Buying a hammock is kind of like going on a date: You’re a little nervous, worried you can’t afford it and wondering how this new addition will fit into your life. After the first-date jitters vanish, you’re suspended in a brief stage of comfort and bliss.
Then reality sets in: What the heck are you supposed to do next?
Alright, we might be reaching. But here’s the good news: With a little creativity, a hammock can become a multi-purpose gear hero that you’ll never leave home without.
Here are seven ways to stretch your hammock’s potential beyond two trees.
A Hammock
Hammocks have a long history of chill. Photo: Courtesy of Brandon Scherzberg
The humble hammock actually has a pretty interesting history: More than 1,000 years ago, Central Americans slept in suspended tree-bark slings to prevent contact with the dirty ground and protect themselves from snakes and rodents.
Modern-day hammocks come in every iteration you can think of, from ultra-light backpacking hammocks to luxe two-man nests with bug nets and rain flies.
When you run out of space in your backpack, you can easily carry extra supplies over shorter distances by wrapping them inside of your hammock, then tying the ends of the hammock together to secure your gear.
It’s a great way to keep your hands free until you get down to the beach, up to the cabin or back to the climbing spot.
A Multi-Purpose Tarp
No trees? Your hammock can still be useful. Photo: Courtesy of Brandon Scherzberg
The less you bring on a camping trip, the better. You’ll save packing space and weight by using your hammock as a multi-purpose tarp.
While some hammocks aren’t waterproof, most are highly durable and easy to clean, so they can double as a tablecloth, a seat for damp ground, an outdoor shower curtain and a welcome mat to keep dirt and grime out of your tent.
A hammock beach blanket is easy to carry and even easier to clean. Photo: Courtesy of Brandon Scherzberg
Why use a heavy blanket at the beach when you can use a lightweight hammock instead? Most are wide enough to comfortably fit one or two people with regular-sized towels, and they can be weighed down easily with sandals or a beach bag.
A hammock is quick to dry, plus much lighter to carry and easier to shake sand out of than a blanket.
A Climbing-Rope Mat
Protect your rope and feet from dirt while climbing with a hammock. Photo: Johnie Gall
A climbing rope is literally your lifeline, so common sense says that you want to take the utmost care of it.
To give your rope a longer lifespan, use a hammock to keep your rope clean while climbing. You can also stand on the hammock to give your feet a break from tight climbing shoes while you’re belaying.
Nope, we’re not kidding. If you’re kayaking in windy conditions and want a quick lift back to shore, hold each end of your hammock with your hands, or join up with another kayaker, tie each side of the hammock to your paddle shafts and try to catch the breeze.
We’ve witnessed this work firsthand. We couldn’t make this up if we tried.
A Sun Shelter
Lightweight and breathable, a hammock makes a great sun shelter. Photo: Courtesy of Brandon Scherzberg
By now, everyone knows the less time you spend in direct sunlight, the better.
Protect your skin from the sun by draping your hammock over some driftwood or a nearby tree branch, or simply cover your body with it. Its lightweight, breathable build will prevent you from getting too hot while offering some additional shade for your skin.
For four seasons, Beyond the Bib presented by Toyota has followed athletes on their respective journeys. This year, Team Toyota athletes snowboarders Chloe Kim, Red Gerard, and adaptive snowboarder Amy Purdy took center stage for the fourth season of the series. Each athlete had two original episodes this year, which were exclusively featured on DewTour.com and its social network. Since its inception, the series has been directed by Jeremy Pettit of Northside Productions in Los Angeles. See the winning campaign series at DewTour.com.
Founded in 1979, the Telly Awards annually showcases the best work created within television and across video, for all screens. Receiving over 12,000 entries from all 50 states and five continents, Telly Award winners represent work from some of the most respected advertising agencies, television stations, production companies, and publishers from around the world. The Telly Awards recognizes work that has been created on the behalf of a client, for a specific brand and/or company or self-directed as a creative endeavor.
The term “Traditional” rock climbing (or as many often refer to as “Trad”), wasn’t really used until the ’80s when there needed to be distinction between trad and sport climbing (e.g. bolting of rock routes). Up until then, everything was what we call now call “Trad” climbing.
Trad, which is the practice of placing “gear” in rock features, cracks or other nooks for protection, and then removing the pieces after the climb is finished, is often seen as a more pure way to climb.
Although sport climbing has grown worldwide and has allowed climbers to attempt climbs that were previously inaccessible, there are still more areas that can be climbed traditionally—and knowing how to climb trad always give climbers more options.
We spoke with a two of the world’s top climbers and guides at the Arc’teryx Climbing Academy to get tips on trad.
Arc’teryx athlete and International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations (IFMGA) guide Mark Smiley started his climbing career in the gym at a young age, but now spends much of his time using his trad skills when he guides, especially for bigger objectives. Arc’teryx athlete and professional climber Vikki Weldon is a multiple Canadian Youth National Champion who started as a sport climber. By the time she was 15, she was already climbing 5.13s, but she only started to climb trad when she moved to Squamish. She had to start over, though, now she can lead grade 5.13 on trad.
Mark Smiley coaching students on how to test their placements. Photo: Courtesy of Mark Smiley
Why is it important for climbers to know trad and why is crack climbing an important skill?
VW: Traditional climbing can take you to some incredible places, up in the alpine, up new routes. I don’t think that it is necessary for all climbers to become trad climbers, but if you’re keen on adventure and getting up high, being able to place gear and climb cracks is essential.
MS: Crack climbing technique is another tool to get you to cool places. The first time you look at El Capitan, and you think, “I need to climb that!” Well, there aren’t any sport routes up it. Crack climbing opens the doors to so many cool adventures and remote places. So, when you are ready to leave the dog barking, speaker bumping, shoulder-to-shoulder belaying, that the sport crag can be, crack climbing is the answer to take you places.
Learning sizes of your gear in direct correlation to your hands, can save time and energy. Photo: Courtesy of Smith/Arc’teryx
What are some tips for those just starting out trad climbing?
VW: Start easy. If you’re a 5.10 sport climber, that doesn’t mean that it translates to 5.10 trad. They are very different. Give yourself the opportunity to have a good time, and take the grade level down a few notches. It is not a race, and the more time you spend learning how to place gear, the more you will enjoy it.
I think it is good to go with someone who is keen to teach, or hire a guide for a day, or even sign up for a clinic such as these offered at the Arc’teryx Climbing Academy. Trad can seem overwhelming, especially if you come from a different style of climbing, such as sport or bouldering. Learning the different sizes of cams, their colors and what order to rack them in, is a great start. Following a pitch and analyzing how your partner placed gear can be really helpful.
MS: Grabbing the wrong piece of gear is super frustrating and can be dangerous, especially when you’re trying to place it, hanging from one arm. I think it’s best to literally feel the crack, and associate that size feeling with the appropriate cam. For example, I know that if I stick my hand in and the crack is a tight hand jam, that that relates to a Black Diamond #1 red cam. If it is a snug finger lock then that’s a Black Diamond #0.4 grey cam. This makes it much easier then simply looking at a crack and knowing the size. Which is ultimately the next step in learning, but it takes time to develop your eye.
Also, fail quickly! If you grab the wrong size cam, which happens all the time, don’t waste your energy trying to make it work. Simply fail quickly, grab the right size and place it well. Your future self will be thankful when you climb above a solid piece versus a piece that you “made work.”
Trad climbing can involve alot of gear. Photo: Courtesy of Smith/Arc’teryx
What is some of your favorite trad gear?
VW: I learned on Black Diamond Camalots and they are still my favorite cams. I also recently started climbing in La Sportiva TC Pros climbing shoes. I have pretty weak ankles and I found they have made a huge different in supporting my ankles when I’m torquing them inside a crack.
MS:Black Diamond cams are, in most peoples’ opinions, the industry standard. They work great, get stuck less than “single-axle” cams. Most importantly, once you learn the sizes and corresponding colors, you will be able to use your friends’ cams and you won’t have to relearn a different brand’s sizes and colors.
CAMP nano 22 wiregate carabiners are the best wiregate on the market. They are super light, the gate action is perfect, and you can get a ton of them on your harness gear loops without feeling crowded, plus they come in colors to help you organize your gear.
People with huge hands, go with the bigger Photon wiregate, but for everyone else, the Nano 22 is the jam. Having a really lightweight wind jacket that can be worn on your harness (stuffed in its own pocket) is really nice. The Arc’teryx Squamish Hoody is the boss. It’s really light, and super durable, will cut the wind and even shed a light rain. It’s the piece I always have with me on a multi-pitch rock route if the weather looks iffy at all.
Captured during the 2019-2020 season, this Henry Banfield (AKA Hondro) film takes us on a ride through Revelstoke’s playful and serious terrain. His crew builds big kickers, dines on pillow lines, and has a great time while they’re at it.
Hondro shot this short on a small mirrorless camera, with some drone and iPhone footage to boot, but the edit is tight and the sends are big, loose, and wildly entertaining. Here’s one to keep an eye on, we see big things and bigger airs in his future.
Grab your tails and spin—this will put you right back in a midwinter mood where the cliffs are big but the landings are soft. Immerse yourself, for just a few minutes, in some deep, dry snow.
This article originally appeared on Powder.com and was republished with permission.
As of Monday, due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases throughout Florida, officials have announced that various beaches will be closed and off-limits to ocean-goers and surfers in the following counties for the July 4th weekend: Miami-Dade, Broward County, Palm Beach County, Monroe County and Collier County. The move comes as an effort to curb further spread of the virus and to prevent a potential influx of visitors and unnecessary gatherings during a normally busy holiday. According to Florida Today, The Florida Department of Health reported 5,266 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Monday, the sixth consecutive day in which at least 5,000 new cases have been announced, and 28 more deaths.
Last Friday, state officials also put a ban on alcohol consumption at bars after the recent surge in cases after the state’s reopening. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis noted in a press conference that in such businesses there was “widespread noncompliance” and the tossing aside of safety guidelines.
“It has invariably been because they packed so many people in and created a type of environment that we are trying to avoid,” DeSantis said. “Caution was thrown to the wind and so we are where we are.”
Some beaches in the aforementioned counties will be closed effective Friday, July 3, through Monday night, July 6 (although be sure to check here as each county will have different rules). There will also be a ban on gatherings over 50 people (specifically in Miami-Dade county), which includes parades and protests.
In Broward County, violators who attempt to access the beach could be subject to a $500 fine and up to 60 days in jail—or more. A quick look at the forecast for the area will hopefully deter those tempted to violate any orders.
On the west coast in Los Angeles, beach access will be banned in a similar attempt to slow the spread of the virus. Beginning Friday, July 3rd at 12:01 a.m, all beaches, piers, parking lots and beach access points in LA County will be off-limits to residents and visitors. Firework displays will also be forbidden.
The order in Los Angeles came on the heels of a sharp spike in COVID cases on Monday, with another 2,903 people testing positive—the highest ever reported in the county—alongside 22 new deaths.
“Closing the beaches and prohibiting fireworks displays during this important summer holiday weekend was an incredibly difficult decision to make, but it’s the responsible decision to protect public health and protect our residents from a deadly virus. The Fourth of July holiday weekend typically means large crowds and gatherings to celebrate, a recipe for increased transmission of COVID-19,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health in a press release. “We all need to take this virus more seriously and residents and business owners must do their part. Physical distancing isn’t optional, wearing a face covering isn’t optional, spending time only with those you live with isn’t optional—these are requirements in the Health Officer Order and are the tools we have to protect each other, our families and those most vulnerable in our communities.”
This article originally appeared on Surfer.com and was republished with permission.
A growing number of American distillers are turning out quality expressions of spirits beyond bourbon, including gins, vodkas, and even brandies and sotols. Here are a few new bottles to add to your home bar.
Courtesy image
Germain-Robin California Alambic Brandy
“Brandy’s been on the back burner a long time,” says Germain-Robin Ambassador and Master Sommelier Eric Entrikin. Fortunately, that’s no longer the case. Distilled largely from Mendocino, CA-grown Colombard grapes—with a few other varietals like Pinot Noir, Riesling, and Sémillon thrown in for added flavor and structure—Germain-Robin’s flagship brandy provides a promising glimpse of what American brandy can be in the hands of dedicated producers: fruity, structured, and nuanced. “For the alambic, we really want to let the fruit component come out,” Entrikin says, and they’ve done so, with flavors of apple, pear, dried apricot, peach, and honeysuckle underpinning rich barrel notes of vanilla and brown sugar. Lovers of fruitier, speyside-style whiskies, lighter cognacs, or both will also be lovers of Germain-Robin.
Produced just up the Hudson River from New York City in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Tod & Vixen’s grew from a collaboration between a handful of revered bartenders—Gaz Regan, Leo Robitschek, and Jeffery Morganthaler—aimed at developing a gin specifically for use in cocktails. The resulting bottle succeeds, packing the typical top notes of juniper and herbaceous botanicals alongside orange peel, coriander, angelica root, tea leaf, and a pronounced lime citrus. You can sip this neat or with tonic if you want to, but tools are most effective when used as designed. For best results: Let Tod & Vixen do the heavy-lifting in your spirit-forward gin cocktails.
Sotol is often talked about in the same conversations as Tequila and Mezcal, but it’s important to note that it’s neither. Mezcals (and tequilas, which are mezcals) are made from agave, whereas sotol is made from, well, sotol. Sotol grows wild across northern Mexico as well as in parts of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, and while the spirit of the same name largely originates with distillers in Mexico’s Chihuahua State, a small distillery in Driftwood, TX, began turning out distinctive blue bottles of the stuff a few years ago. Grassy, herbal, vegetal, with a burst of bright peppercorns on the finish, it’s something you could sub into tequila cocktails, but it’s almost a shame to lose the rawness of a spirit that really captures its place of origin in the glass. We recommend sipping neat—maybe with a small splash of water—to fully appreciate this spirit.
Important up-front disclosure: While this vodka hails from Northern California’s most renowned cannabis cultivation region, a bottle of Humboldt’s Finest contains no THC. It does contain a hemp-infused spirit full of aromatic terpenes, which is to say it’s earthy, herbal, and green—think matcha tea, lemongrass, and pine forest. You could add this bottle to your bar because it’s cannabis adjacent and that’s cool and all, but you’d be missing the point. Add it to your bar because of the unique flavors it imparts, herbals that imbue cocktails with distinctly woodsy notes without going full alpine-medicinal (as an Italian amaro or other distinctly herbal additive might).
No discussion of American spirits would be complete without a nod to American single malt whiskey, a category that has made significant strides in recent years both in defining itself (no corn here, just 100% malted barley) and in producing a growing number of increasingly great whiskeys. Stranahan’s comes to us small batch from Denver, CO, where it’s aged in new charred American oak barrels for a minimum of two years (the final bottlings are typically a blend of whiskeys aging from 2-5 years old). Young whiskey from new barrels means lots of barrel presence—vanilla, baking spice, warm caramel, rich butterscotch, and oven-hot brown sugar—while the 100% malt at its core lends a slight creaminess to the mouthfeel. Pour it next to dessert, or in place of it.
Sharing a barre video workout you can do at home, featuring some of my very favorite exercises for lean, strong legs. All you need is something sturdy to hold onto for balance, like a chair or countertop.
Hi friends! How’s the morning going? I hope you’re hanging in there with everything going on. We had a good weekend here at home and cranked away at the master bedroom. We’re completely re-doing it and I ended up selling our furniture way faster than expected on Facebook marketplace. We’re sleeping camp-style until the missing pieces get here.
I didn’t realize that I still had paint and dirt all over my feet until I started filming this barre video. I hope you love this one! I included some of my very favorite exercises for lean, strong legs. This one is a little over 30 minutes and flew.by. My legs were pleasantly sore the next day, too.
July is a time for sunshine, swimsuits and serious sweat sessions. It’s also a time to make sure we all stay cool, covered and safe. That’s why MISSION Instant Cooling Gear and their proathlete founders are dedicated to spreading the importance of National Heat Safety Month this July.
Co-founder Chris Valletta, former NFL player, experienced heat related illness during his college and professional football playing days — so this initiative is personal for him.
Mission is so passionate about Heat Safety they invested in The Mission Heat Safety Lab at UConn’s Korey Stringer Institute. Mission products have been tested on athletes with state-of-the-art equipment like high speed treadmills, advanced bike ergometers and a comprehensive physiological monitoring system — so you know these items are legit!
“Mission and the Heat Safety Coalition has the ultimate goal of improving heat safety in the consumer and industrial settings. These cooling products are a vehicle to get there.” —Dr. Casa, CEO, Korey Stringer Institute, Professor, Department of Kinesiology, Director, Athletic Training Education.
SAFETY TIPS FOR SUMMER WORKOUTS
Here are some tips to stay fit, cool and most importantly safe this summer with Mission Cooling Gear.
TIP 1# RUNNER’S PARADISE
Don’t forget to wear a MISSION Cooling Performance Hat to block the sun and try to avoid running outside between 10 AM and 4 PM when the sun is strongest.
TIP #2 BACKYARD FAMILY BOOTCAMP
Look for a shaded area where you can all get a little family fitness in! Make sure to arm the entire family with MISSION Cooling Towels. Their brushed microfiber cools instantly.
TIP #3 DOG DAYS OF SUMMER
Even moderate workouts like taking your furry BFF Gaiter to stay safe for a stroll are more intense during the summer months. Rock this MISSION Gaiter to stay safe and cool. And don’t forget water for you and your pet.
Mission Cooling Gear available at Walmart, The Home Depot, Target, CVS and Mission.com
Everyone has their spirit of choice, but not many can say that theirs comes with added health benefits. If tequila isn’t your favorite spirit, you may want to rethink your go-to drink.
100% agave tequila is one of the cleanest liquors out there and, when consumed in moderation, can actually improve your overall health. So, drink up (responsibly, that is) and enjoy in more ways than one.
LOW CAL + GLUTEN FREE
For the calorie conscious, tequila is the way to go with around 60 kcal per shot — much lower than wine, champagne and hard seltzers. 100% agave tequila is also gluten free and even helps aid in digestion by promoting growth of good bacteria.
GOOD VIBES ONLY
Contrary to other spirits, tequila is an upper rather than a downer, so it’s more likely to elevate your mood. It also contains less congeners (fermented products found in most spirits), which is much less likely to give you a hangover the next day.
SWEET DREAMS
Relaxation and calming are also some of the positive effects of tequila. A small amount before bedtime can reportedly help you fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly.
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100 COCONUTS: A NATURAL TURN UP
Ready to turn up and reap some bonus health benefits? 100 Coconuts has infused 100% agave tequila into their delicious 100% Pure Coconut Water for the best results you could ask for in a cocktail. Enjoyed in moderation, you can sip your way to good health all summer long! www.100coconuts.com
During this pandemic-prolonged absence of competitive sports, we can at least count on C-SPAN for a daily dose of distraction and entertainment. The cutthroat arena of political MMA that can only be viewed in the U.S. Senate recently produced a real-world underdog tale for the ages with longstanding implications for outdoor aficionados of all walks.
Earlier this month, the notoriously gridlocked chamber took a major step toward attaining what many consider the Holy Grail of conservation legislation in the modern era. Known as the Great American Outdoors Act, the landmark legislative package—one that provides unprecedented benefits to the nation’s system of public lands—passed through the Senate with a rare showing of bipartisan support. The anticipated slam dunk victory now moves to the U.S. House of Representatives and eventually the Oval Office for the president’s signature.
Should the bill emerge triumphant, it’s the American public that will ultimately reap the spoils. Everyone from hikers to hunters, bikers to boaters, plus millions more who enjoy access to America’s 640 million acres of national public lands for countless other outdoor activities, will be rewarded with increased opportunities and improved infrastructure as they pursue their passions. And in states like Colorado, where the culture is largely rooted in public lands recreation, the ripple effect is expected to make an even bigger impact.
“Colorado’s public lands drive our businesses—from breweries and restaurants, to bike shops and fly-fishing guides—and inspire our adventures with family and friends,” said Steve Fechheimer, CEO of New Belgium Brewing in Fort Collins, CO. “The passage of GAOA is an incredible milestone in ensuring protections for our environment, our economy and our well-being.”
So What’s in the GAOA?
More than 20 years in the making, the Great American Outdoors Act (S.3422 ) ultimately combines two pieces of public lands legislation. The first piece, dubbed the Restore our Parks Act, establishes a five-year trust generated by revenues from energy development that provides up to $1.9 billion a year to begin addressing the more than $22 billion worth of maintenance backlogs at national parks and other public lands across the country. That includes everything from road and trail maintenance to facility improvements and even wildlife habitat.
The second piece fully and permanently funds the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) used to buy and improve public land. The fund, which is supposed to receive $900 million a year from offshore drilling royalties, is regularly raided by legislators and has only been fully funded twice since it was established in 1964.
Throughout its history, LWCF funds have been used to acquire and improve public lands in every county of every state, everything from New York’s Central Park to Yellowstone National Park.
When Does It Take Effect?
Once the bill is signed into law by the president, full funding begins in fiscal year 2021. The LWCF has used money from offshore oil and gas drilling royalties to conserve our public lands and waters across the country for more than 50 years already, and legislation passed in 2019 guaranteed that $900 million will be collected for the fund every year. The GAOA ensures that the money will go to its intended purpose.
The GAOA also establishes the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund, providing federal land management agencies with critical resources to address the deferred maintenance backlog on our public lands. The fund receives 50 percent of unallocated revenues generated from energy development on federal lands and waters, providing up to $9.5 billion over five years beginning in FY2021 through FY2025.
Paddling lakes along northern Maine’s Allagash Waterway.Kate Sfeir / Shutterstock
Who Benefits From It?
From rock climbers in Colorado’s Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park to paddlers on the Allagash Wilderness Waterway in Maine, just about anyone who enjoys outdoor recreation has seen benefits from the LWCF, and those benefits will increase with the implementation of the GAOA.
Notably, the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund portion of the act promises funding for federal land management agencies above and beyond the National Parks Service. While the NPS will receive 70 percent of the funding ($1.3 billion a year), the remainder will be split between the U.S. Forest Service ($285 million), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ($95 million), Bureau of Land Management ($95 million) and Bureau of Indian Education ($95 million) to fund habitat improvement projects and other maintenance backlogs in those agencies.
“The National Parks Service maintenance backlog is the biggest part of it, but the rest of it is substantial too,” said Corey Fisher of Trout Unlimited’s Sportsmen’s Conservation Project. “The places that are most important to hunters and anglers are managed by the Forest Service and the Fish and Wildlife Service, not the National Parks. So it was super important to groups like TU to have those included.”
Additionally, the LWCF provides matching grants to states and local governments to acquire and develop public outdoor recreation areas and facilities that provide close-to-home recreation opportunities that are readily accessible to youth, adults, senior citizens and the physically or mentally challenged in urban and rural communities.
Why It Matters Now:
The Land and Water Conservation Fund has long been recognized as the most powerful program we have for conserving habitat and opening access to the nation’s most precious natural resources, and its guaranteed funding couldn’t come at a more critical time. President Trump had nearly zeroed out the money for the LWCF in budgets he’d submitted to congress in recent years, only recently coming around in favor of the program that Senate bill sponsor Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) claims supports between 16-30 jobs for every million spent in LWCF funds. Fixing the national parks promises to create as many as 100,000 additional jobs, making the Great American Outdoors Act an essential economic recovery tool that also enhances our public lands and outdoor recreation opportunities.
“The Great American Outdoors Act is an enormous victory for public lands and for rural economies here in the Mountain West,” said Teresa Martinez, Executive Director of the Continental Divide Trail Coalition. “It will address vital needs on our trails and forests. It will create jobs. And by fully funding the Land and Water Conservation Fund, it will be absolutely critical to our efforts to complete the Continental Divide Trail.”
Why It Matters in the Long Run:
The Great American Outdoors Act offers a sustainable funding solution that expands and protects valuable public lands from the impacts of overuse destined to exacerbation over time. While their popularity continues to grow, America’s national parks and public lands have been underfunded and understaffed for decades. And as urban populations swell, local outdoor recreation opportunities remain in decline, increasing barriers of entry to fundamental activities like hiking, biking and fishing that have emerged as critical ingredients in the recipe for both mental and physical health.
“With the pandemic shining a bright light on the need for equitable access to natural spaces, securing LWCF permanent funding and tackling a substantial portion of the public lands maintenance backlog will greatly increase recreation opportunities on public lands and in neighborhoods across the country, including those that have historically lacked access,” said Kate Van Waes, Executive Director of the American Hiking Society. “The House of Representatives must quickly take up and pass this legislation and send it to the president to be signed into law.”