Regular Contributors Archives | Rocky Mountain Outdoor Writers & Photographers

Making Water Safe to Drink

By Peter Kummerfeldt

I often hear two statements made regarding drinking water from outdoor sources. Some claim “I never treat the water I drink in the outdoors” while others say “I never drink the water because it’s got bugs in it.” In the first instance not treating water increases the risk of gastrointestinal illness and in the second instance not knowing how to make the water safe to drink dramatically increases the risk of dehydration and the many other problems associated with becoming dehydrated in the field.

The Legend of El Patron

Book Review by Barb Laine

This is a charming, entertaining, and educational little book, written by RMOWP member Virginia Parker Staat. It brought both tears and chuckles – what more can a reader ask? Although written for children eight to 14, it’s a lovely story for all ages. It’s also a true story, and includes delightful illustrations by Andy Ramon.

Cold Challenges

By Peter Kummerfeldt

The challenges of functioning effectively – and safely, in a cold environment are directly related to your ability to protect yourself from the ambient temperature, precipitation and wind. While accurate numbers are difficult to come by, it is estimated that about 600 people die each year from accidental hypothermia – many of these, about 50%, are elderly. As with heat challenges, the emphasis needs to be an awareness of the environmental threats, on early recognition of what is happening, minimizing the risk and then on effective treatment of hypothermia should it occur.

Unexpected Danger on the Lulu City Trail

By Cecilia Travis

Avalanche! Even reading about avalanches spooks me. Continue reading Unexpected Danger on the Lulu City Trail

Waging Peace

Article & photo by Kenita Gibbins

Every other year I go to teach English to village children in Poland who otherwise have little or no chance of hearing native English speakers. Continue reading Waging Peace

My Super Power

By Angelo Sculli

As most of RMOWP knows, I retired in 1997 to pursue a second career as a wildlife photographer. A year later, I was diagnosed with ALS, commonly called Lou Gerhig’s disease after the great Yankee HOF first baseman. Continue reading My Super Power

Mysteries in the Graveyards

Article & photo by Kenita Gibbins

The Lady in the Cemetery

I no longer know what is truth and what I conjure up in my imagination. Continue reading Mysteries in the Graveyards

Old Jeeps and Hearts of Gold

Article by, & photos courtesy of Myra Wood Bennett

There is an old saying that your “there” is no better than your “here.” It is a belief held by those whose main requirement in life is to live within a short distance of the nearest big box store. For others, it is a place that speaks to mind, body and soul. For me, it is the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. Continue reading Old Jeeps and Hearts of Gold

Lifetime Membership for Longtime Members

Founded in 1973, Rocky Mountain Outdoor Writers and Photographers is among the oldest and most respected organizations of outdoor communicators in the American West, with a number of current members tracing their earliest involvement with the group to the 1970s and ‘80s. Continue reading Lifetime Membership for Longtime Members

Sunday Morning

I have a regular routine for Sunday mornings. Most of my life I have had to get up early. Now that I am old and do not have to get up, I still wake up early. This gives me time to do what I really want to do Continue reading Sunday Morning