Empower

Every year, people do amazing things in the great outdoors. Getting away from society and into the wilderness is always an incredible opportunity to get to know yourself better. It’s also a way to push yourself past your own self-imposed limits. When we go outdoors, we learn two things at once—how small we are in relation to the world, and how we are inextricably a part of it. 

It’s an incredible feeling to be the first recorded person to do something amazing. It’s equally incredible to attempt something difficult, overcome obstacles, and—whether or not you accomplish what you set out to do—find yourself somewhere new and exciting. The most amazing part of this year has been the human stories that emerge from our outdoor culture and the people that make it up. 

Here are a few of those stories, those people outdoors, that we’d like to celebrate in our Outdoors people of the year list as 2023 comes to a close.

As 2023 comes to an end, let’s take a look back at some of the most exciting plant and fungal discoveries made in the United States.

Mountain lions are fascinating animals, but they’re often misunderstood. Here are mountain lion myths to stop believing.

A new narrative is emerging in mountain biking where girls and women participate, excel, and redefine the sport’s boundaries.

David McNab is a former anti-poaching ranger. He’s training to run a marathon in a rhino suit for charity, hoping to beat the world record.

If you’re a runner looking to add variety to your training, backcountry skiing is a great choice. Read on to find out how to incorporate it.

Losing weight to climb better isn’t always necessary, but here are some tips from a climbing instructor on how to become a great climber.

Here’s how to find the perfect running shoes for middle-aged runners. We spoke with an orthopedic surgeon to find out.

Walking outdoors is very beneficial to our health. But Americans are walking less. Could green spaces help?