Everything
I’d like to start doing some mountaineering and need to buy crampons. I have a great, broken-in pair of REI Spirit II GTX boots. How can I tell if my boots are crampon compatible? And if they are, which ones should I get? David Dallas, Texas
Garage Saver Workbench When tackling your gear mess this winter, remember these numbers: 23.9, 15.9, 16.5. Those are the dimensions, in inches, of an 18-gallon Rubbermaid bin. Little else can match the plastic cubes for back-of-the-pickup weather resistance or Lego-like use of space. Put some sustainably harvested lumber to…
The latest all-mountain jackets keep you toasty on lift rides and cool on out-of-bounds hikes
DPS Lotus and Lotus 120 Skis Carbon-fiber powder skisOwning a pair of skis from DPS is like going to a premier nightclub: There’s ahefty cover charge and a long line to get in, but the wait is worth it. When you’reready to take the plunge, don’t waste time looking for…
Alberta now rivals British Columbia as Canada's best winter playground
Dominica has steep folded jungles, dozens of backdrops used in Pirates of the Caribean, and the chronic misfortune of being mistaken for the Dominican Republic, 500 miles to the northwest. But with few beaches and a rugged interior, it’s dodged the crowds that descend upon its tax-haven neighbors every winter.
I'm traveling to Torino, Italy, over the holidays and would like to go snowboarding. Where should I go? Also, is it possible to take a train from Torino to the location since I've heard the hotels in the ski towns have minimum-night requirements during the holidays. Alex Santa Fe, NM
I can’t find a camera-gear pack that includes hydration system capability. Any help from within your deep “bag” of experience? Clay Wimberley, Texas
From The Adversity Advantage: Turning Everyday Struggles into Everyday Greatness (Fireside, $26), by blind Everest summiter Erik Weihenmayer and business consultant Paul G. Stoltz
Get started with Worldchanging: A User’s Guide for the 21st Century (Abrams, $37.50), a smart, browsable collection of “bright green” solutions to the climate crisis—from replacing water-sucking lawns with edible landscape to making your own biodiesel—from the sustainable-tech bloggers at Worldchanging.com. A cool, clean design by graphic-design…
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!
As "average" Americans travel farther afield, a veteran traveler starts to feel, well, average
I need a headlp for late-night trail running. I have a Petzl Tikka, which is great if everything is within hands reach, but beyond your feet it doesn't work very well. What do you suggest? David Syracuse, New York
I have been searching the web for, oh, about a decade now, trying to find an ultra warm coat that is windproof, waterproof, snowproof, and fit for fashionable forays into the urban jungle. Please, if you have any ideas, the women of the world would be most grateful. Ruth New York, New York
For the January, 2007 Outside feature story, “Paradise Pretty Soon,” we floated Alex Tehrani down Gabon’s Djidji river in search of the perfect photographs of the four-year-old Ivindo National Park. Little did we know he’d come back with just as many stories to tell as the article’s writer, Rob Buchanan.
I'm planning a one-year trip around the world and need a travel pack or backpack that is waterproof, durable, and carry-on size. It’d be nice not to look too much like a tourist. Any thoughts? Cliff Boston, Massachusetts
I'm planning a short backpacking trip into the Smoky Mountains, and the trails have several creek crossings. Do you have any recommendations for a backpacking boot that is quick-drying but still has enough support? Sawyer Charleston, South Carolina
Can the mild-mannered guy in the cubicle next to you climb like Chris Sharma? Does your girlfriend spend her vacations paddling first descents in Patagonia? We're looking for everyday people who transform into adrenaline sports superheroes once five o'clock rolls around. Nominate your not-yet-famous adventurers here. We'll feature some of the best i
Is exercising for 30 minutes two times a day as beneficial as exercising one complete hour at one time? I've heard that you don't start burning fat till about 30 minutes into your workout. Tracy Tpa, Florida
To interview ultrarunner Dean Karnazes for our January cover story, “This Life Goes to 11,” managing editor Katie Arnold joined him for a “short run.” Four hours later, she’d completed her first marathon. Here, read extended excerpts from their conversation.
It may be zero degrees outside, with a windchill factor for the ages, but once you get your V2 on, you'll want to be wearing fewer clothes than you think. What you wear should be breathable, and stretchy to allow the full-body cranking that skate skiing requires. Wind-blocking materials on your front side and light insulation in key areas will keep you comf
If the new hotel Remota, in the Patagonian fishing village of Puerto Natales, looks slightly less beautiful than the surrounding vistas, that’s exactly how Chile’s green-architecture luminary Germán del Sol planned it. “A good hotel is not itself the object of desire but the instrument,” says del Sol. Now open…
It's been said that all athletes die twice. Add to that: unless you're Lance Armstrong. In his first year away from cycling, the seven-time Tour de France winner has raised millions to fight cancer, hosted the ESPYs, become part owner of a cycling team, and trained—somewhat—for his first marathon. (All…
That's what many Africans are calling Thomas Cholmondeley, the scion of Kenya's most famous white family who killed two black men on his vast Rift Valley ranch in the space of a year. But was it stone-cold murder or self-defense? Against a backdrop of rising racial tensions and brutal violence, JOSHUA HAMMER reports on the trial that could shatter the
It's fourth and long with no time on the clock for the endangered Devils Hole pupfish. Fortunately, one Las Vegas mega-casino likes the odds.
Hear Eric Hansen read his January Out of Bounds column, “How She Rolls” and see a gallery of his photos from the trip.
NEWPORT, MAINE, Lobsterman Buster Moniz attempts to rescue his boat. Where were you? Send your photos of misadventure to sothereiwas@outsidemag.com…
You've always wanted to try the park. X Games gold medalist Simon Dumont shows you where to start.
It ain't easy being the sponsor (a.k.a. old man) of a competitive snowboard artiste (a.k.a. my teenage son). Lend an ear, and a shoulder, and I'll tell you all about it.
What's to love in 2006? How about 100 of the most newsworthy athletes, products, gadgets, bold ideas, and badass feats? From Lance's remarkable retirement (you try raising $500,000 for charity in one night) to a cell phone that logs your training run (and tells you where to turn) to a 33-item gift guide (check out Oakley's Bluetooth shades), here ar
I’m in the market for a new two-person four-season tent that will keep me dry in snowy conditions but won’t weight me down too much while snowshoeing. Any recommendations? Missy Portland, Maine
I’m a lot more comfortable in sunglasses than in goggles when skiing. But my buddies tell me that I should be wearing goggles. Are they right? Ad Jackson, Mississippi
Michael Behar has a simple fantasy: to be the first man on the planet to join the 100-mile-high club. But as he discovers in his hot pursuit of the big bang, he's hardly alone. In fact, cosmic copulation has become the hottest craze since the Kama Sutra.
As a rule, the best snow at any ski resort isn’t served by a chairlift. You gottahike. Here’s a cheap, easy way to carry your skis without killing your shouldersor thwacking your buddy: Make your own ski sling. Start by taking 12 feet of 1.5-inchflat webbing and tying it into…
For decades, Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard has preached the gospel of sustainable performance apparel, and his company has led the market with its use of recycled and organic fabrics. This fall, the company greens up footwear, too, rolling out an all-new line of shoes. The trail-, water-, and travel-inspired kicks…
I’m an experienced front-country (resort) skier and would like to expand into the backcountry. Can you recommend a good ski pack that works well in both conditions? Walker Boston, Massachusetts
A legendary bike builder unretires to deliver the slickest new all-mountain ride on the planet
How does an athlete stay fit and healthy during the coldest months? Eat seasonally.
Take your eyes off digital photography for six months and high-tech image making reinvents itself—again. Just in time for the holidays, we bring you the latest revolution in digicams, camcorders, printers, solar chargers, and more.
I tend to hike off-trail, but I've also gotten myself lost at times. Is there a GPS unit than can help me get back to my car after bushwhacking or taking a trail that isn't marked on any map? Even better if it could help me navigate back roads and trails on my bike, too. Karin Glendale, Arizona
I love the look of soft shell jackets instead of typical hard shells. But most soft shells I’ve seen are very thin with little or no insulation. Is there one that will keep me warm while I bounce around in Vermont? Eric Randolph, New Jersey
I’m thinking of renting or purchasing a personal locator beacon (PLB) for winter backpacking trips as an added safety measure. What’s your opinion of PLBs? Bill Billerica, Massachusetts
Listen to an interview with photographer and climber Jimmy Chin and see photo outtakes from the January Exposure Special, "The No Fall Zone," here.
My wife and I would like to take a long weekend during the winter. Where can we find a bed and breakfast that's near a ski resort in a rustic environment? Bill M. Kansas City
Wipe that smirk off your face: When America's largest retailer embraces environmentalism, we all benefit
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!
Matthew Godfrey, the 36-year-old mayor of Ogden, Utah, wants to transform his town into the business center of the winter-sports universe. His biggest obstacle? Ogden, Utah.
This one will really test your knowledge! I do a lot of sports in cold weather, and all the sports bras I've tried get wet and don’t dry. I've even spent the big bucks on Patagonia Capilene. Can you suggest a bra that provides minor support and dries readily? And, out of curiosity, if my Capilene underwear keeps dry, why doesn't my Capilene bra? Killaine Vancouver, BC
I currently ride a Cannondale touring bike and looking for a lighter bike to do century and century-plus rides. Can you recommend one for around $1,500? Jeff Cincinnati, Ohio
I have a Performance Microtec ST bike helmet (from 1992) that I need to replace. Is there a similar helmet on the market, and how much should I spend? Jeannie Indian Springs, Alabama
My husband is interested in a hydration pack for dayhikes and bike rides. Which size will best suit his needs? Also, can you recommend one for kids (ages five and eight)? Melody Fircrest, Washington
If Phil Mahre’s name rings a bell, you’re probably old enough to have bought a Devo album for the music rather than the irony. It’s been 22 years since the Yakima, Washington, native retired after dominating alpine skiing with three straight overall World Cup titles from 1981 to 1983 and…
I've heard that doing cardio in the morning before eating breakfast forces your body to burn fat sooner due to low blood sugar levels. Any truth to that? John Chapel Hill, NC
If you follow surfing, you know the season-ending Pipeline Masters is the biggest stop on the World Championship Tour. But you also know that Kelly Slater all but secured his eighth WCT title months ago. So why watch? Because the December 8-20 contest (follow online at triplecrownofsurfing.com),…
In which our intrepid misadventurer sets out to win a marathon and quit smoking. (Hint: He only succeeds at one.)
I need a new two-person tent (for my tall self and my gear). I spend a lot of time backpacking in wet, windy, and cold weather, so I don't mind spending $300+ if the tent is worth it. I had a Sierra Designs Half Moon Tent, but all my gear was destroyed in a house fire. Any ideas? Kerry Hannibal, New York
I’m an avid runner who must contend with about six months of snow, slush, and cold temperatures if I to pursue this sport year-round. Can you suggest a running shoe for winter excursions? Standard running shoes are no match for a Quebec winter. Thomas Westmount, Quebec
What's the best waterproof hiking pant for under $200? A full side zip would be nice and lightweight is ideal, but not at the cost of durability and waterproofing. I'm about five-feet, nine-inches, so hiking pants that aren't ridiculously long would also be helpful. Tim Rochester, New York
I'll be vacationing with my parents in Cabo San Lucas and I’d like to learn to surf. Where are the best beaches to learn and who offers lessons? Jeremy Detroit, Michigan
I'd like to get a new pocket knife but recoil at the price tags I've recently witnessed. Is there a good reason to buy a $200 pocket knife? Scott Kingston, Ontario
Which fabric—polypropylene, Capilene, or merino wool—works better for layering, considering warmth, weight, and price? Bill Spreckels, California
I need to replace my old Moonstone Activent wind shirt that I use for running. Can you direct me to another one, preferably a pullover? Dan St. Louis, Missouri
Why does running downhill make me sore? Jim Colorado Springs, CO
I'm looking for a good four-season tent to take on England’s Pennine Way in March. I’ve looked at the Eureka! Alpenlite 2XT, thinking that a tent from a few seasons ago might be cheaper. Do you have other suggestions for $300 or less and around 7.5 pounds or less? Dave Asheville, North Carolina
November 15, 2006 In Outside‘s December issue, Joshua Hammer reports on the murder trial of Kenyan aristocrat Thomas Cholmondeley (“The Kenyan Cowboy,” page 158), who has been accused of killing Robert Njoya, a black poacher found trespassing on his 50,000-acre Soysambu Ranch in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley on May…
For December's “Still Out Front,” Outside editor Christopher Keyes sat down with seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong for a candid conversation about fundraising, politics, and his life post-cycling. Here, read more of Keyes's interview with Armstrong, where he talks about the temptation to make a comeback. OUTSIDE: I…
Want to own the War Bounty surfboard, a replica of the one seen in Apocalypse Now? It was built by the original board’s shaper, and is signed by the film’s Robert Duvall and Martin Sheen. The one-of-a-kind board will be auctioned on eBay in January. Check eBay’s homepage after January…
My skis have been sitting in the closet for about a year. How can I get them ready for the slopes?
For the December Outside feature story, “The Zero-G Spot,” about exploring sex in space, Boulder, Colorado-based writer Michael Behar and his wife Ashley Kissinger took a ride in Zero Gravity Corporation’s G-Force One to do a little “research.” Since the modified Boeing 727-200 cargo aircraft achieves weightlessness by diving 10,000…
To bring you the best of winter, we set up shop in Aspen, the over-the-top playground of dry powder, long steeps, and never-sleep nightlife.