Are expedition cruises destroying Antarctica? Depending on who you ask, yes. But also, no. The debate is a legitimate one. After all, most massive cruise ships are often unsustainable and environmentally irresponsible. And Antarctica is home to a delicate ecosystem that affects the weather of the entire world. So yeah, it’s a fair question. But like most complicated questions, the answer to whether an Antarctica cruise is a responsible choice isn’t a simple “yes” or “no,” it’s more nuanced than that.
After all, the concerns posed by folks who don’t think Antarctica tourism should be a thing are legitimate. But modern expedition cruises are also doing lots to mitigate those concerns. So what gives? And is there a clear answer? We sailed to Antarctica on the Lindblad Expeditions National Geographic Explorer to see what we could learn about sustainability on the southernmost continent and what tour operators are doing to protect it. Also, if an Antarctica cruise is a responsible choice.
Antarctica is a magical wonderland. It looms large as a dream destination for so many exploratory travelers. That includes us. So when we got the opportunity to go on the first ever Lindblad Expeditions National Geographic Antarctica Direct Sail and Fly expedition, we were over the moon. We couldn’t wait to see penguins, whales, learn plenty about science and conservation and climate change on board, and marvel at this vast wilderness. If that’s you, whether you’ve already booked your trip or are currently in the dreaming and planning phase, it may be helpful to know what to pack for an Antarctica cruise. Specifically an expedition cruise. Here’s what we brought along.
We’re big fans of snowshoeing. We love hitting quiet, powdery trails no one else is on, layering up, and hiking to enjoy a snack and a hot beverage with a view (and we always bring a hot beverage). Do empty trails, wildlife sightings, and stunning scenery sound good to you, too? Then gear up! ‘Cause snowshoeing offers it all. But if you’re not sure what to wear snowshoeing or what gear you need, allow us to recommend some of our favorite clothing and gear for the task. Bonus: it’s all more sustainable than your average tech shirt.
We’ve always loved hiking and backpacking here at Terradrift. In fact, those activities were our first loves when it comes to outdoor adventure. But we love to try new things and explore, challenge ourselves and learn new skills. So when we finally moved to the mountains in Utah, we knew it was time to add one more outdoor sport to our repertoire: snowboarding. But being a beginner snowboarder can feel daunting. There’s so much to learn and so much specialized gear required! Here’s all the snowboard gear you need and why and how to pick out the best beginner gear so you can kick the season off right.
We love Gnara’s Go There Hiking Pants with the brilliant extra pee zipper designed for people who squat to pee. But do the new leggings also impress? We put them to the test to see if they fly or fail.
When I joined the outdoor brand Fjällräven for their Classic USA in Colorado last summer, I had no reason to believe I’d get the chance to do it again at any of their other 7 Classic events around the world. But when they announced a brand new 4-day backpacking route in Patagonia in Chile, I was thrilled to do it all again, this time in such a remarkable trekking destination. It was certainly different than the USA Classic, but one thing that remained the same: it’s a great event whether you’ve been backpacking for years or you’ve never been backpacking before ever. Think you might want to check out a Fjällräven Classic yourself? Here’s what I learned from backpacking with 200 of my closest friends. Twice.
Snowshoes. We love ’em. They allow us to get outside and blaze trails all winter long, no matter how much white powder covers the route. Indeed, we’re convinced they’re an essential piece of gear every outdoorist should keep in their closet. But with so many options to choose from (and so many price points!), how can one possibly be convinced they’re getting the best snowshoes for the money? We recently tested two pairs of snowshoes from MSR and will help you map out the differences, plus answer some of your burning questions, like what snowshoes to buy, if expensive snowshoes are worth it, or which MSR snowshoes are the best of the best. Read on.
Keen to ride 100 miles on rocky, dusty dirt track and off-road trails, climb 7,097 feet of elevation, camp in the desert with no water availability, and sit on a bike saddle for something like 14 hours over three days or so? Then you’re ready for bikepacking White Rim Trail in Canyonlands National Park.
It’s that time of year, again! Time for the annual REI Cyber Week Sale! Which means tons of camping and backpacking gear is on sale! So we rounded up 10 items we think are worth a look AND can be bought with a solid discount this holiday season. Bonus: these items are also more sustainable options. So if you need some new gear, now’s the time. Just make sure to shop between November 30-December 9.
‘Tis the season to shove goodies into oversized socks hanging from a mantle that hopefully won’t result in a house fire! (By which I mean it’s the holiday season; time to stuff some stockings…) But Outdoorsy folks can be hard to shop for, especially because we definitely don’t need ANOTHER spork or pocket-sized multi-tool (please don’t get us another spork…). Fortunately, being avid outdoorists ourselves, we know a little something about what hikers, campers, cyclists and kayakers WOULD love to find in a stocking hung by the chimney with care, so we made this handy list of outdoor stocking stuffers for outdoor enthusiasts. You’re bound to find something they’ll love.
