Articles tagged “adventure travel”

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Recession Over! $1300 ski boots arrive in time for ski season!

by Kraig Becker on

Economic conditions around the globe remain fragile at best, and most experts feel that it’ll be 2010 before things start to turn around. But don’t tell that to the Apex Sports Group, who are preparing to release the “most expensive ski boot in the world” next month, with the aptly named Apex Ski Boot clocking in at a staggering $1295.

And what exactly does 1300 clams buy the prospective ski bum? Well for starters, the boots come with three distinct parts, including an inner liner that can be molded to specifically fit your foot, a specially designed carbon chassis that a skier can step in and out of as needed, and a walking boot that can be used for hiking around the lodge. The custom built system is supposed to be more comfortable and flexible than anything else on the market, and the designers say it may be possible to even drive in the boots.

The Apex system is also significantly lighter than most other boots on the market too, tipping the scales at just 8.5 pounds, roughly two pounds lighter than most other boots. That may not seem all that significant out of the box, but you’ll come to appreciate the lighter weight after a full day on the slopes.

For now, the boots will only be available through the Apex website or in specialty shops in Aspen, Vail, and other Colorado ski resorts. The company hopes to sell 1200 pairs this season, recession be damned. The question is, are these boots just over priced hype or are they poised to become the luxury brand of ski gear?

Free tours of Mammoth Cave this Saturday

by Kraig Becker on

In honor of National Public Lands Day, the Park Service has announced that it is offering free tours of Mammoth Cave this Saturday, September 26th.

Located in central Kentucky, Mammoth Cave is part of the largest cave system in the world, All told, there are more than 365 miles of twisting passageways that make up the system, with multiple tours available that range in length anywhere from one to six hours in length.

The free tour his weekend is called the Mammoth Passage Tour, and will last roughly an hour and a half, while trekking through about 3/4 of a mile in the cave. To take advantage of this opportunity, you’ll need to stop by the visitor’s center to pick up your tickets. Tours will depart from that location starting at 9:30 AM, with new tours starting every hour until 4:30 PM Central Time.

This is a great opportunity to see an amazing place that is not only a part of the U.S. National Park Service, but is also a World Heritage Site. Mammoth Cave is well known for its striking beauty and massive size, and this is a fantastic chance for anyone to explore it. But with free tours all day on Saturday, it is likely to be very busy. Get there early and grab your tickets while you can.

Intrepid Travel wants to know who your ultimate travel buddy is

by Kraig Becker on

Twenty years ago two good friends, Darrell Wade and Geoff Manchester, launched a new adventure travel company with the idea of sending small groups on intimate tours to some of the most unique places on the planet. Their plan was to get travelers to experience their destinations on a grassroots level, interacting with locals and getting off the beaten path when ever possible. They called their new company Intrepid Travel and today they offer more than 500 trips to 100 destinations around the globe.

To celebrate their 20th anniversary, the company has launched their Ultimate Travel Buddy contest, in which they are giving away twenty travel packs, each of which will send you and your ultimate travel buddy off on a trip of your choice. To enter the contest, you simply have to go to this website and fill out an online virtual postcard that allows you to select where you want to go and what you want to do while you’re there. You’ll also select which of your buddies you’ll be taking along with you, and then in 25 words or less, explain why you should win.

You options for your adventure are nearly endless. You can go cycling in Tuscany, hiking the Inca Trail in Peru, or ride camels through the Sahara Desert in Egypt. These are just a few of the dozens of trips to choose from. So, head on over to Intrepid’s website and fill out your postcard now. And remember, I make an excellent travel buddy!

100 urban adventures for the city dweller

by Kraig Becker on

Looking for something to do today as the weekend quickly comes to a close? Then look no further than Outside Magazine’s list of 100 Urban Adventures. As you can no doubt tell, it contains some of the best activities to do in the great outdoors while remaining well within some of the largest cities in the U.S.

Outside turns its attention on such urban centers as New York, Boston, and Chicago, amongst others. Some of their suggestions for outdoor fun might come as a surprise, even to those that live there. For instance, plenty of people have probably considered paddling around Liberty Island to get a spectacular view of the Statue of Liberty from inside a Kayak, but did you also know that you could go bouldering in Central Park?

There are equally interesting adventures from the other cities as well. Go sailing on Lake Michigan while in Chicago, horseback riding through the Hollywood Hills in L.A., or trout fishing a short distance from downtown Seattle. These are just a sample of some of the adventures on the list and chances are you’ll find something on it that will appeal to what ever level of activity you’re up for.

But what if you don’t live in any of these cities? My guess that no matter where you live, you’ll find similar hidden outdoor adventures right under your nose. Take a look around, and you’re likely to find all kinds of interesting things to do. But hurry, the weekend is slipping away fast.

Trekking to Everest Base Camp

by Kraig Becker on

When it comes to high altitude treks, the hike up to Everest Base Camp is amongst the most popular, and for good reason. It combines fantastic views of the Himalaya with cultural immersion in Nepal’s remote Khumbu Valley, along with a healthy dose of physical challenges.

If you’ve ever wondered what such a trek would be like, than look no further than this story from the Australian newspaper The Age. In the article, travel writer Carol Nader makes the journey and returns to tell the tale of long days hiking Himalayan trails and nights in Nepali villages and sleeping in tea houses.

All told, the trek takes eight days up to base camp, which sits at 17,585 feet, and another four back down. Arrival at BC was a bit anti-climactic in Carol’s case however, as the rocky and nondescript campsite offered little in the way of fanfare. On top of that, heavy snow clouds hung low over the mountains, blocking the the summit of Everest, and the surrounding peaks, from sight. But the clouds parted, the sun shone, and the snow capped mountains came into view at last, and the entire journey all seemed worthwhile.

Clearly, the trek isn’t for everyone. It is challenging and difficult and the altitude can humble even the most fit. On top of that, there are no showers in sight, and the overnight accommodations are far from luxurious. But there is a strong sense of accomplishment upon reaching your destination and, as the author discovered, a serene sense of peace at escaping the hectic pace of modern life. How far would you walk to achieve that?