GJ Week In Review: Hanging Tent, School Bus Life, Climbing Rope

A recap of top stories for the week of March 26 – April 1, 2017.

1) Live Happier: Four Lessons From Round-The-World Cyclist

Patrick Martin rode his bike across the planet for more than a decade. What he learned changed his life and can help you be happier, too.

2) Total Solar Eclipse In North America: Make Plans Now

If you haven’t marked your calendars yet, do it now: The first complete solar eclipse to cross North America in almost 40 years will happen on August 21. People are booking prime viewing spots now.

3) REI Launches Hanging ‘Quarter Dome’ Tent

With its rectangular base and a little more support than a hammock, REI’s first hanging tent hits the market for ‘Hammock Life’ enthusiasts.

4) Monday Bargains: Three Steals To Start Your Week

Great outdoor gear at an amazing price. Check out the bargains from Fox, Danner, and Alps Mountaineering.

5) In The Spotlight: Duluth Trading Company Brand Profile

Quirky ads, cozy flannels, and durable soft-goods define Duluth Trading Company. Here we put this Minnesota workwear and outdoors brand it’s products in the spotlight.

6) First Look: Ultralight Leatherman ‘Skeletool’ Knife

Coming this spring, Leatherman introduces a ‘naked’ Skeletool knife that weighs barely more than 1 ounce.

7) How A Rooftop Tent Raised $2 Million On Kickstarter

A relatively unknown rooftop tent maker just raised more than $2 million on Kickstarter. This is how.

8) Minnesota Throws Hat In ‘OR Show’ Ring

The Outdoor Retailer tradeshow announced last month it will leave Utah in protest of the state’s public lands policy. Last week, Minnesota added its name to the growing list of would-be hosts.

9) Bike, Eat, Stay: ‘Getaways’ Is Airbnb For Cyclists

A new company gives cyclists the power to start up their own mountain bike guiding services and connects them with bikers around the globe.

10) No Ordinary Tent: The Bizarre Constructs Of ‘Burning Man’

A new book provides stunning photographs of the bizarre encampments at Burning Man.

11) First Look: Fritchi Tecton 12 Touring Binding

The all-new Tecton from Fritchi delivers. Freeride touring, confidence, and power are the three points of the Swiss company’s scepter here.

12) Watch: The Grueling Beauty Of The ‘Toughest Mountain Race’

While it’s hard to specify exactly THE toughest ultramarathon, the UTMB has a strong case.

13) Screaming Deals: Gear Savings Of The Week

Outdoor gear deals that are too good to pass up. Click at your own risk! Deals from: Under Armour, DeWALT, 5.10, and more.

14) Couch To Ladder: 10 Uses For Old Climbing Rope

A couch, a beer koozie, a ladder, a dog leash, and much more. These creative uses keep old climbing ropes out of the landfill.

15) Rusty Blade? These Knife Metals Resist Corrosion

Water is the enemy of knife steel. These materials hold an edge, and hold up against corrosion.

16) Screaming Deals: Gear Savings Of The Week

Outdoor gear deals that are too good to pass up. Click at your own risk! Deals from: Headsweats, REI, Osprey, Big Agnes, Therm-a-Rest, and more.

17) #VanLife Too Cramped? Try A School Bus

Recently, our editor left on a mysterious mission to bring back ‘a big surprise.’ He wasn’t joking: That surprise was a 38-foot, 11-ton mobile-living monster RV camper.

18) The Most American Thing You’ve Never Heard Of: Tanking

‘Tanking’ is a new way to get your kicks in rural Nebraska.

19) Emerging Gear: Outdoor Products This Week

From a creative new sleep system to baseball mitt flip-flops, our weekly peek at emerging products examines the cutting-edge of gear.

20) One Shoe For Every Adventure: Astral TR1 Mesh

The Astral TR1 aims to be one shoe for running, biking, hiking, and paddling. Can it live up to the challenge?

21) Legendary Endurance Cyclist Killed In Accident

Mike Hall, a famed endurance cyclist, died today after a collision with a car while competing in the Indian Pacific Wheel Race in Australia. He was 35.

22) Drool-Worthy ‘Easter Safari’ Jeeps: 7 Concepts

The annual Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah brings motorheads together for some serious off-roading. We got a sneak peek at these seven concepts from Jeep and Mopar.

23) First Look: Black Diamond’s Beefy Mid-Range Rope For All Climbers

The FullDry 9.6 is both heavier and burlier than average, making it an excellent all-around cord. We put the 70-meter version to the test.