Southern Indiana Trails

Pro skiers Mike Douglas and Stan Rey  teamed up with  Salomon TV  and  Switchback Entertainment  to break down gear basics for backcountry ski touring. In this video, they cover bindings, boots, skis, poles, skins, backpacks, and safety necessities to help you make informed decisions when purchasing equipment to get started. by Outside Editors via Outside Magazine: All

When I was 19 years old, and first working as a wilderness guide , I learned about a secret room in the back of the local outdoor store, full of deeply discounted gear that was only accessible to those in the know. On my days off, I always ended up there—enjoying the feeling of being an insider, a feeling I did not actually have at my guiding job (I was too young, too female, too not-from-around-there). I didn’t shop so much as linger, but the staff were gracious enough to ignore me, which I appreciated.  There was a fleece in the secret room that I tried on week after week. It was baby blue—unapologetically feminine, though at the time I wore mostly men’s gear in an effort to be taken seriously—and it was the softest fleece I’d ever touched, more like mist than fabric. It was exactly my size, but out of my budget, and each week I was afraid it would be gone. Finally I saved up my tip money and bought it. That was my favorite fleece for years. I wore it until it was full of hole...

For two very different experiences just 90 minutes apart, combine southern Utah’s  Zion National Park and  Bryce Canyon National Park on a single road trip. Camping inside the parks can be great, especially during the shoulder seasons. But if a hot shower and comfortable bed sound appealing, book a dreamy Airbnb not far from the parks’ entrances. We rounded up some of our favorites, ranging from a tiny house with a killer hot tub to a solar-powered retreat on an apple orchard. The Modern Home ( Photo: Courtesy Airbnb) This  contemporary two-bedroom, solar-powered home (from $239), located on a 14-acre apple farm in Glendale, about 25 minutes east of Zion National Park and less than an hour southwest of Bryce Canyon National Park, sleeps up to nine. Come nightfall, a fire pit on the rooftop deck makes for the ideal hangout. The hosts also rent a collection of  five tiny houses (from $103) on the property—perfect if you have friends joining yo...

This  Swiftwater Films  time lapse,   produced by director   Shane Anderson  and filmed and edited by  Jesse Andrew Clark , shows the monthslong process of deconstructing the Nooksack Dam on the Middle Fork of Washington’s Nooksack River. This restoration will repair 16 miles of habitat for threatened salmon and steelhead. by Outside Editors via Outside Magazine: All

As a longtime surfer, I’ve learned that having the appropriate gear can make all the difference out on the water. Whether it’s a too thin or too thick wetsuit, a bikini top that needs constant readjusting, or a hat that won’t stay put, finicky equipment can impact your performance. And in a male-dominant sport, it can be difficult to find gear designed specifically for women. But after years of researching and testing the best products in the business, I keep coming back to these women-designed pieces. Because when you’re in the lineup, all you should have to focus on is catching waves, and this gear helps me do that. Kassia+Surf Psychedelic Full Suit ($400) ( Photo: Courtesy Kassia+Surf) In a sea of black neoprene, it’s refreshing to wear a wetsuit that stands out. Designed by professional surfer Kassia Meador, the three-millimeter Psychedelic has everything you’d expect in a solid wetsuit (comfort, warmth, and flexibility), with funky, fun flair. I...

Twelve-year-old  Jacob Smith was diagnosed with a meningioma brain tumor in 2014. Five years and several surgeries later, he became the youngest blind skier to descend the Big Couloir on Lone Mountain at Montana’s  Big Sky Resort . This film, produced by Steep Motion , highlights his journey as a cancer survivor and blind skier. by Outside Editors via Outside Magazine: All

We at Outside devote a lot of words and hours to caring for and refurbishing our winter hard goods . And for good reason: ski and board upkeep is satisfying and delivers the immediate gratification of a smoother ride. Don’t forget your soft goods, though—staying warm and dry on the slopes makes any day more fun. Pieces like jackets and bibs are integral parts of your kit that can last for years   (and will help you adventure better) if you treat them right. I spoke with Kipp Godfrey, the general manager and overseer of tens of thousands of fixes at America’s premier   technical gear-mending shop, Rainy Pass Repair , about how you can maximize your ski kit’s life and efficacy for seasons to come.  Wash Often The most important thing you can do is clean your gear, Godfrey says, “even if it is used sparingly.” The key is to keep your waterproof-breathable clothing’s technical fabrics from developing a nasty buildup. “With an...

On his first day in office, President Joe Biden dropped a sweeping directive in the first paragraph of his executive order to protect the environment and tackle the climate crisis: the federal government “must advance environmental justice.” This week, Biden doubled down on that order with another executive action , one that will establish an interagency council on environmental justice in the White House and create offices dedicated to it across his Cabinet, from the Health and Human Services Department to the Justice Department.  Yes, please. That is all great. But what would it actually look like to realize environmental justice? And how can the outdoor world help achieve it? In 2020, the protests in response to the killing of George Floyd  and the long-burning buildup of police brutality highlighted the many ways that race delineates who is allowed to feel safe and welcome  and where  they’re able to, from corner stores to national parks....

In December, the driver of a box truck plowed into a group of cyclists  riding along U.S. Highway 95 south of Las Vegas. Five people died in the crash, and it was later discovered that the driver had methamphetamine in his system. At Outside , we were horrified by the tragedy ,  which was covered in local and national news, but we also knew it was part of a troubling trend: record numbers of cyclists (and thousands of pedestrians) on our nation’s roads are being killed by drivers often without any media attention beyond a brief local news story. In 2018, 857 cyclists died in crashes with drivers, the deadliest year for people on bikes since 1990. In 2019, while the total number of deaths dipped slightly, to 846 , cities like New York recorded their highest number of cyclist fatalities ever.  Last January, in response to those disburbing numbers, we launched the  #2020CyclingDeaths project , which aimed to track e...

A few weeks ago, I wrote about an attempt to use DNA testing to retroactively predict athletic success. It failed miserably, and I rehashed a great line from sports scientist Carl Foster, as told to David Epstein in his book The Sports Gene : “If you want to know if your kid is going to be fast, the best genetic test right now is a stopwatch. Take him to the playground and have him face the other kids.” That seems like solid, common-sense advice—but it’s not actually science . In fact, the accuracy of the stopwatch as a predictor of future athletic greatness has been a topic of great debate over the past few decades, wrapped into larger discussions about the nature of talent, the 10,000-hour rule , and the benefits and pitfalls of early specialization. So it seems timely to take a look at a newly published study of Belgian cyclists that tests the proposition that how a kid does when he “faces the other kids” is a good indicator of championship potential. The study appears in the E...

Camping off the grid means you’ll need power. In this episode of the 101 , Bryan Rogala explains why he chose a Battle Born 100 Amp-Hour Lithium Iron Phosphate battery  for his trailer and details why going with a lithium battery and flexible solar panels  are both excellent choices for an adventure rig. by Bryan Rogala and Jackson Buscher via Outside Magazine: All

On Wednesday, President Biden issued  executive orders  that create a moratorium for new oil and gas leases on public lands, the beginning of a pivot toward renewable energy sources. Despite Republican rhetoric to the contrary , this could actually represent the beginning of a major economic boom.  Relevant to energy, here’s what the new executive orders do: Order the Department of the Interior to temporarily halt new oil and gas lease sales on public lands and in public waters. As of this article’s publication, it’s unclear for how long. Order the DOI to review the oil and gas leasing program during that pause to ensure it serves the public interest. Order the DOI to create a program to develop renewable energy projects on public lands and in public waters. Establish a goal of doubling energy production from offshore wind sources by 2030. Call for establishing a Climate Conservation Corps that will “put a new generation of Americans ...

Quarantining has us all craving outdoor adventure. Not surprisingly, Colorado’s backcountry has seen record numbers of winter enthusiasts, from skiers and snowboarders to snowshoers and snowmobilers. Which is awesome—nothing satisfies like challenging ourselves outside. In winter, Colorado’s towering peaks and sweeping vistas sparkle with extra allure…but also extra risk, as staying safe takes more awareness and preparation, especially if you plan on venturing into mountainous terrain. We talked to a few experts to help you find out what you need to know. Backcountry Safety Pledge It's as simple as knowing before you go, recreating responsibly, and caring for the places you explore. Easy, right? Sign your name and lead by example. Sign the Pledge → Take a Tour: Snowshoeing and Ski Touring Any trail that’s enticing in summer is doubly so in winter. In places like Rocky Mountain National Park , snowdrifts ripple over meadows, and creeks burble between shelves of ice. Best of ...

Still hoping to take a ski trip this winter? It’s possible, but it’ll be different from what you’re used to. Instead of flying somewhere, you’ll likely pick a spot that’s within driving distance of home. Rather than piling into a crowded ski lodge for hot chocolate or heading to a bar for nachos and shared pitchers of beer, we’ll all be turning our cars into mobile, socially distant mini-lodges . The truly dedicated might even rent a winter-ready camper vehicle that doubles as both a hotel on wheels and a midday lunchroom. Whether you’re planning to sleep in the parking lot or are just looking for a car that’ll help you get to the mountain comfortably and safely every day, there are tons of options to choose from —trucks, vans, RVs. What’s right for you depends on how far you’re going, who you’re traveling with, and what your needs are. Here’s a primer. Trucks If you require four-wheel drive to get where you’re going, and don’t care about deluxe sleeping arrangements, take...

62 Parks Traveler started with a simple goal: to visit every U.S. national park. Avid backpacker and public-lands nerd  Emily Pennington  saved up, built out a tiny van to travel and live in, and hit the road. The parks as we know them are rapidly changing, and she wanted to see them before it’s too late. Pennington is committed to following CDC guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure the safety of herself and others. She’s visiting new parks while closely adhering to best safety practices. My toes curled against the cool, white plastic of the waterslide as I edged perilously closer to its slick surface   and a steep five-foot drop into northern Minnesota’s Kabetogama Lake. It was a hot and sticky July afternoon in  Voyageurs National Park , and I was frozen in place, hands clutching the guardrails, unable to let go. “I’m scared!” I yelled down to my partner, who was laughing and filming the entire endeavor for my future em...