Columbia is Looking for New Directors of Toughness

Last year, gear manufacturer Columbia set the Internet ablaze when the went in search of two "Directors of Toughness." The position promised to be adventurous, sending the two people selected off to remote areas to test gear in some of the harshest conditions imaginable. It also offered a base salary of $39,000 plus benefits for nine months of work that involved lots of long days in the field. In exchange, the directors would blog about their experiences, video their adventures, and generally serve as online ambassadors for the Columbia brand. Sound like a dream job? If so, I've got good news for you. Columbia is hiring once again!

If you're interested in potentially becoming a Director of Toughness, you'll first need to register online to take part in a potential interview. Currently interviews are scheduled to take place on Mt. Hood in the state of Oregon, but future sites include somewhere on the East Coast of the U.S., as well as in Canada and the U.K. Exact locations will be announced at a future time. Follow Columbia on Instagram at @Columbia1938 for more details as to when those interviews will take place.

For more information about the Director of Toughness position visit the Application Page here. And to get a sense of what the job is all about, check out the video below.

Seems like a great opportunity for the right person. Good luck to everyone who applies!

Mexican Castaway's Story Supported By Officials Back Home

Yesterday I posted the compelling story of Jose Salvador Alvarenga, the El Salvadorian man who lived in Mexico and claims to have been adrift at sea for more than a year, living off fish, small birds, and turtles, while capturing rainwater to drink. That story was accompanied by a healthy dose of skepticism by many, who said that he looked far too fit and healthy to have spent more than 13 months at sea. Now, there is some evidence being presented from his home country that is helping to corroborate the castaway's story.

Some of the speculation against the story came about not just because of the relative health of Alvarenga, but also because his story continued to change as he told the tale. It was also noted that there wasn't any fishing gear aboard his boat when he washed ashore, calling into question his ability to actually catch fish to eat. But doctors have said after so long at sea, his mind wasn't as focused and sharp as it would normally be, which helped to create the inconsistencies in his story. It is also possible that he lost his fishing gear somewhere along the way due to storms or other circumstances.

Back home, there are now reports surfacing about a small boat that went missing in a storm back in November of 2012, which is about the time that Alvarenga says he set out on his ill-timed fishing trip. His name was mentioned in regards to the incident, although the boat belonged to his boss, who originally alerted authorities.

The storm forced the small 24-foot boat out to sea, where the Pacific currents carried it away from shore. With no navigation equipment onboard, there was no way for him, or his teenage companion, to know how to get back home. The boy that was with him reportedly died a month into the ordeal, leaving Alvarenga to drift more than 6000 miles on his own.

Adding more credence to the story, Alvarenga's family says that they were alerted to the fact that he had gone missing, and they had given him up for dead. They were relieved and overjoyed to see his photos from the Marshall Islands in the newspaper, and are looking forward to a long overdue reunion. Jose hasn't seen his parents in more than eight years.

The castaway is due to be released from the hospital today and will soon make his way back to Mexico, before eventually going home to El Salvador. He is said to be suffering from swollen ankles, but other than that, there is little indication of the long journey across the ocean that he endured. That is leaving some still questioning the story, although there hasn't been any other plausible way to explain him turning up on the far side of the Pacific months after he disappeared.

Casting Call: Adventure Capitalists is Looking For Outdoor Entrepreneurs

Do you have a great idea for a product or business that revolves around the outdoors or adventure travel? Are you looking for funding to get that idea off the ground? If so, the Adventure Capitalists want to hear from you. 

If you're not familiar with Adventure Capitalists, it is a television show on CNBC that features three hosts – Jeremy Bloom, Craig Cooper, and Dhani Jones – who also happen to be businessmen who are looking to invest in great ideas that revolve around the outdoors. They bring on potential partners to pitch them on their idea, and if they like what they hear they just might buy in and help get the project funded. The format is similar to ABC's Shark Tank, which has been a popular show for a number of years now. 

As Adventure Capitalists gears up for a new season, the producers have put out a casting call for new guests to have on the show. The team is looking for outdoor entrepreneurs who are looking for investors to help them take their products from a simple idea to reality. If that sounds like you, you can apply to be on the program by clicking here.  (Before applying, you may want to first check out the list of eligibility requirements as well. Those include being over 18 years of age, and a citizen of the U.S. or hold a visa to work within that country)

If you haven't seen the show before, it really is quite interesting. Some of the products that are pitched to the hosts are quite remarkable, while others are bit silly. It is fun to see what kind of ideas are floating around out there, and you might even recognize some of the people who are sharing their ideas. For instance, on one episode the founders of SlingFin tents appeared looking for funding on some new projects that they are working on. 

This is a legitimate opportunity to turn your great idea into a legitimate product. If you think you have what it takes, head on over to the Adventure Capitalists website now and apply for your chance to be on the show. Good luck! 

TrailFoody is a Monthly Subscription Box That Keeps You Fed on the Trail

Subscription box services become all the rage over the past couple of years, with options ranging from geeky gifts for your favorite nerd to high fashion options. Heck, we've even seen some made for outdoor enthusiasts, including Cairn and BivySak. But now, a new subscription box is on the scene, and it wants to send you healthy, nutritious snacks to take with you on all of your outdoor adventures.

TrailFoody is a recent start-up that hopes to take the drudgery out of picking food to take with you on your hikes, mountain bike rides, paddling excursions, and camp outings. Each month, the service will send you a box filled with energy bars, dried fruits, nuts, trail mix, energy drinks, and more. Those treats come from such partners as Tanka, Justin's, and Epic Provisions, and everything is stored in a nice little compression sack that makes it all very easy to pack and carry. Best of all, the items that are sent to you in the box are specifically selected to provide energy for active pursuits, and most avoid artificial preservatives of any kind, nor are they genetically modified in any way. Many are completely organic too.

The subscription service offers three tiers starting with "The Wanderer," which offers enough goodies for 1-2 outings at a price of $21.95. That box includes 1 trail lunch and the equivalent of 4 energy bars. The second tier is dubbed "The Pathfinder" and offers enough food for 3 outings, including 3 trail lunches and 6 energy bars for $43.95, while "The Intrepid" level provides 4 trail lunches and 8 energy bars each month at a cost of $53.95.

Recently I received a sampling of the TrailFoody offering, and I have to be honest. Prior to getting my own box, I thought that the prices were pretty steep for products that we all probably keep around the house anyway. But, after sifting through the package that was sent my way, I have to admit that I'm pretty impressed. My TrailFoody box was filled with more goodies than I expected, and I've been happily munching away on them for awhile now. Sure, spending $22 a month to have energy bars and other assorted snacks sent to your door is a bit lavish, but if you lead a busy lifestyle, and don't have time to shop for these items yourself, you'll probably really appreciate it the next time you're heading out to the trail.

If this sounds like something you'd be interested in trying, TrailFoody is giving Adventure Blog readers half off their first month. Simply enter the promo code: ADVENTUREBLOG in at checkout to receive the discount.

Happy trail and happy snacking!

The 20 Most Important Products From Winter Outdoor Retailer Ranked

If you haven't quite had your fill of gear news just yet, I have yet another article sharing the best new gear from the Outdoor Retailer show, held last week in Salt Lake City. This time, the list comes to us courtesy of Men's Journal, which ranks the most important new products that were revealed at the conference.

All told, there are 20 different pieces of gear that earn a spot on the MJ list, and while I didn't have a chance to see all of these, I did see more than a few of them. Some of the products that make the cut include updated running shoes from both Hoka One One and Altra, a sweet new down jacket from Montane, and a non-technical crampon from Yaktrax. You'll also find a variety of new products that are on the cutting edge in terms of technology and design that helps these items stand out from the crowd and do some truly innovative things in helping us to stay outdoors longer and enjoy our time there more fully.

While I don't necessarily agree that these are the 20 most important products on display at Outdoor Retailer, I definitely feel that most of the gear on this list are impressive updates for sure. Depending on your own personal outdoor passions, you'll find a lot to love here, with some new equipment that will definitely spark your attention. In fact, there are even a few items on the list that may get you interested in an activity that you hadn't considered before. This is definitely the case with the number one item on this countdown, which I won't reveal here. Needless to say however, I have seen this product personally, and think that it is going to be a lot of fun to use next winter.

Most of the gear that Men's Journal shares here won't be available for months yet. In fact, the vast majority of the items I saw at the show are not slated to begin shipping until Fall/Winter 2017-2018. That's the problem with attending a show like OR. It gets you very excited for new gear, but than makes you wait for months before you can get your hands on it. Still, most of this stuff is going to be worth the wait. Trust me!

Video: Meet the Nomads of Mongolia

Life on the Mongolian Steppe is hard, but it is also steeped in tradition. The nomadic people that live there have been wandering that part of the world for centuries, and while modern amenities have made their life a little easier, they still very much continue to live as their ancestors have. In this beautiful video, you'll travel to the Steppe, where you'll get an up close and personal look at these nomads. They are an amazing people living in an amazing part of the world.

Nomads of Mongolia from Brandon Li on Vimeo.

Video: The Fate Of The Bristlecones

This video is not only beautifully shot, but also very interesting too. It tells the story of the bristlecones, the oldest trees on the planet, which are found on California's White Mountains. The oldest of those trees is said to be over 4800 years old, and has survived any number of challenges. But now, those trees have a new threat, and it is unlike any they've faced in their history.

The Bristlecone's Fate - AudioVision Ep. 3 from KPCC on Vimeo.

Video: Adventure Highlights From 2015

Now that 2015 is squarely behind us, we can look back at the year that has passed an think about some of the amazing adventures that took place over the course of those 12 months. There were some amazing expeditions, challenges, and accomplishments for sure. In this video, Redbull reviews their own very adventurous year with some great clips of climbing, BASE jumping, mountain biking, and so much more. It is a good video retrospective of some of our favorite activities. Here's to another adventurous year in 2016!

Video: Polaris RZR and Brantley Gilbert Bring Holiday Cheer to Veterans

With Christmas just a few days away at this point, it's hard not to share some of the more heartwarming stories we've come across recently, and this one definitely falls into that category. Below we have a video put together by Polaris RZR and featuring country singer Brantley Gilbert, who came together with the Disabled American Veterans organization to make the dreams of three families come true. The families – each of which has a disabled vet as part of the group – were brought in under the guise of helping to film a promo video for Polaris. But, it turns out they got quite a surprise that they'll no doubt remember for a lifetime. Check it out below.

Video: The Official Trailer for Planet Earth II

Way back in 2006 – when this blog was still in its infancy – a groundbreaking television show called Planet Earth was released. Narrated by the incomparable David Attenborough, it went on to capture the imagination of millions of viewers, and set a high-water mark for nature documentaries that has yet to be surpassed in my opinion. Now, the BBC is back at it and will release Planet Earth II in November. We recently got a sneak peek at what we can expect in the form of a 2+ minute long trailer, which you'll find below. When it was released a decade ago, the original series was filmed in high definition, revealing to the public just how stunning that format could me. Now, the show has been filmed at 4K resolutions, which is just as dramatic of a leap forward as HD. As you'll see, the team behind this program looks like they delivered on the epic heritage of the original. I can't wait to see it.

Sherpani Named Nat Geo 2016 People's Choice Adventurer of the Year

Back in November, National Geographic revealed its selections for the 2016 Adventurers of the Year. That list was long, and distinguished, with such names as Dawn Wall climbers Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson, long-distance paddler Freya Hoffmeister, and ultrarunner Scott Jurek. After the list of recipients of the awards are released however, Nat Geo also launches an online campaign that allows the general public to cast their votes for their favorite adventurer personalities as well. This award is known as the People's Choice Adventurers of the Year, and yesterday the winner was announced at long last.

This year's top vote getter in this category was Pasang Lhamu Sherpa Akita, a female Sherpa – aka Sherpani – who is redefining what we know about the women of Nepal. Her list of mountaineering accomplishments is impressive to say the least, with successful summits on Everest, K2, Lobuche Peak, and a host of others. She is also one of the first students to attend the Khumbu Climbing Center, and became Nepal's first female climbing instructor as well. But what really stands out is her tireless efforts to help rebuild her home country in the wake of last year's devastating earthquake that left more than 9000 people dead, and destroyed whole villages.

Through her efforts, both climbing and humanitarian, Pasang Lhamu has become an important role model to the women of Nepal. She shows them what is possible, even in a country where women are still struggling to find their own voice and identity. Because of this, she has become a major personality in her country, where there were organized campaigns to vote early and often to get the People's Choice award for her. And it is much deserved!

Congratulations to Pasang Lhamu on receiving this honor, and to all of the 2016 National Geographic Adventurers of the Year.

Video: Dave Cornthwaite's Expedition 1000 Project

If you've been reading this blog for any length of time, you've no doubt seen me mention Dave Cornthwaite and his Expedition 1000 project on more than one occasion. The concept is a simple one: Dave wants to undertake a series of expeditions, covering 1000 miles (1609 km) or more, completely under his own power. He's already been successful at a number of those expeditions and he is always planning his next one too. The beautiful and inspiring video below shares the philosophy behind Expedition 1000 – where it came from and where it is going. It also gives us a glimpse at some of the things Dave has accomplished so far on his amazing adventures.

Dave isn't letting up however. Later this year he has a 2000 mile recumbent bike ride through Chile's Atacama Desert scheduled and another 1000 mile non-motorized expedition in Europe as well. After that, it'll be 2000 miles of kitesurfing in Brazil.

At this point, I'm not sure if he ever stops moving.

Dave Cornthwaite's Expedition1000 from davecornthwaite on Vimeo.

Video: Adventure Is A Way Of Life

The title of this video pretty much sums up how I feel. Adventure is most certainly a way of life. The clip below, which comes our way courtesy of Garchois Films, features some stunning images that are sure to inspire a sense of adventure. Welcome to 2014!

adventure is a way of life, welcome to 2014 from Laurent Jamet on Vimeo.

Video: What Does Frostbite Do To Your Body?

Frostbite has long been the bane of mountaineers and explorers. But what exactly is frostbite, and how does it effect your body? This video from Discovery News helps to explain it, helping us to understand exactly what extreme cold can do to you.

Video: A Spectacular Journey Through Mongolia

Filmed over a three month period this past fall, this video takes us to Mongolia, where we get a look at the amazing landscapes, wildlife, and people that live there. From the bustling towns, to the remote mountains and desert, this is an amazing look at a country that remains wild and diverse, even in the 21st century.

MONGOLIA from Nessim Stevenson on Vimeo.

Nat Geo Gives Us 20 National Park Leaders Under the Age of 30

As most everyone knows by now, last week the National Park Service celebrated its 100th anniversary. In the days since then, we've seen a lot of celebrations across the country, with thousands of people saluting the government agency tasked with protecting the parks while at the same time making them accessible to the public.

The celebration will continue throughout the rest of the year, but it is also a time to begin looking forward to the next century. There is still a lot of work to be done to ensure that the national parks will be around for future generations to enjoy as well. To that end, National Geographic has selected 20 scientists, filmmakers, activists, and educators who have dedicated their lives to protecting the parks, both in the U.S. and abroad. Oh yeah, and each of these men and women happen to be under the age of 30 as well.

Amongst those making the list are Ben Masters, a filmmaker and horseman who is working to protect wild mustangs. He's joined by Cassi Knight, an NPS scientist who is searching for dinosaur remains in Denali National Park, and Elizabeth and Cole Donelson who spent the past 12 months visiting all 59 U.S. national parks. Others include Jen Guyton, a scientists helping to protect animals from poachers in Mozambique, and cartographers Ross Donahue and Marty Schnure, who are mapping remote areas of Patagonia.

As you can see, this is a diverse and interesting group of individuals, each of which is playing a vital role to help promote national parks both at home in the U.S. and in other countries around the world. The concept of creating public lands that are set aside for future generations to enjoy too has been called "America's Best Idea," and these young men and women are helping to spread that idea further. Hopefully in another hundred years we'll be continuing to celebrate the National Park Service, and the effort that these individuals have made along the way.

Happy Holidays From The Adventure Blog

It is that time of year again! I want to take this opportunity to with each and everyone of you a very Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Happy Holidays in general. I'm not really sure where 2016 went, but it has come and gone in a blink of an eye, with so many amazing and fantastic experiences along the way. Hopefully it was a year filled with adventure for you, with plenty of inspirations for 2017 as well. 

Now that we're heading into the holiday weekend, I wanted to share a bit about the schedule for The Adventure Blog moving forward. Next week we'll enjoy a bit of downtime to celebrate with friends and family, so expect very few updates between Christmas and New Year. I'll share any major stories that might arise, but for the most part daily updates will be at a minimum. 

I'll return in the first week of January to get things going once again, but even then there may be a limited posting schedule. During that week, Adventure Blog World Headquarters will be relocating to a more permanent location, so there could be a bit of transition to undergo while that happens. Immediately after that, I'll be flying off to Salt Lake City for the Winter Outdoor Retailer Convention, where a host of new gear will be on display. I'll have more about that as we get closer to the day however, but expect the usual reports on what I see and learn about on social media and here on this blog. 

For now, just go and enjoy the holiday season. And get ready for an exciting year to come.

The Best New Gear From Winter Outdoor Retailer 2017

Last week, the biggest brands in the outdoor industry descended on Salt Lake City, Utah to show off their latest creations at the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market. As usual, there were more jackets, boots, backpacks, sleeping bags, and tents than you could ever hope to see in such a short period of time, although those of us in attendance certainly gave it our best try. Over the course of the past week, a number of media outlets have shared their selections for the very best new gear to make its debut at the show, allowing you the consumer to get a sneak peek at some of the great products that will be arriving in our favorite gear shops in the months ahead. Here is just sampling of what earned some of that recognition.

Over at the Gear Institute, we handed out our semi-annual Best New Gear Awards, recognizing 9 new products that we thought were innovative an interesting. Amongst them were a gas-powered generator from Goal Zero and a new way to create custom insoles for our shoes. Similarly, the crew at Outside magazine handed out five awards for their favorite new products, while Popular Mechanics discovered 8 items that their editorial staff found noteworthy too.

Interestingly enough, there isn't a lot of crossover between the items that make all of the lists, which should give you an idea of just how diverse the products on display at OR truly are. The general consensus amongst those attending the show was that there were few products that were truly revolutionary this time out, but a lot of really nice new gear that made strides forward in terms of incremental improvements.

If you're looking for a very comprehensive rundown of some of gear that was on display, Gear Junkie took a first-look at a wide variety of products. Their team went beyond just naming a few award winners, but instead gave a very good overview of a number of interesting products that were unveiled at the show.

As for me, I may well share my favorite items from Winter Outdoor Retailer over the next few days too. I'm still decompressing from the show and getting back on track at home, but I definitely have some thoughts on what stood out as the most interesting to me. I'll have more to come on this topic soon I'm sure.

Just in Time for Valentine's Day Nat Geo Lists the 17 Most Romantic Destinations in the World

World travelers listen up! If you're looking for a place to visit with your significant other, National Geographic is here to help. Just in time for Valentine's Day (Yes, that's today fellas'!) the experts at Nat Geo have given us a list of the 17 most romantic destinations on Earth. 

As you can imagine, the places that made the cut for this list are all pretty spectacular for a number of reasons. Most offer amazing views, some have a fantastic mix of history and culture, and pretty much all of them have an ambience about the setting that makes them special in very unique ways. You'll recognize some of the usual suspects, but others are a bit more off the beaten path and lesser known, which gives them an allure all their own.

So which destinations earned a spot on this list? As usual, I won't spoil the fun of finding out for yourself, but some of the highlights include the French Riviera, Bruges, Belgium, and Hamilton Island in Australia. Of course, the images that accompany the description of the places are all outstanding and will only increase your desire to visit these places even more. And as usual with any far-flung destination, there should be plenty of adventure to be had along the way too.

The 17 romantic destinations were paired down from a much longer list that is part of National Geographic book The World's Most Romantic Destinations, which is filled with even more suggestions of where to go and what to see with your Valentine. Speaking for myself, quite frankly I can't think of anyone I'd rather explore the world with. 

View the entire list here. 

Adventure Tech: GoPro Delays Release of Karma Drone

It hasn't been a good year or so for GoPro. The action cam maker has seen a drop in sales, which is now hitting its bottomline in significant ways. Worse yet, one of the company's most anticipated new products – the Karma drone – has now been delayed.

Yesterday, GoPro announced its quarterly results, and to say that they were dire would be an understatement. The tech company saw its revenue drop by nearly 50%, and earnings plummeted from a $22 million profit for this quarter last year, to a $121 million loss this year. A major part of that swing was the company writing off older camera models that it discontinued.

But the news that is most disappointing fans of GoPro is the announcement that the release of the Karma has now been pushed back until the coming winter. It was originally expected to become available to consumers in the first half of 2016, but we'll now have to wait just a bit longer. And since winter doesn't technically start until December 21, it seems likely that the drone won't see the light of day until 2017.

In an effort to diversity its business, GoPro has been looking for other sources of revenue. The Karma is seen as one part of that plan, while investing heavily in virtual reality films is another. The camera maker has also revealed a special system designed to shoot 360º video in stunning 4k resolutions. But the current generation of VR is still in its infancy, and far from a sure bet, so it could be some time before these ventures start to turn around GoPro's fortunes.

Meanwhile, other companies continue to crank out new drones that are only becoming better and better. You have to wonder if the Karma will arrive a bit too late.