Adventure Insider

Debut of Adventure Insider Magazine

Erick — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 19:14:18 +0000

It is my pleasure to introduce you to Adventure Insider Magazine! This has been quite a process but alas, we made it. I look forward to hearing what you think. The download is a free PDF. Enjoy!

Adventure Insider Magazine – September 2010

If your married to the idea of nostalgia, single copy runs will be available on MagCloud next week. Until then take a look at the PDF and let us know what you think.

Photo Essay: Dominican Republic’s North Coast

Abbie — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 15:03:09 +0000

I was recently lucky enough to travel to the North Coast of the Dominican Republic thanks to the Ministry of Tourism. The North Coast is a quickly growing eco-tourism area with tons of opportunities for adventure!

Our first adventure was trekking to the Salto de Limon (Limon Waterfall). This was our view!

The waterfall! The cool pool of water was welcome on a hot day!

We had a traditional Dominican meal when we got back from the falls.

The next day we visit Los Haitises National Park by boat and rode through the mangroves.

This is one of the caves we explored.

Day 3 was our favorite activity - waterfall cascading! We climbed up to the 12 waterfall and then and then slid and...

...jumped our way back down!

The next morning we got up bright & early to get on the teleferico (cable car) to the top!

At the top of Mount St. Isabel

The last day was my first snorkeling experience!

More snorkeling. So glad I had a waterproof camera!

Look for a full length feature on why the North Coast is the new destination for adventure travelers in the debut issue of Adventure Insider mag in a few weeks! Make sure you subscribe to Adventure Insider Magazine

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.

Dominican Republic Pre-Trip

Abbie — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 13:13:30 +0000

In a few short days I will be packing up and flying over to the Dominican Republic. My experience in the Caribbean has been that of a family cruise, so as you might imagine, it was very “planned,” from the shore excursions to the shopping. While I am going to the Dominican Republic on a blogger trip sponsored by the Domican Republic’s Bureau of Tourism, I am really excited to get away from some of the more touristy attractions and see what the DR is really about. I will be sure to try out everything from snorkeling to waterfall cascading to hiking, to be sure that I have a well-rounded experience, of course.
I’m also going to be testing the Olympus Stylus Tough 8010 digital camera. Being waterproof to 33 feet should come in handy while I’m snorkeling, and I’m hoping I don’t have to field test the shockproof (up to 6.6 feet) or the crushproof (up to 220 lbs.) features while I’m hiking in Los Haitises National Park. I am looking forward to testing the HD video capability, though, and the in-camera panorama feature. After I return from my trip, expect to see a full review of the Olympus Stylus Tough camera to see if it met my expectations.
As you may (or may not) know, Adventure Insider is all about finding the hidden treasures that exist out there, beyond what the usual tourist might experience, and that’s what this trip is about for me – finding some of the best adventures that Samana and Puerto Plata (and the nearby areas) have to offer! Keep an eye out for an article in the first issue of Adventure Insider Magazine, due out September!

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

Costa Rica Photo Essay

Erick — Sat, 22 May 2010 19:57:38 +0000

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