Adventure
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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…
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's plane wreckage answers a 60-year-old riddle. Or does it?
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.
Eddy Merckx (Belgium) Tour de France 2004 CLICK HERE for Outside’s Guide to the 2004 Tour de France, follow the race July 3-25 with our SPECIAL ONLINE COVERAGE.Tour de France Eddy Merckx Age: 59 Tour Wins: 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1974 Wore Yellow: 96 days…
Zodiac introduces a rugged special-ops vessel that'll make you the talk of the dock
Lance's 2003 Tour victory was almost a loss–in his own words, he "dodged a bullet." This year the Tourminator is plenty fit, a little less furious, and hungrier than ever. A revealing interview with the greatest rider on earth.
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…
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…
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
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.
Is time traveler Tim Severin the greatest living explorer? Probably—but you'll never get him to admit it.
« 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…
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…
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.
Surviving Niagara? No sweat. The real challenge is figuring out what drove Kirk Jones over the edge.
Outside magazine, April 2001 Â 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…
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…
Mountain rescue: life and death on the line Colorado’s beautiful peaks can be deceptively dangerous. Each year, scores of people are lost; some die. Meet the author of a new book that takes you inside one of America’s premier mountain…
What’s the best family resort in Europe? How does Whistler rate? Q: Two parts: 1. Where in Europe would you recommend for a good family ski vacation? 2. How does Whistler/Blackcomb…
Dr. Phil Maffetone Dr. Phil Maffetone Dr. Philip Maffetone is an applied kinesiologist who has been in private practice since 1977. He’s an authority on alternative medicine, has a background in biochemistry and exercise physiology, and…
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 Just offer jet rides to top of Everest for rich folks Question: John, I’ve enjoyed reading your articles over the years and was especially impressed with your piece on the…
Jon Krakauer How can we prevent similar tragedies? Question: Jon, Is there any reason to believe that we can prevent similar tragedies in the future? Not that I want mountaineering itself to…
Who is the greatest skier in the world? Q: You have filmed the greatest skiers in the world. Who is the best as far as technique and sheer ability? Jonathan…
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 How important is experience at high altitude? Question: Hi Jon, Enjoyed the Outside account of the Everest climb; certainly it conveyed the difficulty of climbing at high altitude, and…
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,…
Jon Krakauer What’s the reason behind your self-criticism? Question: Jon, You have repeatedly criticized yourself and your actions when speaking and writing about the events last May. It’s hard for me to…
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…
Jon Krakauer: Into the Wild February 26, 1996 What other books do you recommend? How do I get published?…
What equipment do I need to start making ski films? Q: I would like to make films like you but I don’t have the right equipment. What kind of camera would…
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,…
Jon Krakauer What’s the motive behind ascending big peaks? Question: Despite all the times that you’ve asked yourself (and been asked by many others, even outside mountaineering circles) about the motives behind…
How do you turn fear into adrenaline? Q: When you first started skiing, how and when did you turn the initial fears that one gets into the adrenaline “high” that pushes…
Jon Krakauer: Into the Wild February 26, 1996 What other books do you recommend? How do I get published?…
What kind of skiing can older folk do? What do you ski? Q: Warren, my family has always been a big fan of your movies. It was your movies, in fact,…
Dream Towns ‘We’re So Uncool It’s Hip’ A columnist for the Idaho Falls Post Register takes issue with Mike Steere’s article By Rocky Barker So Idaho Falls is one…
Jon Krakauer What do you think about corporate-sponsored climbers? Question: Mr. Krakauer, First let me start by complimenting you on your Everest coverage. It may very well be the best magazine article…
What do you think of the huge growth in Colorado? Q: Please let me know what you think about the outrageous growth in Colorado (and Glenwood Springs area as well). Also,…
Jon Krakauer: Into the Wild Jon Krakauer responds to your questions February 26, 1996 What other books do…
Where can I find my favorite ski poles? Q: Several years ago, the Alsop company made ski poles with shock absorbers under the handles. I have been trying to find them…
Dream Towns Paradise Talks Back When Outside correspondent Mike Steere profiles paradise, he hears about it By Mike Steere “Here we go again. Another magazine has decided San Luis Obispo…
Jon Krakauer How did you break into the writers’ market? Question: Mr. Krakauer, Last night, I just finished your book, Into the Wild. I found my fingers turning page after page,…
Why don’t your movies include handicapped skiers anymore? Q: Dear Warren, I sat in the front row when you screened a film for over 100 physically challenged skiers at the National…
Dr. Phil Maffetone February 7, 1996 koming question? koming question 2? How would a higher fat diet affect my body’s response to exercise?…
What inspired you to make your first extreme ski movie? Q: Hi. Well, I just love your movies. I’m on my school ski club and every time we go skiing (every…
Dream Towns Wish You Were Here? Dream towns where you can find it all: a real job, a real life, and the Big Outdoors Madison, Wisconsin…
Jon Krakauer Do you approach your trips in the role of a writer? Question: Your writing is amazingly vivid, both in setting and characterization. As a reader, it is difficult to separate…
In Outside‘s June 2004 issue, we honored a cadre of obsessive superachievers and foolhardy flakes who’ve taken adventure to extreme heights. Now we’d like you to help us decide, by casting your vote in the poll below, which one is the craziest of all. Editor’s Note: This poll has expired.
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 ‘mature skiers’ do adventure skiing? Q: Hi, Warren. The last time I bumped into you was a couple of winters ago and you had just been over to Jupiter Jones…
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…