We now think that we’ve done a disservice to the eight people who read this blog by not having our own annual swaggering, self-high-fiving post, considering that we’ve been putting out what is arguably the best online source for outdoor news that probably hasn’t actually happened.
In addition, it occurs to us that an article about our best articles not only requires almost no work on our part, but also allows us to celebrate ourselves in a way that might otherwise come across as unseemly braggadocio.
Some might say that maybe we should leave it to others to judge the quality and impact of what we’ve written. But can we really trust other people to have good taste? To be discerning? To use the royal “we” when referring to the one person who writes these articles? In this day and age, we say no.
And even if others were capable of all of that, would they highlight the fact that the article appeared in Night Hiking To Mars? Would they make it clear that the Night Hiking To Mars Blog is always the most important part of the story? Considering how infrequently anyone gives us credit on Instagram, Facebook, or the internet generally for the naked photos of us running amuck in a Jiffy Lube, we again say no.
So treat yourself.
Sit back, grab a drink, and bask in the awesomeness that was Night Hiking To Mars in 2015 (oh, and make sure to click on all of the links, thus increasing our page views without us really doing anything new at all). Enjoy!
#5 “Wild” Debates About PCT Overcrowding (Parts One And Two)Unique for being a three-part series with only two parts, “Wild” Debates About PCT Overcrowding looked at concerns created by a combination of the release of the movie Wild and people sitting around all winter with nothing better to worry about. Part One focused on people carrying furniture with them while thru-hiking. Part Two involved caches of office supplies littering the trail. Neither one of these concerns seems to have had an actual impact on the trail last season, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t time to panic.
A Guide to sharing space, time, and mice at Appalachian Trail shelters that can best be summed up
by the following: practice LNT, try not to be annoying, bring earplugs. But there’s more in there, so you should definitely read it -- otherwise, you’ll be unaware of the circumstances under which other hikers might try to eat your dog.
Bear Selfies are viewed as an increasing problem by land managers worried about the potential for attacks. This article examines the phenomenon, looks at why Forest Service warnings aren’t working, and asks the question, “where are these bears getting selfie sticks?”
#2 Hiker Claims Fastest Known Time For "Twiple Crown"Night Hiking To Mars interviews the new Fastest Known Time holder of what is arguably the most prestigious speed record for hiking trail widths in the country.
Which is definitely a thing and not something we just made up.
#1 Night Hiking To Mars Best of 2015The top spot, as you can imagine, is held by the article about the top articles of 2015. How could it not be? It’s literally an article about the best articles. Sure, the Apple Cake one was useful, and the calendar one was kind of clever, and the A.T. Training one recommended eating Gold Bond, which is probably legally actionable.
But this is the “Best Of” Article. By its very nature it has to be the best. You should click on the link and read it again, and then again, and then again. And we’d say that you should really go on and do this endlessly, like you’re trapped in an M.C. Escher painting or an online argument about tents vs. hammocks, except that you should at least pause and share this article with your friends. Because, as we think we’ve already mentioned, it’s the best.
Note: Thanks to everyone who helped with the articles this year! More to come in 2016!
