Video: Alive in Alaska with Photographer Alex Strohl

Join adventure photographer Alex Strohl has he takes us deep into the Alaskan wilderness to show us how he does his job. For many, the idea of making a living as an freelance photographer sounds like a dream, but it is also a lot of hard work and sacrifice too. But when the landscapes that you see here are your office, you can understand why Alex and others are so passionate about the possibilities. This is a great video to wrap up the week. It is filled with not only stunning scenery but plenty of wisdom too. Enjoy!

Alive in Alaska from Mathieu Le Lay on Vimeo.

Video: British Columbia is the Perfect Playground for Outdoor Adventurers

We all know that British Columbia is a spectacularly beautiful place. But in this short video we see why it is such an outstanding destination for outdoor athletes. Filmmaker Zac Moxley takes us to some wild landscapes where we witness mountain bikers, trail runners, skiers, surfers, and other enjoying their favorite activities. If you have some outdoor pursuits you are passionate about, chances are you'll be able to do them in BC.

Gear Closet: Voormi River Run Hoodie

There is a wonderful company based in Colorado that is quietly making some of the most exceptional gear that I have ever seen. Innovative, social conscious, and incredibly driven, Voormi isn't a name that a lot of people know in the outdoor industry just yet, but I promise you that will be hearing great things from them in the months and years ahead. That's because their products are well designed, feature amazing fabrics and technical breakthroughs, and are made by people who love the outdoors as much as we do. That passion for their work shows through in the clothes that they make, which perform amazing well.

I was fortunate enough to review Voormi's Drift Jacket for Gear Institute this past spring, and found it to be an amazing mid-layer. Warm, comfortable, very durable, and great looking, it set a new bar for the level of performance I expect out of my outdoor clothing. With that impression still fresh in my mind, I was also eager to try out their new River Run Hoodie as well, as it is a completely different piece of apparel from the Drift. I didn't come away disappointed, as this hoodie is now one of my most used articles of clothing, bringing a great deal of versatility to the table.

One of the things that separates Voormi from the competition is that the company uses a special blend of merino wool that is found on sheep living in the Rocky Mountains. That wool plays an instrumental role in some of Voormi's best products, and for good reason, namely it performs incredibly well in all kinds of weather conditions. When creating the River Run – and a line of other lightweight garments – the geniuses at Voormi developed a new type of fabric called Dual Surface UL. This incredibly thin material is incredibly lightweight, but still very durable, and retains the features that we've all come to know and love from merino. That is to say, it wicks away moisture, is highly breathable, wears well, and doesn't collect foul odors. In short, everything we want from our outdoor gear.

The River Run Hoodie puts this fabric to good use, making it a lightweight pullover when you want a layer of protection from the sun, or if you're simply looking to take the chill off when setting out on a crisp morning. Warm when you need it to be, but breathable enough to not be stifling, the hoodie is the perfect choice for use in a variety of activities. I've worn it hiking, biking, fly fishing, and paddling. It has also become my go-to layer for a morning at the dog park or running errands around town too.


With a relaxed-fit cut, the River Run makes a nice pull-over when you want a long sleeve outer layer that you can remove when things start to warm up. But, its incredibly soft fabrics are also comfortable enough to wear completely on their own on those days when you want to avoid to much UV radiation from the sun. It comes equipped with thumb holes to add a bit of warmth to your hands, and the oversized hood is useful when the wind picks up too.

Weighing in at just 6 ounces (180 grams), the hoodie is an excellent option for travelers too. I've taken this garment with me on several trips already, and it earns high marks for its lack of bulk and packability. In fact, I'd say that frequent travelers will have as much to gain by having the River Run in their closet as outdoor enthusiasts. It is just such a versatile piece of clothing that you'll likely discover new ways to use it on a regular basis.

If I had one criticism of the River Run Hoodie it is that I wish it had a pocket or two. It is completely lacking in this category, which is its only fault as far as I'm concerned. I would have liked to have had a pouch on the front for instance, which would be a good place to warm your hands on a cool morning, or stash a couple of small items that you want to keep close at hand. Other than this minor quibble however, I am completely in love with this pull-over. (Note: Voormi does make another hoodie – the Eleven.9 – which does have a front pocket, but isn't quite as lightweight.)

With fall upon us, warm days and cool nights are now the norm. If you're in need of a lightweight hoodie to add a bit of extra warmth without over-doing it, the River Run is a great option. Priced at $129 it is even a great bargain in my mind. Upon first inspection, you're likely to think that it too much to pay for a pull-over that is this light and thin. But after you've worn it a few times, Voormi will make a believer out of you too. This is a great garment to have in your closet, and I think you'll be very happy with how it performs.

Meet the 2016 Nat Geo Adventurers of the Year

In what has become a bit of an annual tradition, National Geographic has revealed its selections for the 2016 Adventurers of the Year. As usual, the list consists of a group of people who have mad unique contributions in the area of exploration, conservation, and pushing the boundaries of human endurance. On top of that, these men and women just happen to be downright awesome. This year, ten individuals – and an entire ship's crew – were honored with this distinction.

Some of the people who made the list include climber Colin Haley, who put up some of the most demanding and impressive climbs of the entire year, paraglider Antoine Girard, who wowed us with his high altitude flight from Broad Peak, and cave diver Krzysztof Starnawski, who spent 20 years exploring a submerge cave only to discover it is the deepest on the planet. They're joined on the list by the crew of the HōkÅ«le‘a, a Polynesian voyaging canoe that is sailing around the world using only the starts for navigation. 

As usual, I won't spoil the entire list, because part of the fun is learning who made the cut and earned the title of "Adventurer of the Year." Needless to say however, the group is made of individuals who are all deserving of that honor, as each has done some amazing things throughout 2016. 

Of course, there is still the matter of determining the "People's Choice Adventurer of the Year" as well. This is determined by online vote, with the polls closing on December 16 and the official winner being announced in January of next year. Choosing which of these individuals is most worthy of that honor is tough too, but thankfully we can all vote once a day through the deadline next month, so we can spread our support around some. To place your vote, click here and scroll to the bottom of the page.

I am fortunate enough to get the chance to nominate some adventurers for this award each year, and it is always fulfilling to see some of the ones that I selected get the nod when the final choices are announced. I want to congratulate everyone who made the list. You are an inspiration to us all.  

Two Wheelchair-bound Adventurers Setting Off on South American Expedition

Maciek Kaminski and Michal Woroch are Polish adventurers. The two men met 12 years ago, and stuck ups a lasting friendship that has thrived in the years since. Both have a passion for travel and adventure, which led them to exploring Europe together. Now, Maciek and Michal are planning an extended expedition through some of the most remote regions of South America. And, oh yeah – they both happen to be wheelchair bound.

Explorer's Web has the story of how these two men met at a physical therapy clinic and began hatching schemes of adventure with one another. They wanted to show that just because they were confined to a wheelchair it didn't mean they had to give up on their dreams of adventure and exploration. On the contrary, it has spurred them on to show the rest of us just what they can do.

In March of this year, Maciek and Michal applied for – and won – the Anderzej Zawada Award, which includes a monetary prize to help support young adventurers with their plans to explore the world. In this case, the two men had to appear before a jury and were given five minutes to convince them that they were worth funding. From the account given by ExWeb, they were very convincing. The two men went home with the prize, which will now help pay for their upcoming journey through South America.

On November 9, Maciek and Michal will fly to Buenos Aires, Argentina to begin their adventure. The two men will travel in a specially built 1996 Land Rover Defender 110 that is equipped with a roof-top tent for them to stay in, as well as plenty of storage for the gear and equipment that they'll take with them. The vehicle has also been modified from a manual to an automatic transmission, with both the gas and brakes now being hand-controlled. This will allow them to drive the Defender, even though they don't have the use of their legs.

The plan is to first drive to Cape Horn, the very tip of South America, and one of the most remote and wild area on the planet. The weather on the Horn is legendary, and sailors have gone out of their way to avoid that part of the world for hundreds of years. From there, they'll turn north and drive along the Pacific coast line up through Chile and Bolivia, before eventually turning their attention on Peru. They plan to visit the Amazon Rainforest while in that country, where they are even scheduled to meet with a local Shaman healer.

The entire journey is expected to take about six months to complete, although the two men are discussing extending it further. There is the possibility that they may continue to drive north to Costa Rica, and potentially all the way to the U.S. Right now, they're playing it by ear and seeing how things unfold.

This adventure will be a great travel challenge, especially for two men who have to use wheelchairs to get around. But, I love that their mission is to break stereotypes and prove to the world what they can do. Simply by setting off on this grand journey they are already accomplishing that goal.

Video: More Than Just Parks - Voyageurs in 8K

The More Than Just Parks project is an attempt by brothers Will and Jim Pattiz to shoot a spectacular video in each of America's National Parks. So far, they've visited places like Joshua Tree, Zion, and the Great Smoky Mountains, and each of their short films has been breathtaking. Now, they've traveled to the lesser known Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota to shoot this stunning video, which captures the beauty and essence of that place so well. This is a park that most people have never heard of, and yet it is one of the great wilderness regions of the country. If you're not aware of what Voyageurs is truly like, let the Pattiz brothers introduce you. You won't regret it.

VOYAGEURS 8K from More Than Just Parks on Vimeo.

Video: Mountain Biking the Dyfi Forest of Wales

In this beautiful mountain biking video we travel to the Dyfi Forest of Wales to ride some epic trails with pro mountain biker Dan Atherton. For Dan, the Dyfi is an amazing place to ply his trade, so he spends his time not just exploring the trails by bike, but also building new routes for other riders to enjoy as well. This clip will give you an idea of why this is such a special place, and just might inspire you to get on your bike today too.