Author: wildgreenquest@gmail.com

From a spendy double sleeper to a budget bag, these three nests are worth every dollar. (Photo: REI/Canva)Published June 26, 2026 03:51AMA sleeping bag is a non-negotiable for camping—unless, of course, you’re a masochist or a vampire who doesn’t want or need a good night of sleep. The best sleeping bag for car camping keeps you warm and toasty when the mercury falls but doesn’t stick to your skin or absorb sweat when temperatures rise. No matter the price, you make tradeoffs in size, weight, temp ratings, fabrics, and more. But the three bags below check almost every box, for…

Published June 25, 2026 04:34PMA newly revealed internal memo allegedly bans National Park Service (NPS) staff from publicly reporting the deaths or severity of injuries at America’s national parks, according to a new report. Experts say this shift in transparency not only sets a dangerous precedent for park management but could also put visitors at risk.According to a report recently published by The Washington Post, the Department of the Interior (DOI), which oversees NPS, distributed a memo to employees in December. Park staff and those who speak to the media were reportedly prohibited from notifying the public about deaths and…

When the Czech Republic’s midfielder, Pavel Šulc, had his shirt ripped off during a match earlier this month at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the world saw his “sports bra.” So, we asked sports physiologists to explain what the heck they’re wearing—and if you need one to become a better athlete. FBL-WC-2026-MATCH02-KOR-CZE Czech Republic’s midfielder #15 Pavel Sulc prepares to enter the pitch during the 2026 World Cup Group A football match between South Korea and the Czech Republic at the Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan on June 11, 2026 (Photo: ULISES RUIZ /Contributor/Getty)Published June 25, 2026 03:11PMAt the FIFA World…

Explore the Seneca Skyway and you’ll know why this state is called “Almost Heaven”West Virginia’s Seneca Skyway. (Photo: West Virginia Tourism)Published June 25, 2026 02:29PMWhat makes a good road trip? Good snacks, good music, and good company for a start. But of course the most important element of any good road trip is the road itself, and the Seneca Skyway is a really good road. Winding around the southeast region of West Virginia, this road trip will take you from towering rock spires to charming small towns in a matter of hours, showcasing the best of the state’s outdoor adventures.…

Published June 25, 2026 01:18PMI’m standing at Mathers Campground in the Grand Canyon at one of more than 300 sites, staring straight into the eyes of a 700-pound elk. Next to me is Brady Dunne, a wildlife biologist with the National Park Service (NPS), and his partner, Blue. She’s not your usual park ranger—Blue is a Catahoula Leopard Hound, specially tasked with training the park’s wild ungulates to stay away from areas where people frequent. And she takes her job very seriously. “Grand Canyon has a what I would call a chronic elk problem,” Dunne told me. “Just like in Yellowstone,…

Following a simple, structured exercise routine can improve brain function and boost longevity. You can even take the routine outdoors. (Photo: Olga Pankova/Getty)Published June 25, 2026 12:11PMKey Takeaways: A study published in April 2026 examined how structured exercise programs affect aging. The researchers found that following a routine that totals just three hours per week boosts longevity. This article has been medically reviewed by Dr. Ingrid Yang. Between juggling demanding work schedules and managing household duties, finding the time to exercise can be tough. But new research might actually take some of the pressure off. As it turns out, the…

Published June 25, 2026 08:15AMAcclaimed ski mountaineer and IFMGA mountain guide Guillaume “Gee” Pierrel died at age 42 during an attempt to climb and ski K6 in Pakistan. He was climbing with the French Boris Jules and Swiss Christina Maria at around 5,000 meters (16,400 feet) on June 24 when an avalanche caught Pierrel. According to the preliminary reporting by Pamir Times and Everest Daily, the accident occurred during the ascent when a sudden avalanche of snow and rocks swept over the climber, killing him instantly.“Both Christina and Boris are safe and are also working to recover the body,” Ishaq…

Published June 25, 2026 05:19AMAt 4 A.M. on May 28, 36-year-old American athlete Tyler Andrews reached the South Summit of Mount Everest for the first time in his life. His goal, the main summit, was only a few hundred feet above him. It was his seventh attempt in two years to set a speed record on the mountain—and it wouldn’t be his last.“I could see the top,” he told Outside. “It was right there. I could throw a rock at it.” Even then, he wasn’t ready to celebrate. Before the day was over, on his eighth try, he succeeded in climbing…

Published June 25, 2026 03:30AMAfter I drove from Boston to California one summer during college,  the states that weren’t on my route became a tantalizing bucket list of places I needed to visit. Spending a month in Alaska in 2018 gave my quest a sense of urgency. I’d checked off one of the farthest states; the others would be easy, I thought.I planned a vacation in Kentucky (state #45) after I was offered a writing residency in nearby Tennessee in 2021. As a queer person, this gave me mixed feelings. I looked forward to crossing another state off my list, but…

Published June 25, 2026 03:04AMEveryone loves Cliff Kapono. Todd Glaser, preeminent photographer, describes the 38-year-old surfer and scientist as a “special person” who can affect the level of conversation, no matter the topic. Alex Kiluauno, filmmaker, credits Kapono with helping him connect with his Hawaiian family. John Burns, PhD, calls him “one of the most freakishly talented people I’ve ever met.” Across a week spent on Maui and O‘ahu, nearly every person I meet that’s local knows—and loves—Kapono. “Cliff Kapono?!” exclaims my guide on a hike outside of Honolulu. “Of course I know Cliff Kapono!” Kapono, PhD, is as known…