Camping Noire Magazine

Planning to hike The Stairway to Heaven Trail in NJ? Here are a few things you should #knowbeforeyougo... 1. The trail is located in Waywanda State Park, which is the ancestral land of the Lenape Indians ("Wawayanda" is the name the Lenape Indians gave to a creek they called “water on the mountain.”). 2. To reach the destination, you're following the white trail to the blue trail. 3. The hike length is only 2.6 miles roundtrip but has an elevation gain of approx 900 feet. For the first 1/2-mile, anticipate a steady incline of about a 0% to 10% grade. Then, the mountain hits you with inclines climbing above 30% for the next 1/2-mile. Expect some sweat and prayers to enter the chat during this second half because you will be putting in that WORK!! Just activate that core and keep going!! 4. Did I mention that boulders are everywhere, so expect to do a bit of rock scrambling on these inclines as well (Sidebar: if bouldering is your thing, this is a great place to make it ha...

November, often referred to as the "month of gratitude," is a time when many cultures and communities around the world embrace the practice of thankfulness. As the holiday season approaches, it's an opportune moment to reflect on the importance of gratitude and why incorporating it into our daily lives can be truly transformative. In a world filled with constant change and challenges, the act of practicing gratitude takes on a renewed significance. It's a practice that can bring warmth and light to even the darkest days, transform our outlook on life, and improve our overall well-being.  And when you sprinkle in the magic of nature, the impact can be even more impactful. We’ve all read the blogs and seen the self-help guides that suggest gratitude and mindfulness exercises like: Keeping a gratitude journal and carving out time each day to write down a few things you're thankful for. This practice can help you focus on the positive aspects of your lif...