Nick Heil

Nick Heil

Nick Heil is a contributing editor at Outside and the author of Dark Summit: The True Story of Everest's Most Controversial Season. He lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

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On location with Roam testing Elevate in Chile

A Brief Excursion into Skiing's Cyborg Future

Last winter, when the robotics firm Roam released its latest version of Elevate, a revolutionary exoskeleton promising to boost skiing performance, our writer knew he had to give it a test drive. His analysis: the company's debut product is fun yet flawed—but its vision of a tech-assisted sports future will still blow your mind.

Nick Heil
Dec 16, 2020
I constructed a ten-by-six-foot L-shaped structure, bracketed by three posts crowned with old wood corbels—decorative supports—that I found in the junk pile.

I Missed Bars. So I Built One in My Own Backyard.

During a hot and lonely summer, I grabbed my tools and created an outdoor watering hole to entertain friends—at a safe distance, of course! This may be the best idea I’ve ever had.

Nick Heil
Oct 15, 2020
A diehard tequila fan is adding Tincup whiskey to his outdoors packing list.

Why Whiskey Is the Ideal Après Drink

A self-described tequila snob on why he's adding whiskey to his backcountry repertoire (and a recipe for the perfect Manhattan)

Nick Heil
Nov 17, 2019
From left: alpinists David Lama, Jess Roskelley, and Hansjörg Auer

The Tragedy on Howse Peak

In April, alpinists David Lama, Jess Roskelley, and Hansjörg Auer went silent during a harrowing expedition in Canada. The climbing community mobilized, first for a search and then for a memorial. In the wake of the tragedy, writer Nick Heil examines the motives of cutting-edge climbers and wonders: How close should we stand to our own mortality to feel alive?

Nick Heil
Aug 28, 2019
At six foot five, with long blond hair and a long list of adventure tales, John All might sound like the Indiana Jones of climate science.

The Indiana Jones of Climate Science

Five years after he famously Facebooked his way to rescue from a Himalayan crevasse, scientist and climber John All is back on Mount Everest, looking for answers about how global warming is affecting the highest peaks on earth

Nick Heil
May 9, 2019
The definitive outside guide to everything Moab.

The Outside Guide to Moab, Utah

Moab has come into its own as one of America’s great multisport destinations. Here’s how to make the most out of a visit, from pedaling its world-class singletrack to hiking its famed national parks to rafting the Colorado River.

Nick Heil
Feb 3, 2019
Most people know Jornet as a runner, but that is only half the story, maybe less.

Is Kilian Jornet for Real?

The Spanish ultra-athlete has spent the past decade crushing a generation of elite rivals and redefining the limits of human endurance. But when he notched back-to-back speed ascents of Everest in 2017, critics pounced on the claims.

Nick Heil
Jul 12, 2018