Lost Highway of the Himalaya
Kashmir is India's legendary "Jewel in the Crown," a hidden corner of the Himalaya that's riddled with high mountain valleys, floating Victorian hotels, and some of Asia's most breathtaking scenery. After years of war and strife, it's once again open and receiving visitors. MATTHEW POWER decided to take in the sights one mile at a time, from Delhi to the world's highest motorable road, behind the handlebars of a 350-cc Royal Enfield motorcycle.

Photo Gallery: Writer Matthew Power guides a virtual behind-the-scenes tour of his 1,500-mile (2,414-kilometer) Himalaya motorcycle trip. Enter gallery >>

Best of Adventure 2005
Break out the highlighter. From the coolest new destinations to innovative gear and awe-inspiring personalities, we've assembled the people, places, and paraphernalia that everyone will be talking about in 2005, including how to ski uphill, the 35 feet that changed climbing forever, and why real fishermen prefer kayaks. SPECIAL FOLDOUT: The 16 things that no urban adventurer can live without in the new year. Read online exclusive >>

Back to the Blast
In 1980 Mount St. Helens shocked the world by spewing untold quantities of deadly ash and molten lava over southern Washington. Writer, photographer, and part-time geomorphologist JAMES BALOG was there before and after the eruption to capture its awful beauty. Twenty-four years later, he returns to the rim of the smoldering volcano to search for ghosts in the ashes and document the second act of America's reawakening giant. Read excerpt >>

I Am the Chairlift
The Swiss began hut-to-hut skiing more than a hundred years ago, and their simple premise remains unchanged since then: Hike up. Ski down. Eat hot food. Sleep in a warm bed. Repeat. An American resort rat makes a pilgrimage to the Berner Oberland, the birthplace of backcountry, and finds out that if it's pure powder you seek, sometimes you just have to go climb some Alps.

Frontiers
It's summertime in South Africa! Here are ten very convincing reasons—from rhinos to surf breaks to a great bottle of Pinotage—to be there now.

Next Weekend
Rev up your winter with a Dixie cave crawlathon, a personal backcountry powder day, and six more ways to get out of town.

Wild Roads
Make tracks to balmy Baja for whale-watching, windsurfing, and, of course, some valuable hammock time, on the ultimate south-of-the-border road trip. Read excerpt >>

Where Next
Picture a postcard-perfect tiny Caribbean isle—then add a boiling lake, world-class snorkeling, and rain-forest bike trails. Welcome to Dominica, the off-the-radar adventure island.

City Escape
Sure there's paddling in Miami, but mountain biking? We've got your definitive guide to getting out and about in Vice City.

Performance
A new breed of exercise docs will get you pumped and primed for anything. Plus: Three pros give you the skinny on supplements, and how a little chocolate may boost your aerobic capacity.
Read excerpt >>

Books
A classic Antarctic tale renewed, and one man's obsessive wildlife walk. Plus: National Geographic Explorer's Lisa Ling changes channels. Read Lisa Ling Q&A >>

Pelton's World
Expedia is for amateurs. When it comes to getting a good deal on international airline tickets, you need to have friends on the inside. Read excerpt >>

Top