Take the Outside Magazine Survival Quiz!

Think you know how to survive in a variety of tricky situations? If so, than you'll probably do quite well in the Survival Quiz posted by Outside magazine. It features 16 questions designed to see just how well you'd manage in some truly difficult scenarios that are designed to test the skills of any adventurer, world traveler, or explorer.

The quiz offers all kinds of unique set-ups, including what do if you get a stomach bug in Africa, find yourself caught in a tsunami warning in Chile, or have your campsite invaded by armed guerrillas in Colombia. You'll be challenged to react to monkeys in Kathmandu, start a fire after falling into a river, and a number of other situations – some very realistic, others a bit more imaginative.

While this quiz is meant to be mostly entertaining, it does hold some value in teaching readers some common sense techniques for surviving situations that could potentially come up in our travels. A few of the scenarios are on the outlandish side, but the over-the-top nature of quiz is part of the fun.

For the record, I managed to score a 12 out of 16. I need to work on my knots and my ability to survive in an illegal casino in Manilla apparently. If you want to have a bit of fun, and see how you'd fare, click here to take the quick for yourself.

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Outside Names the 20 Most Deadly Hikes in the World

Most people don't regard hiking as being a particularly dangerous activity. After all, millions of people go hiking on a regular basis, and most return home without even a hint of a harrowing tale to share with their friends and family. But depending on the destination, hiking can be a serious adventure, and even quite dangerous at times. With that in mind, Outside magazine has listed their selection for the 20 Most Dangerous Hikes, with some surprising trails making the list.

These 20 hikes are amongst some of the most amazing places to trek on the planet, and the locations range from Guatemala to China, to South Africa, and beyond. In fact, there are hikes on the list from just about every corner of the globe, although North America is particularly well represented.

Amongst the trails that make he cut are Huayna Picchu in Peru, a  trail that wanders up an ancient staircase carved out of a mountain by Inca craftsmen 500 years ago. The route climbs more than 1000 feet (305 meters) in less than a mile (1.6 km), offering spectacular views Machu Picchu along the way. But the route is slippery, steep, and crumbling with age, which has earned it the nickname "the Hike of Death."

With its narrow slot canyons, deep gorges, and remote location, The Maze in Canyonlands National Park is another dangerous hike. Just getting there can be quite an adventure, and Outside says that just 2000 people actually go on any given year. Those that do, find a series of twisting, confusing rock corridors that are a clear indication of how the place got its name. The potential for flash floods and rock falls only add to the danger, although thankfully no one has died in The Maze just yet.

Scotland's Aonach Eagach Ridge also earns a spot on Outside's list thanks to its narrow ridge trail, steep slopes, and unpredictable weather. The knife-edge approach to the top of the trails twin mountain peaks is very exposed, often leaving hikers feeling vertigo, and a deep desire to get off the route as quickly, and easily, as possible. Accidents often occur on the descent, as hikers pick the wrong line for their exit from the mountain.

These are just a few examples of the trails that Outside has put on their list. To read the entire collection, and find your next hiking challenge, click here.

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Outside Magazine Announces Winter Gear of the Year for 2015

Winter may still be a couple of months off, but it is never too early to start thinking about the gear you'll use to stay warm on those cold-weather outdoor activities. With that in mind, Outside magazine has announced its picks for their Winter Gear of the Year heading into 2015.

Some of the items that make the list include a pair of Atomic Vintage Ritual skis, the new North Face Brigandine Jacket, and snow-ready running shoes from Salomon. A pair of ski boots from Scarpa, and a great looking pack from Deuter also earn a place amongst the best gear for winter adventures.

In addition to the items that earn "Gear of the Year" status, Outside has also published a Winter Buyer's Guide that contains even more great gear for the season ahead. The Buyer's Guide is broken down into categories, offering the editor's choice for best outdoor equipment based on activity. For instance, there is one category for Nordic Skiing, and another for Winter Hiking. There is even a category that specifically focuses on winter gear for women as well.

If you're in the market for some new gear to help you enjoy the winter season, than you'll want to take a look at what Outside recommends. I live by the old adage that there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad gear, and if you have the right equipment, you can enjoy your time outside no matter what the conditions are. Of course, Outside doesn't always take into consideration that we tend to have more modest budgets, but is is always nice to dream about some of the exceptional equipment that they get to play with.

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Outside Explores The Goofiest Gear to Go Mainstream

Outside magazine has put together a fun little online story in which they asked four extreme athletes and adventurers what was the goofiest piece of gear they first scoffed at, but it eventually went mainstream. The answers are all pretty surprising, and are pieces of equipment that many of us probably either own, or have used at some point.

The panelists for this article include ultrarunner Mike Foote, pro snowboarder Hana Beaman, expedition kayaker Ben Marr, and polar explorer Eric Larsen. Each shares tales of how they came across some piece of gear that the completely under estimated, only to later find that that product became huge, or that they were even using it themselves. Take for example Larsen, who is quoted in the story as saying that he thought "the Buff was silly. I mean really silly." He is pictured here on one of his numerous expeditions to the cold places of our planet. Around his neck is a Buff.

The other choices for odd gear that these adventurers came back on include bear spray, which Foote thought was unnecessary when he moved to Missoula, Montana from Ohio. But after a few encounters with the ursine population near his home, he quickly changed his tune. For his part, Marr felt that nose plugs were unsightly and uncomfortable, but later discovered that they helped prevent sinus infections. Now, as he paddles places like the Congo River and the Salween in China, he knows that the plugs are helping him to stay healthy.

Perhaps the biggest underestimation of the entire article comes from Beaman however. She had the opportunity to use a GoPro camera before they were released to the general public, and didn't quite understand why anyone would want to wear one. Of course, we all know that the company is now huge, and just about everyone is carries the rugged little cameras with them everywhere. That includes Beaman herself, who says she never goes anywhere without a GoPro now.

Do you have a piece of gear that you thought was odd when you first saw it, but it eventually it caught on? For me, I'd have to say it was probably the stand-up paddleboard. While I wouldn't say that I necessarily thought it was all that odd, I just never would have predicted that the sport would blow-up in the way that it has either. The first time I went to Outdoor Retailer, there were a few SUP booths tucked away in an out of the way section of the show. A year later, the category was booming, and it had taken over a sizable section of the exhibit hall. That presence remains quite large now.

Post a comment about what gear items surprised you. I'd love to hear your stories.

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Outside Magazine's Builds the Ultimate Survival Kit

Outside magazine continues to provide readers with lists of great gear that we should all own. This time out, they have put together the ultimate survival kit, which consists of 35 items that will get you through just about any situation. This kit won't come cheap however, as it would set you back more than $9300 if you were to purchase everything on the list.

While that number is sure to cause sticker-shock amongst some, there are a few items that drive up the price significantly. They include a fat bike from Cogburn ($1899), and Iridium Go satellite communications device, and a rifle from Kimber ($2040). These big ticket items make up a significant portion of the total price, even though they will probably come across as a luxury to a lot of people.

Most of the other items on the list are actually fairly affordable. They range from Duct tape ($5) to a Goal Zero Yeti solar powered generator ($460). Other items include things like a comfortable cot ($300) to sleep on, a rechargeable headlamp, a sturdy pair of hiking boots, energy bars, and a host of other gear that any outdoor enthusiast would love to have in their gear closet. Some of the items are even a bit whimsical, including a deck of playing cards, and bunny slippers for your feet.

If you're preparing for the impending zombie holocaust, than this would indeed be the ultimate survival kit. But, it also consists of some excellent outdoor gear from a number of great companies. While it is unlikely that any of us will ever assemble this complete survival package, there are plenty of items that make the list that would come in handy while hiking, backpacking, climbing, or traveling.

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Smart Gear for Travel from Outside Magazine

Outside magazine has yet another good list of gear for us today, this time presenting the smartest gear for travelers. The list includes some large, overarching categories, of items that all travelers should have with them when they hit the road, as well as their top pick for items in those categories. These items tend to be small, light, versatile, and vital for anyone making a trip – short or long.

Amongst the categories they address is the luggage that we carry. Outside rightly points out that wheeled carry-on bags sacrifice space in order to give travelers the convenience of those wheels. They recommend the Thule Crossover, a 40L pack that offers plenty of protection for all of your important gear. The Outside editors also recommend that you never leave home without a good pair of noise canceling headphones. In this case, they suggest the Bose QuietComfort 20's, which are small, comfortable, and work extremely well.

Other categories include a small tablet (they give the nod to the iPad Mini), a travel water bottle, comfortable and highly packable underwear from Icebreaker, comfortable travel shoes, compression socks, a neck pillow for use in flight, and a few other items.

All in all, this is not an incredibly comprehensive list, but it does suggest some fantastic items that are great for travelers. A  number of these items are things that I carry with me when I'm traveling somewhere, and I'd recommend to others as well. For instance, I can't imagine boarding a long flight these days, and not having my iPad with me. It's just such a versatile piece of gear, allowing you to watch movies, listen to music, play games, read books and magazines, and more. The fact that it doesn't weigh much at all, and has incredible battery life, is just a bonus.

If you're planning any trips in the near future, this looks like a good list of items to choose from to make it a better experience all around. Just like in our outdoor pursuits, the right gear can make all of the difference.

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Outside TV Shares Video From the 2013 Brawl on Everest

One of the biggest stories in mountaineering over the past few years has been the brawl that ensued in 2013 when a team of European climbers got into a heated exchange with Sherpas that were fixing ropes above Camp 2 on the South Side. The fact that the European team included high-profile climbers Ueli Steck and Simone Moro, as well as Jonathan Griffith, only served to make the story a bigger one. Now, Outside Television has released exclusive video from the incident, giving us a glimpse of just how scary the scene on Everest actually was.

The clip, which you'll find below, includes some of the principle people that witnessed the clash, including Ueli, Simone, and Melissa Arnot, who found herself in the middle of the conflict. Each shares their thoughts on what transpired that day, while actual video from the fight rolls. The reactions that we see remain disturbing even now, a year and a half after they transpired. It is still surprising that no one got seriously hurt, but this is a reminder of just how delicate the relationship between commercial climbers and the Sherpa teams can be.

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Outside Explores Yosemite's Rebel Culture

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Yosemite National Park is one of the best outdoor playgrounds on the planet. It offers visitors spectacular hiking, amazing backcountry backpacking, and perhaps the best rock climbing in the entire world. Over the years, it has been a gathering point for some of the most influential personalities in the outdoor community, and it remains a top destination for outdoor enthusiasts from across the globe.

For decades, Yosemite has also been the epicenter of an adventure-fueled counter-culture revolution in the U.S.. In the 60's it was led by men such as Royal Robbins and Yvon Chouinard, and their spirit can still be felt in the valley today. Those men adopted a simple life, living out of their tents and vans, while climbing everything the park had to offer, gaining a deep seated love and respect for the environment in the process. That spirit still exists in Yosemite today, although it is taking on forms that those outdoor legends may not even recognize.

That's the basis of a new story from Outside magazine that was posted on Outside Online a few days ago. Spurred on by the new documentary, Valley Uprising by Sender Films (due out this fall), the article takes a look at the "rebel" culture that developed in and around Yosemite over the past 50 years. In the 60's that culture involved "hippy" climbers invading Yosemite Valley to climb its iconic walls. That eventually led to clashes with the park rangers, and resentments that lasted for years.

Today, the spirit of rebellion is still alive and well in Yosemite, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary since being granted protected status (it wouldn't actually become a national park until 1890).  Many of the men and women who climb in the park cast large shadows over the culture that is evolving there now. Guys like Alex Honnold, who has a huge following amongst the community there. But BASE jumpers and wingsuit pilots are also carving their own niche, and they have brought a rebellious nature that is both shared, and different from that which was born in the valley in the past.

Outside's article serves as a nice primer for the arrival of Valley Uprising, and it will probably make you want to see the film even more. The story closes by sharing brief bios of some of the important figures from Yosemite's past, helping readers to understand their importance on the culture that has grown up there.

It's a fun read and definitely worth a look. Check out the trailer for Valley Uprising below.

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