Everything
I'm interested in joining a local search-and-rescue te that requires members to have 24 to 48 hours worth of non-perishable food in their daypack. What are some good foods to carry that are light and don’t take up much space, but would provide me with the necessary nutrients? Jon Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
My husband and I would like to be able to communicate while riding our bikes. What would you suggest for a hands-free experience? Dotty Boulder, Colorado
This July, I’ll be doing a five-day, 50-mile hike on Oregon’s Pacific Crest Trail. I need to purchase a good water filter for the trip—one that’s very reliable in removing giardia and crypto, and durable enough to be used everyday by multiple people. Also, if I need water-purifying pills, it would be nice to have a filter that removes the iodine or chlorine taste. Is there such a beast? Henry ity, Oregon
For the last four years I have gone camping in Idaho and Montana in mid-May. In the mornings, my sleeping bag’s covered with condensation whether I sleep in the tent or under the stars. Would a bivy sack eliminate this problem, or should I just live with it? Richard Erie, Colorado
All Tour, all the time. Get all your Tour de France updates and exclusive content from Outside Online here.
I going climbing this summer in Switzerland and looking to shed a few pounds off my gear. My idea is to dump all my fleeces (except maybe a vest) and heavy-duty shells in exchange for a soft shell. I’d like to find one with a hood that actually moves well with the head and allows for a helmet, too. What would be a suitable soft shell for Alpine mountaineering and rock climbing that is warm enough to not need fleeces, and waterproof enough to handle a Southeast Asian monsoon? Matthew Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
I'm bored with the traditional weight-lifting routines I've been doing for years now (splits, push/pull regimes, etc.). So, I'm looking for a different routine that will allow me to burn calories and lose fat, while allowing me to maintain muscle definition. Any suggestions? Cross-training maybe? Chris Athens, Georgia
Can you recommend a digital camera that is durable enough to survive the rigors of an extended trip covering a variety of terrain and weather conditions, is small enough to fit into a pocket, yet will still produce high-quality pictures of everything from landscapes to wildlife to action shots? All for $500 or less. Ryan Winnipeg, Manitoba
My five-foot-tall wife has decided to support a sick relative by doing a 100-mile ride for the erican Cancer Society this fall. She has zero experience with this kind of thing, she has no gear, and it's not clear that she'll ever want to ride again when this is finished. Hence, she wants gear that is functional for the ride and the training, but that's not too expensive in case she doesn't fall in love with cycling. Do you have any advice about a bike for a petite woman, plus other gear items? Michael Baltimore, Maryland
I have a friend who is interested in a wetsuit for recreational swimming in New England's cold offshore waters. She's not a scuba diver or a triathlete—just someone who wants to stay comfortable while swimming in cold water. What should she look for, and what's out there that's reasonably priced? John New York City
I'm about to take on the Long Trail in Vermont for my end-of-high-school trip. My previous experience is short three- or four-day hikes, so nothing compared to the month-long excursion I'm about to undertake. What's the ideal long-distance boot for the Long Trail terrain? Tim Clifton Park, New York
Do I really need a tent footprint? I've used a piece of plastic in the past (actually a clear plastic tablecloth), which turned out to be really light and durable. Now I have a brand-new tent and have bought its footprint for $35, but I'm wondering if I should just go back to my $2.99 plastic tablecloth. What does the footprint do? Protect the bottom of the tent, keep moisture off the bottom? Jo-Jo Victoria, British Columbia
I have a Giro bike helmet I bought back in 2002. I have never crashed in it. After it gets to be a certain age, should I replace it regardless of whether or not I have crashed in it? Justin Salt Lake City, Utah
What is the best way to walk the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu? How can I find the best guides? Richard Oviedo, Florida
Two Italian brothers launch a woodworking renaissance in the mountains of Montana
Cut the rope or a rug with the same knife. The VICTORINOX S. BEAT integrates a one-gig audio player in the classic blade-scissors-tweezers-file model. The 1.1-ounce unit comes encased in stainless steel, and the player detaches for air travel. $200; www.victorinox.com Victorinox S. Beat Victorinox S. Beat…
BRIDGE CLIMBING— scaling the trusses and cables above suspended roadways—has been popular in Australia for years. But if you tried it stateside, you’d likely land in jail—until now. Cincinnati-based Purple People Bridge Climb has received permission to lead patrons on half-mile scrambles from Newport, Kentucky, across five spans of the…
With a new ban on Caspian sturgeon eggs, caviar fans turn their eyes to the Rockies
We never knew that the world needed another polycarbonate water bottle until we wrapped a hand around CamelBak’s 750ml splash-, spill-, and shatterproof beauty. The bottle mates ‘Bak’s bite valve with a plastic straw for no-head-tilt hydration. Just try to find an easier way to suck down agua in the…
Whiteman By Our Contributors Sebastian Junger, whose 1997 bestseller The Perfect Storm began as a story in Outside‘s October 1994 issue, turns to true crime in A Death in Belmont (W.W. Norton, ), the chronicle of a 1963 Boston Strangler–like murder in Massachusetts—and the uncomfortably close connection between the killer…
The Caribbean is home to as many rum distilleries as islands. Hop on board for a taste tour—and leave the Coke behind.
For a compulsive adventurer who can't stay put, sometimes there's only one cure: Get Zen. If only it were that easy.
President Bush says Americans guzzle too much petroleum, and James Howard Kunstler would certainly agree. But the flamethrowing author of The Long Emergency—a wickedly entertaining and terrifying look into a future without cheap fuel—thinks the world isn't doing nearly enough to get ready, and nobody is safe from his wrath.
Snowbound in the Andes after their plane crashes, the starving members of a Uruguayan rugby squad are forced to live off the flesh of their fallen teammates. Now, for the first time, the hero of their ordeal writes his own story. In this exclusive excerpt from Miracle in the Andes, Nando Parrado reveals the untold horrors of their suffering—and the
Brace yourself for a slosh. Wolfgang Petersen, master of the seafaring-disaster epic, is back in the water with Poseidon, a big-budget update of The Poseidon Adventure, the 1972 camp classic. From Das Boot, a claustrophobic chronicle of life on a World War II German U-boat, to The Perfect Storm, the…
The victim of a brutal attack in the Oregon outback finds justice—by the book
With Burning Time II, world-class kayaker and filmmaker Scott Lindgren is back doing what he does best—scouring the world for the most intense rapids, and shots, on the other side of sane.
Wind, waves, and siestas—just a few of the reasons to discover Tarifa, Spain
Norwegian fishermen call it an honest day's work. Greenpeace calls it a violent crime. The issue is the annual hunt for North Atlantic minke whales, a plentiful species that, every spring, gets harpooned by the hundreds and then sold in Norway's seafood aisles. Who's right? As PHILIP ARMOUR learns during a voyage aboard the whaleboat Sofie, the truth isn
I looking for a rainproof jacket, light enough to wear during south Florida's humid, rainy summers, and still be able to use it as outerwear for a spring Yosemite trip. I was considering the Patagonia Ready Mix. Is that too heavy? Any other ideas? Jorge Mii, Florida
I am a slow runner. In fact, last week I was running and I was passed by a glacier. How can I improve my speed?
I do a lot of trail running and hiking and need a watch with an altitude function, but the faces of all the ones I've found are larger than my wrist, which is very uncomfortable for running. Is there an altimeter watch designed for the slimmer wrists of women? Killaine Vancouver, British Columbia
After pulling my large backpack out of storage in my attic, I was dismayed to find that it stinks to high heaven. Are there some big guns that I can pull out to deodorize it without daging the pack?
I'm recovering from a ruptured disc and have an extended backpacking trip planned this summer, with doctor's approval granted! What's your opinion on the best packs for those of us with back problems; if not specific models, maybe manufacturers that build the best support systems? Andy Charlotte, North Carolina
What cycling computer would you recommend to use interchangeably between my mountain and road bikes? What functions do you think are necessary? John Santa Fe, New Mexico
It seems like every time I've looked at the weather this year, ski areas out West are getting hmered with more snow—even in April. Can you tell me the best places for spring skiing? Pete Salisbury, Maryland
Train right with tips and tricks and of the trade from Chris Carmichael and Carmichael Training Systems.
My girlfriend and I are going backpacking for a few days. She wants to buy a female-friendly backpack. Any suggestions? Bill Cobb, California
My friend, not in a proper state of mind, decided it would be funny to completely fill and lather my Gore-Tex hiking boots in baby oil. I'm going on a hiking trip this summer in the Canadian Rockies, and I'm just wondering if these definitely need to be replaced or not. It seems like the oil would wreak havoc on the breathability of the Gore-Tex. Josh Grand Rapids, Michigan
I've been picking off the summits in Outside magazine's "Mountaineering 101" and now planning the East Face of Whitney. I have several pairs of climbing shoes and hiking boots, but none of them is a good all-around shoe for an ascent and descent via the loose rocks of the couloir of the mountaineers' route. Is there an approach shoe that you would recommend? I have a wide foot and can comfortably climb mid 5.10. Eric Los Angeles, California
I'm running adventure races and I don't know what kind of clip shoes to buy for my bike. Could you help me with that? Juan Bogotá, Colombia
Alive survivor Nando Parrado reveals the untold harrowing account of the 1972 plane crash in the Andes and its terrible aftermath
I'm looking for a hydration pack with two bladders and a toggle switch to let me move back and forth from one to the other while cycling. Is there such a thing? Scott Corvallis, Montana
What's the best way to waterproof a pack? Mike Bethany, West Virginia
Read "Bloody Business" by Philip Armour, then join the debate over whaling here.
I used to run consistently but have, well, slacked. Can you give me a good one-month schedule that would help me build up a base? Don Boulder, Colorado
I looking for some tough raingear for summer trekking through the Canadian wilderness, where I'll be portaging gear and experiencing sudden changes in weather. My priorities are something that's durable, light, and that will keep me dry and windproof. I normally go for top-of-the-line brand nes, but not in this case. It's just got to last and get the job done. John Beckley, West Virginia
Hook up with Carmichael Training Systems and Santa Fe Mountain Adventures for one of the most comprehensive adventure racing camp in the country.
SCOTT LINDGREN, whose first descent of Tibet’s deadly Tsangpo was chronicled in our July 2002 issue, continues to paddle and film the world’s most dangerous whitewater. His upcoming DVD, Burning Time II (out in May), features first descents in China and Turkey. And during a recent trip to Zambia,…
What would you do after you'd been trapped in the wilderness and forced to cut off your own arm? You probably wouldn't try to become the first person to climb all 59 of Colorado's 14,000-foot peaks in winter—and alone.
For over a decade, 26-year-old Bruce Irons has captivated the surfing world with his gravity-mocking aerials, smooth style, and convivial countenance. Many, including 2000 World Champion Sunny Garcia, have called him “the future of surfing.” But while big brother Andy was winning a trio of world titles, Bruce struggled to…
YOU CAN BET that drug-company executives aren’t among the 70 million Americans suffering from sleep problems. Thanks to blockbusters like $2-billion-a-year Ambien, the sleep-aid industry is booming, and several similar drugs are angling for space in your medicine cabinet, including Lunesta, launched in 2004, and others awaiting FDA approval. These…
Is the chalk-bag crowd ready to go upscale? New York City bouldering pioneer Ivan Greene thinks so, and he wants to lead the way.
HARD TO BELIEVE, but the bitter, pep-boosting ginseng root—reputed to enhance everything from libido to longevity—has been at the center of trade wars and political dynasties for centuries. Native to Asia and North America, the herb is sought by Chinese herbalists, New Age entrepreneurs, and international smuggling rings, all trying…
Get behind the wheel for the Banger Rally, a 4,500-mile blitz from England to the Sahara in which globe-trotting wrench-heads, posh speed freaks, and sand-blinded adventurers crank up the crazy and stomp on the gas
The Last Season book review By Eric Blehm (HarperCollins, $25) ON THE MORNING of July 21, 1996, Randy Morgenson, a veteran backcountry ranger at Kings Canyon National Park, in California’s High Sierra, pinned a note to his tent. RANGER ON PATROL FOR 3-4 DAYS, it read. He was never…
Shield your eyes with the season's coolest shades and be primed for action anytime, anywhere
Get steeped in Sri Lanka's tea country at four new lodges in the southern highlands
From sleek and sexy road machines to mountain-taming single-speeds, the big news about this year's best bikes is trickle-down technology that makes cutting-edge performance accessible for every rider and any budget
Want real results? A new regimen sheds pounds, builds strength, and shortens your workout time.
Divers do the damnedest things in pursuit of Northern California abalone—like poaching, drowning, and getting gobbled up by great white sharks
An exclusive conversation with the hero of one of the greatest survival stories of all time.
My son insisted on growing up and moving on, so I now find that I have to carry everything by myself when backpacking. As our three-man tent is just too big and heavy for me to lug, any ideas for a solo shelter that's not too pricey? I've looked at the REI Chrysalis and Kelty Teton 2, both freestanding and under five pounds. Joe Raleigh, North Carolina
In Outside's May 2006 issue (on newsstands April 11), Nando Parrado finally reveals the untold horrors of the Alive survivors’ suffering—and the courage and faith that got them out alive. Here’s a sneak preview of our exclusive excerpt from Parrado’s book Miracle in the Andes, to be published by Crown on May 9.
Where is a good place to stay in Australia's Cape Tribulation without breaking the bank? Karin Olympia, Wa
Read “Oil Spiel” in the May issue of Outside, now on stands, about “peak oil” activist and author James Howard Kunstler, who thinks America and the rest of the world will soon be running on empty. Kunstler isn’t the only one today who thinks global oil supplies are dwindling. A…
I'm doing a science project and need to know if tires with bigger knobbies grip better in mud. Jason San Ron, California
Where can I find a trail-running shoe that does not look like a space shoe or some exotic bird? I want something that looks at home outdoors while serving the needed function. Doug Pocomoke City, Maryland
I'm training as an emergency medical technician for wilderness search and rescue, so looking for a backpack that will give me compartmentalized access to my medical supplies. Any ideas? Daniel Patterson, New York
For the best workout when cycling, is it best to pedal at a higher rpm in a low gear or a lower rpm in a high gear? What are the advantages of each? Somebody in... Chicago, IL
