Way back in the 70s, a handful of independent outdoor stores in the UK and Europe stocked an unusual US magazine. Actually, not really stocked as they were usually snapped up on arrival by people who appreciated its unique format, content, layout and character. I wish I still had the handful of copies bought during my stint in LD Mountain Centre.
As with so many worthwhile things, it didn’t last and fell by the wayside as other more commercial projects flourished. The onslaught of the worldwide web looked to have set the seal on the revival of MG.
Five years ago, the world shut down and the MOUNTAIN GAZETTE was reborn under the stewardship of its new owner, writer Mike Rogge. The tenth issue with Rogge at the helm is now in the hands of subscribers who remain devoted to its unique 11”x17” print format.
Mountain Gazette is a wonderful melange of outdoor culture, humour, literary non-fiction and independent journalism curated into a magazine that is built to last, with limited advertisements and even less B/S. Each of its large format, bi-annual issues features stunning photography and intense long-form storytelling.
Built to be collectible, MOUNTAIN GAZETTE 203 delivers authentic storytelling and stunning visuals to make readers laugh and cry in the span of its 160 pages. The cover was shot by Drew Smith. The photograph features professional athletes Jim Morrison, Christina Lutsenberger, and Nick McNutt in Pakistan. Morrison wrote a story exclusively for the magazine about the multi-year journey to climb and ski Great Trango Tower inside 203.
The entertainer Steve Martin and cartoonist Harry Bliss return for their fourth collaboration in the magazine. Senior Writer Ari Schneider wraps up a 13-month report on his family’s Holocaust survival story. The magazine sent Schneider to Europe for a month and a half for the assignment.
Revived in 2020, by industry veteran Mike Rogge, writer and editor of culturally relevant media publications including Powder, The Ski Journal and Vice, the story of Mountain Gazette begins in 1966. The magazine’s revival story has been covered by the New York Times, New York Magazine, Fast Company, and more.
At a time when existing publications are radically changing business models, closing their doors or consolidating under new ownership, Mountain Gazette’s independent, energetic resurgence is both remarkable and offers balance to the digital era and its endless scrolling.
The magazine has seen significant success building a community of subscribers and continues to be a champion for independently owned media in the outdoor industry and beyond. The magazine will celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2026.
Traynor On The Trail 