Happiness comes in many forms, and for many it comes in the form of a great outdoor challenge with Mother Nature as the ultimate backdrop. We asked a few outdoorsy Zapponians about their most memorable hiking and climbing experiences to date along with their top outdoor gear picks; below are their stories:

Patrick:

“I have been climbing for the last 10 years. My brother got me into it after I graduated from high school. It has been an amazing physical and mental journey to get to the point I'm at now. I have also had the pleasure of exploring some of the most beautiful places in the U.S. while on climbing trips.

This sparked an urge to document the areas and physical feats I was viewing, so I began a passion in photography as a result. The great thing about the outdoors is that there are so many cool sports to help you experience them."

What do you consider to be your most memorable moment in the great outdoors?

P: When I completed a 5.14 rock climb. I spent over a year working on it. The climb is Mon Pote Assis at Mt. Potosi right outside of Las Vegas.

What do you love most about climbing?

P:  Climbing brings me to the most beautiful places in the country/world.

What are your three favorite outdoor products?

P: Evolv Shaman, Prana Flex Short and SunCloud Polarized Optics Pit Stop

Anji:

“…You never lose sight of where you are or take your environment for granted when you are getting blown over by 60 mph winds, overcoming fear of exposure or getting attacked by a Cholla Cactus.”

What do you consider to be your most memorable moment in the great outdoors?

A: Completing the 8,000 Meter Challenge.

What do you love most about hiking?

A: I love hiking for many reasons…the physical and mental challenges, pushing personal boundaries, and the privilege of witnessing such unique and beautiful terrain. Hiking rewards me with the best mind and body workout I could ever hope for where I can decompress and reconnect with myself and the natural world.

What are your three favorite outdoor products?

A:  Outdoor Research Solar Roller Hat, Mountain Hardware Fluid 26, and Merrell Moab Ventilator

John:

“…The sense of perpetual motion and path-finding soothes my inner wanderlust.”

What do you consider to be your most memorable moment in the great outdoors?

J: Going to Tanzania to hike Kilimanjaro. I felt like the king of the world!

What do you love most about hiking?

J: Being outdoors and hiking helps me clear my head from a busy week. 

What are your three favorite outdoor products?

J: Inov-8 Bare-Grip™ 200, Inov-8 F-Lite 195, and Inov-8 Roclite 335 GTX

Melissa:

“Growing up in NYC amidst the hustle and bustle of taxi cabs  and subways, the highest height that had been reached by me was the top of the Empire State by elevator.

Hiking was the furthest thing from my mind as my heels avoided the potholes and cracks in the street while traipsing through the city.

Life brought me to Vegas, it was not the lights and fanfare of the strip that motivated me to move here, but the mountains.  “I want to go up there!”, I exclaimed to my tour guide as I motioned to a beautiful mountain off in the distance.  She rolled her eyes  and continued pointing out the attractions of  the strip…”

What do you consider to be your most memorable moment in the great outdoors?

M: The 8000 Meter  Challenge provided  me the chance to trade in my heels  for some trail runners.  On my first hike (Black Mountain), it surely felt as if death was emanate and my life would end on that mountain! All the cursing, and pain felt on the way up fell by the wayside as my feet hit the summit. The feeling of accomplishment was immeasurable, in that moment, life didn’t seem so bad. I DID IT!!

What do you love most about hiking?

M: The feeling of joy, pain, humbleness, and love each time a summit is reached!

What are your three favorite outdoor products?

M: The North Face Women’s Tyndall Mid, Patagonia Houdini® Full-Zip Jacket, and Black Diamond Women’s Distance Trekking Pole

Zappos Outdoor was recently named one of the Top 5 Best Sites to Buy Outdoor Gear by Outside Magazine Online!

For those of you who didn't know we carried outdoor gear along with the best brands in outdoor shoes and clothing, check out the Zappos Outdoor page to see what the buzz is about!

No matter if you are sailing, paddling a canoe or just floating lazily in an inner tube, put your iPod in a waterproof case, slip on a pair of rubber-soled shoes and enjoy these tunes that pay homage to the rivers of the world:

"River" (Performed by Joni Mitchell)

In this song, Mitchell sings about wanting to find a river to skate away on after losing a man who truly loved her. Unfortunately, her song says that because she currently lives in a warm climate, skating just isn't possible.

"Grand Coulee Dam" (Performed by Woody Guthrie)

Guthrie pays homage to the majestic King Canadian River, whose power reportedly tore some boats to pieces. With the help of the Grand Coulee Dam, though, workers were able to tame the river, using its might to move turbines and generate electricity.

"Ballad of Easy Rider" (Performed by the Byrds)

Released as part of the "Easy Rider" soundtrack, this tune speaks of the freedom offered by rivers. The lead singer wants to get out of town so badly that he's willing to let the flowing river take him wherever it wants.

"Lazy River" (Performed by Louis Armstrong)

Armstrong sings of the peace that comes with just sitting and watching a river move slowly and steadily onward. The song encourages listeners to slow down a bit and simply appreciate the beauty around them.

"Black Water" (Performed by the Doobie Brothers)

This tune honors one of the most well-known rivers, the Mighty Mississippi. The Doobie Brothers sing of the allure of these black waters, which keep on rolling no matter what. The singer's spirit is willing, and his raft is ready to go.

"Yellow River" (Performed by Elton John)

Told from the perspective of a soldier, "Yellow River" talks about one man's desire to put down his gun, leave the fighting behind and return to the one place on Earth that he truly loves. At Yellow River, the singer hopes to find inner peace and reunite with a girl that he left behind.

During the 1980s, Rob Reiner directed "Stand by Me," an outdoor adventure about 4 boys who went off to search for the body of a dead child. Packing up their meager camping gear and pocket change, they head off on an overnight adventure that changes their lives forever.

Before landing the role of Wesley Crusher, the "Star Trek: The Next Generation" character that fans loved to hate, Wil Wheaton played Gordie Lachance, a boy with an incredible talent for storytelling. Gordie's best friend is Chris Chambers (River Phoenix), a kid from the wrong side of the tracks. Chris knows Gordie's dad ignores him, so he watches out for his buddy, making sure that he never loses his gift for writing.

Gordie's other friends are Vern Tessio (Jerry O'Connell), a simple kid who forgets where he buried a jar of pennies under his porch. Teddy Duchamp (Corey Feldman) is the daredevil of the group, and once stands on an elevated set of train tracks to perform what he calls "the ultimate train dodge". The four friends also are trying to stay ahead of Ace Merill (Kiefer Sutherland), the local gang leader who plans to recover the body himself and become a local hero.

Based on Stephen King's short story "The Body," "Stand by Me" is an amazing piece of filmmaking, with just four young actors playing the leads. Although the action takes place in and around Castle Rock, a favorite location of author Stephen King, much of the filming took place in Brownsville and other parts of Oregon.

Scenes to look for include the terrifying run across the bridge as a steam locomotive is bearing down on the four boys. After the boys swim across a river with their clothes on their heads, Gordie also finds a little something extra in his underwear after they reach dry land. Kiefer Sutherland, the future Jack Bauer on "24," is deliciously evil as Ace, who makes his cronies get tattoos carved into their arms with a razor blade.

Even a quarter-century later, "Stand By Me" remains a well-crafted outdoor adventure and one of Rob Reiner's best films.

Resources:

fast-rewind.com/locations_standbyme.htm