Aer Parris

A group of trekkers wander through a white winter landscape.

Winter Camping Advice: We Learned the Hard Way

Aer Parris//January 15, 2020

Snow-covered landscapes, early nights and crisp mornings, a stillness impossible to describe—if you haven’t tried winter camping, you probably should. Without t... Read More...

You Don’t Need Anything to Play These Games

Aer Parris//December 18, 2019

Games are fun (unless you’re dating). But what happens when you forget your cards, get to camp unbelievably early (nice work!) and have nothing left to talk abo... Read More...

How to Prepare for a Long Flight

Aer Parris//December 17, 2019

I had long dreamed of visiting Jordan—of smearing black mud on my face and bobbing 1,410 feet below sea level in the Dead Sea, riding through sun-worn sandstone... Read More...

Pattie Gonia stands with a background of sky, flowing dress coming towards the camera.

Trash Transformed: Pattie Gonia’s High-Fashion Dresses

Aer Parris//December 11, 2019

Who would combine a powerful spoken-word piece and high fashion made of trash to raise awareness about the plastics problem in Hawaii? Pattie Gonia, an outdoor-... Read More...

#GivingTuesday: 9 Ways to Pay it Forward

Aer Parris//November 27, 2019

Editor’s note: This article originally published on November 28, 2017. It was updated on November 27, 2019. With turkey-induced lethargy, Opt to Act clea... Read More...

Trail Mix: The Best Gifts for Less Than $50

Aer Parris//November 26, 2019

While some people are gift-giving machines, effortlessly selecting the perfect products months before the holiday season begins, some of us need a little help. ... Read More...

Trail Mix: The Best Gifts for Campers

Aer Parris//November 25, 2019

For some folks, wandering ridgelines, gazing at the stars and brewing cowboy coffee at sunrise are part and parcel of a normal weekend. And those adventurers—wh... Read More...

Erin Sullivan eating lunch, astounded by how much single-plastic is part of the meal

In Our Nature: What do we do about plastics?

Aer Parris//November 13, 2019

As a co-op, we believe that a life outdoors is a life well lived. We’re dedicated to protecting and advocating for the lands we love, and that starts with under... Read More...

Three climbers in red puffy jackets stand, arms linked, tied into a rope on a snowy mountain.

Scene From the Film: ‘Return to Mount Kennedy’

Aer Parris//November 5, 2019

In 1965, Jim Whittaker, former REI Co-op CEO and the first American to summit Mount Everest, led Senator Robert F. Kennedy to the top of a mountain. There, they... Read More...

Red microfibers can be seen under a microscope.

Microfibers are in our environment. How are they getting there?

Aer Parris//October 31, 2019

There is a ton of plastic making its way into our oceans every year. An estimated 8 million metric tons, to be specific. But it’s not all fishing nets, plastic ... Read More...

5 Experts on the Future of Climbing

Aer Parris//October 14, 2019

Climbing has grown in popularity over the last few years. For the first time ever, sport climbing will be included in the 2020 summer games. And last year, two ... Read More...

An illustration of the Appalachian Trail.

Hiker Trash: A Love Letter to the Appalachian Trail

Aer Parris//October 10, 2019

It takes just under six months for most backpackers to complete the world’s longest hiking-only footpath, but you can get a glimpse of the highs and lows of a t... Read More...

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