My old climbing pack finally retired this year; worn thin and never really all that comfortable, I might still use it for abrasive slot canyons where getting another hole in it won’t bother me. This summer I started looking around for a pack that would be good throughout the year – on ice, rock, or light mountaineering. While there are …
Podcast: Solo adventure tips and safety
After a bit of a break, I’m back up and recording on the podcast. My break is not without cause. Let me share… For the last month, I’ve been eyeballs deep in building my business, Active Explorer Media. Actually, it’s more like formalizing something I’ve been doing for years. In addition to writing, I’m expanding my social media coaching services. …
Unexpected beauty: Rummana Camp, Jordan
Certainly, travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living. ~ Mary Ritter Beard Opening my eyes inside the canvas tent, it took me a moment to recollect where I was. It was a disorienting feeling brought on by a combination of deep sleep, a nine …
Announcing The Active Explorer Podcast
For the first time in a while, I have a big announcement to make. No, I’m not moving again… But I am adding a new way to explore and learn about outdoor adventure and fitness, The Active Explorer Podcast. I’ve been in the “thinking about it” mode for over a year and figured I’d just dive in. Is that I’ll …
The Edge of Time, Estes Park
This rock is located in Jurassic Park, a popular climbing area near Estes Park, Colorado. I hiked to the area several years ago with my dad. If you look closely, you can see a top rope rigged. On the day I took this picture, there were about a dozen climbers on the various rocks. Back then I hadn’t learned to …
Canyoneering in the Kingdom of Jordan
Rushing water pushed me off the rocks for the third time, so I finally accepted a hand up the short waterfall. We were a couple of miles up Wadi Ghwayr in Jordan’s Dana Biosphere Preserve. Wadi refers to a valley, stream or channel that is dry except during the rainy season. In this case, it was a slot canyon. While …
Hiking Utah’s Mount Olympus (and telling Asthma to stick it)
You’ll never find a better sparring partner than adversity. ~Walt Schmidt Step pause, step pause, each one just little higher than the last. The trail seemed to have no end of “up” and I was struggling. About that time, and hiker training for a rim-to-rim-to-rim run of the Grand Canyon lapped me for the second time. “Really!?!?” I shouted at …
DPS Wailer 112RP review and spring ski sale tips
This post was written by Steve Seliger, an adviser and contributor to our site. A ski review in March!? Absolutely. Many people believe (I among them) that March, April and May are the best months to be thinking about and / or buying your next set of boards. Why? A few reasons: One is that you can score some amazing …
Night Skiing in Utah: Eight hills that deliver turns after dark
Looking for more time to ski? Let the sun set and shred into the night. These eight Utah ski resorts turn the lights on for skiers and riders allowing more time to play, often with fewer crowds and lower rates. Night skiing offers an option to locals who work during the day allowing them to miss the weekend rush. It …
An Aerial Valentine: The World’s Most Breath-Taking Locales
By Chris Oquist – BanyanPilotShop.net While I’m no Anthony Bourdain, I like to think that I’m somewhat well-traveled. This Valentine’s Day, I’m offering up some of the most breath-taking locales I’ve had the pleasure of viewing from the air. Ditch the roses and chocolates, these are the gifts that will be remembered forever. Nazca Desert If you and your significant …