Macklemore and Columbia Sportswear Team Up for New Mt. Rainier Tribute Video

By Geoff Nudelman Published February 2, 2017

Macklemore is as synonymous with Seattle music as any artist these days.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Pacific Northwest rapper is back with a second video in a collaboration series with outfitter Columbia Sportswear. The project brings together two of the biggest names (across any industry) in the region to illustrate the value of resetting and heading to the outdoors.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

The latest video follows Macklemore as he treks into the Mt. Rainier wilderness and offers his take on everything from his connection to the outdoors to struggling with addiction and the toils of touring life. “Mt Rainier symbolizes home…it has an epicness to it. It gives you a chance to feel small; it gives you a chance to put things in perspective,” he says.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

He goes on to discuss the importance of balance in unplugging and it improves life at home and in the music business. “It always takes me a minute to get into the outdoors–to kind of unplug, realize I have no service, and then a half an hour into it I see the trees and it’s like whoa,” Macklemore said, reflecting the feelings that most people can identify with when finally getting out of the city and back into nature.

Macklemore Eco — Image used with permission by copyright holder

The first video in the series highlighted the impact that PFCs (a common material in outdoor gear) have on the environment in conjunction with the launch of a new eco-friendly jacket last December.

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Even if Macklemore isn’t your thing, everyone can get behind protecting and honoring the natural landscape that surrounds and supports us.

You can see the video here.

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Geoff is a former contributor to The Manual. He's a native Oregonian who’s always up for a good challenge and a great hike…

Outdoors

Tune Outdoor’s new M1 Lite is a rugged, affordable, featherweight truck camper

Minimalist pickup owners will love the straightforward "everything you need, nothing you don't" design.

Sometimes less really is more. Personally, I think that's doubly true when it comes to camping. Whether you're backpacking, car camping, or RV'ing, there's beauty in a dead-simple camp setup. That's the thinking behind Tune Outdoor's new M1 Lite — a more affordable, more streamlined, and (wait for it ...) lighter version of the company's flagship M1 truck camper/topper.
While the original M1 is already lightweight and relatively affordable, compared to other overlanding and truck camping options in the space, Tune Outdoor is upping its game by making this new model even more affordable. That's done by cutting weight and overall size. The M1 Lite's interior is about 20% smaller, but that nets a 20-percent reduction in base weight. At a scant 322 pounds, it hardly weighs much more than some of the larger, most robust rooftop tents on the market. The result? Better fuel economy and a more agile ride both on- and off-road.

The compact interior features a smaller longitudinal double bed that measures 72 by 60 inches, compared to the M1's more generous east-west configuration. The over-cab space is also shorter, measuring just 45 inches. But the 57-inch-long alcove standard in the flagship M1 is available in the M1L as a $1,000 add-on. Overall, the space feels roomier than it should, though, thanks to a full-length pop-top roof with a generous 6.5 feet of headroom. That means most average-height adults can change and move around while standing. Panoramic, wraparound fabric "window" walls also help keep the space light and breezy.
The new M1 Lite starts at $8,999 (based on a Toyota Tacoma short bed). That's a full $4,000 cheaper than its OG predecessor, and Tune Outdoors will even install it for free at its Colorado headquarters. Eager buyers can reserve their very own with a $500 deposit to secure their place in line. First deliveries are expected sometime in December 2025.

Outdoors

The Pebble Flow travel trailer is packed with tech and ready to change vanlife forever

The future of RV'ing is bright, tech-forward, and all-electric for serious on- and off-grid camping.

Pebble Flow all-electric travel trailer parked at a campground on a starry night.

It seems clear that the future of the world's vehicles is electric. As it turns out, running all our cars and pickups on dead dinosaur juice is only going to take us so far—literally. And the battery-powered revolution has begun in the RV industry, too, thanks in large part to the official drop of the all-electric Pebble Flow travel trailer.
California-based Pebble first announced its electric travel trailer back in 2023. Based on the long list of next-gen features and specs, I was stoked—tentatively, though, as vehicle manufacturers have a history of overpromising and underdelivering when it comes to concept announcements. I'm happy to report that the company has begun delivering its Flow Founders Edition, and everything we loved about the original seems to have come to fruition.

It's a 100% electric RV designed to move seamlessly between on- and off-grid camping, making it the perfect go-anywhere live/work/play space for modern nomads. Pebble promises up to seven days of off-grid camping, including full use of all onboard appliances. This is no small feat. RV owners who've tried to venture too far from the frontcountry know the struggle of keeping cool in the summer with a beastly, power-hungry air conditioner. But, it appears Pebble has finally solved this problem.
It's clear that Pebble put just as much thought into the interior design as well. The furniture is not only sleek, modern, and handsome, but the living quarters easily transform between office, bedroom, and lounge as needed. Panoramic windows with one-touch instant privacy glass envelop the space, creating a vibe that's bright, airy, and breezy. Tasteful ambient lighting and high-end finishes throughout elevate the look and feel well above the bargain basement vibe found in most "ordinary" RVs.

Outdoors

Wildfire forces closure of Grand Canyon’s North Rim for the season—and maybe longer

Grand Canyon National Park faces massive closures due to natural disaster

A sweeping view of Grand Canyon on a winter morning

The Grand Canyon is one of the many areas currently affected by the Dragon Bravo Wildfire, which began last month. According to AZ Central, officials speculate that the fire began due to a lightning strike, which then spread rapidly due to sustained winds of 20 miles per hour, with gusts reaching up to 40 miles per hour. As of July 27th, 2025, the fire was still active, and the National Park Service reports that somewhere between 50 and 80 structures have been lost, including many administrative buildings and visitor facilities. Fortunately, they also report that no one has been injured, and no loss of life has been reported. Unfortunately, this devastating fire has closed the North Rim for the remainder of the season, and possibly longer.

Current closures at the North Rim