A Video A Day... Under the Sea

Exquisite video composed by Sarah Lee; it doesn't really need words.  The beauty of this cinematography speaks for itself.

A Video a Day... Kayaks and Fat Bikes

National Geographic's posting some rad videos and pictures this week.  First up, the Extreme Photo of the Week: Rafael Ortiz's dramatic drop off a waterfall in Chiapas, Mexico.  It's extreme and Ortiz even said it was a little tricky, what with a blind entrance at the bottom.  Tackling an intense 30-foot drop is insane, but then having only a few seconds to recover and get your bearings as you tackle the next 50-foot drop?  Just wow!  And here's the picture to prove it!


Next on the menu for the week is NatGeo's 60-second Monday video!  Who's up for some fat biking in the snowy Colorado mountains?  I know I am!  Check it out.  Simplistic and pristine adventure.

A Video a Day... OMG the JMT

John Amorosano completed the John Muir Trail in California in Summer of 2013.  They completed 260 miles in 20 days from Horseshoe Meadows to Mt. Whitney then all the way to Yosemite Valley.  Along with his two companions, friend Chris, and brother-in-law Donnie, John documented the long days, the endless views, the hardships, and the friendships that this trail gives to you.

On day 15 of my combo trek of the High Sierra and John Muir Trails, grinding up to Muir Pass, I muttered: “I hate the JMT.” My partner laughed, a wry chuckle that signaled he knew something I didn’t. Namely: A long hike wears you down before building you up, and fleeting lows are followed by endless highs. Later, basking in the alpenglow of an Evolution Basin sunset, simultaneously drained and fulfilled, I knew there was no shortcut to this moment. And I said, naturally, “I love the JMT.” —Andrew Matranga via Backpacker Magazine, August 2010

Throughout this amazing documentary, John allows an intimate trip into the day-to-day lives of him and his companions, touching on their choice of food, campsites, fishing exploits, and struggles up long and tiring passes.  But with each panorama and photograph, this documentary touches something primal and deep in your hearts.  Several times a tear escaped for the pure beauty of the landscape is something that is only experienced through hard work and perseverance.  I'm sure the pictures don't really do it justice, but John's amazing filmography sure comes close to perfection.

If you haven't seen this yet, set aside an hour and a half of time and watch it.  I will guarantee you it will be the best hour and a half you've ever spent on YouTube, or maybe ever.  Promise.

"If God does exist, he gave this to us for a reason and it definitely wasn't to sit inside and play video games all day."   -Chris Safford

A Video A Day... How Do You VooDoo?

Who doesn't love some good old fashion off-roading?  But when I watched this video from VooDoo Cycles, the word "off-roading" seemed a little tame.  This video is some serious hardocre mountain biking.  I love the part when he throws his bike in the pool and then jumps in after it.  And sneaking up that rocky crevice?  Brilliant!  What I wouldn't give for that kind of adventure!  Watch and see for yourself!

Trail Therapy: The Wilderness of Netflix

How I Met Your Mother, American Horror Story, The Office...  Netflix is a TV lovers dream come true.  You can watch classic shows, watch blockbusters like The Avengers to your heart's content, or find some neat Indie films.  And I couldn't be happier that I can re-watch The X-Files again.

But Netflix has become a wealth of new discoveries.  When was the last time you browsed the Documentary section?  There are some truly amazing works just waiting for you to watch them.  And if you are like me and love watching travel and adventure dicumentaries, than Netflix has some amazing picks for you!

My current favorite is Nature: River of No Return.  It's about a newlywed couple who decide to spend a year in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness in Idaho.  Issac has studied wolves for 13 years and he has decided to take his new wife into the forests and mountains that he loves so much for an adventure honeymoon beyond their wildest dreams.  While following the wolves they discover the amazing compassion of creatures, the survival of family, and the rebirth of burned land.

Not only is this film a fascinating view into the lives of wolves, but it is pure adventure.  Venturing into the wilderness for a weekend or a week is one thing.  Finding a new home for a whole year is purely incredible.  They have their problems: cold, wind, snow, mosquitoes.  But their time was exactly what they wanted; an exclusive opportunity to live in the wilds of Idaho and study a misjudged animal in its new home.

I know I would love to do something like this.  Live in the forests with nothing but my pack on my back.  Moving week to week to better and safer places.  Become, if only for a year, nomadic.  Where would I live for a year?  My first choice would be the North Cascades.  Second choice?  Grand Tetons.  What wilderness would you live in for a year, given the chance?