November 2021
The best trips of 2021, 30 fresh adventure ideas, the world's deadliest mountains, Nick Offerman
Stories
POSTs
Athletes like Mikaela Shiffrin have started adopting the training technique to increase endurance, muscle mass, and more
For as far back as she can remember, Mardi Fuller grew up in a world of swimming lessons and swim teams, which was unusual for a daughter of Jamaican immigrants. Why the emphasis on water? Because of a mysterious death that haunted her family’s past.
Outside’s ethics guru on why it’s not the nudity that’s offensive
Meet the grassroots movement of women fighting to open up surfing to a more diverse range of body types
All over the West, a housing crisis is causing workforce shortages, crippling local businesses, and threatening the culture and existence of mountain towns as we know them. But amid the doom and gloom, some people are fighting for solutions.
Plan your next adventure on one of the nation’s most resplendent waterways with the help of Gaia GPS
Tim Zimmermann’s feature about a 12,000-pound orca that killed a SeaWorld trainer changed the future of marine parks, was developed into a powerful 2013 documentary, and turned the author into a vegan
The grandeur of the Great Salt Lake stopped Brigham Young in his tracks and inspired John Muir to jump in for a swim. Yet now it’s in danger of disappearing, sucked dry by agriculture, climate change, and suburban lawns. Many Utahns would just as soon pave it, but as Bill Gifford learned during a yearlong exploration, there’s beauty and natural splendor here that deserves to live on.
How Susan Orlean reported the classic Outside story about the surf girls of Maui
Don’t let your old stuff gather dust or go to the landfill. Put it to work doing good.
Each year an estimated 300,000 smugglers, known as ‘kolbars,’ haul millions of pounds of contraband from Iraq to Iran over the 14,000-foot peaks of the Zagros Mountains. More than 50 of them will die—shot dead, killed in accidents, or freezing to death—and countless more will be arrested and imprisoned. Alex Perry travels to Iraqi Kurdistan to investigate the roots of a trade that all but defies comprehension.
Honest-to-God advice on how to enjoy nature, from an actor-comedian-author-canoe-builder who grew up on a farm and takes rock stars rafting
Our experts sought out epic adventures in every landscape, from new desert outposts to off-the-grid wellness retreats, with plenty of trails, beaches, and base camps—all perfect to give or get
Features
This Is the Place: The grandeur of the Great Salt Lake stopped Brigham Young in his tracks and inspired John Muir to jump in for a swim. Yet now it’s in danger of disappearing, sucked dry by agriculture, climate change, and suburban lawns. Many Utahns would just as soon pave it, but as Bill Gifford learned during a yearlong exploration, there is beauty and natural splendor here that deserves to live on. —Bill Gifford
The Deep End: For as far back as she can remember, Mardi Fuller grew up in a world of swimming lessons and swim teams, which was unusual for a daughter of Jamaican immigrants. Why the emphasis on water? Because of a mysterious drowning that haunted her family’s past. In her journey to learn the truth, she contemplates circumstances that echo instances of racial injustice in the U.S. today. —Mardi Fuller
The World’s Most Dangerous Mountains: Each year an estimated 300,000 smugglers, known as kolbars, haul millions of pounds of contraband from Iraq to Iran over the 14,000-foot peaks of the Zagros Mountains. More than 50 of them will die, and countless more will be imprisoned. Alex Perry travels to Iraqi Kurdistan to investigate the roots of a trade that all but defies comprehension. —Alex Perry
Dispatches
The Outsider
Nick Offerman: Honest-to-God advice on how to enjoy nature, from an actor-comedian-author-canoe-builder who grew up on a farm and takes rock stars rafting.
Gear
Backcountry and Resort Skiing: Kit that excels both in-bounds and beyond the ropes.
Snowboarding: Reign over the slopes with this exacting equipment.
Boots: Cozy, technical footwear that will have you dancing in the flurries.
Road-Trip Essentials: Skate safely down snowy highways.
Casual Midlayers: Let’s have an adventure—and look good doing it.
Exposure
Portfolio: Sophie Stafford’s photos show how martial arts is changing young girls’ lives in a refugee camp.
Fitness
Training: Is blood-flow restriction the future of performance?
Tools: Keep your dog safe and warm this winter with six must-have items.
Fuel: Swap those Gu packets for nature’s own energy boost—maple syrup.
Moves: Build muscle and reduce risk of injury with an eccentric-strength routine.
Travel
Best Trips of the Year: Our experts sought out epic adventures in every landscape, from new desert outposts to off-the-grid wellness retreats, with plenty of trails, beaches, and base camps to fill up your 2022 calendar. Plus, plan an expedition with Outside editors to four classic destinations.