If you’ve ever wondered what cyclists and runners do to stay in shape during the winter, it involves skating across groomed trails. Cross-country skiing, and specifically skate skiing, now has more than six million annual participants.

That could have something to do with the fact it costs a tenth the price of a typical resort day, and you often have the trail and surrounding mountains all to yourself. And while skate skiing gets a bad rep for being exceptionally difficult to learn, having the right gear is the first step to gliding your way into endorphin-induced bliss.

Skins A200 Thermal Long Tights ($125)

Underneath every favorite winter activity is a favorite base layer. When it comes to skate skiing, you most likely won’t need an outer layer for your legs save for the snowiest conditions. Designed for use by athletes, thermal compression tights hug in all the right places. Just like any other compression pant, they’re designed to improve circulation, but what sets them apart is a sleek waistline and material that doesn’t wear or pill after long weekends and repeated washings.

Smartwool NTS Mid 250 Funnel Zip T ($115)

With so many options for long-sleeve base layers, the choice can be overwhelming. fills the necessary checklist and then some. With chafe-free seams and an impressively high neck to shield you from drafts, the Mid 250 is toasty and designed with action in mind. There are no pockets or thumbholes, but you won’t need them when adding a windbreaker.

������’t������ Gaea Jacket ($179)

It only takes a day or two of working up a sweat in a nonbreathable windbreaker before you swear to never make the same mistake. This Gaea jacket was specifically designed for heart-thumping activity in cold conditions. With a breathable section that spans nearly the entire back and underarms, generously long sleeves, and cushy thumbholes, this is the ultimate thermoregulation piece for pushing off your poles all day long.

Swix Split Mitts ($39)

The main difference between winter running gear and cross-country skiing gear is that your hands and feet need extra attention. These split mitts from are up to the challenge, with a ripstop outer shell and high knit cuff. The interior features SWIX-Dry lining for when things heat up, and the palm and thumb are reinforced. The best part? The fuzzy top side of the thumb, where you’ll inevitably wipe your nose.

Skida Nordic Hat ($30)

Nordic skiing is, after all, Nordic skiing. Embrace the roots of the sport with a skullcap by , a company launched by 23-year-old Corinne Prevot of Vermont. These headbands and caps for both men and women are produced locally and will keep your noggin from catching cold.

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It took six pairs of boots, 240 horseshoes, and 24 months for��Filipe Leite��to ride on horseback from Canada to Brazil. The cowboy traveled 10,000 miles through 10 countries to reach his home in South America, an epic journey that has earned him a spot in the��historic��,��an international association of equestrian explorers that requires its members to ride at least 1,000 continuous miles.��

We last caught up with Leite back in 2012, when he was only three states into his journey and about to cross the infamous and treacherous Million Dollar Highway in Colorado. Since then, the cowboy has snuck through jungles full of drug traffickers, ridden bulls, encountered endless bureaucratic obstacles, and experienced unending generosity on the trail. As he nears the final stretch of his journey, we asked him for an update.

OUTSIDE: Aside from countless miserable border crossings, what has been the most difficult part of the ride?
LEITE: Keeping my horses healthy. I have spent 24 hours a day, seven days a week with these animals for the past two years. As we made our way south, we created a bond only comparable to that of father and son. When I didn't have the basics to offer them, like water or a pasture to graze, it broke my heart. We crossed many countries where vets were extremely hard to find and medication for horses even more so. Keeping my animals healthy required me to work extremely hard and become a bit of a vet myself.

This Long Ride has also been full of dangers. We crossed paths with a grizzly in Montana. One of the horses (Bruiser) fell in a deep ditch in New Mexico. The other (Frenchie) was hit by a truck in Southern Mexico, and the third (Dude) walked into a cattle guard in Nicaragua—nearly breaking his leg. I remember having Dude's head on my lap after finally calming him down while he lay there with his front right hoof stuck in that cattle guard thinking I was going to lose him. These were by far the worst moments of the trip. These horses are an extension of my soul; they are my children, my heroes, my everything.

What type of schedule do you maintain to give the horses, and yourself, much-needed rest?
On a Long Ride like mine, there can be no set schedule. You must always listen to your horses and let them rest as they need it. I always try to ride no more than 30 kilometers [nearly 19 miles] daily and allow my ponies to rest for a day or two every four to five days of riding. This has been a good system for us. I have also stopped for a month at times in order to give them ample time to rest or recover from an injury.

Scariest moment of the ride?
Hearing a husband trying to kill his wife with five gunshots just outside my window in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. I will never forget her yells of desperation as the gunfire silenced her pleas.

What about the loneliest moment of the trip?
The loneliest moment of the trip was crossing a mountain in southern Wyoming. I spent several days riding without seeing another human being. It was only the horses and I, and I had an extremely hard time finding water for them. I remember coming down that mountain into a town of 25 people, swallowing my tears. I ended up staying with an elderly gentleman who lives by himself in a ranch home. It's funny how life works out. It was one of the deepest connections I made on the journey.

You've traveled through jungles infested with drug traffickers��and passed through dangerous cities. Was there ever a time you've been afraid for your life or the life of your horses?
My entrance into Honduras from Guatemala was with the protection of a major Honduran drug lord. He not only rode with me but also hosted me in his fortress for two days. His house was in a little village in the mountains and sat behind high walls and a thick metal gate. His house was a mansion with plasma TVs, a home gym, and even a small petting zoo. While trying to sleep the first night, I kept imagining the shootouts and killings happening at the hands of the drug cartels in town nearby. Needless to say, it made it hard to get some shut-eye.

You've been posting video segments throughout your journey. Tell us how you film while riding alone, edit footage, and post updates while on the trail?
Filming my Long Ride has been extremely difficult! I have to get off my horse, set up the tripod and turn on the camera, get back on, ride by the camera, then go back to stop filming and fold up the tripod—all while making sure all three horses are watched after. My girlfriend, Emma Brazier, has helped me a lot in this aspect. The moments she has traveled with me, we have been able to capture moments I couldn't otherwise. The dispatches are edited in Nashville by OutWildTV. I'm very thankful for having such an amazing group of professionals behind me. It makes all the difference.

Most of your nights are spent camping in a tent. What key items have made this possible for two years?
My Leatherman is always on my belt. Other items include a one-burner stove for preparing dinner, my tent, sleeping bag, and peanut butter. I've also been carrying Naomi's ashes. In Colorado, a gentleman who hosted me asked if I would carry his sister's ashes to Brazil with me. He told me how she loved horses and adventure and had recently passed away. He felt as if faith brought me to his home and that Naomi had to go on one last ride. I have carried Naomi's ashes all the way to Brazil and will spread them in the field where the horses will be retired.

You're trying to pass through the largest rodeo in Latin America, the Festa do Peao de Barretos. Think you'll make it?
Definitely! Because I left from the largest rodeo in Canada, the Calgary Stampede, it has always been my goal to pass through Barretos. This past year, they began sponsoring my trip and are currently building a monument of the horses and I that will be forever in the rodeo grounds for people to visit. On August 23, I will ride into the rodeo's arena as more than 50,000 people watch from the stands. I imagine it will be a very emotional moment.

What are your plans for after you arrive?
I will retire my horses at my parents' farm in Espirito Santo do Pinhal, Sao Paulo, and work on a documentary on my ride. I will also be writing a book on my two-year journey from Canada to Brazil.

Can we expect to see a Journey America documentary from your travel?
Absolutely.

Catch all of Leite's Journey America videos at and follow along as he finishes his journey at @FilipeMasetti on and .

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Zion is one of the country’s most beautiful national parks. It’s also one of the most crowded.

More than two million visitors flock to this part of Utah per year, placing Zion among the top 10 most-visited parks in the nation. Thankfully, there are plenty of opportunities to escape the tourists within this 229-square-mile preserve. Here are a few of our favorite routes to get you off the beaten path:��

Climb Kolob Canyon

If climbing above the spot where ��sounds like a good time, hit the road for Lambs Knoll in Kolob Canyon. To reach the crag, drive through the town of Virgin and then 10 miles north on Kolob Terrace Road. After crossing a cattle guard and exiting the park, turn left and leave your vehicle at the roundabout. A sandy trail will take you toward Lambs Knoll, where shady sport routes dot the sandstone walls.

Even better for climbing in summer months is the , where more than 30 sport and trad routes, such as the four-star Huecos Rancheros (5.12c), offer options for climbers of all levels.

After sending your project, continue up the paved road from Lambs Knoll to find Lava Point—Zion’s only free, maintained camping area. With just six sites, you’ll be lucky to nab a spot, but if you do, you won’t have to worry about crowds. Take a post-climb dip in 250-acre Kolob Reservoir, and if camping doesn’t vibe with your group’s style, return to Springdale for an evening of well-deserved enchiladas at the locals’ favorite saloon, the .��

Run the Trans-Zion Trek

If you really want to earn your post-adventure fish tacos, the Trans-Zion Trek is the trail for you. Sometimes called the Zion National Park Traverse, this 47.3-mile path cuts through sandstone and juniper, with nearly 6,000 feet in elevation change along the way. Known as one of the most scenic long runs in the country, the Trans-Zion takes anywhere from an eight-hour ultramarathon sprint to five days to accomplish, and like the nearby canyoneering routes, requires a backcountry permit from Zion National Park.

Take a shuttle from Zion ���ϳԹ��� Company to Lee Pass, located at the less popular northwestern corner of the park. Here you’ll begin the gradual descent toward Kolob Arch and Lava Point before reentering the more populated scenic-drive section of the park, where you’ll find views of the famous Angels Landing from a whole new angle. Come prepared with a topographic map and data book including information on mileage, water source recommendations, and campsites from ultrarunner . Post-ultra, refuel with a WhoopAss burger at ��in Springdale and probably a beer or five. Spend the night recuperating at the , a stone’s throw from the Virgin River, where you can cool your aching toes.

Canyoneer Orderville Gulch

��guide B.J. Cassell describes��Orderville Canyon (aka Gulch)—the expert’s preferred way to get to the famous Narrows—as “one of the most underrated canyons in Zion.”��Both wet and wild, the descent through Orderville features two large obstacles that require technical skills and equipment. Rated 3B III on the , Orderville requires rappelling gear, a wet or drysuit depending on when you visit, and proficient canyoneering skills. Pick up a permit, required for all technical canyoneering excursions, at the Zion National Park backcountry desk or .

Before hitting the road, fuel up with whiskey-infused coffee at in Springdale. You’ll need to either shuttle a car or tag along with Zion ���ϳԹ��� Company to the trailhead at Orderville Corral, off North Fork Road on the northern entrance to the park. If you bring your own vehicle, make sure it’s high clearance and 4WD. From here, you’ll begin the six-plus-hour, 12.3-mile journey that will take you through the gulch and back to the top of Zion’s scenic drive. Orderville spits you out at the Temple of Sinawava, which is the start of the well-known Narrows. There, you’ll rejoin the less-sandy tourists on a free shuttle back to the park entrance.

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If you thought��coed naked yoga��was a little out there, consider equine yoga, in which humans and horses practice the ancient tradition simultaneously (although it’s not apparent how much the animal benefits from the exercise).

, a 50-year-old school of horsemanship in Argentina, uses yoga to heal abused or otherwise nervous equines. The school, established by father and son Oscar and Cristobal Scarpati Schmid, explains its holistic approach on its website: “The method is to tame the horse according to its nature, avoiding cause [sic] fear and pain, and by earning their trust and loyalty.”��

In a YouTube video garnering more than 100,000 views, a skilled horseman rolls a horse onto its back and proceeds to handstand directly on top of the horse’s girth. At one point, the two share an intimate moment while touching noses.��

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SeaWorld’s ongoing legal fiasco continues as court documents surfaced reporting the use of Valium and other tranquilizers on killer whales.

According to , the drug was most recently given to a 4,000-pound male orca named Ikaika in 2006 at SeaWorld San Diego. The that “Ikaika has a history of aggression, often of a sexual nature, which began with an attempt to breed a young calf at SeaWorld … SeaWorld’s veterinarians then sedated Ikaika twice daily with Valium to ‘try to mellow him out.'” Ikaika’s father is Tilikum, the orca responsible for the death of SeaWorld trainer Dawn Brancheau.

As a member of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, SeaWorld needs only to obtain a Drug Enforcement Administration certificate under the Federal Controlled Substance Act to administer benzodiazepine drugs. It’s a common practice, and not just on killer whales. Proponents argue that using such tranquilizers to calm animals’ nerves helps to prevent stress-induced heart attacks or unnecessary injury due to thrashing and aggressive behavior, keeping vets and trainers safe in the process.

But with regard to Ikaika, David Koontz of SeaWorld San Diego denied the claim, stating, “None of the killer whales [orcas] at SeaWorld San Diego are on these medications.”

Animal rights group PETA presents the opposing argument. In a recent statement, PETA’s president explained, “SeaWorld is in … hot water since Blackfish showed the mental anguish of orcas taken from the great oceans and trapped for eternity in SeaWorld’s swimming pools—and now court documents have revealed that SeaWorld also pumps these marine slaves full of psychotropic drugs in order to force them to perform stupid tricks.”

The California State Assembly votes next week on a bill proposed by Assemblyman Richard Bloom to end orca shows at SeaWorld San Diego, as well as to end��the breeding of orcas in the state and require the release of any of the animals capable of surviving in the wild.

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A herd of up to 450 bison hybrids is causing a ruckus in Grand Canyon National Park and surrounding areas. First introduced in the early 1900s, the cattle-bison mix were part of a failed experiment to create a hardier breed of livestock. Beefalo, also called cattalo, now run wild in the Grand Canyon, destroying historical sites and contaminating natural habitats at a rate that can no longer be ignored, according to the .

Weighing as much as 2,000 pounds, the hybrid bison are genetically only 10 percent cattle. Unlike the bison found in Yellowstone, they balk at human interaction due to a history of hunting. Grand Canyon Superintendent Dave Uberuaga , “The massive animals have reduced vegetation in meadows to nubs, traveled into Mexican spotted owl habitat, knocked over walls at American Indian cliff dwellings below the North Rim, defecated in lakes, and left ruts in wetlands.”

Possible management plans include moving the beefalo off national park territory so that they can be legally hunted by individuals, who pay up to $1,100 to shoot a bull off park land. Typically only 20 permits are issued per season, but that number may increase as the Arizona Game and Fish Department would like to return the population to a meager 100.

National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service officials do not anticipate executing a management plan until 2016.

Read more on bison and the battle over public lands.��

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Two studies on vitamin D recently released in the offer new insights about the benefits of the sunshine nutrient. Long believed to play a vital role in the cardiovascular and immune systems, researchers now believe it all depends on which type of vitamin D you consume.

After studying more than a million people, researchers led by Dr. Oscar H. Franco of Erasmus Medical Center in the Netherlands observed significant correlations between disease and blood levels of vitamin D. Adults who had lower levels of vitamin D in their systems were 35 percent more likely to die from heart disease, 14 percent more likely to die from cancer, and faced an overall higher risk of mortality.

The catch is that vitamin D2, which is found in supplements, seemed to have no impact, reports the��. Rather, vitamin D3—found in fish and dairy products, and the type the body produces naturally when exposed to sunlight—showed an 11 percent reduction in mortality from all causes. Franco confirms, “Vitamin D could be a good route to prevent mortality from cardiovascular disease and other causes of mortality.”

Researchers estimated that more than two-thirds of European and American populations are lacking in this vitamin, even though getting enough involves only going for a walk outside and eating well. “The most important factors in obtaining vitamin D are going out and doing some exercise and following a healthy diet,” explained Dr. Evropi Theodoratou of the Center for Population Health Sciences at the University of Edinburgh.��

Not sure if you’re getting enough of the sunshine nutrient? Here’s how to get tested—and how some of ���ϳԹ���‘s staff stacks up.

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Not everyone can live comfortably in a 200-square-foot space, but for people who can, finding a small-minded mate (pun intended) can be difficult. Enter , a new dating social network designed for people hoping to find love in small homes.��

Tiny House Dating owner Kai Rostcheck explains that the movement behind small modular-style homes that allow people to go off the grid has some serious legs. The videos of elfish abodes�� have received more than 27 million views, and prefabricated cabins and homes for purchase, such as and ,��have been garnering online attention that some might even call viral. It was only a matter of time before a dating site jumped on the trend.

But Rostcheck explains that the website isn’t about finding someone who wants to buy a certain size of home. Rather, Tiny House Dating is “for people who place higher value on freedom, flexibility, and even sustainability than on stuff.” It acts as a filter for individuals who prioritize rightsizing—comparable to a dating site exclusively for nonsmokers. Rostcheck says that when it comes down to it, “there are many, many people wanting to change the way they’ve been living.” It seems that the tiny house trend is here to stay.

We wonder: What happens when Tiny House daters have kids?��

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Researchers from the have tracked a new record-setting dive by the Cuvier’s beaked whale. While studying eight whales off the coast of Southern California, biologists were astonished to find the mammal can reach depths of 10,000 feet—or two miles—below the surface, making the Cuvier’s beaked whale the deepest-diving mammal on the planet.

Resembling a bloated bottlenose dolphin, the Cuvier’s beaked whale has always been known for its diving capabilities. During the study, published this week in the journal , biologist Greg Schorr and his team collected more than 3,732 hours of dive data. When one of the whales took its satellite-linked tag two miles deep, the researchers checked their instruments, thinking it was an error. Soon after, a second whale set another record when it stayed submerged for 138 minutes. Most mammals would experience high-pressure nervous syndrome and the collapse of all air-filled spaces in the body at such depths, but the Cuvier’s beaked whale seems immune. They are essentially crush-resistant.

Thought to be sensitive to sound, Cuvier’s beaked whales have in recent years fallen victim to man-made sonar activity, dying in mass beachings in the Mediterranean Sea, Canary Islands, and the Bahamas. Cuvier’s beaked whales are one of the most frequently spotted beaked whales and have a worldwide population of nearly 100,000.

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Purveyors of trendy and coveted gear for men, online retailer Huckberry . Born in an apartment three years ago, the bootstrapped company boasts an in-house climbing wall and a never-ending array of cool products. But it does more than just sell copper mugs and leather Dopp kits. This spring, Huckberry will give $1,000 each to three hopeful adventurers with the best pitches.

Funded by National Geographic ���ϳԹ���r of the Year , your adventure’s only requirements are that it’s rad and has never been done before. Besides the cash, Topo Designs, Nemo, Poler, and Goal Zero are also pitching in to support the winners on their independent journeys. Although $1,000 might not get you a plane ticket abroad, the Huckberry team reminds you that Humphreys was able to walk across India on that budget.

The deadline to apply is March 31. Three winners, selected by Humphreys, will be announced April 9.

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