Getting into trouble: He was hoping to see a grizzly up close and personal. But not three at once.

• by daniel wood

Shared moments: Long after you’re back in the city, it’s those outdoor memories that help you survive.

• by Charles Montgomery

The Canadian swim: Baby, it’s hot outside. So dive in for a classic northern ritual.

• by David MacFarlane

Being alone: Want to experience what real wilderness is like? Then head out there by yourself.

• by Mike Randolph

Taking a child into the wild: No video games. No TV. What better place to take a kid?

• by Alisa Smith

Fleece: How do I love my brightly coloured, quick-drying, miracle fabric? Let me count the ways.

• by Ian Brown

Playing house: You know each other’s sock sizes, but before you get down on one knee, take the tent test.

• by David Leach

My canoe: There’s nothing like paddling your very own cedarstrip canoe.

• by Marni Jackson

Living off the grid: Or how I spent 10 happy years freebooting in my West-Coast hippie love shack.

• by Andrew Struthers

Kayaking Lake Superior: Yes, it’s a big-time lake. But that’s why it’s such a big-time experience.

• by Jill Frayne

Wild times: Random sex. Dining-and-dashing. Climbing stoned. Or at least, that’s what I remember.

• by Geoff Powter

Natural savants: In praise of the men and women who really know their outdoor stuff.

• by Jake MacDonald

Having nothing to prove: Okay, so I haven’t been there. And I haven’t done that. But I don’t care.

• by Mark Schatzker

Doing it by foot: Ditch the car and hoof it if you want to see the big picture.

• by Bruce Grierson

Rabbit hunting: Your unsuspecting quarry is out there. So get on your bike and chase him down.

• by Mark Anderson

Being with men: Camping with my father taught me an important lesson: Real men cook pancakes.

• by Sarah Hampson

The night sky: You’re in for a surprise when you peer through Mr. Newton’s marvellous magnifying machine.

• by Charles Wilkins

Schadenfreude: What’s so wrong about enjoying other people’s embarrassing misfortunes?

• by David Zimmer

The Canadian Shield: Nothing lifts me up like the wild, tempestuous landscape of Shield country.

• by Christie McLaren

Jumping off: Yeah, it scares the hell out of me to leap from a 20-foot cliff. But that’s the whole point.

• by Chris Nuttall-Smith

The true north: Forget Florida. Embrace your innner Canuck and head as far north as you can.

• by Jerry Kobalenko

Getting high: Why would two women dance naked on a mountain summit? Because it’s there.

• by Andrea Curtis

Woodsmoke: Where there’s smoke, there’s a myriad of memories of outdoor adventures past.

• by Wayne Grady

Doing nothing: Killing time, farting around, following your bliss. It’s all in a good day’s work.

• by J.B. MacKinnon

…And 101 others

Subscribe to explore for only $24 -- Save 33% off the cover price.