Adventure
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Hideous crashes? Shattered bones? Tyler Hamilton smiles through it all—which is just what he needs to beat you-know-who.
A guy named Lance has a date with history at the 91st Tour. Will Armstrong win his sixth in a row and triumph as the greatest cyclist of all time? Dive into our jam-packed Tour guide and find out why the Texan has no doubt. Then share the pain with…
Don't know a peloton from an echelon? Relax-the Tour is complicated. Here's a fast and light summary of how cycling's greatest race is run.
Holy bitumen! It's Phil and Paul, the excitable Brits who give le Tour its champagne gush.
Lhasa, Tibet – After three flights we have finally made it to Lhasa, Tibet. We managed to check in 14 kayaks and 26 bags weighing 30 kilograms each all the way through with very few problems. From San Francisco, Cathay Pacific styled us all the way to Chengdu, a huge…
Team Triumphs on Tsangpo click here Outside contributing editor Peter Heller reports on the historic first descent of Tibet’s Upper Tsangpo River. March 2-March 9 TEXT DISPATCH—March 7, 2002 click here Smiles reach from ear to ear…
Pelung, Tibet We have made it to Pelung. Two days of hiking, two cable crossings, and two bridges after leaving Tsachu, we are at a road. There are vehicles, houses, and people. The small shops carry beer, candy, biscuits, and Coke. The guys are sinking beer like it has…
After a decade of failed attempts and fatal rebuffs, an Outside-sponsored expedition runs Tibet's Upper Tsanpgo Gorge—and lives to tell about it.
Tsachu, Po Tsangpo River Today is a reunion day. We kayakers had been impatiently awaiting a scheduled sat-phone voicemail message from Ken Storm and the crew that trekked to Hidden and Rainbow Falls after the hellish portage. Likely due to the weather and depth of the inner gorge, they…
Apex of the Tsangpo Gorge We have just finished a two-day paddle down the Po Tsangpo to the confluence and around to the northernmost point of the Great Bend of the Yarlung Tsangpo River, the apex of the Tsangpo Gorge. Scott Lingdren, Tsangpo River In his element: expedition…
Bayi, Tibet – Today was the first day of movement towards the gorge since arriving in Lhasa. Extreme weather conditions have delayed the arrival of the last and crucial team member, Rob Hind for five days, resulting in us having an interesting seven days exploring the monasteries and narrow…
Tsachu, Po Tsangpo River We have made it to Tsachu, a small village that overlooks the apex of the Great Bend of the Tsangpo, sacred Mount Abu Lashu, and both the Yarlung and Po Tsangpo Rivers. Tsangpo River Willy Kern, Allan Ellard and Scott Lindgren watch the rest of…
Via satellite phone the team reports that scouting the river upstream of the village of Luku is proving extremely challenging as a monstrous flood two years ago scoured the walls of this incredibly steep section of the lower gorge. There are now a number of new rapids that did not…
We have finally made the climb out from the upper gorge—but instead of reaching Payi and heading to the Po Tsangpo confluence, we have descended to the village of Gobden and Luku. This is actually our planed take out point, but we were forced to come here due to the…
Gyala, Tsangpo Gorge—We have been on the river now for four days and many things have happened. For one, we have realized just how small we are. Since reaching the end of the road, we have hired 68 porters that have carried all our equipment from camp to camp.
Kintup Falls, Tsangpo Gorge—We have just completed the Pemakochung bend and made it past Kintup Falls—this was a long day of portages and discovery. It was also the first day on our satellite photo, which was very exciting as we can now see every rapid as we come to…
VIDEO The Foam Zone click here Expedition member Steve Fisher plunges into the Upper Tsangpo Gorge Portage from Hell click here Porters and paddlers trudge 5,000 feet straight up on the epic mountain portage from Upper to Lower Gorge Going Deep click here Ground team member Andrew Sheppard rappels…
On February 4, a team comprising explorers and kayakers from seven nations began a planned two-month-long expedition through the Tsangpo Gorge in southeastern Tibet. Their goal is to chart some of the still unvisited parts of the gorge and to complete the first-ever whitewater descent of the world’s deepest river…
October, 2001 Santa Fe, New Mexico Scott Lindgren: One of the things that we really wanted to express now that we are doing this with Outside Television and Outside Magazine and GM, is that the story will be told as it is. Granted,…
How exactly do you go about getting 80 people, 14 boats, and several thousand pounds of equipment from one end of the deepest river canyon in the world to the other? You view it like a king-sized, 150-mile-long obstacle course fiendish enough to confound even the most talented river runners,…
It's the cradle of Shangri-la, and one of the deepest river gorges on earth. It's a fortress guarding sacred waterfalls, and a cauldron of savage whitewater and unrunnable rapids. In the chill of the Himalayan winter, seven world-class kayakers led a massive expedition into the shadowy realm of Tibet's Tsangpo River , and launched their boats down its roaring t
I’m planning a nine-day, 24-mile canoeing expedition to the Boundary Waters in early July. As for footwear, would it be better to purchase a pair of hiking boots or a pair of Salomon phibian water shoes? We'll mostly be in the canoe, with about five miles of portaging at most. Which option would be better? Jonathan La Grange, Illinois
Are you fit enough to blow through three weeks of hundred-mile race stages? Funny, neither are we. But with a whole lot of practice and some help from Chris Carmichael and the Outside Training Center, perhaps we too could tackle le Tour.Are you fit enough to blow through three weeks…
I'm a casual rock climber and want to upgrade my entry-level rock shoes. I see there are both cbered and fairly flat models available, but why would you ever need to crunch up your toes and wear the cbered model? All the advertising refers to higher performance, but I don't really understand how this helps. So I may go for a flat shoe, perhaps one with a Velcro closure for easy in-and-out access. What do you think? Karen Wellington, New Zealand
Adventure sings a bewitching song, and whether the challenge involves climbing a deadly mountain or plunging into a bottomless abyss, a few undaunted individuals hear the call and say, “Why not?” But you know all about that. What you may have missed is the rarely glimpsed world of obsessive superachievers…
Is time traveler Tim Severin the greatest living explorer? Probably—but you'll never get him to admit it.
Surviving Niagara? No sweat. The real challenge is figuring out what drove Kirk Jones over the edge.
The Dolores used to be one of the mightiest whitewater rivers in the West. Then politics and dry weather got in the way. But neither drought nor dam nor partisan bickering can stop Mark Sundeen from floating (and walking and driving) the entire course of the Rio de Nuestra Señora de los Dolores.
In the red-rock high ground of South Africa, climbing still comes down to black and white. Greg Child goes on belay to explore the crags, boulder gardens, and post-Apartheid complications of the world's next climbing mecca.
« April 1933: Though he has no flight or climbing experience, Briton MAURICE WILSON announces plans to crash-land a plane on Mount Everest and walk to the top. After two months of pilot training, he flies to India, where he’s forced to sell his plane and hoof it. Alas, his…
Outside magazine, April 2001 Pure as the Driven Snow I THINK IT’S GREAT that Rob Story profiled Tom Burt, a true backcountry patriot and die-hard snowboarder (“Legend of the Fall Line,” February). Burt has amazing style, not to mention…
 10 CLASSIC TREKS WALKS ON THE Wild SIDE Waking dream: above the clouds on the Milford Track, New Zealand Exploring the most enchantingly rugged places on earth is easy. Just follow our guide to the world’s ten classic treks, put one foot in front of the other—and don’t…
The General Profile: Steve Sheridan, the General In his own words “I’ll never be a quitter, that’s for sure. You can’t let a little injury stop you from doing something you love. You…
Jon Krakauer Just curious about Pittman’s threat of libel action Question: Dear Jon, Thought your Outside article on Everest and your book were exceptional works. Could not put either down as…
Jon Krakauer: Into the Wild February 26, 1996 What other books do you recommend? How do I get published?…
Dr. Phil Maffetone February 15, 1996 I’m always hungry. How can I stop feeling hungry? I’d like to know more about this 40-30-30 diet…
Do any of your movies include telemark skiing? Q: Warren, I started telemarking a couple of years ago and I love it. Do any of your movies include segments on telemark…
Profile: Bill Pinkney By Mike Steere Photo: (We have these already) (VIDEO) (Clips TK. Where to link to them?) In his own words “Here I am a descendent of slaves making the Middle Passage not as cargo…
Jon Krakauer Why didn’t Fischer insist everyone use oxygen? Question: Jon, What are your opinions of Anatoli Boukreev’s decision to guide a team of inexperienced Indonesians to the summit of Everest this…
Jon Krakauer: Into the Wild February 19, 1996 How is his family doing? Where is the scholarship fund?…
Dr. Phil Maffetone February 15, 1996 I’m always hungry. How can I stop feeling hungry? I’d like to know more about this 40-30-30 diet…
Will you make a film devoted to wilderness skiing? Q: With the recent surge of popularity that backcountry skiing is enjoying, have you considered making a film solely devoted to wilderness…
(new header, TK) ON THE SHARP END/Do-er’s Profile by Mike Steere NAME: Bill Pinkney PHOTO: (TK) (VIDEO): (TK) TOP QUOTE: “Here I am a descendent of slaves making the Middle Passage not as cargo in the…
Jon Krakauer “Illusion of control” drives those risking their lives Question: Jon, I have just finished your book and I felt compelled to contact you and thank you for writing it. I…
Jon Krakauer: Into the Wild Paul Roberts Outside Online correspondent Paul Roberts is freelance writer specializing in outdoor sports and environmental politics. A novice climber, he has summited Kilimanjaro and several volcanoes in…
Dr. Phil Maffetone February 15, 1996 I’m always hungry. How can I stop feeling hungry? I’d like to know more about this 40-30-30 diet…
I want to see more telemark skiing in your movies Q: I’ve not seen one of your movies for a few years now because you have not been giving the sport…
Bob Howells on the ‘other’ National Parks Q&A with Bob Howells Writer Bob Howells answered your letters about the national parks. Must-stops on road trip out West Led astray?…
Jon Krakauer: Into Thin Air Jon Krakauer responds to your questions Do you worry about upsetting the victims’ families? If you had it to do over again, how would…
Jon Krakauer: Into the Wild February 19, 1996 How is his family doing? Where is the scholarship fund?…
Dr. Phil Maffetone February 15, 1996 I’m always hungry. How can I stop feeling hungry? I’d like to know more about this 40-30-30 diet…
Marc Twight November 20, 1995 What tortures your soul and why do you write? Can you recommend a fun climb in North America? Are you really that angst-filled,…
The Courage to Dream Outside Online Profile: Bill Pinkney By Mike Steere In his own words “Here I am, a descendent of slaves, making the Middle…
Jon Krakauer Comments on leading abilities of expedition guides Question: Mr. Krakauer, I just wanted to comment on the Turning Point broadcast this past evening which revisited last year’s climb. I…
Jon Krakauer: Into the Wild February 19, 1996 How is his family doing? Where is the scholarship fund?…
Dr. Phil Maffetone February 15, 1996 I’m always hungry. How can I stop feeling hungry? I’d like to know more about this 40-30-30 diet…
How can I get started in your line of work? Q: How would a young skier break into your line of work? I’ve been skiing for 17 years, just graduated from…
Mountain rescue: life and death on a rescue team Excerpts from The Falling Season “The fact that I’m so close with the people on the team–you may have friends for fifteen years,…
Jon Krakauer Do you worry about upsetting the victims’ families? Question: I just finished reading your book. It was quite gripping; I can’t stop thinking about it. Do you grapple at all…
Jon Krakauer: Into the Wild February 19, 1996 How is his family doing? Where is the scholarship fund?…
Todd Skinner on top April 29, 1996 How did you eat and sleep for 60 days on a rock wall? Have you ever climbed at Index, Washington?…
 Dream Towns Letters to Mike Steere The author of Outside’s “Dream Towns” article opens his mail Editor’s note: Mike answered the best letters online. Letters may have…
Bob Howells on the ‘other’ National Parks Q&A with Bob about our national parks Expert forum, August 7-11, 1995 The Park Service has been scrutinized for its management of our national parks. We…
Jon Krakauer If you had it to do over again, how would you do it? Question: If you had it to do over again, would you choose to climb Everest on your…
Jon Krakauer: Into the Wild February 19, 1996 How is his family doing? Where is the scholarship fund?…
Todd Skinner on top April 29, 1996 How did you eat and sleep for 60 days on a rock wall? Have you ever climbed at Index, Washington?…
Is there a list of all your work? What early films inspired you? Q: Is there a list of all your feature-length films in one of your books (a filmography)? Do you have some old favorite…
Mountain rescue: life and death on a rescue team Author Hal Clifford, on why this story needed to be told “The summer of 1995 will be remembered as one of the most gruesome…
Get me in your next movie! Q: I want to know if you can personally get me a spot in the “Copper Drop” (100 skiers jumping off the cornice into Copper…
Jon Krakauer: Into the Wild February 19, 1996 How is his family doing? Where is the scholarship fund?…
Todd Skinner Profile: Todd Skinner By Jason Lathrop Outside Online “The goal then was really to climb those mountains for the fact that we could see them from…
Jon Krakauer How did you take notes while climbing Everest? Question: Jon, Once again fantastic writing. Despite my feeling that I had read enough about your trip from all the articles, I…
Mountain rescue: life and death on a rescue team When things go very wrong No matter how much you train for it, rescuers say, nothing quite prepares you for the shock and tragedy of…
I was in one of your old movies. How can I get a tape of it? Q: I was in one of your movies in the early 1970s called In…
Jon Krakauer: Into the Wild February 26, 1996 What other books do you recommend? How do I get published?…
Todd Skinner on top April 29, 1996 How did you eat and sleep for 60 days on a rock wall? Have you ever climbed at Index, Washington?…
Jon Krakauer Do trekkers climb past base camp on Everest? Question: What is the difference between a trekker and a climber? Are trekkers hikers or low-altitude climbers? Susan Allen is shown in…