Happy Holidays!

With the holiday weekend now upon us, I wanted to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  The next week or so will be a quiet one for the most part, so I'm going to take the opportunity to shut things down around here until after the start of the new year. I'll be spending time with friends and family, relaxing, writing, and working on some projects, and of course getting outside a bit as well. Hopefully you'll be doing much the same.

If any major stories or pressing news breaks, I'll post an update. But, for the most part, don't expect any regular updates again until January 3. The day after that, I'm heading out to North Carolina for a little skiing, hiking, and fun in the snow, so regular posting probably won't resume until the week of January 8. Considering all of the things going on this time of year, you probably won't be spending too much time on the web anyway. Go out and pursue some of your own adventures in the interim.

Happy Holidays and here's to a fantastic 2018. Thanks for reading this blog and keeping me going year in and year out. I wouldn't be here without the support of those of you who drop by my humble little corner of the Internet from time to time.

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How to Listen to The Adventure Podcast

As our fledgling podcast starts to get off the ground, I've had a couple of emails from readers asking how to listen to the show. When we did our pilot episode a few weeks back, we used a different podcast hosting platform to get the show out there. We've since switched to a different platform that we'll use moving forward, which means the links I originally shared may not be working for you. So, here's how you can listen to The Adventure Podcast:

• If you just want to listen on your computer then click here to get a web version of the show, complete with an audio player, episode description, and so on. It works great, it just isn't quite so portable. 
• iOS users (iPhone, iPad, iPod, etc.) can subscribe to the show in iTunes by searching for "The Adventure Podcast," but it can still be hard to find. Here's a direct link. 
• Android users can find us in the Google Play Store by again searching for the title of the show. But, to save time, here's another direct link. 
• If you use Stitcher to listen to your podcasts on any platform, we're also available there. If search doesn't work, here's the direct link for Stitcher users.

We just posted Episode 1 a few days back and will now be on a break through the holidays, but new shows will be coming in the first part of January. We also have plans to do daily shows from Outdoor Retailer as well, with our thoughts on the latest and greatest gear. 

My cohost Dave Adlard and I are having a lot of fun with the show so far, and we hope you'll give us a shot as we continue making weekly episodes in 2018. Until then, enjoy the rest of the year and Happy Holidays!

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Download The Adventure Podcast on Your Favorite Platform

As I write this, I am busily working away at editing the second episode of The Adventure Podcast. We hope to have the second episode out very soon. But before we release it, my cohost David Adlard and I wanted to let everyone know that the show is available on your favorite platform for listening to podcasts now. So, no matter if you enjoy listening on an iOS device, Android phone or tablet, or just on your computer, you should be able to subscribe to our feed and automatically get new episodes. 

For those who want to listen to our new little venture, here's where you can get the episodes:

• Subscribe in iTunes/iOS Podcasts by clicking here. 
• On Android use Google Play Music to get the show here. 
• If you listen on Stitcher, you'll find The Adventure Podcast here.
• We also have an RSS feed set up for the show here.

Also, if you've had a chance to listen to the show, we'd love your feedback. We can be reached on Twitter at @adventure_pod or by email at theadventurepod@gmail.com. You can also leave comments, suggestions, and questions on our Facebook page as well. 

Thanks to everyone who sent us feedback on Episode 0. We learned a lot while making it and the first  real episode will be better for it. We have some big plans for the show moving forward, and Dave and I hope you'll come along for the ride. 

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Introducing The Adventure Podcast

It's been a long time coming, and I've hinted at it on social media a couple of times, but I'm happy to introduce The Adventure Podcast at long last. The first episode is now available to download through iTunes or can be accessed directly here. 

The show looks to be a bit of an extension of this blog, sharing weekly news from the adventure world, discussing major topics of interest, talking about gear, and having interviews with interesting guests. It is co-hosted with my friend David Adlard, who has a rich background in the world of outdoor adventure as well having competed in several Ironman events and numerous adventure races, as well as working as a mountain guide and race director himself. Dave and I have known each other for a number of years and share a passion for the outdoors, exploration, and travel. We hope to bring that to you on a weekly basis in an audio format. 

We've labeled this first show as Episode 0 because it serves as a pilot of sorts. It is our first attempt at creating this type of content, and we're still learning the ropes some. As a result, the show is still a little rough around the edges, but you'll get an understanding of where we are coming from and where we hope to go in the weeks ahead. We've already learned a lot from making this one, so we hope to make some big leaps forward in terms of production quality with our next show. 

We have also set up a few social media outlets for those who would like to share feedback and learn more about the podcast. Our Facebook page can be found here and we're active on Twitter at @adventure_pod. We can also be reached by email at theadventurepod@gmail.com. We would love to hear from listeners as we continue to develop the show, and one of the regular segments we'd like to include is answer questions sent our way. So, if there is something you'd like to ask, feel free to drop us a note. 

Other than that, Dave and I hope you enjoy the program. We're looking forward to having fun with the podcast format and hopefully offering some interesting and compelling content. 

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Happy Thanksgiving! (and #OptOutside)

Just a quick note to wish all of The Adventure Blog readers from the U.S. a Happy Thanksgiving. Hopefully you'll all be enjoying some great food and beverages, not to mention quality time with the family, over the next few days. This is a good opportunity to rest, relax, and prepare for the final month of the year as well as the busy holiday season ahead.

A couple of items of note. First, the blog will be most quiet the rest of the week. I plan on publishing a round-up of some of the top outdoor gear and adventure travel deals for Black Friday and Cyber Monday sometime in the next day or two, but other than that I intend to enjoy a bit of down time myself to spend time with friends and family and concentrate on some other projects. Don't look for any major updates until the start of next week.

Also, for the third year in a row all of the REI stores will be closed on Black Friday, which really isn't much of a story anymore. But, the company's continued push to get us all to #OptOutside instead remains an inspiring and fun way to spend the day after Thanksgiving. I would like to take this opportunity to do the same and encourage anyone reading this to head out on an adventure this Friday. Go for a hike. Take a bike ride. Go camping. Do any of the outdoor things that you love. In the end, you'll be happy you did, and chance are the crowds won't be anything like what they are at the stores. There is still plenty of time to go holiday shopping. Have some fun instead!

See you next week!

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On the Road Again: I'm Nevada Bound!

A quick note to let everyone know that I will be on the road again for the rest of the week, and thus there will be no updates to The Adventure Blog until next Monday. This time out, I'm heading to Nevada, and while Las Vegas will serve as Base Camp, I won't be spending a lot of time there. Over the course of the next few days, I'll be mountain biking, hiking, off-roading, and climbing at a variety of different destinations in the area. Of course, I'll share some thoughts on those adventures once I get back home and I'll be posting updates to Twitter and Instagram along the way too.

We'll just barely get things cranked back up next week only to have the Thanksgiving holiday appear on the scene here in the U.S. But, we'll make the most of the time and post important updates, videos, and stories while we can. I also have some holiday buying guides in the works, with a few other nice surprises in the wings too.

Stay tuned. I'll be back soon with more information news.

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Off to Outdoor Blogger Summit

After being home for nearly two months – a fairly long stretch for me – I'm traveling tomorrow to attend the Outdoor Blogger Summit in Bentonville, Arkansas. I'll be spending the next few days there hanging out with friends, connecting with other outdoor and adventure writers, and picking up some tips on how to be better at my job. It should be both a fun and educational weekend.

Over the next few days, there won't be any updates to the site, unless some major story breaks. I should have Internet access and some time to keep up on the news, but I'll be focused on other things as I help a bit with running the conference and speak at the event as well. I'll be back home late Sunday, and will resume regular postings next week however, so the downtime should be minimal.

As always, thanks for reading this humble little blog and get out and enjoy a few adventures of your own this weekend. Fall is definitely here and it is one of the best times to be playing outdoors.

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Off for a Few Days

After being home for several weeks straight, it is now time for me to hit the road once again. This time however I'm not jetting off to some far-flung place to go hiking or climbing or paddling. Instead, I'll be making a 10 hour road trip to visit friends and family for a few days. That means now updates for the rest of this week, nor will there be any on Monday of next week. Things should get back to normal on Tuesday however.

This brief break comes at a good time. With the Himalaya climbing season now finished, we're in a bit of a lull in terms of major expeditions taking place. I'm sure we'll still find plenty of big adventures to follow and report on moving forward, but for now things are quiet.

Enjoy the rest of your week and take advantage of the season wherever you are to get outside and enjoy an adventure or two of your own. Back soon!

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Traveling to California - The Lost Coast Trail with Tepui Tents

As we round out the week, just a quick note on blog updates for next week. I'll be starting the month of May with a quick trip to California where I'll be testing out a Tepui Tents rooftop tent while spending a couple of days hiking on the Lost Coast Trail. This gives me the opportunity to not only see a place that I've heard so much about, but also test out some gear as well. I've been wanting to checkout Tepui's shelters for some time now, and this will be a great chance to do just that.

I depart early on Monday and will be back early on Thursday, so there is a good chance there won't be any updates until next Friday. But should a big story break, there is a chance I'll be able to post something to the blog before then. In the meantime, have a great weekend, enjoy the spring weather, and I'll be back before you know it.

After this trip, I don't have anything planned for a few weeks, which means I should be around for summit season in the Himalaya. Always an exciting time of year for sure.

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On the Road in Oregon

I've been home just three days, but its already time for me to hit the road again. This time, I'm off to Oregon to spend a few days paddling with some fellow journalists on a sponsored trip from Oru Kayaks. This time, I'll only be gone until the weekend, and should resume regular updates next Monday.

I first wrote about Oru Kayaks back in 2012, when the company launched its first foldable boat. Since that time, I've always been intrigued with how their kayaks performed out on the water, since they promise to give paddlers the speed and agility of a hardshell with the convenience of an inflatable. In a few days, I'll get a chance to find out for myself, as we'll be paddling a 47 mile (75 km) stretch of river in one. That means I should have some good stories to share when I get back next week.

In the meantime, I hope everyone has a great end of the week and has some good adventures of their own planned. Spring is here in the northern hemisphere, and its time to be outside and enjoying it. If you haven't taken advantage of the shift in seasons just yet, now is the time for sure.

When I get back, we'll get caught up on everything happening in the Himalaya. Considering how the season has gone so far, there should be plenty of interesting things to talk about.

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Happy Holidays From The Adventure Blog

It is that time of year again! I want to take this opportunity to with each and everyone of you a very Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Happy Holidays in general. I'm not really sure where 2016 went, but it has come and gone in a blink of an eye, with so many amazing and fantastic experiences along the way. Hopefully it was a year filled with adventure for you, with plenty of inspirations for 2017 as well. 

Now that we're heading into the holiday weekend, I wanted to share a bit about the schedule for The Adventure Blog moving forward. Next week we'll enjoy a bit of downtime to celebrate with friends and family, so expect very few updates between Christmas and New Year. I'll share any major stories that might arise, but for the most part daily updates will be at a minimum. 

I'll return in the first week of January to get things going once again, but even then there may be a limited posting schedule. During that week, Adventure Blog World Headquarters will be relocating to a more permanent location, so there could be a bit of transition to undergo while that happens. Immediately after that, I'll be flying off to Salt Lake City for the Winter Outdoor Retailer Convention, where a host of new gear will be on display. I'll have more about that as we get closer to the day however, but expect the usual reports on what I see and learn about on social media and here on this blog. 

For now, just go and enjoy the holiday season. And get ready for an exciting year to come.

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On the Road Again: Headed to Crested Butte, Colorado

It has been a busy summer at The Adventure Blog headquarters. Since May, I've been on the road every week or two, visiting some truly spectacular destinations along the way. Since I was in Quebec a few weeks back, I've been fortunate enough to actually be home for a little more than two weeks. The longest stretch I've had in quite some time. That ends tomorrow, as I'll be heading out to Crested Butte, Colorado for a few days of fly fishing, mountain biking, and exploring this intriguing adventure destination in the Rocky Mountains.

As usual, that probably means no updates for the rest of the week. I will be back home late Sunday, and will resume posting updates again next Monday, so just a short break this time out. The following week I'll be off to Bryce Canyon for a short backpacking trip however, so my time at home will once again be brief. After that, there is just one more international escape on the agenda at the moment, followed hopefully by some pleasant time at home heading into the fall.

I'm sure I'll have lots of stories to share when I return from CB. I'm told the mountain biking is epic and I'm looking forward to seeing the place for myself. Until then, take advantage of the changing seasons and get outside and enjoy some adventures of your own. Now is a great time for camping, hiking, cycling, or whatever outdoor activity you enjoy doing. I'll be back before you know it.

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On the Road Again: Heading Back to Quebec!

Just another quick note to let regular readers know that there will once again be no updates next week. My time back home was brief, and now I'm headed back to Quebec, Canada for another adventure. Some of you may recall that I was in Quebec this past winter where I had the opportunity to do some snowshoeing and dogsledding in some of the most beautiful (and cold!) conditions ever. Now, I'll return once again to the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region where I'll be whitewater rafting, stand-up paddleboarding, sea kayaking and hiking. It should be a wonderful time and a nice way to contrast the region between the two seasons.

While I'm away, the Karakoram climbing season should finally come to an end, and I'm sure there will be other interesting adventure news taking place. I'll try to post updates upon my return of anything important that may have taken place. Regular updates will resume on August 22, at which time I'll actually be home for several weeks in a row. That will be the first time that that has happened in several months.

Until then, enjoy the last few weeks of summer, get outside and have some adventures of your own, and explore this great big planet of ours. I'll be back before you know it!

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Off to the Adirondacks!

A few weeks back when I traveled to Alaska for a week I mentioned that it was the start of a string of travel for me that would extend through the summer and beyond. This week's destination is upstate New York, where I'll be heading to the Adirondacks for a couple of days. I fly out tomorrow and will be back home on Friday, so not a long getaway, just long enough to disrupt the rest of the week.

I can't say a lot about what I'm doing over the next couple of days, other than that I'm working on a new project with the folks from PrimaLoft. If all goes well, I'll be able to share the results of this project down the line, but for now I have to keep it under my hat. Stay tuned though, as I'll share more when I can.

Next week, The Adventure Blog returns to a normal schedule, at least for a little while. I should have five full days of updates, news, and videos to share before heading to Utah the week of June 20. Thanks for your patience and for reading. I hope to have some good stories to share again soon. 

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On the Road Again!

Just another quick note to regular readers today to let everyone know that The Adventure Blog won't be updated for the rest of the week. I'm headed home to Iowa to visit friend and family and celebrate a milestone for one my family members. I may have time to post a few updates while away, but most likely we'll return to the usual posting schedule next Monday. In the meantime, have a great rest of the week and weekend.

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I Am Alaska Bound!

Just a quick note to regular readers to wrap up the day today. Tomorrow I am heading out to Juneau, Alaska for a little adventure. Over the next week or so, I'll be taking part in an Un-Cruise on the famed Inside Passage. While there, I'll be sea kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, hiking, and whale watching, amongst other activities. Internet access will be limited over that time period, so there won't be any updates to The Adventure Blog until Monday, May 30. Hopefully I'll have some great stories and photos to share upon my return.

This trip kicks off what will be a busy few months for me in terms of travel. I will be updating the site as often as I can in the weeks ahead, but there will be some extended periods from time to time when I'll be off the grid and unable to post. But stay patient and I'll share all the new from the world of outdoor adventure and exploration as much as I can.

While I'm away, I hope you get outside and enjoy some adventures of your own. Now is a great time to be riding, running, hiking, camping, and exploring. Have a great time, and I'll be back before you know it.

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Happy Holidays From The Adventure Blog

I just wanted to take this opportunity to wish all of the readers of The Adventure Blog a Happy Holiday Season! It has been another great year, and I couldn't continue to write this humble little blog without you dropping by on a regular basis. I appreciate everyone who spends some time keeping up with all of the things I write about. I hope 2015 was great for all of you, and 2016 is even more adventurous.

With Christmas now upon us, and the end of the year in sight, the posting schedule will probably be a bit erratic over the next week or so. I'm sure there will be a few updates during that time period, but just like the rest of you, I'll be enjoying some time with friends and family. Things will get back to normal early in 2016, as we resume our coverage of the world of exploration and outdoor adventure. Until then, have a safe holiday season, and I'll be back soon.

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Off to Colorado on Assignment

I'm hitting the road again tomorrow and will be gone through the end of the week. I'm off to Grand Junction, Colorado on assignment for a magazine article I'll be writing soon. Hopefully I'll have a chance to post a few morning updates while I'm there, but if blog posts are sparse this week, you'll know why. 

While I'm in Colorado, I'll be going off-roading with Cooper Tires to test a new set of tires that the company will be releasing soon. We'll be taking on such routes as the Grand Mesa Trail and Bangs Canyon in some jeeps especially equipped to take on the terrain there. It should be both a fun and informative couple of days, and I'm looking forward to the opportunity to spend some time back in the Rockies once again. 

With any luck, I'll post at least a few updates over the next few days, particularly as we get closer to the start of summit pushes on Broad Peak and K2. It will be a busy couple of weeks in the big mountains, and as usual I'll be doing my best with staying up with the latest news. 

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Happy New Year From The Adventure Blog

I just wanted to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy New Year and thank you all for dropping by my little corner of the Internet from time to time to see what is happening in the world of adventure. Hopefully 2015 will be filled with all kinds of opportunities to put more adventure to your lives as well.

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Happy Holidays From The Adventure Blog!

Happy holidays from The Adventure Blog. I hope you are spending the day with friends and family, while relaxing from your latest adventures. 2015 is just around the corner, and it is nearly time to start thinking about our next journeys. Until then, enjoy the final days of the year with peace and tranquility.

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