Ted Alvarez
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Network Editor at Outside. NW editor @backpackermag. Podcasting @the_explorist. Book: The Wilderness Idiot out now: amzn.to/2mNqutF
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Articles by Ted Alvarez
Winter’s Best New Gear Has Been Decades in the Making
To say Helly Hansen has been developing and refining outerwear longer than almost any other company on the planet is no exaggeration. Since 1877, the storied Norwegian brand has pushed the frozen edge of apparel design, protecting us from the worst winters, beginning with the linseed-oil-soaked linen coveralls developed by the company’s namesake sea captain and his wife for hardworking fishermen toiling in the wettest, coldest Arctic conditions.
Winter Tires with On-Demand Traction? Ski Season Just Got Safer and Better.
Here’s an age-old skier’s dilemma: As snow gets better, roads get worse. The same powder pileups that make for dream turns can make the drive to get there a treacherous, whiteknuckle journey. Every skier has a harrowing road story to tell. At least one. I will never forget a steep, dry curve on British Columbia’s Rogers Pass that unexpectedly transitioned to mottled black ice. It sent me skidding toward a tanker half-jackknifed across the road.
A New Approach to Disaster Relief
From this summer’s intense wildfires to back-to-back earthquakes to a brewing Super El Niño, one thing is clear: The growing threat of natural disasters is hard to ignore. Supercharged by climate change, events like wildfires, earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods now occur more regularly, often in places that aren’t prepared for them. This reality means billions of people worldwide need stronger preparedness and resilience measures.
Real Adventure Lies Beyond the Pavement
Overlanding can feel like tackling the outdoors with superpowers. Hard to reach places open up to you, your optimized rig, and however many two- or four-legged companions you can haul with you. You can shrug off the kind of weather that would bounce hikers or bikers back to a trail-town motel, and many comforts of home lie within arm’s reach—whether you’re basking by a glacier view or prepping in a big-box parking lot. But for first-timers, the barrier to entry can feel high.
Choosing the Right Trail Running Shoes
That runner’s high we’re all after? It gets even better on a trail. The buzz goes full electric on epic alpine ridgelines, sure. But the same thing happens close to home, when you follow a gravel road to find a wooded path threading through a neighborhood greenbelt. And it’s not just the scenery that makes trail running so special. Getting off the pavement invites you to explore, to discover a wider world—and a wilder one—connected by paths of all kinds.
Choosing the Right Trail Running Shoes
That runner’s high we’re all after? It gets even better on a trail. The buzz goes full electric on epic alpine ridgelines, sure. But the same thing happens close to home, when you follow a gravel road to find a wooded path threading through a neighborhood greenbelt. And it’s not just the scenery that makes trail running so special. Getting off the pavement invites you to explore, to discover a wider world—and a wilder one—connected by paths of all kinds.
Camping Gets an Upgrade
We humans have a funny relationship with camping. We love it because it connects us with the outdoors and our primal past, but we don’t want to rough it quite as much as our ancestors. Hence the evolution of RVs and vanlife vehicles. But these options leave a gap between dream and reality. The romantic ideal of vanlife (surfboards on the roof, Instagram vistas out the back hatch) often hides a sardine-tin reality full of compromise and claustrophobia.
Camping Gets an Upgrade
1 hour ago Driving On a Riverbed In The Northern Rockies. BC To YUKON Road Trip www.youtube.com on YouTube • 1h Thanks so much for all the Love!!! Grab a shirt/hoodie/Sticker and support the Madness! https://www.thechromeproject.com SUPPORT THE MADNESS Join Youtube memberships to get access to daily updates: https://www.youtube.com/@thechromeproject/join How to contact The Chrome Project (Formally Vancity Vanlife) Business Inquiries workwithus@vancityvanlife.ca Wanna say something nice?
If You Want Great Outdoor Photos, Get a Great Outdoor Camera
When it comes to capturing outdoor adventure in all its glory, smartphone cameras have come a long way but not far enough. Star-filled skies turn to a washy mush of gray-black noise, you need Magic Eye-level sleuthing to identify pixelated wildlife back home, and getting the perfect split-second shot of little grom’s first huck can demand a frustrating amount of trial and error. Point-and-shoots aren’t much better. This is where a true camera saves the day.
Ohio’s Best-Kept Secret
When you read the headlines about overcrowded national parks and maxed out trailheads, it’s easy to think the outdoors is overrun with selfie-chasing hordes. But there’s plenty left to discover if you know where to look. Proof: Athens County, Ohio. Tucked into the hills about 75 miles southeast of Columbus, this corner of Appalachia delivers something you won’t find elsewhere: real surprise.
Why Life Is Just Better In Costa Rica
Most travel slogans land somewhere between crass marketing and hokey catchphrases. But in Costa Rica, pura vida is so much more than a slogan. It captures an entire worldview, and you hear it everywhere, woven into the fabric of daily life: at the airport, in the surf lineup, from a farmer reaching into a bag of custardy-sweet guanábanas to make a batido before you follow the sound of howler monkeys into the cloud forest canopy.
Why Life Is Just Better In Costa Rica
Most travel slogans land somewhere between crass marketing and hokey catchphrases. But in Costa Rica, pura vida is so much more than a slogan. It captures an entire worldview, and you hear it everywhere, woven into the fabric of daily life: at the airport, in the surf lineup, from a farmer reaching into a bag of custardy-sweet guanábanas to make a batido before you follow the sound of howler monkeys into the cloud forest canopy.
Why Life Is Just Better In Costa Rica
Why Life Is Just Better In Costa Rica Ted Alvarez Most travel slogans land somewhere between crass marketing and hokey catchphrases. But in Costa Rica, pura vida is so much more than a slogan. It captures an entire worldview, and you hear it everywhere, woven into the fabric of daily life: at the airport, in the surf lineup, from a …
Is This North America’s Best Summer Getaway?
Yes, Whistler’s perfect-powder days and unmatched terrain deliver some of the best skiing on the planet. You should experience it. But summer? Wow. When the snow melts, the adventure aperture widens to reveal a glacier-carved landscape that invites both action and stillness, where high-alpine ridgelines, glassy lakes, rollicking rivers, and the vibrant pedestrian Village all sit so close together you’ll want to do it all.
Is This North America’s Best Summer Getaway?
Yes, Whistler’s perfect-powder days and unmatched terrain deliver some of the best skiing on the planet. You should experience it. But summer? Wow. When the snow melts, the adventure aperture widens to reveal a glacier-carved landscape that invites both action and stillness, where high-alpine ridgelines, glassy lakes, rollicking rivers, and the vibrant pedestrian Village all sit so close together you’ll want to do it all.
The Outside Days 2026 Film Lineup Is Making Some Noise
Outside Days will rock Denver in more ways than one from May 29 to 31. The festival, now in its third year, brings an unprecedented mashup of live music, film, speakers, and outdoor culture to Auraria Campus. One of the highlights is the Film series presented by Amazon Pharmacy, which this year features storytelling at the heart of adventure and human drama—and a big dose of music.
The Outside Days 2026 Film Lineup Is Making Some Noise
Sally Field remembers Robin Williams trying to make her laugh on Mrs. Doubtfire: 'It wasn't funny' The actors played a couple going through a split in the 1993 comedy. The late Robin Williams was best known for making people laugh, but apparently not Sally Field, his costar in the 1993 movie Mrs. Doubtfire. Field said she was the only person who wasn't cracking up and even ruining scenes, and "it …
One Shoe, Every Surface
Here’s a shoe test you don’t see everyday. Nike ACG’s new Pegasus Trail earned my trust when it delivered enough stopping power to keep more than 320 pounds from careening off a steep, mud-slicked bluff into the ocean. Those pounds weren’t all mine: The weight included two sled dogs—rescues I’d just taken charge of—with a lot of excess energy. The best way to burn it off?
Defender Service Awards: Driving Change Since 2021
3 hours ago A blast at a fireworks factory in China's Hunan province has killed 21 people and left 61 wounded, according to state media. The explosion at the Huasheng Fireworks plant happened at around 16:40 local time (08:40 GMT) on Monday, in the city of Liuyang, leading rescuers to evacuate everyone within a …
Defender Service Awards: Driving Change Since 2021
For the real-life heroes who save lives and aid our communities when they need it most, getting there is half the battle. For decades, Defender’s legendary capability has empowered humanitarian efforts, helping aid workers navigate the rural roads, flood zones, wilderness areas, and beyond to deliver vital resources like medical attention, rescue, or emergency food.
Defender Service Awards: Driving Change Since 2021
For the real-life heroes who save lives and aid our communities when they need it most, getting there is half the battle. For decades, Defender’s legendary capability has empowered humanitarian efforts, helping aid workers navigate the rural roads, flood zones, wilderness areas, and beyond to deliver vital resources like medical attention, rescue, or emergency food.
One Shoe, Every Surface
Sponsor Content: Nike Nike ACG’s all-terrain Pegasus Trail handles anything a path can dish out Nike ACG’s new Pegasus Trail (Photo: Nike) Here’s a shoe test you don’t see everyday. Nike ACG’s new Pegasus Trail earned my trust when it delivered enough stopping power to keep more than 320 pounds from careening off a steep, mud-slicked bluff into the ocean. Those pounds weren’t all mine: The weight included two sled dogs—rescues I’d just taken charge of—with a lot of excess energy.
Is This the Only Trail Shoe You Need?
When the team at Salewa decided to make shoes that would be perfect for exploring their backyard—the Italian Dolomites—they probably didn’t know that they were also making shoes the whole world would love. But the new Pedroc 2, made for moving fast and free in Italy’s alpine wonderland, turns out to be wildly effective for just about any foot travel, on all kinds of terrain. Why are the Dolomites such a great place to develop a fast-and-light shoe?
Tested in Scotland, Used Everywhere
There are so many things to love about Scotland: exceptionally gorgeous hills and lochs, the exceptionally rugged coast, and exceptionally friendly people, to name a few. And for the founders of Endura, it’s an exceptionally good place to test cycling gear. Road, dirt, and gravel. Crap weather and bluebird skies. Sometimes all of it on the same day. The team at Endura is passionate about all riding, and makes gear to match.
First Look: The Latest Tech in Rain and Sun Protection
Some people look at the forecast and decide to stay in. Others look at the forecast and decide what to wear. If you like to go out—and stay out—in any weather, pushing through rain, wind, or intense sun, you need protection to match. That means waterproofing that withstands all-day storms and sun layers that block UV rays while keeping you cool and dry. Mountain Hardwear’s latest standards and technologies do just that. Here’s how.
First Look: Step Caddy
For parents with young kids, hiking doesn’t stop; it just changes. There’s nothing like seeing your preschooler exploring the outdoors with unfiltered excitement at the discovery of it all: turning over rocks, stomping through puddles, spotting an amazing bug. It never gets old. Well, one thing gets old: carrying your tramping toddler, whose activity and size are outgrowing the traditional framed carrier, and their stamina is, um, highly variable.
Win the Ultimate Ski Getaway
True powderhounds know that waking up early for first tracks is a good idea. But waking up on the mountain? That’s genius—and it doesn’t get any better than at Sunshine Mountain Lodge inside Canada’s Banff National Park. Actually it does get better: You could win the ultimate getaway to Sunshine Mountain Lodge and score three nights in a deluxe room plus next-day lift tickets for two. That’s what’s up for grabs in this exclusive giveaway.
Nature’s Great Escape
17 hours ago The fourth iOS 26.4, iPadOS 26.4, and macOS Tahoe 26.4 betas that Apple provided to developers today introduce nine new emoji characters. Trombone • Treasure Chest • Distorted Face • Hairy Creature (aka Bigfoot or Sasquatch) • Fight Cloud • Orca • Landslide There are also new skin tone modifiers people wrestling and …
Nature’s Great Escape
In a place like Reno Tahoe—nestled in between high alpine peaks and vast deserts—there are almost too many outdoor adventures to choose from. That’s why we turned to those who know the area best. We tapped four Reno Tahoe insiders to give us some of their favorite natural escapes in this unique region, ranging from otherworldly rock formations in the desert to the clearest mountain lakes.
Explore Reno Tahoe Like a Local
If you’re the kind of traveler who seeks out the hidden gems before the headliners, let us introduce you to some likeminded people. In order to uncover the best of Reno Tahoe—where vibrant culture meets unrivaled outdoor access—Outside teamed up with four adventurers and creators who embody the “No Limits” spirit of the region. From photographers to pilots, these mavericks go beyond the ordinary to find their adventures. Here are some of their favorite spots in Reno Tahoe.
Eat, Drink, and Play in Reno-Like a Local
Sponsor Content: Reno Tahoe More than a basecamp for desert and alpine adventures—this vibrant outdoor-centric city is a destination all its own Reno Tahoe (Photo: Visit Reno Tahoe) Nestled between alpine peaks and vast deserts, Reno has rightly earned its status as one of the best adventure basecamps in the country. But it’s more than just a staging ground.
6 Water Adventures in Reno Tahoe
No doubt, when it comes to aquatic adventure in the Reno Tahoe area, the mesmerizing blue waters of Lake Tahoe are the star of the show, and rightfully so. But that’s just the start in this alpine-meets-downtown-meets-desert playground. From the shady alpine lakes perched above Tahoe to the winding Truckee River that flows through the heart of Reno, water is a defining feature of the region. No one knows Reno Tahoe like the folks who live and play there.
Western Washington’s Mountains-to-Sea Wonderland
If your idea of a perfect vacation spans the bottom of the sea to the top of the mountains, you’ll find that and more in Snohomish County, Washington. Over an area larger than Delaware, the sandy beaches lining the Salish Sea on Snohomish County’s western border yield to rolling foothills, milky glacial rivers, dense stands of old-growth forest, and, finally, the ragged skyline of the Cascade Range on the county’s eastern edge.
2025 Defender Service Awards: Meet the Winners
It’s no surprise that anyone who loves adventure will swoon over the legendary capability of a Defender. Now imagine how the people behind a mission-driven nonprofit feel as they put all that power and promise to work feeding the hungry, rehabilitating the injured and sick, and even saving human and animal lives. That’s why the Defender Service Awards Presented by CHASE is so popular.
Vermont Trails Archives
Obermeyer Appoints First-Ever CEO After 78 Years
Support us! GearJunkie may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn More After nearly 8 decades led by 105-year-old Klaus Obermeyer, Sport Obermeyer has tapped Kris Kuster to serve as its first-ever CEO. Obermeyer will remain active as owner and president of the board, but Kuster will lead the company’s upcoming transition from purveyor of winter outerwear to a year-round outdoor sports brand — with a heightened focus on women. It’s no small moment.
Starting a Fire With a Bow Drill Is Way Harder Than it Looks
Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app. I’d argue that for many men (and more than a few women), there is no badge of merit, no boon of confidence more desirable than starting a fire without a match. “I can build fire from nothing” seems like a great way to win anything: cocktail-party chatter, free drinks, a date, your life on a frigid night.
Flower Power
Flower Power September 21, 2021 Professor Steven Clark is on an ongoing quest to find a rare daisy that helps us understand the intricacies of evolution. Professor Steven Clark spends his days bushwhacking brushy trails until they turn into rocky scrambles, then vertical cliffs. It’s arduous work in service of a unique goal.
Searching for the Ghost Grizzlies of the North Cascades
Enjoy this classic story from the Backpacker archive We run into a bear at the end of our first day looking for grizzlies in Washington’s North Cascades National Park. Unfortunately, it’s the wrong kind: a runty black, not much bigger than a large Rottweiler, that ambles past our camp at Copper Creek. Probably a few thousand calories short of its daily huckleberry haul, it ignores us without so much as a glance before leaving a splat of half-digested mixed-berry casserole on the trail.
At This Remote Park, You'll Be the Only Hiker for Miles-If You're Tough Enough to Handle It
Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app. A stagnant bog the size of a football field blocks my way forward. I just scrambled shifting, fridge-size boulders and cut through hedge mazes trying to avoid it, but the terrain funneled me down to the water’s edge. I need to get across. Then, somehow, the miles will contract, the insects will quiet, and the thickets will part like the Red Sea.
For the Love of Birds
For the Love of Birds September 28, 2021 Ted Alvarez thinks birding is boring. But with so much interest in it now, he decides to investigate. The Pacific Northwest is a haven for thousands of bird species, from sage grouse to bald eagles to common finches. Many impressive migrations take place every year. And the enthusiasts who love spotting all these birds can be very enthusiastic. Birding draws obsessives; there are bird societies, events and even competitions.
The Meaning of a Mountain
The Meaning of a Mountain October 5, 2021 Peter Rainier never set foot on this continent. Some tribal members suggest giving a more fitting name for Washington’s tallest peak. For the very first episode of Crosscut Escapes, we told a story about a mountain. Not just any mountain — the mountain. You know the one. It’s the biggest in the state, the one you can see from Seattle, Tacoma, Yakima and sometimes even farther away. You also know the name.
The Science of Sasquatch
The Science of Sasquatch September 14, 2021 To find the mythical beast, members of the Olympic Project first analyze the evidence. Bigfoot, Sasquatch or whatever your favorite nickname; this giant, apelike cryptid is cemented in the minds of many Americans — and nowhere is that more true than in the Pacific Northwest, where reports of strange things afoot in the woods are relatively common.
To the Rescue!
To the Rescue! August 31, 2021 For outdoor adventurers, search and rescue teams provide a critical service, often for free — and it all started in Seattle. For outdoor adventurers in Washington state, potential trouble can be just a few steps away. The combination of topography, weather, glaciers, avalanches and technical ascents in the state's craggy peaks mean that even the most careful hikers can find themselves in danger. Most of them are lucky enough to never need outside help.
Everything You Need to Know About the Paralympics
If the roller-coaster Tokyo 2020 Olympics did anything, they stoked our enthusiasm for the return of global sports with their rivalries, upsets, superhuman athletic feats, and moments of sportsmanship that can make a rugby player cry. The Tokyo 2020 Summer Paralympics kick off on August 24, and they promise to feature just as much athletic derring-do set against a backdrop of pandemic-induced drama.
How One Olympian Trains His Brain
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline toll-free from anywhere in the U.S. at 1-800-273-8255. In February 2010, Steve Mesler stood atop a podium at the Vancouver Winter Olympics—but he might as well have been standing on top of the world. The gold medal around his and his teammates’ necks in the four-man bobsled competition was the first captured by Americans in 62 years.
5 Great Summer Olympic Upsets – PodiumRunner
There are typically two main ways for an athlete’s Olympic victory to land in the history books. One happens when elite performers make good on all their talent and potential, often pushing beyond what we thought was possible, earning gold and cementing dominance in their sport. That’s the surest way to win fame and glory with a long shelf life. But we’d argue the second way is even more exciting.
Are the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Cursed? – PodiumRunner
In November 2019, long before the pandemic booted the 2020 Olympics to a still-fraught 2021, construction crews unearthed 187 human skeletons underneath Tokyo while building Japan’s National Stadium.
Find a Piece of the UP Close to Home
Member Exclusive Become a member to unlock this story and receive other great benefits. See more perfect summer lake hikes to beat the heat. Distance: 3.6 miles Time: 1 day No need to head all the way to the Upper Peninsula for some serious terrain: Ludington State Park showcases fir woods, white-sand beaches, and rivers teeming with walleye, bass, and northern pike—all on the west coast of the Mitten.
Get Two Alpine Tarns All to Yourself at Trampas Lakes
Member Exclusive Become a member to unlock this story and receive other great benefits. See more perfect summer lake hikes to beat the heat. Distance: 11 miles Time: 1 day Elevation gain: 2,520 feet You won’t find sawtooth ridges like the gray headwalls that protect these twin tarns anywhere else this far south in the Rockies.
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