From the desolate, foreboding highlands of Iceland to the species-rich rainforests of Costa Rica, these far-flung destinations hide stunning lodges that require more than a little bit of extra effort to reach. But, as they say, getting there is half the adventure.

Pacuare Jungle, Costa Rica

Costa Rica isn’t exactly at the end of the earth—it’s a quick flight from just about anywhere in the United States—but the nation’s virgin old-growth Central Caribbean rainforest is another matter. There, you’re more likely to run into Cabecar Indians, howler monkeys, and whitewater raft guides than you are traditional tourists. With only a handful of lodges, the approximately 25,000-acre Pacuare Protected Zone has remained blissfully undeveloped.

Getting there requires a dry bag and a flight to San JosĂ©, where a minibus will transport you through the historic capital city of Cartago to the banks of the Pacuare River. After a traditional Costa Rican breakfast of gallo pinto and fried plantains, Aventuras Naturales’ professionals will guide you down 2.5 miles of Class III rapids to Pacuare Jungle Lodge’s muddy shores. En route, keep a watchful eye on the dense tropical rainforest to catch glimpses of monkeys, brown sloths, and jaguars’ pint-sized brethren, ocelots.

Once you’ve settled into your bungalow, you can take a dip in your private, freshwater stone pool, nap in your rope hammock, or embark on a handful of adventures. Horseback ride 2.5 miles through narrow jungle pathways to the rural village of Bajos del Tigre, zip line through the rainforest’s canopy, or trek to a Cabecar Indian’s isolated household to chat with a shaman. Your departure brings Class IV rapids and the infamous Upper Huacas and Lower Huacas. Translation: Graveyard. Beginning at $413 per person, double occupancy, all-inclusive; .

Three Camel, Mongolia

The seemingly desolate 500,002-square-mile Gobi Desert hides a rich Mongolian nomadic culture; rare wildlife, such as goitered gazelle, golden eagles and snow leopards; and a Nomadic Expeditions-owned and -operated eco lodge dedicated to cultural, environmental and species preservation. Pack a bandana. Nomadic Expeditions’ dusty 14-day Gobi Trek begins in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, with a 90-minute prop-plane flight to Dalanzadgad. There, the real journey begins. Your first stop is Flaming Cliffs, the site where Roy Chapman Andrews discovered the first nest of fossilized dinosaur eggs, and then it’s off to Khongoryn Els sand dunes. There, your 70-mile trek through the Gobi’s barren, rocky expanse begins. Each day, you’ll sit atop a lumbering Bactrian camel and wind through miles of sand dunes, past clay cliffs and through forests of saxaul trees. Each night, you’ll set up camp on the arid desert floor. Respite comes in the form of Three Camel Lodge’s handmade felt gers and unobstructed views of the Gobi Altai Mountains. The wind- and solar-powered outpost’s Thirsty Camel Bar serves up steamed mutton dumplings and Altan Gobi, a Mongolian lager. Dig in and watch native Mongolians perform traditional songs and dances. Rest up: The exploration of Ongiin Khiid’s ancient temple ruins is next.Ìę.

Uakari, Brazil

At 1.4 billion acres, the Amazon Rainforest may seem infinite. But at a destruction rate of nearly 10,000 acres a day, 55 percent of the Amazon will vanish in the next two decades.ÌęHead deep into the world’s richest and most varied biological reservoir now before it disappears.

Fly to the outpost town of Tefé in Brazil’s Amazonas state. From there, a riverboat will pick you up at the edge of the SolimĂ”es River to take you on an hour and a half journey through the Amazon Rainforest to Uakari Lodge and your floating thatched bedroom deep inside the Mamirauå Sustainable Development Reserve.

Uakari is linked to the Mamirauá Institute’s Ecotourism Program and is a testament to Amazon conservation and protection: this solar-powered lodge accommodates up to 20 people and donates the majority of its profits to anti-poaching surveillance efforts and community development projects. Bring a camera; the lodge’s freshwater surroundings are frequent haunts of playful, endangered pink river dolphins.

Your trip is fully planned and outfitted. From a night hike to spot tarantula spiders, opossums, two-toed sloths, Amazon bamboo rats, and bats to the option of helping local naturalists gather data on their latest studies, Uakari is determined to show its guests why the Amazon is worth saving. Beginning at $600, three-night minimum, all-inclusive; uakarilodge.com.br.

Rimba Orangutan Eco, Indonesia 

Orangutan habitats once sprawled across Indonesia and Malaysia. Today, their habitat has been reduced to two rapidly dwindling Indonesian rainforests. Visit Dr.ÌęBiruté Mary Galdikas’ Camp Leakey, located on the Indonesian island of Borneo, to view these great apes in one of their last two remaining holdouts.

Fly from Jakarta, the capital and largest city of Indonesia, to Pangkalan Bun, a small city in Central Kalimantan, and drive 20 minutes to the port of Kumai. From there, you’ll board a traditional wooden klotok for a two-hour ride on the Sekonyer River to the Rimba Orangutan Eco Lodge, a remote lodge adjacent to Tanjung Puting National Park and Galdikas’ 41-year-old feeding and research station. On site, you'll explore the rainforest by foot and klotok, scouting feeding stations to watch orangutans chow down on seasonal fruits and nap in self-fashioned nests.

The rainforest is home to nine primate species, including black-handed gibbons and proboscis monkeys as well as crocodiles and giant monitor lizards. Stay up late for a night hike to see fireflies lighting up the sky above glowing mushrooms in Indonesia’s nipah palm forest just down river from the lodge and its resident troop of macaque monkeys. Beginning at $150; .

Hangaroa Eco Village & Spa, Easter Island

Your journey to the so-called Navel of the World begins in Santiago, Chile, and heads five hours due west to Easter Island, a volcanic Polynesian island guarded by 887 moai statues.

Located 1,289 miles from its nearest inhabited neighbor, Easter Island is one of the world’s most remote colonized islands. Today, it’s also one of the most mysterious in large part due to the still unexplained origin of these towering monolithic human statues.

Head to the brand-new, solar-powered Hangaroa Eco Village & Spa, on the edge of Easter Island’s town, Hanga Roa.ÌęHangaroa offers a number of Rapa Nui-guided tours, including a trip to Rano Raraku, a volcanic crater, former quarry, and home to nearly 400 moai statues, as well as a surf safari of the island’s surrounding breaks.

Local Rapa Nui brothers Vaenga and Mai Teao offer a two-hour safari ($30; 569-9816-5381) out of a shack near the beach. Experts should head to Pakaia, where swells range from nine to 26 feet. Beginning at $640, double occupancy, all-inclusive; .

Kerlingarfjöll Resort, Iceland

In the summer, Iceland’s isolated interior is home to roughly 35,000 Icelandic horses and some 8,000 tourists, horse ranchers, and tour operators. But come winter, the central Highlands’ combination of uninhabitable volcanic desert, imposing mineral-streaked mountains, and deadly winter squalls, forces horses and tourists alike to retreat to the island’s milder coastlines, leaving the interior seemingly lifeless—until this winter.

For the first time ever, Kerlingarfjöll Resort will pick you up in a super Jeep to take you from the island’s southwestern coast to its inhospitable interior. The drive, depending on conditions, can take upwards of 10 hours. To get there, you’ll cross multiple rivers and navigate the vast snowy, treeless terrain, guided predominately by GPS, to Kerlingarfjöll’s picturesque outpost of A-frame cabins.

Once there, your guides dig out your snowdrift-buried accommodations. Fuel up on barbecued lamb and salt fish before blazing cross-country ski and snowshoe trails on the surrounding untracked hillsides.ÌęKerlingarföll may be surrounded by thermal hot springs, but, at more than 212 degrees F, the nearest swimmable option is a must-hit at a 20-minute super Jeep ride away.

With only four hours of daylight in the heart of Iceland’s winters and zero light pollution, the Northern Lights are brighter in the Highlands than anywhere else in the country. Turn off your cabin’s lights and wait for the dark sky to awaken. Packages begin at $1,200, all-inclusive; .

Sani Mountain, South Africa

The first time anyone drove up South Africa’s Sani Pass, then a mule trail, was in October 1948. It took ex-RAF Spitfire pilot Godfrey Edmonds nearly six hours and required the assistance of a Basotho labor gang, ponies, a chain pulley block, and a handful of petrol cans.

Today, Sani Pass and its 4×4 road make the trip to the mountain’s top and Sani Mountain Lodge slightly more achievable. Perched on the border between South Africa and Lesotho at 9,429 feet above sea level, the lodge is home to the highest pub in Africa and is the launch point for several backcountry hikes.

To get there, rent a 4×4 vehicle in Johannesburg and begin the 375-odd-mile drive south through the western end of KwaZulu-Natal province. Buckle up; Sani Pass ascends 4,363 feet in just five miles and is littered with previous wrecks.

From Sani Mountain Lodge, you can bag several nearby summits. Hodgson’s Peaks is a five-hour round trip hike across alpine meadows, home to grazing sheep and angora goats, to its 10,498-foot summit for views of Lesotho’s mountainous interior. Hardier hikers should commit to a 14.8-mile round trip hike to 11,424-foot Thabana Ntlenyana, Lesotho’s highest peak and the highest point south of Kilimanjaro. Beginning at $133; .

Awaroa, New Zealand

Abel Tasman National Park may be New Zealand’s smallest national park at just 87 square miles but its world-famous coastal track is well worth a trek down under. Known for its pristine white sand beaches and sculptured granite cliffs, this park hides an eco lodge that’s only accessible via foot, sea kayak, or boat.

Backpackers should begin their trek to Awaroa at Marahau, the eastern entrance to the park, with a five-hour hike to the Anchorage campsite. The next day, Awaroa Lodge emerges from the native forest of manuka and kanuka tress in the northern end of the park. Once a shed that served tea and fresh scones, today Awaroa is a luxury wind and solar-powered eco lodge.

Settle into your room, overlooking the surrounding wetlands, and hike the trail system to spy paradise shelducks navigating the waterways, 60-year-old eels swimming through the plant foliage, and bioluminescent glow worms lighting up at night. Refuel on big-eyed tuna and steamed New Zealand clams.

Backpackers should pack a lunch and hike to Separation Point and Totaranui Beach, a 2.5-hour tidal hike across the inlet of a wide bay. For more nights under the stars, set up camp on the beach. Beginning at $298; .

Sweet Escape Resort, Samoa 

Head to Sweet Escape Resort on Samoa’s Manono Island to escape cars, dogs, and, with a population of only 889 islanders, crowds. Just a 2.4-mile boat ride from Samoa’s main island, Upolu, Sweet Escape is home to a small outpost of bright yellow and blue open-air fales perched on Manono’s rocky coastline.

Upon your arrival, take part in a kava ceremony where a local family will welcome you to the island as their guest by passing around a traditional drink extracted from the roots of a kava tree and mixed with water.

The people on Manono live a simple life reading, strolling, fishing, and snorkeling the calm turquoise waters that hug the island. Rent a Paopao, a traditional canoe, to explore the island’s coastline and try your hand at fishing. Attempt to match the local teenage boys’ prowess at spearing, or just watch for a while to gain insight into the technique. The teens wear fish-laden ropes around their shoulders, parading the day’s dinner, and often snack on fresh fish as they clamber out of the water.Ìę 

Pack in a case of Vailima, Samoa’s own lager, and end each night listening to the waves batter the coastline while you sip on local brew. Beginning at $100; 

Desert Rose, Kenya

In the far northwest corner of Kenya, situated near the southernmost tip of Lake Turkana, sits the eco lodge Desert Rose. The earth-toned lodge juts out from the slopes of Mt.ÌęNyiru and is reachable via a 10-hour road trip—pack surplus gas and precisely follow the lodge’s extensive driving instructions—or a 90-minute flight on the resort’s private Cessna 206 aircraft.

Tucked away in 62 acres of orchids, cedar, and cycad trees deep inside Kenya’s Northern Frontier, the isolated, solar-powered lodge is miles away from any other sign of human habitation. Upon arrival, you’ll move into one of the lodge’s five Samburu-built houses carved out of local rocks and timber. Each morning, you’ll wake up to a traditional cup of freshly brewed Kenyan black tea and biscuits.

șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍűs from the Desert Rose include dawn bush walks; climbing Kenya’s remote crags in the Ndoto Mountains; or riding a camel to spot wild boar, wild dogs, and elusive leopards. At night, indulge in sundowners, cocktails in the bush at sunset, and eat by the river to the twilight symphony of the bush. Beginning at $540, all-inclusive; .

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Here’s the honest truth. I never had a “real” spring break in college. My parents put the kibosh on every trip I was ever invited on: Cancun (too slutty, said my mother), Disney World (not age-specific, said my father), and rock climbing in Thailand (certain death and dismemberment, said my mother). My junior year, my father attempted to appease my anguished attempts at letting loose by offering me a family-oriented jaunt to the location of my choice. I picked surfing in Florida. He took us to a golf resort in Wisconsin—with a pool, he pointed out. The next fall, despite irrational fears my parents would cut off my academic funding, I snuck off for a three-day weekend to Kentucky to drink whiskey and climb the Red River Gorge Geological Area with three guy friends. We arrived at dusk, rolled out of the car, and immediately put on our gear and headlamps. We climbed until 2 a.m. As I reached the top of a 140-foot-tall climb, I stopped for a moment at the anchors to listen to the muffled laughter of my friends, and heard crickets. I let go of the guilt that had plagued me the entire drive down, slowly rappelled to the ground, and started to have fun.

Bike Yellowstone National Park

Tour the park before the crowds arrive

The Sell: Empty winding roads and wildlife galore make this a dream trip for cyclists.
The Grit: Each summer, attracts more than 2 million camera-toting tourists, whose cars clog the park’s narrow, winding roads, creating obstacles and death traps for cyclists. But for roughly three weeks, from mid-March to mid-April, as Yellowstone works to re-open the park to the public, cyclists are permitted to explore up to 140 miles of freshly plowed roads. Weather permitting, you’ll be one of the 40-odd people braving the park’s interior roads. Solitary coyotes skirt the park’s meadows, and herds of bison, elk, and mule deer follow roadways to food sources and thermal hot spots. This isn’t a trip for the recreational cyclist; Yellowstone’s weather is notoriously unpredictable. A warm, sunny day can easily be followed by blustery winds and heavy snowfall the next. As a result, even plowed roads may still be covered with a layer of snow, ice, and debris. Save cash by renting a room at the in Jackson, WY (starting at $76), renting bikes from , and fueling up at with a Snake River Lager and a Billy’s half-pound cheeseburger. Before you head out, call 307-344-2107 (weekdays only) to check which roads are open to the public. Plan for a series of daylong ventures; park your car near the selected entrance each morning to cut down on mileage. Afterward, warm up with a dip in Huckleberry Hot Springs, a roughly two-mile-long snowshoe trek from the Flagg Ranch parking lot.
The Verdict: Tough cyclists willing to haul bear spray, extra water, a repair kit, and emergency gear will love this ride.

Surf Kauai’s Hanalei Bay

Surf. Hike. Eat. Repeat.

The Sell: Consistent waves and a gnarly hike with an unrivaled view.
The Grit: There’s a good reason why world-class surfers and stand-up paddlers call Hanalei Bay home. The two-mile-long, half-moon bay is never short of reliable 25-foot waves come winter. March and April bring mellower surf for the rest of us. Experts should line up beside the likes of Bethany Hamilton and Bruce Irons on the outer reefs to catch six-foot-plus rollers, while amateurs can surf the inside beach break. Or sign up for surf lessons at professional surfer Titus Kinimaka’s .ÌęFor $65, a native Kauaian guide will teach experienced surfers how to ride the outside break. Brand new? The instructor will provide a board and long-sleeve rash guard and have you surfing mellow swells within 90 minutes. Reserve a room at (starting at $139) just a block from the bay. Locals frequent , located behind the equally beloved , for fresh sushi, sashimi, and tuna sandwiches. Cut loose at the , a bar treasured by the local community and tourists for its World Famous Tahiti Nui Mai Tais. End your trip with one of the world’s most dangerous hikes, the 11-mile-long , a 13-minute drive from the bay. The crumbling, narrow trail was originally built in the late 1800s and snakes along the Na Pali Coast and past 300-foot sheer drop-offs before reaching Kalalau Beach, a roughly one-mile-long stretch of sand backed by sheer, fluted cliffs. You can camp on the beach for $20 per person; .
The Verdict: The perfect outing for surfers looking to explore a little.

Wield an Axe in Ouray

Get in one last ice climbing session before the season ends

The Sell: Warm temperatures and manicured routes at the world’s biggest farmed ice park.
The Grit: Escape the heat and head to Colorado’s , deep inside the San Juan Mountains, to climb Uncompahgre Gorge’s 40-to-200 foot-tall walls. Don’t worry about getting bored; there are hundreds of novice, intermediate, and advanced fatty blue frozen flows. While March brings warmer weather, consistent overnight watering by ice famers reform flows, allowing for pristine spring climbing conditions on the park’s three miles of vertical terrain. Experts should warm up on the School Room wall and then head to the Upper Bridge area to tackle the park’s most photographed route, the iconic WI4+ Pick of the Vic, a 160-foot-long climb directly across from the Upper Bridge. Need lessons? Sign up with For $160 per person, the 20-year-old outfitter provides harnesses, helmets, crampons, boots, and axes as well as expert guiding on the park’s 14 distinct climbing areas and 200 ice and mixed routes. Join the locals at Backstreet Bistro for breakfast omelets. Each eve, warm up tired muscles at , a $14 clothing-optional dip nine miles north of Ouray. Afterwards, order a house beer at local drinking hotspot ; the quirky late-night brewmaster is known around town as Mr. Grumpy Pants for his gruff but lovable demeanor. End your nights at the (beginning at $89), where the hotel’s four private redwood tubs are fed by local mineral hot springs.
The Verdict: There is no better spring break hot spot for ice climbers.

Ski Deep Powder in Alaska

Alaska’s largest resort offers plenty of options

The Sell: Deep powder and plenty of skiing options.
The Grit: This winter, snow dumped on the Northwest. Which means that even if storms slow down this spring, with its 746 inches will still have a deeper base than most of the Lower 48. And, for $60 a day, Alaska’s largest resort offers 1,400 skiable acres with 2,350 vertical feet of continuous double black diamond terrain. Experts should hit Christmas Chute, a 1,000-foot long run with a 50-degree pitch. While Alyeska has its fair share of steep and challenging pistes, there’s still enough blue terrain to keep intermediate skiers entertained. Mid-winter, Alaska has shorter daylight hours than its Lower 48 brethren, starting in mid-March the sun stays until a later time than in the rest of the U.S. Plus, you might just rub elbows with the likes of skier Elyse Saugstad, skier Chris Davenport, and snowboarder Travis Rice over an Alaskan microbrew at . Fuel up in the tiny town of Girdwood on ’s $9 Alyeska sourdough pancakes. If you don’t want to splurge on the resort’s spring ski package, $399 per person for four nights and three days, then reserve a room at , a family-owned hostel (starting at $20 a night) that offers bunks and private rooms and is located less than one mile from Alyeska Resort’s base. For $1,125, you can tack on a full day of heli-skiing with , a global outdoor adventure outfitter. They will provide you with a beacon as well as an airbag system ($30 rental fee) and send you cruising down a minimum of 16,000 vertical feet inside the Chugach Mountain Range; the guides have permit access to a swath of 750,000 acres just outside the resort’s boundaries. End your night at the , which serves freshly caught Alaskan seafood in classic New Orleans fashion.
The Verdict: Guaranteed powder and unforgettable comfort food for the skiing set.

Explore Slot Canyons in Capitol Reef National Park

Get wet in the Waterpocket Fold

The Sell: Climb, rappel, and swim through narrow, secret sandstone hallways.
The Grit: In the 1800s, dozens of explorers were stymied by the , a nearly 100-mile-long wrinkle in south-central Utah’s earthen crust that features a snarl of hidden canyons, immense spires, and gold-hued cliffs, making it one of the last places in the United States to be mapped. Today, Capitol Reef National Park remains nearly as desolate and feral. Last March and April, its backcountry overnight visits numbered 397, as opposed to the thousands that flocked to the neighboring . Hike the 10.3-mile Chimney Rock/Spring Canyon route and camp two-thirds of the way through near the springs around mile seven. The next morning, ford the knee-to-hip-deep Fremont River to finish up on Highway 24. The shuttle back is an easy seven-mile hitch. Come prepared; slot canyons require climbing moves, rappelling, and cold pool swims. Technical routes demand helmets, harnesses, rappelling and ascending gear, kneepads, and anchor slings. Remember, once you pull the first rappel rope, there’s no turning back. It’s easy to get lost so, if you’re new to the sport, hire an expert like longtime outdoor writer, photographer, and guide Steve Howe of . He’s spent the last 30 years probing red rock country. Afterwards, head back toward Torrey and relax with hot tubbing, pool dips, and killer back porch scenery at the (starting at $100). You’ll find live country and blues music just down the road at . For stronger libations and four-star Southwest-inspired cuisine, try , 4.5 miles further west on the far edge of Torrey.
The Verdict: șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű-starved coeds with climbing skills should check this out.

Mountain Bike the White Rim Trail

Ride past red sandstone monoliths and meandering rivers

The Sell: A 100-mile mountain bike ride through the heart of .
The Grit: Skip Moab, Utah and the rush to ride the world-famous, expert-level Porcupine Rim Trail. The best off-the-beaten-path endurance mountain bike ride loops 100 miles around Canyonlands National Park’s mesa, high above the Colorado and Green rivers. One hour southwest of Moab, the , the granddaddy of multi-day canyon rides, kicks off with a hair-raising descent down the Shafer Trail Switchbacks, once a cattle trail, and then heads toward Musselman Arch. Bring friends and a full suspension bike; this ride is best done ahead of a high-clearance 4WD support vehicle to carry the trip’s water, food, camping, and emergency repair supplies. Continue south to White Crack, where you’ll make the turn back north, downshifting for the climb up Murphy’s Hogback, one of White Rim’s steepest sections. The ride can be done in three or four days.ÌęTo join an organized trip, consider ’ $770 four-day adventure. The outfitter rents bikes and camping equipment.ÌęWhether you’re with your friends or on the group trip, take a moment near mile 66 to hike to the roughly 1,000-year-old early Puebloan remnants of Fort Bottom Ruin. A $30 is required and group sizes are limited to 15 people. Be sure to reserve your campsites in advance as they fill up fast.Ìę
The Verdict: Mountain bike enthusiasts should add this trip to their bucket list.

Follow the Bourbon Trail to Red River Gorge

Drink and climb in Kentucky

The Sell: Road bike to whiskey distilleries and climb sandstone sport routes at Red River Gorge.
The Grit: In the late 1700s, Kentucky farmers shipped whiskey, converted from their excess corn and grains, in Bourbon County-stamped oak barrels down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to New Orleans. The long journey let the distinct flavor of the barrels set and Bourbon was born. Road bike to learn more about America’s sweetheart spirit—and get a buzz. Begin with Jim Beam Distillery and explore the rackhouse filled with 20,000 barrels, topped off with a tasting of two of its ultra premium bourbons. Twenty-five miles to the southeast, you’ll reach the Bourbon Capital of the World, Bardstown, and Heaven Hill Distilleries. Be prepared to bask in a three-hour, appointment-only tour, including barrel filling, dumping, warehousing, and bottling operations. Drink more premium bourbon and return to Bardstown where you’ll hole up for the night. Day two, pedal 23 miles to Kentucky’s countryside and Maker’s Mark Distillery, before a 46-mile hard push to the northeast to the 102-year-old Four Roses Distillery. Wind up with Wild Turkey Distillery’s 101-proof Wild Turkey Bourbon, and Woodford Reserve Distillery, Kentucky’s oldest and smallest bourbon maker. Dry out at the , a canyon system that’s home to more than 1,800 traditional and sport climbing routes. Warm up on , a crag that’s home to a multitude of 5.9 to 5.12 trad and sport routes, and then tackle the iconic 5.11b endurance route, . The sport route’s crux is near the bottom and, after you pass that, it’s nothing but easy-to-grab jugs to the top. Refuel at Miguel’s Pizza & Rock Climbing Shop, where the Portuguese owner, Miguel Ventura, supplies hot slices, climbing gear, and camping space ($2 per person, climbers only) to chalk-covered transients.
The Verdict: Just go, but figure out whether it’s best to climb first or last on your own.

Paddle Santa Cruz Island, California

Explore hundreds of sea caves

The Sell: Sea kayak in and out of more than 100 caves.
The Grit: Feral pigs once decimated Santa Cruz, one of five isles in the , transforming the landscape into a barren, weed-infested wasteland, and attracted golden eagles that hunted the island fox into near extinction. Today, thanks to and National Park Service’s eradication of more than 5,000 wild hogs and careful plant restoration, the island remains the Channel Islands’ most ecologically diverse. Pack food and take a ferry from Ventura, California to Scorpion Ranch campground ($15 per site, water provided) on the northeast corner of the island. Sea-savvy experts should bring their own kayaks, helmets, PFDs, marine radios, and waterproof headlamps to explore the island’s caves. Put in at Scorpion Landing and paddle west roughly two miles to Surging T Cave and enter through one of its three openings. It’s easy to get sliced by volcanic rock, cut by sharp barnacles, or slammed into a rock ceiling when unexpected waves hit your boat—so hug the coastline and pay attention to the weather and wave conditions. Head inland for an afternoon day hike at Smuggler’s Cove on the Scorpion Canyon Loop Trail. , a 24-year-old guiding service, will help you find the island’s hundred-plus caves, such as the narrow and deep Seal Canyon Cave. The outfitter provides one to three-day fully outfitted trips (minus food) beginning at $175 per person per day.
The Verdict: Anyone needing a rough coastal escape should head to Santa Cruz Island

Spearfish Off Florida

Hunt and grill your own

The Sell: Stalk your own dinner in Florida’s reefs and wrecks.
The Grit: Most spring breakers head to Fort Lauderdale for the sun, surf, and nightlife. Ignore the crowded beaches by taking spearfishing lessons. offers $150 full-day lessons followed by full or half-day expeditions (starting at $50 per person, two-person minimum) to the beach reef or, by boat, to the third reef line. Hunt the snapper, grouper, and jacks that call the reef and shipwrecks home with snorkel or dive gear provided by the outfitter. The guides will teach you to spear, filet, and cook your catch. If you head out alone, confer with a local shop on the day’s fishing restrictions—most fish have a minimum and, occasionally, maximum size restriction, as well as a daily limit, in an effort to prevent overfishing. Fuel up afterwards at , a local favorite that serves fresh seafood daily, and then cut loose at the infamous dive bar, . Head to Hollywood Beach and explore its 2.5-mile boardwalk that’s home to seaside cafes, shops, and jet ski rentals. If you want to escape most of the crowds at night, rent a room at (starting at $199 per night), a quaint inn 100 feet from the beach.
The Verdict: Anyone lacking a good fish story should go and book the guides.

Climb Classic Lines at E-Rock

Pick from plenty of adventure options in the heart of Texas

The Sell: Great local music and pink granite domes.
The Grit: Central Texas’s original climbing playground sits west of Austin within the 1,643.5-acre ($6 entry fee). Set up camp inside Enchanted Rock ($12 per night) and explore roughly 200 slab and crack climbs, ranging from 5.5 to 5.13. The parking lot fills up quickly so head in before 9:30 a.m. to ensure you get a spot. Trad climbers should hit up Stranger than Friction, a 5.10 150-foot slab climb, and Middle Crack, a high-quality 5.8 crack climb, in Echo Canyon. Need a guide? leads full-day climbs at E-Rock starting at $85. Once you’ve made a dent in your tick list, head into Austin and splurge on a room at the (starting at $145), a 73-year-old bungalow-styled hotel that sits just a few blocks away from the Colorado River. Set some time aside to rent one of the hotel’s single-speed cruisers ($20, full day) and bike to Barton Springs, a naturally fed spring water swimming pool. If you need something more active, head off to Barton Creek Greenbelt, a sport climbing and mountain biking park. Come Sunday, gorge on grits, fried catfish, BBQ brisket, and Bloody Mary’s during gospel brunch, featuring live gospel music. ($18.95 with view of band.)
The Verdict: A trip calling to climbers with a healthy appetite for adventure of all sorts.

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The Top 10 New Year’s Eve șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍűs

Ditch . The New Year is the perfect time to lose the crowds and try something different: dog sledding in Alaska, scuba diving off the coast of Belize, or sailing along the Antarctic Peninsula. Here are the ten best trips for ringing in the New Year outdoors.

10. Cruise
9. Dive
8. Trek
7. Party on the Sand
6. Ride a Train and Heli-ski
5. Hike and Horseback Ride
4. Mush
3. Swim
2. Bike. Drink. Repeat.
1. Ski

National Geographic Journey to Antarctica

Price tag be damned; it’s the bottom of the world

’ 14-day journey to Antarctica begins in Buenos Aires and heads due south to the world’s southernmost city, Ushuaia. There you’ll board the , a luxury, ice-class expedition vessel, and head off to the Antarctic Peninsula. Watch for killer whales as you cross the unruly Drake Passage. At your first stop in Paradise Bay, kayak along cliff-side rookeries in search of two-foot-tall blue-eyed shag seabirds. The eerily calm journey through Lemaire Channel, a narrow strait sandwiched between rocky cliffs, offers views of icebergs. On New Year’s, raise your champagne as the oldest guest sounds the ship’s bell eight times to bid farewell to yesteryear and the youngest guest rings it eight times to usher in the next year. Don’t worry about being worn out from hiking, kayaking, and climbing—the nearly 24-hour light will make it easy to stay up. Last up is Port Lockroy, a once top-secret British base that now serves as the continent’s sole public post office and museum, where you can hike to Jougla Point and watch gentoo penguins’ waddle around. $10,580; Dec. 26 – Jan. 8, 2012; wait list only.

REI șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍűs’ Belize Holiday

Go deep in Central America’s best spots for diving and spelunking

Belize is the epicenter for adventure travelers hell bent on spending their New Year’s Eve scuba diving one of the world’s underwater holy grails. But fewer travelers are aware of the country’s deep-rooted Mayan history. Geek out with REI șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍűs; the tour operator has a true knack for mixing culture and history with heart-pounding adventure. The trip kicks off with a tour of the remnants of a 900 B.C. Mayan city, Cahal Pech. Next up is Actun Tunichil Muknal, sacred Mayan burial caves straight out of an Indiana Jones movie. Hike, wade, and swim your way to the sparkling bones of a young woman, known as the crystal maiden, who lies calcified to the cave floor amidst bat guano, freshwater crabs, and predatory spiders. Then it’s 50 miles offshore to the shipwreck-strewn waters of Lighthouse Reef Atoll and the Blue Hole, where you’ll spend the day exploring the reef and a 4,000-ton rusted wreck that sank in 1971. REI șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍűs rings in New Year’s Eve in style, well away from the mystique (and hype) of the Mayan ruins, with a gourmet al fresco dinner, wine, and beer on Half Moon Caye, a coral-sand island teeming with red-footed boobies. $2,299; Dec. 26 – Jan. 2, 2012.

World Expeditions Everest Base Camp Trek

Trek to the world’s highest party

skips the retirement-sucking summit cost and, instead, offers a 20-day hike that follows the historic route from Lukla to the growing spectacle of Everest Base Camp. World Expeditions kicks off its journey with a stop in Kathmandu and then flies hikers to Lukla’s , where you’ll begin your trek. On day five, you’ll acclimatize by exploring the 11,286-foot-high village of Namche Bazaar and then it’s off to Dingboche, home to the storied Buddhist Thyangboche Monastery. The halfway mark is a slow ascent through yak pastures to Khumbu Glacier. At the top of 18,192-foot-high Kala Pattar you’ll get unsurpassed views of Mount Everest. Rest up, the next day is a tour of the infamous Everest Base Camp. The trip then winds back toward Kathmandu with visits to Himalayan Trust projects in Khunde and Khumjung. The Nepalese celebrate the New Year in April so your New Year’s is destined to be an intimate affair at one of World Expeditions’ brand-new permanent campsites. $2,490; Dec. 19-Jan. 7, 2012; wait list only.

Copacabana Beach

The world’s ultimate outdoor New Year’s Eve party

On New Year’s Eve, more than two million of Rio de Janeiro’s residents dress in pure white and flock to to pay homage to Yemanjá, the patron deity of fisherman and shipwreck survivors. The white clothing symbolizes a fresh start, so pack accordingly. Join the parade to the 2.5-mile-long beach to offer flowers and lit candles to the goddess. Welcome in 2012 with cachaça, rum made from fermented sugarcane, and watch fireworks explode as the beach swells. Want to make it a weeklong trip? At 3.2 million square miles, Brazil takes up about half of South America and literally has an iconic destination for every athlete: Head to Ponta Negra beach to hit the surf, the Amazon River to whitewater kayak, or Tres Picos to rock climb. And then there’s the music (samba), the food (fried bananas, chicken with okra), and the smorgasbord of natural wonders (the Pantanal floodplain). The luxury hotels that line Copacabana Beach may seem astronomical in price but they sit at the heart of Rio’s New Year’s celebrations and are worth the dip into savings. Budget strapped? Copa Sul Hotel is a little more than a mile away from the heart of the party. $135 per night.

Travel All Russia: Treasures of Two Capitals

A rail trip through the country’s history, with blinis and vodka as fuel

You may be tempted to try to see all of Russia via the near-mythic Trans-Siberian Railroad, exploring its endless expanse by popping in and out of snow-clad Siberian cities as the train rambles toward Beijing, but don’t. The Trans-Siberian and its iconic stops are made for warmer weather adventures. presents Russia’s two most populated, exciting cities, Moscow and St. Petersburg, with a culture-packed itinerary of Christmas and New Year’s Eve hot spots. Christmas Day commences with a hearty Russian breakfast of pancake-like blini with sour cream before a hike to Red Square and through the Kremlin. Head due north to St. Petersburg and explore the Peter-Paul Fortress, a former political prison for dissidents of the tsarist regime. Trek to Catherine Palace where you’ll ride troikas, traditional Russian carriages pulled by three horses. New Year’s Eve calls for free-flowing Russian vodka and traditional delicacies at The Hotel Astoria’s intimate Davidov restaurant in St. Isaac’s Square. Want a side adventure? Sign up for at , the site of the 2014 Winter Olympics, in Sochi, Russia. $2,860.

Havana, Cuba

Hike, horseback ride, and salsa

Long shrouded in the mystique of travel restrictions, trade embargoes, and black market cigars, Havana’s glamour is built around its crumbling Spanish colonial architecture, the prolific Che Guevara portraits, and the 1950s-era American cars that fill its narrow streets. Yet, Cuban life is slowly starting to change as tourist numbers continue to tick upward. Book now before all is lost. Cuban șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍűs’ New Years Rumba 11-day tour combines two of the island’s most outrageous festivals, Las Parrandas in Remedios and Las Charangas in Bejucal, with a choose-your-own-adventure format. Hike, bike, horseback ride, or enjoy authentic Cuban mojitos while taking in panoramic views of sprawling tobacco fields outside the agriculturally rich town of Viñales. Spend Christmas in Trinidad, scuba dive off the coastline, and then head back to your casa particular, the Cuban version of a bed and breakfast, for a non-state-run Cuban Christmas dinner. Trek into the mountain range where Fidel Castro and his comrades hid out during the Batista dictatorship in the 1950s. On New Year’s Eve, dinner is served in front of Cathedral Plaza, Havana Club rum is poured with a heavy hand, and salsa music is a given. $1,325; Dec. 23 – Jan. 2, 2012.

Denali Dog Sled Expeditions

Mush your way into 2012

There may come a time, perhaps after your six brawny Alaskan sled dogs have left you face down in the snowy tundra, when a New Year’s Eve spent drinking champagne at an overpriced and overstuffed New York City club sounds appealing. But keep mushing; the northern lights are your fireworks. ’ 60-mile round trip from Healy, Alaska to a backcountry cabin—just six miles from where Christopher McCandless starved to death—is worth the frigid cold. You’ll learn how to steer a 600-pound pack of overambitious “freight” dogs during this four-day, three-night trip. Three select friends will join you to mush across central Alaska’s open tundra, frozen riverbeds, and the lush Denali Wilderness—home to moose, caribou, and wolf packs. At night, bundle up in the provided -80 Fahrenheit-proof boots, oversized synthetic suits, and puffy overmitts. Make sure to pack in a headlamp, cards, and a flask of whiskey to bring in the New Year. $8,890 for four; Dec. 30 – Jan. 2, 2012.Ìę                                      

Samoa

Pack a bathing suit you feel comfortable wearing. You’ll be in it 24/7.

’s checklist is wet and not for the faint hearted. Head to the Piula Cave Pool, a popular freshwater spot that pops up at the end of a claustrophobically narrow underwater tunnel. Swim at To Sua Ocean Trench where a slippery, 30-foot-tall, wooden ladder descends sharply into the gurgling seawater below. Then boat to Paia village on Savaii Islands and pick up a mandatory guide for a tour of Paia Dwarfs Cave, where legend has it that the underground labyrinth is home to an undiscovered race. Never has there been a better time to visit Samoa. On Jan. 1, the islanders will celebrate their 50th anniversary of independence from New Zealand. Bring in the New Year at , a 78-year-old establishment, named after the charming belle of Apia, with Samoa’s local beer, . The hotel was a favorite among American servicemen during World War II and, later, with Hollywood heavyweights Marlon Brando and William Holden. Water buffs: snorkel the just a few minutes walk from the hotel. $187 per night.

Wolfhound șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Tours’ New Year’s Eve

Bike. Hike. Ride. Drink. Repeat.

’ eight-day trip to southern Ireland’s formidable castles features tours of iconic fishing villages, hikes on wind-strewn beaches, and recovery in the country’s coziest neighborhood pubs. But this isn’t just a fireside tour of Ireland’s finest drinking establishments. Body-numbing adventures include cycling the Ring of Kerry, horseback riding the Derrynane Strand, hiking Killarney National Park, sea kayaking with seals, and surfing the frigid break off Castlegregory Beach. Count down the New Year in Gaelic in the seaside town of Dingle, a quaint fishing village that’s home to nearly 2,000 people and 56-odd pubs, with what else: the finest stout known to Irishmen. Come mentally prepared. The people here know how to party. They like their beer dark, their whiskey strong, and they can cut a mean jig to whatever the hottest local fiddlers are playing. Each night, you’ll find respite at an adorable bed and breakfast. Then, it’s off to visit the fabled . Follow that with a cruise to Inis MĂłr, the largest of the three limestone Aran Islands. Bike between tiny hamlets as you climb to the 3,000-year-old prehistoric stone fortress DĂșn Aonghasa, which sits on the brink of a 300-foot-tall cliff. $1,541; Dec. 29 – Jan. 5, 2012.

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort

Weather forecasters are predicting another epically cold and snowy winter. Perfect.

Head to where its 4,139 vertical feet of intimidating in-bound runs, like Corbet’s Couloir, come with a high pucker factor. Last winter 558 inches fell. The Farmer’s Almanac is forecasting an unusually cold and stormy season, and Jackson’s already received 87 inches of snow this season.. The mountain’s annual New Year’s Eve celebration will feature bluegrass, Pabst Blue Ribbon, and dancing ski bums. On New Year’s Eve at 6 p.m., watch more than a 100 torchlight-wielding employees ski in a single-file line down the face of Apres Vous Mountain. After the last firework explodes, head to the Couloir Restaurant and Bar to celebrate the New Year with bluegrass sensation, the Miller Sisters. Can’t scalp a ticket? Don’t worry; bluegrass quintet Whiskey Morning will play eight miles away at the Stagecoach Bar in Wilson, Wyoming. Their song “10 a.m.” is an anthem to the Jackson Hole ski bum lifestyle. Stay at the ski in-ski out and soak in one of the resort’s three slope-side hot tubs. Want to avoid the $795 price tag? Head into Jackson proper to stay at ; on Tuesdays, its bar is the heart of Jackson’s nightlife. $238.50.

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Ryan Levinson knew something was going wrong with his body. In 1990, he was 18 and a promising cyclist—competing on an elite development squad with the likes of George Hincapie and Jonas Carney. But his performances began falling off, and one of his calf muscles seemed to be shriveling. “I thought it was an imbalance in my training,” he says.

Ryan Levinson

Ryan Levinson

It took six years of doctors' appointments and tests before Levinson was diagnosed with an incurable and progressive form of muscular dystrophy called FSHD (facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy). The most prevalent type of muscular dystrophy, FSHD slowly weakens and destroys muscle cells and tissue. Doctors told Levinson to stop strenuous exercise, believing the physical effort would speed the deterioration. Levinson chose to prove them wrong. He postponed working toward his degree in outdoor recreation at San Diego State University and continued a binge of sports and adventures—including surfing, kiteboarding, diving, kayaking, and sailing—that has now lasted 15 years.

“You can't choose what happens to you, but you can choose how you respond to it,” says the San Diego–based 38-year-old. “I thought, if I'm going to lose these muscles, and all I risk is losing them faster, then I'm not going to quit doing what I love.”

In 2006, Levinson, an Emergency Medical Technician with San Diego Medical Services, completed the grueling off-road triathlon course at the Xterra World Championship in Hawaii, which entailed a one-mile open-water swim, a trail ride up and down 10,023-foot Haleakala, and a seven-mile trail run. This year alone, he won the stand-up paddleboard division for challenged athletes in the Hanohano-Huki Ocean Challenge in San Diego; took third place in the challenged-athlete division of the Long Beach to Catalina and Back personal-watercraft race; made the semifinals in his age group in the World Bodysurfing Championships; and was a first-place finisher in the highly competitive challenged-athlete surf contest at Duke's OceanFest at Waikiki Beach. “People think 'challenged' means slow guys who get a hug afterward,” Levinson says. “These are guys who broke their neck at Pipeline or got their arm bitten off by a tiger shark. They rip.”

His accomplishments are all the more impressive when you consider that his biceps are as thin as his forearms. (His shoulder muscles have grown larger to compensate.) He has almost no muscle in his chest, and his belly bulges out because there is little remaining of his abs. His legs are thinning, and his pelvis jostles around after he runs a quarter-mile, lacking the muscles to stabilize it. He can't lift his right arm over his shoulder, do a push-up, sit-up, or pull-up, and it hurts to hold the phone to his ear.

But that hasn't stopped him. Despite failing several times to qualify for the San Diego Lifeguard Academy—his swim times on flatwater couldn't meet academy standards—Levinson performed the grueling physical challenges and completed the 39th academy last spring, after being voted Most Inspirational Recruit. He's been on the prestigious water-safety patrol for California's Mavericks Surf contest and Mexico's Todos Santos Big Wave Event.

Along the way, he's opened doors to tri­athlons and other races for physically challenged athletes. “When I was diagnosed, I looked around the Internet for resources for people like me, and all I saw was atrophy and sorrow. So I decided I would be that guy.” Here's more, in his own words:

“DOCTORS TOLD ME I would accelerate my muscle loss by being active, but it turns out being active didn't increase muscle loss any more than if I just sat around. That was pivotal, because that changed how a lot of doctors tell people with FSHD how to live their lives. It's a good feeling, knowing my efforts give people hope.

PEOPLE GET STUCK thinking there's only one way to do something, but it's incredible what can be accomplished simply by modifying equipment or technique, whether or not you have a disability. When I'm operating a rescue watercraft for an event, or I'm on the ambulance at work, the people I help don't know I have FSHD; they're just glad someone is there.

ANYONE WHO OVERTRAINS, under-rests, eats poorly, or overstresses will physically break down. With me it's just hyperexaggerated. I train hard, but I train smart. I do yogalike stretches for an hour every morning to help mitigate pain that muscle imbalances put on my joints and connective tissue, and I continuously have to adapt to ongoing muscle loss. Certain movements can cause intense pain no matter what I do. Staying active and loose helps a lot, as does meditation.

A COMBINATION OF THINGS drive me: a sense of duty, love for my wife, being able to help other people, the fact that even pain is an experience in itself.

My FSHD ISN'T something I need to outrun. It's a part of me, and I own it. Yeah, I'd be stoked if there were a cure, but that hasn't happened yet, so I live every day with a deep passion that comes from loving what I do and knowing that it will be increasingly challenging to do it. When you think about it, that's true for everyone. This is not a dress rehearsal. This is life.

Mike Coots

AGE: 31
HOMETOWN: KILAUEA, KAUAI, HAWAII
MISSION: SAVE THE SHARKS

THE SHARK CAME UP vertically and latched on to both my legs. I instinctively stuck my right hand into its mouth to try and get my legs out. With my other hand I punched it in its head and it let go. I looked at the finger I had stuck in its mouth and it was peeled open like a potato. I looked at the guy next to me and his eyes were out of his head like silver dollars. He was like, ‘Shark! Go in!’ And I was like, ‘I know!’

FOR MOST FOLKS, having a leg bitten off by a tiger shark would be a debilitating setback. Photographer Coots is not most folks. On October 28, 1997, when Coots’s right leg was bitten off below the knee while he was bodyboarding at Waiokapua Bay, Kauai, it jump-started his life. The bite caused a nearly perfect amputation, and a quick tourniquet applied by a friend slowed the bleeding enough for Coots to make it to the hospital. Five weeks later, as soon as his staples and stitches were out, Coots went bodyboarding—at the same beach where he’d been attacked. “The waves were really good that day,” he says. It took about a year before he was comfortable on his prosthetic leg. In the meantime, he developed a passion for photography and, in 2002, enrolled in the Santa Barbara, California–based Brooks Institute, graduating four years later. His clients now include American Express, Surfer magazine, and Quiksilver. In early 2009, the public-policy group Pew persuaded Coots to use his story to bring attention to the need for greater protection for sharks. He was shocked to learn that in 2000 roughly 73 million sharks had been killed for use in shark-fin soup, so he signed up to be a spokesman for Pew. “Shark fishermen are doing this killing and finning for something that’s not a staple,” Coots says. “It’s a delicacy for restaurants in China for the really rich. Maybe losing my leg will help save a species that’s been surviving for millions of years in our oceans.” His work has since helped create the law to stop shark-finning in Hawaii. Then there’s his surfing habit: Coots took up the sport after the attack, while at school in Santa Barbara, where the waves were too slow for bodyboarding. He now surfs daily and tows in whenever the winter swell is big enough. Did we mention that he rips?

Chris Rutgers

Chris Rutgers

Chris Rutgers

AGE: 36
HOMETOWN: SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA
MISSION: TRANSFORM THE LIVES OF AT-RISK KIDS THROUGH ADVENTURE

IN NOVEMBER 1992, at age 18, Rutgers left behind an abusive childhood in California and moved to Alta, Utah. He became a dishwasher and later started freeskiing competitively, an experience that changed his life. After seven years, Rutgers left the mountains for San Diego, to start a nonprofit called Outdoor Outreach. His goal? To transform the lives of at-risk kids by introducing them to positive experiences in the outdoors. Now 11 years old, the program, which works with underprivileged youth from inner-city schools, teen homeless shelters, foster-care facilities, and drug-rehabilitation programs, has taken more than 5,000 kids on 1,500 trips throughout California—all for free. One of the organization’s biggest achievements is its șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Clubs, set up at inner-city San Diego high schools, where graduation rates and performance scores are well below the national average. Students meet weekly to plan outdoor trips, and all of last year’s participants graduated and went on to college (except one student, who joined the military). “I was the original case study for my organization,” says Rutgers. “In the end, skiing saved my life”

Erika Vohman

Erika Vohman

Erika Vohman

AGE: 45
HOMETOWN: CRESTED BUTTE, COLORADO
MISSION: EMPOWER WOMEN TO SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT

VOHMAN SKIS 80 days a year, has kayaked the Grand Canyon six times, slings from a catalog of hundreds of dirty jokes, and is a five-time winner of the costume contest at Crested Butte’s Al Johnson telemark race (thanks to variations on her flesh-colored “naked suit” leotard.) Classic ski-bum stuff, but underestimate her at your peril. The agronomist’s Maya Nut Institute combats hunger and tropical deforestation by teaching women in places like Mexico, Honduras, and Haiti to cook the Maya nut, a forgotten traditional food source littering the forest floor in the New World tropics. “The Maya nut is an important food source for wildlife,” Vohman says, “but people living near these forests have never heard of it, despite sometimes being able to afford only one meal a day.” Since 2001, Vohman’s workshops, led by local staff, have taught more than 14,500 women in 800 rural communities to turn the protein-rich nut into pancakes, soups, and drinks. Some 3,000 graduates now use their skills with micro-enterprises, and more than a million Maya nut trees have been planted as a result of her efforts.

Charlie Wittmack

Charlie Wittmack

Charlie Wittmack

AGE: 33
HOMETOWN: DES MOINES, IOWA
MISSION: THE WORLD TRIATHLON

THIS YEAR, Wittmack ditched his job as a trial lawyer and sold his home and two cars to attempt to become the first person to swim, bike, run, and climb the roughly 10,000 miles between England and the top of Mount Everest. We admire his commitment. “I’ve been obsessed with this idea for 20 years. It’s a perfect line, a perfect expedition,” says Wittmack, who swam 230 miles down the River Thames before crossing the 21-mile English Channel on August 8. Three days later, he forced his waterlogged feet into bike shoes and began the 8,544-mile ride between France and India. As of press time, Wittmack had pedaled 4,500 miles and was in the midst of crossing southern Kazakhstan with an armed escort. If all goes as planned, he’ll complete the ride in Calcutta on December 1 and begin the 1,086-mile run from Calcutta to Everest Base Camp, summiting sometime before June 1. Inspired by a Nepalese midwife’s stories about the lack of care for Nepalese women, Wittmack is using his triathlon’s novelty to partner with the White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood and Des Moines University to create a $500,000 maternal-health program to teach Nepalese midwives and doctors up-to-date obstetric practices. “There’s too much riding on this,” he says. “I have to continue on.”

Loyal Mehnert

AGE: 33
HOMETOWN: MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN
MISSION: TRAVELANTHROPY

IN 2007, MEHNERT was working as a media spokesman for Habitat for Humanity, but he wanted to move from advocacy to action. So he conceived of Travelanthropy. “You hear about people running marathons for charity; I wanted to go bigger,” Mehnert says. The following year, he reinvented himself as an adventuring fundraiser for Habitat and began securing per-mile pledges for endurance endeavors. Since then, he’s driven a road rally from London to Banjul, Gambia; hiked the southern half of the Appalachian Trail; and traversed 500 miles of the Pyrenees. The next big thing on his list? Driving the entire Pan-American Highway in 2011, by the end of which he hopes to have raised $100,000. Here’s more, by the numbers.

$13,000
MONEY RAISED SO FAR FOR GAMBIAN PROJECTS AND HABITAT FOR HUMANITY’S MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST PROJECT

6,000+
CHARITY MILES MEHNERT TRAVERSED TO RAISE IT

one
MARRIAGE PROPOSALS HE’S DELIVERED WHILE TRAVELING (SHE SAID YES)

16,000
MILES MEHNERT PLANS TO DRIVE FROM ARGENTINA TO ALASKA NEXT YEAR

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Chabot is the director of the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center. He’s spent some 700 days in the backcountry studying the snowpack over the past 15 years.

Avalanche Safety

Backcountry skiing

1. PREPARE: You need a buddy, a beacon (worn over your midlayer, not in your pack), a shovel, a probe. And pack a puffy jacket and a fire starter.

2. PRACTICE: Before heading out, have your buddy put his beacon inside a pack and bury it (at least three feet down), pinpoint its location with your transceiver and probe, then start digging. Another option is to head to one of 37 U.S. resorts that have beacon-training parks. If you haven’t gotten professional training yet, take an avalanche-safety course. [Locations of courses and beacon-training parks can be found at .]

3. PAY ATTENTION: Avalanche advisories () are generalized, and wind, temperature change, and snowfall can alter snowpack stability within hours. Look for recent avalanche activity, collapsing or cracking snow, and other warnings. If you’re skiing along flat terrain and the snow makes a whumph sound, Mother Nature just told you to go home.

4. WORK TOGETHER: Travel one at a time on 25-degree or steeper slopes, and leapfrog down mountainsides so you keep each other within sight. Don’t underestimate small slopes; they can slide. Make sure everyone knows the slope’s escape routes. Wait for each other out of a potential slide’s pathway.

5. MOVE FAST: If an avalanche strikes, try to ski out of its way. If it hits you, fight to get one hand out of the snow and wave your other hand in front of your face to create an air pocket. If your buddy gets hit, note where he disappears and start searching below that spot. Look for obvious clues: gloves or a pack. He has a 92 percent chance of survival if he is uninjured and you rescue him within 15 minutes. The clock is ticking.

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This is the first amphibian from running powerhouse NB. Portholes allow water and sand to drain, and a Vibram sole doggedly grips rocky terrain. newbalance.com

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Sperry partnered with the U.S. Sailing Team to create a per-formance racing bootie. Interior mesh panels allow the ankle-high neoprene to drain quickly, while a removable internal toe thong adds extra control on slick surfaces. sperrytopsider.com

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Grand Canyon river guides spoke, and Teva listened. The result: supersticky footbeds, secure ankle straps, lightweight and simple buckles, and rugged rubber soles. teva.com

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If some Chacos and Crocs had a love child, it might look like the Tikali. The nubuck leather lends a touch of class on land, while the Velcro keeps them securely on your feet in the drink. crocs.com

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These synthetic hybrids aren’t just comfortable to pad around in; they also cinch down tight, via a one-pull lacing system, for fording fast waters and hiking moderate trails. ecco.com

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