Russia breathes superlatives: the world's biggest country, its largest supplier of natural gas and second-largest oil producer, home of the planet's longest railroads, busiest subway system (Moscow's) and deepest, biggest and oldest lake (Baikal). It even boasts balmy beach resorts (on the Black Sea), though the Kremlin and the snow-capped cupolas of its cathedrals seem truer reflections of this northern nation's might and...
Waking the Bear With eleven time zones' worth of Tiaga, tundra, virgin peaks, and off-the-dial whitewater, Mother Russia is beginning to open her doors to adventure travelers. If you're brave enough to take her on, the next frontier beckons in the wild, wild East. Source: Outside
A Message In Blood There was evidence, but no investigation. A crime, but no suspects. Rumors, but no one willing to point the finger. When gunmen massacred up to 20 brown bears near a Canadian grizzly researcher's Kamchatka cabin, the warning was clear: On the lawless frontier of the New Russia, outsiders are no longer welcome. Source: Outside
How Low Can You Go? A tough-as-nails cadre of Russian and Ukranian speleologists wriggles and blasts its way to caving's grand prize: the mythic 2,000-meter mark Source: Outside
Friends forever In the brave new world of Eastern Europe, a bond forged in adventure—then nearly forgotten—is reborn. Just in time. Source: Outside
Far Out Get lost in the back of beyond Source: Outside
Ivan the Irritable Russia's newest border defense: pissed-off bureaucrats hollering nyet! Source: Outside
A Window to the West Peter the Great's phrase for St. Petersburg rings true as the once capital city transforms itself into one of Russia's best-kept secrets.
