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I’m working in Southeast Alaska (Juneau) again for the summer as a deckhand on a whale-watching tour boat. The rain jackets they gave us last year weren’t all that great, and I want to bring something that offers a little more protection. I work 8 to 16 hours at a time, sometimes it's raining the whole time. I like being able to move, but weight isn’t that big an issue. As a younger student I am also budget-conscious. What do you recommend?—JosephAustin, TX
There's at least one major upside to the bursting of the real-estate bubble: The kind of adventure-ready second home you've always dreamed about is suddenly within reach. From mountain retreats to lakefront outposts to slopeside condos, here's your primer on where to invest for the long haul.
After moving from Boulder, Colorado, to New York City, our boy was in desperate need of a new fitness plan. Then he discovered boxing—which worked great, until it came time to start getting hit.
It's in the middle of nowhere, populated by quirky sheep farmers, and just a footnote in British military history. But the world is finally discovering what Darwin found out 176 years ago: The Falkland Islands are one of the last great wildlife destinations on the planet.
Forgive me if this sounds like I'm just rewriting a press release. Frankly, I am. But it's only because I think this is a really cool program that deserves some attention. Teva, the footwear brand, is holding an essay/video contest. The question: If someone gave you $10,000 to fulfill your…
It's freezing outside, and you need a tropical vacation. You can score a trip for free by entering King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel giveaway. If you win, you get a three-night stay…
Each month we get more letters than we can publish in the magazine. Going forward we will be publishing some of those letters on our blog to spur even more conversation. Feel free to tell us what you think in the comments section below, on…
I a hospital corpsman stationed in Okinawa. I wanted to know what I could try out around here in the surrounding islands. Hiking, kayaking, camping? Brett Okinawa, Japan
Enough with the beer jokes—curling's quickly gaining on classic Olympic sports like skiing.
Short-track speed-skating gold medalist Apolo Anton Ohno hasn’t changed his facial hair or bandanna in two Olympics. Help us give him a winning makeover. You can follow Ohno in Vancouver on Twitter.
Winter weekends are short and dark—which means you need to be fast and smart. Beat the blues with one of these surprisingly affordable escapes.
I want to take a trip to the Amazon rainforest. What is the best way to do so? Kyle Staten Island, NY
Snow sports photographer Scott D.W. Smith has traveled to nearly 40 countries, including Italy, Switzerland, Austria, and Chile, in the name of the perfect shot. Not only have the fruits of his labor been published in SKI, Skiing, National Geographic Adventure, and…
Philadelphia is known as the City of Brotherly Love, but did you know that it's name actually means 'sibling love'? The true meaning of city names and other geographic monikers is on display in a slideshow created by The Telegraph. The slideshow samples some…
Book clubs, rejoice: The rollicking sequel to Three Cups of Tea is here.
Roadmonkey Adventure Philanthropy is the latest outfitter to specialize in "voluntourism," that sometimes contrived marriage of far-flung travel and community service. MIKE KESSLER checked out one of their new cycling trips in Vietnam. Initially, he was skeptical. Now? He works for the company.
It's the biggest adventure in the aid world—and by far the toughest. JOSHUA HAMMER takes a hard look at the relief effort in the war-torn nation of Chad, where rebels stage their raids on neighboring Darfur and the humanitarian fallout has become the worst show on earth.
Here's something we wish we'd had while flying back from Thanksgiving, crammed between a sullen tween and plus-sized gentleman: “Seat alert” is a new service offered by ExpertFlyer.com that notifies you when a preferred seat opens up on your flight.
Starting February 2010, you can no longer simply show up to get a permit to hike overnight in the backcountry of the Grand Canyon. You're going to have to send your request via snail mail or fax within four months of your planned visit. One…
Researchers have found that restrooms on cruise ships are not being cleaned properly, which may enable the norovirus to live on surfaces for weeks. Since 2005, there have been 66 outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness on cruise ships, and although the researchers have not directly linked the outbreaks to poor restroom…
The International Adventure Film Festival starts today and runs through Sunday, November 14th in Boulder, CO. Over 30 movies in three days, the festival is sure to be packed with workshops, parties, and great prizes. Buy a three day pass for $50 at www.adventurefilm.org…
Check out David D'Angelo's short film of still images stitched together from his weekend in Singapore. You can read more about the filmmaker, formerly of Serac Adventure Films, here. –Aileen Torres…
You may not be able to swim like Michael Phelps, but you might be able to beat him with your putting skills. If you're supreme on the green, enter The Best of Us Challenge,…
Virgin Atlantic just released an app-version of its popular 'Flying Without Fear' course which features an instructional video on the flight process, relaxation techniques, and answers to frequently asked questions. The company claims…
Jack Johnson will perform an acoustic show at the Hawaii Theatre on November 13 and 14. The set will be preceded by a screening of his latest film, Jack Johnson: En Concert. You can buy tickets at…
Camping in the United States is a great thing, but camping in Europe seems to be camping in parking lots. Where can we go camping with kids in Switzerland? What resources will tell us about U.S.-style camping places...accessible with kids. David New Orleans, LA
In the rugged eastern provinces of Afghanistan, where peaks rise thousands of feet on all sides and the next valley is a world away, American troops are engaged in a kind of alpine warfare not seen for decades. Months can go by without combat, but when you're patrolling terrain as dangerous and unpredictable as the enemy, the calm is often shattered when you least expect it.
Rick Lyke's reaction to his diagnosis of prostate cancer at 47 was a proactive one: He founded “Pints for Prostates,” an organization that promotes prostate cancer screening among men via the common bond of beer. “Beer is a universal thing for men,” Lyke said…
As a team of rookies at the World Elephant Polo Championships, we were set up for embarrassment. Instead we tasted glory.
Bagpipes or bikes? In Scotland, the choice is easy: World-class singletrack ranges across the stark beauty of the Highlands, transecting the ancient kingdom and drawing fat-tire aficionados from far and wide. MARK LEVINE takes his lumps in craggy Caledonia.
Last week the Olympic torch was lit in Olympia, Greece to signify the beginning of the upcoming Winter Olympic Games. The torch will trek through 1,000 communities on its trip to Vancouver, B.C. where it will land on February 12. A symbol…
Our new favorite obscure adventure sport: Parahawking. The Himalayan Raptor Rescue currently organize 'sky safaris' to raise money to protect over 80 local birds of prey and other endangered species that live in the mountains of Nepal. The HRR has…
The Mount Baldy Chamber of Commerce is offering 'free' season passes for the 2009-2010 season. Okay, so it's not free, but a one-time $49.95 activation fee isn't bad when you consider the fact that you won't need to buy any lift tickets…
It was my last day in Hawaii, and I fully intended to fill it up. My flight wouldn't leave until 11 p.m. from Honolulu, so I made sure to schedule in as much as I could. If, like me, you're going to be sticking around for a full day…
Keala Kennelly, who's starred in Blue Crush and John from Cincinnati, has been surfing since she was in her mother's womb. Her mom was still riding waves at six months pregnant, so KK's…
I got in some dolphin time today on Wild Side Specialty Tour's morning wildlife cruise (8 to 11 a.m., $105 per person, sailhawaii.com). If you're looking for a way to get in a short tour of the Waianae coast, snorkeling, and a…
I took a little trip to the Hakipuu Valley, about 45 minutes away from Waikiki, where I’m staying. When the Bike Hawaii bus picked me up for the Rainforest to Reef tour (9 a.m. to 4 p.m., $105.05; bikehawaii.com), I was happy to ride away.
On the agenda for today: a helicopter flight around the Big Island.I took the three-hour Volcano and Valley Landing tour from ParadiseHelicopters ($433.35 per person, paradisecopters.com),located at the Commuter Terminal in Kona International Airport. It'soffered daily, in the morning and afternoon. If…
I landed in Kona, on the Big Island of Hawaii, Thursday afternoon. I'm staying at King Kamehameha, as are a lot of the Ironman athletes. The hotel is the site of the big race, and it's hard…
Miles Morgan Travel has received mixed reactions to their Titanic Memorial Cruise, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. The cruise will depart from Southampton, England and will stop at the exact spot where the Titanic sank. The…
Hotels that are trying to be greener are asking guests to recycle their own trash in their rooms to cut down on waste, The New York Times reports. “Doing in-room recycling is important because the guest sees that,”said Pat Maher, an environmentalconsultant to the…
BEST: SEPTEMBEROCTOBER, WHEN THE SAND IS COOL FIRST ENCOUNTER: Sun Spots I can’t tell you if we saw the sun set on the North Rim and rise on the South Rim or if the order was reversed. It doesn’t matter. What I remember is that I was seven…
I want to climb a volcano. And when I say climb I mean hike, I don't want to have to mess with ropes and the like. Any suggestions in North America? Luke H. Austin, TX
The team at Serac Adventure Films brings you the best student videos from the 2009 Teva Games.
What type of apparel would you wear for backpacking to keep your burly legs warm in the Georgia and Tennessee mountains from November to March? Jason Calhoun, GA
We polled the sharp-eyed nomads we trust most and came up with a bucket list of the best trips for getting the best shots around the world.
I'd like to plan a trip around erica's biggest and fastest roller coasters. Any suggestions on where I should head to maximize my riding time?
After a coffee, a pastry, and some literary-mag browsing at an open-air espresso joint, we stroll to the Pacific. Waves and wind have already welcomed kiteboarders and surfers, but I opt instead for a jog south along 3.5 miles of sweeping, hard-packed beach. I pass dog walkers, kids sandcastling, beach…
Thayer Walker leashes a jaguar and takes it for a walk.
Healthy. That's the word we kept coming back to. And we don't mean a fit or skinny population; we're talking about a city's cultural vibrancy, economic well-being, and overall quality of life. Presenting our picks for the 10 best cities in America, from Charlotte, North Carolina, to Albuquerque, New Mexico. Plus: Our 10 favorite small towns.
For more than 600 years, judgment-impaired men (and a few women) have tested their speed and luck at the running of the bulls in Pamplona, Spain. The event, the most popular attraction at the San Fermin Festival (July 714), draws nearly 4,000 runners every day at 8 a.m., when six…
YOU 1. Hair cut, no hat 2. Backpack not extending above your head 3. Face clean-shaven 4. No cardboard sign WARNING SIGNS If three or more of these are present… 5. Gandalf bobblehead on dashboard 6. Soldier…
I'm going on a two-week backpacking trip in the Grand Canyon this summer, and I was wondering what kind of fabrics I would want to stick with as far as shorts and shirts go. The last thing I want is to be uncomfortable. Are there any fabrics that I should completely avoid? What would you recommend? Kristen Grant Park, IL
My friends and I are planning a backpacking trip to Utah, but we're at a loss as to where to go. We're looking for a three- to four-day trip, so something in the range of 18 to 25 miles or so, give or take. If possible, we'd love to spend some time in slot canyons, but that's not really the focus. Landon H. Boulder, CO
What kind of outdoor adventures can I find in Morocco? I'm visiting in September and would like to have a little fun while I'm there. Joe L. Littleton, CO
CHUCK THOMPSON developed a serious thirst for rain, so we sent him to one of the wettest places on earth: India's southwest coast‚ during the water-bomb peak of the summer monsoon
There's no better place to escape your own success than on a river in Texas Hill Country. Just ask Taylor Kitsch.
Nothing beats a great live show, especially when you’re enjoying it under the sun or the stars. Presenting the 15 best outdoor music festivals in North America. Because summer is the time to play the field. Sasquatch! Bonnaroo The Roots Picnic Telluride Bluegrass…
My husband and I are looking to escape the city for four nights and five days. We want to cp, hike, and kayak, preferably in the southwest. We are not climbers, but flying in and out of Las Vegas looks practical given our short stay. What do you suggest? Alex A. Washington, DC
I looking for a wheeled duffle/backpack with the option to carry on my back (I think). However, I DON'T like the zip-on daypack feature. I have checked out REI and Eagle Creek and can't find what I looking for. I traveling for two weeks and won't be doing any trekking. Any ideas? Elizabeth Portland, OR
Next year, I would like to climb Kilimanjaro with my brother to celebrate his 30th birthday. Can you recommend any tour organizers who have a particularly good reputation for treks up Kilimanjaro? We are hoping to cp instead of staying in huts and will probably select a moderately intense route up the mountain.
To find the emptiest hideouts in seven iconic parks, we called on the guys with the keys to the back door: the rangers and staff.
I'm planning a one- to two-week road trip up to northern Washington, possibly Canada. Do you have any suggestions of good places to cp/stay and interesting things to do? Any goods hikes and or bike rides? Tim O. San Luis Obispo, CA
The embattled director of the Central Asia Institute responds to allegations of financial mismanagement and that he fabricated stories in his bestselling book Three Cups of Tea.
I looking for the quintessential duffel bag. I want it to be large, but no larger than 100 liters. I looking for a bag with shoulder straps, like those found on a backpack. The bag will be used for car camping, airplane travel, and international travel. Lockable zippers would be nice. A bag that is weatherproof is also important. I have in mind The North Face Base Camp Duffel Bag or the Black Diamond Huey Duffel Bag. Thank you very much for your help! Arek Ashland, WI
I'm a beginning mountaineer looking to tackle a few mountains this summer. What are some challenging peaks in the United States? Beau R. Rochester, NH
I put raisins on my cereal. Should I just put sugar on my cereal and cut out the raisins? Bill Garfield Hanover, New Hampshire