Adventure Media Review

#ORSummer, Adventure Activism, Adventure Media Review, Art, Examiner.com, Outdoor Retailer, Special Events, Summer / 08.08.2011

With a record number of attendees and exhibitors there are several things you likely missed at this year’s Outdoor Retailer Summer Market. Among them are several unique expressions of art collected and curated by the creative connector Devaki Murch. Apart from all the cool equipment clothing and footwear on display in Salt Lake City over the weekend there was an exquisite array of original creations available for viewing and purchase. In an installation of the adventure inspired works of industry artists from across the country, show attendees were treated to a rare exhibit of paintings and sculptures that reflect the passion and vision that make the business of outdoor recreation possible.
Adventure Media Review, Banff, Climbing, Interview, National Geographic, Podcast / 17.07.2011

  Many of us have a deep fascination with rock climbers. Big wall climbers in particular captivate our wonder and attention as we marvel that their daring feats of courage. And in the movie Alone on the Wall from Sender Films fans are introduced to a new breed of climber and the most breathtaking alpine style of all. Alex Honnold is one of those guys who has distinguished himself as a climber doing amazing things. Climbing the Yosemite big wall of Half Dome without a rope is what he’s best...

Adventure Activism, Adventure Media Review, Film Festival, Film preview, Fun Film Friday, Interview, Mountain Film, Podcast / 08.07.2011

  If you haven’t figured it out yet, a big part of this program is trying to figure out what makes people happy. Personally I believe happiness isn’t just something that happens. I think we all try to create things in our lives that bring us joy. But as Benjamin Frankly once said The Constitution guarantees all Americans the right to pursue happiness but it’s up to each of us catch it. I learned that quote from my friend Los Angeles filmmaker Roko Belic. At the 2011 Mountain Film Festival in Telluride Colorado he shared with me his latest project a movie he calls Happy.
Adventure Media Review, Examiner.com, Madison, Outdoor Recreation, Stand Up Paddling, Yoga / 07.07.2011

Though vastly different practices Stand Up Paddling and Yoga have a lot in common. Both with an emphasis on balance and core strength the two disciplines encourage good posture and a calm mind. When combined they offer practitioners an expression of movement that is fluid and powerful lending benefits to each that make SUP and Yoga easier and infinitely more fun. In Madison a new class in SUP/Yoga is taking hold on the Near West Side just off Monroe Street. The calm and peaceful water on Lake Wingra is perfect for Stand Up Paddling. With powerboat traffic restricted to trolling motors it’s so quiet you can hear bird sounds and the rustling of leaves in the trees on shore. And on clear mornings with few waves or even ripples an SUP board is an excellent platform upon which to practice Yoga.
Adventure Media Review, Commentary, Sustainable Living / 05.07.2011

I put off buying an iPad until I could answer a simple question. What the hell am I going to do with it? With an Apple desktop, a wireless card equipped laptop and an iPhone, I’ve pretty much got the global/mobile thing nailed. But in my line of work as journalist a fourth devise in small package with an easy-to-read screen could come in handy while gathering and sharing stories online. After fighting every single early adopter impulse in my body I resisted the urge. But finally I decided to make the purchase in a mid-year resolution of sorts.  I want to use this tablet device in order read and support the work of high caliber journalists, spend less idle time on the Internet watching crap and consuming a healthier diet of online content that supports the highest aspirations of my active lifestyle. So like millions of people around the world I bought an iPad too.
Adventure Activism, Adventure Media Review, Cycling, Film Festival, Mountain Film, Outdoor Recreation, philanthropy, Podcast / 25.06.2011

The transformational power of bicycles is the subject of a new film by brothers Jacob & Isaac Seigel-Boettner. “With My Own Two Wheels” takes us on a ride through the developing world to see how these simple mechanical devices are changing peoples’ lives. Though here in the U.S. we take for granted the ease of going from place to place by car, the filmmakers demonstrate that bicycles offer for many living in poverty a way out. Co-director Jacob Seigel-Boettner said his project was an opportunity to connect with real people around the world with real stories about their bikes. “We were incredibly lucky to find all of these not only great characters,” he said “but people who were willing to let us follow them around with a camera wherever and however long we wanted to.” With a recent showing at the Mountain Film Festival in Telluride and now in private screening distribution, the 44-minute film depicts the stories of five individuals, each with a different spin on how bikes empower them.