Prepare to be converted by this tiny Central American nation of raw, dark jungle, teeming reefs, and a very original cast of locals. (They all speak English!)

I recently treated my leather hiking boots with the non-aqueous Nikwax. Will the leather ever be breathable again? Patrick Melbourne, Australia

Sending Jon Krakauer to Everest was my idea. After the news broke, I spent the better part of a day wondering if I'd put him in a frozen grave.

An Imax filmmaker flies into New Orleans, post-Katrina, and comes out with a film on culture, conservation, and rebuilding Louisiana's wetlands

Client, Mountain Madness

Knees are critical joints, and they can't be traded in like last year's cell phone. Keep your hinges state-of-the-art with our complete guide to strength, conditioning, and injury prevention.

Survivors from Everest '96 recall a day of terror and confusion that many still believe was distorted in ways that oversimplified complex events and dishonored the dead.

David Sharp's lonely death on Mount Everest revived the old, raging debates about personal ethics and the wisdom of commercially guided climbing. But whatever went right and wrong in 2006, the bottom line remains: You challenge this peak at your own risk, because its punishments are swift, terrible, and blind.

You need to learn your lesson! So listen up to Mike Roberto, a fast-talking consultant who uses the '96 saga as a teaching tool for students, lawyers, and businessmen.

One dad's quest for an undiscovered surf spot turns up perfect waves, crazy wildlife, and just the right kid-friendly vibe on Costa Rica's wild Osa Peninsula

With 25 national parks, 815 miles of coastline, and thousands of wildlife species, Costa Rica is indeed a rich coast. Experience it all with these seven sea-to-jungle family adventures.

The Bahamas' Out Islands offer a warm welcome and a quick island fix

We catch up with Michael Brown on his latest film, Light of the Himalaya

I'm pondering going to Thailand in the winter—I'd like to do a lot more than just stay in Bangkok—but I'm a 25-year-old female wanting to travel alone. Do you think this is safe? Do you have any recommendations where to go? Kyle San Francisco, CA

Is it safe to take creatine as a part of my exercise routine for energy and body mass? And how much is adequate to take, and when is the best time to take it? Lorraine Parount, CA

Do you think Perception’s Acadia Scout is a good kayak for an eight-year-old child? Also, what’s your take on purchasing a pre-owned kayak? Angela Saratoga Springs, New York

My daughter is going into the Peace Corps in Kazakhstan and is looking for an everyday shoe that can handle the sub-zero temperatures. What would you recommend? Patricia

How can I stop wetting the bed? Seriously, I fall asleep and start sweating like a nun at a strip club. Going on the theory that no clothes equals warmer, I've tried wearing a thin layer. Going on the theory that layers equal warmth, I've tried sleeping sans skivvies. I don't want to end up soaking the down of my new sleeping bag. Jay Poughkeepsie, New York

Four more resorts for turning bulge to buff

In search of travel treasure at the world's most colorful markets

Music will carry you away—literally—to these far-flung festivals

What running shoes would you recommend for a ten-mile competition in which I run through knee-deep mud, waist-high water, and on pavement? Last year, after coming out of the mud and water, I had to run eight miles with wet feet and sand in my shoes. Michael Visalia, California

As a college student in Boston, I spend a lot of time outside in the freezing, windy winters. Will the Patagonia R4 fleece jacket keep me warm around town and on the New England ski slopes? Or do you know of any cheaper, comparable fleeces? Jenny Boston, Massachusetts

Does that first sprig of mistletoe make you giddy with Christmas cheer—or would you rather drown in a bucket of eggnog than spend another December awash in commercial glee? Our travel wish list features three spots brimming with holiday spirit and three distant, carol-free getaways.

Diving after elusive sea life on the teeming reefs of Indonesia's Celebes Sea

Are there any digital cameras that operate normally at temperatures below freezing? Besides just keeping the camera warm next to the body, can you recommend any equipment or techniques for using digitals below freezing? Hugh Santa Monica, California

We sit down for a candid conversation with Outside contributor Eric Hansen about his most recent assignment, a quest to find the world's most extreme bar, Colombia's El Mirador, for the September feature story, "It's Thriller Time."

My GT Karakor mountain bike needs some serious TLC. But I’ve been told that the bike is so old that replacement parts for the thumb quick-shift levers don’t exist. These parts must be out there somewhere. Can you help? Al Loomis, California

I like to hike in Baja where the vegetation includes some of the nastiest plants I've ever met. Do you have a recommendation for the toughest pants to wear? Jon Pacifica, California

In a (completely misguided) bid to make the 2008 Olympic team, ex-NCAA swimmer W. Hodding Carter is training like he did in college. And that means spring break. Only this time our party frogman is cruising the British Virgin Islands under his own power.

Wanna live where the action is? The goal: Trails out the back door, a serious Saturday-morning peloton, whitewater just up the road, and neighbors eager to join in. Our source: The best adventure athletes in America, who tell us where they live and why. The result: 20 places where locals work, train, and play hard. Start packing now.

Think life in America's favorite outdoor mecca would be dreamy? Careful what you wish for.

Richard Wiese was the fresh-faced president of the Explorers Club who gave the crusty institution a media-friendly makeover. Now he's vying to be the next TV adventure hero while the club tries to remain relevant. Can they survive without each other?

When we travel, we think we don’t want to get sick, but maybe, less consciously, we’re not so sure. If nothing of note happens on a journey, was it one?

Is it possible to guide safely on Everest? Or will the mountain always demand its pound of flesh? MARK JENKINS talks to a dream team of veterans—between them, they've reached the summit 17 times—in a frank look at the risks, rewards, and nightmares of taking clients to the top.

Why climb America's most spectacular—and controversial—natural landmark? For the same reason you shouldn't.

No need to put a toe in the water. It's ready, and you will be too with our guide to the season's best new equipment for ocean, river, and lake.

You've done your rehab, your knee feels great, you think you’re ready to return to action. But don’t rush back into the fray. Avoid a repeat injury by first taking—and passing—this return-to-sport test, provided by the Steadman Hawkins Center, a renowned orthopedic center in Vail, Colorado. Don’t attempt to perform this test on your

I’m looking for a high-top mountain-bike shoe to protect my very badly sprained ankle when I ride. But I want one that’s not a winter boot. Any suggestions? Sean Holyoke, Massachusetts

WILLIAM LAMSON takes a road trip every year in search of modern American landscapes, but, says the 28-year-old Brooklyn-based photographer, “you don’t always find things to shoot when you’re out driving around.” Which is why a series of “self-portraits,” in which Lamson figures more as prop than subject, seemed the…

I want to make a tent by myself. Any advice on where to buy ten feet of gray or blue polyester taffeta fabric that will suit my needs?

Ten iconic athletes name their favorite sports films of all time, from the touching and zany to the truly awe-inspiring. Clear out your Netflix queue.

You can learn a lot in the face of danger, violence, and corruption—if you manage to make it out alive

A new film vows to avenge the death of the electric car

North Korea opens its doors to American tourists

Three body-boosting tech toys bring superhero speed, flight, and strength to the mortal masses

Next time you’re in Grand Teton or Yellowstone national parks, ditch the maps and try a GAPERGUIDE. Available this August, the new GPS-enabled navigator—named after a local slang term for tourists—sits on the dashboard and uses your exact position on any of the two Wyoming parks’ collective 378 miles of…

Still bragging about that one winter after college when you got in 100 days of skiing? Well, if all goes smoothly, on July 27 Rainer Hertrich will board a lift at Oregon’s Timberline Ski Area for his 1,000th straight day on the slopes. The 45-year-old telemarker has been following winter…

Name: Paul “P-Rod” Rodriguez Jr. Home: Chatsworth, CA Gig: Skateboarding Height: 5’8″ Weight: 148 Age: 21 Paul Rodriguez Jr. is the first skateboarder to join sporting…

After a long workout what should one's next meal consist of to get the most from the workout? Rory Boulder, CO

Is it legal to use U.S.-bought family /general mobile radios in Italy for staying in touch with people from our party? Do I need a special Italian license? If so, how do I get one? Howard Phoenix, Arizona

The 2006 Tour de France winner has been accused of doping after an atypical ratio of testosterone to epitestosterone was found in his system

In the last two years, a lot of new altimeter watches with a lot of new features have hit the market. So in terms of value, what’s your pick for the best altimeter watch for under $100? How about for under $200? Cliff Aspen, Colorado

PARIS — With his cycling future unknown, American Floyd Landis secured his improbable Tour de France victory Sunday with a casual, celebratory four-hour ride to the French capital. Floyd Landis American Floyd Landis celebrates his first Tour de France win. He is only the third American in history to…

You would think that after three weeks of racing, everyone in the Tour de France peloton would just go home and sleep for a few days. In reality, the cycling season is still in full swing and almost everyone will race again this year, some of them as soon as next week.

This year’s very suspenseful Tour de France finally has a virtually-guaranteed winner! With a technically perfect time trial performance this afternoon, Floyd Landis more than overcame the 30 seconds that separated him from the yellow jersey and, barring any unforeseen tragedies in the Tour’s final stage on Sunday, will become…

MONTCEAU LES MINES, France — Barring catastrophe, Floyd Landis (Phonak) of Murrieta, Calif., will become the third American to win the Tour de France after he placed third Saturday in the 19th stage individual time trial. Sergei Honchar (T-Mobile) of the Ukraine captured his second dominating time trial win…

MACON, France — Matteo Tosatto (Quick-Step) of Italy rode to a strong Stage 18 sprint victory; the overall standings remained the same Friday after another scorching day at the Tour de France. Matteo Tosatto, Tour de France Quickstep’s Matteo Tosatto out-sprinted Christian Moreni for the Stage 18 win…

After three weeks of drama, the winner of the 2006 Tour de France will be decided by the Stage 19 individual time trial. Floyd Landis is the clear favorite to take the stage and the yellow jersey, but there's a lot more to this time trial than meets the eye.

Curiosity peaked by mosquitoes and the September feature story, "Itchy" by Jennifer Kahn? Here, some additional facts from the author, and from Andrew Spielman, professor of tropical public health at Harvard University, and author of Mosquito: A Natural History of Our Most Persistent and Deadly foe.

I stopped running at age 50 because my knees just couldn’t take it anymore. I now walk daily and need a good shoe for fast walking. What is your opinion of Ecco’s Performance shoes? Donna Plano, Texas

I’m planning a climbing trip on Mount Denali and shopping for a three-person tent. Will Sierra Designs’ Alpha stand up against the high wind? Also, what are your thoughts about tent poles reinforced with short "legs,” like on Sierra Designs’ Stretch Dome? Dmitri Bloomington, Indiana

MORZINE, France – One day after his disastrous performance in the Alps, American Floyd Landis (Phonak) catapulted himself to within seconds of the Tour de France race lead Thursday with an equally dramatic stage win on the same famous mountain range. Floyd Landis Floyd Landis climbs to the first…

You know, maybe Floyd Landis and Oscar Pereiro are on to something here. The men currently sitting in first and third places overall both overcame seemingly insurmountable deficits to rise back to the top of the leaderboard, and the massive amounts of time they lost may actually have helped them get back into the race.

After riding a road bike, I would like to branch out and ride more bike paths and rail-to-trail routes. I really don’t need a mountain bike. I’m looking at a cross bike like the Bianchi Axis. Is this a comfortable solution? Andy St. Paul, Minnesota

Oh, how quickly things change at the Tour de France. Yesterday, even by Lance Armstrong's estimation, Floyd Landis was the odds-on favorite to ride into Paris in yellow. Tonight he's more than eight minutes behind after cracking on the final climb of Stage 16 to La Toussuire. And a week ago, Oscar Pereiro started Stage 13 more than 28 minutes behind in the overall classification and finished with the yellow jersey. Now, after losing it for a day, he's back in it again!

Early last week, Tour de France favorite Floyd Landis dropped a bombshell: The American rider has been suffering from the bone disease osteonecrosis for two seasons and will require career-altering hip replacement surgery after the Tour. The painful condition, caused by a 2003 crash, has hardly slowed the 30-year-old rider…

While Mikael Rasmussen (Rabobank) of Denmark rode to a long solo breakaway win, Oscar Pereiro (Caisse d'Epargne) of Spain regained the race lead, and former race leader Floyd Landis (Phonak) of Murrieta, Calif., badly faltered Wednesday during the 16th stage of the Tour de France.

What's the hydration value of carbonated mineral water (i.e. club soda or Perrier) versus regular tap water? Any difference? It tastes great after a long run on a hot day, but I'm not sure if it does me any good. Tom Washington, DC

IT WAS FEBRUARY 2004 IN SUNNY BAGHDAD—back before everything totally hit the fan in Iraq and nation building still seemed like an iffy but viable concept. My friend Jeff and I were in our office at the city’s convention center, a cavernous building tucked inside the Green Zone, the walled-off…

L’ALPE D’HUEZ, France – Frank Schleck (CSC) of Luxembourg claimed the most important win of his career and American Floyd Landis (Phonak) of reclaimed the lead during Tuesday’s 25th anniversary stage finish to the most famous mountaintop of the Tour de France. L'Alpe d'Huez, Tour de France 2006…

If everything goes your way, riding conservatively can be a great way for a super-strong rider to win the Tour de France. Considering that Floyd Landis appears to be much stronger than any other overall contender in this year's race, this strategy might very well work for him. The risk with being conservative, however, is that you may not have enough of a time buffer to absorb the consequences of a bad day, a crash, or a mechanical problem.

The rest days during the Tour de France are a chance for riders to gather their thoughts, replenish their energy, and look forward to the racing yet to come. For the most part, riders stick to routines they have developed over years of racing. There is a rhythm to stage racing, and it's best not to disturb it.

To air is human. To go big is divine. To huck for dollars at the hard rock cafe... a cry for help. Why are action-sports athletes suddenly channeling Evel Knievel?

Want a spin bike delivered to your room? Get that and more with our guide to staying fit on the road.

In August, I’m going on a mountain-bike trip in Colorado, where I’ll be porting some 30 to 40 pounds of gear. I have a 15-year-old Nashbar rear rack but don't know its maximum capacity. The current Nashbar rear rack holds 30 pounds. Should I spend $60 for a heavy-duty rack? I also need to buy panniers. Sherry Parker, Colorado

I’ll be working in northeastern Africa for the next five months, and I need a daily-wear shoe. The terrain is rocky, sandy, very hot, and very dry. I’m looking for a trail-runner or light hiker and have considered Merrell’s Cheleon. Any other suggestions? Peter Copenhagen, Denmark

GAP, France – Pierrick Fedrigo (Bouygues Telecom) of France outsprinted Salvatore Commesso (Lampre) of Italy on Sunday to claim the Tour de France’s 14th stage, while Oscar Pereiro (Caisse Espargne) of Spain retained the leader’s jersey for the second day. Frenchman Pierrick Fedrigo outsprints Italian Salvatore Commesso to…

It's normal to see dirt and grease on the underside of a bicycle after a long ride or stage in the Tour de France, but after today's stage there was there was road tar stuck to the paint jobs, and that's a bad sign because it means the roads are melting in the heat.

You have to be a little crazy to break away from the peloton more than 125 miles from the finish line on a day when the temperature’s in the mid- to high-90s Fahrenheit, but today Jens Voigt and Oscar Pereiro were handsomely rewarded for their efforts. Surviving a long-range breakaway…