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The AJ Poll
Poll: Are You a Peak Bagger?
Do you climb because the mountains are calling or because that list app won’t fill itself?
Poll: What’s Your Take on Glamping?
Is it awesome to get more people outside, a silly luxurious frivolity, or something else entirely? Vote to win Smith…
The AJ Poll: What’s the Smartest Thing You’ve Done Outside?
Don’t be shy–let’s hear you being your best self…and win some Smith sunglasses while you’re at it.
Poll: What’s the Dumbest Thing You’ve Done Outside?
Oh, we are so smug. We are so smart. We are so much better than those idiots who pet bison…
Poll: What’s the Best Thing About Summer?
By my estimate, there is nobody who doesn’t like the longer days and warmer temps of summer, except maybe polar…
Poll: Would You Climb Mt. Everest?
If money was no object, does the world’s highest summit call to you?
Poll: Going Solo in the Backcountry
Is it smart? Is it safe? Does it matter? Let’s hear your take on heading off the radar alone.
Poll: What Scares You When You’re Camping?
Lions and tigers and bears? Pffft. What about zika-bearing mosquitos and getting lost?
Would You Ride an E-Bike on the Trail?
Like it or not, motorized ‘bicycle’ sales are rapidly growing–so would you take one on the singletrack?
What Constitutes a Big Dump?
Not every snow is powder and not every storm dumps. But where’s the line between freshies and nuking?
Should the U.S. Save More Land or Fix More Parks?
Critics say we can’t keep up what we have now. Others say we can’t conserve enough. How about you?
Poll: Should the U.S. Make Parks More ‘Wired’?
A group of congressmen are urging the president to increase wi-fi and cellular coverage. Should he?
Poll: How Outraged Are You at the Yosemite Trademark Controversy?
Park Service is renaming landmarks over trademark dispute, and people aren’t happy.
Poll: What’s Your Big Adventure Goal for 2016?
Making resolutions? Breaking them? Here you can be accountable to your 2017 self.
What’s the Best Snowboarding Resort in North America?
What matters most – terrain? Snowfall? Culture? You decide.
What Are You Grateful for For?
Gratitude is the secret super power of attitudes. What makes up yours?
Poll: What Are the Best and Worst Gear Trends?
One man’s trash is another’s treasure, and the same is true for gear. Which, though, is which?
What’s the Most Adventurous Country?
Yeah, sure, A-muhr-ica has a lot to offer. But so do Canada, New Zealand, Europe. Wait, is Europe still a…
Poll: What’s the Best American Mountain Range?
When did mountain ranges make the radical shift from something to be avoided to playgrounds in which to frolic? In…
Poll: What’s Your Biggest Adventure Dream?
To climb a summit (or 54)? To run an ultra? Ski every day all winter? What’s your top goal–and will…
Who’s the Best Adventure Movie Hero of All Time?
Harkin Banks or TJ Burke? Bodhi or Johnny? Which of our fictional protagonists stands above all others?
How Do We Get More Kids Outside?
Childhood participation is down, obesity is up, kids can’t even walk home alone from school. What to do?
What’s the Worst Adventure Companion?
It is the season of road trips and adventures, and that means it’s the time when we share confined spaces…
What’s the Best U.S. National Park?
In honor of Independence Day and the summertime travel season, we tackle the question.
Is It Wrong to Let Children Do ‘Extreme’ Sports?
Should we just let kids be kids? Or is the margin of today’s adventure sports too dangerous?
Alcohol or Pot?
Having grown up in a era when Reefer Madness still played in midnight showings, in the Reagan days of Just…
How Important Is It to Have a Campfire?
Things have gotten tough for campfire fans in the southwestern corner of the old U.S.A. Here in Southern California, the…
Should Obama Create More National Monuments?
Depending on your perspective toward public lands, the Antiquities Act of 1906 is either one of the best laws to…
How Important Is It to be Core?
“You’re not hardcore…unless you live hardcore.” – Tenacious D A few years ago, Patagonia had a campaign, or tag line,…
What’s the Best Thing About Car Camping?
Adventure Journal readers are so core. You guys overwhelmingly chose backpacking over car camping in a poll last year. What…
What’s the Best Thing About New Snow?
Snow, children understand, is evidence of magic. Grownups like to give credit to science, to the shape of the water…
Do You Ever Pretend You’ve Survived an Apocalypse?
During the holidays, when I was reviewing AJ’s 2014 story mix, it struck me that the poll questions have gotten…
What’s Your Resolution for 2015?
Most New Year’s resolutions revolve around personal improvement and change. “I’m gonna lose a few pounds.” “I’m going to cuss…
Does the Outdoor Industry Need to Change? How?
For at least the last decade, and maybe longer, I’ve watched as small, independent startups have attempted to break into the…
Would You Thru-Hike a Long Trail? Which One?
Have you seen Wild yet? Make sure you do – the adaptation of Cheryl Strayed’s book is well done, and…
Should Corporate Logos Be Allowed on National Park Signs?
These are not good economic times for public lands in general and national parks in particular. Despite visitation that’s up…
What’s the Best Mainstream Adventure Sports Movie?
Can you buy Reese Witherspoon hiking the PCT? Or schlepping a monster backpack? Or shooting up smack? Well, ready or…
What’s Your Response to Climate Change?
More than a few people have complained about how much AJ covers the environment and climate change. Apparently, they don’t…
What’s the Best Feeling in Adventure Sports?
The world of adventure sports is filled with so many incredible moments of grace and glory, it’s impossible to list…
Should Electric Mountain Bikes Be Allowed on Bike Trails?
As if there isn’t already enough disagreement over trail usage, etiquette, and access, a new storm is brewing in the…
Do You Tempt Fate?
Adventure is by definition risky. It involves taking chances. So, asking adventurous people whether they tempt fate is of course…
Do Chicks Really Dig Scars? Do Guys?
Lately I’ve been considering having the 13 inches of titanium hardware removed from my right leg. It won’t come out…
How Competitive Are You?
Harvey Butchart, the college math professor who explored more miles of the Grand Canyon than anyone alive or dead, was…
What’s the Hardest Sport to Learn? To Become an Expert?
Lately I’ve been going through old videotapes from when my kids were little in hopes of transferring it to digital…
What’s the Scariest Predator?
Southern California isn’t exactly known for its natural predators, but in the two decades I’ve lived here I’ve twice changed…
Does New Gear Motivate You to Get Outside?
I know you know this feeling: You’re eight years old or so and your sneakers are tattered, tired, and torn,…
Is the Idea of Wilderness Dead?
At first glance, asking the question, “Is the idea of wilderness dead?” might seem like an artificial provocation. Of course…
Should Road Cyclists Fight Back?
Every time I think about the joy of a long, beautiful road ride on rolling rural lanes, I get a…
Should National Parks Be More Accessible?
A week or so ago, I found myself watching the sun rise in Grand Canyon National Park, feet dangling over…
What’s the Best Thing About Backpacking?
My first backpacking trip came with the Boy Scouts, and I thought it was just plain stupid. We were dropped…
What’s the Lamest Excuse for Bailing?
Ow! I think I pulled something in my back. That was great, man, thanks. No, it’s cool, I’ll be okay,…
Have You Had A Bike Stolen? What Did You Do About It?
Sure, there are worse things to lose, like your house, or a limb, but having a bicycle stolen creates a…