When Your Body Already Knows What To Do 

Last month, I spent 2.5 weeks in the northernmost part of Alaska - the Brooks Range - with my husband, Luc. 

There were a ton of highlights on this trip, but one that I wanted to write about right away was how, in all the little ways, my training showed up on this trip. Even when I wasn’t even thinking directly about it. 

It wasn’t even during some epic summit push or dramatic river crossing - though the nervous system and fitness training did certainly help the hard parts be more manageable. More often, though, it was in the day-to-day movements we needed our bodies to be able to consistently handle as we navigate the weird body shapes that living and moving through a wilderness landscape asks of us. 

The idea for this piece began while we were crossing a side-sloped snowfield on our way toward a mountain pass. We were walking across the snow when I heard the distinct sound of a slip and a laugh from Luc. 

“I just did that move from Ski Ba...

Inside Our ☀️ Summer Mode☀️

This month, Mind & Mountain - AKA Raine and me - are moving into what we affectionately call ☀️Summer Mode ☀️, which has become part of our annual work cycle over the last few years. 

We love it! And we wanted to share how Summer Mode came to be and why it works well for us inside of Mind & Mountain business vision. This way of working aligns with the values that we want our small business to uphold, and helps us show up for ourselves and the business throughout the year. 

Since starting Mind & Mountain, I’ve tried to create a business that is as far removed from hustle culture as possible - while also recognizing and pushing back against the systems that often fuel it: diet culture, white supremacy, and ableism.

Those influences can be so common, especially inside businesses in the fitness, outdoor recreation, and mental health spaces. It can be hard to see and name these influences, but the fact is that they are the water we’re all swimming in. So if w...

The Brooks Range is Full of Magic 

Something really special about summer in Alaska is the short but magical window when we can access some of the most wild, remote places. One of the most special? The Brooks Range. Located within the Arctic Circle, I can’t help but keep coming back to these mountains.

This trip consisted of myself, Luc, and our good friend Will. The three of us hiked and packrafted our way around the Delong Mountains, surrounded by wildlife, sweeping vistas, and endless sunlight

How We Planned Our Brooks Range Trip

Planning to spend time in this extra-wild area takes a lot of effort. The Brooks Range does not have any roads or developed trails. A successful trip in this wild place requires hiring a bush plan to take you to a remote landing strip and doing lots of research to find good routes nearby.

Lining up the timing also feels like threading a needle. We try to go late enough so that the snow has had time to melt away for easier walking, but early enough tha...

Making the most of summer by slowing down, bringing your buds, and finding joy.

This is a guest blog by Mind & Mountain friend & team member Vanessa Chavarriaga. Vanessa is a Colombian, mountain athlete, environmental sociologist & outdoor advocate.

When the white blanket of winter creeps away, summer comes in full force with a perfect concoction of colors, smells, and feelings. The oversaturated greens of spring create colors that you’ve never seen before. The sweet smells of pine sap, dust and sunshine create a cocktail for your nose. The hot sun on your skin warms every cell in your body. When the heat becomes overwhelming, a cold dip in a lake soothes your burning skin, mixing fire and ice and waking you up with a jolt of energy. 

Summer is a time for endless options.

The long days make it possible to have 5 days in one. But with these endless possibilities often comes the sense of overwhelm, fatigue, and pressure. Here are some tips that have helped me make the most out of ...