The scent of pine carried on the breeze. The summit that’s better than any Instagram pic. The myriad of science-backed wellness benefits that fresh air brings. These are some of the good things that come with getting outside and going on a hike… but they aren’t the only ones.
To celebrate the things that make experiencing the outdoors not just an enjoyable pastime, but one that brings out the very goodness of life, we teamed up with Merrell and a crew of inspiring outdoor enthusiasts.
Together, we’re exploring all the things that make hiking the ultimate nature-fueled, joy-filled adventure, from the bonds forged between friends to the wonder of a parent seeing the vastness of the world through new eyes. The outdoors aren’t just great—they’re good, too.
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For support on even the toughest climbs, he laces up with a pair of Merrells—which he says strike the balance between comfort and durability—and his hiking crew does, too. “Seeing friends wear Merrell shoes when we meet for hikes definitely gives me a sense of reassurance that what works well for me also works well for them.”
A place of refuge, a time for reflection, a dose of adventure, and a sense of perseverance are just a few of the good things the outdoors has offered Rienton over the years. With LGBT Outdoors, Rienton can add happy hours and a lifelong community to that list. “The outdoors gave me my second family,” he says, “and allowed me to connect with those whose journey is the same as mine, in life and on the trails.”
Challenge yourself to try it: Shoot a simple text to a friend, and plan to meet for a 30-minute nature walk. Who knows what you’ll discover about your pal, your planet, and yourself.
You know that post-work, happy-hour feeling when you just want to exhale and connect with friends? JC Rienton finds that feeling every time he sets foot on a hiking trail (it's a bonus that he gets to do that for his job, too). The national program director for LGBT Outdoors, Rienton’s work allows him to witness the physical and emotional benefits of exploring the outdoors—and how they’re made better when experienced together. “[It’s] seeing [people] come as they are, smiling with new friends, and expressing themselves with no fear of judgment,” he says.
As a non-profit organization that seeks to connect people who identify as LGBTQ+ to nature and to each other, community is at the core of LGBT Outdoors, Rienton says. “I think the outdoors make it conducive for people to have more meaningful conversations and share personal stories while enjoying a healthy activity. When I share the trail with another person, it’s my way of letting them know that, even when the hike gets tough, they are not walking alone.”
happy hours
The outdoors gave me tranquility and space in those times that I needed them the most. In the company of others, I found my community.
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