Readers of National Geographic Magazine were treated this month
to an interesting article titled Unplugging the Selfie
Generation, about the challenges and rewards of getting young
people into our National Parks – what does "back to
nature" mean to a generation reportedly more interested in
technology than in backcountry hikes. Upslope Brewing Co., as
the name implies a craft brewery based in Boulder, Colorado, may
have stumbled (pun intended) on one way to lure people to the wilds
– throw a beer party! As reported in the Denver Post,
Upslope Brewing drew about 2,000 thirsty hikers to a backcountry
hut near Leadville where it hosted its second annual
"backcountry tap room." The line for a free
beer at the privately owned Vance's Cabin stretched half a mile
over White River National Forest trails and the crowd, mostly
younger visitors, cheerfully waited for an hour sipping beer and
generally having a great time (dogs included of course – this
is Colorado!). As
