Consider this age-old dilemma: you’re at the bottom of a hill, and you want to get to the top. Should you head straight up the steepest slope or switchback back and forth at a gentler incline? The answer depends on the context. If you’re on a marked trail, for example, you should definitely stick to the prescribed switchbacks. But a...

　　Ever come across an incredible hotel that stops you mid-scroll and makes you think, Wow, wouldn’t it be something to stay there? We do, too—all the time. Welcome to Friday Fantasy, where we highlight amazing hotels, lodges, cabins, tents, campsites, and other places perched in perfect outdoor settings. Read on for the intel you need to book an upcoming adventure...

　　After years of steady improvement, the typical new car, truck, and crossover models have started having long-term reliability problems, according to a new study by J.D. Power. You might think of this as the long-term version of “long COVID,” as many of the problems are related to hardware and software issues related to the chip shortages manufacturers faced during the...

　　You read that headline right. Thermoformed touring kayak icon Eddlyline Kayaks has been acquired by Jackson Kayak (JK), best known for its rotomolded whitewater and fishing kayaks. Production and sales of Eddyline Kayaks will move from Seattle to the JK factory in Sparta, Tenn. 　　Jackson Kayak has a deep root in creating and providing jobs here in Sparta, TN. With...

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　　Columbias Winter Sale is winding down but the deals are heating up. Now through February 23, you can save up to 50% on versatile performance layers, jackets, and boots. 　　The sale has been refreshed with new markdowns and deeper discounts on apparel that was already on sale. 　　Check out our favorite deals from this sale with killer savings. Inventories are...

　　Mashing the accelerator on a Mercedes C300, I fly toward the wet pavement on a racetrack in Las Vegas. I push the brake hard and whip the wheel just feet from the corner. Tires squeal and water flies as I quickly jump back on the gas, pushing the car around the tight turn and holding on for dear life. 　　Go,...

　　Ben Schuck spends most of his day in pain. 　　The aches in his hips, feet, and knees are caused by chronic arthritis, and Schuck, who will turn 80 next month, must avoid painkillers due to his history of kidney disease. 　　Instead, Schuck seeks treatment in a certain kind of homeopathy. Every day, Schuck drives from his home in Ventura, California,...

　　Welcome to another week of taking a first look at the coolest, newest outdoor gear on the market. We look for the best and brightest new toys, gadgets, and apparel, and theres no shortage of cool stuff this week. 　　From cycling helmets and ski goggles to backpacking meals and barefoot shoes — weve got something below to pique your interest,...

　　Climbing grades differ by region or even by crag within the same area. Some routes or boulders may be graded by the hardest move, while others feel like they factor in rests. Ultimately, the grade boils down to the perception of the technical difficulty, steepness, and effort needed to clip the chains. 　　Climbers have done their best to keep grading...

　　Few climbs have captured our collective imagination quite like The Dawn Wall. This notoriously difficult route on El Capitan became a crucible for legendary climber Tommy Caldwell, who spent years developing it. 　　When Caldwell and partner Kevin Jorgeson finally ascended the entire route in 2015, their triumph became a seminal moment in the history of rock climbing. It has only...

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