos syndrome, a hypermobility disorder that makes me more susceptible to injury and joint dislocations. They have been a life saver for me and the only reason I’ve been able to maintain my athletic abilities. Since I’ve moved quite a bit over the past 25 years, I’ve had to regularly find a new chiropractor. Here are a few tips to help you find the best chiropractor for you.

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My First Climbing Trip with a Toddler

Recently, there was a good weather window at Hueco Tanks- some cool weather in April. I really wanted to take advantage of this so I decided that my nearly 2 year old son, Hans Sven would join me! It would be our first mother-son trip. My husband was nervous to be separated from him, and wondered how would I keep him safe while climbing and hiking. Not afraid of a challenge, I made a plan and was excited to show Hans Sven my favorite place in the entire world!

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Fear and Belonging on the Pacific Crest Trail

The three of us hiked side-by-side across 900 miles of desert and Sierra Nevada. We learned how to self arrest on Baden Powell, soaked our sore feet in hot springs, screamed when we saw rattlesnakes, and shared meals, motel rooms, and late-night movies.

Our time together on the Pacific Crest Trail felt like a dream — until it suddenly ended.

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Don’t Call It a Comeback: How to Make the Best of Your Injury

Having an injury forces us to come face to face with who we are outside of our sport. And sometimes, we don’t like what we see. When you’re sidelined, sitting in your room, staring at the ceiling, wondering what comes next, who are you then?

“This is a time when you’ll learn a lot about yourself,” Kim said. “Just keep going. And listen to your body.”

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5 Ways to Survive in a Cash-Free Economy

Here’s a thought: So much of our future is determined by the zip code we’re born into. And for unbanked households in working class neighborhoods, it can feel harder and harder to get by in an environment that is increasingly designed to uplift middle-class transplants while denying everyone else the right to live comfortably or meet basic needs. 

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Climbing With Conviction as a Muslim Woman and Immigrant Daughter

Morally, I struggled to tear my focus away from the genocide in Gaza and leave my community to complete my climb. Back home, I’m met with blank stares and confusion — mountaineering being a far cry from what my priorities should be as a single 28-year-old woman. I’ve never been able to explain the passion I feel as I gaze up at the highest peaks in the world.

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4 Ways To Turn a Hobby Into a Passion

It was at that very moment that I knew climbing wasn’t just a passing interest—it was going to become a much bigger part of my life. I quickly became convinced that no matter where I went or what life threw my way, climbing would always be there. Now, I can’t imagine my life without it. But in all honesty, it hasn’t been easy. So, here are some of my tips and tricks for turning a hobby into a passion… 

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The Reluctant Gentrifier: 6 Ways to Reduce Harm in Your New Neighborhood

Congratulations. You’re taking advantage of cheaper rent by moving into a rapidly gentrifying neighborhood. 

Yes, you’re part of the problem. But it’s also all you can afford at the moment. You’re a reluctant gentrifier, actively causing harm but also feeling kinda bad about it. Short of going back to the Midwest or to an overpriced apartment in a different part of town…here are six things you can do to be a better community member now.

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