Adventure Insider » Erick

NYC Climbing Gym Funnies

Erick — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 15:28:24 +0000

Check out this movie made by Seth from http://climbandpunishment.blogspot.com/. Funny stuff!

Things I Learned While Learning to Surf

Erick — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 21:26:43 +0000

I recently took the opportunity to try to get better at surfing. While I was in Costa Rica I tried my hand at surfing by taking a lesson. I manged to stand up a few times and by the end of the two hour instruction period I managed to ride waves to the beach. I recently met some people who are avid surfers. When I was asked if I wanted to tag along for a trip to Long Beach, New York for a day of riding the waves I jumped at the chance. “Consistent chest it says. Should be a good day.” my friend says, checking the surf report. And thus begins my second day of surfing. Below are some of the lessons I learned that day

When someone who has been surfing for 20 years says it’s a good day. Be worried. It turns out I was pretty out of my league for my experience level.
On the same note, opt for a day with smaller waves. The 3 foot range is good. Too big and it’s just a cause for frustration.
Wear a rash guard. As fun as wax in your chest hair and painful nipples sound…they aren’t.
Keep your day short. For someone inexperienced 45 minutes is a long time. Give it a couple of rounds and call it a day.

As you can tell I had a rough day. With the exception of the last lesson, I had to learn them the hard way. All said and done I do plan to dust myself off and try surfing another day. Maybe a day that has smaller swells.

Have a good learning to surf lesson? Post it in the comments below.

Free Advertising

Erick — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 18:45:57 +0000

As you may be aware Adventure Insider Magazine will be launching in September (Check out the full announcement). For both issues being released in 2010 (September and December) we will be giving away five half-page ads. Of course there are a couple restrictions:

First, you won’t receive advertisements in both issues. It’s one or the other.
Second, the ads are for companies that have a nationwide audience. Localized companies and bloggers are not eligible, sorry. We’ll work on something else for you guys in the future.

So, if you manufacture or provide products or services to a national group of adventure enthusiasts, this could be your chance for some dirt cheap advertising. If you are interested in this rare opportunity please email erick@adventureinsider.com.

Department of Interior Designates 31 New National Recreation Trails

Erick — Wed, 26 May 2010 19:59:47 +0000

Yesterday, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced National Recreation Trail status would be given to 31 new trails in 15 states. The designations come in anticipation of National Trails Day, June 5th. He had this to say at the press release:

“From coast to coast, the National Trails System helps connect American families with the wonders of the great outdoors,” said Salazar. “These new national recreation trails, built through partnerships with local communities and stakeholders, will create new opportunities for fitness and stewardship while creating a lasting legacy for our children and grandchildren.”

In total, the new designations will add over 716 miles of trail to the program which began in 1971.

What trails have you hiked? What trails do you plan on hiking? And do any of these trails seem out of place?

See the full press release here: http://www.doi.gov/news/pressreleases/Salazar-Announces-31-New-National-Recreation-Trails-in-15-States.cfm

Possibly the Biggest Contest I’ve Ever Seen

Erick — Tue, 18 May 2010 18:50:39 +0000

National Geographic Adventure in conjunction with Teva, Outdoor Photographer, Ex Officio, Smith Optics, Eagle Creek Travel Gear, AFAR Magazine and Gaiam and numerous tour operators around the globe are giving away a package worth over $80,000! An $8,000 travel credit will be given so that the winner will be able to travel from Costa Rica to Austria, to British Columbia and Borneo just to name a few. The winner will experience eight of some of the best tours that are available today and will have until Dec. 31, 2014 to complete the trips. The catch? You need to write a 400 word essay and have your friends vote on it. And while you travel you will be required to blog about it. That’s it! Think you may be interested? Check out the details on National Geographic Adventure’s website: http://ngadventure.typepad.com/blog/2010/05/best-trip-sweepstakes-ever-win-8-worldclass-trips-and-gear-to-blog-around-the-world-.html

Good luck!

Liquid Mountaineering

Erick — Mon, 10 May 2010 16:09:07 +0000

Great video. If you like this also check out cross-country snowboarding. Via backcountry.com

Magazine Coming Soon

Erick — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 20:31:40 +0000

On September 1st Adventure Insider Magazine will debut. We are looking for input as to what you would like to see included. Additionally, if you would like to contribute an article either leave a comment or email me at erick@adventureinsider.com

Century-Old Map of Colorado Doubles Number of Known Ghost Towns

Erick — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 12:26:55 +0000

A newly found map of Colorado doubles the amount of known ghost towns. See more at The Adventure Life.

http://www.theadventurelife.org/2010/04/rediscovered-century-old-map-more-than-doubles-colorados-ghost-towns/

Interactive Colorado Map

Erick — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 12:19:57 +0000

Check out this interactive map of Colorado. Rollover areas to display more information. Great for planning your next trip

http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/recreation/map/colorado/html-current/colorado-hi-speed-index.shtml

Costa Rica – Days 9 & 10

Erick — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 23:07:47 +0000

We had originally hoped to do a boat trip through Palo Verde National Park, but the tour operator called in sick at the last minute and couldn’t take us out. In all fairness we had tried to schedule the trip just the day prior, but alas, it wasn’t meant to be. So we decided to do something we hadn’t done the whole trip — relax. The pools at Pacifico had remained unexplored for the duration of our trip, the piña coladas weren’t going to drink themselves, so we were happy to oblige. It was nice not to have an itinerary and just relax and goof around. A nice dinner and drinks with Abby from http://www.thejungleprincess.com/ capped the day.

Day 10 may be a bit of a misnomer as it was really just 12 hours spent on planes. We did barely make our connection in Houston due to delays clearing immigration and customs, but all’s well that ends well.

What now? Well first I have to get used to the cold and rain that we met on our return to New York (a far cry from the sun and heat of Costa Rica). But it’s only for a couple days of as I’m headed to Colorado and Utah on Friday for a couple weeks of climbing,skiing, and whatever other trouble I can manage to find… Happy trails!