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Outside Names 2019’s Most Influential Outdoor People

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By: Kraig Becker
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The final weeks of any year always bring out a rash of “best of” lists from the previous 12 months, reminding us of everything that went down over that span of time. Some of those lists are really fun and fascinating, while others are less so.

But the best ones spark a bit of conversation and debate, getting you thinking about who, what, and where belongs on those kinds of compilations. This year, we have a new entry to this category as Outside magazine share its rundown of the 2019 Outsiders of the Year, a group of people who have had an impact on adventure, gear, exploration, and other related topics over the past year.

Some of the people on the list you’ve almost certainly heard of before, although there are plenty of others that you probably don’t know quite as well. The more famous additions include the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team, downhill skiing legend Lindsey Vonn, teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg, and record-setting mountaineer Nirmal Purja.

Some of the lesser known names that earned a spot on Outsides round-up include angler Tracy Nguyen-Chung, who works for diversity in the outdoor space, eco-friendly farmers John and Molly Chester, and Shannon Stowell, who is the president of the Adventure Tavel Trade Association.

The point of a list like this one isn’t just about honoring those who made the cut, but also educating the rest of us about what it is they do and why it is important. Some of the folks that Outside shares are doing some amazing things far from the spotlight, indicating that they’re not about fame and fortune, but doing great things for the planet or pushing the boundaries of what humans can do in the outdoors. Everyone on the list has a story to tell and has something to share. Most will provide a nice level of inspiration too.

Check out the entire list here.

Kraig Becker
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