How does Erik Weihenmayer, the first blind person to summit Mount Everest, use sound to “see” his next hold when rock climbing? What does it feel like to slackline between a pair of hot-air balloons floating thousands of feet above the earth? And how does Quannah Chasinghorse’s connection to traditional ways of experiencing the natural world help her balance her...

　　In 2019, a Nepali mountaineer and rescue specialist named Gesman Tamang led a team of six onto 27,838-foot Makalu to recover the body of a climber who had died in the so-called “death zone” above 26,000 feet. On their ascent, one of the team members, a Nepali soldier named Narayan Singh, showed signs of altitude sickness. Tamang encouraged Singh to...

　　Consider two runners who, in lab testing, have identical values for VO2 max, running economy, and lactate threshold. These are the three quantities in the “standard model” of endurance performance; you can plug them into an equation to calculate your expected marathon time. So who will win the race? 　　The question is not as hypothetical as it seems. At the...

　　If you spend a lot of time outdoors, you already know the importance of protecting your skin from the sun. But despite what you may see in your feed, the best sunblock doesn’t come in a bottle. If you want reliable protection from the sun that you never have to reapply, you need to wear it. As a river-loving father...

　　Youd be forgiven for thinking Helinox only makes camp furniture. The South Korean brand is virtually synonymous with lightweight, packable chairs, tables, and cots that assemble like freestanding tents. 　　What you might not know is that across the pond (the really big pond) in Japan, Korea, and elsewhere, Helinox is also known for its tents and shelters. 　　But this week,...

　　Motorcycle gloves help protect your hands and digits if you eat it off your bike. Beyond protection, a great motorcycle glove needs to be easy to pull on and remove. The shape is articulated for your hand, so you dont need to work as hard when gripping the handlebar or working the clutch and brake lever. Gloves provide armoring on...

　　From mid-ride hydration mixes to ride-saving tools to simple storage solutions, we’ve gathered a selection of the best bike accessory needs and wants to make the most of your next ride. Looking for a new kit that will keep you airy and comfy over hundreds of miles? An activity tracker that delivers real-time ride data? A handheld massage tool for...

　　By the time Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary reached the summit of Mount Everest in May of 1953, the British had been trying to climb it for 31 years. This was the country’s ninth expedition, in addition to two reconnaissance flyovers commissioned by England’s wealthy elite in the 1930s. Meanwhile, several other countries had been trying to find their...

　　I remember going into my parents attic, where my mom stores all the dress-up clothes. There were plenty of old dresses, hats, wool pants, and wool flannels. Most of that apparel had been worn by my parents, grandparents, and even great-grandparents over the years. 　　The wool pants and flannels were too itchy and heavy for playtime. As I got older,...

　　Life gives us many reasons to turn to caffeine for energy. But coffee feels especially potent when given to a campsite full of exhausted, muscle-sore hikers. 　　And as a coffee addict myself, Ive grown to accept that a preference for good coffee has slowly crept up on me over the years. While Ill drink an instant Nescafe, Id still prefer...

　　Hundreds of climbers and guides are venturing onto the worlds highest peak this month for the chance to spend a precious few moments on the summit. Our coverage of the mountaineering season in the Himalayas will encompass the climbs, rescues, records, and controversy on Everest. Veteran reporter and National Geographic Explorer Ben Ayers is leading our coverage alongside Nepali journalist...