Video: How Would You Describe America's National Parks?

In this video, photographer and filmmaker Corey Arnold traveled to America's national parks where he challenged the next generation of travelers and explorers to describe the landscape there. Some of their responses were surprising, others were revealing, and some were downright insightful. The result, is this short clip which not only includes lovely shots of the landscapes they saw, but these individuals sharing their thoughts on the natural spaces around them.

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.

Video: Hiking Angels Landing In Zion National Park

Angels Landing is easily one of the most popular hiking trails in Zion National Park. The five-mile long route offers stunning views throughout the walk, but the trail is very narrow, making it a fun, but sometimes scary endeavor. The video below gives you a taste of that, as well as a glimpse of what to expect when you visit Zion itself.

Angels Landing from David Lerman on Vimeo.

Video: The 17-Million Year Old Grand Canyon is Still Teaching Us New Things

In this video, we join 17-year old Katie Winkelman as she takes part in a youth group that is exploring the Grand Canyon on foot and by raft. While in the Canyon, she learns a lot more about how it was formed and its continued importance in the lives of more than 40 million people who depend upon the Colorado River – which carved the dramatic landscapes there – for fresh water. The health of this place, and the waters that pass through it, are incredibly important, which is why we must continue to strive to protect it.

Video: More Than Just Parks Takes Us to the Badlands

The filmmaking brothers of Will and Jim Pattiz have returned with the latest edition in their More Than Just Parks series. This time, the subject of their lenses is Badlands National Park in South Dakota, which is home to some of the most dramatic landscapes you could ever hope to see. As usual, this video lives up to the high level of quality that this video series has set for itself, almost transporting us to this fantastic designation. If you're ever in western South Dakota, this is a must see destination for sure.

BADLANDS 8K from More Than Just Parks on Vimeo.

Video: Yosemite in HD

I thought that this video was particularly fitting since the National Park Service just announced a record number of visitors to the parks last year. This four-minute clip takes us to Yosemite, one of the most spectacular landscapes that you could ever hope to see. Here, the stunning vistas of the park are on perfect display, with some breathtaking timelapse imagery that gives us a look at how light and shadow play across the valley. Truly a place that everyone should see at least once in their lives.

Yosemite HD from Project Yosemite on Vimeo.

Adam Ondra to Challenge the Dawn Wall in Yosemite

In January of 2015 the world was transfixed by one of the most difficult and audacious rock climbing expeditions ever. That's when Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Joregeson spent nearly three weeks climbing the Dawn Wall in Yosemite National Park, widely considered the toughest big wall in the world. At the time, millions of people followed their ascent, including a large portion of the population who normally doesn't care about what happens in the rock climbing world. It was a pivotal moment for the sport, and an inspiring challenge to say the least. Now, another climbing star is hoping to repeat that epic feat, even as he climbs in Yosemite for the very first time.

Czech climber Adam Ondra has already made a name for himself as one of the best sport climbers in the world. But, he recently admitted in an interview with Black Diamond that he has never been to Yosemite Valley to go climbing before – something that he is about to change. Ondra arrived in the U.S. last week and is currently en route to the national park, where the has already announced plans to take on two of its most iconic routes – The Nose and the Salathé Wall. Both are considered to be extremely challenging, and and are amongst the most well known routes in the entire world.

But, Ondra has also told Black Diamond that he is considering an attempt on the Dawn Wall as well. He admits that he doesn't want to reveal too much about those ambitious plans since he hasn't even seen the route in person yet, but he would like to give the famous climb a go should the opportunity present itself.

For most climbers, attempting a massive climb like the Dawn Wall without first setting eyes on it would seem like a silly proposition. But as National Geographic Adventure points out, Ondra has already climbed similar routes on his first attempt, something that is known in rock climbing circles as "onsighting." Nat Geo further points out that the Dawn Wall carries a Yosemite Decimal System rating of 5.14d, which is incredibly tough for sure. But, there are three sport climbs rated 5.15c in the entire world, and Ondra is the only person to complete all of them. That is the most difficult rating in the entire sport.

Will he be able to complete the Dawn Wall? Only time will tell. Personally, I think he'll need to scout the route a bit and consider his options closely. Climbing the Dawn Wall isn't just about its difficulty rating. It is a long, grueling ascent that takes days to complete. Caldwell and Joregeson spent years in preparation, and both have a great deal of experience in Yosemite. Can Ondra make he climb? Of course he can. But, I think he'll need a bit more seasoning in the Valley before he does so.

If he proves me wrong, it will indeed be one of the greatest feats in the history of climbing. For now, we'll just have to wait to see if that is the case.

Video: Bungee Jumping Off Half Dome

I'm not much of a bungee jumper, but this video is still kind of cool. It shows what is reportedly the first bungee jump from the top of Half Dome, the iconic rock face located in Yosemite National Park. The 8+ minute long video introduces us to the two brothers who came up with the idea, and shows us their background as both bungee jumpers and rock climbers, before getting down to the logistics of a jump off of Half Dome. Crazy stuff for sure.

Video: Photographing the Wolves of Yellowstone National Park

The May issue of National Geographic magazine is dedicated completely to the world's first national park – Yellowstone. When preparing to release the issue Nat Geo sent a team of photographers to the park to capture the landscapes and wildlife that exist there. Amongst them was Ronan Donovan who was charged with shooting photos of the wolves that live there. In this video, he talks about the challenges and rewards of that assignment, which was unlike any other he'd had before.

Video: The Wonders of Yosemite in Winter

There is no question that Yosemite National Park is amongst the most naturally beautiful places on Earth. That's why millions of people visit it every year to take in some of the sights to be seen there. But in the winter, as temperatures drop and a blanket of snow covers the area, few people make the pilgrimage to see this incredible place. That's a shame, as it is probably even more breathtaking during this time of year. In this video, we'll go to Yosemite and see just what it is like during those winter months. I think you'll agree, it is worth the trip.

YOSEMITE WINTER WONDERS from Rudy Wilms on Vimeo.

Video: How The Wolves Of Yellowstone Impacted The Environment There

Yellowstone National Park is one of my favorite places on the planet. It is a beautiful, breathtaking landscape, with some amazing wildlife on display. Back in 1995, wolves were famously reintroduced to the park, without anyone knowing for sure what they would do to the ecosystem there. Turns out, they have had quite an impact, in ways that no one could have predicted. The video below shares some insights into that vary thing. It is four minutes that are likely to fascinate anyone who has a love for the outdoors.

Video: Timelapse From The Valley Of Fire

The Valley of Fire is a  popular state park in Nevada that makes for some dramatic backdrops for photos and video. The short clip below captures those landscapes in timelapse, giving the place an otherworldly feel. I've never been to this park, but I have to say that it looks spectacular. I guess I'll need to start adding great state parks to my list of destinations along with the national parks I love so much.

Goldpaint Photography & eMotimo from Goldpaint Photography on Vimeo.

Video: Banff in Timelapse

All you really need to know about this video is that it is a timelapse set in Canada's Banff National Park, one of the most beautiful settings on the planet. Enjoy!

Timelapse: Banff National Park from Roadtrippers on Vimeo.

Infographic: Choose Your Own Adventure in America's National Parks

National Park Week continues through this weekend in America's National Parks. That means free entry into every park in the system, and lots of great opportunities for outdoor adventure. To help you find the best adventure for you, the National Park Foundation released this info graphic, which is filled with all kinds of great suggestions. I don't post too many infographics on this blog, but I thought this one was worth sharing. For a full size version of this click here.

Backpacker Gives Us America's 10 Most Dangerous Hikes

When most of us decide to go for a hike we generally tend to hit local trails that are scenic, fun, and even relaxing. But not all trails fit that description, with many being down right difficult and demanding. Then of course, there are the ones that are actually quite dangerous.

That's the subject of a great article put together by Backpacker magazine, which takes a look at the 10 most dangerous hikes in the U.S. The list contains some iconic treks across the country, as well as some lesser known trails that have a reputation for being incredibly difficult. In fact, if you go unprepared on these hikes, you could get seriously hurt or even killed.

Some of the hikes that make the list include Bright Angle Trail in the Grand Canyon, which is known for being a challenging walk in hot conditions the often leaves those who aren't prepared dehydrated and exhausted. The Maze in Utah on the other hand will confound even the most navigationally savvy, while the infamous Mt. Washington in New Hampshire blasts hikers with its high winds, which tend to blow furiously all year round.

I won't give away the entire list, as the article is well worth a read by everyone. I will say however, that each of the entires definitely has an element of danger to it, which could cost the inexperienced and unwary their lives. Thankfully, Backpacker has some suggestions on how to avoid these challenges, and survive each of these beautiful but difficult hikes.

Check out the entire list here.

Yellowstone Bison Calf Euthanized Following Tourist Abduction

One of the top stories on social media over the past few days has been the news that a father and son duo traveling through Yellowstone National Park put a bison calf into their car because they worried that it was too cold and might die. They took the calf to a ranger station at Lamar Buffalo Ranch, where the animal was taken back into custody and returned to its herd. Unfortunately, the news came yesterday that the young bison had to be euthanized, as the herd wouldn't accept it back into the group.

It should be noted that the man and his son who took the calf were foreign visitors, and it was their first time in Yellowstone. But they ignored Park Service warnings to stay away from the animals, and they obviously had little knowledge of how the creatures in the park survive in much harsher conditions than what are currently found in the park. They were cited for transporting the animal, and park rangers are once again reminding visitors to leave the animals alone. Usually that warning is to keep the humans safe more than the animals, as in recent years there have been some high profile wildlife encounters that have turned tragic. Most of those incidences have occurred between humans and bisons.

Apparently, the calf had been returned to its herd, but the other animals wouldn't accept it back. But having been exposed to humans, the calf was then approaching other visitors to the park and wandering up to cars. That is once again a very dangerous situation for everyone involved, so rangers made the tough decision to put the calf down.

If you're reading this blog, you probably don't need the reminder, but when you're in the wild, leave the animals alone people. That is advice that might just save your life. This story is also a good reminder that not everyone has the same experience and knowledge that most of us take for granted. It's just incredibly sad that this newborn bison had to suffer for that.

Video: Arches & Canyonlands National Parks In Timelapse

Arches and Canyonlands are amongst the more spectacular national parks in the entire U.S. system. They provide breathtaking vistas around every turn and anyone who hasn't experienced them should put them on their bucket list. The video below, which captures those landscapes in timelapse, will give you a brief glimpse of what these two amazing places have to offer. Simply spectacular.

Arches and Canyonlands National Parks Timelapse from Roadtrippers on Vimeo.

Video: More Than Just Parks Presents Zion in 8K

The latest video from Will and Jim Pattiz – the two brothers behind the More Than Just Parks project – is Zion National Park in Utah, a place that is remote, wild, and breathtakingly beautiful. As usual, Will and Jim do an amazing job of capturing the essence of the park, giving viewers a spectacular tour of this amazing place in just four minutes time. If you haven't been to Zion yet, you need to add it to your list of adventure destinations. But then again, after watching this video, you'll want to do that anyway. Enjoy!

ZION 8K from More Than Just Parks on Vimeo.

Iconic Sites in Yosemite to be Renamed

Anyone familiar with Yosemite National Park probably also knows all about this Ahwahnee hotel, Yosemite Lodge, and Curry Village. These places are iconic in the valley, and have been serving visitors to the park for decades. But now, a dispute between the National Park Service and one of its concessionaires is causing these famous places to change their names, which in some cases have been in place for more than a century.

The dispute began last year when Delaware North – an independent contractor that had been hanging the park's facilities – lost the bid to continue operating within Yosemite. That bid was said to be somewhere in the neighborhood of $2 billion. The company says that when it initially won the contract back in 1993, it was forced to purchase the rights to the intellectual properties within the park from the previous concessionaire. Representatives of Delaware North say that those intellectual properties include the names of the hotels, lodges, and restaurants that it managed. Now that they are no longer managing them, the names are going away too. That is unless the Park Service or new concessionaire – Aramark – pays them $50 billion.

With such a steep price tag coming along with the names of the iconic Yosemite locations, the parties involved have decided to rename the facilities instead. So, starting on March 1, the historic Ahwahnee hotel will become the Majestic Yosemite Hotel, while Yosemite Lodge at the Falls will be renamed Yosemite Valley Lodge and Wawona Hotel will change to Big Trees Lodge. Curry Village will become Half Dome Village, while the Badger Pass Ski Area will be renamed Yosemite Ski & Snowboard Area.

While this is troubling to a lot of Yosemite fans, it is only half of the problem. Delaware North says that it also holds the copyright to the name "Yosemite National Park" too, and isn't about to give it up. That means that come March 1, all Yosemite merchandise in gift shops and other stores will either disappear, or royalties will continue to flow to DN instead. That particular trademark is in dispute however, and you can bet that the NPS is going to take every measure possible to reclaim it.

At this point the entire situation smacks of sour grapes on the part of Delaware North. They didn't win the contract to retain Yosemite as a managed property, so they're going to make it as difficult as possible for the NPS and Aramark to operate. It seems the Park Service is finding ways to continue on simply be renaming the landmarks, but for those of us who know Yosemite's colorful history, it will be sad to see these places become something else. Worse yet, the thought that a private company holds the copyright on the name for the park is troubling to say the least. Lets hope this situation gets resolved fairly.

Video: The Best of Yellowstone National Park

2016 is an important year for the National Park Service. This year, the NPS celebrates its 100th birthday, and over the months ahead we're likely to see a number of great celebrations honoring the iconic places that make up the park system. This video takes us to Yellowstone to give us a brief tour of some of the highlights of the world's first national park. Yellowstone also happens to be the topic of the latest issue of National Geographic magazine, which calls it the "wild heart of a continent." I think that is an apt description of a place that remains one of my favorite destinations on the planet.