For some, climbing success is all about conquering a particular peak or snapping the perfect shot of a once-in-a-lifetime view. But for three women who worked together to climb the iconic east pillar of Piz Palü in Switzerland, the biggest reward was the sense of accomplishment in reaching a goal none of them were sure they could achieve. © ORTOVOX/Max Draeger Lena Koller, Marlies Czerny and Tanja Gutheil were not an obvious team for the rugged climb up an icy granite pillar jutting to an elevation of 3,900 metres above the Engadine Valley. Lena, a mountain guide in-training, and Marlies, an a ..read more

When you have some free time to crack open a hardcover and escape into a new story, pick a book with roots in your home province or based in a territory that you’ve always wanted to explore. Some of these books feature historical adventures; others are soon-to-be classics from the past decade or two. Some focus on natural history; others describe outdoor expeditions that involve internal journeys of the spirit. Some contain humour, some tragedy. Some inspire, some entertain. They will all make you think. Newfoundland The Lure of the Labrador Wild By Dillon Wallace (1905) In 1903, Wallace, Out ..read more

A trip to Madrid is often booked with an appetite—for rich experiences and tapas. A good place to be hungry, Madrid is home to multi-star Michelin cuisine, traditional heartwarming dishes and wineries. You might need help working off a full stomach. Madrid is skirted by a string of postcard-pretty granite mountains to its north. Just 30 minutes or so from central Madrid, it’s easy to escape into the mountains for an afternoon in nature.  Active Day Trips If you’re lucky, you’ll visit Navacerrada during one of its monthly flea markets. If so, enjoy browsing an ..read more

New Zealander Jonathan Nabbs has just spent close to a year running an 8,000-kilometre coast-to-coast journey along the Trans-Canada Highway. He wore a superman suit and had only a small trolley of belongings in tow. He surpassed his goal of raising $100,000 for children fighting cancer. He reached Mile Zero in Victoria, BC, at the statue of late Canadian national hero Terry Fox, who attempted crossing the country with one leg while suffering cancer in the 80’s, and who inspired Nabbs. “It’s all very surreal,” he says. “[I’m] grateful that this has happened, I reached Victoria, we reached the ..read more

A dynamic city with a rich history and a vibrant arts and culture scene, Madrid is Spain’s most popular destination. But if you want to experience the city like a true Madrileño, you’ll want to explore the spectacular mountain towns, well-preserved walled cities and charming villages that offer a delightful dose of the Great Outdoors. Here’s where to go for some off-the-beaten-path exploration during your next trip to Madrid. Aranjuez With its breathtaking gardens and stunning Royal Palace, Aranjuez is a quick 45-minute drive from the city center or accessible through public transport. The Ro ..read more

Adventuring season is just around the corner, and I have a doozy to kick things off this year. Right now, adventurer Mark Sky is in the midst of a self-propelled mission to cycle from his home in Squamish, BC to Argentina’s Mount Aconcagua, on a two-year mission he’s calling the Squagua Expedition. Along the way, he’s climbing to the summit of the highest peak in every state and country that he passes through. I met Mark last year at the VIMFF where we were both doing presentations on previous adventures. We hit it off and I thought, “Hmmm, one day I may just do an adventure with this fella ..read more

There aren’t many places where you can go surfing one day and skiing the next. Add to that hiking, cycling and dining on fresh seafood overlooking the ocean, and there are even fewer places on planet Earth that fit the bill. One of those few places is The Golden State—California has it all: sun, sand, surf, mountains and so much more.   If you’re looking for the ultimate outdoor adventure vacation, you’ve come to the right place. This action-packed itinerary will satisfy every adventurer, from weekend warriors to adrenaline seekers.   Hike to the Hollywood Sign  Upon ..read more

“Don’t give up,” says the young woman in a bright red parka standing at the front of our tour bus.  We’ve just arrived at Aurora Village on the outskirts of Yellowknife—capital of the Northwest Territories and, you could say, a capital place for viewing the northern lights.  Like our guide, we’re all dressed in fur-trimmed parkas, warm pants and insulated boots—ready to spend hours outdoors. At 9 p.m. the temperature is -20 C, but our rented clothing from My Backyard Tours will keep us toasty even if it plummets to -40, as it often does during the Yellowknife ..read more

It was snowing when I arrived in Vieux-Montréal. With narrow streets (originally travelled by foot or horse) lined with romantic stone buildings and lit up by seasonal lights, the historic neighbourhood felt hushed and inviting. A walk would make for a peaceful start to an upcoming week of outdoor adventure; but first, I needed warmer clothes. As a Vancouverite, I’m used to a more temperate version of winter—and my gear reflects that. Luckily, our host from Bonjour Quebec  arranged for cold-weather clothing rental from Tuque & Bicycle Expériences. So, dressed snuggly, I ..read more

Get ready for the greatest light show on Earth: the aurora borealis. Here’s where to view the northern lights in Canada. If you’ve been thinking about going somewhere special to view the northern lights, you won’t want to put it off much longer. The aurora borealis will soon be at its best and brightest as the sun approaches the peak of its 11-year weather cycle. That’s when sunspots, solar flares and solar eruptions become more frequent and intense, which leads to the best chance to observe spectacular aurora. According to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space We ..read more