Adventure
ArchiveLast weekend, Swiss engineer and leading avalanche-safety expert Manuel Genswein was near Salt Lake City to showoff a device meant for surviving a deadly snow slide — a set of airbags designed into a backpack for floating atop avalanche debris, states the Associated…
David de Rothschild and crew revealed their plastic-bottle-boat in the San Francisco Bay last week. The Plastiki, made out of 12,000 plastic bottles, is set to…
Kris Freeman, 29, has admittedly had a disappointing Olympics. He came in with high hopes and expectations but did not meet his targets. He took a wrong turn in his first race, had a diabetes-related problem in his second race,…
by ltshears Afghanistan recently moved to protect a number of rare species that live within its borders. Among them, the large-billed reed warbler, the markhor, and the Snow Leopard. For those unfamiliar with the snow…
Minnesota-native Mike Hanson, blind since birth, set out on his quest to hike the Appalachian Trail today. Hanson will use only a GPS on the trek, although he will be…
Gretchen Bleiler, 28, won silver in the women’s halfpipe in Turin in 2006, but it turns out 2010 isn’t her year in the Olympics–she wound up 11th in Vancouver, after tumbling into the pipe. She’s not dwelling on the loss, though. Bleiler will go right back…
Ted Ligety didn't do so hot in the 2010 Winter Olympics.He came in fifth in the super combined, 19th in the super-G, ninth inthe giant slalom, and he didn't get to finish the slalom…
With many of the U.S. Olympians taking themselves rather seriously these days, this video is a refreshing change of tone: Norwegian alpine ski team members dance to Michael Jackson's “Beat It” on the top of a snowy mountain…in matching spandex, ski boots, and helmets. I think Norway just got a…
Lindsey Vonn missed a gate in the slalom today and did not finish the race. About 16 seconds into her first run, her right ski flew wide on a gate and she was unable to pull her skis back together, causing her to straddle the…
Hannah Teter, 23, came into Vancouver as the reigning champion in the women's halfpipe. She ended up not repeating a gold performance–but she did win the silver. Teter is a big star in the snowboarding…
I'm heading out on a mini hut trip this weekend, which means it's time to gather up all the necessary gear and check it twice. I treat packing for a hut trip like packing for car camping in a two-door Honda Civic. You want some comforts but not so many…
In the summer of 2010, Marcos Díaz will swim across all five continents to inspire the world, according to SwimAcrosstheContinents.com. Díaz, the Ultra Distance Open Water Swimming…
On February 12, the full session of the International Olympic Committeeformally recognized the International Federation of Sport Climbing, meaningclimbing now can compete with other sports for entry to the OlympicGames, states…
Lindsey Vonn crashed out of the first run of the giant slalom today, with snow blowing and fog hanging in the air. She would have won the race, but at 150 yards from the finish line, her left ski slipped as she rounded a gate,…
The Four Seasons Whistler has a new definition of “up close and personal” when it comes to the Olympics: the new Ski With An Olympian package. Schralp the continent's longest vertical drop with World Cup downhill champ and three-time Olympian Cary Mullen, Olympic silver medalist Hilary Lindh, or current…
The Epicocity Project crew is in Laos researching how the proposed Don Sahong Dam may effect the Mekong river for a documentary to air on the National Geographic Channel this fall, according to Epicocity.Wordpress.com. The crew has…
Finland is usually associated with Nordic sports like ski jumping and cross country skiing. Now Anne-Mari Hyryläinen wants to make history by being the first Finnish woman to summit Everest. An accomplished marathoner, she saw Mount Everest for the first timewhile bicycling from Lhasa to…
Hey there, Olympics fanatics. Here's a recap of what went down this weekend, in case you had to step away from your comfy couch: 5. The U.S. has racked up 24 medals so far, putting it at the top of the country…
The obvious thing to do after you win an Olympic medal is to go out and party, right? That’s precisely what Scotty Lago did after snagging the bronze in the snowboard halfpipe event last week. Unfortunately he didn’t get the memo about nixing the lewd and suggestive victory poses—or at…
The ban on firearms in the national parks has been lifted as of yesterday. Visitors must still comply with all state laws regarding their firearms, but this is a big day for those who have advocated to carry weapons…
Otero Mesa Otero Mesa, in New Mexico. Photo by Paul Garland; used under CC license The Department of Interior is considering…
It was his first competition in six months, but Alberto Contador has won Portugal's Tour de Algarve. The win is a big moral victory for Contador, whose Team Astana was practically non-existent after Lance Armstrong left and took…
A lot of Americans have done well at the Olympics in Vancouver. Regardless of how they've finished, we want to know which skier or snowboarder you'd most want to head downhill with. Tell us what you think in the poll below. And don't forget, this week you can follow us…
Last week we looked at the north side of Everest for 2010, now let's have a quick look at the south for 2010 through the eyes of IMG's Eric Simonson. As many know, IMG is one of the largest operators on Everest and the other highest peaks…
Torah Bright of Australia has won the gold in the women's halfpipe. Americans Hannah Teter and Kelly Clark won the silver and bronze, respectively. Teter was the winner in the 2006 Games, and Clark was the winner in 2002.
If the idea of skipping a potential ski day–or, more specifically, a powder day–for your own wedding makes you cringe, then check out Colorado’s Loveland Ski Area. Every Valentine’s Day for the past 19 years, it's hosted a mass marriage ceremony,…
I recently went to Vail, Colorado, for a mini-vacation. I wanted to enjoy a nice day of beautiful vistas, blue skies, serene, wide-open slopes, and even an après beer in the sunshine that wasn’t a PBR. Basically, the opposite of my usual freeski urchin, storm chasing, all…
There will be no second gold medal today for Lindsey Vonn at the Olympics–she crashed out of the women's super combined. Maria Riesch of Germany, a close friend of Vonn's, ended up in the top spot.
We want to hear what you think. What has been the most defining moment of the 2010 Olympics so far? ext_script = "//s3.polldaddy.com/p/2719804.js"…
In case you haven't been glued to the tube, here's our recap of the best moments caught on camera from Vancouver over the last few days: 5. Shaun White's coach Bud Keene got caught with a…
The Australian Maritime College is offering a PhD scholarship in Wave Pool Design to one lucky surfer/graduate student. The scholarship is part of three year grant the college received from the Australian Research Council to pursue the technology that would…
The top entries from the Venture/Protect Our Winters snowboard art contest have been posted to the Venture Snowboards blog, states snowboarding.transworld.net. Members of the general public are encouraged to cast their votes. A…
I was reading the news today and came across an interesting headline on the BBC website: “Money-burning snowboarder rescued from alpine ski lift.” Turns out Mr. Dominik Podolsky, 22, of Munich took the lift down at a ski resort in the Austrian Alps…
Okay, so Lindsey Vonn and Julia Mancuso are ostensibly rivals. But it's a fairly friendly rivalry, although the friendship has waned somewhat over the years, The New York Times reports. The two…
With all eyes on Vancouver and the Winter Olympics, the Sierra Club is taking an opportunity to call attention to the environmentally destructive practice of oil sands mining. It has launched a campaign called Love Winter, Hate Oil Sands and partnered with three winter athletes–skier (and…
The 25th Honda L.A. Marathon has reached 80% capacity with still over a month until the race begins, states RunnersWeb.com. “The response to our new Stadium…
In case you missed our summary post yesterday, a rogue wave swept the beach at Saturday's Mavericks Surf Contest, injuring at least 16 spectators and scaring countless…
Cyclist Joe Papp, a U.S. Anti-Doping Agency witness againstFloyd Landis in 2007, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute human growthhormone and another performance-enhancing drug, states the Associated Press story.
In case you missed them, here's our list of the most stellar Olympic moments of the past few days: 5. On the snowboard circuit, Seth Wescott won gold for the U.S. in the men's snowboard cross final, beating out Canadian…
Update: A Navy helicopter recovered the body of 52-year-old climber Joseph Bohlig from the crater of Mount St. Helens, according to oregonlive.com. An autopsy will be performed at…
This ode to cutting loose could make you quit your job.
After six-and-a-half grueling days, the British team Helly-Hansen Prunesco bested 14 international teams and held on to their title at the Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race, the “world's toughest and wildest race” through the southernmost reaches of Chilean Patagonia. The 600km course has teams…
Chris Bertish of South Africa won the 2009/2010 Mavericks Surf Contest by aggressively paddling into monster surf that many were calling 40-foot and higher, with some reports of 60-foot waves that no one was able to catch. “I…
I recently got back from an epic weekend in Steamboat. I stayed at the swanky One Steamboat Place, a brand new ski-in/ski-out residence, located just steps from the gondola. The spacious yet cozy “gathering room” was a major…
Overlooked mountain ranges, river beer, running album, gear of all time, and 47 other big ideas, accidental winners, and awesome things about the world outside we've come to love over the past 33 years. Introducing our first annual Editors' Choice Awards...
This may be your best shot to look like a world-class snowboarder. Beginning February 15th we'll be giving away 20 pairs of limited edition Bollé goggles signed by Olympians Lindsey Jacobellis and Seth Wescott. It's easy to win. All you…
Between now and the end of the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver, athletes will receive a total of 1014 medals. All that bling represents a goodly amount of the Earth's minerals. But this year, and for the first time, a percentage of the metals used to forge…
Daniel Woods has just completed an ascent of what he calls “The Game” in Boulder Canyon, a V16 climb, which The North Face said could be the most difficult boulder problem in the world. Others…
The Richmond Olympic Oval, the arena for speed-skating at the Vancouver Olympics, is getting a thumbs up from athletes for its environmentally conscious design and its beauty, Reuters reports. The roof was made from…
In his latest suspected airplane heist, teen fugitive Colton Harris-Moore nearly entered restricted airspace surrounding the city of Vancouver, which is under tight security ahead of the Winter Olympics, according to CNN.
Nodar Kumaritashvili, a 21-year-old luge competitor in the Olympics, died in a training crash today at the Whistler Sliding Center's track, The New York Times reports. He lost control of his sled 48 seconds…
I got to catch up with three-time 24-hour solo world champion cyclist Rebecca Rusch, who is in Patagonia, Argentina for winter training. She decided to participate in the Trans Andes stage race and chose…
The Center for Biological Diversity is distributing 100,000 free Endangered Species Condoms in all 50 states for Valentine's Day to underscore how unsustainable human population growth is driving species extinct at a cataclysmic rate,…
A couple of years ago I got the chance to interview the cast and crew of The Deadliest Catch in Dutch Harbor, Alaska. My first interview was with Captain Phil…
Colorado rafting outfitters, who contribute $142 million to the state'seconomy every year, won their first battle in securing rightsto float in-state rivers, reports paddlinglife.net. Developers want to prohibit rafters from providing trips on some…
Last night, a stolen Cirrus plane landed on Orcas Island, a favorite stomping ground for infamous teen fugitive Colton Harris-Moore, giving residents reason to assume the “Barefoot Burglar” is at it again, according to the…
Wild weather makes the next couple of months the hardest time of the year to plan an adventure. To help you out, we've worked up game plans for all kinds of conditions. Your job? Just check the doppler—then go.
Seventeen avalanches in Afghanistan's 12,000-foot-high Salang Pass area buried more than two miles of highway yesterday, after heavy winds and rain loosened up recent heavy snowfall. More than one hundred cars were trapped — many inside the notoriously dangerous tunnel — and at at least 64 people are dead or feared dead…
Skiers Keith Christien and Michael Wagener of Team Rampinnnggg took home gold last weekend at the first of several Helly Hansen Big Mountain Battles. The event, held at Taos Ski Valley Resort in New Mexico, challenged 47 two-person teams to an intense, big-mountain course of ascents and descents. The winners…
CNN reported today that alpine ski racer Lindsey Vonn may not be able to compete in the Olympics due to a crushingly painful shin injury. Her worst injury yet, it was sustained in a crash during a recent practice in Austria. Though there is…
Just days before Lindsey Vonn is slated to compete in her first event of the 2010 Winter Olympics. We just blogged that the skier revealed a shin injury she'd sustained Feb. 3 during…
It is about a month before teams from all around the world packtheir duffel bags for the flights to Kathmandu. Thus far the southlooks like business as usual with about 16 teams already announced. Toput this in perspective, in 2007, when we saw a record number ofEverest…
Think of it as skiing's equivalent of a backstage pass: This March, Chugach Powder Guides will host a special heli-ski trip with pro skiers Cody Townsend and Elyse Saugstad in Alaska's Chugach Range. Let's just say that these two know what they're doing.
More sad news to report: A slide killed at least 17 soldiers when it hit a military training camp near Gulmarg, a popular Indian ski resort, today. This border with Pakistan has long been disputed in one of the world's highest-altitude wars. The Christian…
I shamelessly swiped this VholdR helmet-cam video from my friends over at Skiing magazine. Check out these pretty (ahem) sweet-looking lines from Chamonix, courtesy of athletes Tim Dutton, Jackie Paaso and JT Holmes. —Kate Siber…
When a young woman is killed by coyotes on a busy trail in broad daylight, how worried should we be?
We don’t know where this video was taken or how Backpacker found it, but it’s pretty cool. The video features a three-legged black bear and her cub. All is normal until the bear stands up on two legs and walks…
The 2010 adventure racing season is about to begin. The first big race of the year, the Wenger Patagonian Expedition, begins tomorrow in Chile. The course runs 372 miles (600 km) over eight days. The…
Ellen Miller is a quiet climber. Many people have not heard of her athletic and mountaineering achievements. For example, she is the only woman to summit Everest from both sides within the span of one year. I first met Ellen in 2002, on an expedition in which she summited…
Kick Kennedy The dynastic brothers are gone, but up comes the next generation. Kick, 21, a senior at Stanford, has quietly built a résumé fighting for water conservation. In 2006, she joined an Imax crew filming Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk and became…
Eight skiers and climbers were killed by an avalanche in Iran's Alborz Mountains on a road between popular ski areas Shamshak and Dizzine, reported Iranian and international news agencies today. Rescuers saved another 49 victims, including three foreigners. Iran might not immediately conjure images of steep, snowy mountain ranges, but…
You already heard about the SnowSports Industries of America (SIA) trade show that happened in Denver, Colorado, last week from our Powder Feed blogger, Kate Siber! She gave you a round-up on some of the best new gear out there. But, wait. What…
Women's ski jumping will simply have to wait to become the next sport deemed worthy enough for the Olympics. Check out this awesome contender: —Kate Siber…
The New York Times Magazine features Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn this week. Of course, we're partial to our own profile, “Nine…
The 2010 Billabong ISA World Surfing Games are headed to Latin America. Peru will host 200 of the world's best surfers this October. Sound like you've heard this before? Maybe you're thinking of the great 1965 World Surfing Championships…
Merced River Waterfalls photo by David Liu The National Parks Service is crafting a new Merced River Plan that could restrict climbing and camping near the river. The plan isn't finalized yet and the park service extended the public comment period to the end of…
Pro Kayak Angler Drew Gregory knows a thing or two about catching fish from a kayak, but he's certainly no match for the birds. In a surprise attack featured on backcountry.com, Gregory has to worry about a new obstacle while kayak…
Freestyle mountain biker Andreu Lacondeguy has just acheived unprecedented amplitude on a 45-feet long speed jump. He got about 35 feet out and 25 feet high from his FMX ramp, which he had hauled to the small village of…
Once again, an Everest expedition is trying to solve the who done itmystery of Everest: did George Mallory and Sandy Irvine summit Mt.Everest in 1924? You see Sandy Irvine, who went missing on Everest'sNorth side in 1924, had a camera. A plan is emerging for a new search for the…