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Leslie Hsu Oh

As seen in National Geographic, Washington Post, Conde Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, Outside, Backpacker, Parents, Smithsonian, Sierra

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    • Fireweed: A Memoir
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"Leslie Hsu Oh is one of the most innovative outdoor writers today. Her prose style has a combination of spare lyricism, perfect rhythm and sensory power that seems almost like magic, bringing her readers fully into the worlds she re-creates. As a mother who goes on backcountry expeditions with her young children, and an adopted daughter of a Diné and Tlingit family, she also brings a perspective that's seldom heard — a voice capable of overturning outdated formulas that have long dominated the genre. She is part of a generation of writers who are redefining what it means to write about nature and adventure and to seek a more inclusive sense of place in the wild and the world." ~Katie Ives | Alpinist Magazine, Editor-in-Chief

"Leslie, I just want to say that I read your piece in Outside on your incredible anniversary hike through Chilkoot Pass today, and was in tears. Not just for the struggles that you and Thomas overcame, but for the insightful, personal and emotional journey that shared, and what you'd dealt with leading up to the trip also. I want to tell you that I really appreciated the piece, your strength and openness as a human and a wife/mother/woman/adventurer/perseverer is apparent and so inspiring. Really amazing stuff, and I hope to read more of your work soon."
~Jess Smith | VP of OutsidePR

Raised by a photographer, then adopted by the Navajo Táchii’nii or Red Running into Water People Clan and the Tlingit Yéil Naa (Raven Moeity), K’ineix Kwáan (people of the Copper River Clan) from the Tsisk’w Hit (Owl House), Leslie grounds her stories in indigenous knowledge and respect. Her Navajo name means Journey with Caring, Journey to Bring Out Gifts and that's the crux of her artistic intention, a storyteller that serves a place or people. Her Tlingit name is Guna Kadeit Seedi Shaawat, which means enormous wealth giving monster, the Tlingit name for Johnstone Passage, which is a channel that lies two miles north of Yakutat, Alaska.

By the age of twenty, she had white water rafted, spelunked, hiked, and ridden on horseback through nearly all the national parks in the United States and Canada when both her birth mother and eighteen-year-old brother die from hepatitis B. She is currently writing a memoir about the years that followed their death and how she turned to the natural world and the indigenous people most intimate to these places for answers.

She rappelled down a waterfall in Maui, photographed whales from a helicopter (and flown one), kayaked in Puerto Rico’s bio bay, fly fished beneath a waterfall in the highlands of Iceland, paraglided off a cliff in the Alps, ice climbed a glacier in Alaska, jumped out of an airplane and was invited by Elders to ceremonies or sacred landscapes that are not open to outsiders. Leslie, who has degrees in biology, ethnobotany, masters in fine arts and public health from Harvard, raises awareness about indigenous knowledge, health and wellness, race and culture, sustainability through travel. Read her work in National Geographic, Alpinist, Alaska Magazine, Backpacker Magazine, Conde Nast Traveler, Fourth Genre, Huffington Post, Outside Magazine, Parenting Magazine, Real Simple, Saveur, Smithsonian Magazine, Sierra Magazine, Travel + Leisure, Vogue, Washington Post.

Leslie is a Champion of Change for the White House in Asian American and Pacific Islander Storytelling and Art, a Schweitzer Fellow for Life, and the Senior Editor for Panorama: The Journal of Intelligent Travel. Her work has been named among the distinguished stories of the year by Best American Essays.  Read more about Leslie here.

Travel + Leisure | All in Good Time

Travel + Leisure | All in Good Time

February 13, 2021

National Conference on Hepatitis B & C | Saving Lives with Stories

National Conference on Hepatitis B & C | Saving Lives with Stories

January 7, 2021

Vogue | Looking for a Socially Distanced Escape? Go to a River

Vogue | Looking for a Socially Distanced Escape? Go to a River

August 20, 2020

Backpacker | The Living Forest

Backpacker | The Living Forest

August 17, 2020

National Geographic | Talking to Kids about Xenophobia

National Geographic | Talking to Kids about Xenophobia

May 26, 2020

Adventure Travel Trade Association | Strategies for Coping during Pandemic

Adventure Travel Trade Association | Strategies for Coping during Pandemic

May 3, 2020

Outside | Ocean Nerds, Check Out These Online Experiences

Outside | Ocean Nerds, Check Out These Online Experiences

April 30, 2020

Parents | Meet parents whose passion for the planet inspired them to change

Parents | Meet parents whose passion for the planet inspired them to change

March 30, 2020

Jetstar| Water World

Jetstar| Water World

February 1, 2020

Parents | 5 Things We Can All Learn from Tiger Parents

Parents | 5 Things We Can All Learn from Tiger Parents

December 24, 2019

REI | Good Gear: Buy a Flannel, Help Save the Ocean

REI | Good Gear: Buy a Flannel, Help Save the Ocean

December 15, 2019

Outside | 5 of the Most Incredible Fly-Fishing Trips

Outside | 5 of the Most Incredible Fly-Fishing Trips

October 5, 2019

Adventure Journal | Painting the Next Chapter

Adventure Journal | Painting the Next Chapter

September 5, 2019

Backpacker | The Hiker’s Code of Conduct

Backpacker | The Hiker’s Code of Conduct

May 7, 2019

Outside | The Ultimate Canyoneering Kit for Women

Outside | The Ultimate Canyoneering Kit for Women

May 2, 2019

Saveur | What It’s Like to Break Bread in the Desert

Saveur | What It’s Like to Break Bread in the Desert

January 4, 2019

Korean Air Morning Calm | State of Nature

Korean Air Morning Calm | State of Nature

October 8, 2018

Outside | The Best National Parks for Kids

Outside | The Best National Parks for Kids

June 24, 2018

Vertebrate Publishing | Waymaking: An Anthology of Women’s Adventure Writing, Poetry, and Art

Vertebrate Publishing | Waymaking: An Anthology of Women’s Adventure Writing, Poetry, and Art

June 4, 2018

Fireweed: A Memoir (In Progress)

Fireweed: A Memoir (In Progress)

May 24, 2018

Grace in Darkness

Grace in Darkness

May 7, 2018

Real Simple | The 8 Genius Hacks You Need to Know Before Visiting Harry Potter World

Real Simple | The 8 Genius Hacks You Need to Know Before Visiting Harry Potter World

April 14, 2018

Outside | Snowboarding Gear That’s Actually Designed for Women

Outside | Snowboarding Gear That’s Actually Designed for Women

March 28, 2018

Sierra Magazine | A Guilt-Free Day on the Slopes

Sierra Magazine | A Guilt-Free Day on the Slopes

January 27, 2018

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At @hardrockcafe in #southlaketahoe you can enjoy At @hardrockcafe in #southlaketahoe you can enjoy the first and only #seafoodbar in the area. We loved sitting at the bar and watching the chefs make our  #seafoodboil and #clamlinguini in their #openkitchen. Because it’s first come first serve, we walked around admiring the #musicmemorabilia #rihanna @jamesbrown @elvis @madonna
Watching your child race #sbx always gives me ulce Watching your child race #sbx always gives me ulcers. Broken arms. Concussions. Prayers for our teammates who endured injuries. This season my son joins his big sister @ko_snowboarder and the @squawalpine @svam_snowboardteam #snowboardcross #skicross team who earned 20 Medals on Saturday and 14 on Sunday. 
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Gratitude to Coach Mort, @nateholland and Mike for the confidence & courage you’ve instilled in our kids. I am blown away by how much they learned since December. I’m also thoroughly impressed as always by @usasasouthtahoe @actionjet who runs incredibly organized races and goes out of her way to find the best #swag ! My son is enjoying his @blackstrap beanie. #kosnowboarder makes breakfast for us before she starts school with her waffle maker and she even made her younger sisters happy by gifting them the #blackstrap pink goggle socks and buff.
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1st photo: @ko_snowboarder winning bronze in #giant slalom or #slalom earlier this month
2nd photo: shot of my son by Bernard @browngalinthesnow 
4th: video from one of six races this past weekend #where @ko_snowboarder earns 2 silvers @alex.bumann05 earns two golds. Her proud dad captured this video @playamedic1 
5th: love this video by @ko_snowboarder cheering for her brother
6th photo: thanks to Duane for capturing how our boys prep for their race
A Singaporean university student was walking down A Singaporean university student was walking down a London street when he heard someone shout, “I don’t want your coronavirus in my country.” When the student turned, he said four men attacked him, giving him a bloody nose and a broken bone near his right eye.

A similar story played out in Madrid, where a Chinese-American expat was so violently beaten that he woke up two days later in the hospital. He told police that all he remembers was hearing someone say “something about the coronavirus” before everything went black.

Incidents like these occurred a few months after the novel coronavirus—the virus that causes COVID-19—was first reported in a market in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. As infection rates once again rise around the world, spurred by new, more contagious “super strains,” these attacks aren’t going away. From the United States to the United Kingdom, people who look Chinese are being targeted for racially motivated assaults, fueled by fear of a virus that knows no race, country of origin, political affiliation, or economic status.

This is how @qinxiesays begins her article in #nationalgeographic about #antiasianracism and how it impacts #travel . She quotes me as a source. Read the full article in my profile and my article for #natgeokids about how to talk to kids about #stopaapihate #stopasianhatecrimes #stopasianhate #protectourelders #asiandiaspora #racismishate #virusofhate #racism #racisminamerica @admerasia #racismisavirus #racismiscontagious @aajaofficial @ocanational @nextshark @aapaonline @a3pcon @caamedia @caasanfrancisco @satsukiina @ibramxk @prof_erikalee @gracehwanglynch @littlegraythread @clairemccarthymd @haneeter @bashandjules @stopaapihate @stopaapihateyc @rwong800 @rtajimapena @sanfranciscostate @washthehate @asianamericanlife
During my stay @renrenodowntown when I needed to t During my stay @renrenodowntown when I needed to take a break and get some inspiration, I would walk through their #artgallery. This one is called #poplar crowd acrylic n canvas. Artist #davidmccamant ! You can rent out bottom floor which has bar and dining space. There is an artist installation there (2nd photo). The hotel invites #artists to paint their walls!
What’s happening on ur #valentines ? @ko_snowboa What’s happening on ur #valentines ? @ko_snowboarder (my daughter who never wins any #swag at @usasasnow #races) won this #wafflemaker last weekend from @usasasouthtahoe @actionjet @sierra_at_tahoe and bronze medals in #giantslalom and #slalom . The first #waffles she made were for her little sister who is allergic to eggs, dairy, shellfish and nuts. Then she made a batch for the rest of the family. 
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(Swipe right) Congratulations to her teammates @alex.bumann05 @ourpuravidaadventures and @hannasnowboards @kimpercy for their silvers and golds. Gratitude to Coach @nateholland and Mike @svam_snowboardteam for his special wax and tune.
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(Swipe right) Slo-mo of @ko_snowboarder courtesy of @playamedic1
Found an amazing #working #writing space @renrenod Found an amazing #working #writing space @renrenodowntown @renotahoe ! I’m told this is the #bestroom #renaissancereno which can function as #flexcation #artstudio overlooking Truckee River. I’m working on my memoir here but the hotel also offers blank canvas, acrylic paints, vision-boards, spray paint or any other mediums upon request. There’s a separate bedroom with King size bed with a window to the river and a living room area that’s three times the size of the bedroom and includes a large kitchen counter which I used to spread out all my drafts. #writinginspiration #workspace #nevada #renotahoe #renotahoeusa @renotahoe @deckerroyal #hotellife #hotelroomview #hotelroom #hotelgram
This is the “Smoke on the Water” #cocktail ... This is the “Smoke on the Water” #cocktail ... the waiter is using a #bubblegun filled with bubblegum flavor to create a #vaporfilled #bubble ! The rest of this cocktail includes #empressgin #coconut #nigari #sake with #italicus #bergamotto #rosalio and #canton #ginger #liqueur and #lemon #juice and #xocolatl #mole #bitters . At the #redbloom in @atlantiscasino you can taste this unique cocktail with #pekingduck #ramen #dandannoodles and #baobuns (choose between roasted duck, crispy pork belly, fried tofu, soft shell crab or braised short rib) #atlantiscasino
Had a chance to give you a tour of one of the few Had a chance to give you a tour of one of the few #spas open since June in #reno #nevada. Check out why #spaatlantis is one of the #topten spas in the world and the only @forbestravelguide #fourstar #spa in the area. 
-while u wait for ur appointmt, relax in their Aqua Spa Lounge which has jetted #pools of varying temperatures to invigorate ur body and strengthen ur immune system and four shower experiences: ice fog, tropical rain, thunderstorm & waterfall (closed at the moment)
-That’s the cold plunge pool
-Laconium Relaxation Lounge: dry heat to purify and detox body (closed at the moment)
-Brine Inhalation Light Therapy Lounge: not pictured because it was closed but I wanted to mention it because it’s the only brine wall in northern Nevada. The salt aerosols expand ur lungs and relaxes u!
-The two videos walk you through their tea lounge (which normally has refreshments) and steam room and cedar #sauna (all closed at the moment)
-The Rasul Ceremonial Chamber: I’ll be returning to try this out w/my husband. It’s modeled after an ancient #arabian royalty cleansing ritual. You sit on a throne and apply six healing muds or fruits/oils while the chamber fills w/rain or aromatic infused steam!
-There are 16 treatment rooms, 30 massage therapists and 5 aestheticians. 
-I’m trying the Rejuvenating #microcurrent #facial. For 90 minutes, my aesthetician cleansed my pores, extracted 7 #milia, layered mask after mask on my face made of plants like #stonecrop . I also experienced a #cbd #massage and #pedicure ! One way to get the writing muse inspired. @atlantiscasino #atlantiscasino #atlantiscasinoresort #atlantiscasinoresort
The #strawberry #basil #caipiroska with #vodka and The #strawberry #basil #caipiroska with #vodka and lime plus their melt in the mouth #chileanseabass with a sautéed prawn and crab mashed potatoes (bite-sized chunks of crab meat) from #bistronapa @atlantiscasino was well worth the drive to #reno. Upon entering the #resort you stand in front of an automated temperature screening kiosk, masks are required and occupancy reduced to 50% in #casino and #restaurants. Room service was all served in disposable paper containers or plates.

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