Location Spotlight: Glacier National Park
Noise pollution is one of the problems that people face in the 21st century. Urban centers and industrial activities are the primary sources of this modern woe. It has been linked to increased levels of stress, anxiety, and overall negative mental health effects.
In recent years, more and more people are seeing the significance of naturally quiet places and their effects on our lives as well as the environment. That is why the idea of quiet spots and places and their preservation has become a global effort. One such well-known quiet place is Glacier National Park.
Glacier National Park at a glance
It’s always a pleasure to be present in such a special place in nature that fosters human community and connectedness. This particular park aligns with our values, both as an escape destination and within our company ethos. Why is that, you ask?
As it turns out, Glacier National Park was the first international peace park, designed to foster unity between us and our northern neighbors in Canada. With a commitment to peace and friendship between all people groups, it’s a staple location in our mindful adventure trip lineup.
Traveling to quiet places, such as Glacier National Park, is transformative. Preserving that experience takes a collective effort on behalf of all of us. We are proud to continue our partnership with Quiet Parks International, a non-profit organization that seeks to help preserve Glacier’s ecological landscape through its #SaveQuiet initiative. This all-volunteer organization believes, as we do, that everyone needs quiet in their life.
What is the difference between a tropical and temperate rainforest?
When we hear the word “rainforest” we most commonly think of a tropical one. Most of these sit within 10 degrees both north and south of the Equator. They don’t have a dry season, are extremely hot, humid, and incredibly wet. Scientists believe tropical rainforests have been around since the Gondwana era — the supercontinent that existed after Pangea. In other words, while they’ve changed over time, they’ve always been a vital part of our planet’s ecosystem. They’re huge, taking up almost 7.8 billion square kilometers of real estate.
A tropical rainforest will always fall within the equatorial region. They don’t extend past the Tropic of Cancer or Capricorn. By comparison, a temperate rainforest is any rainforest outside of this region. They make up a smaller percentage of the Earth’s surface, exist only in temperate climates such as the Pacific Northwest, and have a bit more of a forest-like feel compared to their tropical brethren.
Our first-ever Quiet Park Series trip to Glacier National Park
On our very first trip to Glacier National Park; we biked, hiked, camped, and practiced mindfulness in one of the quietest pieces of nature on Earth along the way to an unforgettable experience.
It’s not every day that you get to record a podcast episode about mindful travel in the midst of a mindful travel adventure! But that’s exactly what Recal founder Anthony Lorubbio got to do when Travel With Meaning’s Mike Schibel came along on our first-ever Recal Trip to Glacier National Park.
Tune in to hear about the healing powers of nature—what Recal stands for, listen to just how quiet Kintla Lake was, as well as some shares from Recal coach Scott Stone and other participants on the adventure.
When technology meets mindfulness
With our focus on being mindful and meditative in nature, it might come as a surprise that we enjoyed doing some e-biking on our Quiet Park Trip to Glacier National Park.
Let us explain
At the time of our first trip, the Going-to-the-Sun Road was closed to vehicle traffic. That meant two things:
- it was free of noise pollution from vehicle traffic
- it was much safer to cycle on these hilly, windy roads
Our partnership with Whitefish Outfitters and ROAM Beyond to rent e-bikes for our trip attendees to experience this unique moment in time in Glacier National Park was a rare opportunity to witness the quiet majesty of Glacier National Park without the hustle of cars and heavy tourist traffic.
And as an upcoming Quiet Wilderness Park, Glacier is one of the quietest places in the world. E-biking through the heart of it all is a great way to experience it.
A whole new Glacier National Park experience
This past summer, Glacier National Park became the first US wilderness Quiet Park with Quiet Parks International.
This award reinforces the natural sounds educational efforts the park makes to distinguish the natural soundscape from noise, and the importance of the visitors’ opportunity for that experience. Increasing awareness of natural sounds helps promote reverence for the park, its natural ecosystems, and wilderness character,” – Matt Mikkelsen, Executive Director of Wilderness Quiet Parks.
Our time in Glacier National Park this past summer was so recalibrating and restorative. We guided several groups into the quiet in hopes to unlock an inner peace that matches the outer quiet, and we believe we succeeded in that. Looking forward to more trips to come in 2023!