Today’s photo of the day is a Flash
series from professional photographer James Balog. Balog, you may remember from a
previous gadling entry is the photographic force behind
some amazing photos of trees…one montage, in fact, that will really blow you away. I met him at the Adventure Travel
Expo a while back and thought he was a reall ynice guy. Unassuming and cool. Not to mentions amazingly talented. So
check out this series by him. Good stuff.
Picking Idaho
Idaho has got a lot going on. I myself had never considered
Idaho for future vacations, but I’m
quickly changing my mind. You can rediscover what Lewis & Clark saw by visiting
their historic trail, parasail in Coeur D’Alene, check out a rodeo, and camp in some terrific
backcountry. Anyone who says Idaho doesn’t have something for everyone sure better check out this site.
Hiker’s Hideout
is a blog spot for hiking enthusiasts to discover ideas, tips and gear reviews. As of
right now they have done a remarkable job keeping tabs on the
2005 Backpacker’s Editors’ Choice Awards and listed
many of the winners, like the
Outdoor
Research Seattle Sombrero seen here. In case you are unfamiliar with the awards they go towards the
best-of-the-best gear in today’s hiking world. From high-tech performance gear, boots, backpacks, socks, and
camping tents, Hiker’s Hideout makes a great starting point to read about the winners and more.
Ten Great Travel Adventues
The inimitable Richard Bangs, whose recent series of dispatches for MSNBC
I blogged about here, (and who more or less has the best
job in travel journalism), has committed to bits (as opposed to paper) the
ten greatest travel adventures you can take today. You should read
the article for a more detailed breakdown, but here are the ten:
— Llama Trekking the Hoover Wilderness Area
— Adventure Sailing Florida’s Gulf Coast
— Kayaking the San Juan Islands
— Canoeing the Boundary Waters
— Mountain Biking the Grand Staircase
— Climbing Denali
— Riding the Tetons
— Hiking Hidden Hawaii
— Dogsledding the Gates of the Arctic
— Rafting the Grand Canyon
How many have YOU done?
Aaron Ralston Completes Winter Colorado 14’ers
Aron Ralston, the guy who amazingly
cut off his own arm,
just completed his seven-year project to solo the Colorado 14’ers in the winter. According to Ralston, and this was
a goal BEFORE he cut off his arm, he has climbed 59 peaks above 14,000 feet. That said, the official peak count in
Colorado is actually only 54 peaks.
Ralston is really an amazing guy. Back when I first read his story, I had a hard time believing he severed his own
arm…after breaking it. I was sure it was a hoax or at least he so doped himself up on something he didn’t feel the
pain. No so. No anesthesia at all.
By the way, if you haven’t at least read the
Outside Magazine story about
Ralston, you should. And here’s his own
tale.