Dear Harold and Maude, I know, I’d promised new names. We will get there—we still have five weeks to come up with them. Five weeks until you launch yourselves into the outside world. Five weeks until I hold you in my arms instead of in my belly. Back before I knew I was having you, or even sure I wanted … Read More
The Road is Kind, New Lost Mountain Music Video
This music video is in honor and support of the Lost Mountain Positive Tracks Next Gen Initiative: youth philanthropy through physical action in the outdoors. Featuring our Positive Tracks Ambassadors Charlie Harrison (19) and Grant Bemis (23). We released it this week because Charlie starts Williams College next week. And instead of driving the 160 miles to school, he’s hiking … Read More
Big Wall Science
In a former life I was a full-time climbing guide. That means I would normally know better than to introduce people to climbing for the first time on vegetated granite slabs interspersed with dirt and bush-choked chimneys. But the rules are different when you’re mission is a mash-up of scientific research, conservation action, and the establishment of the first technical … Read More
Old Man Ray- Song and Video Produced in the Field on Mt Mulanje, Malawi
“The trick to growing old, is a healthy dose of obsession mixed with a lot of physical activity.” – At 81 years old, Entomologist at heart, Ray Murphy is one of the characters and dreamers with us here in Africa whose passion is making the Lost Mountain Project possible. Stay tuned for more original beats, tasty visuals, and grimey stories … Read More
Ready, Set, Go: The Lost Mountain Takes Off
Four days from today, I meet my international team of scientists, conservation workers, climbers, filmmakers, students, and volunteers at the airport in Blantyre, Malawi. We’re heading to Mozambique; we’re heading to the Lost Mountain. All totaled, 19 people varying in age from 19 to 55, from Brazilians to South Africans, Americans to Mozambicans, with backgrounds ranging from snakes to photography, … Read More
Would You Join the Lost Mountain?
Three years ago I saw a photo of a rock face in Mozambique. It became an astonishing force in my life. 36 months, a 3-week reconnaissance trip, and one very special frog later I’m heading to that rock face with an eight-person team of scientists, conservationists, and climbers in October. We’re finding species new to science, we’re starting a new … Read More
Winter Call (Summer Ski Apology)
I am not a hoarder. Or at least not of material things. But I might have to confess to being a recent hoarder of snow. And for that, I’m sorry. Today, December 11th, 2012, I took a hike in the White Mountains and watched yesterday’s thin layer of white turn to clear liquid in the span of an hour. My … Read More
Armenia Bound
In conjunction with Patagonia’s The Cleanest Line and Kate Rutherford Any climbing trip starts with a conversation. Kate and mine went something like this. Kate: “What’s your fall look like?” Majka: “October’s wide open.” Both of us: “Want to go somewhere good?” We considered Norway but were scared off by the rain; Germany was a strong contender but neither of us wanted to … Read More
Imagine Ethiopia 2011: You Can “Go” From Home
As one of the leaders of Imagine Ethiopia 2011, I wanted to share a progress update to inspire and potentially involve you in our next steps. Read on for more. Earlier this year, Vancouver-based charitable organization, imagine1day, launched their second annual Imagine Ethiopia trip: a two-week adventure that takes participants on a daily exploration of the best that Ethiopia has to offer. imagine1day … Read More
Three Ways to Do Something About Famine in Africa (From Forbes.com)
A guest blog by Majka Burhardt on Frederik Allen’s Leadership blog on Forbes.com. There is famine in the Horn of Africa. Of course. Isn’t there always? Are you cringing yet? Good. Here are three things we can do now to help the Horn of Africa, beyond just sending famine relief: (1) Change the conversation. (2) Invest in the positive. (3) Tackle … Read More