We emerged from the weathered high-mountain hut with the sunrise. As the sun poked through a jagged arête on the Mont Blanc massif, a new challenge emerged as I shouldered the door open through the snow drift that had grown behind it. 　　The previous night’s rainstorm gave way to a major September snowstorm. A thick blanket of new snow sparkled...

　　Search and rescue. Veterans support. Animal welfare. Outdoor access. These are some of the critical issues that strengthen communities and reflect our deepest-held values. The challenge? Nonprofits are often on the front line of supporting these causes, and to do their heroic work, they’re in need of resources and funding themselves. 　　Enter the Defender Service Awards Presented by Chase. Now...

　　Most of the vehicles displayed in the booths at Overland Expo West are showpieces. They’ve been built to catch your eye and highlight the newest gear. There’s nothing wrong with these adventure rigs—they’re works of art that any overlander would be excited to drive. But, because they sit at the very top of the overland gear pyramid, they don’t exactly...

　　For hikers, every day is leg day—which makes mastering the best stretches for hiking an essential step. 　　Hiking uses your gluteal muscles, quadriceps, hamstrings and calves, and requires sturdiness of all the joints—ankles, feet, hips, and knees. Carrying a pack can create tension in your neck and using hiking poles can cause your arms to become sore. 　　Fortunnaely, targeted stretching...

　　Retrospec is a U.S.-based brand that makes getting outside more accessible to more people through fun and affordable bikes and outdoor gear. Retrospec’s products often have proven, back-to-basics designs with an emphasis on durable components. 　　Known primarily for its bicycles and electric bikes, Retrospec also makes outdoor gear like paddleboards and longboards. There’s room for fun, too. The brand recently...

　　Montana Knife Company is reaching back into its roots with the upcoming Traditions Collection. This drop blends classic design with modern performance and serves as a tribute to the generational bond forged in the field, in the shop, and around the skinning pole. 　　The lineup includes some of MKC’s most sought-after models. These are familiar blades for longtime fans, known...

　　On Wednesday, May 28, Colorado Senator John Hickenlooper stood alongside state congressman John Neguse near the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. The two lawmakers spoke about the ongoing fight to protect public lands and the federal agencies that oversee them. 　　Neguse, 41, recently introduced two bills—called Protect Our Parks and Save Our Forests respectively—that would reinstate the thousands of...

　　If you’re a regular reader of this column or have followed my adventures over the years, you’ve no doubt realized that I have a habit of changing adventure rigs quite often. My wife says I have a problem, but I think it’s fun to try new camping rigs and, as with most other outdoor gear, constantly tweak and dial them...

　　Hiking mountains on psychedelic mushrooms can be a bad idea. On May 24, at 9 a.m., 911 dispatchers in New York received a strange call from two hikers who were on Cascade Mountain in the Adirondacks. The hikers reported that their friend had died on the mountain and they needed help. An ambulance was dispatched to the trailhead, and rangers...

　　The Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA) issued a notice last week warning hikers to be on alert. According to the post, bear-hiker encounters are rising on the trail, specifically on portions south of the High Sierra. Incidents included food theft, persistent camp visits, and bold bear approaches. 　　Hikers call the area near Mt. Whitney bear country, but the PCTA urges...

　　Since I began hiking and camping as a kid, I have always carried a lot of stuff with me. Even on day hikes, it wasn’t uncommon for me to bring a 25L to 32L pack, stuffed to the brim. Over the years, though, I have trimmed the fat out of my packs. I have been able to scale back their...

　　The folks at Weatherby have been busy. The latest release, the Model 307 Alpine ST, blends lightweight performance with modularity and magnum-grade firepower. At just under two grand, this new rifle enters the lightweight backcountry market with a carbon fiber stock, spiral fluted steel, and a promise to tame even the hardest-kicking magnums. 　　While we haven’t put it through the...