© Philipp Reiter For us mere mortals, the Hoch Tirol ski route in the Austrian Alps usually takes six days of gut busting effort and every ounce of our endurance. German ski mountaineer and trail runner Philipp Reiter and fellow runner and ski mountaineer Frenchman Francois D'haene aim to cover the 100 km and 10,000 m vertical gain in 24 hours starting this coming Monday. Both men enjoy a challenge. “There’s a saying that it’s well known that something isn’t possible, and then someone comes along and just does it,” Philipp says. “You set a new limit and show that something once considered impossible is possible.” To Philipp, this is what Suunto World Vertical Week is all about; taking on personal challenges. “For myself, when I have overcome a challenge like this, and I have other challenges not connected to sports, I understand if I just keep taking steps towards the goal I’ll eventually reach it.” You can follow their adventure live and enjoy the beauty of the Austrian Alps; Philipp and Francois will be posting shots live from their adventure to our Instagram feed. Click to find out about the Suunto World Vertical Week 2020 photo contest! © Philipp Reiter When Philipp isn’t out training in the hills, he works as a photographer for Salomon, capturing the action at big races in Europe. Over the last few years Francois noticed that he won all of the races when Philipp was at them working. “Eventually we decided to do something together, which is quite nice,” Philipp says. Considered the queen of all ski routes, the Hoch Tirol route begins in Kasern in South Tyrol, and traverses Austria’s fourth highest mountain, Großvenediger (3657 m), and ultimately ends on the summit of the nation’s highest mountain, Großglockner (3798 m). Philipp and Francois will start their journey around 9am on February 24, pushing hard to cover as much ground as possible before night falls and the going gets tougher. “The second stage will be the toughest,” Philipp says. “Navigation will be a challenge. It will be cold and we will be tired.” Follow Philipp and Francois's adventure live here. Lead images: © Philipp Reiter Read more articles This challenge will take you higher! Must run routes around the globe! Which nation runs the fastest? 10 fun facts from 2019.

© Phillipp Reiter   Believe it or not, there’s a hill or mountain somewhere that’s looking down at you laughing. It believes you’re a weakling. Do you have what it takes to shut it up? That’s what Suunto’s annual World Vertical Week is about for the thousands of fans who participate each year. They find a nearby range, hill, or mountain that’s looking at them disrespectfully, and show that large mass of rock and earth who’s boss. As Sir Edmund Hillary famously suggested, there’s something satisfying about knocking the bastard off. Seriously though, World Vertical Week is about the joy of a challenge, of sweating like a beast, and overcoming one’s resistance to fighting gravity to reach a summit. It’s an inexplicable human urge. All we know is we feel incredible after. To make it even more fun, we give you three incentives below to participate! To participate in Suunto World Vertical Week 2020, open Suunto app and click the Vertical Week link in your inbox (the bell symbol on the top of your screen takes you to your inbox).     © Phillipp Reiter New decade, new challenge Starting on Sunday, February 23 and ending Sunday, March 1, this fifth edition of Suunto World Vertical Week also marks the first of a new decade. That’s why we want it to be the best ever. For this reason we are sending out two special, optional challenges: climb 1000 m of vertical in one day during the week. Or, if that’s not possible, climb 1000 m over the whole week. That’s only a puny 150 m a day! Just imagine that arrogant hill sniggering if you fail! Be in to win a Suunto watch To give you extra incentive, we are running a photo contest on Instagram over the week, and will give away a Suunto 7 smartwatch or a Suunto 9 to three of the most inspiring photos that enter. All you need to do is share an image with a Suunto app data overlay and tag #verticalweek. We will decide the winners at the end of the week! Click here to learn how to share your activities with Suunto app. (Terms and conditions apply. Check them here.)  Rep your nation and sport You can join the challenge on Suunto app, log all your efforts, and also compete for your nation and activity type. Last year, Italy came out on top for average ascents during the week. Spain also kicked ass; it came first in three divisions, and was also in the top five for four different activities. Will they continue to dominate? To kickstart your competitive spirit, click here to see the results of last year’s Suunto World Vertical Week! Lead images: © Phillipp Reiter Read more articles! Raising the stakes for Suunto World Vertical Week 7 tips to plan a route in the mountains Which nation runs the fastest? 10 fun facts from 2019 10 ways to make your adventures more sustainble How to find your way in the mountains.

The better prepared you are the more likely the trip is a success. © Arc'teryx / Piotr Drozdz While deep in the mountains you are on your own. Take a wrong turn and you might be waiting awhile for the cavalry to arrive. That’s why respect is so important, and one shows that respect for mountain terrain by preparing well. In the first article in this series on how to navigate in the mountains, we looked at map reading and location awareness. In this second post, our resident navigator-in-chief Terho Lahtinen takes us through the steps of planning a route. Start somewhere familiar For the purposes of practice, consider starting somewhere you are familiar with. That way you won’t be afraid of getting lost and will have more confidence to navigate by map and compass. “Another attribute of a good training terrain is it offers enough features to study on the map and in the terrain,” Terho says. Choose your destination This seems obvious, right? But it’s important to be clear about this and not have a vague idea. “Choose an area, a specific destination, some other target to visit,” Terho says. “Then consider how much time you have available and what kind of distance you can cover within that time.” Be realistic Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Consider the fitness and skill level of your group, and make sure you factor that into your planning. It’s always good to be a little on the cautious side. Explain your trip plans to the group so you are all on the same page. © Dean Leslie / Red Bull Content Pool Study the map Ok, you’ve chosen a destination and considered your group, now it’s time to channel your inner nerd by studying the topographical map of where you intend to go. Notice we said “topographical map”; no tourist maps allowed – they don’t offer enough detail. Here’s what to look at on your trusty topo map: Terrain features: First get an overview. In mountain areas, it’s essential to recognize the ridges, valleys, passes, rivers and other big formations. Trail difficulty: If you intend to follow trails, find out what level of difficulty they are. Trails are often rated as easy, medium and difficult, and marked with different dashes on the map depending on the rating. Trip options: What are the options on the map? For example, is there an easier versus more difficult route? Is there more than one way in and out? Is there a route that offers more shelter? Is there an easier plan B if plan A turns out to be too challenging for the group? Distance: Measure the distances between points. You can do this by knowing the scale of your map. Every 1 cm on a map in 1:25 000 scale represents 250 m of terrain. Every 1 cm on a map in 1:50 000 scale represents 500 m of terrain. The average walking pace on flat terrain is 4 km/h, and can halve in difficult or steep country. What distance is possible for your group? Remember, the slowest in the group sets the pace! Ascent/descent: As we mentioned in the previous article, look at the contour lines on the map. Where do they stack together, indicating steepness, and where are they spaced further apart, indicating more level terrain? Calculate the total ascent and descent sums to estimate how hard or easy certain routes would be. It’s advisable to calculate 300m/h for ascents and 500m/h for descents. Consider the time available and the fitness of your group, and choose a route that ensures you avoid pushing people too far beyond their comfort zone. Technical difficulty: Look for areas that might prove challenging, such as exposed trails above the treeline, snow cover in shadowed places, ground covered in rocks or tree roots, steep ascents or descents, river crossings, dense forest, or narrow trail. To help understand, research the area online. Try to find trip reports people have written about the area. Shelter: In the event the weather turns nasty where on your route can you find shelter? This might be natural or manmade shelter. Water: For overnight or multi day trips, look for water sources on your map. Accommodation: If it’s on overnight or multi day trip, look for where you will sleep. If you’re camping, find where you are allowed to pitch your tent. If you want to sleep in a mountain hut make sure there are enough beds available and book early. Be generous with time On longer day trips or overnight trips, remember to factor in breaks in your planning. “Breaks are not only for resting, they are for enjoying and observing nature, for relaxing and immersion,” Terho says. “They are an essential part of the experience.” So make sure you are generous in affording break time. Terho recommends to plan a five to 10 minute break each hour, or 10 to 20% of your moving time. Allow for delays Take into account the potential for unplanned delays along the way. A sudden lightning storm, torrential rain, a snow-covered trail, a dangerously swollen river, or a flooded trail – there are many things that could slow you down. “The bigger the group, the more delays there will be as people adjust their gear, change clothing, or have pee breaks,” Terho says. “Factor this in.” Practice makes perfect Time for your homework! Using a local topo map, plan a route at home by following the above, and then go out and test the plan in the terrain. When planning, pay attention to the details and terrain features on the map that you should look out for on the trip in order to know you’re staying on the right course. Make a game of trying to identify as many of these features as you can when following the route. Keep track of time, the degree of difficulty, delays you encountered, and once you are back at home compare how the trip unfolded in comparison to how you envisioned it based on your planning. What was different? What took more time than expected? What was easier? Stay tuned for the next article in the series: Staying on course in the mountains! Lead images: Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash © Dean Leslie / Red Bull Content Pool Read more articles: How to find your way in the mountains 7 tips to find a safe track up the mountain 8 avalanche safety checks to tick off before the ski season

Photo by Emma Simpson on Unsplash Walking, like breathing, is so ordinary we take it for granted. Yet, it offers so much. Learning to appreciate walking can give us a new lease on life. We slow down, enjoy the moment and scenery, improve our health, take stock of our lives, and even increase our creativity. What’s not to like? In this series of articles we will be exploring walking and all the reasons walking is so aweome. We’ll be looking at the benefits of walking regularly, walking technique and posture, how to walk mindfully, and we’ll be challenging you to walk more, including taking on a long distance trail. Walking can be much more than just about getting from A to B. For many people, it’s a way of life. It can become a way to come back to what really matters. The oldest form of exercise? Our human ancestors, scientists say, began walking on two legs somewhere between three to six million years ago. Some theorize this happened because standing meant they could see further afield, allowing them to detect potential threats and food sources. Another study suggests bipedalism evolved because it’s more energy efficient than walking on all fours. Walking on two legs also freed our hands to use tools. Whatever the reasons, humans have been walking for a very long time. We walked out of Africa, across Europe, Central Asia, into North America and down south. As a species, we are almost coded to explore and conquer new territory on foot. It’s what we do. Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash The best antidote Walking is an excellent antidote to the busyness and constant connectivity of modern life. In our attention economy, where multiple devices and channels compete for our attention, knowing how to slow down and focus is an increasingly important skill. Walking is the perfect way to cultivate this skill. It can be the time of the day we take to consciously slow down and pay attention. Rather than having our attention scattered, walking gathers it into a more singular focus. We all need to switch off. We all need to slow down. Walking for the sake of walking is a great way to do this. The benefits of walking regularly According to the Better Health Channel, Harvard Medical School, and others the benefits of walking include: Increased cardiovascular and pulmonary (heart and lung) fitness Reduced risk of heart disease and stroke Improved management of conditions such as hypertension (high blood pressure), high cholesterol, joint and muscular pain or stiffness, and diabetes Stronger bones and improved balance Increased muscle strength and endurance Reduced body fat It counteracts the effects of weight-promoting genes It helps tame a sweet tooth It reduces the risk of developing breast cancer It eases joint pain It boosts immune function. Building the walking habit Building a habit takes time and consistency. It’s best to start by making the habit easily doable. To begin with, choose a distance to walk each day that you know you can manage.   Forget about the 10,000 steps hype – a study found that number came from a marketing campaign rather than scientific research – and instead choose a distance, time or step count that is achievable and encourages you to move. Maybe walking 30 minutes a day works or taking 5000 steps is more realistic for you. You don’t need to do it all at once; you can break it down into chunks, for example walking 15 minutes bites. Once you’ve decided, adjust your activity goals accordingly in your Suunto 3. Remember, every little bit counts, so look for opportunities to take extra steps. Stand up, and pace while your are on the phone, for example, or choose stairs instead of taking an escalator or elevator, have micro exercise breaks throughout your working day, and try having walking meetings. There are many opportunities to walk more – use your imagination! In the next article we’ll discuss walking technique – stay tuned! Lead image: Photo by Fabien Bazanegue on Unsplash

One of the awesome things about visiting new cities is getting off the beaten tourist paths and finding hidden corners. An early morning run through an unknown city is one of the best ways to find these gems. There is so much beauty in the world when we have fresh eyes. So next time you travel to new destination, lace up your runners and get out and explore. For inspiration, here are routes in seven of our favorite cities.   RUNNING IN SINGAPORE If its your first time in Singapore, you will be pleasantly surprised at just how diverse the city’s running opportunities are. The city hosted more than 100 running events in 2015, from road marathons, trail races and vertical marathons to fun runs, with distances ranging from 5 km to 100 km. This tiny island-city also has plenty of parks and running trails that literally wrap around and connect the island together.Despite its small size, it has one of the most active populations in mass participation running events. Trails and paths along on the water and in the forest are well maintained, well-lit and safe, you’ll love running here, regardless of your route. Read the article and see the routes >   RUNNING IN STOCKHOLM This Nordic capital is a pretty fascinating place to visit, and to run. Made up of more than a dozen rugged islands, this city by the sea is both accessible and wild; a splendid combination for those of us wanting to explore her streets and shores by running! Amongst the meandering canals and shorelines, and urban forests, we’ve found some rather memorable runs that will give you a taste of this historic city, which has one of the oldest, and best-maintained city centres in Europe. Read the article and see the routes >   RUNNING IN BARCELONA One of the most memorable and hospitable cities to run in, Barcelona’s streets, parks and trails are as welcoming as her inhabitants. While Barcelona is the largest city on the Mediterranean Sea, it is also an intimate and intricate place with subtle beauty that seems to mix perfectly with its more audacious architecture. To see Gaudi’s masterpiece, the fantastical Sagrada Família in person is one thing, but to gain a sense of the city by running amongst her streets and people is something that won’t fail to leave a lasting impression. Read the article and see the routes >   RUNNING IN PARIS The City of Light could also be known as a runner’s delight! It is a feast for the senses, it’s true, but there’s also a special view of Paris known only by those who run her cobbled streets and pristine parks in the early morning, or twilight hours. We’ve added some rich detail to each of these routes, not only about the route, but the character the surroundings. After all it’s not just about where you run, but also what makes it truly memorable. Read the article and see the routes >   RUNNING IN HELSINKI We know the desire to run does not stop when you travel, in fact many times its the opposite. Running is one of the best ways to explore a new city! One of the challenges to fully enjoying this potential is not knowing where to go. Big cities have lots of sights and routes, but how to find the right one? We’ve got you covered! Here at Suunto, we’ve put together a collection of routes that showcase some of the best parts of Helsinki (our home town!). Through winding parks in the heart of the city, to historic sites and architecture, these routes hit all the high notes. Read the article and see the routes >   RUNNING IN NEW YORK CITY It can be daunting to figure what to do and where to go when visiting New York City, especially on a tight schedule, this includes fitting in a run. We understand and have done the scouting and compiled your go-to route guide to running in the city on a timeline. This list is focused on Manhattan, though the final route does make a brief and memorable stop in Brooklyn. Read the article and see the routes >   RUNNING IN LONDON Keeping up you’re running routine while travelling can be challenging, but when it is the right route at the right time, it rewarding in many ways. Whether it be an invigorating break from a hectic schedule, or a way to explore a new city, knowing where to go is everything. This couldn’t be more than in a mega-city like London. The options are endless, but at the same time daunting; but don’t worry we’ve got you covered. Read the article and see the routes > Discover new routes with heatmaps. Heatmaps show the tracks frequently used by the Suunto App community all over the globe, based on millions of moves. You can plan your own route with the help of rich, topographic maps, transfer it to your compatible Suunto watch and start exploring. With Suunto 5 and Suunto 9 watches, you can add these routes directly to your device and track your progress.

If its your first time in Singapore, you will be pleasantly surprised at just how diverse the city’s running opportunities are. The city sometimes hosts more than 100 running events each year, from road marathons, trail races and vertical marathons to fun runs, with distances ranging from 5 km to 100 km. This tiny island-city also has plenty of parks and running trails that literally wrap around and connect the island together. Despite its small size, it has one of the most active populations in mass participation running events. Trails and paths along on the water and in the forest are well maintained, well-lit and safe. You’ll love running here, regardless of your route! The routes we put together in Singapore are a feast for the senses. The shortest run, a flat and scenic walk/run route will treat you to the best views and entertainment in under 5 km. The locals route is nearby, but with a couple nuances that will inspire you to spend more time in this unique city-state. Finally, a long run in the forest, that you could also call a jungle, full of wildness and wildlife.   To follow these routes with your Suunto watch or mobile device, please follow these instructions: 1. Press download GPX.2. Go to Suunto app and press + button in app map and press 'import route'.3. Find the route, press it. The app opens the route, press 'Done'.4. You can modify name and details. The route is saved. Keep the 'Use in Watch' toggle on to have the route in watch. Note: If you are not reading this on a device with Suunto app installed, download the route file and save it in a location you can access on your mobile device. Then follow the guidance above.   A SCENIC WALK/RUN (4,1 KM) Download the GPX file here. Description: If you only have one day to spare, this is the route to collect wonder in short amount of time. You’ll enjoy great views of some of the most iconic landmarks in Singapore. Starting off at the Old Clifford pier, you will move along the coastline and catch the old Fullerton hotel to your left and further down, the sight of the majestic Merlion awaits you. Continuing on, the journey brings you across Sir Stamford Raffles Statue (Founder of Singapore) the Esplanade and Youth Olympic Park. You will then cross the visually stunning Helix Bridge which connects you to Marina Bay Sands and the Art Science Museum. We recommend running this route in the evening to catch a light and wondrous light show at the Marina Bay Sands. If you need a drink to quench your thirst, or just want to lie back and take in the majestic view of the city, you can grab a traditional Vietnamese coffee at Trung Nguyen or a pint of beer at Bazin. Start point note: The easiest way is to take the MRT (Train) and exit at Raffles Place Station. Take exit J and old Clifford Pier is less than 150 m away. Finish point note: The free light show at Marina Bay Sands happens daily at 8pm and there is also a water show at 9.30 pm, so do plan your run accordingly. Run extensions and alternatives: You can extend the route after crossing the Helix bridge by turning left when you see the Art Science Museum, which you will continue on to view Garden by the Bay and Marina Barrage. Stop at Satay by the Bay where they serve one of the best satays for the money in Singapore.     GARDENS BY THE BAY, THE LOCALS' GO-TO ROUTE (8.4 KM) Download the GPX file here. Description: When the work (or play) is done for the day and you want to let it out a little, this is the route for you in Central Singapore. Gardens by the Bay is a newly created nature park built on reclaimed land in 2012. The park was designed to be the nation’s premier outdoor recreation space. This route is popular with local running groups throughout the week, and has nice smooth, flat terrain, if some fartleks or tempo work is in your plans. Public facilities and drinking fountains are available throughout the run, so you can travel light, even if you want to make your run longer or more intense. Start at Marina Barrage and run along Marina Bay, through the park over the winding Helix Bridge. Take in the iconic Marina Bay Sands and you’ll feel like you have experienced the heart of Singapore in a mere 5 km! One of the most fascinating parts of the park are its ‘supertrees’ which reach up to 50 metres. These amalgams of exotic plants work as engines for the gardens and host a light and music show in the evenings. Start point note: Starting point is right at the foot of NTUC building, a 3 mins walking distance from Raffles City (MRT train: exit J) Finish point note: The route is a loop and finishes where you began. Run extensions and alternatives: Runners who wish to extend their running distance can proceed on after crossing the bridge to Gardens by the bay east. If you want to do a full 10 km loop, you will need to make a u-turn once at the bottom of the expressway flyover.     FOREST ADVENTURE RUN (13,3 KM) Download the GPX file here. Description: You’re running in the wild on this one! Frequented by seasoned ultra distance marathoners, MacRitchie reservoir is a great training ground for trail runners and for people who want to escape from Singapore’s urban jungle. The route is a 13 km loop, circling around the reservoir. Some parts of the route are amongst by deep forest and it is recommended to do this route in the morning or early afternoon with the light. Along the route, You may come across macaques can along the trail path, waiting for runners to offer food to them, but this is highly discouraged as they may become aggressive and potentially dangerous. There are two ranger stations within the reserve along the route, equipped with restrooms and drinking fountains, but it is highly recommended that you prepare your own hydration as they are quite far apart. Start point note: If you are located centrally, bus 855 and 961 will drop you off at the MacRitchie Reservoir main entrance. Finish point note: You can drop over to Vava bistro for their great brunches with a great panoramic view of the reservoir. Discover new routes with heatmaps. Heatmaps show the tracks frequently used by the Suunto App community all over the globe, based on millions of moves. You can plan your own route with the help of rich, topographic maps, transfer it to your compatible Suunto watch and start exploring. With Suunto 5 and Suunto 9 watches, you can add these routes directly to your device and track your progress. Main image: © RunSociety SEE ALSO MUST-RUN ROUTES IN BARCELONA, HELSINKI, LONDON, NEW YORK CITY, PARIS AND STOCKHOLM