Surfers Take On Sandy...

Photo by Credit: @kellyslater

For surfers, Hurricane Season is a mouth-watering, frothing time of year. Along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, summer bring flatness and often the only hope for a big swell is a good ole hurricane.

Hurricane season comes as a mixed blessing to surfers. No one wants the destruction and devastation that comes with landfall. No one wants to see lives uprooted and the tragedy that families face in the aftermath. Texan surfers remember all to well the suffering that came with storms like Katrina and Ike.

But this year, a late season storm, Hurricane Sandy, dubbed by some as "Frankenstorm", brought a huge swell to Florida's Atlantic Coast, and with it were walls that rival Hawaii's Pipeline.

Many a pro surfer joined in the fun. Surfings most prolific icon, Kelly Slater, even got in on the action in his native Florida. Check out the video below...

GoPro HERO 3: The Ultimate Adventure Camera...

Photo courtesy of GoPro.com

When looking for the ultimate adventure camera, you can't beat the new GoPro Hero 3.

I'm not just saying that either... I'm not endorsed or sponsored in any way by GoPro, but I know what those cameras can do, and the new HERO 3 can do even more!
I mean this thing is totally cool... It can shoot 1080 HD video at 60fps or 720 at 120fps. It can shoot 12MP photos with a 30fps boost.

No matter what sport you are in to... surfing, kayaking, snowboarding, skateboarding, rock climbing... this thing is a must-have for documenting your adventure. You can mount it on your board, to your head, chest, wrist, or just about anywhere.

See all of the Specs HERE

Check out this video shot 100% with the HERO 3...

Surfing World Loses A Legend...

The Surfing World has been delt a blow as legendary surfer/shaper Donald Takayama passed away yesterday. Donald was 68 years young.

One of the best longboards I ever owned was a Takayama Model T... it was a nose riding machine, but was fast enough to get through the critical section of a wave... geez I miss that board.

Below is an excerpt from Surfline on the great Donald Takayama:

"It is with heavy hearts that we report that master Hawaiian craftsman Donald Takayama passed away yesterday. He was 68 years old.

Hailing from Waikiki but raised in Honolulu, Takayama placed 2nd to Corky Carroll in the 1966 and 1967 U.S. Surfboard Championships and enjoyed other competitive accolades, however, his main contributions to the sport and culture occurred in the boardbuilding realm. Remarkably, the Hawaiian started shaping surfboards not too long after he first started surfing, at only seven years old -- making him the sport's original child prodigy.

By the time he was 12 years old, Takayama bought his own plane ticket to the mainland with money he earned from a paper route. He promptly landed a job in Venice Beach, CA, at Velzy-Jacobs Surfboards, and once the company owners divided the business, Takayama followed Jacobs Surfboards to Hermosa Beach, where he built blades for the likes of Mickey Dora and Lance Carson before debuting his own hugely influential Donald Takayama model in 1965...."

To read more, Click HERE

RIP Donald. I know you are toes on the nose in heaven!

2012 Winter Outlook for Adventurers

With winter weather approaching in many U.S. States, outdoor adventurers are keeping an eye on whats going to happen with the "Elusive" El Nino.

Weather Prediction experts expected El Nino to begin by now, but that hasn't been the case. That makes this years outlook less certain than in previous years. The western half of the U.S, along with Alaska  is expected to be warmer, while Florida and Hawaii are expected to be cooler. The eastern half looks to be about normal conditions. This could be good news for many adventurers and climbers, but not so great for skiers and winter-sports enthusiasts.

What can you say? If you don't like the weather, just wait an hour and it will change.

To read this years outlook from NOAA, click HERE... or check our Sidebar for more info.

NatGeo's 2012 Adventure Bucket List

Courtesy Natl. Geographic

2012 Ultimate Adventure Bucket List

"Twenty of the world's top athletes and explorers share their wildest dream trips—a dazzling list of never attempted feats daunting to even these world-class competitors. For the rest of us, consider their must-do adventures—and start planning." Says Kate Siber of National Geographic.

I must admit that looking through these athlete's dream trips made my mouth water for adventure. I particularly liked Hiker Andrew Skurka's idea of traversing the Yukon and Northern Alaska, as well as Surfer Layne Beachley's must-do trip of surfing the Mentawai Islands.

Check out the full 2012 Ultimate Adventure Bucket List HERE and let your juices flow! 

EXPEDITION: Big Bend - Pt. 2 - Trail Fitness

Photo Courtesy of National Park Service

Trail Fitness... Before taking on an expedition such as Big Bend National Park, it would seem that trail fitness is a must.
Big Bend has such a wide variety of landscapes, from the mountains, to the rugged deserts, to the river canyons, it is obvious that this land can break you if you aren't ready for it.

About 2 months ago, when I decided that I wanted to take on a hiking expedition, I knew that I needed to ready myself for it. Even though I did not yet know my destination or the timeframe, as an experienced hiker, I knew it was best to start preparing myself early.
I had put on a couple of pounds from sitting behind the desk too long, so I began my fitness routine by putting myself on a diet and cardio training. As I knew that hiking would be by adventure, instead of running or jogging, I decided to train for the actual event. I began a regimen of Power-walking. At first I was doing a 2 mile flatland hike at a power-walk pace, gradually increasing the time as well as distance. I am now completing a 3 mile flatland hike/power-walk in 38 minutes, so now it is time to add a weighted pack into the mix. Since I live in a relatively flat coastal area, I will add dune-climbing and stair climbing to the regimen also.
I also began a series of stretching exercises to increase my flexibility as well as strength training focusing mainly on lower body, core, shoulder, and back strength.

The diet has been... fun? No, seriously it has been interesting. I gave up all fast-food sources and junk food. I have also given up red meat and cut the starches to a minimum. It has been basically chicken, fish, turkey, and whole fresh vegetables. every once in a while there is some white or brown rice and even more rare is pasta.

The fitness routine is working... I've lost almost 20 pounds of fat, added 5 pounds of muscle, and feel better than I have in a long time. Fitness is crucial for a back country expedition... I plan to be ready for whatever Big Bend can throw at me.

EXPEDITION: Big Bend - Pt. 1 - The Destination

Photo courtesy of: Texasexplorer.com

OK, for the last month or so I have been trying to decide the destination for my next expedition. I have known for awhile that I want a multi-themed adventure but not entirely sure what I wanted to do, nor where I've wanted to go.
The foremost thought on my mind has been a hiking expedition. I'm talking about a rugged, nasty hike that will sap the strength right out of you... maybe throw in a rock climb or two and viola... the perfect getaway.

I have finally chosen the destination and set the time frame for such an excursion. I have decided that Big Bend Natl. Park shall be the destination, and the week of March 10, 2013 will be the time.

The main reason that I have chosen Big Bend is because of diversity. Big Bend has a multitude of choices for hiking. From desert hikes, to mountain hikes, to river hikes, Big Bend has it all. According to research from the National Park Service's website, "Elevations range from 1,800 feet along the Rio Grande to 7,832 feet on Emory Peak in the Chisos Mountains. Elevation changes produce an exception variety of plants, animals, and scenic vistas. Generally, hikers can expect a 20°F temperature difference between low and high elevation hiking areas." There are more than 150 miles of trails in a large desert expanse, each filled with adventure, just waiting to challenge me..

Yes... I do believe this will be a most glorious adventure. I will provide regular updates on planning the trip, preparing for the trip, and much more. Stay tuned for EXPEDITION: Big Bend!

Welcome Adventurers!

Welcome Adventurers!

Does it seem like you are chained to your desk? Do you sit back and wish that you could get away from it all and take that vacation that you've been promising to take for years?

This day in age, too many people are busy with their day-to-day lives, the job, the kids, the bills... I too have been there. I too know how it feels to be trapped in the work world (mainly because I still have to work for a living), but I do enjoy my little adventures, excursions, and expeditions. Follow me as I go through the process.

This blog is dedicated to those who try to capture and embrace the adventure spirit... Get off the couch and go for it!