The blissed out, swell chasing surfer with a single-minded focus on the next great ride is a pervasive outdoorsy archetype that’s completely at odds with the lived experience of many surfers. Take historian Kevin Dawon, a professor at UC Merced, for whom surfing serves as his connection to a rich tradition of African aquatic culture. Dawson is credited with resurfacing...

　　Ski season is around the corner, and as people weigh which pass to buy, Alterra Mountain Company is expanding its Ikon offerings. On August 26, the resort corporation announced that it was adding five new mountains to its pass in Italys Valle d’Aosta region for the 2025/26 season. 　　The addition of these resorts brings the total number of destinations on...

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　　About three hours after I tomahawked halfway down Central Couloir, the steepest and most visible line in Jackson Hole Mountain Resort’s sidecountry, the doctor in the emergency room at St. John’s Health asked if I had seen the video. 　　“He’s joking,” I said to my daughter. 　　“I’m not joking,” he responded. “I also work for Search and Rescue. Do you...

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　　Rain was imminent, maybe 20 minutes away, and Id just arrived at camp. With no time to waste, I upended the stuff sack and unrolled the tent — not a single pole or stake to be found. 　　Instead, I plugged in an automatic air pump, flipped the switch, and as it whirred to life, I watched my Rise AirNEST tent...

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　　With the drive mode dial turned to sport, I bury the accelerator. A futuristic ascending digital tone emanates as the Macan Electric shoves me to the seatback and speeds quickly approach triple digits. The tone comes courtesy of a $510 Porsche electric sport sound option. But the pull comes standard from the rear-mounted electric motor. Welcome to the future. 　　All...

　　Like the Opinel No.08 Inox, the Morakniv Companion’s excellence owes largely to its paltry price. At $16, you could afford it with money from a kids paper route. But most importantly, the Morakniv Companion punches way beyond its price tag when it comes to performance and quality. 　　Realistically, youd have to pay three times as much to find a knife...

　　The Outer Banks of North Carolina is known for its stunning coastlines and iconic lighthouses—but theres far more to discover beyond the postcard views. What truly sets this string of islands apart is the spirit of the people who call it home. 　　From artists and farmers to weather forecasters and builders, the Outer Banks’ vibrant culture is shaped by the...

　　When I saw a heavy storm in the forecast for my upcoming trip to British Columbia, I knew Id need a lengthy womens winter jacket to handle the squall. But I didnt have a ton of space. My solution? I stuffed the REI Co-op Norseland Down Parka into my bag. 　　Id been using the long coat on ice-cold dog walks...

　　When I invited my friend Sarah to join me in trying sensory deprivation tanks, as invented in 1954 by a so-called “consciousness researcher” named John C. Lilly, I saw a flash of understanding on her big-eyed face. She pulled up, on her phone, a vintage movie poster with the words: UNWITTINGLY, HE TRAINED A DOLPHIN TO KILL THE PRESIDENT OF...