Why Nick Triolo Walked Around Mountains Instead of Summiting

About this episode

Nick Triolo discusses the practice of kora and its implications on life and perspective.

Nick Triolo is a runner and writer, both of which shape him and his beautifully deep musings on this thing we call life. He’s the managing editor at Magic Canoe, he teaches at the University of Montana, he’s been an adventure guide, he’s made films, and his writing has been featured in Orion, Outside Magazine, and many others. He recently published his first book called The Way Around: A Field Guide to Going Nowhere . The great nature writer Robert Macfarlane desc ribed Nick’s book as “Smart, funny, wise of mind, and vast of heart.” I couldn’t agree more, Nick’s book stirred deep thoughts in me about the current state of things on this planet, made me laugh, and serves as a solid reminder to stay open and curious as we travel through life. Nick joined me over the interwebs from the Western Sierra foothills where he was enjoying a break from his home in Missoula, Montana. We talked about the ancient practice of kora , or circumambulation - in essence walking around the base of mountains (or other sacred sites) instead of summiting them - as a way to examine both inner and outer landscapes from different perspectives. We also talked about how is relations hip with trail running…

People in this episode

Host: Jeff Johnson

Guest: Nick Triolo

Topics covered

• kora
• circumambulation
• trail running
• nature writing
• grief and joy
• adventure

Keywords

• kora
• circumambulation
• Nick Triolo
• nature writing
• grief
• joy
• trail running

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Magic Canoe, Orion, Outside Magazine

Books & works: The Way Around: A Field Guide to Going Nowhere

Places: Western Sierra foothills, Missoula, Montana, Tibet

More episodes of Nature Junkie Radio

• Flipping the Script on Wealth: Living Dirtbag Rich with Blake Boles · May 31, 2026 · 58 min
• Pumas, Condors, and Protecting 9 Million Acres: Rewilding at Scale with Carolina Morgado · May 1, 2026 · 47 min
• What I Mean by “Microdosing Nature” (And Why It Works) · April 1, 2026 · 13 min
• How Public Art and Murals Reconnect Us to Nature and Community with Skye Walker · March 1, 2026 · 50 min
• Noticing 3 Good Things in Nature · January 31, 2026 · 11 min
• Sea, Soil & Sawdust: Permaculture Gaviota Style with Guner Tautrim · December 13, 2025 · 1h 40m