Ally Jaksen Archives - ¹ú²ú³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Online /byline/ally-jaksen/ Live Bravely Tue, 04 Nov 2025 14:06:04 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 https://cdn.outsideonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/favicon-194x194-1.png Ally Jaksen Archives - ¹ú²ú³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Online /byline/ally-jaksen/ 32 32 Destination Spotlight: Peru /adventure-travel/destinations/south-america/destination-spotlight-peru/ Tue, 04 Nov 2025 14:05:07 +0000 /?p=2720051 Destination Spotlight: Peru

From the Pacific to the Andes to the Amazon, this South American gem offers a wealth of biodiversity and cultural experiences

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Destination Spotlight: Peru

When it comes to adventure travel, Peru is, in a word, legendary. And it’s no wonder. With iconic historic sites, natural wonders from peaks to rainforests, celebrated culture and food, and a commitment to sustainable and responsible tourism, Peru has it all.

Kick off your journey in the capital city of Lima. While Lima is the largest urban center in Peru, it’s also a hub of outdoor activity and adventure. With its easy access to the Pacific Ocean, the city serves up an abundance of opportunities to and paraglide. The coast along the is ideal for its waves and winds, as well as vibrant culture, food, and people to enjoy after your sesh.

Paragliders on the coast in Lima
The Miraflores neighborhood offers a wealth of culture, food, and outdoor adventure. (Photo: PROMPERÚ)

Looking for an off-the-beaten-path paradise for trekkers? Head to . Situated high in the Andes Mountains, the stunningly vast Ancash region offers adventures for all levels of climbers, trekkers, and mountaineers. Explore , home to the eponymous peak. The climb is categorized as AD, or moderately difficult, and usually takes five to seven days. At 22,205 feet, Huascaran is Peru’s highest mountain and belongs on every mountain lover’s list. Not interested in bagging peaks? Take a hike to one of the icy-blue glacial lakes that pepper the region.

Hiker in the Ancash region
The Ancash region offers epic trekking, mountaineering, and camping. (Photo: PROMPERÚ)

In the north of Peru, you’ll find : a region rich with biodiversity as well as a diversity of culture and history. The weaves a tapestry of natural and cultural wonders, winding through more than 30 miles of ancient cloud forests and pre-Incan archaeological remains. On this three-to-four-day trek, learn about the lesser-known along the way. You can also opt to trek to the stunning , a 6.4-mile hike to a cascade that plunges more than 2,000 feet.

A man standing in front of a waterfall
The trek to the Gocta waterfall is one of many epic hikes in the Amazonas region. (Photo: PROMPERÚ)

Then there’s the iconic Amazon Rainforest in the region of . While you might associate dense jungles and mazelike river systems with neighboring countries like Brazil or Colombia, you’ll find the same mesmerizing landscape in the northeast of Peru. It’s also a wildlife lover’s paradise. Explore , the second-largest protected natural area in Peru, with more than 1,000 endemic plant and animal species. Float the most iconic river system in the world and feel a connection with nature that can only be found in remote places like these.

Loreto
Loreto offers some of the greatest biodiversity in the country. (Photo: PROMPERÚ)

Southern Peru boasts regions like and that offer a breadth of culture, history, and adventure in the Andes. Machu Picchu is just the start in this magical region. Choose from a number of iconic treks that access archaeological sites, like the and , or fill your bucket list with to really lose yourself in the region. Or check out the birthplace of the Inca Empire in Puno and kayak in the world’s highest navigable lake, Lake Titicaca.

Trekking in Cusco
Cusco offers countless treks and adventures beyond the popular hikes around Machu Picchu. (Photo: PROMPERÚ)

Whatever you do in Peru, expect an adventure that weaves together ancient civilizations and modern culture, all set among some of the most breathtaking terrain in the world. Today, Peru blends its rich past with an eye toward the future, aiming to preserve this cultural and natural wonderland for generations of adventurers to come.


is a multicultural nation filled with unique traditions, world-class gastronomy, and vast natural reserves. It is home to 12 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and 84 of the planet’s 117 life zones. Peru’s enormous territory, covering more than 1.2 million square kilometers, is composed of three regions: Coast, Andes, and Peruvian Amazon.

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Make It a Camping Summer /outdoor-gear/camping/make-it-a-camping-summer/ Mon, 12 May 2025 17:13:24 +0000 /?p=2703083 Make It a Camping Summer

Do more of what you love—from pitching a tent at a weekend festival to searching out the most remote campsites—with the best gear from REI

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Make It a Camping Summer

Summer is right around the corner, so here are two ways to ensure it’s the best one yet.

1. Kick off summer with the , May 31 and June 1 in Denver, Colorado. The event blends music, film, keynote speakers, outdoor brands, and great food in the ultimate celebration of adventure. Last year’s inaugural event drew nearly 20,000 people, and the festival will be even bigger and better this year, with Khruangbin and Lord Heron leading the musical lineup and legends like Diana Nyad and Alex Honnold headlining the speaker series.

2. Spend more time outside. Warm weather and long days serve up the perfect conditions for camping, hiking, paddling, and more. Make summer’s precious days count by putting more adventures on the calendar and equipping yourself with the best gear.

Below are ten products guaranteed to upgrade the season. They’ll help you sleep more comfortably outdoors, elevate your camp cooking with family and friends, and maximize fun on the water. Gear up and get out there.

Camp

REI Co-op Campwell 6 Tent

Got a big crew? Get a big tent. This cabin-style tent sleeps six comfortably with a spacious interior and elevated peak height (over five feet), so everyone can spread out and relax. Clear night? Roll back the fly and enjoy stargazing through the full mesh ceiling. It’s the perfect summer home for adventure-loving families and friends.

Campwell 6 Tent
REI Co-op Campwell 6 Tent (Photo: REI)

Exped MegaMat Sleeping Pad

When it comes to sleeping well outdoors, a key consideration is what you put between you and the ground. For a solid night’s rest, you want a pad that’s thick for maximum cushion and insulated for warmth. The MegaMat delivers and then some. It offers four luxurious inches of cushion, enough insulation for winter weather when paired with a winter bag, and easy inflation/deflation. Bonus: The surface fabric is soft against skin and made with 100% recycled material.

Exped MegaMat Sleeping Pad
Exped MegaMat Sleeping Pad (Photo: Exped)

REI Co-op Siesta Hooded 20 Sleeping Bag

If you’ve ever felt cramped by a too-narrow mummy bag, get ready for a revelation: The relaxed rectangular fit of this cozy sleeping bag offers plenty of roll-around room for a comfortable night’s sleep. The 20-degree temperature rating can handle the chillier side of mountain summers, and the two-way zipper lets you open the bag completely or even turn it into a quilt in warmer weather.

REI Co-cop Siesta Hooded 20 Sleeping Bag
REI Co-cop Siesta Hooded 20 Sleeping Bag (Photo: REI)

Hest Camp Pillow

They may look similar, but not all camp pillows are created equal. This one stands apart for its ultracomfortable memory foam, dirt- and water-resistant fabric, and removable/washable cover. Take it everywhere this summer, from camping to meadow napping to festival lounging.

HEST Camp Pillow
HEST Camp Pillow (Photo: HEST)

Cook

AeroPress XL Coffee Press

If camp coffee—good camp coffee—is one of your nonnegotiables, get the XL Coffee Press from AeroPress. It can brew up to six shots of espresso or two cups of coffee at a time, keeping you on your morning game. To brew, just add your coffee grounds and water, then stir and press. It’s that simple.

AeroPress XL Coffee Press
AeroPress XL Coffee Press (Photo: AeroPress)

REI Co-op Graphic Camp Mug

What’s a pot of coffee without a mug to match? The REI Co-op Graphic Camp Mug is made of high-quality stainless steel, features an easy-sipping lid, and is double insulated to keep your drinks hot (or cold). Plus, you can match it to your personal style with a choice of eight colors and designs.

REI Co-op Graphic Camp Mug
REI Co-op Graphic Camp Mug (Photo: REI)

YETI Roadie 48 Wheeled Cooler

This cooler is as close as it gets to summer on wheels. It chills up to 76 cans of your favorite beverage, and the PermaFrost insulation can keep ice frozen for days. But this is a Yeti cooler, so top-notch insulation is just the start. The whole thing is tank tough, and the NeverFlat wheels and telescoping handle make it easy to maneuver through festival crowds and over rough terrain.

YETI Roadie 48 Wheeled Cooler
YETI Roadie 48 Wheeled Cooler (Photo: YETI)

Lodge Deep Camp Dutch Oven

Nothing says summer like cooking over a campfire. This cast-iron beauty is the way to do it for soups, stews, meats, and more. The deep eight-quart Dutch oven is preseasoned using a hot industrial oven so the oil is baked in, making it hand-me-down durable. That and the cast iron’s even heat distribution make the Deep Camp Dutch Oven a welcome addition to any camp kitchen.

Lodge Deep Camp Dutch Oven
Lodge Deep Camp Dutch Oven (Photo: Lodge)

Float

Bote Breeze Aero Bloom Inflatable Paddleboard with Paddle

Get on the water this summer with a limited-edition paddleboard from Bote. The Breeze Aero Bloom is inflatable and lightweight (just 20 pounds), so it’s easy to pack on road trips. Eco bonus: The deck pad is made with an environmentally friendly material sourced from harmful algae, removing it from the environment and returning clean water to the ecosystem.

Bote Breeze Aero Bloom Inflatable Paddleboard with Paddle
Bote Breeze Aero Bloom Inflatable Paddleboard with Paddle (Photo: Bote)

Bote Highwater Hitchhiker

Whatever kind of paddling or boating you do, keep your valuables dry with the hip-pack-size Bote Highwater Hitchhiker. The TRU Zip zipper is fully waterproof, dustproof, airtight, and submersible, so you can focus on the water fun, not the risk of getting your stuff wet.

Bote Highwater Hitchhiker
Bote Highwater Hitchhiker (Photo: Bote)


is the nation’s largest consumer co-op, with a growing community of 24 million members who expect and love the best-quality gear and outstanding customer service. The co-op is a purpose-driven and values-led company dedicated to enabling life outside for all.

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