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"1.21 Gigawatts!": The Real Facts about Lightning
- In July 2003, Rick and Lisa Goff were enjoying an idyllic afternoon with their three children.
They set up camp near the shore of Crystal Lake in the Uinta Mountains. As an early afternoon storm gathered
, the Goffs moved their lawn chairs under a tree for shelter... 
The Dangers of Heat and Cold
- The human body's ideal operating temperature is 98.6°F. As warm-blooded creatures,
our bodies have a variety of mechanisms that maintain a core temperature very close to that number.
If you get too cold... 
Dispelling the Snakebite Myth
- Over the years there have been many in-the-field remedies for snakebites. Most of these
therapies are as strange as our fear of snakes, and none of them work. Mostly, they increase
the harm that is already being done... 
Encountering a Black Bear
- Black bears are secretive creatures, preferring the dense cover of forest. If you see one, count yourself
lucky. Black bears are the smallest of the three species found in North America... 
Mountain Lions in Utah
- Mountain lions inhabit territory all across Utah. According to the Division of Wildlife Resources, the only
place in Utah they’re not found is in the salt flats west of the Great Salt Lake. Despite Utah’s large cougar
population, attacks on humans are rare here... 
All Sorts of Stings
- The Southwest is home to over 30 species of scorpions, but only one is considered life-threatening.
Like many spiders, scorpions hide by day. At night, they prowl the desert floor looking for insects... 
How To See More Wildlife
- Spotting an animal in the backcountry adds an intangible element of
wildness to any outdoor experience. Unfortunately wild animals are
usually in the business of avoiding people. Still, there are a few things you can do to
increase your likelihood of spotting wildlife on your next trip... 
Capture Top-notch Wilderness Landscapes
- It's depressingly easy to come home from a trip with a pile of bad landscape photos.
Even with superb scenery, random snapshots
all too often fail to capture the magic. The following tips are aimed at helping casual
shooters boost their panoramic prowess...
Leave No Trace - Backcountry Ethics
- Get the knowledge you need to leave the backcountry clean and untrammelled,
exactly as you found it...
Water Trails of the Anasazi
- The deserts of the American Southwest abound with ancient literature. Carvings litter the desert like
windblown newspaper clippings. Countless people sweated, bled, and died on these lands. In light of that
fact...
All That Glitters
- Anyone who pans for gold hopes to be rewarded by a colorful glitter in the fine material at the bottom
of the pan. Although the exercise and outdoor activity experienced in prospecting are rewarding,
there are few thrills comparable to finding gold...
Prehistoric Utah
- Before Utah was a state, before Europeans claimed the New World, and
before Lake Bonneville dwindled to remnants, the American West was home to an
exotic suite of animals...
Utah's National Parks
- Capitol Reef is home to the Waterpocket Fold, a 100-mile long ripple in the earth's crust called a
monocline. Although tourism is on the rise, Capitol Reef National Park receives smallest amount of visitors
out of Utah's five National Parks...
Backpacking Tents: Your Home Away From Home
- If you spend more than a couple of nights a year outside, your tent is probably
one of the most important pieces of gear you own. Choose well, and
it will keep you warm and dry for years... 
Hiking Boots - Finding the Perfect Fit
- Few things can make or break a trip like boots can.
When it comes to choosing the right pair of boots for traipsing
across the backcountry, there are several things you can do to ensure
a perfect fit...
Gear Review: Ursack
- The typical black bear has a sense of smell seven times stronger than a bloodhound's, and an
appetite to match. Bears are omnivores and opportunists, always hunting for more food to
pack down before their long winter nap...
Backpacking Digitally: Choosing a Camera
- Choosing a camera that balances quality,
price, and portability, can be a daunting task. Here are a few tips
for choosing a camera that
takes great pictures without getting in the way...