In our October issue, we mention 350.org and their mission to make October 24, 2009 a day of activism to promote the signing of a new climate-change treaty at the UN Summit in Copenhagen this December. All over the world, people plan to make the message…

Most people who lose a leg dream of walking again. For adaptive athlete Jarem Frye, the inventor of a spring-loaded prosthetic knee transforming the lives of amputees, that wasn't nearly enough. He wanted to fly.

A glimpse into the mind of a man who has spent 26 years in pursuit of the ultimate gizmo.

Alex Puccio has won the first event in the Spot Series Bouldering Competitions, Rock and Ice reports. Adam Markert won the men's comp for this event, called “The Gun Show.” The series is held at The Spot, a…

The Colorado Division of Wildlife is experimenting with electric mats to deter bears from outdoor freezers and dumpsters, the Aspen Times reports. The mat emits 600 volts, but does little harm to the animal because of its low amp. It doesn't present a…

The first Monserrat Volcano Half-Marathon will take place on this island in the East Caribbean Dec. 5, Runner's Web reports. The race will be part of the local Carnival festivities. The course will pass through Soufriere Hills, an active volcano. Check out the…

Charlie Houston, who was part of the first ascent team at 25,643-foot Nanda Devi in 1936, has died, Climbing reports. He was 96. Houston was a pioneer in altitude research. He wrote influential works on the process of acclimatization for climbers and the health…

Researchers show that, historically, overall health improves during a bad economy, CNN reports. A study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences looks at economic growth and the health of the…

In honor of the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen this December, Google and the Danish government are presenting interactive maps that will show what the Earth will look like in various stages of global warming. Check out the first climate tour…

I'm writing from 18,000 feet on what promises to be a pretty chilly evening. Left at 6 A.M. with a variety of expectations. Consensus had us staying at Hans-Meyer, and that looked optimistic after our first adventure on the winch. The first quarter mile took about…

The Klamath River in California, which was dammed up between 1908 and 1962, will have four dams removed beginning in 2020. The dams were erected by PacifiCorp, and their removal will supposedly allow for the revival of salmon and steelhead spawning and bolster fishing, tribal, and farming communities along the…

This is very cool. The video needs to be edited down to about 25 percent of its current length. But the contest and the result are great. (Found via Lance Armstrong's Twitter feed) —John Bradley Twitter: johnwbradley…

First Descents, founded by kayaker Brad Ludden, sponsors whitewater kayaking camps for young adults with cancer. Since it's start about 10 years ago, it has sent more than 600 cancer patients to these adventure camps, with this year proving to be the most…

You can enter to win a chance to climb Mt. Rainier with Ed Viesturs and Peter Whittaker on a five-day expedition. First Ascent is sponsoring the contest and will outfit the winner with gear. See details here, and check out Viesturs's Outside…

Associate editor Justin Nyberg shows off some radical new products.

Photographer Alexx Henry shoots a revolutionary video using the Red One camera.

What are good women's packs for an extended trip? I plan to hike the Long Trail next summer and need a larger pack. Erin South Windsor, Connecticut

I just started mountain biking at 50. What's the best equipment for me? @yakimakel Via Twitter

My wife and I would like to take our 13-month-old daughter cycling with us around town. Should we use a trailer or a child seat? Noah West Lafayette, Indiana

What's the best mountain bike for a eight-year-old girl? I want a front suspension to help me beat my dad on the trails. Gwendolyn Nace Snellville, Georgia

According to RunnersWeb.com, the 20th annual Canadian Marathon in Toronto was the most successful in Canadian history, raising $1.8 million for 99 neighborhood charities, and breaking the records for fastest marathon for both men and women on Canadian soil.  Defending champion Kenneth Mungara…

Bode Miller announced this past Thursday that he will be rejoining the US Ski Team this coming season with the goal of reaching the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver. The former Olympic and World Cup Champ has been skiing independently…

In support of Chicago's bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, President Obama will travel to Copenhagen later this week to meet with the International Olympic Committee. The New York Times reports that this will be the first time in history an…

We're just over one month away from the NYC Marathon, and the training loads are peaking. Last week was a 62 mile week, capped by a 20 mile tempo run. For me—a former 3k, 5k, 8k guy—that was the longest run I've ever done, and it felt great. Luckily, we…

Ouch. Long day: 10.5 hours. Technical from start to finish, and unrelenting. I did a series of about 1,000 three-to-four-second sprints at 12,000 feet and 3,300 vertical. I didn't use the winch. We're saving it for the upper mountain. The Harken winch is a great mechanism. We're still…

I'm looking for the best pair of running shoes for a triathlon event. I'm not a natural runner but a natural athlete. What are the best running shoes for a triathlon? Viver Swimmer Taipei, Taiwan

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

I just got back from a backpacking trip and used my CelBak bladder in the pouch included in my backpack. I liked using this system instead of reaching back for a water bottle, but the bladder is hard to refill when buried in the pack and also takes up pack space. Is there another kind of bladder out there? Maybe a square one that can sit on top my gear, near the top of the pack? This would keep it out of the way and make it easy to access. Joseph Moraga, CA

Hi, I want to purchase a water filter or water purifier to turn my day hikes into some overnight trips. I have been doing a lot of research but can't seem to figure out which one I need. I'll primarily be hiking in the Northeast and only in North erica, so is there a need for an actual water "purifier"? Thanks in advance. Kane Red Bank, NJ

I have freakish feet. I a size 13 with AA width. I can't seem to find a boot that will fit. Any ideas? Bill Burlington, VT

I looking for the best backpack type child carrier. Any suggestions? Rudi Gardiner, NY

I still use cages on the pedals of my Bianchi. I find it easier to get in and out of the pedals than clips. However, I cannot find shoes that are designed for cages. Do such shoes exist? Andy St. Paul, MN

The team at Serac Adventure Films brings you the best student videos from the 2009 Teva Games.

What exercises will help build strength for long-distance swimming? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico

What, if any, benefit do we get from a properly executed sauna? I notice my heart rate is elevated so I wonder about any cardio benefit. I also assume that with increased heart rate we enjoy some increased circulation and "cleaning" of waste products from Peter Olson Santa Fe, New Mexico

What are the best exercises to improve balance for surfing? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico

How can I improve my lateral speed for defense in basketball? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico

For hiking in the Andes, what four-season tent would you recommend? Looking for one that'll give me the best weight-to-strength ratio with least condensation and a proper vestibule? Christien Pretoria, South Africa

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

What should you do if you run into a cougar in the backcountry? The Editors Santa Fe, NM

In your experience, what's the number one reason people get lost in the backcountry? The Editors Santa Fe, NM

What is the number one skill people should learn in case they get lost in the backcountry? The Editors Santa Fe, NM

What should you do if you're bitten by a scorpion while camping in the American Southwest? The Editors Santa Fe, NM

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.

It takes more than a good camera to get a good shot. Nowhere is that more true than in adventure photography—a field of photographers snapping with split-second shutter speeds in the least hospitable environments on earth.

We handed disposable cameras to 11 Outside icons for a behind the scenes look into their lives. What did we find out? You'll be surprised.

When you're crossing to Florida the hard way–across 800 miles of water, with six people and no motor, in a 21-foot handmade open boat–it's a long, long way from Haiti to Miami.

That trope about photos being worth 1,000 words? Here's where it came from.

From darkroom to desktop.

National Geographic photographer and editor at large Michael “Nick” Nichols has spent the past 20 years doing a job that—let’s face it—we’ve all wanted at one point. Nichols is best known for his photographs of biologist Michael Fay’s 1999 crossing of the Congo, as well as for his use of…

From Everest to El Capitan, climbing photographer Jimmy Chin shoots in some of the most demanding terrain on earth. This is the gear he brings.

The big breathability issue is making buying a jacket confusing. eVent has thrown a cat ong the pigeons and waterproof soft shells also change my options. Is there any clear thinking on this subject? I have the new Aegis jacket and that's just a proprietary fabric but seems to work fine. In other words, what are the "real" facts and how do you choose the "best" jacket for various applications? Ian South Africa

We have a great 20-year-old 14x14 Eureka family tent. This summer a branch came down and tore a 36 inch vertical rip in the tent. Can it be repaired? Is there a company here in Northern California that does that or a kit I can buy to repair such a long (clean) tear? Gloria Millbrae, CA

What type of sunglass lens makes the transition from sun to shade the easiest for riding singletrack through the forest? Lynn La Grande, OR

Like so many seemingly impossible shots you see these days, it's a digital creation—which is bad for photography and even worse for our concept of reality.

Asperger’s turns social interaction into a source of suffering. “It’s like everyone else has a bucket for dealing with people,” says Clay, “and I only got a cup.”

But beneath his foul language and outrageous antics, the Czech photographer is the greatest living observer of human suffering and spirit.

Walk hard in these travel-ready kicks worth a place in any adventure photographer’s duffel. : Patagonia Maui Dew (Photograph by Shana Novak) These all-weather, water-resistant-pigskin shoes are surf-town casual yet warm enough to wear well into the fall. But they’ve won hearts and minds in the halls of our offices…

Whether you’re looking for a compact point-and-shoot or a high-end SLR, we’ve selected a sharp shooter for every photographer and budget. : Sony DSC-HX1 $500 (Photograph by Shana Novak) The cake: Ten frames per second, with a 28–560mm optical zoom and HD video. The icing? A sweep mode—for automatically spliced,…

By Andrew Zuckerman Bird Chronicle Books, $60, out in October Feathery portraits on white backgrounds look three-dimensional, like museum exhibits or taxidermy. Disturbing and thrilling. Buy Bird .   Buy the Book: The World from My Front Porch Chris Boot, $75 By…

For his new book, Bird, photographer Andrew Zuckerman snapped feathery portraits on white backgrounds to give live animals a three-dimensional look. Buy the Book andrewzuckerman.com…

We sent single-use cameras to 11 of our favorite Outside luminaries and asked them to give us a behind-the-scenes look into their lives. The result? You’ll be surprised. A skier's offseason. A skier's offseason.

From Joel Lipovetsky

What are the best green Twitters to follow? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico

How eco-friendly is cash for klunkers? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico

I'm painting the interior of my house. I save my brushes and rollers in plastic bags between uses, but eventually I'll be done. What's greener: cleaning everything with a ton of water or pitching it? Patrick Sewanee, Tennessee

What is the greenest tent on the market? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico

I'm going into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area for a ten-day trip. On previous excursions I've taken too many clothes and too few clothes, but never found the perfect mix. How do you pack clothing for a long trip? Greg Flower Mound, TX

Is an expedition or burly mountaineering tent (such as The North Face Mountain 25 or Mountain Hardwear's Trango) needed for Aconcagua? Will a sturdy four-season tent suffice? Azad Los Angeles, CA

What sleeping bag do you recommend for two to three days near the Virginia section of the AT? I tend to be a warm sleeper and hike spring through fall. Is there a single bag that will meet my needs? Matt Fairfax, VA

What is the best waterproof rain jacket for Machu Picchu? Sara San Jose, California

What is the best storage case to protect my iPhone while kayaking/biking/running? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico

What is the best way to pack your bike for a flight? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico

What is the best way to transport kayaks if I don’t like to lift them to the top of my car? Heather M. Hillsborough, North Carolina

What is the best way to store skis and skins over the winter? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico

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?

I enjoy riding my hybrid bike (Trek 7300), for fun and exercise, on both pavement and gravel/dirt/rocky surfaces. But I'd like something faster and more aggressive. My rides are usually about 20 miles and I'd like to go longer. Would you recommend a cyclocross or another hybrid? Tim Basking Ridge, NJ

My wife and I would like to take our 13-month-old daughter cycling with us. We will mostly be doing short trips around town, and we are having trouble deciding between a trailer and a child seat. Which one is safer, and how will they affect the handling of the bike? There are numerous options available in both categories, and we would like to know if you have any recommendations that won't break the bank. Noah West Lafayette, IN

I need a good, fairly cheap walkie-talkie. My main use will probably be skiing, so where can I get one that will guarantee reception in the forest? Thanks! Mark Brooklyn, NY

In Michigan, you’re never more than 90 miles from a Great Lake, which is the reason, I suppose, it’s nicknamed the Great Lakes State. By those standards, it should also be dubbed the Unbelievably Sick Trout-Water State. The Au Sable, the “Big” and Little Manistee, the Muskegon—there are quality rivers…