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Favorite Gear for Spring 2012
GreatOutdoors.com staff members spend as much time in the out of doors as possible, so they take their outdoor equipment seriously. Here are a few favorite pieces of gear that we've tested and know will serve us well during the upcoming season as the weather finally breaks. We've gone from the Bugaboos to Arches National Park, from the Sierra to Big Bend to preview the latest in backcountry equipment and clothing.
Top Stories
Camping & Hiking
Waterton: The Quiet Jewel of Canada's Rockies
Tucked between Banff National Park to the north, and Glacier National Park to the south, sparsely visited Waterton Lakes National Park sits astride a narrow waist of the Rocky Mountains, where the high peaks don't bother with foothills, where the bear mojo is more intense than even Denali, and there’s more species of wildflowers than in Jasper and Banff combined.
Classic Hikes of the World
An excerpt from Peter Potterfield's new book on the world's best hiking routes, including the Grand Canyon, Kungsleden, McGonagall Pass, Routeburn Track and the Wonderland Trail.
Hiking the Teton Crest Trail
One of America's most iconic backcountry routes, the Teton Crest Trail takes backpackers into the heart of the spectacular Grand Tetons, and comes with enough route options to make for a weekend or a week-long adventure that will prove unforgettable.
Travel
Patagonia: Cure for Winter Blues
For backcountry travelers yearning for warm sunshine and green meadows, the rolling wilderness at the foot of Argentina's Fitz Roy group offers up world class hiking and a travel bargain to boot.
Climbing
No Shortcuts to the Top
A conversation with Ed Viesturs, and an excerpt from his new book on
his ascent of the world's 14 highest peaks without supplemental oxygen.
Snowsports
Cycling
A Cycling Odyssey Through India
Come along with our correspondent on an epic 4,000 kilometer journey by bicycle through the countryside of India, from Agra to its southern tip. Here, unexpected hazards--such as dangerous roads and being trampled by elephants--are more than balanced by interactions with the locals in the context of this exotic culture as it evolves mile by mile, region by region.
Paddling
The High-Adventure High Life at Lake Chelan
From hiking to kayaking to mountain biking, the unique combination of mountains and water at Washington state's Lake Chelan creates unrivalled access to outdoor activities--months before the surrounding Cascades melt out. Outdoor fun combined with the civilized pleasures and fine dining of the world-class wineries make Washington state's Lake Chelan the perfect venue for early season adventures.
Running
Around Mount St. Helens in One Day
Where in the Northwest can you experience a full spectrum of spectacular landscape? From rain forest to desert, from canyons to riverbeds, from alpine meadows to volcanic blast zones, here's a 30-mile trail run you'll never forget.
Photography
Images from the Wild Side
Photographing the Historic Winter Solstice Lunar Eclipse
The recent lunar eclipse was the first Winter Solstice full lunar eclipse since 1638, and Fletcher Jackson of Eastern Oregon was prepared to capture it in all its glory. Jackson, who lives near Bend, took advantage of clear, cold weather and his considerable photograph skills to produce this stunning image of the eclilpse.
Art Wolfe Photographs Patagonia's Fitz Roy Massif
Join us in this ongoing series as GreatOutdoors.com showcases photographer Art Wolfe's world-wide expeditions as he films his PBS series, Travels to the Edge. For this gallery, Art gives us a glimpse of the fantastic landscape at the tip of South America, Argentine Patagonia and the Fitz Roy Massif.
An Eclectic Take on Our Natural World
For Deborah Harrington, the natural world is much more than a venue for adventure. Her images capture the moments when light and composition converge to give us a broader view, from the wings of a butterly to the subtleties of dawn light on a mountain range.
© 2011 GreatOutdoors.com
