NPCA outlines challenges, opportunities for Grand Canyon

by Kraig Becker on

Grand Canyon National Park is easily one of the most popular and well known destinations in the entire U.S. Each year, more than 4.5 million visitors make the journey to visit the park and take part in some of the outdoor adventures it has to offer, including whitewater rafting, hiking, camping, and more. The Canyon is considered one of the great natural wonders of the world, and the spectacular scenery that is the hallmark of the place, is practically unmatched anywhere else on the planet.

With more than 1.2 million acres of land inside the park boundaries, managing and protecting its considerable resources can be an overwhelming challenge. It was with that in mind that earlier this week the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) released its “State of the Park” report that outlines the challenges and opportunities facing the Grand Canyon in the years ahead. That report identifies such threats as mining and air pollution as potential problems, while citing the opportunity for restoring and protecting the natural habitats of native plant and animal species as an area where improvements can be made.

This new report points to a number of external threats that are obstacles to the future health of the Grand Canyon and its surrounding environments. Amongst those threats are air pollution from cities as far away as 100 miles which will have an impact on scenic vistas and possibly the health of visitors. Noise pollution has also become an issue, as the airspace above the canyon is often crowded with traffic with both commercial and scenic flights crossing over head. Perhaps the greatest of these external threats however, is ongoing mining activities in the lands adjacent to the park. Those activities could result in the contamination of both the environment and the watershed in the region, having a detrimental effect that could take decades to reverse.
Not surprisingly, the park is also facing severe financial shortfalls in its operating budget. While this is a common story in these troubled economic times, the NPCA’s report states that the Grand Canyon needs an additional $6.2 million in annual funding just to support the basic day-to-day operations of the park. While that is a large number of course, it pales in comparison to the $300 million in park maintenance that has been backlogged for lack of funds to address the issues.

As a response to their findings, the NPCA is recommending a number of changes to help preserve the park for future generations. For instance, they believe that changes to the flow of the river would help prevent erosion and promote the return of natural resources, including plant and animal life, to the canyon. They also recommend giving the Park Service the authority to manage the airspace above the park, restricting the number of flights that pass over head in an attempt to keep certain areas quiet. Perhaps most important of all, the report requests an act of Congress to permanently protect sensitive lands around the park from all future mining activities.

The national parks have been called “America’s best idea” and the Grand Canyon is chief amongst them. As one of the crown jewels in the entire system, it deserves to be protected and managed for future travelers to enjoy, which is exactly what the NPCA hopes to ensure with this report and its recommendations. There are significant threats to the park’s environment, but by identifying those challenges now and preparing to meet them head on, the Grand Canyon can remain one of the top adventure destinations in the entire world.

To read a summary of the NPCA’s report click here. For the complete 82-page report click here.

[Photo credit: David Jolley via WikiMedia]

Climb Kilimanjaro with Polarmax’s ultimate adventure sweepstakes

by Kraig Becker on

Standing 19,340-feet in height, Mt. Kilimanjaro is the tallest mountain in Africa, and a popular destination for adventure travelers. The climb to the summit is a non-technical, but still challenging, affair that will take your breath away as much for the spectacular views of the Serengeti below, as for the thin air at the top. For many, a Kili climb is a once in a lifetime adventure, and now, thanks to Polarmax, you could make the journey yourself.

The company has joined forces with Backpacker Magazine, Cotton Incorporated, and Zara Tours to bring us the Kilimanjaro Ultimate Adventure Sweepstakes which will send one lucky winner, and their guest, to Tanzania in January of 2011 to attempt to climb the mountain. The grand prize includes round trip airfare to Africa, ground transportation while there, four nights stay in a hotel, and a six day Kilimanjaro climb guided by Kili expert Macon Dunnagan. The sweepstakes winner will also be outfitted with plenty of Polarmax gear to keep them comfortable and warm while on the trek, and a custom video of the expedition will be shot for the Polarmax website as well.

To enter the contest, simply go to this page and fill out the entry form. Entries are being accepted through October 11, with travel scheduled to take place January 7-17, 2011. This is a great opportunity to experience one of the best adventure travel options on the planet, and entering the contest couldn’t be any easier.

For an idea of what to expect on this adventure, check out the video below.

Outside Magazine searches for ‘reader of the year’

by Kraig Becker on

Do you, or does someone you know, eat breathe, and sleep outdoor adventure? If so, then you may be able to earn yourself some sweet gear, just by nominating them (or even yourself!) as the Outside Magazine Reader of the Year. The iconic, and popular, publication is looking for a Chief Inspiration Officer for 2011, and your nominee just might fit the description, earning you all kinds of swag, while they go on to fame and fortune in the glossy pages of the magazine.

Nominating someone is very easy. You simply click here and fill out the online form, which includes an essay describing why they are worthy of consideration. If your nominee is selected, they’ll earn the position as CIO for Outside and will be featured in an article. They’ll also be given the opportunity to contribute to the magazine throughout next year, offering up tips, advice, and inspiration that the average Outside reader can relate to. And as the person who nominated them, you’ll also receive a nice reward in the form of $1800 worth of free gear and a three year subscription to the magazine.

Nomination are being accepted through September 1st, with candidates being judged based on how much fun, and adventure, they’ve been able to work into their lives over the past few years. A healthy commitment to changing their life, or the lives of others, doesn’t hurt either, as the Outside editors are looking for someone who exemplifies the philosophy of the magazine. While the selection will obviously be somewhat subjective, they are weighing their decision on the candidates thirst for adventure, their capacity to inspire, and the creativity of the essay that is written on their behalf.

So, there you have it! Head on over to the Reader of the Year page and fill out your nominations. You may make someone a star in the adventure world, and earn your self great gear in the process.

[Photo credit: Outside Magazine]

Eat Cheerios, win a dream trip

by Kraig Becker on

Would you like the chance to do what you love? If so, then Cheerios is here to help. The iconic breakfast cereal, which touts itself as being good for your ticker, has launched their “Do What You Love” sweepstakes, offering us a chance to win one of ten spectacular vacations, and all you have to do is pledge to love your heart.

The ten trips are designed to offer a little something for everyone. For instance, sports fans will have the opportunity to win a trip to a NASCAR event in Florida, including VIP access to racers, cars and other behind the scenes activities. But if stock car races aren’t your thing, then perhaps you’d be more interested in visiting the set of This Old House, where you’ll have the opportunity to meet the show’s star, Roger Cook. The outdoor crowd will be interested in the trip to the Grand Canyon, which includes a $500 shopping spree to your favorite gear shop, not to mention jeep tours, whitewater rafting, and more.

Entering the contest is easy. You simply go to the official site, select the trip that most interests you, take the pledge to love your heart, and fill out the entry form with your contact info. That’s all there is to it, and best of all, you can enter once per day, giving yourself plenty of chances to win or go for multiple trips that appeal to your sense of wanderlust.

To check out all of the available trips, and to enter head over to Cheerios.com/love.

[Photo credit: chensiyuan via WikiMedia]

Adventure travel market grows to $89 billion

by Kraig Becker on

According to a new study commissioned by the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), Xola Consulting, and George Washington University, adventure travelers spent more than $89 billion on tourism in 2009, demonstrating the strength of the adventure market in the travel industry. That number doesn’t include the money that those travelers also spent on airfare, nor new gear.

The study questioned 850 travelers from North and South America, as well as Europe. More than 70% of all international travel originates in those locations with the highest number of travelers coming from the United States, Argentina, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Spain. Researchers hoped to get a better understanding of the adventure tourism market, which they defined as travel, either international or domestic, that included physical activity, nature-based options, and cultural experiences, in hopes of getting a grasp on this fast growing industry.

While the full study won’t be published until later this fall, some of the findings have already been made public. For instance, the ATTA says that the typical adventure traveler is 36 years old and spends between $450 and $800 per vacation, excluding their airfare. They are also more likely to hold a passport, and are generally more educated and affluent than the “typical” traveler.

They also don’t seem to mind spending money on their travels, as in addition to the $89 billion spent on the trips themselves, adventure travelers spent an additional $53 billion on related gear, apparel, and accessories. That brings the total market value for adventure travel to $142 billion in 2009. In comparison, the cruise line world market share is estimated to have a value of about $27 billion.

As you can imagine, many travel companies are scrambling to get a piece of the pie, with more exotic treks and cultural excursions to far flung places being planned all the time. Adventure travel clearly isn’t a niche market any longer, and what was once the purview of dare devils and thrill seeker, is becoming all the more appealing to mainstream travelers too.