FEATURES
MJ Expedition
Snowkiting Alaska | 64
When he got the chance to ski the Bagley Ice Field with a snowkite, the author jumped. But then an arctic storm rolled in, and an epic trip turned dire. BY JONATHAN GREEN

Anderson Cooper | 70
Week after week the CNN star circles the globe, breaking the world's hardest -- and often saddest -- news. So why can't he relax when he's at home? BY PO BRONSON

A Man's Toys | 76
A speedboat at the dock, a hand-crafted kayak on the wall, and your private plane in the hangar. MJ's no-limits guide to the finest, and funnest, toys a guy could ever want.

The Taliban Hunters | 88
In a remote corner of Afghanistan a small band of U.S. soldiers huntsdown Taliban guerrillas. A special report from the front lines of America's forgotten war. BY JOSHUA HAMMER

Search and Rescue | 94
When saving lives is your hobby, there's no such thing as downtime. Meet the all-volunteer search and rescue team from California's Marin County. BY JASON DALEY

Caught on Film | 102
Often risking personal safety for the perfect shot, these eight groundbreaking directors have brought an artistic sensibility to the world of adventure sports films. BY ARIANNE COHEN

A Fine Time | 111
You can tell a lot about a man by what's on his wrist. The year's best watches, including a classic inspired by Steve McQueen. Plus: What makes a watch worth $75,000? BY GENE STONE

ADVENTURE
26 Horseback Riding in Hawaii
With 175,000 acres and a view of Mauna Kea, Parker Ranch is a paniolo's dream.
28 The MJ List
Patagonia's best fly-fishing trip...a tube amp for your iPod...Mad River Glen auctions its single chairs...more.
30 Current Events
How the media got the Mount Hood rescue wrong; the Record Book.
32 Getaways
Four new trips for guys, from Bermuda fishing to Northwest scotch-tasting.
34 Food & Drink
Eating the whole hog (or sheep, or cow); organic wine comes of age.
36 Books & Screen
The world's happiest man; America's first explorer; Kurosawa DVDs.
38 Television
Bear "Man vs. Wild" Grylls vs. Les "Survivorman" Stroud.
40 Wheels
We test-drive the all-new rally-worthy Audi TT in the South of France.
44 My Favorite Things: Carl Edwards
NASCAR's backflipping star on planes, bikes, pickups, and Ozzie Smith.
48 Man-Made Adventures
If Mother Nature isn't cooperating, get your adrenaline fix indoors with 10 of the world's best man-made adventures.

ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS
50 The Threat to Montana
Three Canadian mining companies want to spoil the Flathead River -- and there's not much Montana can do to stop them.

HEALTH AND FITNESS
55 Life Extension
New research suggests that a compound in red wine can keep you young. The amazing new science of anti-aging.
58 Grooming
The new men's barber spas are reinventing the old-fashioned shave.
60 Fitness by the Numbers
How performance stats like VO2 max can help regular guys train better.
62 Health News
Hemp: the barely legal superfood; the once-a-week deodorant; more.
63 Ask Dr. Bob
Advice on aphrodisiacs, generic drugs, temper control, and more.

BACK PAGE
142 Exit Interview: Jeff Corwin

Mail 19
Contributors 24

On the Cover: Anderson Cooper, photographed exclusively for Men's Journal by Gregory Heisler. Styling by Naila Ruechel. Grooming by Vaughn Acord. Production by Andrew Simpson at Snap Productions.