Travel video news

Alex Honnold's  Free Solo  documentary is rolling into theaters now, but before you head out to see it on the big screen, check out this amazing clip which helps to put his climb truly into perspective. Captured using a 360� camera, we start by joining Alex out on the trail, then proceed to El Capitan to follow him up the rock race. The 360� technology allows us to look around, getting a sense of the landscape that he is traveling through, not to mention the stunning heights to which he is climbing. If you're looking for new perspective �� literally �� on this impressive climb, this video will give it to you.

Yesterday, when I wrote a review of the Salomon Sense Ride trail running shoes , I mentioned that fit and comfort were somewhat subjective. While that is true, what ever running shoes you put on your feet should provide a similar level of support and performance. So just how exactly should they feel on your foot? This excellent little video from REI helps explain it. It does a good job of describing how your heels, toes, and other parts should fit into a good pair of running shoes. Finding the ones that feel the best to you will be the next step.

Now, more than ever, portable power sources play an important role in keeping our devices functioning while on the go. Whether that means running errands around town, flying to the far side of the planet, or venturing off the grid into the backcountry, chances are you can use a portable charging solution from time to time. If you happen to be a mobile professional who requires plenty of power to keep all of your technology running, particularly in remote places, your options can be a bit more limited. But thanks to a new option from Omni Charge , the search for the perfect power station may be over. The new Omni Ultimate ranks as one of the best portable power stations that I've ever seen, not just in terms of features and battery size, but also in durability and ruggedness too. This charger has been built from the ground-up for use in the outdoors, and as a result it can take a beat and still keep on functioning. The Ultimate is IP54 rated for dust ant waterproofing, meaning that...

We've written about how a high-tech device known as lidar has helped archaeologists locate lost cities and other ancient structures in the past, but those findings were small potatoes compared to what is going on in the jungles of Guatemala at the moment. A team of researchers say that the laser-powered technology has helped them conduct the largest survey of the region ever, and what they found is simply stunning. Lidar is typically mounted on an aircraft and uses lasers to map the surface of the planet from above. Those lasers can actually penetrate the thick jungle canopy to see what sits underneath, giving researchers a better understanding of what man-made structures may be lurking there covered by hundreds �� or even thousands �� of years of growth. According to a new study published in Science magazine , a recent research survey completed in Guatemala was the largest use of lidar ever. When the survey was completed, archaeologists had mapped 61,480 distinct structures unde...

We've been monitoring the progress of the climbing teams on Manaslu and Cho Oyu all week long as summit bids have launched both mountains. Now, as the weekend draws near, it seems that both peaks are busy as a good weather window looks to continue over the next few days, bringing opportunities to finish the season early and send most of the climbers home. A major summit push is definitely underway on Manaslu , the eighth highest peak in the world at 8163 meters (26,781 ft). Earlier today, more than 60 climbers topped out on the mountain, marking what appears to be the start of large wave of alpinists heading to the top. With roughly 200 foreign climbers, plus an equal or greater number of support Sherpas, on the mountain this season, it looks like things could get very busy there over the next few days. Amongst those reaching the summit this morning was Kami Rita Sherpa, the man who holds the record for the most summits of Everest. This past spring, Kami Rita topped out on Everest ...

We all know that the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc is one of the toughest trail races in the world, tasking runners with the arduous task of circumnavigating the iconic mountain as quickly as possible. It typically isn't a race for beginners, but as you'll see in this video two semi-pro racers who also happen to be brothers, convince their father to join them out on the trail, making this a true family affair. Fun, inspiring, and beautiful, this is a great short film about their adventure.

If you need further proof that British Columbia has some of the best mountain biking in the world, just take a look at this clip. In it, we join Mike Hopkins as he explores his own backyard, discovering amazing trails, breathtaking scenery, and plenty of wilderness. These are the kinds of trails we all dream about riding and even if we can't get out on those trails today, maybe this video will help us make it to the weekend. Mike Hopkins: The Backyard from Diamondback Bicycles on Vimeo .

The fit and comfort level of any footwear is a highly subjective thing, especially in the realm of trail running. Finding a shoe that fits your needs can be a challenge at times, as comfort is only one factor to consider. Stability, durability, breathability, traction, and a host of other variables come into play when selecting the shoe that works best for us. Fortunately for me, Salomon has always had an impeccable track record in each of those areas, delivering footwear designed for trail runners that are looking to push themselves a little further. Recently I've been running in a pair of Salomon Sense Ride trail shoes, which have been designed to be a versatile option for use on a wide variety of different types of running routes. I've worn the Sense Ride on everything from dry, rocky trails, to muddy, wet routes, and pretty much everything in between. I've even worn them on road runs, and while they are not completely suited for that environment, they still performed ...

We're nearing the release of the new climbing film Free Solo , which documents Alex Honnold's climb up El Capitan without using ropes. That was a herculean display of skill and strength that perhaps no one else in the world could have pulled off. But in order to make a film of that historic ascent, there had to be other climbers on the rock face. So just how exactly did a team of cameramen, directed by none other than Jimmy Chin , capture all of the impressive footage? In a new article that appeared in National Geographic magazine and has now been posted online, writer Peter Gwin sits down with Chin and Honnold to find out how this groundbreaking documentary was made. Needless to say, in order to capture the footage he would need, Chin �� who is a world class climber in his own right �� would bring on an entire team of amazing climbers to assist with the project. But those climbers needed more skills than just being able to ascend El Cap quickly and safely. They also needed ...

A couple of months back I posted about the return of a challenging round-the-world sailing event called the Golden Globe Race . At the time, we had just wrapped up our coverage of the Volvo Ocean Race , and the GGR was just ramping up. The differences between the two competitions were stunning however, as the VOR was a stage race with large crews of sailors helming ultra-modern vessels as they raced across the globe. In contrast, the GGR is for solo racers who must circumnavigate the planet non-stop, creating an entirely different level of challenge. Earlier in the week we learned just how difficult that challenge was, when one of the participants had to be rescued at sea. Indian sailor Abhilash Tomy, the first person from his home country to sail solo around the world, was rescued by a French ship after his vessel was severely damaged by a massive storm. The trouble began when Tomy's ship, the Thuriya, was caught by massive waves reaching 14 meters (45 feet) in height. The storm...

Cedar Wright is probably best known for his climbing and filmmaking, but in this video he travel to Kenya for an entirely different adventure. Wright, along with friend Nick Greece, visit the Kerio Valley there to attempt to paraglide for more than 100 miles (160 km). The valley is a popular place for paragliding and is well know for allowing long-distance flights. Still, even this will be a challenge. Do they make it? Watch below to find out.

Our friends at REI are back with another instructional video, this time sharing some tips on how to properly break in your hiking boots. There is nothing worse than setting off on a long hike or backpacking trip with boots that aren't quite comfortable on your feet just yet. But this clip will show you how to get them ready to take on any adventure, and keep your feet happy in the process.

After taking a couple of weeks off while I was on the road, The Adventure Podcast returns with a new episode this week. Our main topic is adventure documentary films, with co-host Dave Adlard and I sharing our picks for our favorite outdoor, travel, and adventure themed docs. You'll find a number of classic films on our list, along with a few surprises too we hope. As usual, we start the show with some stories from the world of exploration and outdoor adventure, including an update on the fall climbing season in the Himalaya, a new land speed record by a cyclist, and a new world record in the marathon as well. Then, we wrap things up with some gear news and reviews, with Dave sharing a new duffel bag that has caught his eye, while I chime in with some thoughts on BioLite's new Headlamp and a comfortable new sleep system for camping. I've embedded the show in this blog post and you'll find it below if you prefer to listen from your browser. You can also find us on Apple...

An Indonesian teenager has survived a harrowing journey at sea after spending 49 days adrift in the Pacific Ocean. The young man was rescued a few weeks back after spending more than a month and a half aboard a fishing hut that had come loose from its moorings and was blown out to open waters during a massive storm. 19-year old Aldi Novel Adilang already led a fairly secluded life even before he was sent drifting into the ocean. The young man's job was to maintain a fishing trap located 125 km (77 miles) off the Indonesian coast. That meant that he lived in a small floating hut, which was anchored in place. While there, he would see another human just once a week and could communicate back to shore using only a walkie-talkie. It was a way to earn a living, even if the conditions were not particularly great. On July 14, a storm blew through breaking the anchor that held his little hut in place and sending him adrift on the ocean. He spent the next several weeks fighting to survive,...

Yesterday we had word that the first summits of the fall climbing season in Nepal had occurred on Manaslu, but we also knew that it wouldn't take long before more would follow. It seems that prediction was accurate, as several other climbers topped out today in what is expected to be a continuous wave over the next few days. The Himalayan Times is reporting that 12 climbers summited Manaslu today amidst a good weather window that is expected to continue into the weekend. These climbers were all members of the Seven Summit Treks team, including six foreign clients and six Sherpa guides. The group that touched the top include Claudia Cristina Elizabeth Bento, Pedro Augusto Hauck Da Silva and Bernardo Pereira Mascarenhas Da Fonseca from Brazil, Spanish climber Ramon Romero Gallego, Dolores Hesham Abdelminem Al Shelleh from Jordan and Wimjan Peeters from Belgium. They were joined on the summit by Karma Sherpa, Chhangba Sherpa, Tashi Sherpa, Dawa Sange Sherpa, Dawa Dorchi Sherpa...

In this video, we travel to Africa to follow two adventurous YouTubers as the not only take on a massive climbing wall in Madagascar, but go on safari and explore South Africa as well. This is a wonderful short adventure film �� with two charming subjects �� who take us on a whirlwind expedition across my favorite continent. If you haven't been to Africa yet, this video may give you a few more reasons why you need to get there.

Drones have become useful tools for filmmakers and photographers for sure, but they are having a significant impact in other areas too. For example, in this video we get a look at how they are being used by search and rescue operators, making it faster and easier to scan remote areas in times of an emergency. We all know that in a SAR operation, minutes can make the difference between life and death, and these flying camera platforms can help shave off time when looking for missing people in remote areas.

Like a lot of great pieces of gear, trekking poles are one of those items that you don't really know you need until you've actually used them for awhile. But once you've become accustomed to having them, you don't really know how you lived without them. Once that happens, you'll be on the lookout for the best poles you can find, preferably ones that are lightweight, durable, and compact. That's exactly what you'll find in the new offerings from MSR , but best of all they come at a great price too. I've been testing the new Dynalock Ascent Carbon Backcountry trekking poles for awhile now, and have come away very impressed. Because these poles are made from carbon fiber, they weigh next to nothing, tipping the scales at a mere 9 ounces (.5 kg) each. That said however, they still feel substantial in your hand, providing a nice sense of durability and quality that you would expect from MSR. Part of that durability comes from the fact that Kevlar is used to...

Back in July we told you that Belgian adventurer Louis-Philippe Loncke  was setting out on what could be his most difficult and demanding expedition to date. At the time, Loncke, who has traversed multiple deserts on foot �� including Death Valley and the Simpson Desert in Australia �� was setting out to cross Tasmania in the heart of winter. The trek was so daunting, that even he wasn't sure if he could do it. Now, that journey has come to a successful conclusion and it was just as difficult and demanding as he expected. Australia's ABC News has an update on Loncke's Tasmanian traverse expedition, which took 52 days to complete. In reaching the finish line, he became the first person to complete a solo, unsupported crossing of the Australian state in winter, which is the coldest and wettest season of them all. The expedition officially began back on August 5 in the town of Penguin and ended yesterday in Cockle Creek in the far south of Tasmania. According to the story, ...

A team of rope-fixing Sherpas, along with a couple of foreign climbers, have notched the first summits of the season on Manaslu today. Their successful attempt on the 8163-meter (26,781 ft.) mountain paves the way for commercial teams to follow as the autumn climbing season takes a turn towards the finish line. According to The Himalayan Times , the four Sherpas were part of the Seven Summit Treks climbing team and included Gyaljen Sherpa, Mingma Tenjing Sherpa, Tenjing Chhimbi Sherpa and Temba Bhote. They were followed closely by Brazilian climber Moeses Fiamoncini and Spaniard Sergio Mingote, who essentially topped out just behind the rope-fixing team. Reportedly, the weather is currently quite good on Manaslu, which could mean that other teams will launch their summit bid this week as well. They'll need an extended weather window heading into the weekend if they haven't already left Base Camp. With nearly 200 foreign climbers on the mountain however, not everyone has compl...