Everything
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…
Adidas has been making outdoor gear (hiking boots, shells) in Europe for a while, but the Euro sports giant is coming to the U.S. in a big way. Expect more of the triple stripes on everything from hiking boots to storm shells, all…
Like hucking cliffs taller than the lift chairs? May you stick your landings. To help, check out Marker’s new Jester Pro (new for Fall ’11). It’s reinforced with an aluminum strut to stiffen the toe piece for more power than most mortals could ever possibly need from their skis. “You…
Ever wonder where your dog goes once he gets out into the neighborhood? Curious where your kids end up going after school? GPS maker Garmin has developed a low-profile tracking device you can use to keep tabs on where the people, pets, and stuff you love are in real time.
Patagonia says its Down Shirt, which it unveiled last summer, is the “lightest piece of insulation on the market.” That’s a bold claim, but it could well be true: The 800-fill “shirt” weighs less than six ounces (and costs $250,…
If you secretly hope your child’s first steps might happen, say, on a muddy stretch of the Appalachian Trail, these shoes are for you. Adidas Outdoor is coming out with what we think might be the first Gore-Tex hiking shoe…for toddlers. It’s called…
Mammut/Barryvox makes some very fancy avalanche transceivers—one even can tell if the victim beneath the snow has a heartbeat. But for 99 percent of the casual backcountry users out there, it’s most important to just have a basic beacon that they won’t…
Avalanche airbags are showing up all over the trade floor at the Outdoor Retailer convention, if not yet all over the backcountry (though stories of skiers and snowmobilers who credit them for getting them through big slides are certainly becoming more common). A number…
Really into packing light? Check out Outdoor Research's new take on the standard beanie—it’s more like a down jacket for your head. It’s really light, insanely packable, and looks really warm. I’ve never felt like my hat was too bulky to fit in my bag,…
Barefoot-inspired shoes are flying off the shelves, and they're poised to transform the way we run. Here's how to make the most of running with less.
High-fructose corn syrup as a fuel for training
Can you recommend a few options for sunglasses that will not fog up while running and cross-country skiing? Thank you very much!EricMilwaukee, Wi
“The Way Back,” a movie depicting the supposedly-true escape and journey of seven prisoners from a Soviet gulag, goes to wide release this weekend. In limited release last weekend, the film garnered mostly positive reviews, receiving a 77 percent “Fresh” rating from Rotten Tomatoes. But, the…
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…
Your Challenge: Choosing the right adventure in New Zealand, a place that offers the best of everything. Your Solution: Our heavily researched, carefully formulated, and totally brilliant ten-step plan.
What's the best stand-up paddleboard for a beginner? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico
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…
By Stephen Regenold “Yak wool from the heart of the Himalayas.” That's the promise, and a company tag line of sorts, for Khunu USA, a Glenwood Springs, Colo., company that sells men's and women's sweaters made out of yak fur. Technically, it's wool, not fur.
What is the best winter cycling glove?TonyLong Beach, CA
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.
Josh Cox broke his own American 50K record yesterday after winning the Rock 'n' Roll Arizona marathon. His time for 31.2 miles was 2:43:45, three minutes faster than the record…
Courtesy of Hood To Coast Movie Hood to Coast, the 197-mile, 12,000 person, 36-leg, largest relay in the world, kicks off August 26, 2011 at Timberline…
What is the best pant for a January backpacking/fly-fishing trip to Patagonian Chile? Jimmy Friend, NE
Courtesy of Flickr Alpinists Simone Moro, Denis Urubko and Cory Richards are attempting a first winter ascent of Pakistan's Gasherbrum II, according to…
Despite clips from the World Eskimo-Indian Olympics Ear Pulling event and a youngster showing us some tasty waves, the Animal Kingdom stole the headlines this week. Here's the stuff you should click on. Start Training NowWorld Eskimo-Indian Olympics, July 20-23, 2011…
Courtesy of Flickr U.S. Snowboarding has announced its team for the 2011 World Championships in La Molina, Spain, according to TransWorld Snowboarding. Leading the team of 21 athletes are three Olympians:…
Courtesy of Flickr Billabong's all-girl Flaunt It Tour begins its fifth season on January 22 at Blue Mountain, Ontario, according to TransWorld Snowboarding. The tour, which is open only to females, is a series of slopestyle and rail…
Megan Michelson and her stepfather Sixteen years ago, the man who helped raise Megan Michelson was shot to death at a remote kayaking lodge in Northern California. A nightmare episode that her mother has refused…
Sixteen years ago, the man who helped raise Megan Michelson was shot to death at a remote kayaking lodge in Northern California. Michelson embarks on a painful search to find out what happened, and why.
A new film chronicles the classic story of a daring prison break from a Soviet gulag. We dispatched our crankiest critic to weigh in on the somewhat true story.
By Stephen Regenold Mike Kloser, a Vail, Colo., athlete and a former world-champion mountain biker, is something of a god in the sport of adventure racing. As the captain of Team Nike, Kloser dominated AR for years, including multiple world-champ titles and victories at banner events…
Two new island novels explore what it means to leave everyday life far, far behind.
After Marine Corps Veteran Ronnie Simpson survived an explosion in Iraq in 2004, he threw himself at an audacious goal: to sail around the world. It almost killed him.
I'm going on a mountaineering expedition in Peru's Cordillera Blanca next summer. Being a college student, I don't have tons of money to shell out, so what is the best hard shell jacket for the best price?BryanBoone, NC
Having been home from my successful Vinson summit a few weeks now, my attention has shifted from reflection to planning. The next climb is Aconcagua in mid January. There are two major activities at this point: gear review and continued training. This will be the second climb in The…
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced last Wednesday that the National Park Service will waive admission fees on 17 selected dates throughout 2011. The first fee free days will be this weekend, January 15-17, for the…
Photo from advencap on Flickr The Quiksilver Foundation, in recognition of Kelly Slater's tenth ASP World Surfing Championship, announced Tuesday the 10 for Ten campgain, in which $10,000 will be given to ten non-profit organizations of Slater's choosing,…
Your urgent inquiries about the world. Answered.
What are the best snowshoes for deep snow? What are the best goggles for snowshoeing? Jennifer from Helena, Montana Judy from Portland, Oregon
I'm short on time and cash, and stuck out here on the East Coast, but am looking for a climbing destination on this side of the Mississippi that's equivalent to Liberty Bell. In other words, a fun, multi-pitch rock with a bit of a sense of accomplishment at the summit. What can you do for me? Richard Fairfax, VA
Freeskier Sarah Burke is ready to return to her winning ways and convince the world the halfpipe skiing is worthy of the Olympics.
Your urgent inquiries about the world. Answered.
In 2007, molecular biologist Ron Evans flipped a genetic switch on test mice and turned them into super-athletes. Headlines ensued, as did nervous references to human applications and "exercise in a pill." Evans is still toiling away in the lab, and guess what? The day is coming.
Guides Peter Whittaker, Ed Viesturs, Seth Waterfall, Caroline George, Jake Norton, cinematographer Kent Harvey and their clients summited Vinson Massif on Antarctica, 45 years after the first ascent of the mountain. The team called in to…
Photo courtesy of Ray Zahab Stretching over 1000 kilometers south from Chile’s northern border is the driest place on earth, the Atacama Desert. It's a high lifeless plateau with areas so arid that rain hasn’t been recorded since record keeping began. Defined by meteorologists as…
I'm going to Peru for a week-long hike to Machu Picchu. I think the tour guides carry the large gear (tents, food). What backpack should I get? My local store suggested an Osprey 40 but I really have no idea what to get. Help! Thanks.ChrisLouisville, KY
The Missoulian reported what is probably the sixth death from deep snow and tree wells in a matter of a fortnight. Invesitgations in California, Montana, and British Columiba are still in progress on these non-avalanche, non-trauma deaths (one may be drowning and the other trauma). See my past…
Alpine Meadows Ski Resort at Lake Tahoe announced the second annual Take the Lake Triple Air Open ski and snowboard jump competition, which takes place March 18 through March 20, TransWorld Snowboarding reports. Competitors will show off their big-air moves on a triple jumpline…
By Stephen Regenold The International CES trade show, the world’s largest gathering of consumer-technology companies, took place last week in Las Vegas. Here are five new products for the outdoors market that caught my eye on the show floor. GPS ‘Bug’ — The…
Photo courtesy of Flickr. Switzerland's Federal Tribune rejected Alejandro Valverde's appeal to overturn a CAS ruling suspending him from cycling worldwide until January 2012, VeloNews reports. The initial CAS ruling came when WADA and the UCI requested a global ban…
Not exactly the usual view when peeking into Corbet's… photo courtesy Chip Carey Afraid to jump into Jackson Hole’s famed Corbet’s Couloir? There is one other way to get in there-but don’t count on it being an easier option. If you were among the…
I am trying to find a good, durable approach shoe for both lightweight packing and climbing/canyoneering without have to change shoes. I am a minimalist when it comes to gear. I have read good things about the Five Ten Guide Tennies. Any thoughts or recommendations?FredSanta Monica, CA
A week into the new year, and already plenty to see. Here's the stuff you should click on so far for 2011. Worth a Look:The Top 10 Travel Stories of 2010 (New York Times) Worth…
Photo from WIkimedia Steven Rinella can cook anything, which pairs nicely with his ability to hunt anything anywhere. He's Outside's go to guy for anything food and wilderness related, whether it's a quest to…
FIFA president Sepp Blatter said on Friday that the 2022 World Cup will probably be staged in January rather than June or July, Reuters reports. The 2022 World Cup will take place in Qatar, where summer…
Courtesy of Sacred Rides. Sacred Rides and GoPro Cameras are rewarding mountain bikers for their patience during snowy winter months with a free trip to Central or South America. Enter the Flip…
Copyright Darren Kirby (Darren Kirby) Courtesy of Flickr Dark sky tourism is on the rise, reports the BBC. Light pollution causes astronomical bodies, such as stars, planets and the moon, to be less visible in urban areas.
By Stephen Regenold The annual International CES (Consumer Electronics Show), held this week in Las Vegas, is the world's largest gathering of consumer technology companies, geeks, and technophiles of all types. But hidden in the halls of technology are outdoor brands and dozens of gadgets that…
Tour de France superstars Andy Schleck and Fabian Cancellara are just two of the high profile members of Team Leopard-Trek, the new pro-cycling supersquad that entered the International Cycling Union rankings at No. 1.
What is the best soft shell for cross-country skiing? Paul Ely, MN
I am currently stationed in Naples, Italy for another year and a half. Can you list ten things that I should accomplish in Europe while I'm here? I love to travel and fish and I am more concerned with seeing the natural beauty of the continent than anything else.BlakeNaples, Italy
Photo by Ashley Barrett Four-time ASP champion Stephanie Gilmore has signed a five-year contract with Quiksilver. In addition to surfing for the company, the 22-year-old Australia native will also act as a brand ambassador, joining 13 other…
In 1939, wealthy American adventurer Dudley Wolfe was abandoned high on an unconquered K2, becoming the Savage Mountain's first victim. For more than 60 years, no one knew his story. Enter Jennifer Jordan, author, filmmaker, and…
*O.K. These tips will work for men too. The only problem with ski mountaineering racing—or randonee if you want to get all Frenchy—is that barely any women in the US are doing it. Which begs the bigger question, why do women wait for men to embrace debilitating endurance sports before…
Pro cyclist Jessica Phillips has always raced road in the summer and taught skiing in the winter. The 32-year-old Aspenite admits that the switch is necessary, because women’s pro cycling alone doesn’t exactly bring home the bacon. This year, she’s taking her transition to a new level. World Cup…
Courtesy of Flickr The Portuguese Cycling Federation has banned national cyclist Pedro Lopes for 15 years for a second doping violation, according to Velonation.com. Lopes's failure to disclose his whereabouts to doping authorities on three occasions over…
Courtesy of Flickr American snowboarder Kelly Clark earned first place in the halfpipe semifinals today at the O'Neill Evolution 2011 in Davos, Switzerland, according to…
Does any company make a cool one-piece ski suit? The Editors Santa Fe, NM
On December 30th, 58-year-old Aspen socialite and endurance athlete Jennifer Figge, who gained notoriety in 2009 after “swimming” the Atlantic, set off on her new quest to swim long stretches between Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and Hawaii—a distance of some 3,000 miles. Her 2009 swim across…
I am looking to buy a new snowboard. I only use it six to ten times a year but I still want a good board. I'm looking for a mid-level board for any sort of condition. What are your suggestions? David Detroit, MI
Last week, massive storms pummeled the mountains with snow. Unfortunately, in a 48-hour span, four more cases of tree well accidents were reported. On December 28, a snowboarder went out of bounds from a Tahoe resort and was found in a deat in tree well two days later. On December 27,…
Besides running a successful design firm, Damion Hickman also runs one of the biggest club teams in Southern Califorina, Team Velo Sport. The 700 members blanket the sport of cycling, with riders from numerous disciplines: mountain biking, time…