Submission Deadline: May 15th, 2026

Mountain Athlete Journal is a print-only, biannual magazine at the intersection of mountain athletics and creativity. Issue 01 publishes Summer 2026.

Theme: Movement + Meaning

Why do we feel compelled to move in the mountains? What does it reveal? How is physical expression linked to creative expression?

Issue 01 will be primarily winter-sport focused, but we welcome any work related to the link between creativity and endurance sport: ski mountaineering/skimo, bikepacking/ultra cycling, alpinism, trail running, and expedition. The theme matters more than the discipline.

If that sort of thing speaks to you, we’d love to talk.

What we're looking for:

Work that's honest & authentic, specific, and willing to take its subject seriously, without taking itself too seriously.

What we publish:

• Writing: Personal essays, training and racing philosophy, race or trip reports with reflection, poetry; anything you're excited about that explores the meaning you find through movement.

• Photography (both film and digital): Standalone images or photo essays.

• Poetry: any length.

• Visual art: illustration, painting, mixed media that translates well to print.

What we don’t publish:

• Gear reviews, sponsored editorial, or brand-funded trip content.

• Race/event recaps written like press releases.

• AI-generated writing or imagery. This is a human made thing. Goes without saying.

• Republished work (we want freshness)

Rights and compensation:

This is evolving; we're new and a small team. A core part of MAJ's mission is to elevate and support our contributors. Thus, we are working to ensure the work included in each issue is worthwhile for both the creator and the reader. As of now, we are paying for longer, feature commissions. Submitted writing, photos, poetry, and art are compensated with some free mags to keep for yourself or hand out to a friend. Plus credit and your original work printed in a beautiful journal, which we think is pretty cool.

MAJ grants first print rights only; full rights revert to contributors after publication.

How to submit:

• Submission Form: Click here

• Submissions close: May 15th, 2026

• Contributors notified: Late-May 2026

• Publication: Summer 2026

• More details sent upon inquiry

Questions?

Email us at submissions@mountainathletejournal.com

Thank you for your creativity and for trusting it with MAJ.