Recent articles:

• Avalanche country, Part I
  The bane of the winter backcountry is the avalanche. In Part I of our series on exploring avalanches, we offer the Nova Online special on Avalanches and excerpts of the book Snowsense by Jill Fredston and Doug Fesler. Also, an article by Couloir's Lou Dawson about his painful (but fortunate) brush with a Colorado snowslide.
• A headache in the hills
  Ever hear of a Gamow bag? Have you memorized the quote, "Climb high, sleep low?" Rick Curtis will put you in the know. This article is a concise summary of the potential dangers of high altitude climbing and what you can do to prevent problems. If you climb or plan to climb over 8,000 feet, you should read this.
• The hiker's guide to bear etiquette
  We're always on the lookout for practical, how-to info, and R.T. Arnold's Bear Etiquette Page is just that. He outlines the basics for keeping bears away from your food (and for you to avoid becoming bear food). Well written with a genuine respect for the intelligence of Ursus Major.
• SURVIVAL TIPS: An excellent article on the art of "How not to get lost" by our friends at the Backcountry Home Page.
• Ever wonder what exactly is all that techno babble that shop rats are so fond of rattling off? Here's a quick guide to common materials and their origins.
• Is Down Dead?: A review of this ancient insulation.
• Materials Demystified: Confused about current fabrics and materials used in the outdoor industry? Here's some help...

Other items of interest:

• Review of Into Thin Air, John Krakhauer's chilling account of the Everest tradgedy by Amazon.com
• Going lightweight? Look at our gear checklist that gets you into the hills at UNDER 11 lbs!