Everything
Actually . . . global warming, solar power, baby seals, carbon dioxide—and that's just for starters. Thanks to the cheeky enviro-news site Grist.org, greens finally have a funny bone. Now these upstarts want to lead the movement into the mainstream. Seriously.
The world's greatest Communist supereconomy needs all the power it can get. The devil's choice: Keep burning dirty coal, or tap into Yunnan's crashing rivers for clean, cheap electricity. With dams rising up all around, PATRICK SYMMES joins a team of Chinese and American rafters as they outrun the concrete on a wild descent of the Yangtze.
H2O is what connects us—it’s the alpha liquid that supports natural wonderlands and lets us live, play, and explore. You’d think we’d be taking better care of this critical resource, and yet waste and pollution are rampant and more than 1.1 billion people lack access to clean water. The good…
Can you recommend a light soft shell with good water repellency for spring/summer hiking and biking? I take it from your past columns that Polartec Power Shield would be a bit warm. Also, should I look for one with a hood? Christopher Brooklyn, New York
I need to purchase two-way radios for a group of missionaries working in Guyana. Obviously, things such as maximum range and durability are of great importance. Much more important than price, actually. Can you recommend something? Randall Decatur, Alabama
Electric cars are poised to make a comeback—and this time they might stick around for good
Apparel makers embrace wicking coconut shells, beech-wood shirts, and other miracle materials
It’s not like we needed another reason to love Moab. But we’ve got one: Utah’s red-rock mecca for adventure sports is pursuing one of the most ambitious green-energy policies of any town in the West. The movement is led by mayor and 35-year resident Dave Sakrison, 61, who was elected…
I’m looking to buy a new ski jacket and pants—something comfortable, warm, and not too bulky. I'm after something unique. Any suggestions? Everett Charlotte, North Carolina
For our May 2007 Dream Jobs package, “No Work and All Play…,” contributor Tim Sohn wrote about Gus Speth, a true action hero of the green movement. Here, read an unabridged introduction to Sohn’s article, and a full interview transcript.
Introducing the sleekest earth-friendly transportation since George Clooney dropped a hybrid engine in his Jaguar. ELLSWORTH’s THE RIDE is the first bike to incorporate the revolutionary NuVinci hub, which uses a series of tilting spheres to offer a seamless progression of pedaling options from easiest to hardest. Imagine having your…
I'll give to a good cause, I promise. Just as soon as Daryl Hannah shuts up.
“Carbon neutral” was the New Oxford American Dictionary‘s 2006 Word of the Year. But can you define it? The mostly unregulated practice of offsetting can put do-gooders at the mercy oflatter-day Charles Ponzis focusing on another kind of green. So, a quick rundown: Carbon offsets are reductions in one place…
As America raises its eco-consciousness, so does Hollywood. But is green TV more than just a fad?
He may be most closely associated with the Seattle music scene, but San Diego-reared Eddie Vedder has been a surfer longer than he’s been a rocker. The Pearl Jam frontman is a major contributor to the Surfrider Foundation, an international organization dedicated to ocean and beach protection, and can frequently…
My wife just had a bypass and wants a heart monitor to put on her wrist; she does not want a strap attached to her chest. Can you recommend a monitor that is self-contained on the wrist and has no other attachments? Tim Puyallup, Washington
You've mentioned Outdoor Research's Mutant Modular Mitt in the past as a nice compromise between mittens and gloves, but unfortunately OR stopped making them. Do you know of any other similar mitt/glove compromise? I've got a pair of OR shell mitts, but I'd really like the added dexterity. Daniel Halifax, Vermont
I moving from New England to Salisbury, Maryland, for work. The problem is, Salisbury and the surrounding area are dead flat. I rock climb, mountain climb, mountain bike, etc. and these sports appear to be hopeless in this area. Any suggestions on how I can continue these sports or what adventures are available in Maryland? Mike Salisbury, Maryland
I've been mountain biking for a while, and the guys at my local shop convinced me to buy a "single-speed." After a few rides on it, I'm wondering why I would ever opt for a bike without gears when I have one that has them. I missing something that makes this a good cycling option? Is there a training benefit? Tom V. Tucson, AZ
Which backpacks are big enough to hold a down sleeping bag (7X13” packed) and a three-season tent (7X23” packed), ong other travel supplies, but still small enough to carry on a plane? I’m going to Europe in the summer, and I've looked at the REI Tour Travel Pack and the North Face Terra 40 pack. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks. Chris Ledgewood, New Jersey
I give blood on a regular basis. Can you give me any tips on how to intermix blood donations with hard training? Allan D. Florida
We’re just about to close our 2007 Buyer’s Guide and we want to hear from you. Which cover do you like best? The winner will hit stands mid-April. Click here to vote!…
We’re just about to close our 2007 Buyer’s Guide and we want to hear from you. Which cover do you like best? The winner will hit stands mid-April. Click here to vote!…
I need a new water filter for summer trips into the Ouachita Mountains, and I'm torn between the MSR MiniWorks EX and the Katadyn Guide Pro. I know you're a fan of the MiniWorks, but I can't screw it onto my existing stock of Platypus water bottles. Is the MiniWorks superior to the Guide Pro? Greg Dallas, Texas
I'm looking for a full-suspension mountain bike that’s under $2,000. The ideal bike would also handle a little downhill action as well. What's the best bike for me in this price range? Dan Georgetown, Texas
I have had a few sprained ankles over the years and wondering if the Lowa Vertex GTX is still the gold standard for ankle support. I'm 50 years old and going to Philmont with a bunch of hardened 17-year-old Eagle Scouts. Any suggestions? David Winterville, North Carolina
I'm heading to Alaska’s Brooks Range for a two-week backpacking trip in June. I'm trying to find, with no success so far, a Patagonia Micro Puff or Moonstone Lucid jacket. Any suggestions on a comparable jacket that may do similar (or better) service? Sue Atlanta, Georgia
Why do makers of technical fabrics discourage using fabric softener when drying? And I hear that you should line dry all running and hiking clothing. What’s the word? Brad Colorado
I 15 years old and do a lot of backpacking for my age. I’m using my dad’s old stove that is older than me. It works fine, but they no longer make the fuel canisters to fit it. What’s a good lightweight stove that’s not too expensive? Collin Suwanee, Georgia
My husband and I are taking a cruise from Vancouver to Alaska in May and then driving from Jasper through Glacier National Park, Yellowstone, and the Colorado Rockies. Being Aussies from the subtropics, we would welcome your suggestions about what outerwear we’ll need and where to buy it in Vancouver. Margaret Brisbane, Australia
Throughout April's Green Issue you'll find a running list of everyday ways you can chip away at issues like global warming, and water pollution—even while contributing to your family's health. Here are 21 more hassle-free ways to make a difference.
Take an insider’s tour of the Ryker/Nave house and get even more tips to good green living here.
I'm going on an extended solo backpacking trip through the desert of Mexico, possibly into Central America, and ending in Cuba or Jamaica. So I need lightweight everything. I’m trying to decide between the MSR XGK EX and the Jetboil stoves. Will I be able to find canisters and other replacement parts in Central America? Kory Phoenix, Arizona
I've introduced my three teenage boys to backpacking over the last few years and managed to get my backpack from 40-plus pounds to about 20 for four- to five-day summer ventures. What's a good lightweight backpack to haul 20 to 30 pounds? Steve Fishers, Indiana
My spouse and I are walking England’s hilly but not rugged Cotswold Way in July. Luggage will be shuttled, but we need waterproof daypacks to carry raingear, lunches, first aid, hydration, and souvenirs between villages. What would you recommend? Alison Louisville, KY
I'm looking into a ccorder for snowboarding and worry that the cold weather might freeze the electronics. Is it true that most ccorders can only tolerate a temperature of 32 degrees? Is there something I can use to insulate or protect it? Brandon Spearfish, South Dakota
In a triathlon, what benefit does the aero position offer in saving key muscles for the run and what is the proper training ration between aero and road set up? Alan Washington, D.C.
I'd love to run on the concrete recreation trails outside my house, but they hurt my bones. I’ve had to stick to dirt trails, which are a car ride away. Which running shoe will cushion well on paved surfaces? LCB Erie, Colorado
I love to go on light hikes (carrying only a hydration bladder) with my dog. But being a java junkie, I would like to know the best way to have hot coffee at my destination without adding too much weight. I have thought of using a dog pack, but my super-active pointer just won’t have it. Christopher Brooklyn, New York
A year after Katrina crashed the Big Easy's party, former local WELLS TOWER returned to check up on New Orleans's most beloved outdoor escape, the path on top of the Mississippi River levee. But, as he found, biking the high lonesome trail is no longer such an easy thing.
What are the pro and cons of so-called “bodypacks” that balance the load on both the front and back of your body, such as the Aarn Bodypack? John Athens, Georgia
Alan Dershowitz, meet Steven Donziger. On behalf of 30,000 inhabitants of Ecuador's remote Oriente region, this New York lawyer is putting it to Big Oil. But will his multi-billion-dollar lawsuit establish a global precedent—or is he just looking for a scapegoat for one of the nastiest messes on earth?
Can a reluctant climber avoid his fate? In an exclusive excerpt from his new book, The Eiger Obsession, John Harlin III faces his legacy—and the mountain that killed his Father.
We’ve been tracking the adventure travel world for more than three decades. Our latest discovery? The planet is more wide open for exploration than ever. Whether you want to raft an unknown Himalayan river or link a few Colorado peaks in your own backyard, we have…
The Alps Trailer: When director Stephen Judson, 61, decided to follow John Harlin III up the Eiger for the stunning new Imax film The Alps (opening in March), he enlisted the best in alpine filmmaking, putting Farther Than the Eye Can See…
After a two-year ban from pro cycling for doping violations, TYLER HAMILTON wants to prove he's the same clean-cut guy once picked to succeed Lance. At 36, does he still have what it takes to win? And if he does, will anyone cheer?
Strap on one of these classy timekeepers and see your wrist in a whole new light
I looking for a lightweight tent for summer camping and have considered the Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight. But it seems like I can get a larger tent without sacrificing weight. Any suggestions? Chris Helena, Montana
I’m rafting the Colorado River in April and need rain gear, but I don’t know what to buy. Any help would be appreciated. Troy Huntington Beach, California
I'm shopping for a road bike for triathlons and day cruises with a price tag below $1,500. Any suggestions? Kevin Fargo, North Dakota
From low prices to high comfort, the best new road bikes share one basic feature: fun
Depending on whether they’re working, ski-touring skins are either the greatest winter invention since snowballs or only slightly more fun than an avalanche. Here are five ways to keep your skins in the game. Ski-Touring Skins 1. In patchy sunlight, snow can stick to skins like north Idaho…
Dean Karnazes grabbed the headlines, but Mississippi native SAM THOMPSON, 25, nabbed the record last summer with little fanfare, becoming the first person to blitz 50 marathons in 50 days in 50 states. Even more impressive: He suffered zero blisters en route. Here's how.
Score with a bargain rain shell, an eco-friendly PFD, and more of the season's hottest new gear
Planning to book that trip to Laos’s Houaphan province you saw in our Best Trips of 2007 feature? Don’t let a swig of tainted water ruin the journey. Steripen, which pioneered the use of ultraviolet light in portable water purifiers, has created the ultimate drinking companion for travelers. The…
Rule number one for total physical fitness? Where your back goes, all else follows. Keep yours in top shape with our guide to strength, flexibility, and injury treatment.
What do you think is the most priceless piece of adventure memorabilia from the selection below? Lance Armstrong’s 2006 Tour Bike Aron Ralston’s Multi-Tool George Mallory’s Missing Everest Camera Captain Cook’s Sword Click here to vote now!…
The Wild File: Outdoor Questions AnsweredSUBMIT YOUR QUESTION FOR THE WILD FILE HERE: wildfile@outsidemag.comIf we use your question in an upcoming issue of Outside, you'll receive a free one-year subscription!
The Ruby Mountains, a spine of small, dryish peaks in remote northeastern Nevada, don’t have any ski resorts. They do, however, host Lamoille-based Ruby Mountains Heli-Experience, which for the past 30 years has guided their spired couloirs and 10,000-foot powder fields. This March, RMH launches the latest program in a…
It's Oscar time in Hollywood, and at Outside, too. But we're skipping the Academy darlings to salute the little guys: six flicks that wowed us with their small-scale spectacle, and one—on global warming—of epic magnitude.
Which sturdy but lightweight boots are suitable for summer ascents of mountains such as Rainier and Hood? Tim Chardon, Ohio
With our guide to bareboating, it's easier than ever to rent and rule your own sailing ship
OutsideOnline's Gear Guy reports on the latest trends at this season's gearapalooza.
Jonathon Keats believes trees are artists, too, so he lined up 50 evergreens that seemed ready to sigh, sway, and create. Care to buy a sketch?
The loss of a climbing party last winter raised a mountain of questions. Namely: What was all the fuss about?