The Cows are Watching

One Minute at a Time

2012-04-09T09:00:00.000-07:00

Lately I am trying a new adventure, a triathlon. The requirements of the event I am attempting is a 500 meter swim, a 10 mile bike, and a 3 mile run.

Of the three events the run is the most difficult for me and I have been training for it since January. My plan started with a 10 minute run, not very long and certainly not that far but all that I was capable at the time. Each time I went out for a run, three times a week, I added one minute to my outward bound time two minutes overall. If I fail at a time goal, and I have, I do it again until successes is reached.

The point of this is that even though my gain each run is small I have been able to reach almost an hour of running. The same principle can be used for biking, hiking, climbing, kayaking, etc... all that is required is a little disciple and a goal to reach for.

Kayaking with the Whales

2012-03-26T09:00:00.000-07:00

Watching the video, "Paddle to Seattle", which I have mentioned before, my desire to get out and do some adventuring has grown. The two men, J.J. and Josh posted the portion of their trip where they were boating along side some very large sea creatures, whales. The video is very short but I hope it inspires others to get out even if it is just for a day and have a little adventure.

Preparing to go on a Hike

2012-03-19T09:00:00.000-07:00

When heading outdoors it is very important to take some time and learn about those things you will need. Preparation before a trip will save you and possibly your family a good deal of worry while you are on the trail. Here is a good video about some of the very basic equipment needed by any hiker.

Journey to the Bottom of the Ocean

2012-03-14T09:00:00.000-07:00

The next great feat of exploration is at hand. Even though it has been done once before in 1960. James Cameron, the overly wealthy film maker has built a mini-sub to travel to the bottom of the Mariana's Trench, the deepest place in the ocean and possibly in the world. Below is the video put out by Mr Cameron about his upcoming adventure.

Spring Bike Maintenance

2012-03-12T09:00:00.000-07:00

Spring is the time those of us who are not extreme biker, those who ride year round despite the climate, get out our bikes and go for a ride. But before you go for a ride the bike should be looked at and some simple maintenance done. Below is a video on some of the basics that any person can and should do.

Forest Service Cuts Fee Programs

2012-03-09T09:00:00.000-08:00

The Forest Service has been forced to cut back on the area's requiring the Adventure Pass. For those who like to get out into the forest this is exciting, the cost of a pass, $30.00 per year, less then the cost of a tank of gas has been ruled as inappropriate.

Though I really appreciate free access to the national forests and am not a fan of recreation passes I do understand the need for them. The Federal government has done nothing but cut funds to the Forest Service for years, as one forester put it, "Every time I put out my hand for more money to pay for upkeep and improvement the government what take more away."

I am not a fan of the fee's but if we want our national forests managed well I think we still need to enforce them. The argument has been made that charging the fee keeps the "poor" from accessing the forest, but I am here to tell you that if they can not afford the $30 for the annual fee then they can not afford the gas to reach the forest.

10 Yet to be Explored Places

2012-03-07T09:00:00.000-08:00

Yes, you read the title correctly, there are still places in the world which have yet be be explored, most of them in inhospitable locations:

1) Caves - Scientists and other educated folk have no idea how many caves exist in the world, no surprise. But if you are looking for unexplored caves try China, much of the country is build on limestone and very little exploration has been done.

2) The Amazon Rain Forest - That most hospitable, bug infested, snake ridden, wet region of the world which contains 50% of the the worlds rainforest has not been completely explored. One can only wonder why (sarcasm).

3) Antarctica - One of the coldest places on earth, the southern continent has never been completely explored and still longs for hardy visitors to seek out its many wonders, what's more, no snakes.

4) Deep regions of the Oceans - For those who have the money to get down to the bottom of the oceans or build their own SeaQuest sub only 2% of the world's ocean's floors have been explored. That leave a good deal of room for exploration.

5) Deserts - These dry, hot, and deadly regions of the world are not highly sought after places to explore because many people lose their lives when they go a wandering and rescue is not very forthcoming. Who wants to try and find a lost soul in the desert.

6) Gangkhar Puensum, Bhutan - Here is a mountain that, at least according to written records, has never been successfully climbed. Four teams have made the attempt and been turned back, now because of religious reasons, the government of Bhutan is not allowing any more attempts at the summit.

7) Greenland - Much of the colder northern sections of Greenland are yet unexplored or climbed. A few scientific expeditions have been sent in but those are limited in scope.

8) Northwestern Siberia - Not very many people live out there so much of the land is still wild, wet, and cold and better yet unseen by human eyes, at least from the ground. I will bet there are unkayaked rivers, unwalked animal trails, and unexplored hill. What fun.

9) The mountains of Northern Columbia - Apparently people do not wander into these places to often but new species of wildlife are being found here.

10) Central Range, New Guinea - Even among the islands of the Pacific there are still some unexplored regions. Now they are included in the New Guinea National Park system in an attempt to keep there ecosystems pure and prevent miners from moving in at destroying them.

Touring Belgium

2012-03-05T09:00:00.000-08:00

Again this was found on The Adventure blog. This guy decided to take time and tour Belgium in a kayak even though he had very little experience with a kayak. I encourage people to get out a try new things and go new places so long as they do not put you in a dangerous or immoral position. Danger can be relative depending on your experience and intelligence unlike moral which is absolute. Anyway, hope this video inspires you to get out and seek adventure.

Descending the Alps

2012-02-29T09:00:00.000-08:00

I found a video on the adventure blog showing four gentlemen making the longest decent of the Alps on mountain bikes. I am always amazed that people are still finding undone adventures but they done and here is another great example.

The Seekers. from Filme von Draussen on Vimeo.

Adventure Cycling

2012-02-27T09:00:00.000-08:00

An article about a new piece of the the Underground Railroad Bicycling route being added through Detroit led me to the American Cycling Association website.

If you are looking for a wonderful resource and ideas of bike trips to take this, in my opinion, is a good website to visit. In fact in their own words, "Our mission is to inspire people of all ages to travel by bicycle. We help cyclists explore the landscapes and history of America for fitness, fun, and self-discovery". I can not find a better way of describing an adventure then that.

Check out their website and get out.

Adventure on a Limited Schedule

2012-02-24T09:00:00.000-08:00

Lately I have been wanting to spend more time outdoors but faced with the desire and need to be in church on Sunday mornings I have found the overnight trip a little difficult to accomplish without taking precious vacation days. As I began to contemplate the problem the light bulb of genius, or simply the clearing of the cobwebs from between the ears, lit up.

What is the solution you ask, well, leaving from work with all the gear already packed up Friday after work. Some careers allow for working a shorter day if you have made the hours up earlier in the week some do not. The thing is, at least during the early days of Summer, the days are longest and the need to get somewhere where before dark is less pressing.

Traveling on foot, bike or by water at night was never safe. Hidden tree roots to sprain the ankle, or ledges to walk off, cars and boats that can not or will not see you at night are just a few of the dangers to reckon with. Yet June has the longest days of the year in it and if you arrive at your start point within a couple of hours of the end of the work day several hours of travel can be had on Friday night, then you have all Saturday to wander around in the wilderness and return to civilization by Sunday morning.

For those who consider church on Sunday a priority consider leaving Friday after work and returning Saturday night or even early Sunday morning.

A Little Hike to the Beach

2012-02-22T09:00:00.000-08:00

Here is a video posted in the last 3 month showing an overnight backpack trip to the beach, it includes some history and some very unique and large trees . What a cool way to end your trip, on a beach.

Skyline to the Sea: From Castle Rock to Waddell Beach from Ryan Commons on Vimeo.

Preparing for a hike

2012-02-20T09:00:00.000-08:00

Here is a video about how to prepare for a hike. The day hike is one of the first skills every outdoor adventurer should learn. It is also a good way to get out of the house for a day and see what I would call untamed places. There is just something to be said for seeing creation before man's order is put to it.

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2012-02-17T09:00:00.000-08:00

Since the most dangerous trails is a very popular segment on this blog I thought I would post a video of the Hua Shang trail in China. If the video does not give you vertigo and make you feel extremely uncomfortable you should get out and try the trail yourself. As for myself this video gives that deep sinking feeling of, "I'm gonna fall so stop pushing me".

Ridge Riding

2012-02-13T09:00:00.000-08:00

I may not think of motorcycle riding along a very dangerous ridge line an adventure but this video is exciting and I thought sharing it would be just a little bit thrilling.

Tour Du Divide

2012-02-06T09:00:00.000-08:00

As I was reading though some new on people out having adventure I found a race that is not really like a race but more of a challenge. The event called the Tour Divide Starts either in Banff, Alberta or Antelope Wells, New Mexico and ends at the opposite location. Up until a documentary called, "Conquer the Divide," came out there were about 30 people who participated each year, now there is about 100 people signing up.

The nice thing about this event is there is no time limit and no awards it is more about the personal accomplishment and completing the 2745 miles on a mountain bike would be a huge success. If you are interested in the race check out their website at tourdivide.org.

Watching others do adventure

2012-01-27T09:00:00.000-08:00

Every Sunday rowdy boisterous football fans park themselves in front of their TV sets to watch and cheer on their favorite and sometimes not so favorite teams. Some even so go far as to become students of the game, knowing and understanding how the game is played the personalities and the egos and all the statistical minutia. They all lack one thing being in the game.

The Same might be said about adventures. How many people spend their time reading about other people doing adventure but never get out and have any of their own? I like to read about other people going about adventuring so that I can come up with ideas and develop a plan for my next adventure. Maybe even dream a little bit about some grand adventure I can start putting the money aside for now.

That is why I write this blog both to come up with place to go and new adventures to have but also to encourage others to get out and do both little "Micro-Adventures" and grand expeditions.

Learning Cross Country Skiing

2012-01-25T09:00:00.000-08:00

Here is a good video about some basics for Cross Country Skiing. Learning these new skills gives me a chance to get outdoors and just enjoy a little fresh air. In my case snow covered wheat fields of Eastern Washington.

Skiing Japan's backcountry

2012-01-23T09:00:00.000-08:00

Here is a video just to encourage people to get out in the snow and enjoy a little fresh air.

Backcountry skiing in Japan from Mitch Potter on Vimeo.

The Sheffield Adventure Film Festival

2012-01-13T09:00:00.000-08:00

If you need a little inspiration to get out and find some adventure here a trailer for the 2012 Sheffield Adventure Film Festival held in the UK. It looks like they even have a snippet of Flight of the Frenchies. The clip just make me want to get out and do something exciting.

Canoeing Coast to Coast

2012-01-11T09:00:00.000-08:00

Here is an adventure that apparently will be a first, at least in modern history. Four men will be canoeing from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic by way of the northern provinces of Canada.

Pete Marshall, Winchell Delano, Steve Keaveny, and Matt Harren are preparing for the 2600 mile paddle across a vast wilderness, one of the largest in the world. According the their website: 2012 Trans-Territorial Canoe Expedition they will be braving mountains and valley, dangerous lake crossings, and white water. All very exciting.

Can you imagine a trans-continental camping trip ending in the historic Hudson Bay? If I could this would be it.

Around the World Sailing Record Broken

2012-01-09T09:00:00.000-08:00

A new world record for the circumnavigation of the globe has been set by a French team of 13 sailors aboard the Banque Populaire V. They did it in 45 days 13 hours 42 minutes and 53 seconds. No longer does it take 80 days as in Jules Verne's book after that title.

The breaking of the record was so significant for the French that their president Nicolas Sarkozy called the captain Loick Peyron to give congratulations.

Sailing is always an adventure and crossing the great seas of the Earth brings out all the romantic notions of the wind in your hair, if you have any left, and see exotic places and peoples. It brings back the age of Wooden Ships and Iron Men.

A Time for Education

2012-01-06T09:00:00.000-08:00

The start of a new year is also the time to begin taking classes for this summers outing. Many of the mountaineering clubs are now offering mountaineering courses. The standard Mountaineering course covers the basics of rock climbing, mountaineering, and even ice climbing.

It is always a good idea, when going outdoors, to have some knowledge of how to stay safe. When staying safe the experience is much more enjoyable and comfortable. Being on the mountain has enough discomfort without adding the danger of ignorance.

Usually the courses require membership in the club and a bit of commitment in time and finances. Outdoor equipment for snow and ice does not always come cheap. For the beginner, however, there are discount stores which carry most of what you need. Army surplus stores are a good example.

Education is one of the keys to making your experience outdoors enjoyable and also to enriching your life.

Tips for Snowshoeing

2012-01-04T09:00:00.000-08:00

Every once in a while a lesson or a refresher in your outdoor skills is helpful, especially if you are looking for a new way of experiencing adventure and exploration. Below is a video about getting out with a pair of snowshoes.

Snowshoeing is an excellent way of fighting the winter blues. Once your have had your day of snowshoeing a nice quiet evening with a book and cup of hot cocoa next to a warm fire place. That is a complete day made for lowering your stress level and blood pressure.

New Years Goals

2012-01-02T09:00:00.000-08:00

At the beginning of every year I sit down and think about what I would like to either pursue of accomplish for the next year. Last year I set about five goals which you can read about in my blog, "Some Thoughts of this Years Adventures." Two of my goals were either attempted of begun; Climbing a mountain and hiking the Columbia Plateau Trail from Cheney to the Tri-Cities.

The truth is I am satisfied with the results of last years adventures. Instead of climbing a mountain, we were prevented from it due to an excess of snow, we took a group of teenage boys to Leavenworth and hiked up a couple of very scenic trails. An experience they will not soon forget and one they grew from. I took the new road bike out more often to explore nearby towns instead of driving to far away locations to kayak.

I did begin to hike/bike the Columbia Plateau Trail and am about 10 miles beyond the city of Lamont. This will be a continuing saga and as I complete more sections I will post my record of them here.

The point of goals really isn't to make sure I complete them it is just a place to begin thinking about place to go and things to do and I encourage everyone to set some of there own as a motivational tool.