Nonfiction Commons^™

Nebo: Volume 1, Issue 1

NEBO: A Literary Journal

Nebo Literary Journal is a dynamic collection of contemporary fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction that highlights emerging voices in literature. Curated by Arkansas Tech University, this issue features a diverse range of storytelling, lyrical expression, and thought-provoking essays that explore themes of identity, human connection, and the power of narrative. With contributions from talented writers across genres, Nebo serves as a creative space for literary exploration and artistic expression. Whether through evocative poetry or compelling short stories, this issue invites readers to immerse themselves in the richness of modern literature.

A Peak Ahead: Dark Places, Christine Woodside

Appalachia

No abstract provided.

Books And Media

Appalachia

Reviews of: A Light Through the Cracks: A Climber's Story, by Beth Rodden; Blood Sweat Tears, edited by Christine Reed; Pack Light: A Journey to Find Myself, by Shilletha Curtis; Alpine Rising: Sherpas, Baltis, and the Triumph of Local Climbers in the Greater Ranges, by Bernadette McDonald; Headstrap: Legends and Lore From the Climbing Sherpas of Darjeeling, by Nandini Purandare and Deepa Balsavar; Tramping Monadnock! New Discoveries with Henry David Thoreau, by Robert M. Young; Ghosts of Glencoe, by Chuck Schwerin; The Lifer: Rock Climbing Adventures in the Gunks and Beyond, by …

News And Notes

Appalachia

Reflections on the December 18, 2023 flood caused a 6-inch rainstorm across northern Carroll and southern Coos Counties, New Hampshire. Appalachian Mountain Club trail builders create an All Persons Trail at AMC Cardigan Lodge in Alexandria, New Hampshire. Mountain author Mike Dickerman shares a photo memory of a bushwhack to Carrigain Pond in 1988.

Research

Appalachia

The seasonal snowpack’s decline is affecting plants and animals.

Alpina

Appalachia

Reports of mountaineering in the greater ranges in 2024 include a free climb of the central tower of the Torres del Paine in Patagonia, a first ascent of Hungchi in Nepal, toilet problems on Everest, a first ascent of Muchu Chhish in Pakistan, a difficult route on Wyoming’s Devils Tower, and a tribute to the late David Breashears, TM Herbert, and Lou Whittaker.

Accidents

Appalachia

Reports of rescues and accidents in the White Mountains of New Hampshire from the cold season of 2023-24. Thoughts on the Pemi Loop, the 31-mile passage around the Pemigewassett Wilderness. Hikers call for help but then hike out another way while rescuers search along Signal Ridge Trail. Chris Roma perishes while attempting a solo Pemi Loop in January. Skiers trigger an avalanche in the Great Gulf. Hypothermia puts one of a threesome in grave danger on Mount Monadnock. An ill-prepared hiker becomes dangerously cold after heading into frigid snow-blowing conditions on the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail. Sledding down Mount Avalon ends …

Letter

Appalachia

Patient privacy and accidents.

Skyline Sketches: A Journey Through The Boundary Waters, Derick Lugo

Appalachia

A man who has never canoed paddles through Minnesota’s Boundary Waters.

Skyline Sketches: Turning Around, Morgan Kennedy

Appalachia

A backpacker turns around after a late start up the lonely Watson Path.

Skyline Sketches: Survival Of The Timid, Jessica Kulynych

Appalachia

A mother and daughter retreat in bad weather, showing that timidity saves lives.

Waterman Fund Essay Winner: Old Friends In The Alpine: Field Scientists On Vermont's Highest Peak, Catherine Wessel

Appalachia

In this winning essay of the annual contest sponsored by the Waterman Fund, a young scientist meets Bill Howland, who studied the same vegetation in 1991, at their study site high on Vermont’s Mount Mansfield.

Poetry On The Mountain: Hiking Moosilauke In A Mood, Elissa Ely

Appalachia

Near the summit of Mount Moosilauke, someone hands a hiker a copy of a Billy Collins poem with a typo.

Editor’s note: We have redacted the quoted lines of the Collins poem. Appalachia’s agreement to reprint part of “Night Letter to the Reader” covers only the print edition of the journal. Physical copies of this issue can be purchased at outdoors.org.

Last Hike On Mount Monadnock: Friends Confront Time And Mortality, Eric D. Lehman

Appalachia

Two friends push up the southern New Hampshire peak, sensing but not knowing that it will be the last time for one of them.

Debacle On Mount Pierce: A Self-Rescue Story, Heidi J. Downing

Appalachia

Two friends take a wrong turn heading down Mount Pierce in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, navigating several errors of judgement.

When Powder Skis Became A Thing: A Winter's Tale Of Engineers And Unbroken Fields Of White, Rick Spedden

Appalachia

Powder skiing used to be the domain of an adventurous fringe element, but with the manufacturing of specialized skis, it is now a mainstream pursuit.

Return To The Cuyahoga Valley: From Toxic Dump To National Park, Christopher Johnson

Appalachia

Once known as the place where a river caught fire, today’s Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio attracts boaters and hikers.

Rotors, Not Propellers: A Tribute To A Dedicated Helicopter Pilot, Sally Manikian

Appalachia

A tribute to Carl J. Svenson, a pilot who for three decades flew supplies to huts and shelter sites for the Appalachian Mountain Club before his death in a crash in Croyden, New Hampshire, in October 2023.

Mountain Ninjas: Today's Motorized Beasts Of Burden, Justin Preisendorfer

Appalachia

Motorized equipment like snowcats and helicopters have become critical tools for effective recreation management in the modern era in the White Mountain National Forest of New Hampshire.

Flight Lessons: Drones Find Their Way As Search-And-Rescue Tools, Sandy Stott

Appalachia

Since 2018, New Hampshire Fish & Game has begun using drones to search for lost and injured hikers in the White Mountains, complementing ground searches, trained dogs, and helicopters.

The Long Way Home: Getting Water, Christine Woodside

Appalachia

From the outlet of Ethan Pond in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, waterlogged memories of moose, children, and swimmers resurface.

Appalachia Winter/Spring 2025: Complete Issue

Appalachia

Winter/Spring 2025 - Volume LXXVI, Number 1 - Issue #259. The Humanity of Machines: Stories of drones, helicopters, and snowcats in the mountains.

The Mariana Trench Is Not Blue, Sean Scanlan

Publications and Research

“The Mariana Trench Is Not Blue” is a short (2,300 words) creative nonfiction piece about a slice of time when I crewed on Ocean Guy, a sailboat docked in Guam in 1994. I learned about the island’s dangers during what should have been a relaxing day snorkeling with my captain and first mate at Bangi Point, a famous coral reef. Part of the tension emanates from the boat’s terrible condition and from the trench itself which contains monsters larger than any of us--they seem to follow the three of us to shore.

The Monday Manure, Zachary David Berston

Journalism

For my senior project, I wanted to create a new section of Mustang News that includes satire and cartoons. The section is called the Monday Manure to fit with the horse themed titles of other sections. This idea began as a project in the Media Innovation and Entrepreneurship class. While I initially had the idea to have a section that included games, I realized that it was a bit too ambitious after discussing that with the team at Mustang news. Over the course of this project, I have created several satire articles and cartoons, as well as organizing a team …

Three Walks Along Wascana Creek, Ken Wilson

The Goose

"Three Walks Along Wascana Creek" recalls the author's walking along Wascana Creek in Regina, Saskatchewan, in June 2021.

One Of These Things: A Poetic Exploration Of Waste And Discordant Objects, Brittany Ellsworth

The Goose

In this narrative essay, I present my thoughts and concerns about the physical waste I encounter on my adventures in my hometown of Corner Brook, NL. I also introduce and differentiate between garbage and my proposed concept of discordant objects and how these objects have inspired my poetic and creative writing practice. The essay concludes with a poem and photograph of one such discordant object.

We Are All Strays Now (Now), Grace Moore

The Goose

Drawing on ideas of kinship and straying, this piece of creative non-fiction considers my relationship with a "neighbourhood cat," dying from a coronavirus, just prior to the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. It addresses how we make kin with strays, and the ways in which animals insert themselves into human lives.

The Disinformation Vaccine: A Case For Integrating Comprehensive Disinformation Education Into First Year Writing Classes, Benjamin F. Jackson

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

Students’ exposure to disinformation and misinformation is far greater than it has ever been. As the ability of generative AI to produce image, video, and audio deepfakes grows more sophisticated, disinformation will become even easier to spread and harder to detect. The rapid spread of social, political, scientific, and medical disinformation has been deadly and its potential is disastrous. Security experts now warn that dis/misinformation is the greatest threat to national security. Americans at large and students in particular have a demonstrated lack of information literacy when it comes to detecting false information, and bad actors nationally and globally are …

When I Was Five, Ceallan Hunter

Floodwall Magazine

No abstract provided.

The Alternate Bios, Casey Fuller

Floodwall Magazine

No abstract provided.