Author Archives: Evelyn Spence

In this unconventional guide to summer adventure, we offer 23 big ideas—some that invite you to push your limits and others that will just blow your mind—to rediscover something truly wild: you. Read it.

All hikes end. Sometimes that’s a blessing. (A little ditty for Backpacker.)

New research shows there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach to weight loss. The secret to success: finding what works for you. That’s what these women did—and now they’re lighter, leaner, and a whole lot happier. Read it.

The new documentary NORTH OF NIGHTFALL tracks a month-long expedition to a ridiculously isolated Arctic island, where four iconic freeriders tackle a miraculous line and contemplate hard questions about climate change. Read it.

Heavenly has one of the most sophisticated snowmaking systems around. If it can’t save its ski season, no one can. Read it.

This feature won an honorable mention for Outstanding First Person/Personal Experience category at the 2013 ASJA Awards.
Mongolians have been skiing from A to B for thousands of years. Now, thanks to a booming economy, skiing is becoming a winter sport…of sorts. And when we say “winter,” we mean it: You’ll freeze your bong-bongs off. Read it

This feature was chosen as Notable Sports Writing of 2012 in the Best American Sports Writing series.
What’s it like to pedal 7,710 vertical feet to the summit of Colorado’s Pikes Peak? Our correspondent set off to find out whether it’s the hardest fun thing you can do on a bike, or the most enjoyable dumb thing. If she can reach the top, she just might get to the bottom of it. Read it

Survivors of the Bataan Death March overcame one of history’s most grueling walks. What kept them on their feet? And could you do the same? Every year, more than 4,000 people hike through the New Mexico desert to find out.
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Science reveals how to overcome six common compulsive behaviors. Hint: It’s not about willpower. Read it.

Who says aging up has to slow you down? New research shows that our bodies are capable of some impressive accomplishments on the bike as we get older. Read it.

These five-minute workouts burn fat, build strength, and banish holiday stress. Read it.

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Bottomless. Breathless. Wild. Alta is a homewrecker, all right. Confessions of a Little Cottonwood groupie. Read it.

On a Western road trip, Evelyn Spence ponders the peculiar names—and increasing numbers—of gigantic RVs. Read it.

A runner discovers how to love a new city—and when to leave it. An essay. HelloNY

Listen to the morning birdsong, smell the bacon, and gaze at the snow-dusted peak (or sandstone arch or alpine lake). How to start your day right in the most amazing places in the world. Read it.

We chucked an Alta snob into Snowbird…and might have permanently altered her winter migration patterns. Read it.

More and more companies are hawking online and tablet games to improve brain fitness. But does the buzz have any scientific backup? Read it.

From indie boutiques to a foodie-friendly downtown, Idaho’s outdoorsy capital has plenty of urban fun. Read it.

We asked readers and staff to name their all-time favorite places to pedal. The result (in no particular order): classic destinations, must-do events, and two-wheeled adventures that should be on every cyclist’s bucket list. Read it. (Plus: where—and when—to ride in Death Valley National Park, here.)

On beachside paths and boardwalks, the cruiser is king. The riding is easy. And no one is in a hurry to be anywhere. My take on the best summer rides, from Atlantic City to Mission Beach. Read it.

70 million people in America have sleep issues. What’s really going on, and what can we do about it? Read it.

Grunt. Mule. Sherpa. Call him what you want, but Slovakian hutkeeper Viktor Beranek can schlep a load uphill.
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It’s a 70-mIle hike. It’s an international mixer. It’s a mobile festival of 2,200 trekkers fueled by Norrlands Guld beer and reindeer burgers. It’s Sweden’s Fjällräven Classic, and it’s an entirely new set of rules. Read it.

You can’t travel the world by the snap of your fingers, but you can get pretty close in the pages of a well-written book. Whether it’s a travel tale about sailing the seas alone or the retracing of steps along the Inca Trail, a travel book inspires the wanderer in us and has us looking longingly at our empty suitcases. No easier than choosing a favorite child, we’ve compiled a list of our top 10 favorite travel books of all time. Read it

When thousands of mega-lunged ski-mountaineers descent upon Zermatt for the world’s toughest single-day ski race, pain is mandatory—and spandex is everywhere.View Download

On the 20th anniversary of the death of Sheridan Anderson, we take a look back at one of the most colorful characters flyfishing has ever known.
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How do you take winter adventure to the next level? Add skis. If you’ve carved resort terrain, you’ll find the transition to the backcountry surprisingly easy, thanks to lighter, more user-friendly gear. Start earning your turns—safely—with this primer on equipment, route planning, reading conditions, and more. Backcountry101

Crisp tan lines shouldn’t be a badge of honor. Here’s why—and how to shield yourself from the sun’s harmful rays. Read it.

I recently wrote up—and edited—dozens of must-see cities and attractions around the world, from Johannesburg to Bodrum to Tel Aviv to the Smokies to Telluride. Check out some of them here.

TV loves adventure, so it makes sense that a crop of daring frontmen now host their own shows. These charismatic travelers search for endangered species, witness world records, tame wild beasts, and boot contestants off islands.
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With the $6 billion Vancouver Winter Games over, what’s the long-term payoff? The biggest benefit might not be easy to count. Read it.

At these cycling hotspots, you can use your time off to get more time on two wheels. Read it.

Want legs that can tackle any climb, any heavy pack, any mileage? Well, don’t work harder—work smarter. We grilled fitness experts and scoured the medical literature to uncover the latest, greatest strategies for building strength, endurance, speed, and flexibility.
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With the continuing explosion of cyclocross in the United States, the question isn’t if it’s here to stay—but if now we might do it bigger and better than the Europeans. Read it.

Four days rock climbing in Joshua Tree, CA
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Catching the sun on a paddle-ski trip in Alaska’s Prince William Sound.View Download

We surveyed more than 40 scientists, conservationists, and professional adventurers, then ranked the 15 parks that are most in peril from climate change.

Sure, the Sierra High Route ski tour follows in the footsteps of John Muir, but did America’s most famous wilderness writer miss the best part?
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Don’t hate these classic American landmarks because they’re beautiful—or mobbed in peak season. Dial in new skills to slip in the back way, and you’ll remember why these iconic places got you addicted to the outdoors in the first place.View Download

Ski all you want with our 21-day late-winter plan for optimizing shoulder-season fitness.
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A veteran marathoner finds unexpected meaning in a 26.2-mile history lesson.

At the 2006 Winter Games, when Bode was going on all-night benders, the rest of the U.S. Ski Team did what they do best: collected hardware. These days Miller’s on his own, reliable Rahlves is out to pasture, and the next generation of American skiers is rushing into the spotlight.
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When the snow melts in most mountain towns, the resident adventure pros move on. But the local talent in Whistler, British Columbia, wouldn’t dream of spending summer anyplace else.
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I’ve recently become a featured writer for Mapquest Discover, where I write about everything from Central Americas adventures to honeymoons to destination running races to vineyards to food. Follow me here.

How an international grassroots movement is shaping the way the world shops.
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