Outdoors Blog

Kite Surfers Jump Pier in England

Sun, 20 Dec 2009 14:00:00 EST

Two daredevil kite surfers named Jake Scrace and Lewis Crathern managed to jump over a pier in England reports the Daily News. The kite surfers were given an extra lift by some very strong winds.

Strapped to surf boards and attached to giant kites, the men were lifted more than 40ft into the air by powerful winds and carried over the Victorian structure.

To the gasps of astonished onlookers, Lewis Crathern, 24, and Jake Scrace, 25, flew 100ft through the air before landing safely in the sea.

You can see the amazing jump in the video below. Take a look:

The BBC also has a story about the "epic" pier jump.

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Bird Men Take Extreme Sports to New Heights

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST

These guys appear to have no fear of heights. These men don wing suits and jump off mountain tops. They glide at speeds of 140 miles per hour. CBS News says some people call them bird men. Several of them have died in attemtps to defy gravity. Take a look:

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Kayaker Takes 70 Foot Plunge

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST

Extreme athlete Luke Spencer dropped down a 70-foot waterfall. Photographer Jed Weingarten shows off some of the images Spencer's plunge. The waterfall was located at Outlet falls in Washington state. Luke Spencer says he injured some ribs and possibly broke them.

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REI Begins Annual Twinkie Roasts

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST

REI held its first of many Twinkie Roasts across the country today. The quirky annual employee event is held to beckon Mother Nature to provide a hearty snowfall on behalf of snowsports lovers everywhere. The REI Twinkie Roast began in the late 1970s at the co-op's Berkeley, California store.

REI doesn't formally track the success of its Twinkie Roasts but they do claim some mysterious successes. According to employee accounts, after the Denver store's 2006 Twinkie Roast, fondly remembered as the burning of the "Twinx" (Twinkie sphinx), there was a Christmas blizzard and the sixth highest single day snowfall on Colorado records. This success was surpassed in 2007 by the burning of the "Twinnacle" (climbing pinnacle wrought from sponge cake) when snow fell in the mountains 59 out of 62 consecutive days.

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The Great Allegheny Bike Trail

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 21:00:00 EST

Larry Brock talks about the Allegheny bike trail, which where a large section of the Allegheny railroad has been transformed so that it can be used by bikers and hikers. The website says that when completed, the 150-mile Great Allegheny Passage will connect with the 184.5-mile C&O Canal Towpath at Cumberland, Maryland to create a 334.5-mile traffic and motorized vehicle-free route between Pittsburgh and Washington, DC.

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A Look at This Summer's Camping Gear

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 08:05:00 EST

Paul Hochman from Fast Company magazine shares information about the latest camping products with Harry Smith from the CBS Early Show. L.L. Bean has a tent out called the Mountain Light Tent 2. There's a remote control LED lantern and a foldable burner. There's also a headlamp that you strap on your head, which has four adjustable brightness levels. There are also some tents for use with backyard camping - for those who don't want to journey too far. Take a look:

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Flophouse Foam Pad Provides Outdoor Comfort for Dogs

Sun, 30 Aug 2009 14:05:00 EST

Boing Boing Gadgets has an interesting post here about camping gear for dogs. They mention the Flophouse Foam Pad above from Ruffhouse gave their dog some extra comfort on an outdoor trip. The product description says it is washable and drys out quickly. It costs $59.95 to $99.95 depending on size and can be purchased here.

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Shweeb: Human Powered Monorail

Sat, 25 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST

The Huffington Post reports that Shweeb is a human powered monorail that is currently being used for competition at the Shweeb campus in New Zealand. However, it could eventually be used as an eco-friendly form of transportation. Shweeb is said to be faster than a racing bicycle and requires 50% of the energy.

The inventors believe rapidly expanding urban areas desperately need an alternative to cars like Shweeb. An article on Treehugger says that Shweeb's creators believe Shweeb is very cheap, can deliver thousands of people per hour, has no parking problems and has zero carbon emissions.

The result is the most efficient vehicle on earth, the most inexpensive infrastructure of any proposed urban transit and one of the highest capacity systems available - potentially delivering thousand's of people per hour in a very small airspace. All this with zero carbon emissions and no parking worries or cost!

One downside is that it looks a little cramped inside the Shweeb.

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Outdoor Life Ranks Top 200 Hunting and Fishing Towns

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 16:00:00 EST

Lewiston, Idaho has topped Outdoor Life's top 200 list of the best hunting and fishing towns. Marquette, Michigan came in second. You can see the Outdoor Life feature here.

Lewiston, ID
Marquette, MI
Idaho Falls, ID (tie)
Rawlins, WY (tie)
Pocatello, ID
Bismarck, ND
Sheridan, WY
Pierre, SD
Rochester, MN
Carbondale, CO

Outdoor Life has also made available an Excel file you can download of the 200 towns.

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Skateboard Arena Inside Skateboard Store

Thu, 28 May 2009 18:00:00 EST

This is a pretty cool idea. Curated Magazine reports that Studiometrico helped Comvert convert an old theater in Milan into a store that contains a skate bowl on the top floor. Comvert designs clothing and accessories for snowboarding and skateboarding so the skate bowl is a perfect addition to their shop.

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K-Light Solar Powered Lantern

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 18:00:00 EST

The K-Light is a solar-powered lantern that would be useful on camping trips. The K-light can be used for up to 20 hours after being charged in the sun. It can be used as both a lantern and a flashlight.

The K-Light is an innovative, eco-friendly solar-powered lantern, designed to stand up to the harshest environments. Approximately the size and weight of a can of soda, the unique combination of its solar-charging battery and bright, energy-efficient light-emitting diodes (LEDs), make the K-Light unlike any other product available today.

Small, lightweight and rugged, the K-Light is perfect for outdoor activities such as camping, boating and hiking. The K-Light is ideal as an emergency light, too. Highly water-resistant and designed to be used as either flashlight or lantern, the K-Light can be charged and used anywhere-no matter the situation.

K-Light is sold here at PiSat Solar for $49.99.

(via Dvice)

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Google Maps Tool Helps Cyclists Plan Routes

Sat, 21 Mar 2009 18:00:00 EST

A new tool developed at the University of B.C. helps cyclists plan safe routes away from traffic with low air pollution. You can find the cycle route planner for here. Check the Cycling in Cities website for more interesting studies.

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iPhone Board Perfect For Skateboarding Apple Fanboys

Sat, 28 Feb 2009 18:00:00 EST

This geeky iPhone skateboard is up for sale on Zazzle. It was clearly designed to resemble Apple's popular iPhone. It retails for $63.50. Someone should do the same thing with a surfboard.

(via Slippery Brick and Nerd Approved)

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Schwinn's Fast Charge Electric Bike

Fri, 9 Jan 2009 18:00:00 EST

Schwinn's Tailwind electric bicycle is billed as the fastest charging electric bike in the world. Schwinn had it on display at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas where they were offering test drives. The bike is currently available at authorized Schwinn retailers. You can find an outlet at schwinnelectricbikes.com . You can find more specs here.

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Worm Vending Machines

Mon, 5 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

There are worm vending machines in Poland that dispenses live worms. Reuters says it's a prototype on trial beside Nielisz Lake in the Lublin province of Poland and that it's popular with local anglers. Just don't bring worms to your daughter who is expecting a candy bar. Take a look:

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Sierra Club's Green IQ Test

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 21:00:00 EST

The Sierra Club has posted an online quiz so you can test your Green IQ here at the end of 2008. The ten question quiz covers topics like whales, space, the Amazon rainforest, politicians and the Urban Chicken Movement. Good luck! (via The Green Life)

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Amazing Yellowknife Auroras

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 18:00:00 EST

The amazing aurora above was photographed outside Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada by iReporter Dave Brosha. CNN has several more photographs here. CNN also has an article that lists some places to go (see end of CNN's article) if you want to see the auroras. Thousands of people have already made the journey to see witness the auroras first-hand and who can blame them? It looks beautiful.

"Usually it starts slowly as kind of a hazy greenish color -- like a mist -- building up in frequency dancing across the sky ... and to me that's religion," said photographer Dave Brosha of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, who's seen more than 100 Canadian auroras. "It's just one of the most incredible feelings a person can have -- sitting there watching that."

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Missing Class Ring Turns Up Inside a Bass Twenty Years Later

Thu, 4 Dec 2008 22:00:00 EST

The AP reports that the class ring a man lost 21 years ago while he was fishing has been returned to him. A fisherman found it - inside an 8-pound bass!

The fisherman who discovered the tarnished ring inside his catch contacted Richardson on Nov. 28 in Buna, about 100 miles northeast of Houston, after tracking him down with help from the Internet.

His fisherman hero asked to remain anonymous.

Richardson, 41, said he lost the ring about two weeks after his 1987 graduation from Universal Technical Institute in Houston. His mom had bought it for about $200 and wasn't pleased when it went missing.

What a hilarious story. At least Richardson's mom won't be mad anymore!

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Man Turns iPod Into Fishing Lure

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 21:00:00 EST

Gizmodo reports that a man lost his iPod in the river while he was fishing. The water destroyed the iPod so the man decided to make a fishing lure (see photo above) from the broken iPod's components.

"Seeing it was the river that took it from me, it's gonna at least catch me some fish," says Maker Captain Ahab (perfection in a handle). He used the screen polishing cloth for the body, the USB logicboard connector for the legs, touchscreen inreface wires for the head and wings, and various other harvested components to craft this beauty.

It might be flashy enough to attract fish. Even if it does work it's way too expensive of a lure to make repeatedly.

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The Electric Self Balancing Unicycle

Wed, 5 Nov 2008 18:00:00 EST

Focus Designs has come out with an electric unicyle that does all the difficult looking balancing and pedaling for you. Focus Designs says the bike uses accelerometers and gyroscopes to control the unicycle's movement.

The SBU is an electric self-balancing unicycle which uses accelerometers and gyroscopes to control the forward and backward movement with an electric motor. Basically, it pedals for you. It's an experience like no other. They're in limited market testing right now, go to focusdesigns.com for availability.

They look very interesting. As Gizmodo suggests it would be a way to check unicycle riding off your bucket list. You can find the website for the SBU here. Below is a video.

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Burton's Controversial New Snowboard Line

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 18:00:00 EST

Burton snowboards has a controversial new line of boards called Coalition Love which feature images of partially nude Playboy models. Snowboarding.com has information and photos of the boards here. WPTZ interviewed people on the street in the CNN video below and some were not impressed with these new boards. Burton says the snowboards will be sold to people 18 and over.

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Wreckage of Steve Fossett's Plane Found

Thu, 2 Oct 2008 18:00:00 EST

The wreckage of Steve Fossett's plane was found in California's Sierra Nevada Mountains near Mammoth Lakes on Monday. ABC News reports that a hiker who found the wreckage first noticed dollar bills.

"Out of the corner of my eye I caught some cards, some white cards, and some money," Morrow said. "So I got closer and it was hundred-dollar bills."

The hiker's discovery triggered a renewed flurry of activity in the search for missing adventurer Steve Fossett -- resulting in an announcement this morning that wreckage of the aviator's long-lost plane had finally been found.

"Late last night, just about the time we were going to call off the search, the aircraft from Yosemite National Park spotted what they thought was wreckage on the ground," said Sheriff John Anderson in a morning press conference at the Mammoth Lakes Airport. "The search team, they were planning to spend the night in the mountains, they got the GPS coordinates of the aircraft, they went in, and they did locate an aircraft which we have now confirmed is the one that Steve Fossett was flying when he disappeared last Labor Day."

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Governor Sarah Palin Encouraged Aerial Wolf Hunting

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 21:00:00 EST

Slate has an article about the controversial practice of Aerial Wolf Gunning, where wolves are hunted and shot from an aircraft. John McCain's vice presidential pick Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska supports the practice and proposed cash incentives to encourage more of it.

Sarah Palin, the governor of Alaska and John McCain's vice presidential pick, is an enthusiastic hunter who has proposed legislation and cash incentives to encourage aerial wolf gunning, the controversial practice of shooting wolves from an aircraft. Do people in Alaska really shoot wolves from planes?

Yes, but only with the government's permission. Aerial shooting yields better results than traditional hunting, since it allows the hunter to cover a lot of ground quickly and track target animals from a clear vantage point. Historically, hunters also used planes to drive animals-polar bears in Alaska and elk in Montana, among others-toward gunmen waiting on the ground. But many hunters found the practice unsportsmanlike, since it violates the "fair chase" ethic, and animal rights activists call it inhumane, since airborne gunmen rarely get a clean (i.e., relatively painless) kill. In response to concerns like these, Congress passed the Federal Airborne Hunting Act of 1972, which made it illegal for hunters to shoot animals from a plane or helicopter.

A CNN story from 2000 quotes the Alaska Department of Fish and Game commissioner who says wolves are often chased to exhaustion when this hunting tactic is used.

"To track and spot a wolf from an aircraft, land and then kill it, is not considered to be a fair chase method," said Alaska Department of Fish and Game commissioner Frank Rue. "We know from past experience that the practice leads to other abuses such as chasing wolves to exhaustion, herding wolves and shooting them from the air."

This certainly does seem like an inhumane practice. There's another article about it here. You can see a video below (and here) that is against Aerial Wolf Hunting from Defenders of Widlife.

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Michael Bennett Wins Forrest Wood Cup

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:00:00 EST

The Union reports that 24-year-old Michael Bennett recently became the youngest champion in the Forrest Wood Cup. He won $1 million.

Team Duracell pro Michael Bennett, originally from Grass Valley, caught a two-day total of nine bass weighing 24 pounds, 15 ounces to win $1 million in the Forrest Wood Cup presented by BP and Castrol on Lake Murray Sunday.

Bennett is the youngest champion in the history of the Forrest Wood Cup and topped his closest rival, Team Kellogg's pro Dave Lefebre of Union City, Penn., by more than five pounds to become the sport's second instant millionaire.

"This hasn't sunk in at all," said Bennett, who became the youngest angler to reach $1 million in career earnings and has banked $1.4 million in FLW Outdoors events. "I mean, I'm excited and have an unbelievable feeling inside, but overall it hasn't sunk in. It's incredible."

Bennett said he targeted fresh shallow water and his bait of choice was Snag Proof Fred Frog Custom Color. You can read a Q&A with Bennett here.

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Things to Avoid: Deer Ticks

Thu, 4 Sep 2008 15:00:00 EST

You don't want this tick anywhere near you. It was near Lyme, Connecticut where deer ticks transmitted what we now know as Lyme Disease. The ticks suck on mice which have the disease and can then transmit the disease to other animals including himans. The has an explanation of how deer ticks transmit the disease here.

Ticks are parasites that feed by latching on to an animal host, imbedding their mouthparts into the host's skin and sucking its blood. This method of feeding makes ticks the perfect vectors (organisms that harbor and transmit disease) for a variety of pathogenic agents. Ticks are responsible for at least ten different known diseases in humans in the U.S., including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, babesiosis, and more recently, anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis.

Here's a video from National Geographic about the deer tick and lyme disease.

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Lush Workers Strip Down to Promote Green Products

Tue, 2 Sep 2008 21:00:00 EST

Workers at LUSH store in Portland, Oregon stripped down to virtually nothing in order to promote the store's environmentally friendly products. Strategically placed aprons is all the LUSH workers were wearing. KOIN's Ken Boddie reports on this naked promotion for CBS. There's a few fairly tame pictures of the 2008 naked campaign on the Portland Lush MySpace page.

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Website Assigns Walk Scores to Neighborhoods

Fri, 8 Aug 2008 21:00:00 EST

A new website called WalkScore.com recently ranked the most walkable cities - San Francisco was ranked number one. The WalkScore.com website also provides walk scores for over 2,500 neighborhoods. This page on the WalkScore.com website explains what the rankings mean. They do not here that weather is not factored into their algorithm. They may want to include that in the future because some places are just too hot or cold to walk in - at least during parts of the year. (via ShoppingBlog.com)

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Extreme Mountain Unicycling

Mon, 4 Aug 2008 18:00:00 EST

This description for this YouTube video calls this mountain unicycling and it looks pretty amazing and dangerous. A guy whizzes down a mountain on one wheel performing stunts, tricks and jumps as he goes. Somehow he manages to keep his balance. The video was filmed as part of the Kendal Mountain Film Festivals Extreme Film School. (via Sierra Blogging Post)

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New Technology Uses Body Sensors, GPS to Track Skiers

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 21:00:00 EST

New Scientist reports that a new motion capture system uses a network of sensors to detect high speed movement. The system uses a network of as many as fifteen lightweight sensors attached to the skier. There are also GPS receivers incorporated into the skiers' helmet. The data is used to generate computer animations that may help to show the skier what they are doing wrong and what they could do to increase speed.

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Cancer Survivor Paddles to Fight Prostate Cancer

Sat, 26 Jul 2008 15:00:00 EST

Skip Ciccarelli, a 60-year-old survivor of prostate cancer, is a high school carpentry instructor at Shawsheen Technical High School in the Boston suburb of Billerica. On Father's Day he set out on a 54-day, 1,700 mile kayak trek from the shores of Lake Michigan in Chicago to the Hudson River in New York City. His goal is to raise awareness for one of the most prevalent forms of cancer, second only to melanomas.

In 2002, Skip was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer and was told by his doctors that he had two months time before the cancer spread to other parts of his body. After consultation with a team of doctors in Boston, he placed his bet on surgery and won. He is now cancer-free.

"At the time I realized, that like most men, I was clueless about prostate cancer and soon became flummoxed at how little men know about their own bodies," says Skip, a husband and father of three adult children. "I realize I need to use my own abilities to help raise awareness. By drawing attention to prostate cancer, I'm hoping more men will get prostate checkups and PSA screenings, and that more research will focus on this disease. When was the last time you heard someone talk about prostate cancer?"

According to the National Cancer Institute, nearly 28,000 men will die from prostate cancer in 2008 while 186,000 new cases are diagnosed. With the aging of the baby-boomer generation, the number of new cases diagnosed annually is projected to reach 300,000 by 2015-an increase of more than 60 percent-with an accompanying annual death rate of approximately 45,000. Early detection and treatment can result in a five-year survival rate of more than 90 percent.

The course charted by Skip will take him through Lakes Michigan, Huron, St. Claire and Erie. It will also take him through the Detroit River and the Erie Canal before he starts his trip down the Hudson River. Covering 40 miles a day, with six days built in for bad weather delays and two days off to join his students at a technical competition in Kansas City, Missouri, Skip is planning on arriving at Manhattan's Pier 66 on August 9 - the seven year anniversary of his surgery.

You can visit the website here which contains a map of Skip's 1,700 mile course as well as information about his progress on the Paddle 4 Prostate website. Go Skip go!

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I Love New York Logo Gets a More Outdoor Look

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 18:00:00 EST

New York is trying to use the popular "I Love New York" logo to apply to the state's wildlife and nature as well. You can see that with this recently introduced logo that is more outdoorsy with its inclusion of a butterfly, grass and a squirrel. You can read about some of the outdoor activities the state of New York has to offer here, here, here, here, here and here.

A Wikipedia entry says the I Love New York logo was first introduced in 1977.

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Penguins in Serious Danger

Sat, 5 Jul 2008 18:00:00 EST

Biologist and penguin expert Dr. Dee Boersma tells CBS reporter Dr. Debbye Turner that penguins numbers are dwindling rapidly. She also says that penguins are like a canary in the coalmine and it means there could serious climate consequences ahead for humans.

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RipStik: Outdoor Toy of the Year

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 18:00:00 EST

The RipStik Caster Board was awarded Outdoor Toy of the Year by the Toy Industry Association (TIA) during the T.O.T.Y (Toy of the Year) Awards Ceremony.

"We are thrilled that the RipStik has been selected for this T.O.T.Y award," said Carlton Calvin, president of Razor USA, manufacturers of the RipStik. "The introduction of the RipStik has lead to a nationwide craze, with consumers of all ages carving on the streets, from Southern California to Florida and everywhere in between. This spring, RipStik fans can look forward to more RipStik products with exciting new features in stores nationwide."

The RipStik Caster Board is innovative and patented with a unique mechanical design that blends the carving of surfing and snowboarding into a sport for dry land. The RipStik melds the motions and anatomy of both action sports into a distinctive ride. The independently rotating platforms and two inclined caster wheels generate speed and create a fun carving motion on the pavement while allowing tight twists and turns without pushing ? just twist and go!

Here are some of the features of the RipStik.

Plastic end platforms connected by metal torsion beam

Urethane wheels on 360 degree inclined casters

Traction pads on each platform

Independently rotating platforms generate speed and allow tight twisting and turning without pushing

Kick tail and raised kick nose with concave design for tricks and improved footing

There are a number of RipStik videos on YouTube - see here. Surfing and snowboarding combined on a hard surface like dry land sounds like it could be a little dangerous (wear your helmet and knee pads). Still it looks a lot like skateboarding. It's not nearly as dangerous as something like powerizers.

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Build an Ecobirdfeeder

Sat, 5 Apr 2008 21:00:00 EST

Michelle Kaufmann, a green blogger, is offering a free Earth Day Activity Kit. The kit contains instructions for building a number of green craft projects. Information about the projects can be found on Michelle Kaufmann's blog (hat tip Crafters Craft).

One of the projects in Kaufmann's green activity kit is an ecobirdfeeder, which is a modern birdfeeder constructed of wooden chopsticks. You can follow the instructions for the building the ecobirdfeeder here.

"Growing up in Iowa, I developed a deep understanding of the relationship between humankind and the environment, an awareness I strive to incorporate into everything I do," said Michelle Kaufmann. "I love showing people how easy it can be to make healthy green choices that also create more beautiful living spaces. That's why I created this kit especially for Earth Day."

Earth Day is April 22nd. You can learn more about it here, here and here.

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Cherry Blossom Festival in DC

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 21:00:00 EST

The annual Cherry Blossom Festival has kicked off in Washington D.C. and nearly a million visitors are expected to visit. You can see the official website here. The 2008 peak bloom is expected to last from March 27-April 3.

Reuters reports in the video below that the festival commemorates Japan's 1912 gift to the United States of three thousand cherry trees.

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Pacific Salmon on Verge of Disappearing

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 18:00:00 EST

The Pacific Chinook salmon population of Oregon and California is suddenly on the verge of collapse after years of decline. Federal fisheries managers are considering a ban on salmon fishing from Oregon to the Mexican border.

The fishery council is expected to decide which action to take in April during its meeting in Seattle.

"I think the likeliest outcome this year is no one will put a hook in the water," said Humboldt County fisherman Dave Bitts, who was attending the weeklong meeting in Sacramento.

The Sacramento River chinook run is usually one of the most plentiful on the West Coast, providing the bulk of the fish caught by commercial trollers off California and Oregon.

But this year's returns - even with no fishing allowed - are expected to reach less than half the council's goal for spawning a new generation. It marks the third straight year of declines, and the outlook for next year is no better.

John Larson reports on the dire situation in the NBC video below.

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SteriPen Cleans Water With Ultraviolet Light

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 15:00:00 EST

A handheld new battery and ultraviolet lamp powered device called the SteriPen will sterilize a glass-sized amount of water for you. The SteriPen will clean 32 ounces of water in 90 seconds. The New York Times says the device has a liquid crystal display that makes the countdown to sterilization easier.

The wand can clean up a quart of water that is clear - but could harbor stomach-wrecking microorganisms - in 90 seconds. The high-frequency light damages the DNA of bacteria, viruses and protozoa in the water like giardia and cryptosporidium so they can't reproduce and create havoc.

To make the disinfection process easier for users to monitor, one new device on the market, the SteriPen JourneyLCD($129.95) has a liquid-crystal display that shows a countdown during purification (48 seconds for 16 ounces, 90 seconds for 32 ounces) and a smiley face at the end to signal that the job is done.

The device, which weighs a bit less than 5 ounces, including two disposable batteries, will be sold at camping, travel and other stores beginning in April and online at rei.com and other sites, said Edward A. Volkwein, the president of Hydro-Photon, the company in Blue Hill, Me., that makes the unit.

You can read some reviews and blog comments about the device here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here. Most of the comments are enthusiastic about the water cleaning wand. The device does sounds great for outdoor use but it does have some limitations. You should use it only on clear water because it cannot thoroughly clean dirty looking water or water with objects in it.

If the water is tea-colored, has an orange or yellow tinge, or has objects like leaves in it, ultraviolet devices will not work well, as particulates in the water can absorb the light meant to destroy the harmful organisms, he said.

For example, "you wouldn't want to use these devices to disinfect apple cider," he said. "The light wouldn't penetrate."

There is a video demonstration of the device here on the SteriPen website. The Times article says the SteriPen will be out in April. It has a retail price of $129.95.

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The Marmot Never Summer Sleeping Bag

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 21:00:00 EST

The 2008 Marmot Never Summer sleeping bag looks like it will always keep you snug and warm even on the coldest winter days. Campist blogs that is has a number of features to help keep you comfy in temperatures as cold as zero degrees fahrenheit.

It's rated as a three-season sleeping bag, but the 2008 Marmot Never Summer sleeping bag can easily take you through all four, thanks to features like the heat pocket and baffle hood, which keep you toasty when temperatures plummet as low as 0ºF. The Never Summer sleeping bag comes with a 600+ fill goose down, packed in a durable and waterproof nylon shell. Ground-level side seams eliminate drafts, and locking zippers keep the sleeping bag closed throughout the night. If that's not enough to keep you warm, a pocket in the footbox to stash a heating pad definitely will! From head to toe, you're covered.

The sleeping bag has a retail price of $269. More expensive than a regular sleeping bag but if you are out camping on a cold night you will appreciate having it with you. More details here from the TravelGearBlog who gave the cozy sleeper a nine out of ten.

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Wild Wonders of Europe Photography Project Launches

Thu, 6 Mar 2008 15:00:00 EST

The Wild Wonders of Europe has launched. It is an online photography project trying to generate interest in Europe's wildlife.

"Most of us Europeans today know more about nature in Africa or North America, than we know about Europe. How many Swedes know anything about nature in Bulgaria? How many Irish know anything about nature in Belarus? Or vice versa! This is all part of a natural heritage that we share. But how are you supposed to care about something that you have never even seen or heard about?" says Staffan Widstrand, photographer and writer from Sweden, Managing Director of Wild Wonders of Europe.

The launch of the website is also the start of the countdown to the Great Quest in which 50 of Europe's leading nature photographers will travel on more than 90 assignments to every country in Europe. The Great Quest begins in May, 2008.

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Government Cheaply Selling Land to Mining Companies

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 21:13:00 EST

This National Geographic video investigates the practice of allowing the government to cheaply sell land that could be used for recreation and conservation to mining companies. They use an antiquated 1872 mining law to sell land for as cheap as $5 an acre. It's a shocking story.

For centuries the American West has been the realm of cowboys, miners and frontiersman. Since 1872 mining companies have been reaping the benefit of an antiquated law allowing mining companies to purchase land at bargain prices, such as the recent acquisition of an entire mountain for only 875 dollars. Wild Chronicles follows what happens when 19th century laws are faced up against 21st century sensibilities.

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Funny Fishing Lures

Sun, 3 Feb 2008 18:00:00 EST

Not all fishing lures are created equal. Many of the lures in this video look more ridiculous than functional. The video was made by Sven & Ole's "Miracle* Fishin' Loors. (hat tip Great Wild Outdoors)

Direct video link

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Bad Bird Seed Can Harm Environment

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:00:00 EST

Feeding wild birds is a lot of fun but if you don't take the trouble to find the right seeds you could up harming the environment. The main reason for this according to KATU is that the wild bird seed may contain invasive weeds that are not native to the area.

Portland Audubon's Karen Munday told KATU that some seed is bad for birds because some feed mixes contain non-native weed seeds.

"The last thing we want for the health of our birds is to have non-native weed seeds and weeds be out there. The weeds non only hurt habitat bio-diversity but the wild birds can fly away and spread the seeds elsewhere."

Recently, Oregon State University researchers discovered up to 14 non-native weed seed species in bags of seed that were purchased from Corvallis-area stores.

The bags included Pigweed, Russian thistle, crabgrass and witchgrass weed seeds.

Each is an invasive weed that's banned by the Oregon Department of Agriculture.

A video report says some of the bird seed also includes milo, which is a grain that the birds won't even eat.

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20 Snowiest Ski Resorts

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 15:00:00 EST

Forbes.com has a great feature on the 20 snowiest ski resorts. Here's a quick list of the top ten with the average annual snow fall.

Mt. Baker Ski Area, Washington - 641 inches
Niseko resorts, Japan - 595 inches
Alta Ski Area, Utah - 523 inches
Alyeska Resort, Alaska - 513 inches
Kirkwood Mountain Resort, California - 473 inches
Stevens Pass, Washington - 471 inches
Sugar Bowl, California - 464 inches
Grand Targhee Resort, Wyoming - 463 inches
Snowbird Ski Resort, Utah - 461 inches
Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort, Oregon - 430 inches

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Outdoor Kitchen Trend is Cathing On

Thu, 27 Dec 2007 22:00:00 EST

The idea of an outdoor kitchen is catching on according to an article from HousingZone.com. These range from simple brick fireplaces to more elaborate kitchens with stainless steel appliances.

"The outdoor kitchen trend is definitely catching on. A lot of people are adding on fireplaces, some stationary, some portable, to porches and patios," said George Wright of George Wright Construction.

Cabinets will be multi-functional. Instead of lining up cabinetry unity, staggered setups are being used to create more movement and intrigue.

"We're seeing outdoor kitchens with full sets of appliances. People are going for fully functional kitchens," said Hank Matheny from Haskell Interiors Design Collection.

"Now people are starting to use different and more exciting materials for the outdoor kitchen space that complement the exterior of the house." he said. "We are seeing people use glass mosaics and porcelain tiles. More designs like what you would see on the interior of the house."

Now, the trend is to create the seamless flow between the indoor and outdoor spaces. Many homeowners consider their outdoor living area as an addition to their homes. Building a major outdoor project (such as a kitchen, pond, fire feature) is the second most popular home improvement project, according to a survey by Better Homes and Garden magazine.

Viking has a good example of the stainless steel outdoor kitchens here on their website. If you are more of a do-it-yourselfer you might want to read this Popular Mechanics article. HGTV also has an article about some outdoor kitchen designs. They note that "today's outdoor kitchens are an extension of their indoor counterparts and are far more sophisticated than a simple charcoal grill."

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The Daily Coyote

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 21:00:00 EST

The Daily Coyote is a blog by writer/photographer Shreve Stockton who has adopted a coyote pup named Charlie that was orphaned when its parents were shot. Charlie lives with Shreve and her cat Eli.

Charlie is a wild-born coyote who was unexpectedly delivered to my doorstep this past April after both his parents were shot for killing sheep. Whatever reservations I had about raising a wild animal simply didn't matter - couldn't matter - when I realized his survival, at least in the short term, depended on me.

At the time I write this, Charlie is nearly six months old. I don't think of him as "my pet," even though he sleeps curled against me every night (every night except the nights around a full moon), and happily rides in my truck, and adores my cat. I don't wish to own him, just to live together in harmony. And that we do.

The story is very interesting and the photography is excellent so be sure to take a look. (via Get Outdoors)

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The Christmas Bird Count

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 18:00:00 EST

An alternative to hunting and bagging birds is to count them. In 1900, bird lovers banded together and started an alternative to the hunt. It is called the Christmas Bird Count. Audubon Society bird clubs all over the country conduct counts around Christmas time. This video's entry on YouTube says that over 40,000 participants go afield for one day and list the number of individuals of each species they see.

Direct video link

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Global Warming Cartoon Wins Emmy

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 14:50:00 EST

A global warming cartoon created in a partnership The Sierra Club, Project 3650.org and Pecos Pictures has won an Emmy award.

San Francisco: The Sierra Club, Project 3650.org and Pecos Pictures won this year's "National Public Service Announcement/Broadband" Emmy Award for the "Big Fun with Global Warming" cartoon released online earlier this year.

The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences awarded the Emmy at its "Humanitarian, Public and Community Service Emmy Awards" ceremony on Nov. 9. The cartoon was created by Mark Greene of Pecos Pictures and was presented in cooperation with Project 3650.org.

"Big Fun with Global Warming" was the first of two cartoons by Pecos Pictures licensed by the Sierra Club to share information about the impact of global warming. In "Big Fun with Global Warming," the character 'Stinky' learns that the average American produces five tons of carbon pollution every year -- which is equivalent to the weight of 10 Steinway grand pianos.

The cartoon starring Stinky is called Big Fun with Global Warming. You can watch it here on the Sierra Club's website.

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A Ski Resort for North Texas?

Fri, 23 Nov 2007 20:14:00 EST

Snowboard Magazine reports that a company named Bearfire Resorts, LLC has ambitious plans to open a huge ski resort in North Texas near the Fort Worth area.

A highly committed group of individual and corporate investors will provide the funding necessary to transform Bearfire Resort from schematic drawings to reality.

Former House Majority Leader Dick Armey is an advisor to the project and assists in identifying equity investors.

"Not only will Bearfire Resort be a huge economic boost to North Texas, but its innovative approach may prove to be a trend-setter for other cities around the country looking for ways to spur their local economies," said Armey.

Wendell, Gene, and Evan Jacobson of The Jacobson Group of Management Solutions, Inc. (MSI) will oversee the financing aspect of the Bearfire Resort including the organizing of the debt instruments and the equity funding. The Jacobsons have nearly 30 years of history in the Texas real estate market and are experienced in putting together large real estate transactions. MSI, one of their property management companies, has corporate offices in Dallas and in Utah.

The 650,000 square feet resort is possible because of a technology called Snowflex. (via Get Outdoors)

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Andrew Skurka Named Adventurer of the Year

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 14:44:00 EST

National Geographic Adventure magazine has named 26-year-old Andrew Skurka as the Adventurer of the Year. Skurka completed a 6,875-mile hike through the American West in an effort to call attention to environmental and ecological threats.

National Geographic Adventure magazine has chosen Andrew Skurka, 26, as 2007 Adventurer of the Year for his epic seven-month, 6,875-mile hike through the American West to call attention to its magnificent landscape and the environmental and ecological threats affecting it. His first-of-its-kind journey took him through five major mountain ranges, 12 national parks and 75 wilderness areas. The magazine is also honoring British entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson and polar explorer Will Steger with Best of Adventure awards for Lifetime Achievement.

The achievements of Skurka, Branson, Steger and 14 other adventurers are highlighted in the December 2007/January 2008 issue of National Geographic Adventure (on newsstands Nov. 27), which features the most outstanding accomplishments for 2007 in the world of exploration, conservation and humanitarian work.

The 2006 Adventurers of the Year, Colin Angus and Julie Wafaei, who completed a two-year, human-powered circumnavigation of the world, will present the 2007 award to Skurka on Thursday, Nov. 15, at a gala event at National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C. The evening will be emceed by Boyd Matson, host of the new "National Geographic Weekend" radio program and the public television series "Wild Chronicles." He will present awards to Steger and 11 other adventure heroes.

You can visit Andrew Skurka's website here. It includes galleries of photos from some of his travels. A National Geographic story about Skurka can be found here.

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Global Warming Dulling Fall Foliage

Sun, 21 Oct 2007 15:00:00 EST

Have you noticed less brilliance in the colors this Fall? Do the leaves appear dull and not quite as beautiful as previous years. You can blame that on climate change and the leaves in the Northeast have been especially hard hit reports the Associated Press.

Every fall, Marilyn Krom tries to make a trip to Vermont to see its famously beautiful fall foliage. This year, she noticed something different about the autumn leaves.

"They're duller, not as sparkly, if you know what I mean," Krom, 62, a registered nurse from Eastford, Conn., said during a recent visit. "They're less vivid."

Other "leaf peepers" are noticing, too, and some believe climate change could be the reason.

Forested hillsides usually riotous with reds, oranges and yellows have shown their colors only grudgingly in recent years, with many trees going straight from the dull green of late summer to the rust-brown of late fall with barely a stop at a brighter hue.

"It's nothing like it used to be," said University of Vermont plant biologist Tom Vogelmann, a Vermont native.

He says autumn has become too warm to elicit New England's richest colors.

With winters only expected to get warmer in the future it looks like fall folliage is another thing that will change thanks to global warming. Beautiful fall scenes like the one on the right will become less common. One forestry professor told the AP that the leaves will skip color changes and go straight from green to brown. Not fun for leaf peepers. You can find some fall foliage resources here on our previous post about fall leaves.

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It's Fall Foliage Time

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 16:00:00 EST

Those of you interested in traveling to see the leaves change for Fall can monitor the progress of Fall Foliage on the Weather Channel's Fall Foliage map. The map below shows the change in foliage for today, October 19th. Things are just starting to peak in the Northeast and beginning to change in the Mid-Atlantic.

There are also some great guides to fall foliage on the Internet including GORP's Autumn Kickoff, the Appalachian Mountain Club's foliage guide, Vermont Fall Foliage, MainFoliage.com, FallinPa, USDA's Fall Page and The Foliage Network, and Photo Travel's Fall Foliage Links. The USDA Forest Service also has a helpful page explaining why leaves change color.

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Fall Foliage: Digital Photography Lesson

Sat, 13 Oct 2007 18:00:00 EST

DigitalPhotoGuy has a four part series of photographing the fall foliage on YouTube. Part I is below. Here are the links for the rest of the series: Part II, Part III and Part IV.

Direct video link

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Digital Photography Resources and Tips

Mon, 8 Oct 2007 17:00:00 EST

Digital photography is an important for anyone interested in the outdoors. We all want to take beautiful photographs of the places we have been and to film the nature we see. Writers Write has a great collection of digital photography resources in its journalism section that can help you find digital photography tips and photography websites. Some of the resources they mention include PopPhoto, Photojojo and a Digital Photogrpahy Blog from Photub.

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Skogafoss Waterfalls

Wed, 3 Oct 2007 21:00:00 EST

This video shows photographs of four waterfalls during cpcuda65's full day journey to Skogafoss, Iceland. You can see many more photographs of the Skogafoss waterfalls here on Flickr.

Direct video link

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