By Michael Lanza
When I created The Big Outside about 15 years ago, I didn’t know whether it would ever grow into a viable business. The notion that one of my kids—then both in elementary school—would someday join me in this venture in sharing outdoor adventures with this blog’s readers never entered my mind.
I’m happy to announce that my son, Nate Lanza, has joined The Big Outside as managing editor and our primary gear reviewer.
Like me, he followed a somewhat circuitous path to blogging about backpacking, hiking, and other self-powered outdoor activities (read his own words on our About page). He was also driven by a desire to do more of the things he loves to do and an enthusiasm for helping other people—our readers—do the same.
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It’s hard to find the words to communicate what it feels like to watch your adult child decide, clearly after much internal struggling, to take a chance and pursue his or her passion rather than choose a career that may feel safer and more certain.
But pride is one good word for it. And excitement at the potential he brings to this blog in terms of new directions and possibilities. Already, he’s bringing ideas and energy to virtually every conversation we have about what’s now our shared endeavor.
I also see someone who tried something else and didn’t see an appealing future in it, and who wants to do what’s necessary to succeed at this. That may be the most important qualification for his new position.
Nate has leapt into his role testing and reviewing gear and already written his first two feature stories about destinations. Check out his very deeply researched piece about the best hikes in Salt Lake City’s Wasatch Mountains and his story “The Grand Canyon Years Later: As Hard—and Amazing—As Ever,” about a backpacking trip that he and I took with several regular backpacking partners—on which we rose early daily to get ahead of the daytime’s intense afternoon heat—to an area of the canyon that overlaps significantly with what I consider “The Best Backpacking Trip in the Grand Canyon.”
As he and I explore the paths that lie ahead for The Big Outside, I’ll especially look forward to more of one of the greatest benefits I’ve found of taking both of my kids outside as much as possible, since they were too young to remember the many places they’ve been: The uninterrupted hours of conversation we have together.
(If you’re curious, the photo at the top of this story shows Nate and me on the summit of the Grand Teton on an August day a couple of summers ago, when we climbed the Grand together in a day, car-to-car. We have a habit of doing things like that together.)
Congratulations Michael and Nate. Mike for raising (with Penny’s able assistance) two amazing children. Nate for training your father and now following your passion for making life choices. I read your articles and observe a communication style that is informative and also enjoyable to read.
The photo of the two of you in front of Mt. Whitney was particularly memorable for myself. Not only was it the first time I met both of you but it was a charity climb organized by Michael in partnership with Big City Mountaineers. A side of Michael that re-emphasizes his desire to give back to his community.
And, if memory serves, Nate was already testing gear. I recall Michael including Nate’s perspective on some of the gear they were using on the climb.
Best wishes and successes to both of you.
Thank you, John. That trip was memorable for many reasons, but including for the people we met and befriended. I look forward to when we cross paths again.