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Tom Kilpatrick

Tom Kilpatrick

Contributor

A London-born outdoor enthusiast, Tom took the first ticket out of suburban life. What followed was a twelve-year career as an adventure sports guide. This took Tom on cross-Scotland canoe trips, white water adventures in Nepal, sea kayaking in Norwegian fjords, mountain running in the Alps, and many more adventures. Tom is currently living back in the Scottish Highlands, spending as much time as possible exploring the endless rivers and ridgelines that make the country so special to him.

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mips helmet protection developed virtually bradley dunn 9sggun3iiig unsplash

Mips ski helmet and snowboard helmet protection is now being developed virtually to reduce environmental impact

Mips, some of the best protection you can get in a ski helmet or snowboard helmet, is starting to develop its tech virtually
A snowboarder sprays snow into the air.

Epic ski pass, IKON ski pass, and more: The best ski and snowboard passes for 2023-2024

Plan on a lot of ski or snowboarding trips this winter? Even if you're a local, going often means more fun, and these are the best season passes for 2023-2024
Ski boot clipping into binding from behind.

How to adjust ski bindings in 10 easy steps

With the right steps in place, adjusting your ski bindings at home is straightforward and safe. Here are our three key steps for ski binding adjustment.
Man hiking along trial in forest on foggy morning.

Fall hiking essentials: Don’t leave home without everything on this checklist

As the seasons change, you need to gear up for everything that fall can throw at you. Our fall hiking essentials will keep you warm and in control on the trail.
Man walking with hiking poles

Podcasts every outdoors enthusiast will enjoy: The Crux, Dirtbag Diaries, and more

Looking for podcasts that make you want to get outside? These choices won't disappoint!
A table and tent under the trees in fall.

Fall camping ideas: 7 simple tips to avoid a miserable trip

Keep your fall camping trips enjoyable and prepare for long nights outside with these camping tips.
A hiker looks out over Mount Everest.

Cost to climb Mount Everest is skyrocketing because people keep dying

As the death toll rises on Mount Everest, officials plan to increase cost significantly.
The James Barnes Micarta knife, open on a grey background.

New limited edition everyday carry knife from The James Brand might be the splurge purchase you’ve been waiting for

Looking for a new everyday carry knife that stands out? The James Brand has you covered
Epic Pass backdrop photo

Epic Pass, the world’s best ski and snowboard season pass with access to over 80 resorts (including Vail), to raise prices

Epic Pass, which grants access to over 80 resorts (including Vail), will raise prices on September 4
A man stands in a field wearing backpack and using Black diamond walking poles.

Hiking poles 101: All the different kinds — and our top picks

When searching for the best trekking poles, this is what you need to know.
A person snowboarding down a hillside.

This is the strongest indication yet that we should have another incredible ski and snowboard season in ’23-’24

Looking forward to skiing or snowboarding this winter? The Farmers' Almanac says it's going to be very cold
An angler holding a rainbow trout above a fishing net.

Yellowstone river mountain whitefish should not be eaten, but rainbow trout are fine, authorities say: Here’s why

Yellowstone river train derailment has contaminated some fish species, but rainbow trout are fine.
Burton step on for kids and splitboarders

Snowboard season is almost here, and the most insane Burton Step-On bindings just dropped

We love Burton Step-On bindings, and now they're available for kids and splitboarders.
Tightening a double fisherman's knot

How to tie the double fisherman’s knot (it’s not just for rock climbing)

The double fisherman's knot is a secure and low-profile way to attach two lengths of rope. Here's how to tie it.
The Patagonia Stormshadow jacket, featuring GORE-TEX laminates recycled from ocean plastic.

This new Patagonia jacket is the first GORE-TEX jacket to feature 100% recycled, pfc-free GORE-TEX fabrics

GORE-TEX has released its first 100% recycled laminates to work with its PFC-free membrane, and unsurprisingly, Patagonia is the first to adopt this eco-tech.
A person walks in the woods with their phone open and AllTrails running.

Here’s why you should be using AllTrails+ to find new outdoor adventures: Review

Is the AllTrails app worth it? Should you get AllTrails+? We’ve got the answers.
An overhead shot of Hurricane Done, the first hurrican of 2023's Atlantac hurricane season.

El Niño can’t help: Warming in the Atlantic means an ‘above normal’ hurricane season, NOAA says

El Nino usually tempers hurricane season - not this year.
A man stands on the mountain with a sleeping bag around him.

How to wash and care for your sleeping bag so you can use it season after season

Never again snooze in a dirty sleeping bag. Learn how to clean and care for your sleeping bag to give it a longer life and keep you warmer at night.
One green backpack on a brown wooden log in the woods.

Pack your multiday backpack for comfort with our guide

You will barely notice a well-packed bag on the trail, but a badly packed one will leave you in physical pain. Here's how to pack a backpack for hiking.
A man skis on a clear run, with mountains and trees behind him.

‘Historically strong’ El Niño may wreak havoc on ski and snowboard season

This dramatic weather pattern hits the U.S. every few years, but how does winter 2023 shape up against historic El Nino winters?
Alpine butterfly knot

How to tie the alpine butterfly for a secure midline knot

The alpine butterfly knot is useful for its ability to be loaded in multiple directions without weakening the rope and is always able to be untied after use.
A highwayman's hitch tied around a log.

Learn to tie a highwayman’s hitch in under a minute

The highwayman's hitch is commonly tied incorrectly, which stops it from binding on itself. Here's how to tie it properly.
A sign on a trail in front of some rocks, that reads 'This is Grizzly Bear Country'

Video: Scared camper narrates his encounter with a mama bear and her cubs

This hiker manages to stay calm and keep his head in the face of one of the most terrifying experiences many hikers face: a family of bears on the trail.
Man running on a mountain trail.

These are the fantastic trail running brands you should be wearing

These are the brands you should be wearing this year, whether you're training for your first park run or you're a seasoned ultramarathon runner.
Camping looking out his tent door in a sleeping bag

Get the right sleeping bag for your camping trips with this guide

Getting a good night's sleep is an essential part of any enjoyable camping trip. Stay warm under the stars with our sleeping bag buying guide.
A sheet bend tied between a black rope and a red rope.

Add the sheet bend to your knot repertoire for summer camping

Learn how to tie a sheet bend knot for attaching varying styles of rope together and for a range of uses around the campground and at home.
A photo of a mountain bike in a field of wheat as the sun goes down.

Check your mountain bike is trail ready with the M-check method

The M-check is a longstanding method of ensuring that your bike is safe to hit the trails. Here's how to perform it.
A reef knot is tied against a tree

These are the essential outdoor knots that every outdoorsman should know

Every outdoorsman needs to know how to tie a knot for all occasions. Here are our most important outdoor knots for camping, backpacking, and survival.
A grizzly bear stands in a woodland clearing.

This video shows just how fast a bear attack can happen

Watch as a grizzly bear takes its anger out on this camera and see how fast a bear attack can happen.
A man collects water from a river by the light of a headlamp.

Hydration is vital for summer adventures: How to safely collect water on the trail

Unless you weigh yourself down with gallons of water, you will have to refill on the trail. Here's how to do so safely.
how to clean a smelly or moldy cooler couple camping with and beer

Our top camping tips for hot weather (because heat waves are insane this summer)

Summer is camping season, but sleeping in a tent in hot weather can be unbearable. Follow these tips for cool camping comfort.
A trucker's hitch tied in yellow rope.

Learn to tie the trucker’s hitch knot in under 5 minutes

The trucker's hitch knot is one of the best ways to get a tight line for setting up hammock ridgelines or making a running line for washing lines in camp.
The view from an MSR tent looking out over camping chairs and a lake.

Build your perfect camping sleep system to stay dry and cool

Good sleep systems include everything you need to stay warm and dry overnight at camp. Get the right gear for every occasion with our ultimate guide.
A Biolite basecharge unit and solar panel outside the back of a van

Review: Take home life off-grid with the BioLite Solar Generator 1500 Kit

The BioLite BaseCharge 1500 and SolarPanel 100 combine to give you huge reserves of power to take into the backcountry. Here's what I thought of it.
Dress the knot and pull it tight.

This is the easiest way to tie a bowline knot

Known as the king of knots, the bowline knot creates a secure loop and can always be untied, no matter how much tension you put on the rope.
Mount Everest with prayer flags in the foreground

Want to climb to the top of the world? Here’s how long it takes to climb Mount Everest

From landing in Nepal to standing on top of the world, how long does it take to summit Mount Everest?
Young man hiking through the mountains.

Hiking boots vs. shoes for the trail: Which should you wear on summer hikes?

Hiking boots often feel like overkill in the summer, but should we be wearing them year-round? Here's the definitive answer.
Man walking with hiking poles

A beginner’s guide to moving fast and light on the trail

Here's everything you need to know to enter the world of fastpacking.
A man with a red backpack stands on a mountaintop looking over more mountains.

The secret to a successful hike? Choosing the right hiking underwear

Getting your hiking layering right means starting from the base. The best hiking underwear helps your body regulate temperature and avoid chafing.
A man walks through a field using walking poles.

Here’s why you need to take trekking poles on the trail

Do trekking poles really help you while out on the trail? Here is our take on whether they're really worth the hype.
A silhouette of some hikers against the sun

Hiking in hot weather: The essential rules everyone should follow

Hiking in the summer can be just as dangerous as hiking in mid-winter. Staying safe on the trail requires planning, preparation, and plenty of hydration.
Tick on human finger

Tick safety 101: How to safely remove ticks (and avoid them in the first place)

Going out for a hike and worried about ticks? We give you some tips on how to avoid ticks while hiking to prevent Lyme disease.
A ski resort in the summer with a lake and resort buildings.

5 great reasons why you should go to your favorite ski resort this summer

There's more to just ski resorts than snow. Sure, they're the place to be in winter, but many of them also come alive during the summer months.
The view from an MSR tent looking out over camping chairs and a lake.

The worst camping mistakes we’ve made (so that you don’t have to)

I've camped enough to make all of these mistakes at least once, but the good news is that you don't have to.
Two people running in barefoot shoes on the trail

Here’s why you should try barefoot running this summer

Barefoot running has gained popularity in recent years, but what's it all about and should you try it?
A runner on a dusty track with scrubland and rocky outcrops in the background.

Garmin’s new watch features for runners and cyclists rival Apple’s smartwatch updates

Garmin has a longstanding history at the top of the active watch industry, and these new features make it even more cycling and running-friendly than before.
A view from the inside of a tent looking out on a campground.

The best camping hacks for first-time campers

Whether you're heading out under the stars for the first time or convincing your buddies it's the way to live, do it right with our camping hacks.
A fully tied figure-eight knot being rethreaded. Yellow and red rope tied around a stump on the grass.

Learn to tie (and untie) a double figure-eight knot

Learn how to tie the double figure-eight knot, perhaps the most secure knot in the world.
An Apple watchOS 10 displaying up-to-date hiking information

These new updates make the Apple Watch a hiking must-have

These new apps and features on the latest operating system from Apple make hiking even easier for all you iOS users out there.
Burton's Pride Collection 2023 consisting a hoody, a t-shirt, and a cap

Burton’s latest collaboration celebrates Pride and the LGBTQ+ community with a middle finger aimed at discrimination

Burton is celebrating Pride with new gear that takes direct aim at discrimination with a not-so-subtle message.