Articles

It can be called chinook, foehn, or zonda. Winds that flow over mountains and onto the plains are usually strong, but warm and dry.In the middle of winter, however, if the temperature doesn’t rise dramatically, most winds are just...

For the last 10 years, Miranda Oakley’s endless enthusiasm for rock climbing has taken her all over the world. Just last year she completed a 27-hour solo ascent of El Capitan, put up an FA in northern Patagonia (5.12c)...

Busy lives can yield big backcountry results if you do it right. Because discipline leads to freedom, we know that 9-to-5ers are versed in managing time if they expect to nail it on their weekend excursions. Knowing all the ins...

Summertime, when our attention finally turns to barbecues, ball games…and bivies. Yes—those lightweight sleep-overs, with pared down packs and long routes ahead. Lightweight need not mean poor sleep, though, and with a little planning, you can get some good...

Unlike Pocatello’s ski mountaineering champ Luke Nelson – who believes that there is not bad weather, just soft people – I value 10 fingers and toes and prefer to lay low when temps drop below -13 F (-25 C) and wind chill takes...

Did you hear that it snowed in 49 of the 50 States one day recently?  It’s cold out.  When the temperature gets down into the single digits, frostbite occurs easily.  If you are participating in an activity, like skiing,...

A good topographic map can save your life – or at the very least your outdoor adventure – providing you can interpret what it has to say. Here are six things you should know about topographic maps:DateWhen you first open a topographic...

Tracks in the snow are an unavoidable sign of human presence in the middle of winter. Fortunately, they’ll disappear with the next snowfall, windstorm, or after a few day of hot sun.Energy bar wrappers and metal strips from wax...

I know it’s a sin, but I love carbs. The thought of going a day without bread is a sad one for me. Finding the right bread to take backpacking can be a bit of a challenge – but...

He was wrapping up a backcountry patrol weekend, coming down the last leg of the trail when a bear cub came racing around the corner. He scrambled for the bear spray before momma joined her offspring – and then...