Travel video news

It's Thanksgiving here in the U.S., which is a time for us to gather with families, relax, eat a meal we all look forward to all year long, and collectively give thanks for all of the things we've been blessed with. Today is also the calm before the storm, as tomorrow is Black Friday, the official start of the holiday shopping season and one of the busiest days of the year for online stores and retail. That can translate into big savings for those ready to start shopping. Each year, the outdoor industry offers some big saving on Black Friday too. Here are some of the best deals you'll be able to get starting today, running through tomorrow, and in some cases, all the way through the weekend. REI Opts Outside Once Again:  Outdoor gear retailer REI is once again choosing to close its stores on Black Friday and is giving all of their employees the day off. But, the store and website will be back online for orders on Saturday, As usual, when the company returns to operation th...

Italy's Stelvio Pass is a well-known road that includes numerous switchbacks that vehicles must navigate in order to reach the top of the mountain. In this video, we join freestyle skier Bene Mayr as he attempts to descend the pass, jumping the numerous switchbacks as he descends. It's a harrowing, wild ride to say the least and it will almost certainly get your adrenaline pumping just watching. Don't try this at home kids.

There is no question that Will Gadd has been known to push the limits when it comes to ice climbing, but in this video he may have gone a step too far. In the clip below we join Gadd as he sets out to climb the challenging Helmcken Falls in British Colombia using nothing but natural gear. Along the way, we also get a look at some prototype gear coming our way from Black Diamond . Fun stuff.

We all know that buying outdoor and adventure travel gear can be expensive, but that doesn't mean there aren't plenty of great products that remain affordable too. Today's holiday gift guide offers suggestions for outstanding products that we all can appreciate that are available for less than $50. If you're on a tight budget this holiday season, or simply don't want to spend hundreds of dollars on a single gift, here are some great alternatives that your favorite adventurer is sure to love. Jackery Armor Portable Battery Pack ($28) We've shared some other charging solutions as part of our holiday gift guides, but they were all priced more than $50. For a durable, lightweight, and feature-packed option that won't cost an arm and a leg, check the Jackery Armor portable charger, which comes with a 9000 mAh battery, a single USB port for charging smartphones and other devices, a built-in LED flashlight, and even a compass. The battery pack is even snow, dirt, ...

This week's episode of The Adventure Podcast should be of particular interest to regular readers of The Adventure Blog as we welcome polar explorer Eric Larsen  to the show. When I envisioned creating a podcast about outdoor adventure and exploration, having guests like Eric on was what I hoped to do and this interview certainly lived up to �� and exceeded �� my expectations. When I spoke to Eric he was in Punta Arenas, Chile preparing to leave for the Antarctic, where he will soon begin his attempt to set a speed record skiing to the South Pole. We talk about how he got started on his cold-weather adventures, what it's like to ski for hours at a time in the Antarctic and Arctic, what his strategy is for chasing the speed record, and much, much more. But before we get to the interview with Eric, my co-host Dave Adlard and I share the latest adventure news, with stories from the Himalaya, the Karakoram, and Antarctica. We also talk about the recent crowning of the adventure rac...

Recently we've had some big news regarding major achievements in hiking, including the story of the first person to hike the entire length of Canada's Great Trail . But one of the most impressive stories I've seen lately comes our way from Outside  magazine , who are reporting on the first woman to complete the "Triple Crown" of hiking in a single year. On November 9, Heather Anderson (Trail Name: Anish) finished her latest full hike of the Appalachian Trail  and in the process became just the sixth person, and first woman, to complete the AT, the Pacific Crest Trail , and the Continental Divide Trail � the routes that make up the Triple Crown - in a single calendar year. Anderson has done each of those trails twice in the past, and has even achieved speed records on the AT and PCT, but this is the first time she's ever completed all three in a single go. That makes her the first woman to achieve a "Triple Triple" as well, completing the Triple Cro...

This video takes us to one of my absolute favorite places on the planet �� the Altai Mountains of Mongolia. There, you'll finding incredibly friendly and accommodating people, stunning landscapes, and some of the most wide-open spaces anywhere on Earth. It is a spectacular place for sure, and I recommend exploring it on horseback . Flashes of the Altai from Joey Schusler on Vimeo .

This past September, a group of trekkers and paragliders hiked to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa and took flight from the fabled "Roof of Africa." They climbed up the Rongai Route but upon reaching the top, they found the conditions to be difficult for flying. Eventually however, they were able to soar out into the crater of the volcano. This video takes us along for the expedition and final flight.

Yesterday I posted a gift guide for holiday shoppers looking to buy the right item for the outdoor enthusiast on their list. Today, I'm offering suggestions for adventure travelers too. While many of the products on these two lists will suit the needs of both types of people, there are also some specific demands that don't necessarily cross over. The products on this list are definitely aimed more at travelers than outdoorsy folks, although they'd probably be happy to receive some of these gifts too. Eagle Creek National Geographic Guide Travel Pack 65L ($349) The Guide Travel Pack from Eagle Creek is my go-to option when I'm heading out on an adventure. Not only is this bag extremely durable and rugged, but it looks amazing too. Inside, travelers will find 65 liters of carrying capacity, with access to the main compartment through the top or back panel of the bag. The Guide Travel Pack features several smaller organizational pockets for helping keep your important ite...

I'm a little late in reporting this news, but this story has been popping up in my news feeds again recently, so I thought it was worth sharing. The South American country of Chile recently opened what it calls the " Route of Parks ," a 1700-mile (2735 km) hiking route in Patagonia that connects 17 different national parks scattered across the southern region of the country. The route runs through a wide variety of environments and ecosystems, including five newly created national parks that haven't been explored extensively by trekkers yet. The trail runs from Puerto Montt in the north down to Cape Horn at the southernmost tip of the continent, passing through rainforests, open grasslands, and some of the most spectacular alpine settings on the planet. The Route of Parks trail actually connects three existing routes that have been in use for some time. Those trails include the Southern Way, the Patagonian Channels, and the End of the World Route. The link-up was made...

Russian adventurer Fedor Konyukhov is preparing to set out on his latest expedition and it may just be his toughest yet. The 66 year old explorer is currently in New Zealand where he is about to embark on an attempt to row around the Southern Ocean, a feat that has not been accomplished before and is even difficult for solo sailors. The Southern Ocean row will be conducted in three stages over the next 17 months. All told, the journey will cover an estimated 27,000 km (16,777 miles) with each stage lasting about 120 days. The first of those stages will take Konyukhov from Dunedin in New Zealand to Cape Horn, in Chile. The second leg, which will get underway in December of 2019, runs from Cape Horn to Cape Leeuwin in Western Australia, while the final stage will complete the circumnavigation with the Russian rowing from Cape Leeuwin back to Dunedin. That will take place sometime in 2020. Rowing the Southern Ocean will require patience, persistence, and endurance. The waters found t...

Most of us don't have an 8K monitor to see this video in all of its glory, but that doesn't prevent it from being incredibly beautiful nonetheless. The seven minute clip takes us to Norway, where we explore the landscapes that can be found there in all of their glory. It is a stunning look at one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen, including windswept vistas, beautiful fjords, rocky cliffs, and gorgeous views of the aurora borealis. Sit back and enjoy, this one is worth the watch.

If you've ever wondered how a piece of gear gets rated for its ability to resist a bear, this video is for you. It takes us to a testing facility located in Montana where products like bear canisters, coolers, and other items are handed over to grizzly bears to play with. How well those items survive this rigorous testing method indicates just how bear-proof they actually are. The short clip is very interesting, and of course it has the added benefit of having lots of bears in it too. The Wildest Product Testers in the Biz from Great Big Story on Vimeo .

This week we'll celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday here in the U.S., which also marks the start of the holiday shopping frenzy. Over the course of the next few weeks leading up to Christmas we'll all be going in search of that perfect gift for the loved ones in our lives. Over the next couple of days, I'll be putting together a series of gift guides for those who have outdoor enthusiasts, adventure travelers,  and would-be explorers on their shopping list. Each day this week I'll be offering a few suggestions under a different category for items that just might make a great gift this holiday seasons. Today, that category is for the general outdoorsman or woman who loves to do just about anything outdoors. Keen Targhee III Waterproof Hiking Boots ($150) Keen's Targhee hiking boot has been a staple in the company's line-up for years, but with each iteration it keeps getting better. Built for day hikers and light-duty backpacking use, the Targhee is comfortable, ...

A couple of weeks back I posted a story about Canada completing a stunning new hiking route that stretches for more than 24,000 km (14,912 miles) across the entire country, while also touching the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic Oceans. Formerly called the Trans-Canada Trail, and now dubbed The Great Trail , this new route �� which is a mix of land and water �� is the culmination of more than 25 years of work. Naturally, that led me to speculate who would become the first person to hike it end-to-end. As it turns out, we didn't have to wait long to get the answer. According to the CBC , Canadian Dana Meise is the first person to accomplish that feat. Meise, who goes by the handle thehikingfool on social media, has spent the better part of the past decade hiking the sections of The Great Trail that were already finished. So when the final stages of the link-ups between the various sections were being completed, he was already waiting and prepared to go. In the process, he became the...

Over the past couple of weeks we've been following the progress of Colin O'Brady and Lou Rudd very closely. They're the two polar explorers who are independently attempting solo, unsupported crossings of the Antarctic continent, and because they have a long way to go in their quests to become the first to make that traverse, they were also the first ones out on the ice this season. Soon, there will be a number of other skiers joining them as numerous others are set to begin their journey's to the South Pole. For now however, O'Brady and Rudd toil alone in some of the toughest conditions on the planet. As I've mentioned before, because they are running somewhat parallel to each other the updates from O'Brady and Rudd have been similar. For example, today they both report in on the 16th day of their expeditions with high winds making things extremely challenging. Lou says that he was up most of the night ensuring that his tent was damaged by the gale forces ...

We'll wrap up the week with this wonderful video which offers a healthy dose of inspiration and motivation. It tells the story of Philippa "Pa" Arding, who suffered two traumatic accidents in recent years that have left her with a limp and difficulty speaking at times. But that hasn't prevented her from living an active and fully life, seeking adventure in many forms as she explores the world around us. Watching this clip and learning more about her, it is difficult to complain about my own life and the relatively insignificant things that I have to deal with. She is definitely a shining beacon for those who want to get out there and live their life to the fullest. LOOKING OUT from Greg Dennis on Vimeo .

Stretching from Fruita, CO to Moab, UT the Kokopelli Trail is one of the most legendary mountain biking and bikepacking routes in the entire U.S. It takes riders across some of the most scenic landscapes in the region, promising stunning vistas around every turn. While it certainly lives up to the hype, it is also a surprisingly challenging ride as well as the two riders in this video found out when they set out to ride it end to end. What you'll see in the video below is an account of that ride, with all of the rewards and tribulations that came with it.

Earlier this week I was privileged to be amongst the very first people in the world to see a new adventure-centric electric vehicle that will be launching in 2020. This electric pick-up truck is coming our way from a company called Rivian and it promises to be a powerful new way to access remote places that we love and send us off on adventures big and small. I can't say too much about this truck yet, as it is officially under embargo until November 26. A similarly-specced SUV will follow on November 27 as well, giving us a glimpse of what is to come. I can tell you that these vehicles have been built from the ground up for adventure, with lots of great details to help us enjoy the activities and places that we love. For now, you'll have to be patient until I can share more details, although the video below will also offer a small look at what is coming. I can promise you that it will be impressive.

Next week we'll mark the Thanksgiving holiday here in the U.S., which also kicks off the official start to the holiday shopping season as well. I plan on writing several gift guides to mark the occasion, but the editorial team over at Backpacker  magazine have already beat me to the punch, producing an outstanding list of 40 great gifts for the outdoor lover in your life . Here, you'll find everything that your gear-obsessed friends and family members could ever want to see them safely and comfortably through any adventure. With 40 unique items to sift through I couldn't possibly give away everything that makes the cut. I will say however that their are gift suggestions for pretty much every budget. For instance, the list begins by suggesting Kate's Real Food energy bars , which are a tasty and affordable option that most hikers, trail runners, mountain bikers, and climbers will love. From there, the options expand dramatically with suggestions on water bottles, campin...

Even as the Himalayan climbing season draws to an end and we turn our attention south to the Antarctic expedition season instead, we have sad news from Nepal today. An Australian climber has lost his life on Ama Dablam, falling to his death after a freak accident on a mountain that is known for being fairly safe and frequently traveled. According to The Himalayan Times , 33-year-old Michael Geoferey Davis was descending the Ama Dablam above Camp 2 when the ropes he was using suddenly gave way, sending him plummeting to his death. He was climbing with Top Himalaya Guides at the time and officials from that organization believe the accident was caused by a large rock that fell from above, striking the fixed ropes and damaging their integrity. All other members of the team that Davis was with are safe and fine, having descended back down the mountain. When the accident occurred a group of about 15 climbers �� including Nepali guides �� were descending from Camp 3 due to hi...

More Than Just Forests �� the latest venture from our friends at More Than Just Parks �� has released its latest video and it is an amazing one. This time out they take us to the Dixie National Forest in southwest Utah, revealing the stunning landscapes that can be found there. While we're often fixated on visiting the amazing national parks that are found in the U.S., this is a reminder to not skip out on some of the other public lands that are available. Many of the national forests are fantastic wildernesses too, providing even more opportunities for adventure. MTJF | DIXIE from Your Forests Your Future on Vimeo .

This video takes us inside the mind of downhill mountain bike riders by allowing us to get to know Brett Rheeder and what motivates him on his bike. It is a wonderfully shot and produced short documentary that offers insight, inspiration, and motivation, while teaching us a thing or two along the way as well. Recently, Brett was the winner of the 2018 Red Bull Rampage , which I was lucky enough to witness first hand. This clip takes us behind the scenes to see how he trains and prepares for those kinds of events.

A few weeks back I shared the story of Pete Kostelnick , an ultrarunner who was in the midst of an epic journey from Alaska to Florida on foot. At the time, Kostelnick had just entered the state of Georgia and was continuing to make his way south towards his eventual finish line in Key West. On November 5, he crossed that finish line, bringing an end to one of the most impressive human-powered journeys we've seen in some time. Kostelnick started his trans-continental run on July 31 in Anchor Point, Alaska with the intention of running all the way to Key West in 100 days. He ended up cover the distance between those two points in 98 days instead, running a total of 5384 miles (8664 km) in total. That means he covered roughly 55 miles (88 km) each and every day of the trip. The ultrarunner's route took him out of Alaska, across Canada, and back into the U.S. in the state of North Dakota. From there, he went through Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Georgia...

A month or so back I told you about an all-start team of European climbers who were planning an expedition to Pakistan this winter to attempt a first ascent of K2 during that season. At the time, the group was still putting together their funding and making plans for how they would approach this epic challenge. Now, thanks to an interview with one of its members, we have a better idea of what their plans entail. ExWeb has posted an interview with alpinist Artem Braun who will be a part of the team that is made up of mountaineers from Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. He indicates that the team has received its preliminary permits for the expedition and are now planning on starting the climb in January. Braun says that the squad is in its final preparation stages with everyone preparing to travel to Pakistan soon. To prepare Base Camp for their arrival however, a group of porters has already reached the mountain and is setting up a base of operations there. In the interview, Bra...

When we posted our last Antarctic update a few days back, American Colin O'Brady and Brit Lou Rudd had just run into their first seriously challenging conditions in the form of large and relentless Sastrugi. Today they've added a new element in the form of whiteout conditions, which make things orders of magnitude worse.  It is important to point out that both men have taken up the same journey �� a solo, unsupported crossing of the Antarctic continent. But, they are following the same route, so whatever conditions one is experiencing, chances are the other one is enduring those conditions too. Since the two were dropped off on the ice 12 days ago they have provided similar reports on their progress as they intend to run parallel to one another from the Ronne Ice Shelf to the Ross Ice Shelf, via the South Pole. In order to maintain their "solo" status however, they won't be able to come in contact with one another at any point and they can't lend a hand to ...

If you're in need of a little escape today, look no further than this video. It takes us to the highlands of Iceland where we get some truly breathtaking views of the landscapes there. We all know that Iceland is one of the best destinations for outdoor adventure and that there is no shortage of scenery to be had, and yet every time we get one of these videos we continue to be amazed by what we see. Beautiful stuff for sure. Highlands of Iceland | DJI Mavic 2 Pro from Eaglewood Films on Vimeo .

We all know that Alex Honnold set a new standard for climbers by free soloing El Capitan in Yosemite last year. That endeavor brought a lot of challenges, not just for Honnold, but the climbers and filmmakers who followed along with him. The question is, did those cameramen make things more dangerous for Alex? More importantly, what would have happened if he fell? This video asks those intriguing questions and more, with stunning footage of Honnold doing his thing thrown in for good measure.

If you like outdoor gear then you're going to love this week's Adventure Podcast. My co-host Dave Adlard and I are back from Denver, Colorado where we attended the 2018 Outdoor Retailer Winter Market and saw lots and lots of new products that will be heading our way in the near future. With so many backpacks, boots, jackets, and other products to sift through, it is tough to pick our favorites, but we did manage to narrow our list down to six items that became the first winners of our "Best of Show" awards. Which pieces of gear impressed us? You'll just have to listen to find out. Because we spent the majority of the episode talking outdoor gear we skipped our regular gear segment this week. But, we did start the show as we usually do by talking about the biggest stories in adventure and exploration from the past week. Those stories include an attempt at the speed record for skiing to the South Pole, a record-setting swim around the United Kingdom, and a potentia...

Tamra Lunger and Simone Moro are no strangers to climbing tall, impossibly cold peaks. But this past winter they traveled to Sibera to take on a mountain named Pik Pobeda, which holds the distinction of being the coldest peak on the planet. To put things in perspective, temperatures on the mountain reached -71.3�C (-96.3�F), turning it into one frigid excursions to say the least. In this video, we get an inside look at what it was like to climb in that environment, in a place that is about as remote and rugged as it gets on our planet.

When Will Smith returned home to New Orleans after serving 5 years in the U.S. Army, with tours to Iraq, he found the transition a difficult one. Will was suffering from post-traumatic stress and soon found solace in alcohol and prescription medications. But he knew that he had to get his life together and find a way to deal with his demons, so he took up hiking. It helped him to get outside, commune with nature, and escape the hustle and bustle of daily life for awhile. This past summer he hiked the entire length of the 2100+ mile (3380 km) Appalachian Trail , where he found a bit of peace and solace at last. This video tells his story and it is an inspiring one.

Working in the outdoor industry in some capacity is a dream job for many people, after all you get to be outside in some amazing places and you get to do some pretty great things along the way. But breaking into a field that lets you take advantage of those perks isn't always easy, often requiring years of patience, determination, and dedication. Now, Backpacker  magazine is offering up its selection of the 12 best jobs in the outdoor industry , with some interesting tips on how to land them. The list of the 12 jobs in question is presented in a slideshow format, with an image depicting someone working in that career. Each slide is accompanied by a brief description that not only announces the name of the occupation that earned a spot on the list, but also a line or two about what the job entails. Each entry also includes a link to another page that offers much more detail on the job, the basic requirements, schedule, and so on. Backpacker  even provides information about the...

Last week I attended the 2018 Winter Outdoor Retailer gear show in Denver, and while the event was smaller and quieter than most other OR shows, there was still plenty of good equipment and new products on display. In fact, my podcast partner Dave Adlard and I gave out the very first Adventure Podcast "Best of Show" awards. Who won? We'll be sharing the results in our episode that comes out a bit later today. But, we weren't the only ones handing out awards and giving accolades, as some other great media outlets also offered their picks for the best new gear as well. First up, Gear Junkie handed out their awards as well, spotlighting ten different items that they felt stood out from the crowd. We agreed with them on a couple of those products too, so you'll see a bit of overlap when our winners are announced. Some of the highlights from Gear Junkie's list include a new mountaineering boot that can be used to ski as well, waterproof blue jeans from Duer , a...

We are now ten days into the 2018-2019 Antarctic expedition season and while most skiers are only now just preparing to get underway, both American Colin O'Brady and Brit Lou Rudd are finding their stride out on the ice. The two men are traveling solo but chasing the same goal �� the first unassisted crossing of the continent �� and unsurprisingly, so far they're on a similar trajectory in terms of conditions �� both weather and surface. Today, the two men used a word that every polar explorer dreads and it won't be for the last time I can assure you. The word that O'Brady and Rudd used in their updates was "sastrugi," which are incredibly hard ridges that form from blowing snow and ice. These ridges can actually grow quite large, often a meter or more in height, forcing skiers to go over or around them, but in any case slowing their progress greatly. They are a fact of life when traveling in the Antarctic however, and both men are likely to pass through a l...

There is no question that Arc'teryx makes some of the best outdoor gear on the planet, but if you've ever shopped for any of the company's products, you know that they tend to be on the pricer side. That has left many to wonder why Arc'teryx gear costs so much and whether or not it is worth the money. This video attempt to answer that question by taking an in-depth look at the design and materials that goes into making our gear. While Arc'teryx is certainly the subject of the clip, it is a good overview of the outdoor industry as a whole, which now spends a lot of time and money researching and developing new materials, fabrics, insulators and other items that not only perform well but are eco-friendly too. Pretty fascinating stuff.