I need a new bottom bracket for my old Titanium fre GT mountain bike. But, the old one is stuck so badly that the bike shop couldn't get it out and gave up. What can I do?

Do you have any suggestions for a digital video camera that I can mount to a bike for some amateur film making? Jeryl Carpinteria, California

I'm searching for gloves and a hat for general use in the West Virginia mountains. I need a pair of durable, thin, wind- and water-resistant gloves with excellent grip. I would also like to have something to layer over them that would work well for serious snow. In the hat, I want the warmest hat in existence that can be easily rolled and placed in the pocket of whatever jacket I'm wearing. What’cha got for me? Carl Morgantown, West Virginia

Are you in love with your home? We’re scouring the country to find the best places to live, work, and play for our annual Best Towns issue, and we want you to contribute. Tell us why we should pack up and move to your place by emailing us at…

When a local beauty turned up dead in Nicaragua's San Juan del Sur, the dream of paradise became a nightmare for one expat American surfer. He got 30 years and, predictably, a media melee ensued. But Tony D'Souza was on the scene from day one. This is the story you haven't heard.

I’m climbing Denali via the Muldrow Glacier in May 2008, and I’d like to start breaking in some boots (and my feet). Unfortunately, I’m a size 14 and having trouble finding double-plastic boots large enough. Any chance that my old (c. 1982), but well cared for, double-leather boots would be adequate? Glen Ann Arbor, Michigan

When I turn 40, I'm going to hike the AT. I would like to take a GPS unit, and my wife would like a way to keep track of my progress. Is there anything out there that can meet the need? Glenn New York, New York

In mountain biking as in life, the best paths will surprise you. Be prepared with these versatile machines.

Cords, schmords. Bluetooth—God love it—has finally arrived in high-fidelity stereo. Available in June, Samsung’s sleek little T9B is a flash-based audio-video unit with FM and voice recording, 30 hours of music playback per charge, and the aforementioned streaming capability. Pair it with wireless earbuds for 21st-century headbanging: Coming in at…

Here come longer days and better weather. Make the most of the multisport season with the hottest new gear.

With these slip-ons, dressing for summer is just like the season: effortless

How do three guys who get paid to surf the world, shoot movies, and design sweet gear still make you want to pick up their tab?

In the unlikeliest of places, in the waters off JFK airport in New York, IAN FRAZIER lands a few big fish with Captain Frank, a guide who matches his passion striper for striper and knows why fishing is connected to everything

An amateur archaeologist's discovery of ancient pyramids under the hills of Bosnia and Herzegovina has kicked off an exuberant national celebration and a massive dig that's drawing tourists by the thousands. There's just one problem: There aren't any pyramids. But why let that stop the party?

Compact fluorescents are good for everybody, and the new models glow just as warmly as your cherished bulbs. So why aren't Americans seeing the light?

In one of the cruelest marches in World War II, a battalion of American soldiers trekked through nearly impassable jungle in Papua New Guinea to battle the Japanese. Six decades later, JAMES CAMPBELL attempts to repeat the journey, and discovers a deadly trail, ravenous leeches, and a rare look into one of the last remote places on earth.

Put down that dumbell and pay attention: Your eyes need training, too. Upgrade this all-important organ with our complete guide to better vision.

I’m an experienced touring kayaker, but I have gotten out of shape and gained a lot of weight. I would like to get back into the sport but none of my current equipment fits or has the capacity to hold 400 pounds (me plus gear). Can you help me find a new boat? Nancy King City, Ontario

I've always carried white-gas stoves, but a friend of mine says that a compressed-gas stove is the way to go. He says it's lighter, more reliable, and burns hotter even at altitude. Is this true? Gary Salt Lake City, Utah

Where is the best place in the United States for a family or husband/wife "team" to learn to scuba dive? Michelle Delphos, KS

Amanda Beard shifts priorities for a shot at her fourth Olympics

The newest star of The Bachelor reminds us: Don't hate the player; hate the game

The oldest, youngest, fastest, or baldest to row backwards across the Pacific? Please don't ask me to care.

The Wild Trees: A Story of Passion and Daring Want it? Get it Buy The Wild Trees and Animal, Vegetable, Miracle at amazon.com.Richard Preston & Barbara Kingsolver RICHARD PRESTONRANDOM HOUSE, $26…

Helicopter rescues on the summit of Everest may soon be reality. And the pilot won't be anywhere in sight.

Finding uncrowded bliss from Olympic to Acadia

I’m an avid hiker, and now I’m expanding my horizons to the water via a kayak. I’m thinking about getting a new tent for these trips. Which tent works well on the beach? Andy Baltimore, Maryland

In a 2000 column, you said that you prefer a traditional needle-based compass over a digital compass. Is that still your advice? Why or why not? Marshall Atlanta, Georgia

I bike some 30 miles a week, mostly on the road, and I’m tired of the thick tires and heaviness of my mountain bike. But I’m not ready for a full-on road bike with downward handlebars. Can you point me to something in between that’s affordable and will fit my five-foot-tall fre? Cindy Santa Rosa, California

What’s the difference between hiking boots and backpacking boots? I'm a beginner hiker/backpacker and looking for enough support from a boot that doesn't weight a ton. I’ll probably carry 35 pounds for five days max. Will hiking boots work? Peggy Charlotte, North Carolina

I need a rain jacket that can take the abuse of going off-trail. Something that shrugs off thorns, branches, and trunks with nary a RIP to be heard. And it needs to be light to handle the 90-degree, 90-percent-humidity days we enjoy each summer here in Rocksylvania. Any ideas? John Lebanon, Pennsylvania

My road bike has been in hiding for months now. But I sense warmer weather right around the corner. Can you walk me through a tune-up? Matt Gloucester, Massachusetts

We spoke to 25-year-old, seven-time Olympic medalist Amanda Beard about her progression from 14-year-old podium-placer to her out-of-retirement run for a fourth Olympic Games. Here, read Curtis's complete interview with Beard.

There’s something sublime about a dip in a natural swimming hole, be it a lazy oxbow in a cool river, a hillside nook fed by a subterranean hot-spring, or a limestone bowl bored out by a 40-foot waterfall. “The swimming hole is the perfect outdoor experience,” says Pancho Doll, author…

I need a backpack to safely hold my camera, lenses, and other gear. My hard or soft camera cases are fine for short trips but not for real travel, as they attract the wrong attention. And a backpack would be a lot more convenient for hiking, long day trips, etc. Any thoughts? Tanya Chilliwack, British Columbia

Our man Nick Heil puts himself through the ringer in his fitness column.

Where can I go in Mexico or Cuba to learn kite surfing? I prefer the western coast, or the Yucatan in Mexico. Oh, and I’m a total newbie. Craig Mexico

It’s that time again. We’re just about to close our June issue and we want to hear from you. Which cover do you like best? The winner will hit stands mid-May. CLICK HERE TO VOTE NOW!…

It’s that time again. We’re just about to close our June issue and we want to hear from you. Which cover do you like best? The winner will hit stands mid-May. CLICK HERE TO VOTE NOW!…

In the May 2007 Outside feature story "Chasing Ghosts," writer James Campbell follows in the footsteps of American soldiers who trekked 130 miles through Papua New Guinea during World War II. Here, watch a trailer for the film, The Ghost Mountain Boys and see Philipp Engelhorn's photo outtakes from the trip.

I’m looking for a new sleeping bag to fit my large fre (6’6”) and small budget. I’d like a 20- to 30-degree bag, preferably down. What do you suggest? Kenny Cedarville, Ohio

I seem to remember climbing shoes for kids being available years ago, but now that I actually have a kid I can't find them. Does anyone still make climbing shoes for children? J Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada

I plan to travel for four months in eastern and southern Africa, and I intend to use 50 percent DEET (spray or lotion) and permethrin-treated clothes and nets. But I have no idea how much of either of these items I will need for this length of time. Can you provide any enlightenment? Daniel Dublin, Ireland

What's the best alpine climbing pack out there for multi-day trips, carrying no more than 50 lbs? I'd like it to have good back ventilation and do double-duty: light-weight backpacking trips up to a week and winter mountaineering. Anything meet this criteria? Joseph Torrance, California

I recently got a road bike and started riding, but these clipless pedals are killing me. I can get out just fine, but whenever the stoplight turns green it takes me half a block to get my foot clipped in again. I understand how the pedals work, but what I doing wrong? Dan Hunt, Texas

What color sunglass lens should I use for hiking? From sunrise to sunset, I want just one pair if that’s possible. I have tried to look this info up, but I want to get it right. Is polarized the way to go? I'm clueless. Jay Las Vegas, Nevada

I'm headed to the Bob Marshall Wilderness this July. We'll be riding horses in and out of the Bob, and from cp to cp. Any ideas on rain pants that could stand at least some time in the saddle without breaking down? Jeff arillo, Texas

Meet 23 real-world leaders building a future where SUVs run on algae, skyscrapers have the carbon footprints of toolsheds, conservation is a religious imperative, and inconvenient truths have very profitable solutions. True Colors How did Arnold Schwarzenegger, a red governor in America's biggest blue state, win reelection? Simple: He mapped…

Guess who's hot in Hollywood? Will Steger. With producers suddenly primed to make environmental films, the legendary polar explorer hit L.A. with a scary pitch about global warming—and he was a smash.

Brett Nave and Lori Ryker left the Earthship behind to build the ultimate eco-chic crash pad in the Montana hills

Not ready to build from the ground up? No worries: Costs for earth-friendly home improvement have finally come down to earth—and the dividends pay off for years and years. Here's how to update your current spread with the sleekest new green technology.

Actually . . . global warming, solar power, baby seals, carbon dioxide—and that's just for starters. Thanks to the cheeky enviro-news site Grist.org, greens finally have a funny bone. Now these upstarts want to lead the movement into the mainstream. Seriously.

The world's greatest Communist supereconomy needs all the power it can get. The devil's choice: Keep burning dirty coal, or tap into Yunnan's crashing rivers for clean, cheap electricity. With dams rising up all around, PATRICK SYMMES joins a team of Chinese and American rafters as they outrun the concrete on a wild descent of the Yangtze.

Clean up your closet with fashionably sustainable clothes

Outfitted

H2O is what connects us—it’s the alpha liquid that supports natural wonderlands and lets us live, play, and explore. You’d think we’d be taking better care of this critical resource, and yet waste and pollution are rampant and more than 1.1 billion people lack access to clean water. The good…

Can you recommend a light soft shell with good water repellency for spring/summer hiking and biking? I take it from your past columns that Polartec Power Shield would be a bit warm. Also, should I look for one with a hood? Christopher Brooklyn, New York

I need to purchase two-way radios for a group of missionaries working in Guyana. Obviously, things such as maximum range and durability are of great importance. Much more important than price, actually. Can you recommend something? Randall Decatur, Alabama

Ten 21st-century instant classics for the savvy environmentalist's bookshelf

Think globally, act . . . well, you know

A zero-emissions gear hauler

Electric cars are poised to make a comeback—and this time they might stick around for good

Apparel makers embrace wicking coconut shells, beech-wood shirts, and other miracle materials

Recycled, salvaged, and renewable gear that doesn't sacrifice performance

It’s not like we needed another reason to love Moab. But we’ve got one: Utah’s red-rock mecca for adventure sports is pursuing one of the most ambitious green-energy policies of any town in the West. The movement is led by mayor and 35-year resident Dave Sakrison, 61, who was elected…

I’m looking to buy a new ski jacket and pants—something comfortable, warm, and not too bulky. I'm after something unique. Any suggestions? Everett Charlotte, North Carolina

For our May 2007 Dream Jobs package, “No Work and All Play…,” contributor Tim Sohn wrote about Gus Speth, a true action hero of the green movement. Here, read an unabridged introduction to Sohn’s article, and a full interview transcript.

Introducing the sleekest earth-friendly transportation since George Clooney dropped a hybrid engine in his Jaguar. ELLSWORTH’s THE RIDE is the first bike to incorporate the revolutionary NuVinci hub, which uses a series of tilting spheres to offer a seamless progression of pedaling options from easiest to hardest. Imagine having your…

The next wave of clean energy will be breaking near you

Peter Diamandis will pay you to save the planet

I'll give to a good cause, I promise. Just as soon as Daryl Hannah shuts up.

“Carbon neutral” was the New Oxford American Dictionary‘s 2006 Word of the Year. But can you define it? The mostly unregulated practice of offsetting can put do-gooders at the mercy oflatter-day Charles Ponzis focusing on another kind of green. So, a quick rundown: Carbon offsets are reductions in one place…

Restrictions on personal watercraft threaten California's baddest wave

The sports world gets serious about kicking the carbon habit

As America raises its eco-consciousness, so does Hollywood. But is green TV more than just a fad?

He may be most closely associated with the Seattle music scene, but San Diego-reared Eddie Vedder has been a surfer longer than he’s been a rocker. The Pearl Jam frontman is a major contributor to the Surfrider Foundation, an international organization dedicated to ocean and beach protection, and can frequently…

My wife just had a bypass and wants a heart monitor to put on her wrist; she does not want a strap attached to her chest. Can you recommend a monitor that is self-contained on the wrist and has no other attachments? Tim Puyallup, Washington

You've mentioned Outdoor Research's Mutant Modular Mitt in the past as a nice compromise between mittens and gloves, but unfortunately OR stopped making them. Do you know of any other similar mitt/glove compromise? I've got a pair of OR shell mitts, but I'd really like the added dexterity. Daniel Halifax, Vermont

I moving from New England to Salisbury, Maryland, for work. The problem is, Salisbury and the surrounding area are dead flat. I rock climb, mountain climb, mountain bike, etc. and these sports appear to be hopeless in this area. Any suggestions on how I can continue these sports or what adventures are available in Maryland? Mike Salisbury, Maryland

I've been mountain biking for a while, and the guys at my local shop convinced me to buy a "single-speed." After a few rides on it, I'm wondering why I would ever opt for a bike without gears when I have one that has them. I missing something that makes this a good cycling option? Is there a training benefit? Tom V. Tucson, AZ