Adventure-Crew.com » General Adventure

Biscayne National Park: The Mangroves Video

stu — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 14:44:21 +0000

Park Ranger Rebecca Haynes and the Adventure-Crew take you on a short whirlwind adventure through Biscayne’s mangroves. Being mostly underwater, the park hosts lots of wildlife and mangrove trees. Ranger Haynes explains how the mangroves multiply and their importance in the park.

A day in Biscayne National Park Video

stu — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 14:14:18 +0000

It’s pretty simple to get off the beaten path in this video about Biscayne National Park because there is no path. Biscayne’s park features are 95% underwater and Adventurer Clint Pollock and Park Ranger Rebecca Haynes take you through the highlights of a day at the park.

Unique to this national park is how to get around. Forget the four-wheel drives or even hiking. You’ll be riding in a boat one way or another. Whether a rental from the local concessionaire, your own boat, a tour with Gary Matthews of Biscayne Concessions, or one of the many park provided tours, this is one of the easiest parks to experience because the transportation is generally done sitting down.

Here’s an insider tip that will completely make your Biscayne vacation: book a tour with Biscayne Concessions!

You’ll learn the following in this short video:
- Private boating essential navigating tips that will keep you safe and free from bottoming out
- Why mangroves are so important to these islands and shorelines
- When the best time is to view the underwater coral in clear water
- Some intriguing history of the park, islands and lighthouse
- The best high vantage point for a 360 degree view of the park
- Where in the world is Boca Chita Key

So, put on your life vest, grab your sun hat and water bottle, and experience one of the most unique aquatic parks on this side of the planet.

Commemorating The Greatest Adventure of All Time!

Adventure Junkie — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:03:00 +0000

Thursday marks the 40th Anniversary of the launch of Apollo 11, the spacecraft that first took man to the moon, an event that many people feel is the greatest accomplishment in human history. To commemorate this historic event, a new website has been launched at WeChooseTheMoon.com which will recreate the entire mission from start to finish.

If you visit the site right now, and as I write this we're still more than 43 hours from "launch", you can see a virtual representation of the Saturn V rocket that would propel Apollo 11 out of the Earth's atmosphere. You'll also be able to hear ground control running through pre-flight checks as they prepare for the mission, which is still two days away. All of the audio feeds are authentic, and once the mission is underway, there will be video as well, as we follow the three astronauts, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins on their voyage, which will culminate next week on July 24th when they return to Earth with a splashdown. Of course, before that happens we'll get to relive the most significant piece of history when on July 20th, Armstrong and Aldrin pilot the lunar lander to the surface of the moon, and become the first humans to step foot on another world.

From what I understand, the details of the mission have been rebuilt to exacting specifications for this website, so we'll all be able to follow along in realtime. The site also allows you to view the liftoff from a variety of angles, and feeds us information about the speed and distance traveled. Other feeds provide trivia about the day, such as what the best selling books were at the time, and the songs that topped the charts as well.

Of course, once liftoff occurs, that's when the fun really begins. I'm told that there is nearly constant chatter between the astronauts and mission control, which should make for a very interesting way to relive this slice of history. I wasn't around when the moon landing happened, I was actually born a month later, but I have always been a fan of the space program, and have been fascinated with the idea of traveling to other planets. For the next week or so, this is going to be something that I'll be watching very closely. In my mind, it is indeed the greatest human adventure of all time, but if you can think of one better, I'd be happy to re-evaluate.

Clik Elite Giving Away Great Gear

Adventure Junkie — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 14:34:00 +0000

Here's a contest that I wasn't sure I really wanted to share with anyone. As a bit of an amateur photographer myself, I always appreciate good gear, and especially something that helps me carry my DSLR's and lenses a bit easier, which is why the packs that Clik Elite offers are so intriguing to me. The company makes some great looking packs that are not only designed for use on the trail, but also for protecting your precious camera equipment while you're out there.

Next week is the start of the Summer Outdoor Retailer show in Salt Lake City, Utah. And to celebrate the event, Clik Elite has decided to give away some cool swag, and they've made it exceedingly easy for us to sign up for the contest. All you need to do to enter is sign up for their online newsletter, start following their twitter feed, or become a Clik Elite Fan on Facebook. Simple huh?

After that, all you have to do is sit back and collect the free stuff. Over the next three weeks, they'll pick a winner each week, and will be giving away two of their Compact Sport packs and one of the Medium Nature bags. They'll also be giving away t-shirts, accessory pouches and more.

If you're not familiar with the Click Elite packs, and you're into photography at all, I'd recommend checking them out. The packs offer space for carrying your gear, but also have designated compartments for your camera equipment, with extra padding to protect your DSLR, lenses, and other photography gear. The packs have all the other features you would expect as well, like hydration sleeves, water bottle holders, and a well designed harness system. They seem to be well designed for the outdoor enthusiast who doesn't leave home without his camera.

Good luck in the contest. If you win, at least thank me for sharing! ;)

Sierra Clubs Trails Website Launched

Adventure Junkie — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 20:20:00 +0000

The Sierra Club has launched in interesting new website called Sierra Club Trails that aims to be the Wikipedia of hiking, with a comprehensive, online, user updated, database of the best places to hike in the U.S.

The site is designed to be a place where we can all share information about our favorite places to hike, and post information on trails that we've discovered. Because it is user-updatable, the trail information can be altered on the go as conditions change, new trails open up, and unique places are discovered. You can search for trails in your area or some place that you will be visiting, and there are even easy options for finding the newest trails added to the database, as well as the most popular and highest rated. The trails don't even have to be on dry land either, as the website will allow you to enter paddling trails too.

If that wasn't enough, the Sierra Club is building a community around the site allowing outdoor adventurers to create a profile, logon, and join in the discussions on gear, trail food, and more. There is also an official blog for the website as well as news on upcoming events, and a "how to" section as well.

At the moment, the site isn't very well but it is technically still in beta, with many hikes missing. But the wiki just launched last week and I'm sure things will fill in very soon. Checking for my location here in Texas, i find only 11 trails so far, so there are plenty to add. But the ones that are there have some good information, including descriptions of the what to expect, including photos, and an indication of how challenging the trail is as well.

So, if you have a favorite trail, maybe you should head over to Sierra Club Trails and start sharing your thoughts. I'm sure your contribution will be appreciated by others, and you may find a few new trails for yourself while you're at it. This wiki looks very promising, and we can all use a few ideas on where to head out on a new hike.

Here Kitty Kitty Kitty!

Adventure Junkie — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:57:00 +0000

Here's a video that is both heartwarming and a bit scary at the same time. It's a Sky News report on Kevin Richardson, an animal behaviorist who specializes in lions. Backpacker, whose blog I found this video on, harkens this to be much like the Timothy Treadwell story. You remember him right? He's the guy that was the subject of the movie Grizzly Man, who lived amongst the bears only to come to a tragic end. At least in the case of Richardson, he is trained to be with these big cats, although watching them manhandle him, it does make you wonder.

I can't help but chuckle at watching the video however, for two reason. One, it's clear that these cats have an affection for Richardson just by the way they interact with him, which is far different from Treadwell's experience. The other reason is that I have a big old house cat who exhibits the same traits as these lions. He just happens to way several hundred pounds less and fits in my lap.

Gear Box: Adventure Medical Kits

Adventure Junkie — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:05:00 +0000

A first aid kit, much like car insurance, is one of those things that we buy and hope we never have to use. It's one of those 10 essential items that we should always have in our pack when we head out on the trail, and yet, it's one of the items that gets the least attention. We stuff a few band aids in a box, maybe some ibuprofen and thats about it. Well, I"m here to tell you that the first aid kit is one item that you shouldn't scrimp on, but fortunately Adventure Medical Kits is here to make it easy on us all.

As their name implies, Adventure Medical Kits provides top notch, pre-made med kits that are ready to go in our backpacks and stay there until we need them. The kits come in a variety of sizes and specialities, for what ever your outdoor pursuits happen to be. For instance, their Paddler Series comes with everything a kayaker would need out on the water, and it's all sealed up in a nice drybag, while the Mountain Series is designed for longer alpine expeditions.

My AMK comes from the Ultralight line, which is specifically marketed for multisport athletes such as adventure racers. The kits are perfect for races where a med kit is standard equipment, and any race above a sprint probably does require one, because they are small, compact, and light weight, yet still carry everything you'll need and more. For instance, I have an Ultralight .9 which comes pre-packed with several varieties of bandages in different shapes and sizes, trauma pads, gloves, moleskin, duct tape, safety pins, splinter packs, antihistamines, ibuprofen, a plethora of wound care items, and a lot more. All of that is packed into a waterproof pack, and it all sits nicely inside a backpack.

In addition to all the great stuff that comes in each of the medical kits, the AMK website has some great supplemental gear that you can add to your kit to enhance its usefulness in the backcountry. For instance, they have a variety of insect repellants, hygiene products, blister protection, and other essentials. There are even repair kits that allow you to fix your broken gear, even while on the go. Put all this stuff together, and you have everything you ever need to cover medical issues no matter where you are.

I have to say that I am throughly impressed with the Ultralight .9 pack that I have. It lives up to its name, barely adding any weight to your pack and despite its size, the kit remains very versatile and useful. While AMK recommends it for adventure racers and other outdoor athletes, I believe that it is equally useful for backpackers, long distance trekkers, and even travelers in general. It really is a nice piece of gear that will fill most people's needs right out of the box. Add in a few extra items that may be essential to you specifically, and you have the perfect customized med kit that is always ready to go when you are.

All of the kits from Adventure Medical are also very affordable, which means that we don't have any excuses to not have one with us in the backcountry. Select one of the kits that works best for you, and you won't want to ever leave it behind either. You might even think that it's essential.

In Search of the Elusive Mallory Camera on Everest

Adventure Junkie — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:19:00 +0000

It has been called the Holy Grail of Mountaineering, and for some it is an item worth searching for with the same fervor as Arthur's knights. I'm speaking of the camera that accompanied George Mallory and Andrew Irvine on their ill fated expedition to Everest back in 1924. The pair never returned of course, and the mountain would remain unclimbed until Hillary and Norgay topped out in 1953. But questions have always remained. Did Mallory reach the summit? Many believe he possibly did, and that the missing camera may contain some images that would prove that he had.

There have been a number of expeditions to the mountain over the years searching for the bodies of both Mallory and Irvine. A talented group of climbers did discovery Mallory's body back in 1999, but a decade later, Irvine and the camera remain missing. Now, two new climbers who bonded in the midst of the K2 tragedy last year, aim to go searching for Irvine, and one of them says he thinks he knows where he is.

The mountaineers are Dr. Eric Meyer and Sherpa Chhiring Dorje, both of which were on K2 last year and played pivitol roles in how things played out on that deadly mountain. Now, the two men who have both summitted Everest before (Chhiring 10 times!) are making plans to go back once again to look for the missing body, and more importantly the camera. Chhiring says that he believes that he has seen Irvine's remains on the mountain before at 27,900 feet, but at the time he didn't think anything of it. It wasn't until later, upon reflection, and learning more about the Mallory expedition, that he began to put the pieces together.

You can read more about both of these men and their plans in this article over at the Denver Post. It is interesting stuff, and it is remarkable to think that Chhiring may know exactly where Irvine and the "Holy Grail" are sitting. But will it change anything if he does?

Lets say, for arguments sake, they find the body. And lets go so far as to say that the camera is still with it and at least intact enough to not have ruined the film. And what if that film is successfully developed after all these years, and it does indeed show Mallory on the summit. Does that change anything? I suppose it does give him the distinction of being the first man up there, but as many mountaineers say, the summit is only the half-way point. The fact remains that they didn't get down alive, which is part of the criteria for a successful climb in my mind. There are a lot of "ifs" in this paragraph though, and I'd be astounded if the camera was still in one piece and hadn't exposed the film by now. Of course, they still have to find it regardless.

How To Trek The Jungle

Adventure Junkie — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 19:42:00 +0000

U.K. based online magazine Wide World has a cool "How To" article posted on their site giving some great tips on How To Trek the Jungle. The informative article offers up 11 things to keep in mind when undertaking an expedition in the jungle, courtesy of expert Dominic Hall who has more than ten years of experience planning such expeditions.

Some of the tips are fairly common sense, but as usual, they deserve to be mentioned none the less. For instance, Dominic reminds us to "Drink, drink, drink..." which holds true for any outdoor adventure, but hydration is even more important when the temps are in the 30's C (80's/90's F) and the humidity is off the charts. He also reminds us to not neglect the rest of our diet as well, as keeping your intake well balanced will be key as well.

Other suggestions are not so apparent to those making a jungle trek for the first time. Hall warns us, for instance, to not worry about the big animals we'll encounter, but instead take heed of the small ones. He says we should be mindful of insects in particular, and especially mosquitos, which typically carry diseases like malaria and yellow fever. He also recommends that we ditch the tent and just bring a hammock. They're light weight, can be strung up anywhere, and comfortably keep you off the ground.

There are plenty of other good things to be gleaned from the list, but perhaps the most important one comes in at #11 where Dominic reminds us to simply "Enjoy". Sometimes we forget that tip on our adventures, being too focused on reaching a goal, and forgetting to take time to enjoy the journey. Wise words!

Summer Issue of JPFreek Now Available!

Adventure Junkie — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:26:00 +0000

The latest issue of JPFreek magazine is now available at JPFreek.com. This is the summer edition of the online magazine geared not only for jeep enthusiasts but also outdoor adventurers in general, with a range of articles that stretch from an ongoing, round the world road trip to a report from Chile on the Patagonia Expedition Adventure Race.

This is an important issue for JPFreek in general and for myself personally. For the magazine, it is the first issue to fall under their new paid subscription policy. Until now, the magazine was free, with revenues being ad driven, so this is a bit of a change in direction, but one that will allow the staff to continue to bring the same great content to readers, but also look ahead to some great things in the future as well. I can assure you, the team at JPFreek have some great plans for the future.

On a personal note, I'm happy to play a role in this issue. If you turn to page 40 of the virtual magazine, you'll find an article entitled "Amazon Adventures", which I wrote about my April trip to the Amazon River and Jungle. All the photos used in the article are ones that I shot myself, and the layout that the editorial staff put together is amazing. I'm very proud of how it turned out and glad that I was able to contribute and share a little of my own adventure.

Finally, if you look closely at the masthead for the magazine, you'll see the list for the "Crew & Contributors". Looking down that list under "Editorial" you'll now notice that my name has been added. I have joined the crew at JPFreek as the Adventure Editor and I hope to be making larger contributions in the future. Thanks for having me aboard guys! :)