Compelling stories since 1997
In 2005, Mystery Ranch received a box of worn-out backpacks from a group of United States Forest Service (USFS) wildland firefighters in Southern California, otherwise known as “hotshots.” The box came with a challenge. “Here’s what we are currently using in the field. Can you do better?” READ THE ARTICLE ON OUTSIDE HERE Hotshot crews …
Continue reading “Firefighters Asked for Special Backpacks. Mystery Ranch Delivered.”
Fiery tests can assess new prototypes of portable shelters, the last line of defense for wildland firefighters. Wildfires burn hot, fast and unpredictably. Although wildland firefighters receive extensive training to keep themselves safe, they sometimes become cut off by flames that can reach temperatures of 1,600 to more than 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. To protect themselves …
Continue reading “How to Make Sure Wildfire Shelters Save Firefighters’ Lives”
The base price of a 2021 Land Rover Defender starts at $47,000 and increases quickly with the most sought after accessory packages. With the price of new gear haulers out of reach for many outdoor enthusiasts, plus a nostalgia for more analog transportation, there’s been a groundswell of buyers restoring decades old Jeeps, Ford Broncos, …
Controlled avalanches are a major safety effort during a year of outdoor activities READ THE ARTICLE ON SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN HERE As the coronavirus pandemic rages on, many winter sports enthusiasts are skipping their usual ski resort visits in order to avoid contagious crowds or preemptive shutdowns. But that does not mean they are giving up on skiing, …
Continue reading “Explosive Charges Protect Backcountry Skiers”
Adolescent years are a time of turmoil for kids and parents alike, as hormones rage and a yearning for independence grows. But camping with teenagers doesn’t have to be an ordeal READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE ON ADVNTURE.COM HERE With a little planning, camping with teenagers can be fun (Image credit: Getty) Teenagers can react to an …
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KURT STAFKI – OTSO CYCLES Cycling in the Minnesota River Bottoms — perfect terrain for fatbike riding. Fat biking has its own culture, gear choices, and quirks. We got some experts to offer tips and ideas. READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE ON THE STAR TRIBUNE HERE For decades, Minnesotans who love to play outside in the …
Continue reading “Fatbiking continues to roll up admirers; Minnesota ambassadors weigh in”
Shown at Lester Park in Duluth, Alex Messenger has grown up with a natural affinity for water. He now has written about an ill-fated wilderness paddle in 2005. Author said memories of 2005 trip to Canadian tundra are never too far away. READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE ON THE STAR TRIBUNE HERE In 2005, Alex Messenger …
As one might expect, the pace quickens when the moment arrives. The Minnesota author of “The Twenty-Ninth Day” (Blackstone Publishing) described his new book as a mix of “Wild,” “Between a Rock and a Hard Place” and “The Revenant.” READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE ON THE STAR TRIBUNE HERE Overstatement maybe, but his tale of surviving a grizzly …
Continue reading “Book review: Story befits a harrowing encounter with a grizzly in the wild”
Review: Just in time for the Tour de France, a new book lauds Greg LeMond as the ‘true king’ of U.S. cycling and mines his wife’s intriguing support role. READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE ON THE STAR TRIBUNE HERE Every major league sport honors its history. Even casual sports fans are aware of legendary performances such …
Continue reading “Book: Author takes familiar road with cyclist LeMond, with a few new routes”
Michael Simmons (left) and Kyle Nordfors (right) of the Weber County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue team prepare a drone for flight during a field training exercise in Ogden, UT. They will scan the area with aerial vehicles before sending in humans. Credit: Sheri Trbovich Weber County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue New research seeks to improve the …
Continue reading “Rescue Drones Need to Learn How Lost Humans Think”
