Reminder: October 14th is a National Day of Adventure

As I get ready to head out of the country once again tomorrow, I wanted to take this opportunity to remind everyone that next Friday – October 14, 2016 – had been declared a National Day of Adventure by Men's Journal and Victorinox, the company behind the iconic Swiss Army Knife.

While not an official holiday of course, the entire point of the NDOA is to encourage people to get outside, engage in their favorite outdoor activities, or perhaps even try something new. To that end, the two sponsors of the Day of Adventure have helped organize more than 30 events across the U.S. to give us all a starting point for getting our adventures off to a good start.

While I'll actually be in Spain on that day, I'll certainly take some time to hit a trail and do some hiking, or possibly even some snorkeling in the Mediterranean Sea. And since it is a Friday, hopefully some of you will take part in the celebration by heading out to enjoy your own adventures too. Why not skip out of work early, grab your mountain bike and take a ride on your favorite trail? Or, gather up some friends and take a scenic hike somewhere before grabbing some dinner and drinks afterwards. The whole point is to add a little excitement and adventure back into your life, something that hopefully we do on a more regular basis than one day a year, but it is a good place to get started never the less.

So, whether your like to ride, hike, run, paddle, fly, climb, or some other crazy outdoor activity, don't forget to set a little time aside to pursue that passion next Friday. After all, you'll never regret the days that you do the things you love, and you might just discover other passions along the way.

Get out there and enjoy!

Men's Journal Gives Us the 50 Most Adventurous Men

If you're looking for something to read today that is equal parts inspirational and educational, than have a look at Men's Journal's list of the 50 Most Adventurous Men on the planet. You'll find more than a few names that get mentioned here on The Adventure Blog on a regular basis, as well as some that you may not have encountered before.

The list reads like a "who's who" of adventure, with guys like Alex Honnold, Kilian Jornet, and Conrad Anker all making the cut. Others who earn some recognition from MJ include Ueli Steck, Eric Larsen, and Mike Horn, all of which I've written about and covered their expeditions extensively on this very website.

Of course, those well known names are just the tip of the iceberg so to speak, with numerous other interesting, daring, and downright visionary individuals making their way onto the list as well. The article spotlights mountaineers, rock climbers, ocean rowers, explorers, and more. Each of the profiles includes a brief introduction to the person's accomplishments, some insights into their career highlights, and a glimpse of where they may be headed next. All in all, it is a pretty great way to learn about some of the men who are shaping the way we explore the world today.

While 50 individuals is a fairly lengthy list, there are always some who are left off. I'm sure that like me, you'll be able to think of a few individuals that probably deserve to be mentioned with this group such as Simone Moro for instance. There are others as well, but this is still a pretty interesting list and well worth a look for sure.

Now, when is someone going to do a list of the 50 most adventurous women?

Video: Life in Balance

Here's one of those videos that shows off a skill that is better to be seen in a clip like this one, rather than to attempt yourself. In it, we join Norwegian Eskil Rønningsbakken as he travels around that country demonstrating his ability to balance on objects that are dangling not he edge of extreme spaces, including cliff, canyons, and mountains. His demonstration of agility is quite impressive, particularly considering the places he has chosen to show off these skills. And of course, this being Norway, the scenery is beautiful too.

On the Road Again: Headed to Crested Butte, Colorado

It has been a busy summer at The Adventure Blog headquarters. Since May, I've been on the road every week or two, visiting some truly spectacular destinations along the way. Since I was in Quebec a few weeks back, I've been fortunate enough to actually be home for a little more than two weeks. The longest stretch I've had in quite some time. That ends tomorrow, as I'll be heading out to Crested Butte, Colorado for a few days of fly fishing, mountain biking, and exploring this intriguing adventure destination in the Rocky Mountains.

As usual, that probably means no updates for the rest of the week. I will be back home late Sunday, and will resume posting updates again next Monday, so just a short break this time out. The following week I'll be off to Bryce Canyon for a short backpacking trip however, so my time at home will once again be brief. After that, there is just one more international escape on the agenda at the moment, followed hopefully by some pleasant time at home heading into the fall.

I'm sure I'll have lots of stories to share when I return from CB. I'm told the mountain biking is epic and I'm looking forward to seeing the place for myself. Until then, take advantage of the changing seasons and get outside and enjoy some adventures of your own. Now is a great time for camping, hiking, cycling, or whatever outdoor activity you enjoy doing. I'll be back before you know it.

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!

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: Celebrating 100 Years of America's National Parks

If you've been reading The Adventure Blog this week, you know that today is the 100th anniversary of the founding of America's National Park Service. This video comes our way courtesy of CBS, and it was made with one purpose - celebrating 100 year of the national parks. This is a momentous occasion indeed, so sit back and enjoy this four-minute clip that will remind you of why these places are so special.

Gear Junkie Gives Us 10 Gear Trends to Watch for in 2017

It's hard to believe but 2016 is already starting to wind down. Sure, we're still in the midst of the dog days of summer here in the Northern Hemisphere, but the final days of August is in sight, and we're only a few short months from the end of the year. With that in mind, our friends over at Gear Junkie have peered into their crystal ball and looked into the future, giving us 10 gear trends to watch out for in 2017.

For anyone who attended the Summer Outdoor Retailer convention a few weeks back, most of these trends won't come as much of a surprise. Walking the halls of the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City, Utah, it was clear where the industry is headed. But, those same trends aren't quite as clear to the outside observer who wasn't lucky enough to see all of the major outdoor brands collected under one roof.

So what can we expect from our gear in 2017? I won't spoil the entire list, but there are certainly a few items that are worth mentioning. For instance, there is definitely a concerted effort in the outdoor industry to make our gear more "green." Companies are searching for ways to use recycled materials for instance, and they are changing the way they manufacture their products so that they use less water and have a decreased impact on the environment. We've seen a few efforts in this direction in the past, but it is really picking up steam now. Over the next few years, those efforts will not only increase dramatically, they'll also become much more common place.

Other trends that Gear Junkie says we should watch for include more sophisticated drones, boots that grip ice better, and performance apparel that will help keep us cooler. The other items on the list are equally intriguing, and definitely reflect the same things I saw at OR.

If you're a gear nerd like me, you'll probably find GJ's list very interesting. The industry is definitely moving forward with some new initiatives and we'll all get the opportunity to benefit from it.

On the Road Again: Heading Back to Quebec!

Just another quick note to let regular readers know that there will once again be no updates next week. My time back home was brief, and now I'm headed back to Quebec, Canada for another adventure. Some of you may recall that I was in Quebec this past winter where I had the opportunity to do some snowshoeing and dogsledding in some of the most beautiful (and cold!) conditions ever. Now, I'll return once again to the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region where I'll be whitewater rafting, stand-up paddleboarding, sea kayaking and hiking. It should be a wonderful time and a nice way to contrast the region between the two seasons.

While I'm away, the Karakoram climbing season should finally come to an end, and I'm sure there will be other interesting adventure news taking place. I'll try to post updates upon my return of anything important that may have taken place. Regular updates will resume on August 22, at which time I'll actually be home for several weeks in a row. That will be the first time that that has happened in several months.

Until then, enjoy the last few weeks of summer, get outside and have some adventures of your own, and explore this great big planet of ours. I'll be back before you know it!

Men's Journal and Victorinox Declare October 14 a National Day of Adventure

Mark your calendars. Friday, October 14, 2016 has been declared the first ever National Day of Adventure, and we're all being encouraged to participate.

Last week, Men's Journal and Victorinox Swiss Army – makers of those legendary knives and other outdoor gear – announced that they were creating a new holiday and are challenging us to all head outside to live life more fully and tackle a new challenge. To that end, they have created the "National Day of Adventure" (hashtag #NDOA) to encourage everyone to learn a new skill, try something new, or simply push their own boundaries in some way.

To help get things started, MJ and Victorinox will be hosting events in New York City, New Jersey, Minneapolis, and Seattle, with more locations potentially coming soon. One of those events will be an urban scavenger hunt where participants will go in search of gear, while others could include organized trail runs or rides, races, and so on. More events will be posted soon at MensJournal.com/NDOA.

In September, Men's Journal will publish editorial content in both their print and digital editions of the magazine that will offer suggestions for the best one day adventures in certain locations across the U.S. Additionally, the MJ website will also be updated throughout September and October with more adventure focused content.


Jay Gallagher, the Publisher of Men’s Journal, said “This day is designed to inspire people around the country to achieve greater personal fulfillment and experience life beyond the ordinary.”

Dennis Piretra, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Victorinox Swiss Army, added "We’re excited to integrate 125 years of Swiss Army Knife preparedness into the inaugural National Day of Adventure with Men’s Journal and we look forward to celebrating everyone’s adventures large and small on October 14.”

So there you have it. A day designed specifically for pursuing your adventures. I already know that I'll be in Spain on that particular day, so I'm sure I'll be having an adventure of some kind. But what about you? Will you participate? Is this just a marketing scheme by two big corporations or is it a good thing? Personally, I feel that anything that inspires people to lead a more adventurous life, even if its just for one day, is a good thing. Perhaps this will be the gateway that will allow more people to pursue the adventure they always dreamed of, and if that's he case, I'm all for it. 

I'm sure we'll hear more about this the closer we get to October 14. Until then, start thinking about what you'd like to do with your National Day of Adventure.