Issue link: https://bluemagazine.uberflip.com/i/25234
COLUMNS EDITOR'S LETTER:: 8 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:: 18 IN FRONT:: THE SEVENTH PEAK_22 Snowboard mountaineer Stephen Koch had a dream: to climb the highest peaks on each of the earth's seven continents and descend via snowboard. He's already conquered six , and plans to board the seventh, Mt Everest, in July 2002. WILDLANDS PHILANTHROPY GAME_24 What is the outdoor brand Patagonia doing in the region of Patagonia? Buying land, creating a national park and stretching our definition of corporate responsibility while they're at it. THE SPEED OF ICE _26 No need to dry dock your passion for sailing when the water freezes over. A look into racy sport of ice boating. THE BUG BRIGADE_28 New York City's trees are under attack by an illegal immigrant: the Asian Longhorned Beetle from China. Tree cl imbers from the US Smokejumper team come to the rescue l GEAR:: THE BEST OF THE BACKCOUNTRY_62 Gear is a crucial component for tackling the backcountry. Here are BLUE reviews and best picks. TRAVEL GEAR SECRETS_66 Journey 10llger, harder, further-and with more style. BLUE's list of essential items to take on the road . MUSIC:: 70 THE RAI REVOLUTION From the backstreets of Algeria to the airwaves of Paris, discover the world of rai. URBAN ACCESS:: 76 THE CARIBBEAN ESCAPE GUIDE Take a break from the slog th rough urban slush. Head to the lands of adventure: Barbados, Bahamas, US Virgin Islands, Cuba, and Honduras. JOURNEY'S END:: 80 RIDE WIND Try wind mountaineering and kite ski ing. COVER PHOTO: BLUE LAGOON, ICELAND. OZ LUBLING