Forming the ideal spitball, firing the propane, perfecting the Miss America wave—and other mind-expanding ways to spend your vacation

On the crisp and still snowy slopes of Deer Valley, Utah, last week, 30-some bike industry manufacturers rolled out their 2012 product lines for a select group of journalists. There was all manner of innovation, but wind-cheating aero bikes and electronic gadgets focused on affordability and convergence were the biggest…

Frank Quan at China Camp Village  Photo: Mary Catherine O'Connor I found Frank Quan at a picnic bench, just off the beach, as the waters of San Pablo Bay lapped gently on the shore. It was an unseasonably warm, windless April afternoon and Quan was sitting in China Camp…

This week, the majority of the 2010 expeditions are working theirway up the Khumbu towards Everest Base Camp on the south side. Permitsand visas have now been issued for north teams and they have leftKathmandu, crossed the boarder and are already in Tingri and otherTibetan villages.We can expect to…

Photographer Cory Richards Climber-slash-photographer-slash-filmmaker-slash-humanitarian Cory Richards won this year's Rowell Award from the American Alpine Club. The organization honors a great adventure photographer in memory of Galen and Barbara Rowell, who died in a plane crash in 2002, every year. There's a summary attached below from the American Alpine…

I'm looking for a pair of high-waisted waterproof-breathable pants for snowshoeing and skiing this winter. The Arc'Teryx Theta LTs are ideal, but at $350 the price is prohibitive. I did find a pair of Flight Pants from Mountain Equipment Co-op for about US$200. I've always been tempted by MEC's gear, but I worry about the relative durability of an equivalent piece that saves $150. Do you have any experience with the quality of the LTs' construction? Matt Seattle, Washington

Week of February 14-21, 1996 Camping at Point Reyes Seashore, CA Alabama backpacking destination The new Crater Lake Lodge Camping on Florida’s barrier islands Bike touring Nova Scotia and the Maritimes Exploring Puerto Rico’s rainforest Bike touring Nova Scotia and the Maritimes…

Researchers wield the collection trawl  Photo: Stiv Wilson Despite what you might have heard, there are no huge, visually striking debris fields of plastic shopping bags and PET bottles swirling around the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. But if that's the good news, the bad news is much worse: there…

Week of November 28-December 4, 1996 Active getaway to Kauai Rock-climbing in Thailand Crested Butte a good early-season choice Kayak camping on Lake Mead Out-of-the-way trails in the Ozarks Rock-climbing in Thailand Question: I am looking to trip through Thailand/Asia and am aware…

You're ready to act on those good intentions, but how do you know the organizations you're backing deserve your trust? Here are the 30 best—smartly managed groups with transparent financials, efficient spending, and track records of on-the-ground success.