Outside Magazine, Apr 2004

Stories

POSTs


If any lesson stuck during physical education class, it was probably “stretch but don't bounce!” Bouncing, we were darkly warned, would lead to certain injury, from muscular microtears to flayed hamstrings. But, hey, what did Coach know? That well-worn admonition no longer rings true. Bouncing has had a 1990s image…

Help Wanted: Exum Mountain Guides, the country's premier climbing service, is looking for supremely talented alpinists with world-class résumés for seasonal work in the Tetons. Must be willing to follow in the footsteps of legends. If qualified, don't bother calling. We'll find you.

The hottest transgender talent in professional sports is making the competition see pink

Keep the GPS handy, fly rod at the ready, and don't forget your rubber boots

In adventure as in life, wisdom is passed down from father to son. Or not.

Renegade freeriders are launching mountain biking into the X Games era

A change has come to the Iron Curtain death zone—and it's wild

Can a monster swell be tracked down and hunted like some great beast? That's the mad mission of the $3 million Billabong Odyssey, surfing's rapid-response quest to find and ride the biggest wave in history?

Go fast and furious in the (1) TAG HEUER FORMULA 1 dive watch ($595; 866-260-0460, www.tagheuer.com). The (2) OAKLEY GMT watch ($650; 800-403-7449, www.oakley.com) has two dials—one for your present location, the other for where you’d rather be. The Swiss-made (3) ORIS XXL FULL…

Meet your secret muscles—and find out how these hidden assets can leverage your leap to peak performance

Want to go from day tripper to trail ripper? Lose the weight, hit the throttle, and have a 21st-century blast.

Let one of America’s best sport camps propel you toward a bigger, richer life. Because nothing beats the buzz of learning something new.

Can Underwear Make You Stronger?* fitness tips *No, but it sure looks (and feels) that way Who knew that a stretchy T-shirt made from a more breathable version of the fabric found in ladies’ girdles would become the base layer of choice for athletes as diverse as baseball…

So you think it's legal to yak on that walkie-talkie? Check the owner's manual, bub.

The shocking last wishes of a Hollywood heavy

After years of leading us on, carmakers roll out the first generation of off-road-ready hybrids


F E A T U R E S

SURF & DESTROY
From Australia to Oahu to Hollywood, big waves are hot, and the Billabong Odyssey is riding the moment with a brilliant plan: Hire a rapid-response team of daredevil surfers, give them $3 million to play with, and tell them not to come back until they’ve conquered the planet’s deadliest swells.
By Steve Hawk

THE THRILL OF THE SKILL
It’s time to take your enthusiasm up a notch. We’ve sussed out more than 60 of the country’s best adventure camps—cool schools to supercharge your surfing, skiing, cycling, and other sports. PLUS: Camps for singles; wisdom from veteran guides; and where to learn gourmet backcountry cooking, new languages, space walking, and more.

THE HOUSE OF ROCK
Want to join the elite staff at Exum Mountain Guides? Better have a world-class climbing résumé and a client-friendly vibe. If you survive the grueling ten-year apprenticeship, the most coveted rock-jock job in America is yours.
By Kevin Fedarko

WHO’S YOUR DADDY?
Raising three sons to be adventurous and eco-sensitive is great—until they get big enough to howl about your many crimes against nature. One father’s tips for coping when your own brood wilds you in the woods.
By Mark Singer

D E P A R T M E N T S

DISPATCHES
High-flying freeriders lead mountain biking’s HUCK-FUELED COMEBACK . PLUS: Scrappy enviros plot a massive greenbelt along the old IRON CURTAIN ; finally, HYBRID SUVS are here; the shocking last wishes of KEIKO the killer whale; and more .

THE WILD FILE
What do ants do in the winter? Can rivers flow uphill? What spot in the earth’s oceans is farthest from land? Are there any animals that can kill people without touching them?
By Brad Wetzler

DESTINATIONS
The insider’s guide to getting wild in southeast ALASKA’S ISLAND MAZE : sailing among icebergs, fishing for salmon, and paddling rocky fjords in the Alexander Archipelago. PLUS: Killer deals on trips to BELIZE and the Rockies; a PHOTO SAFARI ; and more.

OUT THERE
There’s a surprising new flare-up in the raging battle over cheating in big-time sports: the SEX CHANGE . Consider the case of Michelle Dumaresq, a feisty pro mountain biker who used to be a man.
By Jon Billman

REVIEW
Bust out of town with SUPERLIGHT EQUIPMENT and clothing designed for the single-day adventure blitz. OUTSIDE STYLE: The perfect suit for the international man of mystery, plus travel-tough watches and shades.

BODYWORK
Pssst! It’s high time you paid heed to your SECRET MUSCLES , the all-powerful, oft-overlooked engines that trigger performance breakthroughs. PLUS: Tough-guy undies , and more.

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