Video: Iceland in Winter

This video was shot as part of a travel photography workshop that was conducted in Iceland in the winter. As you would expect, it features some of the amazing landscapes that the country has become so well known for. When you have places like this to shoot, it's hard to take a bad photo, and the video is simply spectacular too.

Iceland Photo Tours - Winter Image Spot from Dennis Schmelz on Vimeo.
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How to Trek to Aconcagua Completely Independently

Standing 6960 meters (22,837 ft) in height, Aconcagua is the tallest mountain in South America, and highest peak outside of the Himalaya for that matter. Each year, hundreds of climbers flock to Argentina to climb up to the summit, with most using the mountain as a stepping stone to Everest or as part of their own Seven Summits expedition. Much like its Himalayan counterpart, Aconcagua also draws scores of trekkers each year, most of whom have no intention of ever climbing the mountain, but still want see it for themselves. Most of those treks are organized by local guiding companies, which lead adventure travelers into the shadow of the peak on a regular basis. But did you know that you can actually hike to Aconcagua completely independently? Our fried Rick McCharles of BestHike.com recently did just that and has shared his experiences online.

Rick tells us that the hike to Francia Base Camp on Aconcagua is a roughly 3 day, 2 night affair, with December through February ranking as the best months to go. Access to the Mendoza region of Argentina can be made through either Buenos Aires or Santiago, Chile. As is common on these kinds of adventures, independent travelers are not encouraged, but the trek is actually very doable, provide you have good equipment, some experience, and are willing to go it alone.

According to his report, the cost to go independently is roughly $200. Of that, $160 goes to the permit, $19 is spent on the bus ride to the trailhead, and the rest goes for the food that is eaten along the way. A similar trip routinely costs about $715/person from local outfitters.

If you want to know more about what is involved, the Best Hike editor has not only shared his entire itinerary on his website, but has produced the video of the trek that you'll find below. The schedule starts at Day 0 in Mendoza and then follows through the hiking experience over the course of the three days that follow. Rick tells us what to expect on the trail each day, including how long to expect to walk and how much elevation gain to anticipate along the way. He also includes plenty of great photos to demonstrate what you'll see throughout the trek too.

Very few people know that you can do this trek without hiring guides, which is the entire point of the Best Hike guide. Rick shares a wealth of information on his website not just about this particular journey, but countless others that he has taken across the globe. The site is a great resource for anyone who enjoys hiking and trekking in remote areas of the world. Check it out here.

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Video: How to Fix a Sleeping Bag Zipper

Here's a "how to" video that we can all appreciate. This time, the good folks at REI explain how to fix a sleeping bag zipper, which is probably something we've all had to deal with at some point. There are few things more frustrating than wanting to climb into a warm bag at the end of a long day, only to discover the zipper isn't working properly. This video will help you sort out those issues and get your sleeping bag performing at a top level again.

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Gear Closet: Suaoki S270 Portable Solar Generator Review

Portable battery packs designed to keep our smartphones charged while on the go have become too good that it is almost criminal to not have one at your disposal these days. Small, lightweight, and compact chargers can be found for not much money and they generally fit the needs of most day-to-day users. But what about those of us who have power requirements that go beyond the basics, but don't want to sacrifice portability either. Thankfully, we now have some good options to choose from as well, including the Suaoki S270 Portable Solar Generator, an awesome little power pack that is perfect for charging just about anything while on the go.

Lightweight and compact, the S270 never the less delivers on its promise of plenty of portable power. It is equipped with a 150 watt-hour battery and is capable of a sustained 100 watt output with a peak of up to 150 watts if necessary. That means it won't just charge your smartphone and tablet, but can also power laptops, drone batteries, headlamps, cameras, or just about anything else you plug into it. It can even power small appliances in a pinch.

The designers of S270 gave it plenty of outlets so you can plug multiple devices in at once. Along one side it has four USB ports (three standard and one quick-charging), while the other side features four DC charging ports as well. The system even ships with a female DC adapter (read: car port) for charging devices designed for that type of output. The result is a handy portable power station that you can carry with you just about everywhere.

But, that isn't all. The S270 also features two AC wall outlets as well, which expands its versatility even further. When items are plugged into these ports, they charge as quickly and easily as they do at home, extending the life of your gadgets for a lot longer.

Other nice design choices include a set of flip-up handles that make it easy to carry the power bank and a set of built-in emergency lights. Those lights can even be set to flash an SOS signal if necessary as well. The entire product is built into a rugged, durable case that feels right at home in the outdoors.   That said, the generator is only "splash proof" so you won't want to leave it out in the rain.


The S270 is the result of a successful Indiegogo campaign, which shipped the generators to its supporters back in December. I was lucky enough to get one to review, and have been extremely impressed. At home, it sits on my desk, providing a convenient source of power to my iPhone, iPad, and various other devices that need recharging on a regular basis. But, I also traveled with it over the holidays, easily slipping it into a backpack to take on a road trip. It served its purpose then too, not only keeping all my electronic toys stocked with energy, but my travel companions too. It also helped keep my MacBook Pro powered up while working on the go as well.

The massive battery inside the S270 takes about 10-12 hours to charge via wall outlet, and the device does support charging in the field via a solar panel. I haven't had a chance to test it with a solar panel as of yet, but obviously that would take considerably longer, with direct sunlight, to charge the battery fully. Of course, this is the same with just about any solar-powered generator, where your mileage always varies based on conditions.

What I like about this battery pack is that if fills a niche niche between smaller chargers designed at phones and tablets, and larger generators from companies like Goal Zero. Not everyone needs something that large, but many people need a bit more than the compact battery packs that are sold at gas stations and drug stores. For those folks, the Suaoki S270 is the perfect companion for their adventures, providing plenty of power in a surprisingly small package.

Best of all, the S270 is very affordable. Priced at just $139.95, it is less expensive than some much smaller battery packs that are on the market. Of course, not everyone needs a battery pack of this size and power, but it is really nice to have one at your disposal. The versatility that this device offers is outstanding, and I've found myself using it more places than I first thought. I think other frequent travelers and explorers will love it too.

Find out more at the Suaoki Facebook page and order your own S270 from Amazon.

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Gear Closet: Night Trek 270 Tactical Shoe Lights Review

As a frequent runner, I look forward to putting in some miles on an almost daily basis, rain or shine; hot or cold. But, if there is one thing I don't like, its heading out for a run after dark, mostly because I worry a bit about whether or not I'm visible enough for passing cars to see. I've had so many close calls over the years, that I do a pretty good job of staying aware of my surroundings and avoiding serious mishaps. Still, even while wearing a headlamp and reflective clothing, I've nearly been hit more times than I can count. But over the past couple of months I've been testing a pair of Night Trek 270 Tactical Shoe Lights, and I can honestly say they've helped significantly.

The Night Trek 270 are a pair of bright lights that attach to your shoes or boots, not only helping you to stay more visible, but allowing you to see more of your surroundings too. They have three different settings – high, low, and flash – and they even have red sidelights that can help them pop out of the darkness just a little more.

The lights feature a clip that slides under and over your shoelaces to secure them in place. Once there, they shouldn't move around much, projecting as much as 150 lumens of light in a 270º pattern in front of you as you walk and run. I say the shouldn't move around too much, but in my testing I found that they work better on some shoes as opposed to others. For instance, I tried them on three different pairs of running shoes and on two of them they stayed firmly in place and never came off. On the third pair however, they would occasionally come loose and fly from the shoe while I ran.

On one occasion I had to backtrack for nearly a mile to retrieve it, which is testament to how lightweight these lights actually are. I didn't even notice that it had dropped of my shoe for quite some time, which made retrieving it a bit of a pain, but it was easy to spot laying upside down on a sidewalk with the light still blasting away.


When attached to hiking boots, I had no issues with the lights, as I wasn't moving at as fast of a pace, and the thicker laces seemed to hold the light well. In fact, hunters, campers, and hikers will probably appreciate the Night Treks just as much as runners, even though they'll be using them for a different purpose.

Battery life is advertised as 3-5 hours depending on the brightness setting, but I was easily able to get 6-7 hours of life from them on the lowest setting before needing a recharge. I run for more than an hour most evenings and could go a full week without having to juice up the lights again. Cold conditions did eat into that battery life however, as it does with most electronic devices.

It is difficult to say just how much more visible you are when wearing these lights on your running shoes. But, from anecdotal evidence, I can honestly say that I have had fewer close calls since I started using the Night Trek 270s then when I was running in the dark before adding them to my gear closet, using just a headlamp alone. There were times when I wondered if my headlamp was even on, as cars seemed to not notice me at all. But with these lights in place on my shoes, that changed noticeably, as I saw passing vehicles slow down; unsure of what was approaching them. I suspect the movement of the lights on my feet played a role in that process too.

The Night Trek 270 sells for $74.95, which means they aren't an inexpensive investment. In fact, there are a lot of different options for runners that can increase visibility at night that don't cost this much. But, most of those devices are cheaply built and aren't particularly bright. These shine through the night like a beacon and are very well made, resisting accidental drops, kicks, and even moisture without a problem.

They're also made to last a very long time, which means you probably won't be replacing them every year like you would with something less expensive. Just be sure they're attached properly to your shoes. At $75/pair, you definitely won't want to lose them.

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More Travel Destinations for 2018

With the start of the new year, many of us are looking ahead at 2018 to decide where we want to go and what we want to do. After all, its a long 12 months ahead and there is plenty to accomplish before the year is through. Yesterday, I shared The New York Times selection of 52 places to go in 2018, and today I have a few more suggestions from two other publications worth looking at.

First up, Luxury Travel Magazine has produced its list of recommendation destinations for the New Year as well, and while most of them don't fall under the "adventure" category, they do have a top ten list dedicated specifically to our favorite type of travel. In fact, the editors have picked 10 Adventure Experiences You Can't Miss in 2018, with some very nice options for those looking to do something a little different this year.

A few of the items that make the cut include sailing on an Arctic safari, trekking through the hidden valleys of Dolpa in Nepal, and exploring the Atacama Desert in Chile, which happens to be amongst my favorite destinations. Other items include visits to a rhino sanctuary and staying in a lodge in the Amazon Basin.

Not to be outdone, Men's Journal has also produced a list of recommended destinations for 2018, and while it is a bit more modest in size, it offers some great options nevertheless. The five places that earned a mention with the magazine include Malta, the Republic of Georgia, Zambia, Kalimantan (in Indonesia), and The Arctic. Each of which would make a fine place to go on an adventure.

It is interesting to see the Arctic pop up on these lists. As climate change makes these places more accessible, more and more adventure travel companies are offering opportunities to go there. I've been sharing it on similar list that I've written for the past few years, but in my case it was usually last-degree ski journeys to the North Pole or something similar. But, the Arctic is opening up for more tourists, for good or ill, and that will no doubt have an impact on the region to some degree.

So, after reading all of these suggestions in recent days, have you started making your travel plans yet?

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Video: Skiing the High Points of the American West

This beautiful short film takes us on a quest with skier Drew Petersen, who set out to ski the highest peaks in all 11 of the states that make up the Western U.S. They include Nevada, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Idaho, Utah, Washington, Oregon, Wyoming, and Montana. In order to achieve his goal, Drew had to go to some great lengths, but as you'll see, those efforts were incredibly rewarding in so many ways.

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The New York Times Presents 52 Places to Go in 2018

If you're still thinking about your travel plans for 2018, why not let the "paper of record" help out? The New York Times has created a list of 52 places to go in 2018, and it is filled with some wonderful suggestions on place to travel throughout the next year.

As you can imagine with a list of this size, the destinations vary greatly in type and location. For instance, the first few entires on the list include New Orleans, Colombia, and Basilicata in Italy. The recommendations vary in size from a single, small location, to an entire region, such as the Caribbean. All of the suggestions come with a description of what makes it a compelling place to visit, along with links to where you can find out more about the place.

The Times has done a nice job of curating a list of unique destinations to visit in 2018 and they have gone to great lengths to use multimedia assets to bring those places to life as you read about them. But, the slick website they've used to deliver the information is also a but cumbersome and overly produced, which can cause some slowdowns and pauses while scrolling through. I found myself having to wait for animated images and text to load from time to time, which is more annoying than anything else. The end result is a pretty nifty list of places to go and things to do that should keep most travelers busy for a lifetime.

Check out the entire list/multimedia experience here.

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Video: How to Patch a Sleeping Pad

We'll continue our "How to" videos from REI today with some more great tips for maintaining and repairing our gear. This time out it is how to patch a sleeping pad, which is something we can all probably appreciate knowing a bit more about. There is nothing worse than being on a long trip and discovering your pad won't hold air. Fortunately it is fairly easy to fix as you'll see in the clip below.

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10-Month Long Outdoor Instructor Course Sends Students on World-Spanning Adventure

If you've always wanted to be an outdoor guide or instructor, I have some news that you might find interesting. Sharks Lodge, a Portugal-based adventure travel company, is launching a new program that will train students to work in the outdoor and travel industry in a 10-month long course designed to give them all of the skills they need, while sending them off on a global adventure.

The new program is scheduled to get underway on March 1, 2018 in Portugal. That course has been specifically built to prepare those who take part both mentally and physically for the challenges they face while working in the outdoor industry. It also has been padded with plenty of time to allow entrants to learn a moderate, but steady, pace while working in a group environment.

Completion of the course will offer official qualifications in a wide variety of areas, including canoe and kayak safety and rescue, mountain training, mountain bike guiding, first aid skills, lifeguard skills, surf instructor, VHF Radio Operator, and much more.

According to an email I received announcing this course, students will work on their skills (See below) for five months, with a break coming in August. At that time, they can choose to take a holiday or do a month-long internship. In September, they'll then work on earning their certifications in preparation for the big adventure to come. From October to December the enrollees will put their new-found skills and knowledge to the test by organizing expeditions and adventure travel itineraries across the globe, with the Shark Lodge staff helping to get them organized and off the ground.


The course will be held in Portugal not only because it is the home of Sharks Lodge, but also because it creates a unique base camp for operations. The cost of living is very affordable, there is plenty of good weather, and there are a number of great options for hiking, surfing, swimming, and climbing within easy striking distance.

The price for the course is set at €14800 ($17,550) per person. That includes all training and assessment fees, insurance while training, accommodations and meals, transportation, equipment, budget for flights and actives, and more.

According to the course overview website, students who enter the program will learn the following skills:

Hard Skills

• Backpacking
• Mountain Biking
• Rock Climbing
• Sea Kayaking
• Canoe and Whitewater kayak
• Rafting
• Surfing
• Kite surfing
• Scuba Diving
• Ski and Snowboard
• Expedition Planning
• Expedition Video and Photography
• Survival Training
• Power boat, VHF
• Beach Lifeguard
• 1st Aid in remote areas
• Cross fit training
• surfboard and kayak building

Soft Skills

• Leadership
• Problem Solving
• Selfconfidence
• Team Building
• Team Work
• Team Management
• Foundations of Adventure Programming
• Practical and Organisational Skills for Outdoor Leaders
• Instruction and Facilitation in Adventure Programming
• Metaskills for Outdoor Leaders

To find out more about this opportunity, visit the Sharks Lodge website. 

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Outside Magazine Presents the 2018 Bucket List

If you're still making plans for travels and potential outdoor adventures this year, allow Outside magazine to help. The publication just released its 2018 Bucket List, providing readers with a host of suggestions on where to go and what to do in the year ahead.

There are numerous amazing adventures that were selected to be a part of this list, all chosen by travel experts who contribute to Outside. Their suggestions include everything from staying in eco-friendly cabins in New Zealand to going Gorilla spotting in Uganda. The list includes options to hike, bike, paddle, and surf in some of the most breathtaking places in the world. There are options to go fishing, camping, and commune with nature, and there is even one trip that will send you off to a completely unknown destination.

Of course, I won't spoil everything that Outside recommends, as discovering what suggestions made the cut is part of the fun. Needless to say, pretty much every type of traveler will find something intriguing here, with some completely new options that you may not have even considered before.

All of the entires on the bucket list include a paragraph that describes why this is an amazing excursion. There is also information on how to do the individual trips that offers links to a tour provider and a price. Some of the itineraries are very affordable, while others will require a bit larger budget, but all of them are very approachable.

Check out the entire 2018 Outside Bucket List here.

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Men's Journal Looks Back at the Best Gear of 2017

We may have already turned the page on 2017 and are now steaming ahead into the New Year, but that doesn't mean we still can't take some time to look back on the year that has just passed, particularly if we're reviewing some of the best gear to come out during that period. That's exactly what Men's Journal did with the release of its list of the editor's favorite gear from the past 12 months.

This list is impressive and comprehensive. All told, there are 71 different items hat made the cut, with a wide range of uses. Amongst the usual outdoor products – including jackets, bikes, and shoes – you'll also find laptops, a BBQ grill, television sets, and other gadgets too. There are motorcycles, backpacks, cameras, water bottles, and a whole lot more. In other words, no matter what your favorite outdoor adventure, you'll find something here that can support the effort. And when you're ready to relax afterwards back home, there are some great items to help you do that too.

While scrolling through this list I was surprised at times to discover some of the items that earned a nod. It was a bit like moving backwards in time as I was reminded of all of the really great products that were released in 2017, including things like the new Apple Watch Series 3 and the DJI Spark Drone, two items that I'd love to add to my Gear Closet at some point.

The best part is, now that 2018 is upon us, many of these wonderful pieces of gear can now be had at discounted prices as we anticipate the arrival of updated versions sometime in the months ahead. There is of course nothing wrong with "last year's" version, but there is always something new on the horizon.

Check out the entire list here.

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Tusker Scout Team to Go in Search of a 7th Climbing Route on Kilimanjaro

At 19,341 feet (5885 meters) in height, Mt. Kilimanjaro is the tallest peak in Africa, and the highest free-standing mountain in the world. Trekking to the summit of Kili has long been a major bucket list item amongst adventure travelers, and remains a challenging, but very rewarding experience. It is such a popular climb in fact that there are more than 200 companies that offer guided treks on the mountain, taking thousands of travelers up one of the six established climbing routes each and every year. But now one of top guides on Kilimanjaro believes he may have discovered a seventh route, and will soon head to Tanzania to see if it is a viable option.

According to this blog post on the Tusker Trail Adventures website, company owner Eddie Frank is planning to take a scout team to Kilimanjaro in January to search for this elusive seventh route up the mountain. The other routes – Machame, Marangu, Lemosho, Rongai, Umbwe, and the Northern Circuit – can get quite crowded during the busy time of the year, removing much of the solitude and remoteness that many of us enjoy about adventure travel. But a seventh route would likely add that back into the experience, not to mention a sense of wandering into the unknown. 

In the blog post, Eddie says “We’ve been climbing Kilimanjaro for 41 years and we want to offer something new, a route no else has done.” For those intrigued to learn more, he's quick to add, "We will scout it in January so stay tuned."

For now, the details of this potential new route are shrouded in mystery and we'll probably have to wait until after January, and possibly beyond, to learn more about it. But for those of us who have been to Kilimanjaro, and know its current routes, the prospects of a seventh option are exciting. Especially one that could take trekkers far from the bustling crowds. As the Tusker article points out, the Machame route is the most popular, drawing more than 16,000 hikers each year. This new option – wherever it is – would be completely free from other trekkers, as least for awhile. 

I had the privilege to climb Kili with Eddie and the Tusker team back in 2015 and for my money the company is the best operator on the mountain. If anyone can find a new route, and take adventure travelers up it, is is probably the Tusker crew. Best of all, if this new route is indeed viable, some lucky trekkers will get the chance to be amongst the first to go up it. That alone is pretty exciting. 

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Video: The Off-Season with Emelie Forsberg

How does a world-class athlete spend her off-season? Why relaxing as much as possible, just like the rest of us. In this video, we join Emelie Forsberg as she travels to Tenerife in the Canary Islands for a little down-time between her trail running season and the start of the ski mountaineering race season. Of course, her holiday isn't all about just relaxation, as you'll see in this beautiful short clip.

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Video: New Zealand Landscapes by Drone

This beautiful short film was shot over five months on a journey across New Zealand. The filmmaker lugged his drone along for the ride, and as a result managed to capture some amazing shots of the landscapes there. The clip gives viewers a glimpse of everything you would expect from a visit to the land of the kiwis, and then some. There are some truly beautiful shots in this one, so don't pass it by.

New Zealand - The Great Below from Man And Drone on Vimeo.

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Self Described "Crazy Grandma" Attempting Seven Summits

Proving that age is just a number and adventure can keep us all young, a self described "crazy grandma" is attempting to climb the Seven Summits at the age of 58. Lisa Walker has already knocked Kilimanjaro off of her list and will head to Aconcagua next month for her second mountain, as she pursues her quest to climb the higher peak on each of the seven continents.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance has a profile of Walker on its website in which she shares some of the challenges she has faced climbing and traveling in different parts of the world, including an intense trek to the top of the 20,100-foot (6126 meter) Stok Kangri in the Indian Himalaya. Only half of her team managed to reach the summit on that tough expedition.

Walker isn't just a climber, but an endurance athlete too. She competes in long distance running races and triathlons, including half-Ironman events, which keeps her in better shape than most people her age. That has also inspired her to want to climb the Seven Summits. As part of that plan, she trekked to Everest Base Camp last spring to get a glimpse of the mountain that will eventually be her ultimate goal. While there, a travel companion got seriously ill, contracting altitude sickness and had to be taken to lower altitude on a horse before being evacuated to Kathmandu for treatment. Unfortunately, that person didn't have travel insurance, and was nearly bankrupted by the experience.

The story the Ripcord shares is a cautionary one. On the one hand, it provides some inspiration in the form of Lisa's attempt to climb the Seven Summits. But on the other, it is a sharp reminder of the things that can – and do – go wrong when traveling to remote corners of the globe. In those cases, I'm a big advocate of having the proper travel insurance, and Ripcord is the best that I've come across. They'll pretty much insure you for any kind of trip, including mountaineering expeditions without a limit on altitude. They also cover adventure racers, hunters, and other extreme athletes heading to pretty much anywhere on the planet. I've used Ripcord a couple of times and have even seen them in action evacuating two of my teammates off Kilimanjaro, and can attest to how efficient and professional the staff is.

As for Lisa Walker, hopefully she'll never need to use Ripcord on her adventure to Aconcagua and beyond. There is no word yet on which peak will come after that, but she's just getting started on this challenging endeavor. Hopefully we'll get future updates on her progress.

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Leaving Las Vegas - Finding Adventure Close to Sin City

Last month I got the opportunity to travel to Las Vegas, which I have to admit is not amongst my favorite destinations on the planet. I don't have anything against the city, it can be extremely fun at times, but given a choice I'd rather be spending time in the mountains or exploring some other remote corner of the globe. But, the point of this trip was to discover all of the opportunities for adventure that can be had just outside the city, and after three days there I came away with a new appreciation for this part of Nevada.

Our base camp for the trip would be the Downtown Grand, a comfortable but not overly glitzy hotel in the older section of Vegas. This part of town is located far from the strip, but still offers its own unique experience with plenty of gambling, shows, restaurants, and nightlife all within easy walking distance. Plus, if you haven't been down to the Fremont Street area of Las Vegas in awhile, you'll probably be in for a treat. The area has undergone major revitalization efforts in recent years, giving visitors a reason to explore this part of town and actually get away from the Strip for awhile.

But I wasn't in Vegas to gamble or spend too much time walking on Fremont. Instead, I was there to see all of the cool outdoor activities that were available outside of the city itself. Our first day began with a short ride out to Boulder City, where we picked up some bikes from All-Mountain Cyclery, a fantastic bike shop that has a great selection of gear and accessories.

We were outfitted with some nice Specialized mountain bikes for our ride, although much of it was going to be on pavement. Before long, we set off on Boulder City's excellent River Mountains Loop Trail, which is 34 miles (54 km) in length and wanders through some beautiful landscapes. Although much of the trail is indeed paved, there is some serious climbing at times, making it a great route for road cyclists and triathletes to get in a workout.

At one point along our ride we deviated from the main route and took a dirt and gravel path down the Historic Railroad Trail. Along the way we passed through several long and dark tunnels which really added a fun element to the excursion. But what truly stood out was that the trail actually ends just above the Hoover Dam, allowing us to park our bikes and walk down to this amazing structure on foot. It was my first time visiting the dam, and I can't think of a better way to do that than from the seat of the bike.


Afterwards, we rode back to Boulder City, accumulating about 20 miles of riding in total. Before heading back to Vegas however, we dropped by Boulder Dam Brewing Company for some lunch and to sample the beer. The food and drinks were excellent, and it was a great place to refuel before heading on to our next stop at the Las Vegas Distillery, where we finished off the day by trying a variety of artisan spirits. The distillery is run by George Racz and was the first in Nevada. George is a wonderful host and storyteller who will entertain anyone who drops by.

The following day we were off and running early once again, this time heading to Overton. There we caught up with our guides from Adrenaline ATV who took us on a fast and furious backcountry tour by all-terrain vehicle. Our rugged and dependable vehicles took us out onto the Logandale Trail System, which has more than 200 miles to explore. We only has time to ride an all-too brief section of them, but what was saw was spectacular. Touring rock spires, impressive sandstone walls, and wide-open sections of countryside spread out all around us. Not that we had time to soak it all in since we were cursing along at a brisk clip in our fun off-roaders.

Before we knew it, the morning was over and were already on our way to the next adventure. The nearby Valley of Fire State Park was our destination for the afternoon, and it did not disappoint. Trading in our ATV's in favor of hiking through the park, we had the chance to crawl up, over, and around some major rock faces that lined the trails there. It was a fantastic setting and one that rivals some national parks in terms of natural beauty. My travel companions and I were busy snapping photos and trying to get the perfect shot to capture the landscapes there, but even the best photos barely do the place justice.

For our third and final day of adventure in the Vegas area we turned our sights on one of the most iconic climbing destinations in the Southwest. Located just a short drive outside the city is Red Rock Canyon, which has something for just about every type of rock climber, be it boulder, trad, sport, or some combination thereof.

Once again, the landscapes are utterly spectacular. Just taking a sweeping glance around the area makes it easy to see where Red Rock derives its name. Stretching out across 195,000 acres of wild backcountry, the sandstone peaks and massive boulders cover the region. The place is a favorite amongst hardcore rock climbers, so it can get busy at times, but there are also plenty of routes to go around. It can also get incredibly hot during the summer, so plan a visit during the cooler months of the year.

Unfortunately for me, by this point of the trip I was coming down with a bug and wasn't feeling much up to climbing. So, for the most part I watched as my companions got to take on some nice routes. Considering the hike in and out of our climb site was enough to leave me winded, it was probably for the best, but I was disappointed that I did get a chance to climb in this amazing setting. That simply means I'll have to go back at another time.

Once we wrapped up climbing, it was back to Vegas to catch our flights home. The stay was all too brief, but I came away with a new appreciation for the things to see and do there. And I didn't even get a chance to go stand-up paddleboarding or kayaking, which is a viable option there too.

All in all, it was a wonderful trip, giving me a good excuse to head back to Vegas in the near future. During the day, I can go explore the vast outdoor playground that lies just outside the city, while at night I can enjoy everything that it has to offer as well. The best of both worlds.

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Video: GoPro's 2017 Year in Review

With about two weeks to go until we say goodbye to 2017, it is time to look back on the year that has passed and reflect on all of the amazing, wild, and down-right crazy things that have gone down. GoPro is doing that in video form, offering up a short, but spectacular, year in review clip for our enjoyment. There are truly some fantastic shots in this compilation vid, which is a nice reminder that 2017 wasn't such a bad year after all. But, it also serves as inspiration for chasing our own adventures in 2018.

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Video: The Rhythms of Peru

For many people, the first thought that comes to mind when you think of Peru is Machu Picchu, the mountaintop fortress that was built by the Inca. That place is indeed spectacular, but the country has so much more to offer. From snowcapped peaks in the Andes to the Amazon Basin, Peru is a country filled with opportunities for adventure. In this video, we travel there to get a look at these places first hand, leaving the more well-trodden places behind to explore other destinations far off the tourist track.

RHYTHMS OF PERU from Nathaniel Connella on Vimeo.

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Gear Closet: Cauldryn Fyre Mobile Heated Water Bottle

One of the things that I've l liked most about the continued advancements in technology is that it has forced us to improve the batteries that go into our various devices. These more powerful and long-lasting rechargeable power cells have made their way into a wide variety of other product that either didn't use them before or didn't exist at all. Such is the case with the new Cauldryn Fyre Mobile, a heated water bottle that will redefine the way you think about hot beverages and cooking around the campsite, while on the go.

At first glance, the Cauldryn Fyre looks like a lot of other water bottles you might find on the market, It is sleek, made of stainless steel, and uses the vacuum-insulated design that has proven to be a winner in countless other models over the past few years. The 16-ounce bottle even has two openings for sipping a beverage or for pouring out more liquid depending on your needs.

But look a little closer, and you'll start to see how this product differentiates itself from the competition. For starters, it includes a built-in heating mechanism that allows it to warm a beverage completely on its own, or keep liquids hot for hours at a time. This heating element is so powerful in fact that it can even boil water all on its own. Simply plug the bottle into a USB outlet and set it to the temperature you need.

The Cauldryn Fyre comes in two different models, the standard version and the Mobile. The difference between the two is that the Mobile edition comes with a battery pack that allows it to function while away from a power source. An included battery pack means that you can have hot beverages on the go, even if you're venturing far off the beaten path. Taking a morning hike to the top of your favorite peak, but would like some hot coffee along the way? The Cauldryn Fire Mobile can handle that. Snowshoeing or backcountry skiing and want some hot cocoa? Check!


The secret behind the Cauldryn is its Fyre heating element. Embedded in the bottle itself, this handy piece of technology offers five levels of warmth ranging from Boil (212 degrees), Brew (195-205 degrees), Extra Hot (160-170 degrees), and two Hot modes (135-145 degrees and 125-135 degrees). Those modes can be selected as needed, providing options for conserving battery life too. The Boil and Brew options eat up the most power of course, while the lower hot modes are much more conservative. In fact, they can be switched on and keep a beverage steaming hot all day long, even running off of just the external battery.

The stainless steel cup can be easily removed from the power pack for wire-free drinking. It snaps back into place extremely easily, making it a breeze to take a drink while driving, then return it to its power source to keep the beverage warm as needed. The travel mug does a good job of keeping liquids hot (or cold) completely on its own, but when paired with the mobile battery pack, it truly can provide warm drinks all day long.

With the battery pack attached, the Cauldryn Fyre Mobile is a bit tall, which means you'll have to be careful not to tip it over. Because of this extra height it can be a bit unstable, although the lids ensure that no water spills out. In fact, the device actually operates just fine, even if it is laying on its side.

One of the more intriguing uses for the Cauldryn Fyre Mobile is as a portable stove for use in the backcountry. Because it can boil water quite quickly, you can heat up packaged meals in no time at all. Obviously there are backpacking stoves that are much smaller and lighter than this device, which tips the scales at about 1 pound (.45 kg), but when you factor in fuel and a pot to boil water, things even out quickly. On extended trips the battery life wouldn't necessarily be up to the task, but on short overnighter or weekend outings, this is a viable option. Particularly if you bring solar panels or an external power source for recharging.

Speaking of the battery, it holds a large enough charge that if you're conservative with how you use the Cauldryn Fyre you can make it last for quite a long time. The battery pack comes with two USB ports as well, allowing users to recharge mobile devices such as a smartphone. The battery pack is sold separately for $69.99, allowing standard Cauldryn buyers to add one later if they like, or Mobile users to pick up an additional one for additional run time.

Overall, the Cauldryn Fyre Mobile is a fast and efficient way to boil water, but is also fantastic for keeping hot beverages warm for extended periods of time. That makes it a great choice for anyone who spends time in the outdoors during the colder months of the year. Whether you're actually hiking into the backcountry or simply going to the local ice rink, this bottle will come in handy. It also makes a great gift heading into the holiday season as well.

The standard Cauldryn Fyre runs $69.99 while the Mobile edition is $129.99. Find out more here.

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