editor's
letter
MANY HAPPY RETURNS
W
elcome to our first issue of 2022! We have a lot to be thankful for as Terrain returns for a new year, not the least of which is our health, both as a magazine and as human beings. The past few years have been filled with struggle, as we collectively battle a pandemic that has taken the lives and livelihoods of many in our region. At the same time, we are experiencing a social reckoning that is challenging the structural racism and sexism imbued in our systems. Our work at Terrain over the past few years has shown the outdoors to be vitally important in St. Louis. Now more than ever, we all need the healing solace offered by nature and the physical, mental, and emotional benefits that go hand in hand. The outdoors is the great equalizer, a place where everyone can feel welcome seeking refuge and finding freedom. Or it should be, anyway. The reality is that the outdoor industry still predominates with narratives and images by and about handsome, athletic, white males. And we at Terrain have been as guilty as anyone. But we are working to change that. Our magazine is proud to have joined River City Outdoors (RCO), a nonprofit collaborative focused on advocating on behalf of equitable outdoor opportunities in our area. See page 38 for more on RCO and its impact in St. Louis. Going forward, Terrain will push to promote a wider cross-section of outdoor programs, people, and organizations. This is, in part, why we host our annual Readers' Choice Awards (see page 28) - to provide everyone a chance to voice their favorites. This is also why we host the Gateway Outdoor Expo, the most inclusive adventure sports and outdoor recreation event in St. Louis. See page 4 for our 2022 announcement. Our mission has always been to inform and inspire those who want to explore the outdoors in our area. And it remains so, with a renewed focus on reaching diverse communities. In the words of legendary Black outdoorsman Dr. John Francis, the purpose of a shared narrative around the outdoors "is not to tell people how they should be, but to inspire people to be who they are. To discover and be that person that they know that they want to be and that they are thus beautiful." Brad Kovach Editor/Publisher
Submissions: Article ideas, manuscripts, event reports, and photos can be submitted via email to brad@ terrain-mag.com. Photos should be high-resolution and accompanied with identification whenever possible. While we will do our best to use submitted material, we withhold the right to deny the usage of any submission for any reason. No guarantee of payment or return of materials will be assumed.
Editor/Publisher Brad Kovach brad@terrain-mag.com Contributing Writers Eric Berger, Janice Branham, Nick Brennan, David Fiedler, Corrie Hendrix Gambill, Kathleen Nelson, Morgan Paar, Nick Tilley, Terri Waters, Kimberly Yawitz, Stephanie Zeilenga Contributing Photographers Dennis Coello, Mark Nettles, Alex Noguera, Russell Ward Design Kim Waterhouse Webmaster Tom Haag Sales/Events Steve Schmidt steve@terrain-mag.com Editorial Offices 4245A Manchester Avenue St. Louis, MO 63110 636-633-1816
Terrain Magazine is published by Terrain Media six times a year: January/February, March/April, May/June, July/August, September/October, and November/December. Back issues are available in limited quantities. Please write the Terrain office or see www.terrain-mag.com/store/ for prices and ordering information. One-year subscription rate is $20. To subscribe, see www.terrain-mag.com/store/. Contact Terrain for permission to reprint articles. Published by:
January/February 2022 2
terrain January/February 2022
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