Adventure
ArchiveWe all knew it was coming. As previously reported, the summit by 13 year-old Jordan Romero from the Tibet side of Everest created shock waves throughout the mountaineering community … and authorities. Joining Nepal’s minimum age limit (16 from Nepal) to climb Everest, the China Tibet Mountaineering Association (CTMA)…
Kelly Slater, ASP/Kirstin Scholtz Kelly Slater clinched his 10th ASP World Title while notching his 45th tour victory at the Rip Curl Pro Search Puerto…
A helicopter owned by Fishtail Air has crashed on Ama Dablam while rescuing two Japanese climbers above 16,000′ according to multiple Asian news reports. It was on the north side of Ama Dablam, not the normal Southwest route taken by the vast majority of all teams. This is a…
With Halloween and elections this week, you might have taken your eye off what else happening in the world outside. We've got you covered. Here's the stuff you should click on. Worth Watching This Weekend:Chilean (Miner) Edison Pena in NY for Marathon (…
Kelly Slate in France (Will Bailey/Quiksilver) As competition resumes after an emotional week at the Rip Curl Pro Search Puerto Rico, Kelly Slater will be gunning for his…
The climate cycle known as La Niña has remained steady through October, Surfersvillage Global Surf News is reporting. Characterized by below average surface water temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, La Niña typically affects the western United States…
Photo courtesy of Joe Shlabotnik on Flickr. Ski manufacturer Armada recently sent cease and desist letters to several ski companies, including Rossignol, for breaching Armada's patent on certain kinds of rockered skis, Gnolls.org reports. Rossignol fired back,…
Submit a 500-word essay or one-minute video clip to The Best Dive Job in the World and you could win $15,900 worth of dive equipment, seven months on…
Courtesy of surfglassy on Flickr. The Tarrant County, Texas medical examiner has begun an autopsy of Andy Irons, the professional surfer found dead in a Dallas hotel room Tuesday, but important answers have yet to come in the…
What are some good edible desert plants? The Editors Santa Fe, NM
Credit:© ASP / CESTARIThe ASP and Rip Curl decided to cancel today's Rip Curl Pro Search Puerto Rico, postponing the next round until Friday, November 5. Instead, competitors paddled out in memory of three-time ASP champ…
News continues to come out about the death of Andy Irons. Reports of dengue fever and a methadone overdose are both swirling around the web. We'll continue to keep you…
A crisp turn in chilly water during the Coldwater Classic Canada. Photo Courtesy O'Neill When people think surfing, usually tropical islands, neon-blue water, and surf trunks come to mind. But with constant improvements in wetsuits and an ever-expanding surf population, the sport is flourishing in…
Several sources are reporting three-time world surfing champion Andy Irons has died. He was 32. A statement issued by his family said this: “Irons, 32, withdrew from a professional surfing event in Puerto Rico last weekend due to illness, and passed away during a layover en-route…
This 4mm skirt features an extra flap of neoprene around the cockpit to keep you drier than the competition. www.snapdragondesign.com…
With a gusseted crotch, articulated knees, and neoprene-lined closures, these waterproof pants are as comfortable as your old pair of Levi’s. www.lotusdesigns.com…
© ASP / SCHOLTZ Surfer Stephanie Gilmore secured her fourth consecutive ASP World Title by beating out Melanie Bartels in the Women's Rip Curl Pro Search Puerto Rico. “I’m really at a loss…
H2O claims its thermoplastic resin blade is as light as a composite but still durable like plastic. The bent carbon-and-glass shaft eases wrist strain, and indexed grips help you keep your bearings, even while getting thrashed in a hole. www.h2opaddles.com…
The following dispatch is from extreme kayaker, Ben Stookesberry, a member of the First Ascent kayak team. They are currently on an expedition in Africa to make a first descent of the…
This play vest takes a quantum leap forward in comfort and range of motion by splitting the bulky front flotation into two independent panels and adding neoprene shoulder straps. It’s like paddling naked—but safer. www.astralbuoyancy.com…
Three-layer Gore-Tex, articulated arms, and neoprene-protected latex gaskets make the Rogue the most durable, breathable drytop around. www.kokatat.com…
Priced for entry level but tuned for the long haul, the Desperado combines sturdy no-flutter carbon-reinforced nylon blades with Werner’s classic heavy-duty fiberglass oval shaft. www.wernerpaddles.com…
American Bison: A bovine mammal (Bison bison) of western North America, having large forequarters, a shaggy mane, and a massive head with short curved horns; a buffalo. If you were on the internet this week you probably saw the picture of the torn-up…
After ten years of work, British climber Leo Houlding has made the first ascent of The Prophet, a new free route on Yosemite's El Capitan, Deadpoint Mag reports. The Prophet ascends the right side of El Cap, linking up pitches from established routes Bad To…
Flying devils, physics: explained, a record high, a fine wine, and lo-jacked rhinos. We're just getting started. Here's the stuff you should click on this week. “Flying Devils” — Johnny Rooks: 1. National Geographic: 0. How High?Excalibur Billed As The World's…
“Honey, I miss our bed.” Photo Courtesy Flickr High speed Internet access is now available in the Mount Everest base camp, Reuters reports. Nepali telecom company Ncell constructed the 3G-capable structure to…
I was climbing my local favorite, Colorado's Longs Peak earlier this year and noticed a new sign beside the trail. This was near the Diamond, famous for world class big wall climbs from Casual Route, 5.10a to Ariana at 5.12a and more. To be clear I was doing the passive…
An Oklahoma woman will serve 24 years in prison for killing two cyclists in June, 2009, the Tulsa World reports. Tausha Borland's blood-alcohol concentration was over the legal limit when she struck three cyclists in Sand Springs, Oklahoma, then fled the scene of the accident.
Photo of the Himalayas courtesy of ilkerender on Flickr. Joe Puryear fell to his death on Tuesday while climbing Labuche Kang, a 24,170-foot mountain in the Himalayas, the Seattle Times reports. The 37-year old fell 1,500 feet when a cornice…
A new report from the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Rocky Mountain Climate Organization casts a foreboding future for California’s National Parks, which could become poster children for the likely detrimental impacts of climate change. The study found that 10 parks in the state, including Yosemite, Death Valley, Redwood, Joshua…
The following dispatch is from extreme kayaker, Ben Stookesberry. He and members of the First Ascent kayak team are currently on an expedition in Africa. Their goal: to make a first descent on the…
Here's what you need to know.
Conditions: cold, clear, dry, and deep. For early season weather and snow beta, check the American Avalanche Association to find your local avalanche forcast center. Be careful out there. —Christopher Van Tilburg, MD …
Photo courtesy of Flickr A new species of monkey found in Mayanmar has an upturned nose that fills with water when it rains, causing it to sneeze, Science Daily reports. The new species, named Rhinopithecus strykeri, is better known…
A group of Palestinian young men have turned to parkour to overcome the obstacles of life on the Gaza Strip, The New York Times reports. “Other than the siege and the difficult situation, there is a war every so often,” Mohammed Al Jakhbeer told…
It's huge. It's nasty. And it's a beast to get up. But guess what: The summit is worth all the hard work it takes to get there.
Chris Sharma has won the Masters Series I Psicobloc, a unique new deep water solo climbing competition held in the Spanish city of Bilbao this weekend, reports Prana. Over 4,000 spectators lined the banks of the Bilbao Estuary to watch Sharma, 29, and over a…
Ever wondered what it takes to snap award-winning wildlife photography? So did the folks at New Scientist. They interviewed five photographers from this year's…
I want to buy my cousin a pack to carry his skis up the mountain. He's 18 years old, just started school in Flagstaff, AZ. Should be some good back country stuff for him to try. What's a good pack for back country skiing? Nelson Alexandria, VA
Photo from Tony Wan Kenobi on Flickr A major winter storm that has pounded Jackson Hole since Sunday has already dropped 33 inches of snow, Transworld Snowboarding reports. The immediate forecast calls for even more snowfall. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort isn't slated…
Courtesy of ♻ on Flickr. Organizers of the 2011 Santos Tour Down Under in Adelaide, Australia next January claim that Armstrong's last international competition will be theirs, Reuters reports. During this year's Tour de France, Armstrong, who finished 23rd overall, claimed…
Caught in an avalanche. Mastless in the Indian Ocean. Come back alive from your worst nightmare.
Courtesy of shinealight on Flickr. Francis Crippen, 26, died during a 10-kilometer Marathan Swimming World Cup event on Saturday in the United Arab Emirates, Reuters reports. No information has been released about the cause of his death. Last year Crippen won bronze…
Courtesy Red Bull If you consider plummeting from the sky and hitting rock at more than 100 kph a lucky thing, then welcome to Karina Hollekim’s world. The Norwegian professional freeskier, BASE and ski BASE jumper is currently on tour around the US as part of…
Update: According to Jeeban Ghimire, director of Sherpa Shangri-La Treks, which organized the expedition, the search has been called off. After a six hour aerial survey, the search team deemed it unlikely he would have survived given the rough icy terrain where the avalanche occurred. Various reports say that Nima…
Cansdell flying on route to a CWC series win. Photo Courtesy O'Neill After stops in Scotland, Tasmania, Canada, South Africa, and California, Australian Shaun Cansdell won $50,000 and the the overall title of the O'Neill Coldwater Classic series.
Photo courtesy of Flickr Officials unveiled the 2011 Tour de France route on Oct. 19, and the cycling world can’t decide if the climb-heavy route is good or bad. Tour Director…
View Larger Map A shark killed a 20-year old UC Santa Barbara student Friday morning off Surf Beach at Vandenberg Air Force Base, the Santa Maria Times reports. The student was…
This year, Reel Rock moved away from its usual feature-oriented format to focus on short films. Co-creators Sender Films and Big UP Productions spent months documenting some of the most talked-about sends and stunts of the past few…
High-end cycling-apparel company Rapha is launching a free iPhone app that promises to make group rides a little easier to organize. The app, called Rendezvous, tracks not only the obvious stuff like mapping, terrain, etc., but also meeting points and the riders themselves. (See screen caps below.)…
GardenFork's Eric Rochow shows you how to build your own bat house in a new video tutorial, posted at Wired Science. Yes, the end of October is rapidly approaching. And, let's be honest, if you…
What should I do if caught in a flash flood in a slot canyon? The Editors Santa Fe, NM
Louis-Philippe Loncke, who completed an unsupported solo trek through Iceland in July, made a new video to show off his odd Iceland-inspired dance moves, The Adventure Blog reports. Loncke was apparently inspired by the Inspired by Iceland…
Master all things meteorological with our expert primer on sun, wind, snow, and rain
Before the event, the doc gave me a six-day course of steroids for my back and threw in a bottle of Vicodin. “At your age,” he said, “after this race, you’re going to need it.”
Back in 1960, doctors wrote about the first 14 lives saved with chest compressions. Now, fifty years later, new CPR guidelines published yesterday by the American Heart Association (AHA) reinforce the importance of this life-saving technique. For lay, untrained bystanders, AHA gave the go-ahead two years ago for “…
Hands up, or better yet sling a diaper and raise a glass (of milk) to Colorado resident Sari Anderson. This HoneyStinger/Trek rider recently raced the 24 hrs of Moab National Championship with Max Taam. The pair bagged the win…
Photo Courtesy of Flickr Nearly half of all climbers attempting to summit Mount Kilimanjaro in 2010 had altitude sickness, a study from Edinburgh University shows. The university's scientists camped out at 15,500 feet and tested 200 climbers on their bids for the…
Josh Kerr, beer in hand In 2007, surfer Josh Kerr was competing on the World Tour against the top names in the surfing world: Kelly Slater, Mick Fanning, Joel Parkinson, and 41 other hungry surfers. He didn’t enjoy that first year and…
Big-wave surfer Frank Solomon recently had a bit of a tussle with an ornery Zambezi shark, Transworld Surf reports. Solomon, who is currently on a journey across the Indian Ocean with fellow surfer James Taylor, spotted sharks while having lunch on the deck of…
Local Tofino surfer Peter Devries beat out a gathering of some of the best professional surfers in the world last year to be crowned champion at the inaugural O’Neill Coldwater Classic Canada. He had a good run this year, but fell short of the quarterfinals to eventual…
Photo by Didrik Johnck Michael Brown, Erik Weihenmayer, and the Soldiers to the Summit team sent notice that they bagged Lobuche yesterday. It is…
Climbing Himalayan mountains in the Fall can be risky at best. Each day is shorter, it is progressively colder and winter looms. So every summit, especially Everest, is highly valued by the climbers. This year, Fall 2010, we saw two summit successes of very different types. First up is the…
Matt Wilder working Iron Monkey (via ClimbingNarc) Just a few weeks after his surprise second-place finish at the Nor'easter bouldering competition, Brian Kim has made a rare ascent of Eldorado Canyon's hardest trad climb, Iron Monkey (5.14 R),…
When the Nissan Freeride World Tour announced last month that it was dropping female athletes from its professional big mountain competitions, it didn’t go over very well, as we reported earlier. So, the tour has released a third schedule revision for…
Photo courtesy of Flickr. Focus Designs has unveiled the 2.0 version of their Self-Balancing Unicycle (SBU), Wired reports. Meanwhile, Segway users the world over rejoice at no longer being the least awesome travelers on the block. Essentially a one-wheeled Segway,…
Kelly Slater edged out Jordy Smith in the finals of the Rip Curl Pro Portugal in Peniche. Watch the heat in the video above. The victory pushes Slater closer to a 10th world title. If you didn't get your fix during…
It's a good thing my mom isn't here watching me climb. This is definitely not the safest thing I have ever done.— Eric Larsen, Day 44, Camp 4 Explorer Eric Larsen moved with his team up to…
Race Across The Sky 2010 from Citizen Pictures on Vimeo. Yes, Lance Armstrong dropped out of this year's race before it started. Still, the 2010 Leadville 100 MTB Race featured a slew of great competitors: Levi Leipheimer, Dave Wiens, Rebecca Rusch, and…
Red Bull just issued a press release saying that they have stopped Felix Baumgartner's planned record breaking free fall jump. Mary Roach wrote The Supersonic Man, a detailed look into the attempt, for our August Issue. The text from the press release is included…
At 34, Ueli Steck is one of the fastest and most versatile climbers around today. Practically unknown to most Americans, the Swiss alpinist has set speed records on some of the Alps' toughest walls, including the Eiger's infamous north face, and has summited both Gasherbrum II and Makalu.
Kite surfer Gavin Broadbent set New Zealand's national speed record at Lüderitz, Namibia on Oct. 8. After three runs, Broadbent's average speed over 500 meters was 44.51 knots, or just over 51 miles per hour. The previous record was 40.68 knots. French kite surfer,…
The king of surfing took it all off for ESPN's 2010 Body Issue, on newsstands now. A number of professional athletes, from basketball star Amare Stoudamire to skier Julia Mancuso, got naked for the magazine. Watch a behind the scenes video of the…
By Stephen Regenold For virtually any outdoors adventure, the right gear can give you an edge. But in few product categories does this ring as true as it does with lighting. For activities at night, an ill-performing headlamp, flashlight, or other source of…
On November 20, the world's best big-air skiers will meet in Stockholm, Sweden, to compete for the King of Style award–and you could be one of them. Peak Performance, Scandanavia's “biggest clothing label in the functional sportswear sector,” sponsors the event that draws 25,000…
We are most of the way through the Fall 2010 climbing season in the Himalaya. So far, not so good with one exception. Arguably Cho Oyu at 26907′ is the most climbed Himalayan mountain in the Fall. It is the 6th highest mountain and climbed from Tibet. Poor weather…
Ryan Sutter is best known as the guy who married Trista Rehn after courting The Bachelorette on the first season of ABC’s hit reality show. …
If you haven't yet seen the above video this week, then you might not have heard the various assults on its authenticity. How could a man—even with a protective suit—get that close to violently spewing lava? The man in the suit is Drew Bristol, filmed by volcanologist Geoff Mackley…
A new study published in High Altitude Medicine and Biology cautioned us against standard tactics to ward off altitude illness. The review of Kilimanjaro climbers showed that neither a single rest day nor drugs (acetazolamide) helped prevent acute mountain sickness. Although aclimatization beforehand…
Last July, when I rode over four-hundred-and-fifty miles across the state of Iowa with one badass, my dad, Larry Erb, I hurt my knee on the sixth day. The sixth day. Twenty miles outside of Manchester, shooting pain started rippling through my knee with each pedal…