Morgan Sjogren - Outlandish: Fuel Your Epic

To the friends, animals, and places that shared these adventures and meals with memy gratitude is unbridled. Our relationships and experiences are the foundation of the words and photos here. I hope these stories can express in some small way what having you all in my life has meant. Imprinting them ensures that they will continue to live wildly and reincarnate into new journeys.

Beyond those whose memories join me on these pages, I have an incredible pack that has supported, pushed, and loved me throughout the process of writing this book.

My parents, Steve and Cynthia Sjogren, have never batted an eye at my pursuitsthank you for encouraging me to fully live as my weird self since day one. And thank you for being your weird selves. Your love is felt wherever I roam.

My aunt and uncle, Bill and Kristy Parr, did not hesitate to let me park a vintage trailer on their land in the northern Arizona desert when I needed a basecamp to call my own and write this book. Your support helps keep this Jeepsy more grounded (at least in spirit).

Upon graduation, my professor, Oliver Berghoff, begged me to just go adventure and write about it instead of going to grad school. It caught me off guard, and saved my life. You were right!

Words are not enough to express the gratitude I have for the entire VeloPress team for working their bums off to help me bring this dream to life.

The East Side Good Vibe TribeShannon Robertson, Filthy Pete, Jess Francois, and Rena. The only unfortunate part of my nomadic life has been the distance from all of you, and the best part is the freedom to pick up and see you anytime the mountains call me back.

In a past life, I lived in San Diego and I am still blessed with my incredible family on the coast: Darius Bastani (life coach), Gerard G-Man Reski, Linda Fradkin, Mark Sarno, Neily Mathis, and Jill Skinner.

My friends in Mancos, ColoradoSarah and Thor Tingey, Steve Fassbinder and Lizzy Scullywho were all instrumental in helping me get my wheels turning as a writer and are some of my favorite humans on this spinning blue ball.

I met archaeologist Ralph Burrillo while living in my Jeep in Bears Ears, and he has been incredibly encouraging of my writing, an out-of-this-world resource, and genuine friend.

Jay Kolsch and I met in Bishop, California, just days before I took off in my Jeep during the pivotal winter that opens this book. A year later, we reconvened in Bears Ears and forged an instant collaborative synergy. When I started work on this book, there was no question that I wanted him involved. His gritty, colorful, playful, and fashionable style aligns with how I envision the stories I write when they are dwelling in my headspace. His photos help bring them to life. Thanks for your hard work and positivity during all the heavy-metal photo-shoot missions in heinous desert conditions.

A few other thanks must be given to Jim Andrus, Jeanne and Dave McGee, Mary Ann Buchanon, Monica Prelle, Bria Wetsch, Aaron Lange, Dallon Williams, Leah Rosenfeld, Linda Morgan, Eric Hanson, Aaron Bible, Martin Stamat and Paige Spowart (Glen Canyon Conservancy), and Caitlin Landesberg and Michael McSherry (Sufferfest Beer).

Lastly, thank you for always having my back, Gabe Proctorrun in peace.

Morgan Sjogren

In 2017, Morgan Sjogren moved into a sunshine-yellow Jeep Wrangler and hit the road. She devoted her days to running and adventuring across the Southwestfrom Sedona, Arizona, to Bears Ears National Monument, Utah, to Silverton, Coloradowriting about her experiences along the way and living on simple, tasty meals that kept her energized and healthy.

Morgan is a writer and former elite track athlete turned avid trail runner. The two-time track-and-field NAIA All-American trained with the Mammoth Track Club before discovering an appetite for venturing down the landscapes in front of her.

Her passion for writing and exploring wild places on foot has led to extensive work documenting, investigating, and advocating for public lands. Her book The Best Bears Ears National Monument Hikes is the first and only guidebook devoted to the original monument boundaries.

Beyond running, Morgan loves to test her limits summiting mountains and experimenting with new sports, from rappelling down canyons, to climbing ice, ski touring, and alpine ice skating.

She is based in northern Arizona but spends most of the year on the road. Morgan is known to her thousands of followers on social media as the Running Bum, and she uses her social media accounts to share her wilderness adventures. Check out therunningbum.com for more about Morgan and her adventures.

Morgan has written for Trail Runner, Runners World, Backpacker, Patagonia, Gear Junkie, Sidetracked, SnowSports Industries America, Adventure Pro, and REI. She is also the author of The Best Bears Ears National Monument Hikes and The Best Grand StaircaseEscalante National Monument Hikes.

These combos are meant to inspire. Take em and run with em.

The Basic Bean

Bean and cheese

The Basic Bean Cali-Style

Bean, cheese, avocado

BRC

Bean, rice, cheese

Veggie-Zona

Bean, cheese, french fries, guacamole

Veracruz

Bean, cheese, plantain, avocado

The Hippie

Hummus, spinach, avocado, veggies

The Dirty Hippie

Hummus, spinach, avocado, veggies, bacon

BLT-Rito

Bacon, lettuce, tomato, avocado, cream cheese

Medi Veggie Wrap

Roasted veggies, goat cheese, greens

Mashed Potato

Mashed potatoes

Orizaba Especial

Mashed potatoes, fried ham, cheese

Monkey-Rito

Peanut butter and bananas

Goldilocks

Oatmeal, shredded carrots, raisins, nuts, maple syrup

Kabob

Sausage and grilled veggies

Fajita-Style

Chicken and fajita-style veggies

Magic Pasta Creation #1

Spaghetti with extra melted cheese

Magic Pasta Creation #2

Mac and cheese with Ortega chiles

Ramen Rolls (Magic Pasta Creation #3)

Ramen, cashews, lime juice, sriracha

Rainbow Curry

Green (or red or yellow) curry, veggies, rice, fried egg

Comb Ridge Coma

Ranch-style beans, steak, eggs

Melted Phish

Tuna salad, romaine lettuce, melted cheese

Fresh Phish

Grilled fish, cabbage, sliced mango, diced jalapeo, lime juice, sriracha

Lake Powell Slop

Smashed tortilla chips, leftover Alfredo sauce, ranch-style beans

Mexican Breakfast

Chorizo, potatoes, onion, pasilla peppers

American Breakfast

Eggs, potatoes, sauted veggies, bacon, cheese