Everything
What’s your take on the MSR Miox pump-free purifier? It has been the subject of some debate, and I’d like your insight. Chris Helena, Montana
Would trekking poles be a help or a hindrance on an extensive hike, such as the entire AT? Also, is there a real benefit to shock-absorbing poles? John Redlands, California
Are there any solo, self-supported, rainproof tents available? It sure would be nice to wake up with a dry sleeping bag. Ron Tahlequah, Oklahoma
My wife and I are looking for a backpack with a child carrier so we can introduce our new little one to the pleasures of nature. Should we go with a backpack/carrier with less storage space for my petite wife, or a big carrier for me with lots of storage space? Alex Toronto, Ontario
Is it okay to store a synthetic sleeping bag in its compression stuffsack? I’m a member of a local mountain search-and-rescue group, and my pack needs to be ready to go at any time. The last thing I want to do is stuff my sleeping bag while the helicopter is waiting. Guy North Vancouver, British Columbia
So say Matt Nuzzo and Trip Forman, the founders of Real Kiteboarding, who are channeling Jake Burton and trying to turn their breezy passion into the next action-sport phenomenon. MICHAEL BEHAR joins the believers on a rum-soaked Caribbean cruise and tries to find out: Is kiteboarding the new snowboarding?
No other alpinist in America has knocked off as many coveted ascents—or picked as many fights—as Steve House. But after finding a new climbing partner and conquering one of the most daunting routes in decades, is the world's most outspoken mountaineer finally ready to make nice?
Behind every great adventurer is the support and irrepressible taunting of a good friend.
I'm interested in visiting New England to see the fall leaves at their most splendid. Any suggestions on where we should go or what we should do? Chris Larie, WY
Scientists proclaim Indonesia's Bird's Head Seascape the most biodiverse marine area in the world.
I’m looking for a stove that simmers well and is quiet. I’ve considered three: MSR’s DragonFly, Brunton’s Optimus NOVA, and Primus’ OmniFuel. Any other ideas? Richard Venice, California
I have heard that clothes treated with Buzz Off work well for repelling ticks and other bugs in the U.S. I’m traveling to the African tropics in the wet season and curious if Buzz Off can repel malaria-carrying mosquitoes. Carmen Washington, D.C.
What raingear would you suggest for bike commuting in rainy Seattle? I need something that will keep me dry but not slow me down this winter. Martha Bainbridge Island, Washington
Which running shoe do you recommend for a beginning runner? Rachel Shawnee, Kansas
Can I use my 10k running time to figure out how fast I could run a marathon? Stewart W. Doylestown, Pa.
I’ve always made do with cotton briefs when hiking, but I’m tired of the chafe factor and that ensuing wide-legged walk. I’m planning a trip into Montana’s Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness and need your recommendation for irritation-free hiking (especially since the well-known brands go for $25 a pair). Suggestions? Brian Billings, Montana
With technology constantly improving outdoors gear, are sock makers following suit? Should I still use my old standard of wool socks against my feet, then an oversock, usually cotton (never had a blister)? Glenn Aquebogue, New York
Getting There: Canyon de Chelly is located in Chinle, Arizona, a four drive from Albuquerque or six hours from Phoenix. Canyon de Chelly National Monument is open year-round, though the winters are cold and tours run less often. Where to Stay: Campsites within the monument are free and…
From Pablo Escobar's abandoned villa to the sun-bleached sands of the Riviera Maya, an assignment doesn't get much better than this.
Outside editor at large Hampton Sides has a gift for homing in on some of the most intense and violent moments in history. Winner of the 2002 PEN USA Award for non-fiction, he wrote about Bataan Death March survivors in his first book, the bestselling Ghost Soldiers (adapted into the…
My Marmot Peapod tent, useful in my glory days, just doesn't have the real estate needed for a two-adult, one-child family. Neither does the single Therm-a-Rest. Can you recommend a quality family tent that is available in Canada? Ditto for a good inflatable double mattress. Bernard Quebec City, Quebec
I’m a hefty guy (210 pounds) who’s transitioning from mountain biking to road biking. What should I look for in a wheelset that will support me without constant truing? Jes College Station, Texas
I'm looking for sunglasses that will perform everywhere from snowy mountains to the open ocean. I've looked at three different pairs: the Zeal Optics Maestro, Julbo Nomad X4, and Native Nano 2. Could you please recommend a pair that would work best for me? Gina Gainesville, Florida
My husband and I are traveling to Alaska and want to buy binoculars for viewing calving glaciers, wildlife, and general scenery. Which binoculars would you suggest, preferably under $150? Would the zoom function be useful? Anchita Dallas, Texas
I’m guilty of not properly storing my Lafuma tent over the last few years, and the polyurethane coating has completely peeled off. I’d like to keep this tent instead of buying another. Can I reapply the waterproof layer? Francis Singapore
I just returned from climbing Longs Peak in Colorado, and it was my first trip wearing mountaineering boots (Asolo Titans). They were a bit overkill for Longs, but is there any reason why every step I took after the first couple of hours felt like someone was slapping the bottom of my foot with a two-by-four? Are all crampon-compatible boots this uncomfortable, and what can I do for next time? Nick Maryville, Missouri
I have Coleman's excellent double-burner Xpedition stove, and I’m addicted. But I’m packing for a motorcycle trip to Yosemite National Park and questioning the wisdom of my investment. The gas is virtually impossible to get in Canada, and difficult to get in the U.S. REI seems to have it, but every time I travel I'm paranoid. Is there any official word on how long it's going to be manufactured? Skot Vancouver, British Columbia
I would like to arrange for a two- or three-day rafting trip in Ecuador for myself, my husband, and our sons (ages 12 and 14). We've all done a fair amount of rafting and love it. We want to make sure we find a reputable outfitter to take us on this trip. Do you have any suggestions for rivers or outfitters? Laura New York, New York
Japan's got more going for it than bright lights and temples—namely, some of the best places in the world to ski, climb, kayak, bike, and surf. Bow down to the wild, wild East.
For more than 100 years, a swat team of brilliant scientists, pest-control shock troops, and eggheads with bizarre schemes (chicken-scented bug spray, anyone?) have been waging a global war against a foe no bigger than your fingernail. So why are we still getting murdered by mosquitoes?
One man, one idiotic quest: to find El Mirador, a mysterious beachfront bar in a very remote and very dangerous part of Colombia. Who knew there would be complications?
Layering gets smart with cutting-edge fabrics and designs that let you do more with less
Who says you need fossil fuels? Four adventurers—including Laird Hamilton, who paddled the English Channel—circle the globe under their own steam.
Our greatest science writers take on intelligent design in books that explore the theories of Charles Darwin—and the 21st-century consequences of not believing
With a world-class guide, far-flung kayak expeditions are now within the layman's reach
The Wild File: Outdoor Questions AnsweredSUBMIT YOUR QUESTION FOR THE WILD FILE HERE: wildfile@outsidemag.comIf we use your question in an upcoming issue of Outside, you'll receive a free one-year subscription!
A tourism industry hobbled by years of civil war and political instability looks to rebound as Nepal makes moves toward a lasting peace. Is it finally safe to go back?
The disappearance of two of North America's best alpinists left a grave question: What happens when the only way out is up?
It's not just the tight pants and helmet; Philippe Gardent's new career as an NFL linebacker will have him using all the tools of his ski-racing past
Do you have any recommendations on all-leather boots for women? I'm talking about all leather—no fo-cushioned insoles, no cloth vp lining. The only boot I can wear is a Redwing Irish Setter with an oak-tanned insole, but they don't make it in ladies' sizes. It seems like every manufacturer is going with their "miracle" man-made products, but these don't compare with good old leather. Phil Williston, North Dakota
As an East Coast flatlander, I'm at a loss as to whether I can get by with a lightweight three-season tent (an MSR Zoid 1.5) for my upcoming backpacking trip to Wyoming's Wind River Range. Can you help? John Wilmington, Delaware
Please end this debate going on in my head! I'm planning a bike tour around Lake Michigan next year and thinking about panniers versus a gear trailer, like the BOB Yak. What's your opinion? Kenneth Vernon Hills, Illinois
Ten go-now getaways that are short on hassle but long on adventure—no passport required
From beach to back-a-bush, the other Caribbean's best adventure base camps
I just got invited to a four-day hiking trip around Aspen, Colorado, early this fall (while the aspen leaves are bright yellow, I've been told). I'm excited about the trip, but I'm from Missouri so I'm worried about the altitude. Is there anything I can do to prepare for four days of hiking at 9,000+ feet of elevation? Carl T. Missouri
I'm looking for a good all around soft shell alpine climbing pant; something I can wear alone in warmer weather and layer under in cooler weather. Any suggestions? Denise Albuquerque, New Mexico
I'm trying to find a daypack for my five-foot-tall wife for an upcoming vacation to Colorado. She has tried on several different models from Jansport to The North Face, but they’re not quite right. She wants no more than 1,800 cubic inches, easy access to a water bottle, and a stowable hip belt. Any suggestions? Bruce Omaha, Nebraska
Luang Prabang, the cultural capital of Laos, is famed for its immaculate temples, French colonial architecture, and distinctive cuisine. Now, as the country emerges from decades of isolation, the town is transforming into a base camp for adventuring wanderers.
The Ski Junkie's guide to the sickest skiing and hottest cold-weather happenings this winter
From sailing the Society Islands and surfing killer Fijian waves to going native on the Marquesas, we've navigated the South Seas' biggest adventures for you in our far-flung, sun-soaked, beyond-belief guide to the Pacific's boundless blue
Prepare to be converted by this tiny Central American nation of raw, dark jungle, teeming reefs, and a very original cast of locals. (They all speak English!)
I recently treated my leather hiking boots with the non-aqueous Nikwax. Will the leather ever be breathable again? Patrick Melbourne, Australia
Sending Jon Krakauer to Everest was my idea. After the news broke, I spent the better part of a day wondering if I'd put him in a frozen grave.
An Imax filmmaker flies into New Orleans, post-Katrina, and comes out with a film on culture, conservation, and rebuilding Louisiana's wetlands
Knees are critical joints, and they can't be traded in like last year's cell phone. Keep your hinges state-of-the-art with our complete guide to strength, conditioning, and injury prevention.
Survivors from Everest '96 recall a day of terror and confusion that many still believe was distorted in ways that oversimplified complex events and dishonored the dead.
David Sharp's lonely death on Mount Everest revived the old, raging debates about personal ethics and the wisdom of commercially guided climbing. But whatever went right and wrong in 2006, the bottom line remains: You challenge this peak at your own risk, because its punishments are swift, terrible, and blind.
You need to learn your lesson! So listen up to Mike Roberto, a fast-talking consultant who uses the '96 saga as a teaching tool for students, lawyers, and businessmen.
One dad's quest for an undiscovered surf spot turns up perfect waves, crazy wildlife, and just the right kid-friendly vibe on Costa Rica's wild Osa Peninsula
With 25 national parks, 815 miles of coastline, and thousands of wildlife species, Costa Rica is indeed a rich coast. Experience it all with these seven sea-to-jungle family adventures.
We catch up with Michael Brown on his latest film, Light of the Himalaya
I'm pondering going to Thailand in the winter—I'd like to do a lot more than just stay in Bangkok—but I'm a 25-year-old female wanting to travel alone. Do you think this is safe? Do you have any recommendations where to go? Kyle San Francisco, CA
Is it safe to take creatine as a part of my exercise routine for energy and body mass? And how much is adequate to take, and when is the best time to take it? Lorraine Parount, CA
Do you think Perception’s Acadia Scout is a good kayak for an eight-year-old child? Also, what’s your take on purchasing a pre-owned kayak? Angela Saratoga Springs, New York
My daughter is going into the Peace Corps in Kazakhstan and is looking for an everyday shoe that can handle the sub-zero temperatures. What would you recommend? Patricia
How can I stop wetting the bed? Seriously, I fall asleep and start sweating like a nun at a strip club. Going on the theory that no clothes equals warmer, I've tried wearing a thin layer. Going on the theory that layers equal warmth, I've tried sleeping sans skivvies. I don't want to end up soaking the down of my new sleeping bag. Jay Poughkeepsie, New York
What running shoes would you recommend for a ten-mile competition in which I run through knee-deep mud, waist-high water, and on pavement? Last year, after coming out of the mud and water, I had to run eight miles with wet feet and sand in my shoes. Michael Visalia, California
As a college student in Boston, I spend a lot of time outside in the freezing, windy winters. Will the Patagonia R4 fleece jacket keep me warm around town and on the New England ski slopes? Or do you know of any cheaper, comparable fleeces? Jenny Boston, Massachusetts
Does that first sprig of mistletoe make you giddy with Christmas cheer—or would you rather drown in a bucket of eggnog than spend another December awash in commercial glee? Our travel wish list features three spots brimming with holiday spirit and three distant, carol-free getaways.
Diving after elusive sea life on the teeming reefs of Indonesia's Celebes Sea
Are there any digital cameras that operate normally at temperatures below freezing? Besides just keeping the camera warm next to the body, can you recommend any equipment or techniques for using digitals below freezing? Hugh Santa Monica, California
We sit down for a candid conversation with Outside contributor Eric Hansen about his most recent assignment, a quest to find the world's most extreme bar, Colombia's El Mirador, for the September feature story, "It's Thriller Time."