How Much Will It Cost to Thru-Hike a Long Trail in 2026? We Did the Math.
Backpacker estimates that a 2026 Appalachian Trail thru‑hike will cost roughly $8,000, while the Pacific Crest Trail will average about $10,700. The rise reflects 38% overall U.S. inflation since 2015, plus outdoor‑industry specific price pressures from tariffs, supply‑chain disruptions, and higher gear costs. Gear expenses have climbed about 11%, hostel rates roughly 12%, and shipping fees 6%, pushing per‑mile costs from $2 to about $3.50. The analysis breaks down lodging, resupply, and incidentals, offering a detailed budgeting framework for prospective long‑trail hikers.
Listen to the Stories of 8 Climbers, From the Late Upside-Down Soloist to the Trad Princess
Climbing.com has launched an audio playlist that curates eight in‑depth climber profiles, ranging from legendary alpinists to unconventional free‑soloists. Each story is available via a “Listen” button and runs between six and twenty‑seven minutes, catering to fans who prefer audio...
Snowboarder Makes DIY Tow Rope Out of Riding Lawn Mower
A Winnipeg snowboarder transformed a rusted riding mower into a homemade tow rope, creating a DIY lift capable of pulling three riders up a slope. He sourced the mower on Facebook Marketplace, rewired it, added an extra tire groove and...
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This Is the Trendy London Neighborhood Most Travelers Miss—And It Has Michelin-Starred Dining and Historic Charm
Clerkenwell, a central London district in the Borough of Islington, has emerged as a must‑visit neighborhood thanks to its thriving culinary scene, historic architecture, and vibrant arts venues. Visitors can stay in boutique hotels such as The Rookery, dine at...
Swiss Side Refreshes Gravon Carbon 500 Gravel Wheels with 50 Mm Rims and Lower Price
Swiss Side unveiled the Gravon Carbon 500 V2, an aero‑focused gravel wheelset featuring a 50 mm deep hooked carbon rim and a 24 mm internal width. The updated design trims weight to 1,620 g, a claimed 126 g reduction, while supporting 35‑65 mm tires. Priced at €1,199...
John Balsdon and Grenadier Take on the West Africa Driving Record
British adventurer John Balsdon is leading a record‑breaking overland drive from Nordkapp, Norway to Cape Agulhas, South Africa, aiming to beat the 1984 Cape‑to‑Cape time of 28 days and 13 hours. The expedition will use two INEOS Grenadier diesel 4×4s...
Stinner’s Gibraltar Podium Is Built for Riders Not Chasing the Trends
Stinner’s Gibraltar Podium brings the company’s custom‑grade titanium expertise to a production line, offering a stock version of its flagship Gibraltar model. The frame features straight‑gauge TIG‑welded titanium, a relaxed geometry, and UDH‑compatible dropouts, positioning it for stable, comfortable all‑road riding....
The Popular Whakarewarewa Forest Loop ‘Great Ride’ Is Now 100% on Dirt Thanks to a $500,000 Investment
The Whakarewareta Forest Loop, a 35 km beginner‑friendly mountain bike route in Rotorua, has been fully converted to off‑road singletrack after a $500,000 investment. The project replaced the remaining 6 km of paved bike path along State Highway 5 with purpose‑built trail sections...
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This European City Dethroned Paris and Rome as the Most Romantic in the World
A Mozio analysis has crowned Venice the world’s most romantic city, scoring 9.65 out of 10 and overtaking Paris and Rome. The ranking weighed romantic restaurants, hotels, couple‑friendly activities and wedding‑related search volume. Venice leads with 148.8 romantic restaurants and...
Erik Mogensen Buys Black Mountain, Indy and Entabeni Will Move To New Hampshire
Erik Mogensen, Indy Pass director and Entabeni Systems CEO, has bought back Black Mountain ski area in Jackson, New Hampshire, rebranding it as an Independent Mountain Laboratory. The original co‑op plan with community shareholders was abandoned after shareholders voted to...
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This Tiny Southern Town Is the ‘Quartz Capital of the World’—And You Can Dig for Your Own Crystals
Mount Ida, Arkansas, a town of just over 1,000 residents, has earned the title "Quartz Crystal Capital of the World" thanks to its extensive quartz deposits. Visitors can drive the scenic Crystal Loop, stopping at Avant, Twin Creek, and Wegner...
These MTB Handguards Mount Directly to Your Grips
Sendhit released the Nock V3 handguard, a redesign that mounts directly to compatible grips, eliminating the traditional lockring. The V3 uses a stiffer aluminum bracket and a simplified interface, offering slightly more coverage than the V2 while remaining one of...
Scope Introduces More Affordable R4.G Gravel Wheel
Scope Cycling has launched the R4.G, a new gravel wheel set designed for price‑sensitive riders. It retains the 45 mm rim profile and 38/28 mm width of the premium Artech 4.G but drops the Aeroscale texture, carbon spokes and 3D‑printed hubs. The wheel...
Matterhorn Sees Winter Ascents, Including a Solo Climb
The Matterhorn saw two notable winter ascents in early March: a two‑day team climb of the historic Gogna‑Cerutti route and a solo ascent of the south face via the Furggen Ridge. Matteo Della Bordella and Giacomo Mauri emphasized learning and...
Road or Gravel, There’s a Gran Fondo for Every Rider in 2026. Which Route Fits Your Goals?
Gran fondos—long‑distance, organized rides popular in Europe since the 1970s—have exploded across North America, with both road and gravel formats now commonplace. In 2026 the continent will host hundreds of events, ranging from 25‑mile beginner routes to 150‑mile endurance challenges,...
A Thriving Illinois Village Outside Chicago Offers Lakes, Parks, And A Scenic Nature Preserve
Lake in the Hills, a thriving village just an hour north of Chicago, offers a variety of lakes, parks, and nature preserves for day‑trip visitors. Its largest water body, Woods Creek Lake, provides swimming, fishing and picnicking, while non‑residents must...
Ouachita DOOM Bike Check: On Location at South City Stitchworks
Jesse Smith’s 2026 DOOM bike check showcases his Allied BC40 equipped with premium Enve M5 wheels, SRAM XX SL drivetrain, and RockShox suspension. He visited South City Stitchworks in St. Louis to acquire a full suite of custom frame‑wedge and top‑tube...
Raymarine Expands Charting Options for Serious Anglers
Raymarine has broadened its marine cartography suite for anglers by launching LightHouse Charts GEN 2, adding Florida Marine Tracks, and introducing CMOR NEX GEN for its Axiom 2 Pro and XL displays. The new LightHouse version redraws three times faster...
Rigs of DOOM 2026 (Part One)
The fifth annual DOOM bikepacking event launches March 13, 2026 from Hot Springs, Arkansas, featuring three route options and a record 230+ riders. The full Ouachita DOOM route (over 325 miles) draws most participants, offering more than 100 miles of...
It Takes a Village – the Pioneering Tourism Project Breathing New Life Into India’s Mountain Communities
Village Ways, a community‑based tourism initiative founded in 2005, now links over 30 villages from Uttarakhand to Kerala, offering low‑impact hiking stays in guesthouses rather than homestays. By distributing earnings equally among cleaners, porters and guides, the model has hosted...
Must Watch: Aptos Productions’ 'Top Soil 2' Still Holds Up 20 Years Later
Aptos Productions’ "Top Soil 2," originally released in 2006, remains a benchmark for mountain‑bike freeride cinema twenty years later. The film captures the Aptos crew—Cam McCaul, Tyler McCaul, Ryan Howard, Greg Watts, Alex Reveles, Jamie Goldman and others—delivering tricks and style...
Video: Peaty's Josh Bryceland Stars In The Fast Flow Show
Peaty’s Products released a promotional video titled “The Fast Flow Show” featuring downhill legend Josh Bryceland. The clip showcases the brand’s newly introduced Holeshot Fast Flow Valves, designed to enhance bike handling and momentum. Filmed by Tommy Caldwell and shot...
Interview: Orbea, TQ, and Fox on Developing an eMTB That Doesn't Feel Like an eMTB
Orbea teamed up with motor specialist TQ and suspension leader Fox to launch the Rallon RS, an e‑mountain bike engineered to feel like a conventional bike. The trio integrated TQ’s ultra‑light HPR40 motor, Fox’s upcoming Neo Live Valve suspension, and a...
Experience the Thrill: Nepal’s 50th International Himalayan Rafting and Kayaking Festival on the Trishuli River
The 50th International Himalayan Rafting and Kayaking Festival kicked off alongside the 24th Himalayan Whitewater Challenge on Nepal’s Trishuli River, highlighting the country’s push to become a global adventure‑tourism hub. The three‑day event featured 51 paddlers in a 300‑metre kayak...
200-Lb Inflatable Camper Airs up in 5 Minutes to Sleep 4 People
Thaircamper unveiled an inflatable truck camper that weighs just 180 lb and can be set up in under five minutes. The unit expands into a fully enclosed alcove with a floor, roof, door and optional bunks, providing sleeping space for three...
Montana's Oldest Operational Ski Area Is An Underrated Mountain Getaway With Lovely Views And Laid-Back Vibes
Showdown Montana, the state’s oldest operational ski area since 1936, sits in the Little Belt Mountains about three hours north of Big Sky. The family‑owned resort offers 40 runs across 640 skiable acres, ranging from wide groomers to five steep...
Best Road Bike Tires 2026: 10 Editor-Tested Tires Worth Buying for Speed, Traction, and Puncture Resistance
Bicycling’s test team evaluated ten road bike tires for 2026, ranking them by speed, traction, durability, and puncture resistance. The list includes all‑season Continental GP5000 AS TR, lightweight Vittoria Corsa Pro Speed, and high‑mileage Gatorskin, among others, with detailed specs such as...
Nestled Between Albany And New Haven Is Connecticut's Deepest Natural Lake With Crystal-Clear Water For Fishing
Lake Wononscopomuc, located near Salisbury, Connecticut, is the state’s deepest natural lake, exceeding 100 feet in depth and spanning roughly 350 acres. The lake offers swimming, kayaking, and regulated boating through Town Grove, where entry costs $15 and boat rentals...
Olympic Gold Medallist Climbs His Hardest Route Ever
Alberto Ginéz López, the Tokyo Olympic gold medallist, completed Chris Sharma’s El Bon Combat in Spain, marking his hardest sport‑climbing ascent to date. After six sessions split between December and February, he joined Jakob Schubert as only the third climber to repeat...
The North Magnetic Pole: The Hardest Place in the World to Reach
The Earth's North Magnetic Pole, once a 650 km trek from the Canadian hamlet of Resolute, has migrated far beyond the Geographic North Pole into the central Arctic Ocean, making it the hardest polar destination to reach. Historically, adventurers used ski‑equipped...
Flash Review: 25/26 Moment Deathwish 96
Moment’s Deathwish 96, tested on Palisades Tahoe, is a 96mm waist ski that blends powder float with solid edge hold. The model features a lightweight carbon‑reinforced core, progressive rocker, and a tapered tip for quick turn initiation. Reviewers noted a...
The Shoes I Wear on Ski Trips When I’m Not on the Slopes
The article reviews après‑ski footwear that bridges mountain performance and casual comfort. It highlights the Stio Colter Boot as the best overall option, the Columbia Venturetrot Boot as the top value pick for muddy conditions, and The North Face Thermoball...
What a Foraging Expert Wants You to Know About Finding (and Eating) Wild Foods This Spring
Chef and foraging guide Maria Finn says the unusually wet and sunny winter has primed California’s West Coast for a bounty of spring wild foods. She highlights abundant finds such as morels, edible flowers, fiddlehead ferns, and coastal seaweed, while...
25ft Todos Santos Delivers Thriller at Killers Highlight Reel (Video)
The Thriller at Killers big‑wave contest unfolded on February 7 at Todos Santos Island, delivering 25‑foot swells that few events see. South African Grant “Twiggy” Baker captured the men’s title after a three‑day chase across iconic breaks, while San Diego’s...
World's Most Powerful eFoil Is Also One of the Easiest to Learn On
Hydroflyer unveiled the Gen 2 FF, a limited‑edition eFoil powered by a 10,000‑watt motor that reaches 60 km/h and delivers explosive acceleration. The board features a four‑point‑contact stance with handlebars, carbon‑fiber construction, and an onboard computer that manages power, depth mapping, and...
There’s a New Sheriff in Waterproof Cycling Jacket Town, and Its Name Is the Pas Normal Mechanism Shell Jacket
The Pas Normal Mechanism Shell Jacket emerges as a top‑tier waterproof cycling shell, featuring a 20,000 mm waterproof rating and 20,000 g/m²/24 h breathability thanks to a Polartec Power Shield Pro membrane. Its roomy, slightly stretchy cut accommodates substantial mid‑layers, while a durable...
The 12 Best Carry-On Backpacks
The Strategist’s latest guide ranks the 12 best carry‑on backpacks, spotlighting the Cotopaxi Allpa 50 L system as the overall winner and the Peak Design Travel Backpack as the top choice for business travelers. The list covers a range of capacities from...
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This Historic Steam Train Has Been Taking Travelers to the Grand Canyon for 125 Years—And It Just Added More Dates
The Grand Canyon Railway, operating since 1901, celebrates its 125th anniversary by expanding steam‑locomotive service. From March through October, the vintage steam train runs the first Saturday of each month plus an extra special day, offering a 65‑mile round‑trip from...
How Goodland and Sculptor Trent Hutton Embedded a Wood Fired Hot Tub in Stone
Goodland partnered with sculptor Trent Hutton to embed its wood‑fired hot tub inside a concrete rock sculpture on Bowen Island. Hutton used his signature landscape‑inspired concrete technique, leaving a hollow core for the tub with only minor adjustments to the...
Cycplus AS2 Ultra: Small, Accurate, and Good Enough to Leave the CO2 at Home
The Cycplus AS2 Ultra is a pocket‑sized electric tire inflator that weighs just 107 g and measures 2.5 × 1.75 × 1 in. In lab tests it inflated a 28 mm road tire to 65 psi in 42 seconds and a 2.3″ mountain‑bike tire to 20 psi in 45 seconds, while...
Yellowstone’s First Grizzly Bear of 2026 Emerges From His Den
Biologists in northern Yellowstone reported the park’s first grizzly bear of 2026 on March 9, observing the male scavenging a bull bison carcass. The sighting aligns with the typical early‑March emergence of male grizzlies from winter torpor, while females with cubs...
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This Is the Best Beach in the U.S.—and It Has 1,200-Foot Cliffs, 2 Beautiful Coves, and a Waterfall
Honopu Beach on Kauai’s Nā Pali Coast has been crowned the best U.S. beach by The World’s 50 Best Beaches, thanks to its dramatic 1,200‑foot cliffs, a waterfall, and two secluded coves. The site is a sacred Hawaiian burial ground and remains inaccessible by...
Neuhaus Metalworks Launches 32-Inch Rigid Mountain Bike
California framebuilder Neuhaus Metalworks has introduced the Nova32, a rigid mountain bike built around oversized 32‑inch wheels. The bike features a steel Hummingbird‑derived tubeset and a carbon fork, targeting long‑distance cross‑country riders seeking higher speeds on rough terrain. Neuhaus will...
Klättermusen Launches New Hiking Gear With a Freaky Folklore Film
Swedish outdoor brand Klättermusen unveiled its Go Feel Wild collection, introducing lightweight, waterproof pieces such as the Barrö Shirt and Vingner Anorak that use the quick‑dry Oculus fabric. The launch is paired with a short folklore‑inspired film, “Forest Bound,” which showcases the gear...
How to Find the Perfect Used ATV for Sale
Buying a used ATV can deliver capability at a fraction of new‑model cost, but the market’s variety creates hidden risks. Prospective owners must first identify the specific type—utility, sport, or youth—that matches their intended use, then set a total budget...
Shade Systems for Campers, Vans, and Overland Rigs
Shade systems are becoming essential accessories for campers, vans, and overland rigs, turning open‑air sites into comfortable living spaces. A well‑designed awning mitigates heat, UV exposure, and sudden rain, extending usable square footage and protecting gear. Choosing the right system...
Ticket Sales For Crystal Cave In Sequoia National Park To Open March 16
Ticket sales for the 2026 Crystal Cave season open on March 16, 2026 at 9 a.m. online. Guided tours, operated by the Sequoia Parks Conservancy, will run from May 22 through November 1, 2026, offering 50‑minute explorations of the park’s only public cave....
Samara Unveils Reimagined Exclusive-Use Safari Villa, The Manor
Samara Karoo Reserve has relaunched its four‑suite, exclusive‑use safari villa, The Manor, after a comprehensive refurbishment. The property now accommodates up to eight guests and features a 21‑metre pool, a panoramic gym, and a newly built boma for starlit dining....
The Neuhaus NOVA32 Is a 32-Inch MTB You Can Actually Buy
Neuhaus has launched the NOVA32, a 32‑inch rigid mountain bike built on a quad‑butted 4130 steel frame with a carbon fork and Maxxis Aspen 32×2.4" tires. Frames are in limited stock and ship now, with three size options (M/L, L,...
Volcanic Eruption Causes Closure Of Kīlauea Summit In Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
On March 10, 2026, Kīlauea volcano erupted for its 43rd episode, sending lava fountains up to 1,300 feet and generating hazardous tephra. The National Park Service closed the summit area and Highway 11 between mile markers 24‑40 as football‑sized volcanic fragments rained...