Everything
The goofy animal-show guy is vying to become a mainstream newsman. Does he have the killer instinct?
I live in Chicago and would like to keep up my running this winter. Can you recommend good winter running shoes? Zac Chicago, IL
I'm looking for the lightest breatheable bivy sack out there, any suggestions? Gabe Lander, WY
I was wondering if you knew of any high-def cameras that can zoom in to a six-foot-by-six-foot square on earth's surface from 60,000 feet and attached to a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle)? Paul Long Beach, CA
What is the best way to carry water into a hike? I have been using a regular gallon jug and it's just a bad choice, but I don't want to carry a bunch of Sigg or Nalgene bottles. Is there any lightweight system to carry water that is a little more...packable? Daniel Powell, OH
With the approaching winter solstice, my evening outdoor runs require illumination. This activity takes place in an unlit park laced with footpaths that can be hazardous to aging ankles. My headlp, though fine for cp chores and reading, just doesn't provide enough light, particularly when moving at speed. Can you suggest a lightweight personal torch that would do the trick? I not as concerned with burn time as I might be if I’m on a wilderness excursion. Diana Westmount, Quebec
As a team of rookies at the World Elephant Polo Championships, we were set up for embarrassment. Instead we tasted glory.
REI and Arbor have released a “call for artists” to submit designs for their 2010 snowboard design contest. The competition is open to anyone who likes to draw, and the winning design will be featured in Arbor's 2010-2011 snowboard lineup and sold exclusively…
The NYC Marathon is this Sunday—the women’s elite race starts at 9:10 a.m. eastern, and the men’s elite start is at 9:40 a.m. (I’ll be starting in that first wave at 9:40.) For those of you planning to tune in…A little background: The big…
19-year-old Taylor Mitchell died after being attacked by two coyotes in Cape Breton highlands National Park, Canada, according to CBC News. She was attacked Tuesday afternoon while walking alone on a popular hiking trail. Park officials say that other hikers managed to scare off the coyotes…
Swimmers are being warned to stay out of the waters near Stradbroke Island, Australia, after a 10-foot great white shark, which had been caught on a drum-line, was nearly ripped clean in half by what is being estimated to be a 20-foot great white. The…
Think of Julbo's new glacier sunglasses, The Bivouak ($120), like a Transformer. At the base level, they're a wraparound frame with a stylish shape for moseying around town. Now, attach the fire engine red side shields and you have a glass that is…
By Stephen Regenold As recently as five years ago, Army-Surplus wool pants were a stalwart piece in my winter outerwear getup. I’d pair the coarse, jungle-green trousers, which were purchased for $20 to $30 at secondhand shops, with a Gore-Tex shell jacket for ice climbing…
Over 200,000 square miles of Alaska and its coastal waters have been earmarked by the Department of the Interior as “critical habitat” for polar bears, according to Backpacker. With critical habitat status, the federal government prohibits any activity on the land or water that could threaten the…
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.
Two years ago at Kitzbühel, American downhiller Scott Macartney survived a high-speed crash that would've ended most skiing careers. He immediately began plotting a comeback, drawing on deep stores of willpower and courage to overcome a unique kind of terror that every racer knows. They even have a name for it: the Fear.
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…
In the wake of the Caster Semenya gender controversy, the International Olympic Committee is in the process of convening a panel of medical experts to draw up a set of guidelines for future issues surrounding gender ambiguity. In…
According to Treehugger, three white lion clubs at the West Midlands Safari Park in Worcestershire, England are now on view to the public. With only 30 white lions in existence today, the 12-week old cubs are a rare treat. Their light color…
Tara Parker-Pope from the New York times delves into this popular question, addressing issues from humans' unique body structure to advanced cooling systems to our evolved toes and gluteus maximus. While long distance running can often induce serious injury and wear and tear to the body, Parker Pope attributes many…
By Stephen Regenold I'm not sure exactly when humble “long underwear” became “next-to-skin technical base layers,” but somewhere over the past decade designers in the outdoors industry switched up the nomenclature and cut words like “skivvies” and “long johns” out of the conversation. It…
The planet is smaller than ever, but that just means there's a host of new dangers out there—and a new set of solutions. These days, a text message or the right travel-insurance policy might just save your bacon. So study up—your life may depend on it.
My dad always said the family that skis together...spends a helluva lot of dough. Here are some ways to trim the fat.
Endless Powder! Rowdy Bars! Screaming Deals! Secret Stashes! Huge Steeps!
Just a head's up to all of you in the Santa Fe area: Tomorrow, at the Armory of the Arts, Conrad Anker and Jimmy Chin will be speaking as part of The North Face's Never Stop Exploring Speaker Series (sponsored in part…
With all the swine flu hype going on, it's easy to forget that we're also heading into cold season. Over at the New York Times, one columnist takes on the claim that garlic can help prevent colds, and finds that…
Saturday was the big day for 350.org and their campaign for climate change. People in 181 countries participated in events to draw attention to the cause, and 350.org has some great photos up that capture the different actions. Here are some of our favorites.
A new trend in the outdoors world is the overuse of locator beacons, according to an article published by Edge Philadelphia. Nowadays, the technology of these beacons allows hikers and adventurers to transmit help messages from practically anywhere. Unfortunately, this include novices…
We showed you some of our favorite examples of action from 350.org's International Day of Climate Action, and while some were as simple as holding up a sign, others took the challenge to a greater level. Check out this video of kayaking activists in Portland as they take on the…
The 2009 list of America's Best Leaders, issued by the U.S. News & World Report, was released today, and includes CEO and environmental leader Yvon Chouinard. Chouinard started the Patagonia outdoors company and co-founded…
With just a week to go before the marathon, there's got to be a lot of sore runners out there. I'm one of them. Two weeks ago, after a 20 mile training run, my right calf muscle slipped slightly three miles into a recovery run, and I knew the sign:…
Ok, for anyone running the New York City Marathon Nov. 1, it's time to back off the training a little. Actually, it was time to start backing off last week. It's now eight days until the race, and a lot of people have questions about how much training to do…
Without agility, working out is just bodybuilding.
Lance Armstrong will race in the 2010 Tour of California, according to the Reno Gazette-Journal. It will be his second consecutive race there; this time, as part of his newly…
UCI regulations introduced in July outlining a model ProTour team contract could affect which team Alberto Contador will ride for in the near future. Astana has missed the contract deadline for Contador, which leaves the Spaniard a…
Three years ago, May Boeve was another college student discussing global warming at the campus dining hall. But since graduating from Vermont’s Middlebury College in 2007, Boeve has built both a career and a movement. Along with five classmates and author Bill McKibben, Boeve…
Barefoot running has become a trend, but whether it's better for you than running with shoes is still up for debate. “On the one hand, no one has yet published a study on whether barefootrunning is better for you–the evidence is all anecdotal,” Daniel Lieberman, a professor of human evolutionary…
By Stephen Regenold At $180, the Outlier 4Season OG Pants are a specialty productcreated for a small, affluent market niche. Essentially, these are “performancedress pants,” a unique hybrid for office workers who bike commute or activetypes who want a comfortable pair of pants to do double duty…
Check out FUEL TV's series “Firsthand” starring pro-surfer Keala Kennelly Sunday, October 25, at 8 p.m. EST. This 30-minute doc follows KK as she visits her family in Kauai, surfs with her…
Yes, there's a world-class ski resort in Steamboat Springs. But as the careers (and hobbies) of these five guys demonstrate, that's just one part of this relaxed Colorado town's allure.
We've narrowed the field to the six best of the year. Now, use our Terrain Meter to choose a pair based on the conditions you ski the most.
Whatever your riding style, we've got the board for you. Use our Terrain Meter to choose a pair based on the conditions you ski the most.
A robot the size of a small child has been designed by the Slovenian scientist Bojan Nemec to downhill ski, according to Telegraph. Just watch the video. The little guy uses cameras to plot a course down the hill and a couple gyroscopes and force sensors…
Some ultrarunners are now choosing to have their toenails surgically removed, says a recent New York Times article. Supporters of the procedure point out that after running 50-100 miles, toenails often fall off anyway, or break and become extremely painful. Why not just get rid of them?…
The Outdoor Alliance (OA), a coalition of six member-based national outdoor advocacy groups including the Access Fund, American Canoe Association, American Hiking Society, American Whitewater, International Mountain Bicycling Association and the…
Exclusive photos from the new book by Beverly and Dereck Joubert.
Two years ago at Kitzbuhel, American downhiller Scott Macartney survived a high-speed crash (“FLAT,” Outside Magazine, November 2009) that would've ended most skiing careers. He immediately began plotting a comeback, drawing on deep stores of willpower and courage to overcome a unique kind of terror that every racer knows.
I’m convinced Audi’s Q7 TDI was designed by German powder junkies. What else could explain the combination of features only a ski addict would appreciate? The all-wheel drive that lets you beat the snowplows up the hill on icy mornings. The heated leather seats for you and four buddies, plus…
With a quarter mile to go in the Des Moines Marathon, the lead runner Simon Sawe's progress was inhibited at a train crossing. A train stopped and remained parked on the rails for a full minute,…
For those of you who have been following the battle over Nestle's water rights in Sacramento, CA, be first in line to see the documentary “Tapped,” directed by Stephanie Schoetig and created by the same people who made “Who Killed the Electric Car” and “I.O.U.S.A.” …
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…
By Stephen Regenold Caffeine. Taurine. Glucuronolactone. These are the energizing–and sometimes controversial–ingredients that have fueled untold millions of outdoors and action-sports types since 1996 when a previously unknown blue-and-silver can appeared on shelves in the U.S. market. Red Bull Energy Drink is…
My racing partner, Mario Correa, and I did the 24 Hours of Moab Championship Race. This venue is always full of surprises. Being so late in the year had its effects on me, no doubt, and I remembered the few times I did Moab previously: think beers and s'mores. This…
By Mary Catherine O'Connor This Saturday, October 24th, will be action-packed.Normally, this would not be news for Outside readers, for whom most weekendsare packed with biking, skiing, boating, etc. But this year, it's news. October24th is the much-anticipated international day of action, designed to…
The Merrell Siren rain jacket ($230) makes travel more comfortable. Not only does it hold up in light rain and torrential downpours, it fits easily into a small bag or purse. Made of Gore-Tex Paclite, the jacket is extremely lightweight so…
Delaware, the last state in the US that does not have a national park, may have finally gotten it's act together. The plan is to create a history-themed park with a center in New Castle and multiple satellite locations, with an emphasis on…
Rock and Ice reports that the 9th annual Red River Gorge Rocktoberfest fundraiser was a huge success, raising $23,000 to pay off the mortgage on a 750-acre plot of land preserved for rock climbers. This plot of land in…
I?ve never liked camping trailers but saw the SylvanSport Go and thought it looked pretty good. My wife and I camp with a couple of large dogs and thought this might be the ticket. Do you have any experience with this trailer or this company? Jay Dana Point, CA
I would like to do some long-distance fast hiking with about a 25- to 35-pound pack. What shoes or boots would be supportive enough for rough trails, but light and flexible enough to go fast? Ben Milledgeville, GA
The New York Times has a nice slideshow-slash-gear review segment up on wetsuits. It follows two surgeons, who are also surfing buddies, as they test a variety of suits, from Patagonia to O'Neill. The Times also has other gear reviews for…
It's been a while since we had an update on those crazy sailing kids, but this past Sunday, October 18th, Jessica Watson began her try at becoming the youngest to solo sail, nonstop, around the world. If she…
Raymond Edward Hillsman, who we wrote about in our October 1999 story, 'The Hunting of the Poacher King,' was sentenced last week to ten months in jail, reports The Oregonian (via OregonLive.com). One of his charges was…
This past weekend, a group of six people attempted to push a disabled man who was in a wheelchair up to the summit of Snowdon, in Wales, but left him behind when they found the terrain too rough, reports UKClimbing.com. On their way down,…
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…
The Daily Dish featured this video today, which has an amazing array of sunglasses, outfits, and ideas. It's part of the Fifty People, One Question series, which has actually been around for a while, but…
Nearly 9,000 rowers descended on Boston this past weekend for the largest crewrace in the world, the annual Head of the Charles Regatta. The three-mileupstream race is considered to be one of the highlights of the fall rowingseason, with almost 300,000…
Prince Edward Island is a good place to drive a wind-powered car, according to TreeHugger.com. Harold Smith lives there and owns a 20 Kilowatt wind turbine, which powers his Toyota. Prince Edward is flat and windy, and it has to import fuel, so wind-powered cars…
The Rip Curl Pro Search will take place in Peniche, Portugal. It was supposed to start today, but the waves weren't big enough, so a lay day was declared. This is the ninth event out of 10 in the…
Alberto Contador and his team, Astana, are now ranked number one in the UCI world standings, VeloNews reports. Contador has 527 points, followed by Alejandro Valverde with 483 points and Samuel Sánchez with 357 points. Astana has 1,100 points,…
The idea of Paddle to Seattle may sound a bit contrived, two dudes build their own kayaks and then paddle the 1200-mile North American Inside Passage from Alaska to Seattle. But from the moment this documentary starts, it's clear that it will not watch as slow as…
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…
Today, October 16th, is World Food Day. It is a day designated for increasing awareness, understanding and year-round action to alleviate hunger. A report released on Wednesday by the United Nations says that the global economic crises has left over 1 billion people malnourished. According to…
The pilot of a small plane that crashed in Denali National Park Wednesday, October 14, has been found alive after walking 20 miles through the back country, according to KTUU. After receiving severe burns from the wreck, Daniel McGregor, 35, made his way from the crash…
Just in case you were out sipping cider and photographing leaves, enjoying the first ski run of the season, or training for a marathon, here are the top ten blogs from October. The Top Ten 1 The Best Gear: Biking Touring 2…
On Thursday October 8th, French climber Alain Robert scaled Paris's 499-foot Tour Ariana with nothing more than two chalk bags, some climbing shoes, and the clothes on his back, according to Rock and Ice Magazine. Luckily, someone at the scene got video of…
Action Against Hunger has teamed up with Gatorade to create G Movement, an athletic competition aimed at fighting global hunger. Open to the public, the competition asks athletes of all levels from all over the country to use their next athletic challenge to bring attention to this world wide problem. …