Trekking on ice

Involuntary immersion in the freezing waters of the Zanskar River while walking its course in northern India gives Paul Deegan a lesson in trust, patience and luck, as well as a stiff test of his equipmentRead on

Cold Comfort

Paul Deegan describes the kit he used to cope with the extreme conditions he experienced when he accompanied brittle-bone-disease sufferer Glenn Shaw on his expedition to kayak off AntarcticaRead on

American high

Paul Deegan shares the lessons he learnt during his three attempts to reach the summit of Cerro Aconcagua, the tallest mountain in the AmericasRead on

On the Alpine trail

Criss-crossing the Alps is a network of trails that offer hikes through some of Europe’s most spectacular scenery. Here, Geographical’s kit editor, Paul Deegan, describes the gear he takes on his multi-day Alpine treksRead on

The long walk

Ian Mangiardi braved four months of outdoor living on his thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail in the eastern USARead on

No bags, will travel

Rolf Potts embarked on a six-week journey around the world, taking with him nothing but the clothes he stood up in (as well as a few items in his pockets). Here, he describes what helped him to survive without baggageRead on

Tackling the TGO Challenge

Every May, a group of backpackers set off on a coast-to-coast trek across Scotland, battling through the whole gamut of Highland weather conditions. Here, Phil Turner describes the ultralight gear that helped him to complete the hikeRead on

1000 days at sea

Reid Stowe spent more than three years sailing the world’s oceans without setting foot on land, breaking the world record for the length of time spent non-stop at sea. Here, he describes the gear that helped him to surviveRead on

Adventure on your doorstep

Alastair Humphreys describes the kit that aided him on his most recent trip: a trek through the wintry urban and rural landscapes around the London Orbital motorway, the M25Read on

The coldest race on Earth

The Yukon Arctic Ultra sees competitors trek 700 kilometres through snow, ice and temperatures as low as –60°C in Canada’s far north. Andy Heading describes the kit that kept him on trackRead on

The commonwealth of cold

In 2009, Felicity Aston led the largest and most internationally diverse women’s expedition to ski to the South Pole. Here she describes the kit that kept them warm en routeRead on

Hard graft with a raft

When Alastair Humphreys decided to cross Iceland, he wanted to work with the country’s spectacular geography to ensure his journey offered a diverse experience. And that involved packing a new piece of gear in his rucksack: a boatRead on

Living on thin ice

Geographical’s equipment editor, Paul Deegan, joined the Catlin Arctic Survey’s research team at an ice base 1,250 kilometres from the North Pole. He explains how the group lived for extended periods in sub-zero conditionsRead on

Helping Heroes

Following his ascent of El Capitan with paraplegic Iraq War veteran Phil Packer, Andy Kirkpatrick explores the specialist kit available for disabled climbersRead on

Dark water

The cave diver’s mnemonic – ‘the good divers always live’: training, guide lines, depth, air, lights – highlights the importance of preparation as well as gear for those taking part in the sport. Nick Lewis describes what’s involvedRead on

Driving along the line

Spike Reid, a recipient of the inaugural Land Rover ‘Go Beyond’ bursary, reflects on the kit his team used while following the 50th parallel around the globeRead on

Riding the Rockies

Fewer than ten Britons have completed the Tour Divide, the world’s longest mountain-bike race. Paul Howard describes the gear you’ll need to pedal 4,418 kilometres through snow, hail and lightning at altitudes of up to 3,500 metresRead on

On top of the world

Kenton Cool has reached the summit of Mount Everest seven times – a British record. Here, he describes the gear he’ll be using on his eighth attempt to scale the world’s highest mountainRead on

Mastering the Murray

Last year, Dave Cornthwaite travelled the length of Australia’s Murray River, from source to mouth, mostly by kayak. Here, he describes the gear that got him through the 2,476-kilometre, 76-day expeditionRead on

Crossing the big nowhere

Karen Darke thought her friend was crazy to suggest skiing across Greenland together – not least because Karen is paralysed from the chest down. But her disability proved no barrier to traversing the snow and iceRead on

The sky is not the limit

Tim Maw describes the gear used in last year’s daring Skycar Expedition, which saw a team drive and fly from London to Tombouctou in a prototype airborne automobileRead on

Into the unknown

Elliott Forge describes the gear he uses on expeditions to investigate some of the world’s most out-of-the-way and least explored regionsRead on

Taking your best shot

Advances in video technology have made it easier to capture high-quality footage of an expedition, but film-making in the field still has its pitfalls. Film-maker Al Boardman advises
Read on

Wind,waves and wet long johns

Canadian Kip Keen describes the equipment that he and his paddling partner used to cope with the tempestuous conditions that they encountered during their 105-day, 2,400-kilometre circumnavigation of Newfoundland in kayaksRead on

Have children, will travel

Dr Jane Wilson-Howarth explains what families should pack to keep their little ’uns safe, healthy and occupied when travelling independentlyRead on

If at first you don't succeed

In 2005, Chris Bray and his companion to traverse Victoria Island in the Canadian Arctic ended in bitter failure three years later they return thereRead on

Chocs away

In an attempt to make his vehicle-based expeditions carbon neutral, Andy Pag traversed the Sahara in a truck powered solely by… chocolate. Here, he describes the equipment that he employed during this astonishing journeyRead on

A dog's life

Greenland dogs have been bred in isolation on the Arctic island to be hard workers and faithful companions in a punishing climate. Polar traveller Gary Rolfe explains how he and his animals survive in the icy wastesRead on

Anytime, anyplace, anywhere (part two)

Part two of Paul Deegan's excellent feature on expedition technology in the February issue. Here, Felicity Aston reveals how she sent podcasts to her website during a double traverse of GreenlandRead on

The digital explorer

Thanks to the wonders of modern technology, keeping a record of your travels and then communicating to others has never been easier, says Jamie Buchanan-DunlopRead on

High Arctic and dry

It's vital that Arctic adventurers gear allow moisture to escape, keeping the wearer dry and warding off hypothermia. Martin Hartley found this out the hard way during his first polar expeditionRead on

Pedalling the Pacific

Two naked men in a pedal boat in the world’s largest ocean – must be part of a bold global circumnavigation attempt using only human power. Stevie Smith describes the equipment used during their epic 13-year voyageRead on

Reins on the plains

Saddling up and riding a mighty steed across a vast open steppe like the marauding Mongols of yore – such expeditions come with their own unique set of problems, as Tim Cope reportsRead on

King of the swingers

The canopy of the tropical rainforest is surely one of the most challenging, yet rewarding environments to explore. John Pike describes some of the kit requirements for this demanding activityRead on

Get your motor running

Revving up a powerful bike and heading off into the sunset is the romantic image of motorcycle adventure, and the reality can be achieved on a modest budget. Just make sure you choose the right kit, says Richard JeynesRead on

Climbing Kilimanjaro

Giving those with little experience the opportunity to climb a ‘real’ mountain, Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest peak, attracts large numbers of tourists every year. But the trek to the summit is no walk in the park says Paul DeeganRead on

Gap-year travel

It’s now a common rite of passage for young adults to take time out from their studies or careers and head off into the wild blue yonder. Preparing properly for gap-year travel is the key to a memorable trip, says Alastair HumphreysRead on

Join the caving club

The subterranean world has long fascinated outdoor enthusiasts, and cavers now regularly travel around the globe to explore the world’s deepest, darkest and longest cave networks. Robbie Shone outlines the best caving kitRead on

On your bike...

Andrew Welch and Tom Allen write exclusively for Geographical about the kit they’re currently using on their around-the-world mountain bike expeditionRead on

Keeping it simple

Bushcraft expert Ben McNutt, a firm believer in the low-tech philosophy, shares his expedition-kit checklistRead on

The microlight fantastic - part I

Record-breaking pilot Richard Meredith-Hardy describes the equipment he used on his most recent microlight expeditionRead on

Row, row, row your boat

With ocean rowing growing in popularity, Olly Hicks, the youngest person to row solo across the Atlantic, explains what’s needed to take on the seven seasRead on

The microlight fantastic – part II

In the February 2008 issue of Geographical, pilot Richard Meredith-Hardy described the essential gear required for microlight expeditions. In this follow-up piece, he covers a multitude of additional itemsRead on

Cold comfort

Antarctica isn’t all penguins and icebergs. Climbing guide Stephen Jones offers his tips for the best kit for hitting the heights at the bottom of the world Read on

Green equipment

We're carbon-offsetting our flights, staying in hotels lit by solar energy and eating in restaurants serving locally-produced food, but what about our rucksacks, jackets and sleeping bags? Paul Deegan examines the best ‘green’ kit Read on

Higher gear

Wind, rain, snow and heat: you can expect to encounter them all during a trek in the Himalaya. Paul Deegan highlights what's required for a successful mountain tripRead on

Sounds amazing

Thanks to the digital revolution, it’s now easier than ever before to record high-quality audio on portable equipment. Tessa McGregor offers her tips on the best kit for capturing the sounds of the wildRead on

Come sail away

Sailing around the world exposes you to extreme weather and lots of salty water. Nick Bubb shares his tips on everything you need to stay safe, warm and dryRead on

Lost in space

Climbing ‘big walls’ requires skill, strength and stamina, not to mention a whole pile of kit. Andy Kirkpatrick offers advice on mounting these vertical expeditions Read on

It's a jungle out there

Mud, sweat and bugs: the rainforest environment has it’s own unique set of gear-related challenges to overcome, says ex-Gurkha Corrin Adshead  Read on

Expedition food

An expedition marches on its stomach, says Paul Deegan, so the last thing you want to do is make a meal of your provision purchasingRead on

Getting away from them all

Keen to escape the teeming masses and experience nature in the raw? Then grab yourself a tent and head out into the wilderness, says Paul DeeganRead on

Sand,Sweat and Tears

The Marathon de Sables, a 243-kilometre foot race through the Sahara, isn’t for the faint of heart.Mark Gillet survived it and has returned with a selection of top kit tipsRead on

Northward Bound

There are few places on Earth more brutal on equipment than the Arctic. So who better than solo polar trekker Ben Saunders to advise on the best kit to take to the North Pole?
Read on