Gadling

@American_Latino Expedition Looks To Bring Diversity To National Parks

Kraig Becker — Tue, 21 May 2013 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Activism, Arts and Culture, History, Learning, Blogs, North America, United States

National Park Service

In an effort to increase diversity in America's national parks, the American Latino Heritage Fund of the National Park Foundation has announced a nation wide search for bloggers to take part in an exciting new adventure. Yesterday, the ALHF launched the @American_Latino Expedition, which will explore three parks this summer while simultaneously raising awareness of the contributions of American Latinos to each of those locations.

The @American_Latino Expedition project will focus on education, park stewardship, outdoor recreation and exploration inside Olympic and Mesa Verde national parks in Washington and Colorado respectively, as well as the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area located in Arizona and Utah. With that in mind, the ALHF is looking for groups of bloggers to visit each location and share their experiences with readers. That includes using outlets such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to creatively engage their audiences as well. In exchange for their efforts, all expenses - including airfare, lodging and most on-site excursions - will be completely covered.

The deadline for applying to take part in this program is June 14, and the ALHF is quick to point out that you don't have to be Latino to be selected. Any group with an active social media following, or even adventurous families, are encouraged to apply. To find out more about the project and to download the applications, click here.

Continue reading @American_Latino Expedition Looks To Bring Diversity To National Parks

@American_Latino Expedition Looks To Bring Diversity To National Parks originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 21 May 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Gadling Gear Review: Nyne NB-230 Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Kraig Becker — Mon, 20 May 2013 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Gear, Gadling Gear Review

Nyne N-230

Over the past couple of years, the number of choices for consumers looking to buy a portable Bluetooth speaker has exploded. It wasn't all that long ago that our options were limited to just a few underpowered speakers that provided low-quality wireless audio, but now there are literally dozens of these speakers on the market making it much more of a challenge to decide which one to buy. It has also made it more of a challenge for the companies who manufacturer these devices to stand out in the crowd, forcing them to try something a little different. That seems to be the approach that Nyne took with their NB-230 speaker system, delivering a product that will remind you more of an old-school boombox rather than the smaller speakers that typically come from their competitors.

The first thing you're likely to notice about the NB-230 is its size. Most other portable Bluetooth speakers are designed to be small enough that you can toss them in a backpack and take them along with you just about everywhere, but as mentioned above, this speaker is more like a streamlined boombox for the 21st century. While it is small and light enough to take with you on a day trip, this isn't likely to be the kind of speaker that you'll want to carry with you on a trip to the far side of the globe. It is simply too large and oddly shaped to want to put into your luggage, although it is great for a day at the beach or family picnic in the park.

Unlike most other portable Bluetooth speakers that I've used, the NB-230 doesn't include a rechargeable battery. Smaller speakers can be powered for hours on their own built-in batteries, but this device is too large for that to be an efficient option. Instead, you'll need to use six C batteries to keep the speaker operating while away from a power outlet. (When is the last time you actually had to use C cells for anything? Probably the last boombox that you owned more than a decade ago.) Nyne says that those batteries will keep the NB-230 charged for up to four hours, and that is about what I achieved while testing the unit. That means that using this speaker away from home could get costly and that battery life is about half that found on smaller models from the competition.

Continue reading Gadling Gear Review: Nyne NB-230 Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Gadling Gear Review: Nyne NB-230 Portable Bluetooth Speaker originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 20 May 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Outdoor Rise Festival Brings Adventure To New York City

Kraig Becker — Sun, 19 May 2013 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Biking, Climbing, Hiking, Paddling, Festivals and Events, North America, United States, Ecotourism

Outdoor Rise

Residents of New York City who are looking to put a little outdoor adventure into their lives will be pleased to learn of an upcoming event that aims to help them do just that. The first ever Outdoor Rise festival is scheduled to take place June 17-23 and will offer a full week of competitions, classes, lectures, films and more. Best off all, the event is scheduled to take place across all five boroughs and will be absolutely free.

Outdoor Rise is sponsored by Discover Outdoors, an organization that is dedicated to improving the "quality of life through meaningful outdoor experiences." With that in mind, there are some big plans for the upcoming festival with events such as daily yoga classes, kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding opportunities on the Hudson River, bouldering in Central Park and organized hikes along a variety of trails. But that's just the tip of the iceberg. There will also be photography workshops, guest speakers, adventure films and more. For a full schedule be sure to check out the events calendar on the Outdoor Rise website.

The hope is that that this event will not only provide a rare opportunity for outdoor adventure to the very metropolitan New York crowd, but also give someone the chance to connect with the outdoors in ways that they never have before. Many people who live in NYC might not even know that these opportunities exist right outside their door, and the dedicated team at Discover Outdoors wants to remind them of this fact. Along the way, they might even inspire them to bigger adventures.

Outdoor Rise Festival Brings Adventure To New York City originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 19 May 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Summit Day Arrives On Mt. Everest

Kraig Becker — Sat, 18 May 2013 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Climbing, Asia, China, Nepal

Kraig Becker

It has been a long and wild climbing season on the world's tallest mountain. Over the past few years, Mt. Everest has been widely criticized for being an over crowded stage for publicity seekers and tourist climbers who have no business being on the mountain. That hasn't changed much this spring, but when you add in the recent brawl between three European climbers and a mob of angry Sherpas, not to mention the death of a very well known Russian mountaineer earlier this week, the 2013 season has been a strange and difficult one indeed. But for most of the climbers, the end is now in sight. After nearly two months away from home and weeks of acclimatizing at altitude, all of their preparation is about to pay off. Summit Day has arrived at last.

The summit of Everest has remained an elusive place thus far this spring. A week ago two teams of Sherpas completed the job of fixing the ropes to the top of the mountain from both the North Side in Tibet and the South Side in Nepal. A couple of daring and experienced climbers followed closely behind and were able to top out just before a system of bad weather moved in. Since then, high winds have kept the summit out of reach and challenged the patience of the other teams waiting to make their ascents. Over the past few days, a number of those teams attempted to reach the top, but most of them were turned back by persistent bad weather. Today the skies cleared, the winds have calmed and temperatures have even warmed a bit making it a perfect day to climb to the top.

Continue reading Summit Day Arrives On Mt. Everest

Summit Day Arrives On Mt. Everest originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 18 May 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

National Geographic Announces Emerging Explorers For 2013

Kraig Becker — Fri, 17 May 2013 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Activism, Arts and Culture, History, Learning, News

Courtesy Erin Pettit

The National Geographic Emerging Explorers Program was created to recognize young adventurers, scientists and researchers who have shown particular promise in their chosen field. Each year, Nat Geo selects a group of outstanding men and women who have not only made a significant impact early in their career but whose work shows potential for major breakthroughs down the line as well.

Earlier this week, the Class of 2013 Emerging Explorers was revealed for the first time. This year there are 17 recipients of this honor, each with their own diverse interests and areas of expertise. For instance, conservation biologist Steve Boyes is recognized for his work in protecting Botswana's famous Okavango Delta ecosystem. He's joined by Sayed Gul Kalash, an archaeologist who is striving to preserve the endangered Kalash culture and language in remote Pakistan. Erin Pettit earned her Emerging Explorer honors by studying glaciers to better understand the effects of climate change, while Shah Selbe is an engineer who built a system to track illegal fishing activities across the globe.

This year's class of Emerging Explorers also represents how we are redefining who we perceive as an "explorer" in the 21st century. In addition to the traditional biologists, anthropologists and geologists that fit that mold, we also have Chad Jenkins who is a computer scientists and roboticist working in the field of artificial intelligence. Entrepreneur Tan Le is recognized for her efforts in studying how the brain works and sharing that knowledge on a global scale, while Jer Throp is breaking new ground in the arena of data visualization and digital art. These are new areas of research and study that would have been unheard of even a decade ago.

Each of the Emerging Explorers is awarded $10,000 to assist with their ongoing research. To view the entire Class of 2013, click here.

National Geographic Announces Emerging Explorers For 2013 originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 17 May 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

New Long Distance Hiking Trail To Open In Africa

Kraig Becker — Thu, 16 May 2013 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Hiking, History, Africa, Uganda, Camping, Ecotourism

Julian Monroe Fisher

If you've already crossed the Appalachian Trail off your bucket list, hiked the length of New Zealand along the Te Araroa and walked through the Alps on the Haute Route, then I may have found your next big adventure: a new long-distance hiking trail set to open in Africa early next year that will give adventurous travelers an opportunity to follow in the footsteps of a famous 19th-century explorer.

The Sir Samuel and Lady Florence Baker Historical Trail will stretch for approximately 360 miles from Gondokoro - near Juba, the capital of South Sudan - to Baker's View, which is located near the shores of Lake Albert in western Uganda. The route follows roughly the same path that Samuel Baker used on his expeditions to explore central Africa, which took place throughout the 1860s and 1870s. Baker's wife accompanied him on those adventures, which is why the trail has been named to honor her as well. In 1864, Baker made the greatest discovery of his career when he became the first European to set eyes on the massive body of water that he would name in honor of Prince Albert, the late consort of Britain's Queen Victoria. Baker's View marks the location where the explorer first caught a glimpse of Lake Albert itself and those hiking the trail will get to relive that moment a century and a half later.

The new trail is the pet project of explorer and anthropologist Julian Monroe Fisher, who recently walked most of the route as part of his Great African Expedition. Fisher is working closely with the Uganda Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife & Antiquities; the Uganda Wildlife Authority; and the Ministry of Wildlife, Conservation & Tourism for South Sudan to make this project a reality. The trail has the full support of the descendants of Samuel Baker as well and Fisher credits both RailRiders Adventure Clothing and Costa Del Mar Sunglasses for helping to push this project along.

Continue reading New Long Distance Hiking Trail To Open In Africa

New Long Distance Hiking Trail To Open In Africa originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 16 May 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Bushtracks Expeditions Lets You Build Your Own Safari From Scratch

Kraig Becker — Wed, 15 May 2013 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Africa, Botswana, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia, Internet Tools

For more than 20 years Bushtracks Expeditions has been helping travelers visit Africa to experience the classic safari to its fullest. After two decades in the business, it is safe to say that they've learned a few things about organizing an unforgettable excursion into the remote corners of the continent. Now, they've taken all of that knowledge and experience and placed it online in a new tool that makes it a breeze to customize every element of your own personal safari, which they'll then organize to your exact specifications.

This new online tool launched recently on the Bushtracks website where travelers are free to join any one of the company's existing itineraries or completely build their own from scratch. That process can be as easy or as complex as you'd like, as the website gives you the option of starting with one of the preexisting safari options and simply tweaking it to fit your needs or you can begin with a completely blank slate and build the entire schedule into a dream excursion that will create memories to last a lifetime. And for those who don't like to make too many tough travel decisions, there is even a safari wizard that asks you several easy questions then provides recommendations based on your answers.

Continue reading Bushtracks Expeditions Lets You Build Your Own Safari From Scratch

Bushtracks Expeditions Lets You Build Your Own Safari From Scratch originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 15 May 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Alleged Poacher Trampled To Death By Elephant In Zimbabwe

Kraig Becker — Tue, 14 May 2013 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Africa, Zimbabwe, News

Two poachers illegally hunting inside Zimbabwe's Charara National Park had the tables unexpectedly turned on them recently. The two men slipped into the reserve unnoticed where they had hoped to kill an elephant and harvest its ivory tusks for sale on the black market in Asia. But their excursion ended up going horribly wrong leaving one of the men in the hands of the authorities and the other poacher trampled to death by the very creature he was hunting.

Solomon Manjoro, along with his partner Noluck Tafuruka, allegedly entered the park a few weeks back in hopes that they could bag an elephant, grab its tusks and get out before anyone knew they were there. Apparently Manjoro manged to wound one of the big pachyderms but failed to deliver a killing shot. The enraged animal then charged the men, knocking Manjoro to the ground and trampling him to death. His body was discovered some time later.

Tafuruka managed to escape the wrath of the animal and ran off into the park. He was later detained by authorities who discovered him wandering the premises with an illegal firearm. His capture led to the arrest of a third man living in the capital city of Harare, although what his role in this story is remains a mystery.

Considering the number of elephants that are being slaughtered on a daily basis in Africa, the story of one poacher getting killed by the animal he is hunting hardly seems like justice. Still, I couldn't muster a single ounce of sympathy for the guy. I'm just sad that his friend "Noluck" managed to get away relatively unscathed.

[Photo Credit: Kraig Becker]

Alleged Poacher Trampled To Death By Elephant In Zimbabwe originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 14 May 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Gadling Gear Review: ContourROAM 2 Action Camera

Kraig Becker — Mon, 13 May 2013 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Climbing, Hiking, Paddling, Scuba Diving, Skiing, Surfing, Gear, Video, Gadling Gear Review

One of the fastest growing segments of the consumer electronics market over the past couple of years has been in the action camera category. These small, super-durable video cameras are used to capture footage of everything from family vacations to the latest crazy extreme sport. The leader in this burgeoning market is clearly GoPro, a company whose name has become synonymous with the term "action camera." But there are alternatives for the aspiring filmmaker who is looking for a high quality, fully featured cam that won't break the bank.

One such alternative is the ContourROAM 2 from Contour. This unique and rugged camera has all the tech specs you would expect out of any action cam all wrapped up in a lightweight metal body that is designed to absorb all the punishment you can throw at it. The ROAM 2 features a 5 mega-pixel sensor for capturing solid, if not outstanding, still photos and it even includes a time-lapse mode to snap shots at a variety of predetermined intervals. But you don't buy this type of camera to take still photos, as shooting video is where it truly excels. Contour has given the ROAM 2 the ability to capture video in full 1080p at 30 fps or 720p at 60 fps. A third, intermediate mode, shoots video in a resolution of 1280 x 960 at 30 fps as well, giving users a happy middle ground in terms of image quality and file size.

The ContourROAM 2 is far more than just a collection of video resolutions, however. The camera also features a custom glass lens that shoots in a wide 170° angle and can rotate up to 270° to catch just the right shot, even while mounted on a helmet, bike or other stationary point. The camera uses MicroSD cards to record the captured footage and Contour includes a 4 GB card in the box. That's enough storage to get you up and running, but you'll definitely want to invest in higher capacity cards when you get serious about using this device. The ROAM 2 supports memory cards up to 32 GB in size, which is enough to hold about five hours of footage when shot at the camera's highest resolution.

Continue reading Gadling Gear Review: ContourROAM 2 Action Camera

Gadling Gear Review: ContourROAM 2 Action Camera originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 13 May 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Nat Geo Television Stars Offer Alaska Travel Tips

Kraig Becker — Sun, 12 May 2013 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Climbing, Hiking, Skiing, North America, United States, Camping, Ecotourism

There is no question that Alaska is one of the top adventure travel destinations in North America, if not the entire world. The brief Alaskan summer brings incredible opportunities for climbing, backpacking, camping and fishing, giving visitors a chance to explore everything the state has to offer in relatively warm conditions. During the winter, Alaska becomes the ultimate outdoor playground for those who enjoy cold weather escapes. From dogsledding and snowshoeing to cross country and heli-skiing, it is paradise for the adrenaline junkie and explorer alike.

Covering an area more than twice the size of Texas, Alaska is by far the largest state in the Union. That makes it a daunting place for travelers, who often struggle to determine what it is that they want to see and do in the limited time that they have there. Fortunately we were able to call in some local experts to provide Gadling readers with some great travel tips for visiting the 49th state. These experts all happen to be residents of Alaska and they also happen to be featured on two new television shows that are debuting soon on the National Geographic Channel. They have been kind enough to share their thoughts on the best experiences that Alaska has to offer.

Our first two experts are Dallas Seavey of Willow and Marty Raney of Wasilla, both of whom appear in the new Nat Geo show "Ultimate Survival Alaska," which debuts tonight at 10 p.m. ET/PT. The show drops eight survival experts into the Alaskan backcountry, where they must cross 3000 miles of remote wilderness with nothing but the gear on their back. Dallas is best known as the youngest winner in the history of the infamous Iditarod sled dog race, while his co-star Marty is a mountain guide who has led 17 successful expeditions to the summit of Denali - also known as Mt. McKinley.

Continue reading Nat Geo Television Stars Offer Alaska Travel Tips

Nat Geo Television Stars Offer Alaska Travel Tips originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 12 May 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Mountain Travel Sobek Launches 5-Day Flash Sale Monday

Kraig Becker — Sat, 11 May 2013 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Festivals and Events, Africa, Tanzania, Ecotourism, Travel Deals, Luxury Travel

Adventure travel company Mountain Travel Sobek will launch a flash sale starting Monday that will offer substantial savings on some of their more popular trips. The five-day sale will feature a different discounted itinerary each day, giving travelers just 24-hours to grab the hot deal.

The discounted trips will be displayed prominently on both the company's website and its Facebook page, although exactly which trips will go on sale remains a mystery at this time. Considering Mountain Travel Sobek offers dozens of itineraries to nearly every corner of the globe, it is possible that the flash sale could send you just about anywhere. With so many options in their catalog, travelers will also have to weigh whether or not they should grab a current deal or wait until the following day to see what is offered next. But once the 24-hour period is up, the sale on that particular trip is over and if you haven't booked it, you've missed your chance.

In addition to the flash sale that runs next week, the company is also currently running a sweepstakes to give away the Ultimate African Safari in celebration of its 40th anniversary. One lucky winner will receive a 12-day trip to Tanzania, including airfare and travel gear, which will send them to the Serengeti to witness the greatest collection of wildlife on the planet. The contest runs through July 18. Enter here.

Although its origins can be traced as far back as 1969, Mountain Travel Sobek was officially launched in 1991 with the merger of two top adventure travel companies. Over the years it has continued the legacy set down by its founders, offering trips to all seven continents and constantly providing customers with exciting new options.

[Photo Credit: Kraig Becker]

Mountain Travel Sobek Launches 5-Day Flash Sale Monday originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 11 May 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Antarctica Saw More Visitors In 2012

Kraig Becker — Fri, 10 May 2013 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Antarctica, Ecotourism, News, Luxury Travel

Earlier this week, the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) concluded their 24th annual meeting in Punta Arenas, Chile. Topics at the gathering included strategic planning for sustainable tourism in the Antarctic, methods of safe travel that can help protect the fragile ecosystem there and ways of enticing more travel companies to join the Association. During the conference, the IAATO also released its final tourism numbers for the 2012-2013 Antarctic travel season that has recently ended. Those numbers were up sharply over the previous year, indicating that there is still a strong interest amongst travelers to visit the frozen continent.

According to the IAATO, there were 34,316 visitors to the Antarctic last year - up from 26,519 during the 2011-2012 season. The organization noted that much of the growth came as a result of an increase of passengers on small- and medium-sized vessels over previous years as well as a jump in the number of travelers electing a cruise-only option. On those types of trips the visitors never actually step foot on the continent of Antarctica at all, but simply stay aboard their ship the entire time as it cruises about the Southern Ocean.

Looking ahead to next season, the IAATO doesn't believe it will see nearly as large of an increase in the number of visitors as it did this year. Growth is predicted to be modest at best with most of the gains continuing to come from the cruise-only category. It seems that while interest amongst travelers for visiting the Antarctic is high, most would prefer to just see it from a distance.

Visitors who make the journey to the bottom of the world do seem to have some concerns about the impact of travel on the environment there, however. The IAATO revealed that more than $200,000 was directly contributed to various Antarctic charities by travelers who visited that part of the world with its member companies. That brought the total to more than $2.7 million over the past nine years.

Antarctica Saw More Visitors In 2012 originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 10 May 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

80-Year-Old Climbers Vie For Record Of Oldest To Summit Everest

Kraig Becker — Thu, 09 May 2013 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Climbing, Asia, Japan, Nepal

Two octogenarians are preparing to go head-to-head to determine who will hold the record for the oldest to summit Mt. Everest; 81-year-old Min Bahadur Sherchan of Nepal and his 80-year-old rival Yuichiro Miura of Japan are both currently in Everest Base Camp on the South Side of the mountain. Sometime in the next couple of weeks, the two climbers will set out for the 29,029-foot summit as they both look to fulfill a dream of climbing Everest in their eighth decade. Setting a new mark for the oldest person to accomplish that feat would simply be icing on the cake.

Sherchan is the current record holder, having previously climbed Everest in 2008 at the age of 76. He managed to reach the top of the world's tallest peak exactly one day before his Japanese counterpart, who was 75 at the time. That was Miura's second successful summit as he also climbed the mountain in 2003 at the age of 70.

Unsurprisingly, the rivalry between these two climbers is a bit one-sided. Sherchan says that he hasn't returned to Everest in an effort to keep his record but instead he simply wants to attempt to climb the mountain in his 80s. Miura on the other hand is quoted as saying, "records are meant to be broken." Clearly he would relish the opportunity to claim this crown for himself. In order to do that, however, he must first reach the summit and then hope that Serchan does not.

The two men will soon get the opportunity to prove that they still have the strength and skill to pull off this difficult climb despite their advancing age. If everything goes as planned, the Sherpa team charged with fixing the ropes up the mountain will complete their work tomorrow. That will clear the way for the commercial climbing squads to begin their ascents once they get a clear weather window that will provide access to the summit. The forecast calls for high winds over the next few days, but things should start to improve early next week. After that, the two men will have their duel on the slopes.

[Photo Credit: Yuichiro Miura]

80-Year-Old Climbers Vie For Record Of Oldest To Summit Everest originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 09 May 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Video: Two Months Aboard An Antarctic Ice Breaker

Kraig Becker — Wed, 08 May 2013 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Antarctica, Video

You wouldn't think that watching a massive ice breaker slice through the ice in the Ross Sea off the coast of Antarctica would be all that interesting. But the video below condenses two months of time spent aboard just such a vessel into a five-minute clip that is simply mesmerizing to watch.

Shot aboard the Nathaniel B. Palmer, the video captures the stark beauty of the Southern Ocean and the seemingly never-ending sheets of ice that cover its surface. Sometimes that ice is almost paper-thin and other times it is so thick that the ship can barely press onward, and yet it always seems to find a way. The ever-changing conditions of both the surface and sky are simply wonderful to watch, even if making a voyage like this one isn't exactly on the agenda for most travelers.

Video: Two Months Aboard An Antarctic Ice Breaker originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 08 May 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

World Cycle Race 2014: Race Around The World On A Bike

Kraig Becker — Tue, 07 May 2013 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Biking, Festivals and Events, Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, South America, Middle East, Central America

Are you one of those adventure travelers who has pretty much gone everywhere and done everything? Have you already climbed Kilimanjaro, trekked the length of the Himalaya and run an ultramarathon in the Sahara Desert? Are you looking for a new challenge that will motivate you to get off the couch while allowing you to continue exploring the world at the same time? If so, then you may want to consider entering the World Cycle Race 2014, a one-of-a-kind competition that pits competitors against one another in a bike race around the world.

The race will commence on March 22 of next year with riders electing to depart from either London, Singapore or Auckland. They will then be free to take any route they choose, traveling east or west, as they attempt to become the fastest person to circumnavigate the globe on a bicycle. Their route must cover a minimum of 18,000 miles, however, and the rider must pass through two antipodal points on the planet as they go. That is to say, they must pass touch two points that are on the exact opposite side of the world from one another.

The race will feature three categories with both male and female riders entered into each of them. In the "Supported" category a single cyclist will take to the road with a team that will provide assistance whereever necessary. That crew can help make bike repairs, find places to stay, provide food and so on. This is the category for those who are hoping to take a legitimate shot at the world record for the fastest time around the globe. In both the "Solo" and "Pairs" category, riders will travel completely unsupported with just the gear they can carry with them to see them through. While out on the road, they'll need to be entirely self sufficient, dealing with whatever challenges arise completely on their own.

Continue reading World Cycle Race 2014: Race Around The World On A Bike

World Cycle Race 2014: Race Around The World On A Bike originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 07 May 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Gadling Gear Review: Goal Zero Sherpa 50 Solar Charging Kit

Kraig Becker — Mon, 06 May 2013 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Hiking, Gear, Camping, Gadling Gear Review

Let's face it; in the modern era of travel most of us rarely hit the road without a slew of gadgets in tow. Smartphones, tablets, digital cameras and a host of other devices have all made travel simpler and more enjoyable than ever before. But keeping the batteries on all of those items fully charged can be a real challenge, especially when traveling through remote locations. Fortunately, there have been some excellent advances in solar charging, which have made gathering energy from the sun a more viable way to power our devices while on the go. The most impressive of those options that I've seen so far is the new Sherpa 50 charging kit from Goal Zero, a system that is so powerful that it can even charge your laptop.

At the heart of this kit is Goal Zero's excellent Nomad 13 solar panel, so named for its ability to generate up to 13 watts of power, and the Sherpa 50 Recharger pack. The two work in tandem to provide an excellent on-the-go charging system for just about any device you could possibly carry with you on your travels. Both are durable, compact and lightweight, so they won't take up too much room in your pack either. Together they tip the scales at just 2.7 pounds, which isn't much when you consider how useful this kit can be.

The Nomad 13 solar panel folds open to collect as much of the sun's rays as possible and can either directly charge a device from its built-in USB port or store energy in the Sherpa 50's internal battery, which is capable of holding up to 50 watt hours. Charging times depend greatly on the amount of available sunlight but one of the strengths of the panel is that it is capable of drawing power even on overcast days. In bright sunlight the Nomad 13 can fully charge the Sherpa 50 in as little as five hours, but in the real world, however, it only operates that quickly under the most optimal of conditions. It is more realistic to expect a seven to eight hour charge time under normal circumstances, and on cloudy days it could take as much as 12 hours or more. The Sherpa 50 can also be charged in as little as three hours via a wall outlet, which is convenient for having it ready to go before you ever leave home.

Continue reading Gadling Gear Review: Goal Zero Sherpa 50 Solar Charging Kit

Gadling Gear Review: Goal Zero Sherpa 50 Solar Charging Kit originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 06 May 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Video: Death Valley Dreamlapse 2

Kraig Becker — Sun, 05 May 2013 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: North America, United States, Video

The very name "Death Valley" can conjure mental images of an empty, desolate wasteland that stretches for miles on end. In our mind's eye, it is easy to envision the place as a lifeless expanse of land that has little to offer anyone who is unfortunate enough to visit the place. In reality, that misconception couldn't be further from the truth and Death Valley National Park can be a rewarding and beautiful place for those who are willing to explore its more than 3.3 million acres of wilderness.

Don't believe me? Check out the time-lapse video below, which comes our way courtesy of Sunchaser Pictures. They recently went on location in Death Valley to capture some of its awe-inspiring landscapes. What they discovered was a place that was beautiful in an otherworldly way and yet incredibly compelling at the same time.

The producers of this short film recommend you watch it in high definition and with a pair of headphones on, but no matter how you choose to view the video, I think you'll be amazed at what you'll see.

"DEATH VALLEY DREAMLAPSE 2" from Sunchaser Pictures on Vimeo.

Video: Death Valley Dreamlapse 2 originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 05 May 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Go On A 'Beach Safari' In Tanzania

Kraig Becker — Sat, 04 May 2013 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Africa, Tanzania, Hotels and Accommodations, Ecotourism, Luxury Travel

Sanctuary Retreats, a company that deftly mixes both adventure and luxury travel, has announced that it is adding two new lodges to its already impressive portfolio. Starting June 1, the company will offer guests the chance to stay at either the Sanctuary Saadani River Lodge or the Sanctuary Saadani Safari Lodge, both located in Tanzania. These two new destinations will offer guests a wonderful boutique atmosphere while still providing a safari experience unlike any other.

The Sanctuary Saadani River Lodge falls inside the Saadani National Park, one of Tanzania's premiere wildlife destinations. The park sits along the Indian Ocean, which gives it a different feel from the some of the country's other top safari destinations. This lodge features 18 treehouse-style suites designed to complement the natural environment in which they are set. Comfortable balconies overlook the passing Wami River, which is home to all manner of creatures including hippos, crocodiles and flamingos. And at the end of the day, guests can indulge themselves with a relaxing massage in the on-site spa.

Activities available at the River Lodge include mountain biking tours, walking safaris, game drives and more.

Continue reading Go On A 'Beach Safari' In Tanzania

Go On A 'Beach Safari' In Tanzania originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 04 May 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

How Did China Misplace 27000 Rivers?

Kraig Becker — Fri, 03 May 2013 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Activism, Asia, China, Ecotourism, News

When China set out to conduct its First National Census of Water, government officials expected to get a better understanding of the country's rivers and other aquatic resources. But the results of that census have left some environmentalists wondering what happened to all of China's waterways and if there is a looming water crisis for the world's most populous nation.

Prior to conducting the water census, China estimated that it had upwards of 50,000 rivers inside of its borders. But the findings of the three-year study indicate that that number is actually 22,909. That's a loss of more than 27,000 rivers with a combined total water volume that would be about the equivalent of the Mississippi River. That is a significant amount of water to have completely vanished.

So what exactly happened to all of those rivers? China blames their disappearance on two factors - outdated mapping techniques and global climate change. In an interview with the South China Morning Post, China's Deputy Director of the Ministry of Water Resources, Huang He, indicated that the original estimate was probably too high due to inaccurate topographic maps that trace their origin back to the 1950s. He also acknowledged that climate change has led to the loss of both water and soil throughout China.

Continue reading How Did China Misplace 27000 Rivers?

How Did China Misplace 27000 Rivers? originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 03 May 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Americans On Everest: A Look Back At The Famous 1963 Expedition

Kraig Becker — Thu, 02 May 2013 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Climbing, History, Asia, North America, Nepal, United States, Video

Yesterday marked the 50th anniversary of the first American to summit Mt. Everest, the tallest mountain on the planet at 29,029 feet in height. That successful venture came ten years after Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay made the first ascent of that mountain, but in the decade that had followed only four other climbers had managed to stand on top. The 1963 expedition would not only put an American on the summit for the first time, it would also open an entirely new route that had never been climbed before. That expedition would also go down in history as one of the most daring and successful ever, setting the standard for those that would follow.

Ironically enough, the expedition was actually led by a transplanted Swiss climber by the name of Norman Dyhrenfurth. He took a team that consisted of 19 Americans, 32 Sherpas and 909 porters carrying 27 tons of gear and equipment to the mountain. In those days there was no airport in the Everest region, so that trek began in Kathmandu and covered 183 miles on foot. It took a month just to reach Base Camp, which was where the real work would begin.

In the early weeks of the expedition the team concentrated on acclimatizing to the altitude and preparing for the challenges of climbing the South Col route pioneered by Hillary and Norgay. Those efforts payed off early on when 34-year-old Jim Whittaker of Seattle, WA, and his Sherpa guide Nawang Gombu, planted the U.S. flag at the summit on May 1. It was a huge day for Whittaker personally and an even bigger one for American mountaineering.

Continue reading Americans On Everest: A Look Back At The Famous 1963 Expedition

Americans On Everest: A Look Back At The Famous 1963 Expedition originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 02 May 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments