Rick McCurdy Interview

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How old were you when you first went hiking and who took you? How did it turn out?

I was 22 when I started hiking with a group of straight friends and I got the hiking bug.

What draws you to hiking and the greater outdoors in general?

For me it's a great mind cleanser, especially if I've had a stressful week.

To date, what is the hardest outdoor adventure you've had to tackle, and why?

Huntington Ravine. Didn't like the steep vertical ledges. HATED IT!!! .

What outdoor tip would you give to members?

Don't wear cotton :-)

What is your favorite trail snack?

Granola Bars. Especially WalkaboutBrian's homemade ones.

What is your favorite national park or forest, and why?

The White Mountains. I've been lucky enough to hike in other areas such as the Swiss Alps, Yosemite and Canadian Rockies but I still find the White Mountains quite beautiful.

What is your favorite outdoor retail shop and why?

REI. They have a lot of good choices for outdoor gear and great rebates.

Which of these do you use to navigate: compass, GPS, topo map, trail map?

Trail maps.

What outdoor activities do you like besides hiking?

Mountain Biking and Cross Country Skiing.

Which piece of outdoor gear/clothing have you most recently bought?

A backpack.