Michael Lanza

Michael Lanza is an outdoor writer, photographer, and blogger with over three decades of experience in outdoor journalism. He specializes in backpacking, hiking, and family adventures, sharing his expertise on 'The Big Outside,' his blog and e-commerce site. The platform features stories, images, expert trip-planning advice, and gear reviews. Lanza's career includes a decade as the Northwest Editor and primary gear reviewer for *Backpacker* magazine; his articles on climate change's impact on wild lands helped the magazine earn a National Magazine Award in 2008. He continues to write for *Backpacker*. Lanza's work often focuses on inspiring families to connect with the outdoors. This theme is central to his book, *Before They're Gone – A Family's Year-Long Quest to Explore America's Most Endangered National Parks*, which received an honorable mention at the National Outdoor Book Awards. The book chronicles his family's journeys through national parks facing climate change, reflecting his philosophy of experiencing nature before it is irrevocably altered. 'The Big Outside' was recognized on USA Today's Readers Choice list of Top 10 Hiking and Outdoors Bloggers in 2014. Based in Boise, Idaho, Lanza has also authored several other books on hiking and backcountry travel, contributed to various magazines, and documented adventures across four continents. He also serves as an American Hiking Society Ambassador, dedicated to fostering a connection to nature, particularly for younger generations.