The OutPost http://blog.outdoorzy.com Outdoor News and Gear Reviews from the Edge Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:43:28 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 en hourly 1 North Face The Movie http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/02/08/north-face-the-movie/ http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/02/08/north-face-the-movie/#comments Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:43:28 +0000 Jason (Wade) Heflin http://blog.outdoorzy.com/?p=2977 So the climbing (and blogging) community have been fired up this past week over getting their first glimpse of the new film North Face. I've included the trailer here so we can all see what the hype is about.

Watching the trailer I can see that this does indeed look like it may prove to FINALLY be a well done and hopefully somewhat accurate climbing film (from a historical perspective and technically on the climbing aspect.) Touching the Void is about the only one we've had in recent years to keep mountaineers happy. The hullabaloo on this film is stirred up not over the fact that the film is about Nazis climbing the Eiger, but because there have been so many horrendous climbing films made. Wait, let's not call them films, let's call them crap. Crap like Vertical Limit and our beloved Cliffhanger. I got four words for ya, Sylvester Stallone Bolt Gun. Bonus: While researching this blog post I stumbled across some internet rumors that Stallone will be reviving the role of Gabe Walker from Cliffhanger in an upcoming movie, tentatively titled The Dam. Please, no....

North Face, like most really good films about outdoor adventures, is in limited release. So don't hold your breath if you live in a not-so-progressive town when it comes to cultural opportunities. Here is a list of locations where the movie is being released. North Face is in German with English subtitles. Don't let that scare you off. Some of my favorite films are subtitled. The first 10 minutes is rough, but once you get into it you forget you're reading.

If any of our readers do get a chance to check this flick out, please let us know what you thought.

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]]> http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/02/08/north-face-the-movie/feed/ 0 Huairasinchi - Covering the Highest Adventure Race on the Planet http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/02/05/huairasinchi-covering-the-highest-adventure-race-on-the-planet/ http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/02/05/huairasinchi-covering-the-highest-adventure-race-on-the-planet/#comments Fri, 05 Feb 2010 15:12:43 +0000 Jason (Wade) Heflin http://blog.outdoorzy.com/?p=2949 Huairasinchi (War-uh-sin-chee) means "the strength of the wind" in Kichwa. For adventure racers around the globe it means "the highest adventure race on the planet." Taking place in the high country of Ecuador the race should prove to be challenging to say the least. I will be in Ecuador covering the race for Adventure World Magazine and posting updates and information as the event unfolds.

Ecuadoran teams will be competing on the international stage in their own country during this three-day high altitude race February 13-15.Race disciplines will include mountain biking, trail running or trekking, paddling, fixed ropes and orienteering in 4 people teams. The race promoters are promising that "amazing highlands, rivers, lakes and mountains are going to be part of the seventh edition of HuairaSinchi; this year’s race promises many emotions, competitive teams from different countries and mainly, spectacular landscapes." Fans will be able to follow along with racers using the online map which will track the progress of each team.

Huairasinchi is part of the Adventure Racing Wold Series. Which means top finishers will qualify for the Adventure Racing World Championship. The AR World Series includes races in Ecuador, Portugal, Sweden, France, Poland, US (NH),  Australia, Costa Rica, and Brazil. The Championship will be held in Spain September 30-October 9.

Jari Kirkland of Team Salomon Crested Butte had this to say about prior Huairasinchis, “The view, the scenery and everything else far exceeded my expectations. I honestly believe it could be the most beautiful country. It’s not so big and you have so many different things that are so close together. We walked in the jungle yesterday and in a couple of hours later we were in hills and mountains.”

Huairasinchi 2010 is presented by Chevrolet, through its campaign Chevrolet Sports and by Ministerio de Turismo through its brand "Ecuador”.

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]]> http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/02/05/huairasinchi-covering-the-highest-adventure-race-on-the-planet/feed/ 1 Valentines Gear Deals, Ideas, and Contests http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/02/04/valentines-gear-deals-ideas-and-contests/ http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/02/04/valentines-gear-deals-ideas-and-contests/#comments Thu, 04 Feb 2010 10:42:15 +0000 Jason (Wade) Heflin http://blog.outdoorzy.com/?p=2956

Ordering now, you just might get that Valentine's gift in time. What kind of deals are roaming around out there on the web? What about contests? We've got you covered.

Chaco Haiku Slam on Facebook and Twitter (Contest)

Chaco Haiku Slam on Facebook and Twitter. Write Chaco a love haiku on their Facebook wall or Tweet (with photo is a bonus) and if they are inspired you could win on Vday!

Nalgene (Idea)

Looking for fun/eco-friendly #ValentinesDay gift ideas for friends & family?! Fill a pink or red Nalgene bottle w/ candy & other goodies

Merrell Free Shipping (Deal)

Free Shipping on orders over $150.

Life Is Good Valentines Gift Designs (Idea)

Heart shirts and lots of pink stuff here

Patagonia 30-50% Off (Deal)

Announcing the @Patagonia Winterfest Sale. Save 30-50%* February 11-16, 2010. Patagonia.com/sale and select Patagonia Retail Stores.

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]]> http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/02/04/valentines-gear-deals-ideas-and-contests/feed/ 3 Top 10 Outdoor Adventure Grants - Get Funded! http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/02/03/top-10-outdoor-adventure-grants-get-funded/ http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/02/03/top-10-outdoor-adventure-grants-get-funded/#comments Wed, 03 Feb 2010 10:40:06 +0000 Jason (Wade) Heflin http://blog.outdoorzy.com/?p=2930

That trek in Bhutan, or the mountain biking trip to Bolivia would certainly require some coin and be nearly impossible for many would-be adventure travelers. Don't give up that dream though. There are companies out there that will fund your trip. Creative marketing and presentation skills combined with a little bit of luck might just take you around the world.

Here is our top 10 list of companies and organizations that might be your ticket to the adventure of a lifetime.

American Alpine Club Grant Program

Currently hosting nine grants that help climbers take on new challenges around the world. If climbing is your bag check these out. There is plenty of money to go around and some of the grants honor those who have died in the course of pursuing their own dreams. A sobering reality, and a great reason to give it your best if you are awarded the grant.

Teva Life Agents

A $10,000 grant to go on an life-list grade adventure. Where do I sign up? Well hop on over to Teva's site and write an essay or upload a video. Make sure your story is unique and your idea is genuinely good. I'm sure there will be just a few people competing for that much cashola.

Polartec Challenge Grants

The 2010 awards were just doled out. But don't let that deter you. You'll need this year to plan your trip anyway. World class athletes should apply.

LotteryWest Grant

Want to help others get out and enjoy what you love? The LotteryWest Grant was designed to support "Initiatives such as weekend or holiday projects, workshops, 'come and try' and small group activities designed to build skills and confidence to encourage and facilitate future recreation participation within the broader community."

New Belgium Grants

Love Fat Tire Amber Ale? Are you part of a non-profit organization in need of money for an awesome cause? Check out New Belgium's local grants program. They support non-profits doing work that aligns with the New Belgium values.

Delaying The Real World

Are you a 20-something who isn't quite ready to transition from college to cubicle? This one is for you! Teach English in Thailand, build houses for villagers in Mexico, lead trips into the Grand Canyon... you get the drift.

The North Face and Australian Geographic Outdoor Grant

Have a big exploratory-style adventure planned for 2010 or 2011? Need $5,000 in cash and $2,000 in North Face gear? Sign up, tell them your story, send pics of previous expeditions and get featured in Australian Geographic Outdoor magazine along the way. Sounds like a pretty sweet deal to me... please hold while I apply.

Merrell Ambasadors

"Those Who Dare." That's the motto of the Merrell Ambassador program. Selected ambassadors range from professional adventure races to people wanting to do interesting things in the name of adventure. Who knows, could you be the next Merrell Ambassador?

REI Outdoor Grants Program

Have a particular trail, park, or river you'd like to protect? REI's Outdoor Grants Program supports those who are trying to make a difference by conserving great places in the outdoor world. You stand a better chance if your need involves "community" and "youth" oriented programs.

National Geographic Expedition Grants

You'd better bring your game face if you're applying for the granddaddy of adventure grants. National Geographic has been supporting adventurers around the world for ages. But maybe it's time for you to get yours, huh?

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]]> http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/02/03/top-10-outdoor-adventure-grants-get-funded/feed/ 1 Your New Running Playlist http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/02/02/your-new-running-playlist/ http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/02/02/your-new-running-playlist/#comments Tue, 02 Feb 2010 10:20:28 +0000 Jason (Wade) Heflin http://blog.outdoorzy.com/?p=2922 We all like to exercise with different styles of music. When it comes to running it's important to not only find songs and artists you enjoy but to choose music with a good tempo for your run. Outdoorzy member Jennifer Simpson dives into her mp3 player to give some suggestions to freshen your running playlist.

Tune Up Your Run with Fast, Slow Playlists

Whatever music you happen to be enthusiastic about is often motivating enough during runs, but it helps to have a cool, lengthy playlist with varying tempos.  Here are a few well-timed and sometimes even inspiring songs that serve nicely in separate playlists for fast and slow runs, or they can be commingled into one list.

Fast Run

Soul Meets Body - Death Cab for Cutie

He War – Cat Power

Right on Time – Red Hot Chili Peppers

Panic Switch – Silversun Pickups

Girl on the Wing – The Shins

Cellphone’s Dead – Beck

They - Jem

Driver 8 – R.E.M.

Human Behavior – Bjork

A-Punk – Vampire Weekend

Be Still My Heart – The Postal Service

Two Step – Dave Matthews Band


Slow Run

Shaking Paper – Cat Power

Badfish – Sublime

Gideon – My Morning Jacket

Ride – Cary Brothers

Zebra – John Butler Trio

The Funeral – Band of Horses

Mykonos – Fleet Foxes

Silver Lining – Rilo Kiley

Strawberry Swing – Coldplay

My Moon My Man - Feist

Float On – Modest Mouse

Lost! – Coldplay Featuring Jay-Z

*To give these tracks a test run, search for them at iLIke or YouTube to see if they fit your personal styling.


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]]> http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/02/02/your-new-running-playlist/feed/ 3 Monday Links http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/02/01/monday-links/ http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/02/01/monday-links/#comments Mon, 01 Feb 2010 10:08:51 +0000 Jason (Wade) Heflin http://blog.outdoorzy.com/?p=2915 Here are links to outdoor news, fun, and dumb stuff to start your week off.

China Names Peak After Avatar - Wha Wha Whaaaat?

Tourists Stranded at Machu Picchu Last Week

Running Across America for Haiti Relief - Ruuunnn Forest!

American Alpine Club Collecting Old Tents for Haiti - Great idea

World's Best Hostels - For when you just can't pay more than 28 dollars per night

Make Your Own Cartoon - I made one in about 5 minutes... waiting for the outdoorzy characters though.

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]]> http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/02/01/monday-links/feed/ 0 Glamping http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/01/29/glamping/ http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/01/29/glamping/#comments Fri, 29 Jan 2010 10:00:19 +0000 Jason (Wade) Heflin http://blog.outdoorzy.com/?p=2826 Who doesn't enjoy a nice dry cab sav on your posh glamping trip every now and then? Am I right, or am I right? Wait, what's "glamping" you ask?

Definition: Glamping - A smash-up of the words "glamorous" and "camping". Glamping is a form of camping where the focus is on being comfortable and fashionable. Glamping includes staying in yurts and pre-set tents, having your food cooked for you, and taking all needed items to make a stay in the woods just like a stay in your home.

Site references for glamping

GoGlamping.net

GlampingGirl.com

Wall Street Jounral Glamping Article

Urban Dictionary Definition


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]]> http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/01/29/glamping/feed/ 1 Camera Could Prove Hillary Not The First to Summit Everest http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/01/28/camera-could-prove-hillary-not-the-first-to-summit-everest/ http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/01/28/camera-could-prove-hillary-not-the-first-to-summit-everest/#comments Thu, 28 Jan 2010 10:29:21 +0000 Jason (Wade) Heflin http://blog.outdoorzy.com/?p=2907 Gizmodo has reported that "Everest Historian Tom Holzel believes he has pinpointed the location of Andrew Irvine's body, showing up as an "oblong blob" on high-resolution photographs of the mountain."

Andrew Irvine was the climbing partner of George Mallory in 1924. They attempted Everest 30 years before Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay made the summit. Irvine and Mallory died on their descent and it it unknown if they actually made the summit.  Mallory's body was recovered in 1999, with no evidence of a summit. Irvine's  body is still missing.

Irvine had been carrying a pocket-sized Kodak camera on their summit attempt. If the body is recovered, there may be evidence on that camera of a summit by Mallory and Irvine. But after 90 years of frozen slumber, even if the camera is found, will it show the evidence needed? And in the case that a summit image can be recovered, does that make them the first to climb Everest? I mean, they didn't make it off the mountain, so I wouldn't quite call that successful, right?

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]]> http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/01/28/camera-could-prove-hillary-not-the-first-to-summit-everest/feed/ 1 Flextrek 37 Trillion Review http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/01/27/flextrek-37-trillion-review/ http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/01/27/flextrek-37-trillion-review/#comments Wed, 27 Jan 2010 10:53:21 +0000 Jason (Wade) Heflin http://blog.outdoorzy.com/?p=2882 We've reviewed our share of packs here at The Outpost but we've never tested a pack quite like the Archwood Flextrek 37 Trillion ZXYVR/M-Series Magnum Package.

The Flextrek has no shortage of space. With 37 trillion cubic inches you can literally bring anything you want. One of our testers even brought a saxophone for playing at camp. We have reviewed many packs ranging from daypacks to week-long gear haulers. The voluminous interior makes this pack perfect for a long trip... maybe  a year or two?

The strap system on the Flextrek proved to keep the load tight, but the pack was often off balance somewhat. The literature that comes with the pack recommends doing daily back and stomach exercises to ensure you are prepared to carry a pack like the Flextrek. In some cases they recommend having steel rods surgically implanted on either side of your spine to make for a comfy load distribution. We agree with this assesement.

Most of the footage we've seen of the Flextrek has been in a desert climate. We wanted to give the pack a go in a more forested environment.Our testers did find that the Flextrek had a bit of trouble with low clearance areas on the trail.  Anything over the height of our testers head would catch the pack. But our tester also found if they powered through they would merely snap the limbs, branches, and bridges off that were causing the clearance problem.

The M Series is a beautiful edition to the Flextrek family. We're not sure where you can buy the Flextrek 37 trillion yet, but as soon as we know we'll fill you in. There is also no news on what the suggested retail price will be. We expect a pack of this calibur to come in at a lofty price.

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]]> http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/01/27/flextrek-37-trillion-review/feed/ 1 A Beautiful Vacation in Mogadishu http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/01/26/a-beautiful-vacation-in-mogadishu/ http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/01/26/a-beautiful-vacation-in-mogadishu/#comments Tue, 26 Jan 2010 10:14:16 +0000 Jason (Wade) Heflin http://blog.outdoorzy.com/?p=2892 I saw this interesting read on Gadling yesterday about Six tips to travel in Mogadishu (Somalia!). The particular excerpt that caught my attention is this one, "This is the truest form of adventure travel. Forget about the hiking and climbing and wilderness trips that the so-called adventure guys rave about. That's all bullshit. They are designed for you to come home alive."

Personally, I think I'll stick to climbing peaks and running rivers in countries where I don't look like a giant dollar sign walking the streets. But, I can see that a trip like this would be pretty intense and stir something inside a traveler. Just to know that places like this exist isn't enough for some though. Some need to live it to feel alive.

How to buy an AK-47 in Somalia...


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