Things are not going well for Woody. 　　The 50-year-old retired cop is thirsty and exhausted, and his attempts to spark a campfire using a ferro rod have failed miserably. Now, Woody cant boil his drinking water. He stands in his barren campsite and raises a canteen filled with untreated pond water to his lips. Lord, please dont let me get...

　　Few things make sleeping more difficult than the nightly hijinks of drunk musicians. 　　I used to spend several months on the road every year touring with a band, and the most difficult part by far was simply getting some shut-eye. My ultimate solution involved covering my eyes with a bandana, and — more importantly — shoving whatever pair of hard plastic...

　　After its invention in 1969, the waterproof material called GORE-TEX became a household name in outdoor gear. Now, the iconic company behind that invention is facing allegations about toxic chemicals in its apparel. 　　W. L. Gore Associates, Inc., the Delaware-based company that owns the GORE-TEX brand, is being sued in a class-action lawsuit over claims it misled consumers that all...

　　Aspen isnt just some mountain town in the Sawatch Range of Colorado. While fewer than 7,000 residents call it home, Aspen is known around the world as a destination for recreation, splendor, and affluence. It may not cater to everyone, but for those with discerning, high-class taste, the word Aspen rings with posh exclusivity. 　　Too much? Its hard not to...

　　Last year was a dream for astronomy enthusiasts like me, with brilliant low-latitude auroras, a total solar eclipse, and a bright comet that was easily visible to the naked eye. The good news is I’m just as excited for stargazing in 2025. 　　North America will enjoy an exceptional cadence of astronomical sights every season, starting with a buzzed-about planet parade...

　　Just one more hit! I yell over my shoulder. Im out of breath, sprinting up a knee-deep bootpack, my heart rate spiking through the roof. The lift I need to catch to get out of this back bowl is minutes from closing, and I dont want the ski patrol to chew me out. It’s a stormy, wet afternoon, too, and...

　　Forget roses. I don’t need chocolate. And the last thing I want to do for Valentine’s Day is go out to an overpriced prix fixe dinner. What I want for Valentine’s Day, and what I think is the most valuable gift from one partner to another, is to spend quality time together in the great outdoors. Time outside together is...

　　Athletes, take note: Although you already know that the best way to release tension is stretching, you may need a reminder that research increasingly supports the fact that practicing stretches after a workout can literally minimize your aches and pains after resistance training of any sort. 　　Your stretching routine doesn’t need to be particularly long or involved to be effective....

　　Traditionally, staying safe on outdoor adventures has meant purchasing expensive GPS devices, and then paying even more for insurance covering costly rescues. 　　But the status quo is changing fast. 　　An expanded subscription service may offer the cheapest way to ensure financial coverage of backcountry rescues. With its global launch today, Overwatch x Rescue (OxR) is the first SOS plan to...

　　The original version of this article appeared on ExplorersWeb. 　　The federal hiring freeze initiated by President Donald Trump could have consequences reaching all the way to North Americas highest peak. Unless something changes, the search-and-rescue team at Alaska’s Denali National Park will be reduced by 50%. Thats because half of the parks rescuers are seasonal workers affected by Trumps plan...

　　The first time Reagan Goodwyn led a climb, she was four years old. My son is also four, and sometimes I still wipe his butt. 　　But Reagan—and her family—inhabit a different realm than us mortals. Reagan, her parents, and her three little siblings live in a van. All the kids (except the almost two-year-old) climb. And most mind-boggling of all:...

　　If you’ve ever lost a fish because of a bad knot, you know the heartbreak. One second, you’re reeling in what might be a personal best, and the next — poof — your line snaps, and your dreams of bragging rights vanish into the water. 　　The right fishing knot isn’t just about securing your bait or lure; it’s also about...