The Wild Adventure of 2024 🏔️

You coming along?

I. Down to Earth Mountain Adventure 🏔️
II. Inaugural Hike Details 📝
III. (PAID) Read Recs 📚

Good Morning! Wanna join us for a hike? 🧗🏽‍♂️

Down to Earth readers — a whole squad of them — are joining me on an epic mountain adventure next Sunday, August 18th. You should join us.

In the full spirit of outdoorsman and writer Ernest Hemingway, (whose works I’ve been poring over during the summer) we’ll be observing the outer world and our inner minds, immersing into the natural wonders of the outdoors.

Ditching the chaos of New York City’s noisy streets for the tranquility of Cold Spring, New York sounds heavenly. Even the name Cold Spring is refreshing. Ahh, upstate… It can be rewarding, believe it or not.

Why a Hike?
Great question. I’ve long wanted to coordinate in-person events for Down to Earth. At first, I struggled to conceive something that could educate and entertain while signaling the core values of my brand. Deep in contemplation during a foggy hike, the clarity came to me. A group hike! What better way to build community, emphasize notions of health, and enjoy some free time than a hiking club?

You see run clubs sprouting across urban America, joining corporate types and hopeless romantics together, all against the backdrop of movement and togetherness. No alcohol required. It’s a beautiful thing to see, and I want to own a piece of the pie. Thus, here we are.

Several influential figures like Malcolm X, Abraham Lincoln, and George Washington underwent years of doubt and failure before trust within them was solidified. Building trust is the key to success, happiness, and quality leadership.

I’ve learned that collaboration and team-oriented activities are some of the best ways to bond and build trust. When an objective is at stake, in this case, reaching the apex of Mount Taurus, everyone must work together, leveraging our strengths to reach the top. It’s quite figurative.

Leading a hiking club is yet another venue for me to exercise my leadership skills. The more I provide for people, the more motivated I feel to do it again. They’re small steps for now, but this practice makes perfect for the bigger stages ahead.

Can I Join? 🙋

You absolutely can.

Our first hike is on August 18th, a week from today. If you can’t make it, but would like to join a future endeavor, RSVP on the link below so I have your info. You’ll also be able to keep up with our adventure in upcoming newsletters.

RSVP HERE ✍🏽

Below, you’ll find details of the excursion. For those coming on the hike, please read this carefully, and save it if you have to. For those who can’t make it, this guide will give you a good look at what you’re missing out on. But have no FOMO! Prime hiking season is just now approaching.

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Trip Handbook 📒

I’m thrilled that you’re joining us for this awesome outdoor adventure. If you’re here, that means you’re in the exploration era of your life. Trying new things and meeting new people is a breeze for you, and the excursion that awaits is just another treat.

This hike is my first event hosted under Down to Earth – you’re a part of something very special! I hope that it becomes a recurring activity for us, eventually forming the Down to Earth Hiking Club. On this hike, we’ll prioritize enjoyment over speed, and collaboration over competition. We’ll write, engage in breathing exercises, reflect, and network in a backdrop of intimacy that only a mountain can provide. 

Please check out the event schedule and details below. Since we’ll be a big group, timeliness is of the utmost importance. Be on time, bring a smile, (and plenty of water) and we’ll be alright. 

Event Schedule ⏰

9:20 Arrive at Grand Central Terminal. We’ll meet in the center of the terminal by the big clock. There’s breakfast available here, so arrive on time if you want to get something.

9:45 Board Metro-North Railroad Hudson 8815 train to Cold Spring. 

9:50 Train departs

TRAIN DEPARTS AT 9:50a SHARP! IF YOU MISS THIS TRAIN, THE NEXT IS AN HOUR LATER! 

Since we’ll be an hour ahead and moving quickly, we won’t be able to wait for anyone who’s behind. Just make sure you’re at Grand Central at 9:40 the latest. 

10:00 Prepare for hike activities. I’ll be handing out materials for the hike along with instructions on what to expect. 

11:15: Arrive at the village of Cold Spring. We’ll grab snacks, water, caffeine, and any necessary preparations before we head up the mountain. We’ll be employing a Buddy System to ensure everyone stays safe and accounted for.

11:45 Ascend Bull Hill. The fun begins with a sharp climb up Bull Hill. Slow and steady!

12:45 Reflections + Exercises During the ascent, we’ll take periodic breaks to write and reflect on the experience. Write truly!

2:00 Lunch. On the summit, we’ll enjoy our lunches and rest up for the descent. Halfway there …

3:00 Complete Hike Exhale. We’re all done with our business on the mountain. Time for ice cream!

3:30 Ice Cream + Chilling by the Hudson. Moo Moo’s Creamery is just the rural charm you’d expect from a mountainside village town in upstate New York. Get some ice cream and replenish those empty glycogen stores. You deserve it.  

4:20 Train to NYC For those returning to the city, our time in Cold Spring ends here. Feel free to linger around or grab dinner – trains run every hour. 

6:00 Arrive at GCT As we pull back into the clutches of New York CIty, it’s smoggy air and noisy racket included, most of us will be beyond exhausted. Thus, the mission will officially end here. For those with a substantial social battery, the fun continues.

What you need to bring 🎒

• Water 💧Tons of it. Seriously, you will need a lot of water. It will be mid-afternoon and possibly a hot day. I recommend putting some salt in your water to replace what you’ll sweat out. Electrolyte-based drinks are fine as well. Bring it all – don’t just bring a bottle and hope it lasts. On my last hike, I went through a gallon of fluids and was still thirsty. This is one thing you cannot afford to forget. 

• Towel 🧖 It could be as small as a hand towel or as large as a beach towel, but make sure to bring a towel. You will sweat. 

• Sunscreen 🧴Hours of sun exposure will do a number on your skin. Bring some sunscreen and lather it on liberally to avoid burns.

• A Positive, Team-First Attitude ☝️This hike will be the first for many of our teammates. An inclusive attitude around the event and their participation is key! Let’s all have fun together. 

• Lunch + Snacks 🥪 You will be hungry from the climb once we reach the summit, so pack a lunch. Don’t be the one asking for a piece of everyone’s sandwich because you forgot yours. On the way up, snacks provide a nice boost – I recommend berries, nuts, granola bars, jerky, bananas, or gum.

• Vice of Choice 🍺 Whether it’s a few beers, a coffee, or a joint, many people alter their hiking experiences with chemical compounds. This is optional, of course, so don’t feel compelled if you … aren’t compelled. 

• Change of clothes 👕 Nothing feels better than changing into fresh clothes after a sweaty hike. You’ll thank yourself on the train ride back.

• Hat/Sun Cover 🧢 For obvious reasons, a brimmed hat is a good idea. Do understand that it will get pretty hot wearing it though. 

• Headphones 🎧Some people want their own soundtrack during their commutes or on the hike. If that’s you, plan accordingly. 

• Hiking shoes or Boots 🥾While this isn’t totally necessary, (running/athletic shoes are fine) it’s a good bet to pack hiking shoes if you have them.

• Book/Reading Material 📖Again, some people aren’t talkers and want to silently enjoy a book on the long train ride. Be inspired and bring some quality literature. 

• Camera/Phone 📸Capture the beautiful moments and scenery. Make sure your devices are fully charged.

• First Aid Kit 🩹Carry a small first-aid kit with essentials like band-aids, antiseptic wipes, and pain relievers.

Additional Tips ✏️

• Weather Check: Keep an eye on the weather forecast for Cold Spring. Dress appropriately and bring a rain jacket if there’s a chance of rain.

• Emergency Contacts: Have a list of emergency contacts and inform someone of your plans.

Maps:

Hudson River Valley: New York City to Cold Spring

The journey from New York to Cold Spring is about 60 miles. Thankfully, we’ll be on the train for that part of the hike!

Hudson Highlands State Park:

Here’s the map of the Hudson Highlands, where we’ll be exploring. The trail starts by Little Stony Point, and winds up from the white (W) train through to the yellow (Y) trail, and completes the loop down through the Blue (B) trail. We’ll grab hard copies at the mountain, but feel free to inspect this. 

All in all, you’ll have a great time and will make tons of memories, perhaps learning something new about yourself in the process. See you on the mountain! 

Book Recs 📘

I’ve been voraciously reading to fill the void of free time I’ve reclaimed since organizing my life. That’s led me to purchase literature in bulk, (mostly from Thriftbooks) and also reading in bulk. I used to make sure to complete a book before moving on to the next.

I’d focus on just one at a time, and fully immerse into the world of the book and its author. Now, banquet style, I consume a wide variety of words and ideas that all come together to shape my reality. I swing from a memoir to a science book, then finish up with a novella. It feels great to fill my day with the color of multiple universes. That’s why I’m sharing some of my favorites with you today.