47 articles

Chris Kassar

Adventure journalist Chris Kassar writes compelling pieces about outdoor adventures, the best gear for these exploits, environmental issues, and adventure travel. She also enjoys profiling leaders who are pushing the limits in a variety of arenasfrom climbing mountains to sustainability to adaptive sports and everything in between.  

Her career, coupled with her intense reverence for nature and thirst for adventure, has taken her all over the world from the Arctic to Asia. She has scaled peaks and run rivers all over North America, and in exotic lands like Nepal, Kenya, Cuba, Tanzania, Thailand, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Costa Rica, and Iceland. 

Her award-winning freelance writing (often accompanied by her photographs) appears in National Geographic Adventure, Climbing Magazine, The Boston Globe, Mother Jones, Filmmaker Magazine, Outside Online, WEND, and Women’s Adventure Magazine, among others. She works as Senior Editor for Elevation Outdoors Magazine and has written two Falcon Guides: Colorado Wildflower Hikes and Guide to Southern Rocky Mountain Wildflowers.

With over 20 years in the travel and outdoor industry, she also helps companies tell their stories. She has helped create strategic messaging and written content for leading brands including Patagonia, Mountain Hardwear, and Natural Habitat Adventures. She has acted as a consultant and strategist, and utilized her ability to break down complex concepts into easily digestible and interesting written material for essential organizations including the United Nations, Responder Alliance, Adventure Travel Trade Association, and Chaffee County Public Health.  

Chris currently resides in Salida, Colo., with her husband Ryan and their yellow lab, Nala. Together, they run Elk Raven Photography, a business dedicated to using ethical wildlife and landscape photography to inspire others to explore this great wild world in a sustainable way.  

As a guide, mountaineer, skier, runner, hiker, world traveler, and activist, nature has been and continues to be central to her life. Filled with a growing knowledge, unceasing energy, and the passion to make an impact, Chris plans to continue telling important stories and protecting wild places.


The Best Hiking Shoes for Women of 2026

A skier uses Aeroguide 85 skate skis on a groomed trail bordered by snowy trees

Best Hiking Boots for Women

A woman walks through the desert while wearing women's hiking pants

Testing synthetic jackets in the N. Cascades.

a roped up female climber wearing a pale coral puffy jacket and white climbing helmet as she ascends a gully in winter

Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody in yellow by the water

a skier breaking trail on the Rossignol XP Positrack 105 skis

The Best Hand Warmers of 2026

The Best Winter Traction Devices of 2026

The Best Face Coverings for Skiing & Snowboarding of 2026

We tested the best down booties for outdoor and indoor use; (photo/Meghan LaHatte)

The Best Winter Hiking Boots of 2026

Skier pulls on ski boots while wearing ski socks.

best backcountry ski bindings

The Best Snowshoes of 2026

A closer look at the Maestrale RS next to the Maestrale on a sunny slope

Salomon Backcountry skier

best cross-country skiing

The Best All-Mountain Skis for Women of 2026

Ski touring boots resting in the snow with mountain views behind

Both versions of the KEEN Revel IV Boot - Mid in front, High in back - in sunlight, showing detailed lacing

MSR Evo Trail

The Best Binoculars of 2026

Woman in yellow down jacket pulling blue polarized sunglasses out of the Topo Designs Fanny Pack.

Best Fleece Jackets

Insulated Water Bottles

woman ice climbing while wearing fleece

the best power banks 2023

Two Osprey waistpacks side by side on fallen autumn leaves, each holding water bottles