Everything
I'm considering buying the Makalu boot from La Sportiva for extended backpacking and mountaineering duties, thinking it would be flexible enough for backpacking yet stiff enough for some crampon work. I understand that for really cold winter climbing I'd want something insulated, but am I wrong in thinking the Makalu will be up to the task? Christopher Mountaintop, Pennsylvania
If I do 20 minutes of cardio at one time and then another 10-12 minutes a few hours later, will I get the se benefit as if I do it all at once? Nancy Caledonia, Ontario
I have a question regarding an older Serac Gore-Tex jacket I have: Does Gore-Tex lose its water-repellency after repeated washings? Is there something I can apply after many washings to restore repellency? If so, what do you recommend? Mike Jackson, Ohio
I know you don't like ponchos, but I used one for a month in the Belize jungle and think it did a darn good job: In the hot, humid conditions, it allowed air to circulate; I used it to cover my pack in the rain; it was easy to put on and covered both me and my daypack; I could use it as a tarp to sit on or as a lean-to. Given all these advantages, could you recommend something better than the standard military-issue poncho for my next jungle trip? Are there Gore-Tex ponchos available? Jay Manchester, New Jersey
My 16-year-old daughter's Venture Scout troop is doing an eight-day horseback trek in northeastern New Mexico this July. They have to store all their gear in a large stuff sack (and two midget saddle bags), so she needs a lightweight, compressible sleeping bag to maximize space in the stuff sack. They'll be sleeping in tents at altitudes up to 12,000 feet, so the bag needs to be rated to around 30 degrees—and affordable. Easy, right? Lou Oak Hill, Virginia
I ski a lot, so need to protect my skin against the combined ravages of wind, cold, and sun. What do women (and men, too, I guess) put on their faces when they're climbing in winter? I'm not talking about Colorado or British Columbia cold here—I mean real cold. Elsbeth Ottawa, Ontario
My wife and I are having an ongoing argument. She says I should keep my coat off until just before I go outside. She argues that if I put my coat on too soon, my body will "get used to it," leaving me feeling colder when I do go out. It sounds ridiculous to me, but as she loves to point out, I'm from Arizona. Her cold-weather friends seem to back her up. Is this some kind of myth or is there some basis to her claim? Michael San Francisco, California
I like to wear close-fitting base layers like REI's Swift or Patagonia's Lightweight Capilene. When hiking in cold weather I will usually shed or add layers as I go. Can you suggest a good loose-fitting, wicking T-shirt to wear over the body-hugging base for those days when I've really worked up a sweat. Matt Fairfax, Virginia
I injured my right shoulder/rotator cuff by overdoing military presses 10 yrs ago. I still lift, but seem to hit a wall on the bench press. Is there another exercise that hits the se areas as bench pressing but won't be as likely to aggravate the cuff issues? And will keeping my arms at a 90-degree angle when reaching the lowest point on a bench press (as opposed to bringing the bar all the way down to my chest) limit or eliminate the stress placed on the injured shoulder? Chris Atlanta, GA
My primary winter sport here in the Northeast is snowshoeing in the Adirondacks and White Mountains. I carry a 34-ounce ice ax and 36-ounce crampons for insurance, but I'm thinking of replacing them with lighter versions. What's your take on the durability of light alloy crampons and featherweight axes? Any brand recommendations? Also, can I use Black Diond's Whippet pole ends in place of an ax for my stated use, and would one do the job? Mark Ellington, Connecticut
What do you think of the Patagonia Core Skin Jacket as an all-around athletic winter jacket? I do a lot of cycling, downhill skiing, running, and cross-country skiing in the winter, so I'd like to get one piece to cover all my bases. Diane Lititz, Pennsylvania
Adventure Adviser, Colorado Sunset near Cripple Creek, Colorado Q: Where are the best mountain bike rides in the Royal Gorge and Colorado Springs area? I will be there in early June and wish to see some beautiful scenery while off-road biking in the mountains.
I have been running four to six miles four days a week and my knee has started to hurt. I tried switching shoes, running on grass, etc. Icing seems to help a lot, but I don't know how long I should have it on there. Is half an hour too long to ice my knee? Cody Carik Bismarck, ND
When Outside editor-at-large Hampton Sides interviewed Lance Armstrong for the July 2004 issue, the five-time Tour champion was being kneaded—buck naked—on a massage table in the Hollywood home of his rock-star girlfriend, Sheryl Crow. Here, read the complete, unabridged transcript of their discussion. OUTSIDE: Did you ever imagine that…
Five-time Tour champ Lance Armstrong talks about cancer, EPO, and the prospect of making cycling history.
I've been reading mixed reviews about tents recently, with some raving that their tents are virtually bombproof, others demeaning theirs as utter crap. I'm after a tent for multi-season camping, something that will keep me dry and includes decent vestibule space, maybe even two doors for easy-exit toilet breaks. Any suggestions? And could you possibly explain the pros and cons of pole sleeves versus clips? Jim Toronto, Ontario
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What are Frogg Toggs? I see them for hunting and fishing use, and they seem like a cheap alternative to Gore-Tex and its imitators. Is this gear good for long, sweaty hikes wearing a pack? Chris Norwood, Ohio
What do you think of some of the gear manufacturers across the pond? Specifically, Eider, Haglöfs, and Millet? They seem to use comparable materials, but how does the craftmanship and durability compare to our very own Marmot, Mountain Hardwear, and Arc'Teryx? (OK, I know Arc'Teryx is technically a foreign company, but they feel like the next-door neighbor you'd gladly ask for a cup of sugar.) Gear me the way only you can gear me. Jeremiah Eugene, Oregon
Now that winter has set in along the Wasatch Range, it's nice to have portable hot beverages now and then. Do you have any insights for a leak-proof, lightweight thermos? One I recently received from Eddie Bauer keeps the contents warm or cold as necessary, but it leaks all over—certainly not something I could put in my pack and take into the backcountry. What kind of thermos flasks do they use for making tea on big climbs up Everest? Chris Park City, Utah
Can you recommend a two- to four-person tent for winter camping that I can heat with a wood-burning stove during the day? Greg Woodbury, Minnesota
I'm planning to climb Mount Shasta in the spring followed by Aconcagua in January '05. What mountaineering boot is best for both mountains? Joe Foster City, California
Lose the contacts and get visionary with the first prescription sunglasses designed for a multisport lifestyle
So you think it's legal to yak on that walkie-talkie? Check the owner's manual, bub.
After years of leading us on, carmakers roll out the first generation of off-road-ready hybrids
Hidalgo tells the true story of hero Frank Hopkins. Too bad it's all hogwash.
Ronni heard it first: the softly insistent, slightly descendant keloo-keloo of the quetzal, strobing from the cloud forest around us. We were hiking the five-mile Sendero de los Quetzales (“Path of the Quetzals”), a trail that winds through the 35,390 lush acres of Panama's Volcán Barú National Park in UNESCO's…
We’ll show you where to find America’s most romantic retreats, what to pack for a sizzling camping trip, and more, in this online package coming February 1!…
In this epic documentary, slated to hit theaters January 23, climbers Joe Simpson and Simon Yates tell the story of their perilous 1985 first ascent of the remote west face Siula Grande, in the Peruvian Andes. Following a successful three-day journey to the summit, disaster struck on the mountain when…
Ready to bask in the warmth of endless summer? Our online resource is your key to the Caribbean’s most idyllic getaways. Here, you’ll find great travel deals, gorgeous places to stay, and active adventures guaranteed to get your heart racing. Dive in, the water’s warm! Nevis: Unhurried and unsung hero…
The dream of a Northwest Passage linking the Atlantic to the riches of Asia has driven explorers and visionary adventurers for centuries. With climate change in the air, Natasha Singer braves the frigid 900-mile journey to find out if the old, mythic dream is becoming an epic new reality.
Marmot introduces a new electrically illuminated parka for traveling light on those dark, stormy nights
We're going to show you how to find your flow. The place where everything clicks and comes easy.
French chef Auguste Escoffier was a founding father of haute cuisine and a serious lover of wild game. In Outside‘s January 2004 feature story, “If You Are What You Eat, He’s Dead Meat,” Steven Rinella snags an old Escoffier cookbook and tries his hand at preparing a multi-course meat feast…
Outside‘s January 2004 cover package, “Fit to the Core,” is chock full of advice on how to find the Whole Athlete within. From downtime at spas, to Pilates, to meditation, we show you how to integrate your mind and body for optimal performance. Here, five great outdoor athletes share…
Ed Lucero became the owner of a new world record for the highest plunge in a kayak last summer when he dropped over Canada’s 105.6-foot Alexandra Falls. He was held under the thundering flow a full four seconds before emerging safe and sound, and dethroning record holder Tim Gross, who…
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Put your hands together for the newest crop of toasty, weatherproof winter gloves
In a stunning final letter, Timothy Treadwell speaks out on naysayers, fear, and what he believed was acceptance into the clan of the bear
Ready to take up the challenge of reviving the bloody old days of classic haute cuisine? Steven Rinella bites.
Famed naturalist Charlie Russell argues that Timothy Treadwell's work was both crucial and sane
A bear expert's risky research ends in disaster. Should anybody get so close to grizzlies?
It seems like all God's creatures have lost their way in the Holy Land. But a few hopeful Israeli and Palestinian conservationists are tracing a new path along the flyways and wildlife corridors of the Jordan Valley—and rediscovering an ancient road map that leads from terror to peace.
Bode Miller has everything you could want in a World Cup ski racer. He's fast, fearless, and frequently out of control. He can drink like a sailor and swear like a snowboarder, and he's got the talent to take it all from those grim Austrian cyborgs. Most amazing, he's American. Can we make this guy a hero already?
When Ed Lucero plummeted 105.6 feet over Canada’s Alexandra Falls, he set a new world record for the highest plunge in a kayak. What was he thinking? John Galvin finds out. Seeing is Believing CLICK HERE to watch the video clip of Ed…
When an Army psychologist sent us this letter from deep in the Iraqi battle zone, we couldn't resist posting it. Outside salutes his work, and offers the men and women of our armed forces best wishes for a safe return.
Ten North American spas that will recharge your mind, body, and soul
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Instead of buying all-new gear with the requisite bells and whistles attached, I'd just like to have my old stuff upgraded. I do remember hearing about a company that will restore or fix your old gear as well as upgrade it; you know, putting new straps on a backpack or adding new zippers to a rain shell. Have you heard of any companies like that? Evan New York City
When I got into motorcycling, I bought a nice standard bike, learned to ride it really well, and in a few years had to trade up to a more interesting, high-performance machine. Now I'd like to get into kayaking. Is there any way for a beginner like me to buy a kayak that will remain interesting even if I become a pretty good intermediate kayaker? Patrick Copley, Ohio
I'm looking for a rack to hold a couple of bikes inside the back of an SUV. What do you suggest? A friend has one from Rhode Gear that’s heavy and holds two bikes, and because of the weight of the rack, it isn't necessary to bolt it to the interior of the truck. However, I'm not able to find it anywhere. Laura San Antonio, Texas
I'm looking for a pair of high-waisted waterproof-breathable pants for snowshoeing and skiing this winter. The Arc'Teryx Theta LTs are ideal, but at $350 the price is prohibitive. I did find a pair of Flight Pants from Mountain Equipment Co-op for about US$200. I've always been tempted by MEC's gear, but I worry about the relative durability of an equivalent piece that saves $150. Do you have any experience with the quality of the LTs' construction? Matt Seattle, Washington
I'm after a wool cycling jersey that's comfortable, visible, and practical (i.e., machine-washable, non-shrink). By comfortable, I mean not scratchy and not too form-fitting. I tried the Kucharik jersey made from merino wool but found it quite itchy, particularly around the neck. I would really love to try wool for all its reported benefits, but I can't find a jersey, or even a shirt, that is comfortable, conspicuous, and practical. Is this a hopeless quest, meaning I'll forever be stuck with clmy, stinky synthetics? Richard Oak Ridge, Tennessee
I'm in search of a three-season sleeping bag for under $350 that is down-filled, is rated to about 15 degrees, weighs under three pounds, has a durable weatherproof shell, and includes a full-length zipper. I was going to buy the REI Sub Kilo but all the reviews say it rips easily. I've been considering the Mountainsmith Vision, the Mountain Hardwear Spectre SL, and the Marmot Hydrogen, too, but can you help me narrow the field? Philip Berkley, Massachusetts
Last year in Breckenridge, my 14-year-old son was having a hard time snowboarding because his hands were so cold. What can I get him to help? Do you suggest mittens or gloves for snowboarding? Gale Savannah, Georgia
I actually have a two-part question. First, what do you think is better for vertical, technical, and mixed climbing: leashed or leashless ice tools? Second, what are your thoughts on putting a leash on a leashless tool? Anthony Anchorage, Alaska
I going on a ten-day whitewater rafting and kayaking trip this winter. I've just spent the last several months training for a marathon, but have virtually ignored my upper body. Can you offer me a good strengthening regimen so I'm not ready to cry after each day in the rapids? Alissa Mears Washington, D.C.
What do you think of the MIOX water purifier? Jeff Moscow, Idaho
This question may seem dumb, but an old dog needs to learn new tricks! Having used external-fre packs since the late '60s, I've made the switch to an internal-fre one. I've studied all the diagrs about the best way to load internal-fres, but I'm still none the wiser. Bearing in mind I carry a fairly standard gear list, how should I pack for a five- to seven-day trip? Charles Cape Girardeau, Missouri
My daughter has moved from the desert of Arizona to Seattle. Apparently, by the time she layers for warmth and closes out the rain for her walk to work, she's become a cold, dp sauna after only five minutes. For a holiday gift, I would like to get her an undergarment that can wick away the moisture, but I don't trust everything I see tagged onto the garments. I want to get her something that really works, but I'm getting baffled by the marketing folks. Ken Tucson, Arizona
An overview of Outside articles that made the cut and were included in The Best American Travel Writing 2003
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I run trails. At night. Any bright ideas without weighing me down too much? Scott Hickory, North Carolina