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About
On the Dientes Circuit, Chilean Patagonia.
Hello, my name is Michael Lanza and The Big Outside is my creation. I’m a writer, outdoor photographer, author, speaker, the Northwest Editor of Backpacker Magazine, and a blogger for The Huffington Post. I’m a longtime hiker, backpacker, climber, backcountry skier, trail runner, paddler, and cyclist. Over the past two decades, my work has taken me to national parks and wilderness areas across the United States—including multiple visits to most major U.S. parks—and all over the world: the Alps, Nepal, Scottish Highlands, New Zealand, Spain, Iceland, Norway, Patagonia.
I started The Big Outside with a simple mission: to offer stories, photos, and expert trip-planning advice on America’s and the world’s best outdoor adventures—based, most importantly, on my on-the-ground, first-hand knowledge from having done all of the trips myself. Many stories here are about outdoor adventures with my wife and our son and daughter. (I also offer advice on taking children outdoors, like my popular post “10 Tips For Raising Outdoors-Loving Kids.”) For many years, I’ve made a living identifying, planning, and pulling off great trips; I think you’ll find The Big Outside is uniquely authoritative for that reason.
You will find a diverse offering of stories here, describing adventures for everyone from ultra-hikers to families with young kids. Accompanying each story is a link to a gallery of photos, and some stories also have a video.
Wondering where to start? Try the Photo Galleries link in the main menu bar for a listing of the photo galleries connected to every story at this site. In the left sidebar column, you can click on any of several Categories for a focused list of adventure stories, such as National Park Adventures or Family Adventures, my reviews of only the best outdoor gear I’m testing constantly (based on my experience of two decades and counting as a primary gear tester for Backpacker), and tips on skills I’ve learned over the course of three decades exploring the outdoors. Got a question for me? Click on the Ask Me category in the left sidebar to see whether I’ve already answered a similar question from another reader; if not, e-mail me your question to mlanza@thebigoutside.com. I’ll answer as many as I can and share my answers in an Ask Me post (using only your first name and city, with your permission).
At my Book page, you can read an excerpt of my book Before They’re Gone—A Family’s Year-Long Quest to Explore America’s Most Endangered National Parks, from Beacon Press, winner of a National Outdoor Book Award honorable mention, about spending a year embarking on wilderness adventures with my wife, nine-year-old son, and seven-year-old daughter in national parks threatened by climate change.
If you wish you see more about my professional background and view samples of my published magazine articles, photography, details about the speaking programs I offer, and descriptions of my other books, please visit michaellanza.com.
I hope you enjoy my stories and pictures at The Big Outside and find them both inspirational and helpful in planning your own adventures. I’d love to hear what you think of this site and your suggestions for trips, stories, or how I could improve the site. Please subscribe to my e-mail list at left. (I promise not to inundate you with e-mails or ever share your information.) Comment on my posts, I appreciate the feedback and try to respond to many comments. Feel free to share your thoughts via e-mail to mlanza@thebigoutside.com. I will respond as quickly as I can.
Have fun and be safe out there.
Michael Lanza
5 Responses to About
Hi Mike,
OK, to be completely honest, I’m posting here as part of your Rafflecopter promo. I do enjoy your blog. Great photos, stories, and gear reviews. Keep up the good work!
Dear Michael:
My dad (who inspires our own love for the outdoors and adventure) sent me your website. Congratulations on all the adventure travels you’ve done as a family, wow! Love the photography too. I especially enjoyed your tips on kids and the outdoors. We swear by just about the same principles.
If of any interest, I wanted to share a little about the family adventure we experienced while living aboard our boat Muddy Waters for a year, homeschooling our two kids, and traveling through a good part of the United States, Canada and the Bahamas (visiting many parks, battlefields, natural wonders, towns, etc. along the way). We met the most wonderful people and made some lifetime memories.
For what it’s worth, our travel blog is at http://www.samwayadventure.com. Though we returned to land-life recently, we have a few more adventures on the water up our sleeves.
Congratulations again. Your kids are very fortunate.
Sincerely,
Michael
Hi Michael, thanks for the nice words and sharing your own story and your wonderful blog. And good on you and your wife for the terrific adventure you took your kids on. We can only make the world a better place one family at a time.
Dear Mr. Lanza,
What an incredible role-model you are. I especially enjoy your family focus. You are just awesome. The great outdoors on a weekly basis should be on every child’s/ parent to do list.
The peace of mind that can be had when our timing syncs with natures timing is a real master tool. The pace of life falls into rhythm, the mind clears, the anxiety melts away, and all is well.
I believe we would soon experience a seismic shift in the mindsets of children across America, and a dramatic decrease in Columbine/ Newtown style killings.
What you do is incredibly valuable, and inspiring. I will be posting a link to your web site on my website, following you on twitter, discussing your work with the coaches who work in my group, and the kids/families I coach. I will be integrating your overall vision/ mission into my work.
I operate an Executive Functions Skills Coaching group for children with Learning Disabilities & Autism, called Life Skills Corp. in the NY/ Ct area.
I look forward to posting pertinent posts to my parents and followers.
All the best,
Bill
William Michael Stowell-Alonso, MA
Director & Executive Functions Skills Coach
Life Skills Corp.
LifeSkillsCorp.Net
Hi Bill, thank you for such nice comments, they are much appreciated. I agree wholeheartedly with your thoughts about the critical importance of getting kids to love the outdoors. I just looked at your website, looks like good work you’re doing. Thanks for sharing The Big Outside with others, best of luck with your work, and please do keep in touch.