Most hikers look forward to unplugging on the trail. But there are times, especially on a thru-hike or long backpacking trip, that seeing a bar or two pop up in a remote area is a welcome surprise. It means we can call home and let...
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It’s the most wonderful time of the year—Outdoor Retailer Winter Market! The Wasatch is covered in a blanket of snow, the attendees are sporting knit hats and plaid shirts, and all the newest winter gear is on display. Whether this will be your first or your fifth...
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Happy 2017, fellow adventurers! Can we all agree to take a collective sigh of relief and vow to make this year better than the last? Breathe in the mountain air, breathe out the doldrums of 2016. If you haven’t already started, now is a great time...
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The Arizona Trail (AZT), one of only 11 official National Scenic Trails in the country, is an 800-plus-mile stretch, spanning north-south from the US-Mexico border to Utah. Along the way, a diverse population of hikers, backpackers, cyclists, trail runners, trail builders, nature enthusiasts, cross-country skiers,...
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It's December 22nd. Three days before Hanukkah and Christmas. You still haven't finished shopping for gifts for your loved ones. Maybe you're a procrastinator (I know I am). Maybe you've been in bed with the flu. Or maybe you just don't know what to buy. Luckily,...
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The first 100 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail are often a heady mix of desert views, strong winds, rattlesnakes, long stretches without water, and free apple pie. As you start to plan your 2017 PCT hike, here are a few things to anticipate along Section...
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2017 sounds like a great year to cross "summiting Mount Whitney" off your bucket list. And since you probably want to maximize your chances of summiting, you have to time your trip just right. In the Sierra Nevada, the absolute best conditions generally exist during July and...
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Black Friday: once a day filled with leftovers and friends and lounging on the couch, it has morphed into a bloodbath full of stampeding shoppers fighting over Furbys (or whatever is this year's hottest toy). Last year, REI took a stand against the increasingly oppressing consumerism...
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Thanksgiving is the time to fill your home with family, friends, and delicious food. But then you have dishes to wash, leftovers spilling out of the fridge, and relatives scattered about in a food coma. Why not do Thanksgiving a little differently this year and move...
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Yes, you can make pastry in the backcountry—all you need is a round water bottle for a rolling pin and a large ziplock freezer bag for rolling out the dough. It isn’t messy, and freshly baked pie is a real treat. This recipe from A...
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