Arc’teryx Beta AR Woman’s Shell As we’ve come to expect from Arc’teryx, the Beta AR Woman’s Jacket represents a pinnacle of hard-wearing, all-weather engineering: absolutely bomb-proof. Combining two weights of GORE-TEX® to maximize both breathability and ruggedness, the Beta AR has bells and whistles galore—an advanced  hood/collar interface featuring a soft microsuede chin guard, generous (but low-profile) pit-zips that glide …

Arcyterx RHO AR Men’s Bottom Base Layer Made of a combination of Polartec® Power Stretch® polyester and elastane, the RHO AR base layer from Arc’teryx delivers amazing light-weight warmth and durability for cold weather activities. Weighing in at only 7.8 ounces, the RHO AR hugs the pelvis and legs, providing complete contact—and warmth— against your skin. It’s moisture-wicking, breathable and …

The Skagit River is one of the Pacific Northwest’s most beautiful watercourses, flowing down from the North Cascades and making its sinuous way to the Salish Sea. In winter, bald eagles gather along its banks in amazing numbers, feeding on salmon. This epic cycle of salmon and eagle is one of nature’s great spectacles. For the Skagit River Bald Eagle …

Arc’teryx Gamma MX Softshell Jacket The ‘best of both worlds’ beauty of the softshell concept is simple – yet complicated. The idea is that softshell garments shed water, snow and wind and yet offer the comfort of stretchability and a ‘soft hand’. The Arc’teryx Gamma MX lives up to this promise with style and the kind of bomb-proof construction that …

If you own some wheels, a handle bar and a seat, it seems there’s no stopping you from having great fun as a competitor or a participant in some of the world’s most unorthodox or even ‘’weirdest’’ cycling races. They’re aplenty and can be found from London to St. Louis. Some of these may even compete for the title “Weirdest …

Cycling in the south of France is a bucket-list experience for many avid cyclists. A leisurely weekend spent pedaling your own “Tour de France” is sure to be one that you’ll remember for years and offers myriad opportunities to slow down, unwind and smell the flowers Before starting your weekend through Southern France’s endless fields and vineyards, it’s important that …

It was raining on October 13, 1979 in northwest Washington. Dave Fayram remembers it well. Fayram is one of the founders of The Mount Baker Bike Club (MBBC) and its signature event, The Chuckanut Century, a road bike ride that grew from that first rainy ride to  become a beloved annual local event. “There were about 20 people,” Fayram says. …

Water is my element, where I feel most at home. Kayaking is my passion, bringing out the best in me and challenging me to be better. Bringing a camera on my watery sojourns helps me share this passion in a colorful, soulful reality. In spring 2010, with my world scaled down to an eighteen-foot sea kayak and a 1,200 mile ribbon of water …

In our winter issue we highlighted the hike to Hole in the Wall on the Olympic Coast as a truly great winter outing. Just to be sure, we hauled our backpacks out there for a few days, a trip timed to coincide with the calm just before a predicted winter storm. The weather Gods were accommodating and we were given …

Vasque Erikkson GTX Boots Uh-oh… The new boots from Vasque arrived the day before we were heading out on our gear testing trip, a three-day backpack in the North Cascades. No time for break-in. As it turned out, no need. The brand new Vasque Erikkson GTX boots set the bar for comfort. Combining rigidity to support long hikes over rough …