A Video A Day... Turn Your 9-5 into a 5-9

5 to 9 Microadventure from Alastair Humphreys on Vimeo.

 Last week, I posted a video by Simon Edwards about his micro adventure in Sussex.  Here is the video that started it all.  Introducing:  THE MICRO ADVENTURE!  The 5-9 is an unused time that requires some much needed TLC.  In the midst of our busy lives, sometimes it seems that we don't take care of ourselves.  And sometimes it's as simple as setting outside your front door.  For three British office workers, they're about to set out on their first micro adventure.  In the words of Alastair Humphreys, "You don't need to fly to the other side of the planet to find wilderness and beauty."  It's about trying something new, getting outside your comfort zone, and experiencing the world more intimately.  "Adventure is about enthusiasm, ambition, open-mindedness, and curiosity," meaning that you don't have to take on some huge endeavor.  Camp in your backyard, bike to a city park.  Don't waste the moments dreaming about something big.  If you're doing something new, its an adventure.  Always remember, "Adventure is a state of mind."  So what's the plan?

A Video A Day... Always Something New

I feel stuck.  Stuck in the mud and feeling like sometimes the end is the same old thing.  Some days I wake up and feel like I've lost the journey and that I've come to the destination with nothing to show for it.  For two people and their son, they also felt this way and decided to change it.  They sold everything, bought an Airstream and set out on a journey to explore the country.  They live simply, moving at their own pace, never feeling the pressure to rush or make a deadline.  And they're learning that you don't have to live sedentary in a pre-subscribed life.  They make their own rules and are living life more holistically.  I'm not going to write much more, because the video is just too good.  If you're feeling that your life is missing adventure and the unknowns of tomorrow, watch this film and maybe when you wake up, you will decide to change it.



Tomorrow Somewhere New from Dark Rye on Vimeo.

A Video A Day... National Parks Challenge

Conrad Anker, professional mountaineer, lends his insight into the importance of our national parks system as he leads a groups of skiers on an ascent of Mt. McKinley in Denali National Park, Alaska.

The filmography of this movie is awe-inspiring.  The landscape is unearthly and Anker's passion for his profession is clear in his narration.  I'm jealous that he gets to take part in opportunities like this on a regular basis.

"It's a great thing in the United States that we started the national parks system; it could be one of our greats contributions to the world.  And it's there for future generations to come, to take in the wonders, to breath in the fresh air, and to return rejuvenated and excited for life."

This video will inspire you to put Denali on your bucket list of adventures and motivate the planner in you to start making it possible.  Dream big and support our National Parks.

Conrad Anker in Denali: National Parks Epic Challenge from National Park Foundation on Vimeo.

A Video A Day... For the Love of Mountains

As the title of my blog suggests, I love mountains.  I love everything from their tranquil creeks and forests, to their daunting heights and rapid weather patterns.  I found this short video presenting some statistics of mountains around the world and thought I would share it with you.  The music is hauntingly beautiful and the animation is exciting.  Some of the stats are well known, others aren't.  Check it out.


For the Love of Mountains from Al Boardman on Vimeo.

A Video A Day... Running Patagonia

I've seen climbing in Patagonia.  I've seen hiking in Patagonia.  I've even seen surfing in Patagonia.  Now we get an awesome documentary about two friends trail running Patagonia?  Sign me up!

Jason Schlarb and Jeremy Wolf are off on another trail running adventure.  Fresh off their finished film about running the Dolomites, these two team up to run through some of the most beautiful and historically amazing place in the world: Patagonia.  The scenery is clearly stunning and their passion for their sport makes the anticipation for this film hard to bear.  Running the Dolomites was great, but Patagonia is an adventurer's dream trip.  The video is due out in the spring, so until then, I guess the trailer will have to do.


Around Patagonia Trailer from Schlarb-Wolf Productions on Vimeo.

A Video A Day... Climb the Wall

Sometimes simplicity is elegance.  And I don't really have much to say other than this is fluid perfection.  Watch and see for yourself.

The Wall from Arnaud Ly Van Manh on Vimeo.

A Video A Day... Where We Began

"The forest is ever changing, you come back to the forest after having not been for a week and a tree has fallen down, there is so much scope to try out new things, the possibilities are pretty endless."

 A teaser trailer for what looks like a fantastic film documenting the world of free running.  What is commonly known as parkour, free running is a discipline drawn from military training exercises that consist of 'obstacle' courses utilizing the most efficient route possible.  While popularized by the urban sport, there's a part of free running that takes place outside of the city.  This beautiful display of athletic ability will only be outdone by the beauty of the scenery.  No release date yet, but we'll have to settle with the teaser for now.


Where We Began - Official Teaser from AJ MEDIA on Vimeo.

A Video A Day... Keep Exploring: British Columbia

Photographer Brice Portolano takes us on a photographic journey through British Columbia in this visually stunning video.  In the South Chilcotin Mountains, he tells us about his passion for nature and wildlife and his inspiration into reaching places untouched and unspoiled by man.  There are only the animals to keep him company and the views atop high talus peaks.  The imagery is stunning and will make you want to pack your bags right now and get out into the wilderness.


Keep Exploring - Brice Portolano from Mathieu Le Lay on Vimeo.

A Video A Day... Micro Adventure Accessibility

The idea behind "micro adventures" is that they are supposed to be easy, accessible, and available.  As Alistair Humphreys describes it, you would leave work at 5pm travel to a place relatively close to home, camp for the night, and travel back in time for work the following morning.  His idea was to allow adventure to slip into the time where we only wish we could do something.  There is time for adventure and it doesn't have to be an Everest sized epic.

In this video, Simon Edwards packs up his gear and hops on his bike for a wonderful overnight adventure in Sussex, England.  It's not about the distance or the difficulty.  It's not about waiting around for the right time or enough vacation to make it memorable.  It's about making successful use of the time you do have and experiencing life in those moments.  So don't wait!  Get out there and experience your own micro adventure!
A Micro Adventure (#1) Southdowns/West Sussex from Simon Edwards on Vimeo.

Trail Therapy: Do it for Yourself and the World

No one walks up one morning after half a life of the day-to-day and decides to start walking.  Except maybe Forrest Gump...  But after dealing with the passing of a son and daughter, Steve Fugate decided to do just that.  Though he never planned on continuing after his first cross country walk or after his second, or third, the journey became a part of him.  His message?  Love Life!  And what a great message it is!

Tragedy, despair, desperation, heartache, and devastation exist in all of our lives.  Fugart's message is to look beyond the sadness and the dark tunnels of your lives and find the light.  There is an enormous amount of good in this world and there are people who love you.  Whether they are family, friends, or complete strangers, there is good and it is out there waiting for you to accept it.

Fugart's journey has led him to crossing the United States seven times and has totaled almost 34,000 miles.  His dedication to bringing light into people's lives is inspiring and we should all strive to be more like Steve.  Reach out to people.  Smile.  Say hello.  Tell someone you believe in them.  Tell a stranger to have a wonderful day.  Because you never know which person is at a breaking point in their lives.  You don't have to know their stories.  You don't have to know their names.  But extending the good in your heart out to others will good so far making yours and others lives' more fulfilling and rewarding.  So make that a resolution to yourself to be a good person and help others find their own light.  Love life: nothing simpler than that.