Print Ain't Dead: Why Mountain Gazette's Anthology Earned a Spot on My Shelf
Words by Michele Underwood | Photos by Michele and Mountain Gazette
The spine of Print Ain't Dead: A Mountain Gazette Anthology.
I've collected Mountain Gazette magazines for a while now.
They're the kind of magazines that don't end up in the recycling bin after you finish reading them. Mine usually stay stacked on a table, on a shelf, or somewhere in the van because I know I'll eventually pick them up again.
So when Mountain Gazette released Print Ain't Dead, a hardcover anthology celebrating 60 years of the publication, I knew I wanted to add it to my collection.
After spending time with the book, I can confidently say it earned a permanent spot on my shelf.
What Is Print Ain't Dead?
Print Ain't Dead is a hardcover anthology that brings together stories and essays from Mountain Gazette's history.
At more than 500 pages, this isn't a book you sit down and finish in a weekend. It is mostly about the writing. There may be a few visuals throughout, but the book's strength lies in the stories.
The anthology brings together decades of Mountain Gazette work and combines it with pieces from the publication's modern era. The result feels like a collection of the stories, voices, and perspectives that have helped define Mountain Gazette over the years.
It's the kind of book you leave on a coffee table, keep in a cabin, or stash in a van and return to whenever you have a few quiet minutes.
It Feels Like Mountain Gazette
If you've ever read Mountain Gazette, you already know it doesn't feel like most outdoor publications.
The stories are longer.
The writing has room to breathe.
The pieces aren't chasing trends or trying to get you to buy something every few paragraphs.
That's exactly what I found in this anthology.
The book captures the humor, storytelling, ski-town culture, road trips, public lands, and occasional weirdness that have made Mountain Gazette so popular over the years.
Some stories are funny.
Some are thoughtful.
Some make you want to load up your vehicle and disappear down a dirt road for a few days.
The anthology doesn't focus on one activity. It's not just about skiing, mountain biking, climbing, or overlanding.
It's about the people, places, and experiences that pull us outside.
The Authors Are a Big Part of Why This Book Matters
Interior pages of Print Ain't Dead during production at the printer.
One of the strongest parts of Print Ain't Dead is the list of writers included in the anthology.
This isn't just a random collection of outdoor stories. The book includes work from some well-known writers who helped shape outdoor, adventure, and Western storytelling.
Hunter S. Thompson is included, which gives the book a direct connection to the kind of sharp, strange, and original writing Mountain Gazette has always been known for.
Edward Abbey is also included. His writing on the desert, public lands, and the American West has influenced generations of people who care about wild places.
Jeremy Jones is in the anthology too. Most people know him as a snowboarder, but his voice also belongs in a book like this because of the way he has helped connect mountain culture, environmental awareness, and life outside.
There are also essays and stories from other writers whose names may be familiar if you've spent time reading outdoor magazines, adventure writing, or books about the West.
That is what makes the anthology feel different from a regular outdoor book. You are not just reading about one trip, one sport, or one place. You are reading work from people who helped build the voice of Mountain Gazette over several decades.
A Book You'll Read More Than Once
Most books get read once.
This isn't one of them.
I've found myself opening to random pages, reading a story, and then getting pulled into another piece entirely.
That's one of the strengths of the anthology.
You don't need to start at page one and work your way through.
You can pick it up for ten minutes or an hour and always find something interesting.
I suspect this is the kind of book I'll still be reaching for years from now.
Who This Book Is For
Mountain Gazette's Print Ain't Dead anthology photographed outside on a winter day.
I think this book will appeal most to:
Mountain Gazette subscribers
Skiers and snowboarders
Mountain bikers
Climbers
Overlanders
Campers
Road trippers
People who enjoy long-form storytelling
Anyone who loves the American West and public lands
You don't need to participate in every outdoor activity to appreciate it.
You simply need to enjoy stories about people who feel at home outside.
Final Thoughts
Most content today is designed to be consumed quickly.
You scroll past it, watch it, or read it once and move on.
Print Ain't Dead feels like the opposite.
It's the kind of book that stays on a shelf for years. The kind that gets pulled down when friends visit. The kind that reminds you why great storytelling still matters.
If you're already a Mountain Gazette fan, I think you'll love it.
And if you've never picked up an issue before, this anthology is a pretty good place to start.
Check Out My Other Reviews on Mountain Gazette
Mountain Gazette Review: Is This Magazine Worth It?
Why Mountain Gazette Stands Out (From a Designer’s Perspective)
Outdoor brands you might not know — but you should: Mountain Gazette.
Michele Underwood writes Overland Girl, where she shares the gear she uses on real trips—from the Northwoods of Wisconsin to desert rides in the West. She values quality and craftsmanship and believes in buying less, but buying better. The gear she recommends is gear she uses herself.Some links on Overland Girl may be affiliate links. If you purchase through them, Michele may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.