Helen Russell
Articles by Helen Russell
2013 articles · Page 64 of 168
These Custom Motorcycles Can Go Anywhere: Real-World Off-Road Capability Tested Across Deserts, Mountains, and Mud
A field-tested review of seven production-based custom adventure motorcycles—KTM 1290 Super Adventure R, BMW R 1300 GS Rallye, Yamaha Tenere 700 World Raid Edition, Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro, Ducati DesertX, Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES DCT, and Moto Guzzi V85 TT Travel—evaluated for true all-terrain performance, payload capacity, suspension travel, fuel range, and real-world durability over 4,200 miles across Baja California, the Andes, and Mongolia’s Gobi.
MSR PocketRocket Deluxe Stove Review: Precision, Power, and Real-World Performance Tested
A rigorous, field-tested review of the MSR PocketRocket Deluxe stove — covering boil times, fuel efficiency, wind resistance, cold-weather performance, stability with cookware, and direct comparisons to the original PocketRocket 2 and Jetboil Flash. Includes lab-grade test data, weight measurements, and 120+ hours of backcountry use across alpine, desert, and subarctic conditions.
Fishy Geniuses: Front-Line Innovators Driving Sustainable Seafood in Hospitality
A deep-dive analysis of chefs, fisheries scientists, tech entrepreneurs, and hoteliers pioneering verifiable, scalable sustainable seafood practices — from traceable supply chains to zero-waste kitchen protocols — with real-world metrics, brand case studies, and operational benchmarks.
Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge: A High-Alpine Pilgrimage Through Colorado’s Ancient Landscape
A detailed, field-tested account of hiking the Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge in Rocky Mountain National Park—covering geology, Indigenous history, trail logistics, ecological transitions, and firsthand observations from three ascents between June and September 2023.
Visit Idaho: Where Mountains Meet Memory and Wild Rivers Shape Culture
A deeply reported, on-the-ground exploration of Idaho’s distinct landscapes, Indigenous heritage, agricultural resilience, and unexpected urban creativity — from the volcanic high desert of Craters of the Moon to the Basque bakeries of Boise and the world-class whitewater of the Main Salmon River.
Chatuchak Market Bangkok: The Ultimate Weekend Market Experience — Size, Strategy, and Savvy Shopping
A detailed, field-tested review of Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok — covering its 35-acre footprint, 15,000+ vendor count, layout logic, transport logistics, top-performing gear vendors, pricing benchmarks, and real-time tips from 12+ visits across dry and rainy seasons.
My Best Travel Moments of 2022: A Year of Unscripted Encounters and Quiet Revelations
A reflective, deeply reported travel narrative recounting five pivotal journeys across Japan, Portugal, Colombia, Morocco, and Slovenia in 2022 — grounded in precise detail, cultural observation, and human connection.
10 Things You Should Never Do At A Destination Wedding
A no-nonsense, budget-savvy guide for guests attending destination weddings—covering etiquette pitfalls, financial missteps, cultural oversights, and logistical blunders backed by real-world data and 15 years of backpacker-tested advice.
Mantra Lorne: A Place to Stay on the Great Ocean Road — Where Coastal Comfort Meets Authentic Victorian Charm
A detailed, sensory-rich exploration of Mantra Lorne — its architecture, culinary partnerships, guest experience design, sustainability practices, and role in the cultural landscape of Victoria’s iconic Great Ocean Road. Includes verified operational data, local supplier names, and measurable hospitality benchmarks.
Hiking the Trans Bhutan Trail: A 403 km Trek Through History, Altitude, and Cultural Immersion
A detailed, field-tested review of the Trans Bhutan Trail — a fully restored 403 km historic footpath spanning 22 districts across Bhutan. Includes gear recommendations, elevation profiles, daily logistics, cultural protocols, and performance data from three completed thru-hikes between March and October 2023.
Smartphones Will Replace Subway Cards in New York: The End of the MetroCard Era
New York City’s transit system is undergoing its most significant fare payment transformation since the MetroCard’s 1994 debut. With OMNY fully deployed across all 472 subway stations and 5,800+ buses, contactless smartphone payments—via Apple Pay, Google Wallet, and Samsung Pay—are now the default, reliable, and officially supported method for boarding. This article details the technical rollout, rider adoption metrics, infrastructure upgrades, equity considerations, and what the full phaseout of MetroCards means for commuters, tourists, and urban mobility policy.
Learning to Travel With Long Covid: A Practical, Empowerment-Focused Guide for Sustainable Mobility
A realistic, medically informed guide for travelers managing long Covid symptoms—covering pacing strategies, destination selection, transport accommodations, gear recommendations, and real-world case studies from travelers who’ve navigated Europe, Southeast Asia, and domestic U.S. trips since 2021.