We thought it was time to share a little more of what’s happening behind New Mountain Magazine – the people, places and ideas we’re excited about, interesting outdoorsy things we’ve stumbled across, and catch-ups with past contributors. More of the good stuff that doesn’t make it into the magazine.
Stockist Spotlight.
Outdoors Society, NZ
We love our stockists. They’re a huge part of getting New Mountain Magazine out into the world and into the hands of readers near and far. So, we’ve decided to start a little Stockist Spotlight, sharing a selection of the shops and spaces around the world where you can pick up a copy of NMM.
First up, we’re heading all the way to Auckland in New Zealand, to visit Outdoors Society.
We’re big fans of what they’re doing. Founded in March last year, focusing on community, connection and getting outside, it’s part outdoor store, part meeting place and part home for the local outdoors community.
Alongside their own brands, Goodlids and Moreporks, they stock a rotating collection of outdoor gear, objects and magazines – including New Mountain Magazine. You can also walk in, put your own record on, grab a coffee and hang out, no questions asked.
Issue 03 in store
Their programme of bouldering sessions, community hikes, overnight trips, floral workshops and more is all about bringing good people together and giving everyone another reason to get outside.
Find New Mountain Magazine at Outdoors Society in Auckland – or find your local stockist here: newmountainmag.com/stockists
From the Archive.
We’re back in the actual Archive.
Issue 03 is now part of the Outdoor Recreation Archive at Utah State University.
Issue 03 at Outdoor Recreation Archive
ORA interview in Issue 01
Way back in Issue 01, we caught up with Clint and Chase, who run the Outdoor Recreation Archive at Utah State University, to find out how the archive came about, why they set it up, and what they’re doing to preserve the history of outdoor culture and memorabilia.
Issue 01 is long sold out, but the interview is now available to read on our Journal page here:
What are they up to now?
Catch-up with Karen Ekman from Issue 01
A couple of years ago, I had one of those “thoughts that can’t be unthought,” and wrote about the result in the first volume of New Mountain Magazine.
The thought was to bikepack solo across Europe.
What resulted was a journey of more than 7,000km, 124,000vm, 13 countries, and a million interactions. I want to say it was a life-changing experience, but in all honesty, I think it was more of a re-alignment.
The Ideas That Can’t Be Unthought – New Mountain Magazine Issue 01
I had already lived an adventurous life, but had spent the previous few years in a big city, focused on academia. The bike trip — and getting to tell the story — reminded me of how full life feels when lived “out there,” and of the meaning that comes from sharing it.
Since then, I’ve come to centre nature, community, and adventure in my life again. And, along with it, I’ve found a channel for creativity.
Splitboarding in Norway. Photo credit: Mikko-Pekka Karlin
Trans Balkan Race 2026
Photo credit: Alexander Kopp
Splitboarding in Norway
Photo credit: Anki Grothe
In just the two years since, I’ve travelled Norway combining bikes, splitboards, and climbing gear. I’ve bikepacked in Georgia and Turkey, alone. I entered my first ultra in Scotland, then returned to some familiar routes in the Balkans for a longer one. I’ve had countless spontaneous weekend trips, and made nature feel like my living room again. I’ve been lucky enough to co-create adventure films, write articles, and share photographs.
All of it has led me to find a space, a global community, and a life that feels much more my own than any I’ve lived before.
Bikepacking in Morocco
Photo credit: Moritz Ablinger
For me, it goes to show the power — and importance — of having ideas and acting on them. But also of telling the story, and having spaces in which to share those stories.
Which is what New Mountain Magazine is.
If my thought that couldn’t go unthought was a bike journey across Europe. What would yours be?
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Karen’s 2024 bikepacking adventure “The Ideas That Can’t Be Unthought” is now available to read online, on our Journal here:
NMM in the wild…
Spotted!
Over the past few months we’ve been spotted on the welcome table at Hotel Saint Roch in France, the ZARA Europe homepage as part of their new adventure collection, Outsiders Store London, and in Indigo Canada, in their new Indie Magazine section!
Hotel Saint Roch, France
Indigo Store, Toronto
Outsiders Store, London
Straight from the Mountain.
Issue 04 is in the works!
We’ve been busy proofing the next issue. Expect another 228 pages of adventure stories, interviews and essays, dropping next month. Pre-orders will be live soon!
We’re going to be at News & Coffee this October!
From Monday 26th October – Sunday 1st November, come and find us at News & Coffee in Granary Square, London. Grab a copy of Issue 04 in person and you’ll get a free coffee with your magazine.
See more here.
That’s it for this month.
We’ll be back soon with more stories, updates and news. But for now, please head outside!
