GreatOutdoors.com: inspire, equip, connect and GO

Andrew McLean at the Great Outdoors Retail Store

GreatOutdoors.com Staff — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 20:51:19 -0800

In December, 2011, the GreatOutdoors retail store in Bend opened its lecture series with an appearance by world-renowned skier Andrew Mclean. Andrew arrived from his home in Salt Lake City to do two separate presentations: one by invitation only, and another on Saturday, December 3,which drew a near capacity crowd to gather around the big screen to hear the presentation.

Mclean, just returned from Antarctica, regaled the audience with images and video from not only the just-completed Antarctica trip, but another trip he made doing first descents in Alaska, and yet another ski journey to the wilds of Arctic Europe near Spitzbergen. Once called by Powder Magazine the greatest skier of all time, McLean did not disappoint those who came to hear his remarks. His images and lecture about the joys of skiing in remote places resonated with the other skiers in the crowd.

It was fitting that McLean was the inaugural presenter at the Bend retail store, as he also serves as GreatOutdoors.com ski correspondent, writing about everything from skiing at his home resorts near Park City, Utah, to describing what it was like being featured in the iconic ski film, Steep. And, while skiing in Alaska to make first descents, McLean reported in daily to GreatOutdoors.com on the action by satellite telephone.

Few mountain athletes have matched McLean's accomplishments. His career highlights include:

-First Descents on all seven continents
-Skiing off the top of Denali
-Kite-skiing and couloir crushing on Baffin Island
-Climbing 5 routes on El Cap

Store

enochp — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:04:16 -0800

Address: 320 SW Century Drive, Bend, Oregon 97702
Phone: (541) 316-3900
Email: BendRetailStore@greatoutdoors.com

Winter Hours: Mon-Fri 7:00am to 8:00pm, Sat 8:00am to 6:00pm, Sun 10:00am to 5:00pm

Locally owned and operated, we’re conveniently located in Century Park near Safeway, Starbucks and Pilot Butte Burgers West in Bend, Oregon. We invite you to stop in and try on the latest in Gear, Footwear and Clothing styles before you make the decision to buy. And if we don’t have your particular color or style, we can have it sent directly from our warehouse in nearby Redmond - free of charge so you get it next day in-store or at your doorstep! That’s the kind of service you’ll get from the folks who enjoy playing in the outdoors as much as you. Check us out on your way to or from Bachelor, or browse our full assortment online at Altrec.com.

In-Store Specials:

Stop in for Daily Deals on ski wear, snowboard gear and more
1000's of additional styles & colors available next day from our warehouse.
Free Local Shipping to your house or in-store pick up.

Featuring the latest from brands like:

Flying High in the Bugaboos

peterp — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:00:20 -0800

As we continue hiking south along rugged Grizzly Ridge, the spectacular heart of the Bugaboo Range draws ever nearer. The iconic peaks of Bugaboo Spire and Snowpatch Spire rise regally above the emerald green chasm of the Vowell Valley, showing more than 4,000 feet of relief. This 15 mile stretch of trail-less ridge crest may be one of the finest ridge walks in western Canada. And the best thing about this airy traverse is that it seems to go on forever, the view growing more sublime with each boot step.

Finally, at a minor summit along the many undulations in Grizzly Ridge, our guide Kellie points down to a small flat spot a few hundred feet below. "That's our pick up point," she tells our group of six fit hikers who have come from every corner of North America. "We've done the entire ridge route, and that's rare. Time to head for the lodge." Pulling out her radio, Kellie lets the Bugaboo Lodge helicopter pilot, Chad, know that we have reached the end of the trail.

In short order, the unmistakable drumbeat of the big Bell 212 reverberates among the peaks, heralding the appearance of the helicopter in the familiar red and white livery of Canadian Mountain Holidays. Chad deftly touches down on the ridge crest, and the six of us and Kellie pile in the big flying machine (we are old hands at safe and proper loading by now). In less than 15 minutes we're already enjoying a cold brew from the roof top hot tub of the company's Bugaboo Lodge. There's no escaping the obvious: even hard-core hikers eventually give in to the massive appeal of this kind of treatment. I'm thinking: it's truly irresistible. I could get used to this.

Passion for Fun at Silver Star

Gordy Skoog — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:13:22 -0800

Searching for life’s inspiration, I find myself crossing the border into Canada at Osoyoos (O’sue:ews). I’m heading for the northern confines of the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia to challenge my skills in a Nordic Boot Camp at Silver Star Resort. Revered by enthusiasts, the mountain is known for its Interior BC feather-light powder, and a season that kicks off 3 weeks earlier than most in the region. For 4-6 weeks starting in November Nordic Camps attract skiers of all of ages, some with skills that range up to National Team and Olympic caliber. At an elevation of 6,000, Silver Star makes for the perfect aerobic training ground, which was the launching point for many hopefuls during the 2010 Olympics at Whistler/Blackcomb.

An easy flight from Seattle (1 hr) or Vancouver (38 min), I’ve chosen to drive in order to immerse myself in the visual impact of the country-side. A valley that in the summer months reflects the far northern reaches of the Sonoran Life Zone, it includes semi-desert landscape species found nowhere else in Canada. The Okanagan is considered by many the Napa Valley of Canada, and called by locals the Wine Country Center of the World. As I make my way past the towns of Oliver, Penticton (home of the Canadian Ironman), Summerland and Kelowna it’s obvious that wine flourishes here as every side road boasts a vineyard or Estate Winery, some which appear to end at someone’s home grown garage.

Silver Star Resort – Passion for Fun!

gordys — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 11:21:03 -0800

An Iceland Grand Tour

Adam Jaquette — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 09:03:40 -0800

Photographer Adam Jaquette shows us the wild side to Iceland in this collection of images. "What struck me about Iceland ," he said, "was the stark beauty of the country and the diversity of the countryside. Over the course of one day, we hiked with puffins on the sea cliffs, walked beaches littered with ice, and explored waterfalls in lush, green hills. Iceland is a place where nature still rules and visitors must respect it."

Jaquette is a professional author and educator who spends much of his time traveling the globe. He has traveled and photographed extensively through Asia, Europe, and North America, specializing in hiking and scuba diving. His photographs have appeared in numerous publications.

"When capturing my images, " Jaquette said, "I look to find the feel and mood of a particular landscape. I look to sum up the real experience in one frame in a way which beckons others to want to visit. When trying to capture wildlife, I try to focus on the animal's face. Our eyes are drawn to faces and it is how we relate to these wild animals in human terms."

The Will to Climb

peterp — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 10:43:11 -0800

After making three separate attempts over five years to climb Nepal's 26,545-foot Annapurna, Ed Viesturs successfully reached the summit in 2005. The storied peak was more than just another 8,000-meter summit. For Viesturs, it was the fourteenth, and final, peak at that landmark altitude that he had climbed without supplemental oxygen.

His quest to climb all fourteen of the world's highest peaks--what he called Endeavor 8,000--was finally over. But more than five years later, Viesturs still marveled at the difficulty of climbing Annapurna, and the fine line between commitment and obsession required to reach the top. So he decided to write a book, The Will to Climb.

"I wasn't interested in rehashing what had happened," Viesturs told GreatOutdoors.com, "but I did want to delve deeply into the mental process required to overcome a challenge like that. And not just for me. The mountain has been the venue for landmark expeditions for more than fifty years. I wanted to tell those stories, too, some of which are virtually unknown, and to see what could be learned from the totality of those extreme efforts made on that very dangerous mountain. I found common themes."

Art Wolfe Previews the Travels to the Edge Episode on Madagascar

GreatOutdoors.com Staff — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 10:51:08 -0700

As part of his ongoing collaboration with GreatOutdoors.com, photographer Art Wolfe previews another segment from his award-winning PBS series, Travels to the Edge with Art Wolfe. This time, Art takes us to mysterious Madagascar off the coast of Africa.

Art Wolfe Photographs the Mysterious Island of Madagascar

GreatOutdoors.com Staff — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 10:47:16 -0700

In this episode of Travels to the Edge with Art Wolfe, Art travels to mysterious Madagascar. Eighty million years ago, Madagascar split off from Africa. Separated from the mainland, the sturdy and lucky creatures that reached Madagascar’s shores intact took off on a wild and bizarre evolutionary journey. Art documents Madagascar’s most famous inhabitants: it’s a who’s who of the weird and wonderful, including dancing sifakas, rainbow-colored chameleons, a forest of upside-down trees and a spiny desert. See Art’s video introduction to this program.

GreatOutdoors Retail Store in Bend, Oregon

GreatOutdoors.com staff — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 10:53:54 -0700

Online retailer Altrec.com opened its first GreatOutdoors retail store in Bend, Oregon, in mid-October. The venue highlights the unique arrangement between the Altrec.com warehouse and the store, resulting in what amounts to the largest selection of outdoor gear and clothing in Central Oregon. Customers will be able to try on and examine the latest gear, clothing and outerwear in the store. To ensure availability of just the right size and color, the entire inventory of Altrec's vast warehouse will be available to store customers for overnight delivery. Sports categories include snowboarding, skiing, running, camping, hiking and more.

Wind River Odyssey

peterp — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 16:33:31 -0700

Wilderness excursions don't always go exactly according to plan. Weather and conditions can mean a quick shift to Plan B. When things do go wrong on a backcountry trip, it can be annoying, but in certain situations the change of plans is not always a bad thing. That's what I learned on a recent foray into the stunning Wind River Range earlier this season.

Having just done the Teton Crest Trail a few years ago, I was eager to sample Wyoming's other signature range, the Wind Rivers. Multiple locations there are worthy of exploration, but it was the legendary Cirque of the Towers, a remote mountain bowl harboring a cluster of 12,000 foot peaks-- including Pingora, the Watch Tower, and Wolf's Head--that had long beckoned me. But 2011 was an epic snow year in the Winds, and no one was coming in over Big Sandy Pass, the usual route, in early season. That meant approaching from the east side, up the North Fork of the Popo Agie River, where no high passes block the route between the road's end and Cirque of the Towers.

And when I learned that a local rancher, whose family has been running pack trips in the vicinity for decades, offered hikers the opportunity to have the majority of their camp transported by stock animal, I was intrigued. When Jim at the Diamond 4 Ranch confirmed he could "spot" a camp for me and my party, we were convinced to give this slightly unconventional approach a try. At the very least we would learn something about horse packing. "The issue," Jim said, "is snowmelt. The rivers are running higher than I've ever seen them here, so I can't guarantee to get you in there in early July."

Images from the Wild Side

peterp — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 19:46:44 -0700

GreatOutdoors.com editor Peter Potterfield takes his job writing about backcountry adventure seriously. The author of a dozen books on outdoor adventure, including Banff Book Festival winner High Himalaya and his most recent, Classic Hikes of the World, he tries each year to visit some of the classic adventure locations around the planet while seeking out new ones. Every few years he shares some of his favorite images.

"The world of adventure is dynamic," he said, "and those of us passionate about it are always seeking new opportunities. People get addicted to outdoor adventure because it keeps them healthy physically and spiritually. Hikers and climbers and paddlers will spare no expense to do the old favorites, the classics, or find something entirely new and different. Covering that world makes for interesting work."

Check out his latest images, ranging from classic outings such as the Everest Trek or the Teton Crest, to more remote locations such as the Long Range Traverse in Newfoundland's Gros Morne National Park, New Zealand's Queen Charlotte Track, and Argentine Patagonia's Fitz Roy Massif.

Jasper's Jewel: The Tonquin Valley

peterp — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 09:34:53 -0700

Sauntering along astride Bailey, a palomino gelding, I make my way up pretty Portal Creek Valley until the column of horses in our group crests 7,100 foot McCarib Pass. From here we catch our first glimpse of the imposing range of mountains known simply as the Ramparts that form one wall of the legendary Tonquin Valley. Often called the prettiest part of Alberta’s sprawling Jasper National Park, the Tonquin and its Ramparts are the reason I’m here.

I’m riding instead of walking because my destination is the Tonquin Valley Backcountry Lodge, a cluster of simple cabins built around a rustic lodge. The wrangler who leads our line of 9 horses, Kable Kongsgrud, and his family own and run the venerable backcountry camp. More and more hikers and cross country skiers choose to stay at the lodge instead of camping in tents, and in fact our group encounters two backpackers near the pass who will also be staying at the lodge. But the majority of guest still arrive by horseback, so I wanted to experience that mode of transport as well. So I'll ride in, but hike out via another route, the Astoria River.

An avid hiker, I find riding to be a mixed blessing: true, you don’t have to carry a pack, but you do have to remain in the saddle for five or six hours as your horse indulges in a variety of gaits. And Bailey has the bad habit of stopping to munch grass when the mood strikes, then galloping along the trail to catch up with the other horses. That can hurt. Some of the other riders in my group, Jim and Pauletta from Medicine Hat, are expert riders and offer me, a total rookie, some useful tips. "Kick him in the ribs when he does that!" By the time we crest the pass and start down toward Amethyst Lakes, I’m improving.

The decision to stay at the lodge is a logical one, an option that makes a lot of sense.

Kids and Climbing: A Step Up In Life

Nancy Prichard Bouchard — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 10:31:51 -0700

Natural Born Climbers

Kids are natural climbers. Even before they can walk, they haul themselves up on crib rails, coffee tables and bureaus. Once mobile, as parents may recall, a child can be entertained for hours with a flight of stairs, a low-hanging branch, kitchen cabinet, or, pile of rocks. In the old days, rock climbing was the bastion of hardscrabble daredevils who used pitons, ropes and force of will to scale forbidding cliffs. But climbing has changed—or rather grown-up. In the 1990s, in order to train, it became increasingly common for climbers to build private indoor walls, utilizing plywood and plastic (or wooden) hand and foot holds. Most indoor climbing walls were built in basements or garages, but eventually, some “off-the-wall” entrepreneurship resulted in the first public-access climbing gym. Nowadays, rock climbing is nearly as main stream as soccer, football and baseball (and arguably as safe—especially indoor climbing). There are climbing walls in most playgrounds, schools, mountain resorts, and, yes, even cruise ships. There are more than 500 indoor climbing gyms in the U.S.—including public facilities, private clubs, and those connected to outdoor programs. Both West Point and Harvard have training walls for their climbers, and the University of Washington sports 5822 square feet of bouldering, top roping, and lead climbing for students and faculty, with some routes reaching 44 feet in height!

Great Exercise

Rock climbing is arguably one of the best exercises around as it works every muscle in the body, including the brain. While outdoor climbing requires more expertise and supervision, indoor gym climbing is inviting to kids of all shapes, sizes (and ages). It breeds strength, grace, discipline and teamwork.

Waterton: The Quiet Jewel of Canada's Rockies

peterp — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 08:37:19 -0700

From Cameron Lake, Valerie leads me up through the forest to Summit Lake, and beyond, for the final steep grind to the Carthew Summit pass. Below, its namesake cluster of lakes lie in their improbable bowl. This is stunning country, the heart of Waterton Lakes National Park, the narrow waist of the Canadian Rockies that abuts Glacier National Park at the Canada-United States border, not two miles away from where we stand on the rocky trail. We're loaded for bear, literally, as Waterton has probably the most intense grizzly bear mojo you'll find anywhere. With our bear spray at the ready we're both enjoying the outrageous scenery as we work above 7,500 feet to crest the pass and start down to the Carthew Lakes.

We're doing the Carthew-Alderson Trail, 20 kilometers of pure mind-blowing mountain scenery, and one of the signature hikes in the Waterton area. We'll see two dozen species of wildflower in six hours of hiking, reminding us we're in one of the richest eco-tones in North America, an overlapping of prairie and mountain bio-diversity zones that gives us flora and fauna in wild abundance. Everybody in Waterton has wildlife stories, and Valerie shares a few with me over our al fresco backcountry lunch at the lower lakes. Like the time she surprised a grizzly bear in the brush and found herself not twenty feet from a charging animal. She stood her ground and let fly with a well aimed burst of bear spray, a potent deterrent, and so is here with me to tell the tale.

"It's just part of living here in Waterton," Valerie Haig-Brown tells me with a knowing grin. "You know pretty quick if this is the place for you.

GPS Navigation in the Wilds: Getting Started

peterp — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 11:14:04 -0700

Our route ascends slickrock slabs and crosses sandy washes as it winds between the fantastic red-rock formations of Arches National Park. Nearing the end of a 20-mile day, one in which we've visited most of the highlights of the park, evening approaches. A final big loop from the trail's end at Double O Arch should bring us back to intersect the main trail near impressive Landscape Arch. I'm thinking we ought to arrive back on the main trail pretty soon, when I realize the Magellan eXplorist 310 GPS device in my hand can eliminate any guesswork.

The 310 gives me not just my precise position on the surface of the Earth, but pinpoints my location on a built in topo map. Looking at the colorful display I can zoom out to see the entire park (or even the entire state) or zoom in to see where my present route will join up with the main trail--in this case, precisely 300 yards away. The device shows a "breadcrumb" trail of my entire route, overlaid on the full color map, with topo lines, roads, trails, and elevation included. As a backcountry traveler who has relied primarily on map and compass to navigate through wilderness, I'm seeing how the hand held GPS unit can add interest, useful information and precision to backcountry routefinding.

I'm lucky in that Eric Waters and Jeff Caulfield from Magellan, both experts in GPS systems and navigation, have come along on the hike to introduce the latest outdoor handheld device from the company, trade-marked named the eXplorist 310. An entry level GPS device, it's perfect for my purpose: to illustrate the basics of GPS navigation in the wilds. While lacking some of the fancy bells and whistles of other Magellan units, the 310 performs navigation tasks just as well but is less complicated to use, so it's a good device on which to demonstrate some of the fundamental parameters of GPS navigation.

The High-Adventure High Life at Lake Chelan

peterp — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 10:10:47 -0700

Just after dawn the waters of Lake Chelan are still enough to reflect the snow-capped peaks of the Cascades surrounding the lake, some rising to altitudes of more than 8,000 feet. As I paddle past the shore near town, heading uplake toward wilder reaches farther north, the perspective gives me new respect for the sheer scale of the landscape. This is the place ancient Salish peoples called Tsi-Laan, meaning deep water, an apt moniker. The bottom off the lake is some 1,500 feet below my kayak, making it the third deepest in North America. This, the biggest lake in Washington, stretches for 55-miles, from the town of Chelan up into the heart of the North Cascades at Stehekin. But it's only a mile wide, so the impression is one of a mighty fjord slicing into the mountains.

Chelan is unique in that it is both a destination, replete with multi-sport outdoor activities, and the jumping off place for hard core adventures. I've been here before over the past decade, but mostly as the starting point for mountaineering trips into the wild North Cascades. From the town of Chelan, regular boat service by the Lady of the Lake takes sightseerers and hikers up lake as far north as Stehekin, the gateway to North Cascades National Park. (Or, for the impatient, Chelan Airways can whisk you up in a matter of minutes in one of their classic DeHaviland Beavers, turning the journey into a sightseeing extravaganza). But this time, I'm making a point of staying put in Chelan, of enjoying the outdoor fun closer to town, and combining it with a search for extraordinary food and wine.

The Tour Divide: The World's Longest Off-Pavement Bicycle Race

Leighton White — Tue, 17 May 2011 09:49:51 -0700

Two thousand seven hundred and eleven miles. Over two-hundred thousand feet of climbing. On a bike, on dirt. Now do it self-supported, as fast as you can, and you've got the Tour Divide, one of the new breed of Ultra Endurance Mountain Bike races.

A Trek to Grey Owl's Cabin

peterp — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 09:22:49 -0700

The trail skirts the shore of sprawling Kingsmere Lake, winding serenely through the trees for mile after mile. The going is easy. No towering peaks or steep canyons mark the landscape here in the wilds of Northern Saskatchewan, but the backcountry traveler here will find a unique experience. The is Canada’s great Boreal Forest, the billion acre ribbon of trees stretching from one end of the continent to the other. The forest teems with wildlife. In just four days I’ve seen lynx, black bear and gray wolf. What I haven’t seen are other hikers. This pilgrimage I’m undertaking to the home of one of Canada’s iconic conservation figures is turning out to be a genuine adventure.

Hiking Utah's Cedar Mesa Country

peterp — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 13:13:23 -0700

A five-day backpacking excursion in the heart of Utah’s canyon country shows why backcountry lovers come from as far away as Europe to hike this part of Southeastern Utah. While many backpackers choose to hike around Moab and its Arches National Park, or Canyonlands National Park a few hours farther south, far fewer hikers venture down here to Cedar Mesa. Cedar Mesa, just west of Blanding, Utah, is a unique plateau of pinion and juniper covered high country that soars to more than 7,000 feet. The entire Mesa is cut through by dozens of hidden canyons that slice deeply into the red-rock layer cake of the Colorado Plateau.

Riding the White Rim -- In a Day

Leighton White — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 09:21:16 -0800

Winter is a cruel season for a cyclist living in a ski town like Steamboat Springs, Colorado. If it's not the record snowfalls, it's the biting cold and ice covered roads that make any form of cycling a masochistic death wish. I like pain as much as the next guy, but at some point sanity has to come in to play when your only options are riding in snow over your hubs, or ending up as the hood ornament on a Hummer.

Powder Highway - British Columbia

gordys — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 15:03:47 -0800

What is it that the Europeans know about the interior mountains of Canada's British Columbia that Americans don't? Masses of Swiss, Germans, Austrians, Italians, Brits, and Aussies flock to this secret region every year for their winter walk-abouts. Maybe it's because they have a historical connection through Swiss mountain guiding for the Canadian Pacific Railroad that began at the iconic Rogers Pass Glacier House in 1899, or possibly they are compelled to come after hearing for 45 years about the areas unique first-class powder that produces 90% of the world's heli-skiing. Whatever the inspiration, the Euros know that between the alpine bookends of Whistler/Blackcomb and Lake Louise/Banff lies the vast, underpopulated ranges of the Monashee, Selkirks, Bugaboo, and Purcel Mountains. Laced with plentiful access options, this Kootenay Region boasts of powder fields packed with Continental crystal-light and little competition for turns.

Mid Winter Getaway: Hike the Grand Canyon

peterp — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 15:30:52 -0800

Even hardcore skiers and snowboarders by mid winter start hankering for a little variety in their outdoor adventure. That's when a trip down to Arizona's Grand Canyon can provide a welcome change of pace. And late winter and early spring can offer some of the best hiking conditions of the year. Even when temperatures at the South Rim are near freezing, the bottom of the canyon can have temperatures in the 50s and 60s. More than 250 hikers are rescued each year in the Grand Canyon, with most incidents resulting from heat related problems and dehydration during the warmer months. That's what makes this time of year perfect for hiking in the canyon.

A natural feature big enough to be seen from space, the Grand Canyon is one much better enjoyed at closer quarters. From within, the staggering architecture and sheer scale of the canyon can be exhilarating, even humbling. The rocks at the bottom are 2 billion years old, at the top 5 million, creating a slice through geologic time that defies belief. To walk down through this epic historical record, strata by strata--from Kaibab Limestone to Coconino Sandstone to Bright Angel Shale, right down to the Vishnu complex of the Colorado River--is to take a foot journey unlike any other.

The Wallowas In Winter

Kyle Beall — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 19:33:47 -0800

Whoosh. A gust of wind snatched my lucky hat from my head and sent it up and over the ridge. Our group, with guides, consisted of 4 split boarders and 6 skiers. It was windy and we were boot packing the last 100 ft up to a corniced ridge in the Wallowa Mountains of Eastern Oregon. The prize we were heading for was on the other side of the ridge: two steep wind loaded couloirs.

As we made our way just below the ridge, Brian, one of our guides, instructed us to hunker down while he fixed a rope that would allow us to access one of the steep couloirs. I dug out a small nook in the snow and started putting on extra layers to keep warm. The wind continued to rush at our backs and it became evident that we needed to be extra careful transitioning our gear. My lucky hat (and exposed head) served as a reminder that a miscalculation, or slip of the hand, could easily send crucial gear flying up and over the ridge or down the steep slope behind us.

Whisked Away

Fletcher Jackson — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 11:22:58 -0800

The anticipation in the air was palpable as the dogs began to jump around excitedly, howling and barking. When they heard their command, all of the dogs in the team leapt into action, jumping and pulling on their harnesses. The dog sled began to glide against the wet snow, gaining momentum as the pack became eager to dig their feet in the snow, kicking it up into the air behind them.

Everything suddenly became very peaceful as the dogs found their pace and all I could hear was the swooshing sound of the sled along the quiet trail. The flurries of snow came and went as our journey through the forest continued. At times, I could feel the cold flakes landing on my cheeks and I became thankful that I had worn my goggles. As I gazed at the snow-covered trees lining the trail, I became aware of the natural beauty that surrounded me. I felt a sense of serenity as I watched the white landscape seemingly fly past us at speeds of up to 15 miles per hour.

Art Wolfe Previews the Travels to the Edge Episode on Antarctica

GreatOutdoors.com — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 13:41:43 -0800

Photographing the Historic Winter Solstice Lunar Eclipse

Fletcher Jackson — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 09:21:54 -0800

This is an event I have been anticipating for a long while. I mean not very often do you get to see a full lunar eclipse on the shortest night of the year. According to NASA, this is the first time since 1638 that a total lunar eclipse and the winter solstice have happened on the same evening. The next time we have both in the same evening will be in 2094.

Art Wolfe Photographs Antarctica

GreatOutdoors.com Staff — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 10:19:49 -0800

In this episode of Travels to the Edge with Art Wolfe, Art travels to the Ice Continent. It may be winter up here in the northern hemisphere, but it is spring on the Antarctic Peninsula. And the frozen wilderness is a veritable nursery for penguins, shore birds and seal pups. In episode four Art Wolfe crosses the infamous Drake Passage—the treacherous body of water south of Cape Horn—to explore the Falkland Islands and the Antarctic coast in search of wildlife and landscapes emblematic of this pristine and unforgiving land. See Art's video introduction to this episode.

'Tis the Season to Go to Antarctica

James Martin — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 11:27:32 -0800

Sometimes, it's what doesn't happen that matters. On my recent trip to Antarctica with Joseph Van Os Photosafaris, our group crossed the Drake Passage twice, taking two days each way. A storm had passed by before we crossed to the Antarctic Peninsula, a 750 mile traversal of what can be the roughest water in the world. Just before we returned, the Clelia, a luxurious stabilized ship, was disabled when the rogue wave knocked out the window of the bridge, swamping the bridge, disabling their communications and tossing passengers out of their bunks. Our return was smooth sailing, but two days later the largest storm in decades hit the Drake with waves exceeding 35 feet. Timing is everything.

Good luck followed us as we made our way down to the Lemaire Channel. We visited gentoo penguin colonies, small groups of chin straps, and a few adelies. For some reason seal sightings were rare, but we did have a close encounter with a yawning leopard seal on iceberg. These predators resemble seagoing Komodo dragons.

The mountainous peninsula is an extension of the Andes and cruising through them is like voyaging through a drowned world. Ice blankets the peaks, and sometimes a solid wall of glacier ice continues unbroken for miles.

The Antarctic Peninsula has suffered more rapid temperature increases than most places in the world. The penguin colonies are moving south to avoid muddy conditions that can kill the chicks before they hatch. The collapse of the ice shelves is reducing the food supply for wildlife. These changes are not readily apparent, but over time we will see clearly what is going on even at a human timescale.

Favorite Gear of the Year for 2010

Altrec.com/GreatOutdoors.com Staff — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 10:28:45 -0800

One of the best aspects of working in the outdoor industry is living the life: climbing, hiking, and adventure travel through some of the most fascinating landscapes on earth. Staff members here at GreatOutdoors.com (and our parent company, Altrec.com) spend as much time as possible pursuing outdoor adventure, so they take their outdoor equipment seriously. And this year, GreatOutdoors.com teamed up with Southern Yosemite Mountain Guides, one of America’s premier wilderness guide services, to test gear on an epic 60-mile hike through the Sierra. And because the outdoor professionals at Southern Yosemite Mountain Guides are outfitted with outdoor clothing from Columbia Sportswear, we combined forces with SYMG to test, year round, a large sample of gear from Columbia’s extensive line of clothing. As we roll into the busy fourth quarter, a great time to pick up deals on the best in outdoor gear, here are some of our favorite pieces of equipment for 2010, as tested by the guides at Southern Yosemite Mountain Guides and our own staff.

The Gear We Liked the Best

Columbia's Women's Ashlane Low Hiking Shoes

Hiking shoes that are ready to hit the trail right out of the box! I’ve always struggled with finding boots/hiking shoes that fit my feet and don’t require miles upon miles of hiking to break in, but the Ashlane Lows were one of my favorite products this season. Perfect for day hikes and day packs…not quite enough support for super long trips with a heavy pack but I gave it a shot and they held up well.