News from the world of exploration and adventure
The news has been making the rounds through the outdoor community today that Ken Knight, a contributing editor at Backpacking Light Magazine, has gone missing on the Appalachian Trail. Knight was last seen hiking near the Punchbowl Mountain area of Virginia last Sunday morning. Knight is an avid and experienced hiker with plenty of trail … Read more
As we sit on the edge of May, you can feel that we’re also on the edge of lots of activity in the Himalaya. Teams are moving up and down Everest, making their last acclimatization runs, and the Sherpas are busy working on the final fixed lines, laying the ground work for plenty of action … Read more
In 1934, Everett Ruess was a wandering artist, writer, and explorer who had an undeniable love for the outdoors and adventure. He was twenty years old when he set off with two burros, into the American South West around the Escalante area of Utah, where he simply vanished, creating one of the greatest mysteries in … Read more
The Hardwear Sessions, official blog of Mountain Hardwear, is reporting that that Ueli Steck and Simon Anthamatten have won one of three 2009 Piolet d’Or awards, given out annually for outstanding accomplishments in mountaineering. The amazing duo took home their prize for their first ascent, in Alpine Style, of the North Face of Tengkampoche, a … Read more
Each spring, just like clockwork, a young man’s (and woman’s!) heart turns to thoughts of sunshine, blooming flowers, and of course new gear! We’re all heading outside to take in the great weather, many of us for the first time in months, and nothing gets you excited about playing outside more than new outdoor equipment. … Read more
When it comes to polar explorers, few measure up to Dixie Dansercoer. The 47-year old Belgian has crossed both Poles, and spent more time in arctic conditions than just about anyone else, and he is also an avid mountaineer and endurance sport athlete. He is also well known for his photography, and has been commissioned … Read more
When it comes to your basic gear for backpacking or camping, I personally think that the most important items are your pack, sleeping bag, and tent. In each case, there are literally hundreds of options to choose from, varying greatly in design, features, and so on, and picking the right one can greatly impact the … Read more
As I noted last week, traveling is a perfect time for catching up on your reading. Long flights and layovers in spartan airports with little to do, makes you appreciate a good book all the more. And when heading to South America, I just had to take along a book I had received a few … Read more
it’s no secret that I’m a big fan of The Rest of Everest, the video podcast that does such an excellent job of showing us the ins and outs of climbing in the Himalaya. While I was out of the country, there were two episodes released, and I’m just now catching up. For some of … Read more
One of the best things about extended travel is that it allows you to catch up on your back reading. That’s just what I did while I was away, and I started with the latest book from Jon Bowermaster entitled Wildebeest in a Rainstorm: Profiles of Our Most Intriguing Adventurers, Conservationists, Shagbags and Wanderers. The … Read more
