Essays
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Even after a life-changing diagnosis, I can still experience the thrill of adventure
Reading about romance and relationships in speculative fiction about scary futures reminds us that a better world is always worth fighting for
A 16-year-old in Texas drove into a group of cyclists in Waller County, Texas. Should he have been behind the wheel in the first place?
Before enlightenment, get on and pedal. After enlightenment, get on and pedal—but we do pass through several transitional phases along the way.
These are the full contest rules for Outside’s survival stories essay contest. You can read more about the contest and how to enter on this page. 1. Eligibility You must be 13 or older to participate. Employees and family members of Outside employees cannot participate. We’d especially like to hear…
Across the West, resort towns are facing a livability crisis. Luckily, advocates say, this problem can be fixed.
Living in a remote mountain town made him irresistible to curious dudes—and got me wondering why we assign so much importance to where people are from
When my yellow Lab died last spring, I was flattened by an overwhelming sadness that’s with me still. And that’s normal, experts say, because losing a pet is often one of the hardest yet least acknowledged traumas we’ll ever face.
After a terrible diagnosis forced me to slow down, I learned how to relate differently to the wild—and myself.
If I can help or influence one person, all the negative comments will have been worth it
“I would contend that stupid behavior is sometimes the proper response to stupid laws”
How a Boston-based program is using running, fitness, and holistic care to help veterans in life after service
Our senior editor’s foray into woodworking got off to a rough start
In 1960, John Steinbeck set out on a cross-country adventure with his standard poodle, Charley. More than half a century later, writer Kristin Wong did the same thing with her dog—and learned an unexpected lesson about the pain of uncertainty.
Growing up as a Mexican American kid in an anti-immigrant environment, Eric Arce began a yearslong struggle with anxiety and depression. In this essay, he explains how biking has helped him.
Daniel Pérez and the Sanba Cycling Team are proving that delivery workers, line cooks, and mechanics race bikes, too
When COVID-19 hit, one Outside editor found solace in an unexpected hobby
Three well-being experts weigh in on how to do just that
Knowledgeable and friendly rangers aren’t just found in our national parks
As a college student, writer Julia Rosen spent a summer on Alaska’s Taku Glacier, which kept growing for decades in spite of warming temperatures. Now, she reckons with its uncertain fate.
With summer here, we’re getting back into ambitious recreation, and that means a return to grit, sweat, and serious post-fun scrubbing. Cleanliness connoisseur Danielle Sepulveres explains how these wetdowns can create memories all their own.
History tells us why skiing—and the outdoors in general—lacks diversity. Thanks to the work of dedicated groups, this is slowly changing.
They don’t need to be huge—just big enough to store all your gear and all your dreams
It’s not just the gear purchases—it’s how we think about the future. Here’s the Outside guide to getting your financial $hit together, no selling out required.
Show your love for your companion with comfy beds and other luxuries
After losing her father to Alzheimer’s disease, one writer reflects on her relationship with grief and running—and the connections between the two
When you start a new sport, everything will be hard, perplexing, and intimidating. But your brain will be on fire.
We asked movers and shakers in different corners of the outdoor world about what people can do to make certain spaces and sports more welcoming for all
Cecilia Blomdahl’s viral videos are a window into an unfamiliar world full of polar bears, reindeer, and adventures on snowmobiles. But they also offer suprisingly resonant insights for those of us who’ve just spent a year in quarantine.
A special 30-day series celebrating nonprofits working for LGBTQ+ inclusivity
One editor’s thoughts on the Asian American illusion of belonging
Choosing whether or not to have children can be difficult for many women. For Amelia Boone, an elite athletic career and her ongoing eating disorder recovery have made it even more complicated.
Meet Outside+, a new membership with all of your active and healthy pursuits in one place
Every woman who hikes has been the target of mansplaining—and outdoor writers and editors are no exception
The evidence is everywhere that humanity is actually pretty decent, according to Dutch historian Rutger Bregman. Pay attention to it and you’ll feel much better.
The past year has been relentless in so many ways. But despite the challenges, there’s also a lot of good news out there to get you excited about the months ahead.
The North Face’s new Explore Fund Council, led by Jimmy Chin and Lena Waithe, has big plans—and a big budget—to make the outdoors more inclusive
Pet adoptions spiked during the pandemic. Now is the time to change outdoor dog culture for the benefit of people, public lands, wildlife, and the dogs themselves.
The more we learn an incomplete fairytale of Indigenous peoples and our history in this country, the more we perpetuate acts of ethnocide, like the ones we’ve seen in recent weeks in southern Utah
When Sanni McCandless started dating legendary climber Alex Honnold, she never expected that millions of people would soon be watching her relationship on screen
“For me, the climbing community was not a barrier to coming out. That community is what made it possible.”
Tourism and marquee events may face a boycott unless the cycling establishment can find an effective way to respond
For journalist Neil King, there’s never been a better time to reflect on the nation’s fraught history
What I learned about love, loss, and landscape over two decades of living in a 1961 Artcraft mobile home in the Utah desert
For most Americans, the naming of a secretary of the interior is of little consequence. However, as a Navajo man, who holds this position has defined much of my life, and the recent appointing of Deb Haaland marks a groundbreaking moment.
Few activities are more self-sufficiently satisfying
Last year, the American Ornithological Society accepted a proposal to rename a bird linked to a racist figure. And there's more where that came from.
Photographer Shaun Price captures images of a project to build a mobile bike repair center during COVID-19
2021 the year to get out of your comfort zone. Every season, we’ll challenge you to conquer your fears, embrace uncertainty, and try something new with us. Up first: turn off your phone; it's time to unplug.
More than 17 years ago, a successful Michigan attorney took his life on a cherished trout stream, devastating close friends and family. Haunted by what happened, his nephew investigated and discovered tragic truths that were in plain sight all along.
Over the past two decades, eBird has become the go-to online platform for scientists and hobbyists alike to upload and share bird observations. But it has also transformed the process and etiquette of birding.
Her essays on the challenges African Americans face in the outdoors spurred an outpouring of questions from readers. This is her response.
During her college break, the author went all in on solitude—living alone on a Down East island and working for one of the area’s few female skippers. Luna Soley reflects on a time of loneliness, hard work, and natural beauty.
A mountain guide, photographer, and cyclist had a sleepy moment on the road that resulted in her seriously injuring another rider. Here’s what she wants every driver to know.
An organization called Detroit Outdoors came up with a smart way to get more urban youth interested in camping—by providing experiences in the middle of the city they live in
Armenians and Turks have a long and hostile history that includes a genocide. On a cross-country journey in 2006, two young cyclists formed a bond that bridged this fraught past.
A tale about two-wheeled island hopping in the midnight sun
Southern Civil War symbols have been a flash point in towns and cities for years, but at places like the Gettysburg battlefield and Arlington National Cemetery—which are run by the Park Service and the Pentagon—there's a new, escalating conflict over monuments that honor the Lost Cause
Professional climber Kai Lightner maps out how the outdoor community can build successful diversity and inclusion initiatives
The long-distance, virtual Womxn Run the Vote relay isn't just about covering the miles. It's also creating a new vision for feminism that is inclusive.
Two years ago, Latria Graham wrote an essay about the challenges of being Black in the outdoors. Countless readers reached out to her, asking for advice on how to stay safe in places where nonwhite people aren’t always welcome. She didn't write back, because she had no idea what to say. In the aftermath of a revolutionary spring and summer, she responds.
The knife edge of Switzerland's Hardergrat is 16 miles long with more than 10,000 feet of vertical gain
The graphic artist, writer, and mountain biker wrote a poem about her complicated definition of racism
The work must continue long after the protests end. Here's how to start.
From Houston to Minneapolis, protesters on horseback are sending a powerful message
John Ackerman has spent millions procuring a majority of the known caves in Minnesota, which add up to dozens of miles of underground passageways and likely make him the largest cave owner in the U.S. He collects and charts them in the name of preservation, but his controversial methods have created many opponents.
Surfers at Rockaway Beach held a paddle out this weekend in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement
Colorado State University provides educational opportunities and outreach services to the tourism and outdoor recreation industries.
'Volksmarches' are popular walking events that involve tea stops, prizes, and a noncompetitive spirit
When once crowded mountain communities like Breckenridge, Colorado, saw visitors vanish this spring, locals scrambled to mitigate the economic damage and plot a return, while keeping their towns' character intact
Zion was either going to relight my fire or be my last big rock adventure for a while. I didn’t know which.
As a newcomer to Vermont, Joshua Morse found himself welcomed by the hunting community. But there was one thing he wasn't sure he could share.
Seven guides, artists, and entrepreneurs who personify the region’s free-spirited vibe
My dad is struggling with cancer in North Carolina, and COVID-19 cruelly cut him off from his family. But in Maine, where I live, the pandemic has forced 'Brady Bunch' togetherness that's been challenging, strangely fun, and full of lessons worth carrying forward.
During this strange summer, we need something productive to do. Growing your own vegetables is yummy, fun, and the ideal practical response to a challenging time.
As one of the only inhabitants of an abandoned railway stop in eastern New Mexico, Debra Dawson has been social distancing for decades. Attracted to its history and surrounding landscape, she's found happiness far away from just about everyone.