Outside Summer 2021

Tales of Obsession Our winter issue featured stories on Apple’s forays into fitness, a writer’s quest to do 100 wheelies per day for a month, and a missing park ranger. However, it was Daniel Duane’s profile of Joshua Skenes, a chef with an ultra-exclusive Washington ranch, that elicited the strongest reactions. A vanished rebel ranger and those obsessed with finding him. A story about a fantasy resort that somehow ends up being about conservation. A woman who knows how to master a skill and inspires us all to get out and practice. And then: the tale of Skenes Ranch, which had me eye-rolling almost to the end, when I started to drool. The whole issue prods us toward obsession, reminding us that it can be fatuous or hedonistic, yes, but is also…

Noob Beginnings This summer’s edition of Outside is unlike any issue we’ve ever produced, not because we’ve thrown out the usual architecture and departments—we’ve done that several times in the past—but because the entire idea was the direct result of reader feedback. Several years ago, when our digital team was redesigning Outside Online, we gathered a diverse panel of Outside readers to help us better understand our audience. A lot of this research confirmed things we’d always believed—you’re passionate about our longform storytelling, are obsessed with gear, and look to us for comprehensive advice on travel and fitness. But one thing took us by surprise: the majority of you desire more beginner content and tips for getting started in adventure sports. We always imagined that our audience was made up mostly…

“THERE’S SOMETHING WEIRDLY LIFE-AFFIRMING ABOUT GETTING THROUGH THESE MOMENTS OF STRUGGLE.” IT WAS LATE 2013. Explorers Ben Saunders and Tarka L’Herpiniere were on the return segment of their pioneering round-trip journey, on foot, from Ross Island to the South Pole, when desperation set in. Amid a ferocious blizzard, with temperatures dipping to minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit, their energy was flagging, and they didn’t have enough food to ride out the storm. Saunders made a fateful command decision—he called for a resupply. This would forever add a footnote to the expedition (it was now “supported”), but it probably saved their lives. Saunders was no polar novice, but in setting out to achieve what had never been accomplished, he was in virgin territory. Which raises the point that sometimes even pros are basically beginners.…

Keep a Paper Trail A paper map and a compass are the most reliable navigation tools for unfamiliar terrain. Before you set out, write down your itinerary and estimated return time. Leave a copy in your car, and send one to a friend. Stay Warm Weather can change quickly, especially when you’re hiking at altitude. Pack a rain jacket and a warm midlayer, such as a puffy or a wool sweater. And don’t forget a space blanket. In an emergency, this heat-reflective piece of plastic can stave off hypothermia. Fuel Up PB&Js and trail mix are classics, but my favorite hiking snack is onigiri—Japanese rice balls with various fillings. (I like smoked fish and pickled plums.) Make sure to balance carbohydrates, protein, and salt, and always bring more than you think you’ll need. Occupy Your Mind Even…

MY JOURNEY to loving running was a tortuous one. It began at my small high school in Portland, Oregon, where the cross-country coach, often too short on athletes to field a competitive team, would poach members of the soccer team for important races. During my junior year, I was one of those reluctant recruits, and over the course of a half-dozen races I learned two lessons. The first was that I was reasonably fast but would never be a podium threat. The second? That running sucks. I realize that statement doesn’t exactly square with the headline of this essay, but bear with me. After 25 years of lacing up my foam-cushioned shoes and heading out the door nearly every morning, I think I’ve collected a decent amount of wisdom about the…

a. Get a Bike with Some Squish When it comes to buying your first mountain bike, the long-prevailing wisdom has been to get a hardtail. Proponents of this will tell you that riding a bike without rear suspension forces you to develop better skills. Don’t fall for it. Yes, back in the day, people rode the local rock pile on fully rigid bikes with their saddles wedged into their bellies. They picked lines very carefully and developed solid fundamentals—if they stuck with the sport. The operative word being if. Because when bikes were less squishy, mountain biking was harder. And less fun. For most riders—especially new ones—suspension improves the experience. It soaks up bumps, giving you more confidence on descents. It makes the ride more forgiving, so you can go longer before you…