Adventure
ArchiveIf you have ever climbed a Colorado 14,000 foot mountain the odds are you used a guide book or perhaps an internet site to research your climb. Well, it is also highly likely you used some of Gerry Roach’s famous research. His famous guide book simply called…
Climbing has announced the winners of its annual award for the fastest, highest, and hardest vertical pursuits of last year. Below is a quick listing of the Golden Piton awards for 2010, with links to the full write-ups on…
At least something else besides the austrians came out hot: lunch in Bavaria. Nothing against America and the US Ski Team, but over the past few ski racing seasons it’s the Swiss who’ve kept my attention. Maybe it’s the age-old rivalry…
It's dawn on the Algerian border. A bone cold 7 °C. Wind screams across the erg, and in every direction, there’s sand. Metric tons of it. Arcine peaks and deep valleys marked with wave-ripples; all of it deep, rose gold. Our camels carry large canvas sacks of…
Big Cottonwood Canyon, one of three iconic alpine valleys outside of Salt Lake City, was clouded in and utterly white. Deep snow, in the form of 10 inches of Utah fluff, was at my feet and sprawling downhill for a mile or more from the top of a peak at…
Teaser I from wavegarden on Vimeo. That's the email subject line a colleague sent me with a link to the vimeo video above. It shows a still rural pond suddenly breaking into a tight curl—then cuts to a surfer carving up the resulting wave. Want to know…
The ski & snowboard season is halfway over, and Valentine's Day is right around the corner. Here's your mid-winter wrap up of the stuff you should click on. With One Pole:Bode Miller finishes 12th in the men's super-G at the World Championships (…
https://youtube.com/watch?v=Lyo27TZ4Fu8 All eyes in the ski-racing world this week are trained on the Bavarian Alps, where something of the sport’s Super Bowl is underway. Ski racing might not get the love it does in Europe (like live network coverage) but the World Ski Championships…
Courtesy of London 2012 The London 2012 Organising Committee announced the new route for the Olympic Cycling Road Races. The course starts at The Mall and passes through six west London boroughs before heading…
Eddie Bauer just posted this ski report from the First Ascent team. It's a short little clip that uses testing as an excuse to pack a ton of powdery porn into two-and-a-half minutes. Let it serve as a reminder that we're halfway…
The video below defies any sort of standard explanation, and so it must be watched. If you need more prodding, here are some of the keywords going in the meta data for this blog—axe, stripping, alcohol, mimicking a baby seal,…
Courtesy of The Initiative Site Samuel Gardner is 40 days closer to establishing a new record for unassisted ultra-light long-distance backpacking — and fulfilling his dream of becoming a professional adventurer. Gardner's 12,500-mile…
I've struggled for years to find a way to keep my hands warm and dry in the backcountry. Inevitably, I sweat through my gloves on the skin up then freeze my digits on the descent. I currently have a light soft shell glove that I cover with an old hard shell for descending. Unfortunately, that gives me one more gear item to deal with on transitions, allowing my buddies drop in on the fresh line while I'm still fiddling. Travis Jackson, WY
Need a last minute gift for your ski mountaineer Valentine? Chris Davenport and his skimo cronies produced a pair of tomes as big, bold and beautiful as the mountains themselves. Ski the 14ers chronicles Davenport’s year long odyssey to conquer the majestic peaks of…
Add surfing to the list of sports where younger and younger teenagers are pushing the limits. Jordan Romero's summit of Everest led to questions about age and mountaineering. A crew of teens besting each other on round-the-world sailing trips led to debates on whether parents should let their kids tackle…
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia. Cory Richards, Simone Moro, and Denis Urubko, who knocked down the first winter ascent of Gasherbrum II last week on February 2, were hit by an avalanche on their way down to…
What's the best Central American surf trip for me and my girlfriend (who’s a beginner) in late winter? Honduras? Costa Rica? -Andrew New Haven, CT
For the past few years, the focus in snowboards has been on camber: traditional, reverse, mixed. Everyone and their mother has been coming up with new ways to mix and match the various degrees and inversions of camber in different areas of the board (i.e. traditional between the feet with…
Photo courtesy of Flickr. Russian explorers and scientists are prepping to begin the first crossing from Russia to Canada by way of the North Pole, Reuters reports. The expedition kicks off from Russia's Arctic shores on February…
I was mounting one of my favorite tires, the Racing Ralph, when a question popped into my head. I wonder who Ralph is? So I caught up with the North American reps from Schwalbe to get the skinny on the tires…
Whitewater kayaker Hendrik Coetzee had decided to call it a career after a decade of first descents on the wildest rivers in Africa. The river’s most feared predator had a different ending in store.
Contador. Courtesy of Flickr Three-time Tour de France winner Alberto Contador presented evidence on Monday to the Spanish cycling federation that he believes will absolve him of doping allegations, according to VeloNews.com. Contador is challenging a one-year…
Grannis’ work in the 1960s paved the way for water shots like this one. Courtesy of Flickr. LeRoy Grannis, who The New York Times dubbed ‘the godfather of surf photography,’ died last week at his home in Hermosa Beach, California, according…
Watermen continue to flock to Jaws to push the limits of surfing. A few weeks ago, we posted a video of Mark Visser catching a 30-footer at night. Now, Salomon Freeski TV has put out this…
For the past two years, we've been hearing rumblings of a new documentary about Adam Ondra, the 18-year-old Czech prodigy widely considered to be the world's strongest sport climber. Besides a handful of clips released online, little information has been released about the as-yet-untitled film.
Steph Davis just posted step-by-step instructions on how to clean cams on the Prana blog. Beginning climbers can easily follow this quick and simple post. If you've been putting off cleaning, now's the time to grab a large…
I am looking into learning how to ski. What would you recommend as a good pair of skis for a beginner? Andrews Morgantown, WV
Ray Zahab gets a surprise visit from a Chilean running legend, while the crew explores the history of mine fields in the Atacama. Atacama Extreme: The Mine Fields from Outside Magazine on Vimeo. —Bob Cox and Ray Zahab will be sending daily updates as Ray runs roughly…
National Geographic announced on Wednesday that 37-year-old Spanish mountaineer Edurne Pasaban has been named the People's Choice 2011 Adventurer of the Year. In May 2010 Pasaban finished her quest to climb the world's 14…
I've been more committed to my yoga practice this year, and the increased flexibility has improved my riding and overall well being. It's only right to share. So I talked to Mahnaz Jahangiri, the instructor and owner of Bikram Yoga Westake Village,…
ExxonMobil hopes to drive huge trucks full of equipment for the Alberta Tar Sands through the twisty mountain roads of Montana and Idaho—and the plan has two literary heavyweights, David James Duncan and Rick Bass, steaming mad.
The Appalachian Trail. Photo courtesy of Flickr. Blind Appalachian Trail hiker Mike Hanson was offered a CEO position at a start-up that provides real-time navigation to the visually impaired, according to…
High stakes at Mavericks. Courtesy of Flickr A surfer who nearly drowned about ten days ago at California's Mavericks has recounted his ordeal for Surfline.com. The surfer, Jacob Trette, required emergency CPR for resuscitation once…
Contour, maker of hands-free video cameras, announced today “March Radness,” a bracket challenge contest between skiers and snowboarders. The contest pits 16 snowboard videos against 16 ski videos, with the winner earning an all-expenses-paid trip to film with either Standard Films…
GII Winter Expedition | Dispatch # 3 | The Cold welcome from GII from story.teller on Vimeo. Alpinists Cory Richards, Simone Moro and Denis Urubko have completed the first winter ascent of Pakistan's Gasherbrum II, according to Climbing.com. At 26,362 feet,…
Three American hikers have been summoned to trial in Tehran on February 6, reports ABC News. Sarah Shourd, her fiance Shane Bauer and their friend Josh Fattal were arrested while hiking near the Iraq border in July…
This guest post is from professional climber Paul Robinson, who is currently in France on a round-the-world bouldering trip. Paul's first ascent of Lucid Dreaming (V16) was featured in the film “The Hardest Moves” at last year's…
View more of the best photos in surfing at Surfline. Klein/Surfline The Surfline Portfolio Series is back with another great collection of shots, this time from one of Australia's leading photographers, Ray Collins. The series…
What do you recommend for ski pants? I'm not too worried about price. I'm an all-mountain skier who has outgrown his last pair.AndrewSeattle, WA
Miss the Winter X Games in Aspen this last weekend? No problem. We've got you covered. Here are the top ten tricks, tumbles, and triumphs from Winter X 15. 10. Tucker Hibberts wins fifth-straight SnoCross Gold: 9. Jacob…
Photo Courtesy of Alaskan Dude/Flickr Tour company Whistler Outdoor Adventure is under investigation for allegedly killing 70 dogs following a downturn in business after the 2010 Olympics, according to Whistler local website Question. An employee suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder…
By Stephen Regenold If I remember the moment right, my pen was shaking a little bit as I wrote out my thoughts. The quoted words below, which ended up initiating a column last winter about my once-in-a-lifetime expedition to South America, are haunting…
Every winter, the Pacific stirs up massive ocean swells that descend on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. For 50 years, the surf world has followed suit, coming together to crown their champions, celebrate a sport many consider a religion, and ride some of the biggest waves on the planet. Welcome to the North Shore.
Atacama Extreme: Running On a Salt Lake from Outside Magazine on Vimeo. On day six of his run across the Atacama Desert, Ray Zahab moves over an active salt lake. When he gets to his resupply point, he finds out his team has been delayed due to…
Julia Mancuso discusses her current racing season, her relationship with Norwegian skier Aksel Lund Svindal, and whether little sister Sara will be competing in 2014. To listen to the extended interview click here,…
The News Team has been hard at work this week, combing the web for the latest headlines from the world outside. Along the way we discovered these little gems, clips of people out doing what they love. Here's the stuff you should click on this week—video edition. If…
Photo by damian_hunt courtesy of Flickr Alberto Contador plans to appeal any suspension for doping, the Tour de France champion said Friday, adding that he feels like a “victim of the system.” According to…
More Mountain Biking Videos Willow Koeber has had quite a year. She racked up a Bronze medal at the World Championships in Mt. St. Anne Quebec, a second place finish in the World Cup race at Dalby Forest, a second place…
»¬°å¸ßÊÖShaun White Courtesy of Flickr Two-time Olympic gold medalist Shaun White wants to add performance driving to his resume. The action sports superstar has partnered with BFGoodrich Tires…
A prominent doctor responsible for anti-doping tests has responded to Sports Illustrated's January 24th article on Lance Armstrong. The article details tests Dr. Don Catlin performed in the 90s on urine samples from a cyclist an unidentified source says was Lance Armstrong. The article mentions…
Yellowstone bison. Courtesy of Flickr Wildlife officials in Montana shot and killed an uncooperative female bison on Monday in the Gallatin Valley north of Yellowstone National Park, according to Reuters. The bison was one…
“Nobody likes to run on pavement,” Ray Zahab said. “Expecially when it's 38 degree celsius pavement.” Zahab's plans to run offroad across the Atacama desert were rudely interrupted by a huge gorge. Instead, he ran 21 km down the Pan-Pacific highway on little to no shoulder, between speeding trucks and…
Contador at the 2009 Tour de France. Courtesy of Flickr Cyclist Alberto Contador has been stripped of his 2010 Tour de France title and suspended from racing for one year due to evidence that…
Queens County, Long Island. Courtesy of Flickr Quiksilver and ASP announced today that New York's Long Island will be the site of the Quiksilver Pro New York this fall, according to TransWorld Surf. The event, running…
Photo Courtesy of Flickr Backcountry Access (BCA) is offering free replacements on its Tracker2 avalanche beacon after multiple malfunctions were reported by the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, according to Skinet.com. BCA suspects the beacons were reacting to static electricity discharge in the…
Sixteen months after injuring his shoulder during the 2009 American Bouldering Series Nationals, Ethan Pringle made his comeback. He did it in fine style last June, when he repeated Dai Koyamada's Wheel of Life (V16/5.14d), a massive 60-plus move roof problem in Australia's Grampians. Since then, Pringle, 24, has been on…
Jet ski assistance. Photo Courtest of Flickr Jet skis have been controversial ever since they hit the surf scene: they're loud, smelly, and dangerous. But, as proved during a recent swell in California, they can also be invaluable for safety in…
Photo courtesy of Flickr. The nonprofit ARC announced a winner yesterday for it's competition to design a wildlife crossing over I-70, near Vail and Breckenridge ski resorts, The New York Times reports. The area marks…
Ray Zahab started his run across the Atacama desert by pounding pavement on the Pan-American Highway near the border of Chile and Peru. Landmines buried in the desert meant no drifting offroad at the start. After a few kilometers he headed inland, past the buzzing power lines marking the last…
I need to purchase an avalanche beacon for my son who is skiing in Montana. The decision has come down to either the Ortovox Patroller (which I can buy off the NSP website at a pretty good price) I can source a Pieps DSP for a very good price (I have really good connections through my work). The cost difference will end up being about $80.00. Model to model, is the Pieps that much better than the Ortovox model?CliffNew Boston, NH
Kayaker Chris Korbulic returns to Africa to take part in a unique memorial service for his friend and fellow paddler Hendri Coetzee, who was killed by a crocodile in Congo in December 2010. Itunda Falls, Nile River, Uganda8 January,…
Untitled from Outside Magazine on Vimeo. Ray and I received some very disheartening news the day before leaving for Chile. Kevin Vallely, Ray’s expedition brother—from the expedition to the South Pole in 2009 and the journey across…
https://youtube.com/watch?v=XfKqEbbjNb0%C2%A0 Acclaimed German filmmaker Werner Herzog's newest film, the documentary Cave of Forgotten Dreams, brings 3-D footage of ancient cave paintings inside the famed Chauvet Cave in southern France to the big screen. Herzog's film debuted at the 2010 Toronto International…
The Loneliest Road in America gets a little more lonely, swingliners go big in Utah, an epic bore in Alaska, and tailgating: by the numbers. Here's the stuff you should click on this week. Not Your Average Backyard Swing Set: Forget Duran Duran:Playing…
Photo courtesy of Flickr. With his classic bring-it-on attitude, Lance says he's not afraid of an investigation into new blood doping claims against him, according to RoadCycling.com. Sports Illustrated recently…
I'm looking for a waterproof hard shell outer layer, preferably three-ply, for winter activities...skiing, hiking, snowshoeing. Somewhere between bombproof and minimalist?MikeNewton, MA
There are certain skills every Outside guy should possess. For this, the first installment of our four-part fundamentals series, we address the basics of adventure.
Last night, big-wave surfer Mark Visser gathered up a helicopter, a jet ski, a buoyancy vest tricked out with LED lights, and a surfboard laced with submarine lighting built for NASA, and took off for Jaws. At 2:00 am local time, he caught a 30-footer…
Courtesy of Flickr The Kelly Clark Foundation announced today that it has distributed its first round of scholarships, according to TransWorld Snowboarding. The foundation, established…
Reynolds, at the Ventura Pier. Photo Courtesy of Flickr Dane Reynolds, one of the most publicized surfers of his generation and 2010 World Tour number four, underwent arthroscopic surgery recently and will most likely miss the first contest of this year, according to…
In a move to prevent ocean incidents and injuries, San Mateo County officials plan to close the beach when the Jay At Maverick's surf contest runs, according to an official release. Last year, 13 people were injured when a wave jumped a seawall into the spectator…
Photo from richardmasoner on Flickr Cyclist Floyd Landis announced on Monday that he is retiring from pro cycling, roadcycling.com and the AP report. He said that the battle to fix the sport's drug-tainted image is “not my…
Photo by richardmasoner on Flickr As a federal grand jury continues to investigate doping allegations against Lance Armstrong, writers at Sports Illustrated are reporting new information about the seven-time Tour de France winner's alleged role in an organized doping operation that…
Courtesy of Flickr Canine joint replacements are becoming more common, reports The New York Times. New hips, knees and elbows allow dogs to prolong careers such as assisting the disabled, participating in police activity and hunting. Veterinarians…
Few people can claim even one of the following roles—pro freeskier, BASE jumper, Japanese video star—but that's everyday life for Suzanne Graham. The 24-year-old winner of the 2010 Red Bull Cold Rush travels the world BASE-jumping, and is currently the world’s only active female ski BASE jumper.
What is the best pant for a January backpacking/fly-fishing trip to Patagonian Chile? Jimmy Friend, NE