Bear encounters are not uncommon in the backcountry. Attacks, fortunately, are somewhat rare but can happen when humans encroach into habitats where bears roam. Make yourself big, yell, curl into a ball … most of the suggestions for handling a bear encounter are Hail Mary tips meant for the last resort. Your best option is to avoid Smokeyaltogether. 　　Here are...

　　Bear encounters are not uncommon in the backcountry. Attacks, fortunately, are somewhat rare but can happen when humans encroach into habitats where bears roam. Make yourself big, yell, curl into a ball … most of the suggestions for handling a bear encounter are Hail Mary tips meant for the last resort. Your best option is to avoid Smokey altogether. 　　Here are...

　　Whenever I pack for a fall backpacking or climbing trip, I always go back and forth about whether I should bring one item: a puffy jacket. Carrying one takes up space and adds some (arguably negligible) weight. During shoulder seasons, I often wonder if it’s really worth bothering. 　　After testing the PAKA Mayu Ultralight jacket, however, my internal debate over...

　　You know hunting season has arrived when you wake up and feel the first brisk morning chill of the year. Hunters across the nation begin preparation for not only chasing their hunting dreams but also spending more than a fair share of nights out in the hills. And while some have campers to bring along, most folks are breaking out...

　　Rooftop tents have gained massive traction over the past decade, as theyre fun, comfortable, and convenient. For all of their advantages, however, they can weigh a ton and cost a pretty penny. 　　Thats where Groenberg comes in. The upstart brand is looking to upend the rooftop tent market with the WEEKEND, which it says is the lightest model on the...

　　Tesla vehicles come with essentially zero buttons. But, most of us want actual buttons for common tasks. 　　A Norwegian startup, Greenmission, has a solution for your Tesla button desires. It is trying to launch the second generation of its Tesla OEM-style add-on buttons. The Ctrl-Bar 2 is an accessory that attaches under the Model 3 and Ys center screen, offering...

　　A handful of items live in my backcountry ski pack all season, regardless of where Im going or how long I ski. The list includes a waterproof and windproof shell, Voile ski straps, an avi shovel and probe, a pair of glacier goggles, a bar of skin wax, a hand tool, and, as of last spring, I added the Arcteryx...

　　Snowless winters are a bummer for skiers and riders, but for resort operators, they can spell disaster. Wisconsins Whitecap Mountains Resort (WMR) is learning that harsh truth firsthand. On Nov. 19, the resort, once named the snowiest ski area in the state, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after two consecutive low-snowfall seasons torpedoed its revenue. 　　During the 2022/23 ski...

　　Getting an opportunity at a good deer requires a lot of time in the woods. Sometimes it’s not about how far you can go, but how long you can stay in the tree. It doesn’t matter how light your treestand or saddle is; if it’s not comfortable, you’ll dream up every reason to call it quits early. 　　I’ve had the...

　　For over a century, Buck Knives has been part of our heritage. From farmers working their fields, to soldiers fighting on the front lines, and folks like you and me wandering around in the woods, a Buck knife is part of those stories. However, as someone who writes about knives, this is the first time Buck has been part of...

　　Its not often I seek out trails with puddles and creeks, but thats what you do when testing out low-cut waterproof hiking shoes. Its an important part of my search for a hybrid shoe thats dialed for hikers, and not necessarily for ultra runners. 　　The Oboz Katabatic is a great example of a boot brands take on the hybrid hiking...

　　I was halfway into my 4-hour mountain run in Alaska’s Chugach Range as I crested the next ridge on my route. My run had taken me from sea level, up a 4,000-foot climb in 2 miles, and off-trail into an alpine valley, where another ridgeline, summit, and multi-thousand-foot descent separated me from completing my loop. It was September, and while...