Before the seven Tour victories and the yellow bracelets. Before Sheryl Crow, the bestselling books, and the doping allegations. Before the comeback, there was a comeback. Ten years ago this month, Lance Armstrong was a little-known cancer survivor who showed up at the Tour de France. And no one had any idea what would happen next.

Make your next fishing trip to Alaska memorable with a stay at one of these resorts.

Road Warrior

The great American road trip is resurgent. Hallelujah.

Spontaneous Combustion

In July, one of the deepest Tour de France fields in years will see several riders not named Lance staking their claim for yellow. Here are the ones to watch.

If you're in a boat on the Atlantic this summer and a dolphin with "56" branded on his dorsal fin swims up and starts doing tricks...well, just sit back and enjoy. You're about to witness the greatest show on surf.

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Shane McConkey was already one of the most influential skiers in the world, changing everything from the shape of our boards to the way we ski powder. But when he learned to fly—combining skiing, BASE jumping, and wingsuits with spectacular results—he found his true obsession. Then one jump went horribly wrong.

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Everything I've ever read or experienced says external fre backpacks are more forgiving to pack, better for trail hiking and cheaper than internal fre packs. I understand internals have advantages on rough terrain, but given all the benefits of external fres, why do they seem to be going extinct? I missing something? Chuck Pittstown, NJ

Climbing K2 is the next biggest thing. We refuse to whine about it.

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

I going on an eight-day ski touring trip in Patagonia requiring a pack with at least 65 liters. Which packs are designed for this use? Devin San Francisco, CA

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

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Exclusive galleries from two new books by Jan Heine: "The Golden Age of Handbuilt Bicycles" and "The Competition Bicycle."

Does anyone make a good backpacking bike trailer or rickshaw? Tim Redding, California

What type of kayak do you recommend for 5'3" woman who wants to kayak on a lake ? I don't want a heavy kayak that's proportioned for a man ($500 or less would be optimal). y Austin, Texas

I want to buy a GPS that will help me drive through unknown cities as well as record points while I'm hiking and photographing nature. Kristina Tpa Bay, Florida

My husband and I area heading back to Alaska after a decade away from the state. Can you recommend a stove, water filtration device, and cookset for a three-night trip in Denali? Christine New York, New York

I'd love a sandal with a chunky enough sole to take on a moderate to difficult day hike. Sara Ottawa, Ontario

I just starting out on a bike and plan on cycling daily, both by the lake and around town. I was wondering how good Marin bikes are, particularly the Marin Kentfield FS? Is it comfortable for a woman, and what is the difference between 17 inch and 19 inch? Is this bike okay for a beginner? Thank you. Nancy Chicago, IL

I have been doing extensive research and can't seem to find a watch that functions as both a pedometer and altimeter. I want one watch that will measure distance and calories on runs and hikes as well as vertical distance (per run and cumulative for the day) when I ski. I spend equal time running and skiing, so I'd like one watch that can serve both sports. The Suunto X10 comes close (no calories, though), but the reviews from users do not sound like it's worth the $550. Katie San Francisco, CA

Do you have to grow up hunting and fishing in order to live off of the land? Tmy Boise, Idaho

What is the best gear to bring with on a desert hike? Hrafn San Diego, California

Can you recommend a survival class on edible plants? Tommy Portsmouth, Virginia

Can doing calisthenics replace strength and cardiovascular exercise? Jumping jacks, mountain climbers, push-ups, pull-ups, and high knee running seem be very effective and time efficient. Jay Liverpool, New York

What exercises can I do to develop explosive speed for high level tennis? How often should they be performed to gain maximum benefit? Martin St. Louis, Missouri

What is the best core exercise that people don't know about? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico

What's the best workout to improve strength for paddling a kayak? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico

What is the best fishing method for backpacking? Daniel San Francisco, California

Do you recommend making your own survival kit or in purchasing a commercially made kit? Tmy Boise, Idaho

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

I was wondering why more people don't use a blanket to sleep in the backcountry. They are more temperature adaptable, lighter weight (for a given size), there just aren't a lot of options offered. What do you think? Josh Vallejo, CA

What is the minimum recommended thickness for a backpacking tent floor to prevent early wearing out of the tent? Big Agnes sells a Seedhouse 2 tent with a rated trail weight of 3 lb, 14 oz. It sells a Seedhouse SL2 tent—the se size and design except for different materials—with a 2 lb, 14 oz. trail weight. One difference that saves weight: a 1,500 mm polyurethane-coated floor for the Seedhouse 2; 1,200 mm for the SL2. Marshall Atlanta, GA

I'm looking for cross-over footwear for hiking. I'm not so much into the high-top thing. What is the best shoe/boot for multi-day backpacking with a 25- to 30-pound pack? S Tujunga, CA

My son will leave for Iraq or Afghanistan to serve in the army sometime this fall. What camera would be best for him to take along? He'll be carrying far more in his rucksack than you or I would on a month-long backwoods trip, so it must be compact and lightweight. Electricity is a problem on long patrols, so AA batteries are a must. And ruggedness? There is nothing more physically challenging than combat. Muted-color case would help (no pink or lime green!), and waterproof would be a plus. And of course good photo capability is a must. William Pittsburgh, PA

Rick Allred, September 27 to October 2, 2009

Jerry Courvoisier, September 4-6, 2009

Paolo Marchesi, October 4-9, 2009

Jeff Lipsky, October 4-9, 2009

Michael Lewis, September 27 to October 2, 2009

In one corner of Alaska's Bristol Bay, the sockeye salmon, a $300 million resource that's sustained fishermen like 29-year-old captain Lindsey Bloom for more than 100 years. In the other, the Pebble Mine, with its projected hundreds of billions in copper and gold. Get ready for the fiercest wilderness rumble since ANWR.

I heard about a new molecule called 'Q' that can turn almost anything into ethanol: paper, plywood, etc. What can you tell me about Q? Kate Boston, Massachusetts

What country has the best ratings for eco-tourism? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico

What is the greenest rental car? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico

I recently took up drinking tea. I was wondering how sustainable drinks like coffee and tea are? How far do they travel before reaching my table? Kevin Portland, Oregon

Now you have no excuse not to get out and explore this summer.

On a vintage steed, over vertiginous hills of white gravel, suitcase overloaded with courage, BUCKY McMAHON battles through Italy's infamous Eroica—a grueling, 127-mile "period cyclotouristic rally"—in hopes of dying just this side of glory

Or so he claims. The man who launched CBS's Survivor is focusing his cameras on four modern-day explorers as they retrace one of history's greatest expeditions. But with no tribal council or million-dollar prize, will anyone watch?

Editor's Choice

The next great employment wave? Enviro jobs. Now all I gotta do is land one.

I'm heading to Kilimanjaro. What's the best waterproof jacket to take along? Jen Toronto, Ontario

I'm looking for a down jacket I can use for trekking and mountaineering. I would like a jacket that's super warm, packable, and has a nice, feminine, non-Michelin Man fit. Joan San Diego, California

What are some clothing brands that make insect repellent clothing? Stewart Memphis, Tennessee

Can you recommend a comfortable women's hiking boot that is lightweight and good for warm weather backpacking? Sascha Mesa, Arizona

My family is going white-water rafting in Oregon this summer. Can you recommend a waterproof digital camera?

I'm having trouble finding a good-fitting boot. A 12 feels short and a 13 is creating blisters on the tips of my toes. Can you suggest some brands that might have something in between a 12 and 13? I'm backpacking in west Texas and throughout the Rockies. Thanks! Erik Austin, TX

I find that whenever I sleep outside with friends, I wake up with by far the most condensation on my bag. I have a four-year-old 15-degree Marmot down bag. It is probably near the less-warm end of the spectrum of bags me and my friends use, but not outrageously different from everyone else's. Why do only I wake up freezing cold and drenched? Charlotte Duluth, MN

When my midlife crisis hit, I didn't need to buy a Harley—I needed to be a caddie. And there was only one place to do that: the wild and soggy coasts of Scotland.

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

In the run-up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, 31-year-old Asheville, North Carolina-based mountain biker Willow Koerber was among the country's best shots at a medal. But after ranking sixth in the World Cup, and first among Americans, in 2007, she went into an inexplicable slump early last year and failed to make the team. This summer, look for the Subaru/Gary F

There's no better place to escape your own success than on a river in Texas Hill Country. Just ask Taylor Kitsch.

In January, England's Olly Hicks, 26, set out from Tasmania to become the first person to row solo around Antarctica. His vessel: a 24-foot, fuel-cell-and-solar-panel-fortified boat called the Flying Carrot, which was designed to withstand 50-foot waves while navigating the storm-racked Southern Ocean. ABE STREEP caught up with Hicks—who rowed solo acr

Revo, which popularized blue-mirrored lenses in the nineties—but never outgrew the decade—is back with an updated look for summer. The Highsides (pictured) have the same high-tech panes inspired by NASA, but the style is all Generation Y. $189; revo.com…

Slab waves bring on the next frontier of surfing.

Angry bike mechanics are going extinct. And that sucks.

Tracking the rise of that ubiquitous urban accessory.

A handful of forward-thinking cities turn eyesores into urban oases.

Whether you're surfing or simply sitting on the deck, we've got you covered.

An enterprising television series on Paul Watson’s ragtag navy has made saving the whales cool again. But can eco-pirates actually save them?

Two new plane-crash memoirs hope to soar into the survival-narrative canon.

Quotes from Stranded (now out on DVD; $30, zeitgeistfilms.com), a gripping new documentary about the survivors of the 1972 Andes plane crash depicted in the film Alive.

This summer, Airstream and Victorinox Swiss Army have partnered to create 125 special-edition trailers to commemorate the Swiss knife maker’s 125th anniversary. The 19-foot silver-bullet Airstream VSA bears the white-cross shield, comes with a sleek stainless-steel-and-red interior, and has a numbered knife blade riveted to the exterior. The living space…

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…

Turns out your old PE coach was right. Yes, it hurts, but the new thinking about athletic pain is clear: Keep moving.