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Tampilkan postingan dengan label Travel. Tampilkan semua postingan
Gear Closet: Osprey Atmos 50 Backpack
With all of that in mind I was a bit skeptical when I learned that Osprey had updated my favorite pack for 2012. After all, there were very few things that I could see them improving upon. Turns out the new Atmos 50 is a refined product that takes everything I loved about the first iteration and tweaks it in some important, yet subtle, ways that makes it an even better pack.
Designed for traveling and backpacking light, the Atmos offers plenty of storage options for packing all of our necessary gear. In addition to the spacious main compartment, the bag also has a floating pocket in the lid, two hip pockets on the belt, an adjustable stretch pocket on the front and two large zippered side pockets that remain one of my favorite holdovers front he previous design. Better yet, those two pockets have been more subtly integrated into the design and are larger than on my older model Atmos.
One of my favorite features of the previous version of this pack was how easy it is to adjust the fit and how comfortable it is to wear when you've found the proper settings. I could wear my old Atmos for hours on end and yet still barely notice that it was on my back. Fortunately, Osprey managed to not only carry over those features but improve on them. The new Atmos has adjustable straps and belts that make it even easier to find the perfect fit and the new adjust-on-the-fly hip belt and harness are welcome additions.
Over the years backpack manufacturers have devised a number of different suspension systems that are designed to help provide ventilation while wearing their packs. Most of those efforts have met with minimal success, but my oriental Atmos was amongst the best I had ever used. In the 2012 edition of the pack Osprey has updated the design once again and just like everything else about this new bag, the evolutionary upgrade improves upon the original. The new suspension allows for more air flow while still remaining comfortable to wear over extended periods of time. We may never see a suspension system that keeps us perfectly cool while on the trail, but the new AirSpeed suspension is a solid step in the right direction.
Other great features of the pack include an integrated hydration sleeve, built in tool loops and removable sleeping bag straps. Those small, but much appreciated, touches help to round out a great package that remains lightweight and rugged, yet high quality in every way.
While it is quite obvious that I love this pack and find it an improvement on my beloved first generation Atmos in nearly every way, there is one thing that I would have liked to have seen integrated into the design. Neither version of this pack offers access to the bottom of the main compartment other than through the top. Having access through the bottom or side can be very useful when trying to locate hard to find gear items, as it can be a bit inconvenient to have to completely unload the pack just to get to those base layers you stuffed to the bottom on the off chance that you might need them. Perhaps we'll get this option in the next iteration of the Atmos.
I never thought I'd be retiring my old Atmos 50 pack, but the new Osprey Atmos is such an improvement in nearly every way that I'm looking forward to using it on future adventures. As I said earlier, it is difficult to improve on perfection, and yet somehow Osprey managed to do just that.
MSRP: $199 (and worth every penny!) Pick one up at TravelCountry.com.
Outside Announces 2012 Travel Award Winners
One of the most prestigious awards on the list has to be the Best Travel Company, which was awarded to Geographic Expeditions, a company that has been in the business of adventure travel for more than 30 years. GeoEx offers great itineraries to some of the most remote locations on the planet and the company can take you to Everest, the Antarctic and beyond. Beyond that, Outside gives them props for their emphasis on safety and their work with local non-profits and NGO's as well.
Geographic Expeditions will no doubt take you to just about any destination you can think of, but there are a number of great trips spotlighted on Outside's list. For example, their Best Off-the Beaten Path trip goes to Chiapas, Mexico, while their Best New Safari takes place in the Odzala-Kokoua National Park in the Congo. The give a big thumbs up to a new trekking tour of the Tsum Valley, courtesy of Mountain Madness, naming it their Best Himalayan Trip and an amazing new Tour de France cycling experience gets the nod for Best New Biking Trip.
There is plenty more to discover on the list as well and they've even created an Adventure Travel Hall of Fame for destinations that remain great travel options on a yearly basis. I did something similar in recent years when writing my own "best trips" suggestions at Gadling.com, as places like Kilimanjaro, the Antarctic and Peru always deserve a place on these lists but sometime prevent other destinations from getting the credit they deserve as well.
2012 is still full of possibilities and there are some great travel bargains to be had. Outside's Travel Awards can help you fill up that bucket list and introduce you to some new options you probably didn't even know existed.
Video: Ultrabook Temptations
Intel is looking to spread the word about the Ultrabook laptop designs which are being built by a variety of manufacturers and feature super-thin notebooks that are both powerful and have long lasting batteries. To that end, they've launched a "social experiment" to see what people will go through to earn one of the computers and they're calling this campaign Ultrabook Temptations.One of the videos from the campaign can be found below. It was shot on Bondi Beach in Australia, where ten Ultrabooks were hidden in cases and visitors to the beach were encouraged to use a metal detector to find them. They also dropped in things like a kitchen sink or mannequin parts to throw those searching off the scent. The results were often kind of humorous. I especially liked the woman who was continually digging holes as she randomly looked for the prize.
What does this have to do with adventure? Not much exactly, but the videos are kind of charming and the Ultrabooks are fantastic for travel. I own one and love how thin and lightweight it is when I'm looking to pack as light as possible. Definitely worth a look if you're in the market for a new PC.
Video: A Story For Tomorrow
Earlier today I came across the very well done, and very charming, video that documents the travels of a couple as they make their way through Chile. The story begins in the north, in the Atacama Desert, and works its way south to Patagonia, with plenty of amazing things to see in between. If this short film doesn't inspire you to want to visit Chile, nothing will. Very well done!Reminder: Win A Nikon CoolPix AW100 Ruggedized Digital Camera
To enter the contest, all you have to do is click here and leave a comment on the blog post. The contest closes tomorrow, Friday Feb. 10 at 5PM Eastern time, at which time we'll randomly pick a winner from the comments. This is a great chance to score an impressive little camera, as the AW100 is not only rugged, it also happens to be fairly light weight, thin, and small too. In short, it is a traveler and adventurer's dream.
Go sign-up and good luck!
Nikon CoolPix AW100 Camera Giveaway On Gadling
As I mention in the full review, the camera isn't just about being tough however, and it has plenty of great technology under the hood. For instance, it packs a 16 megapixel sensor for capturing great photos, and it can even shoot full 1080p HD video as well. My favorite feature by far is the built in GPS functionality, which not only includes a world map, complete with thousands of points of interests, but it also geotags your photos, allowing you to share the location from which they were taken with friends and family. This is a great little addition to have built into the device, and was fun to play around with while putting it through its paces for the review.
Now, here's the great part of this story. We're also giving away one of these cameras on Gadling right now, and it is very easy to win. All you have to do is go to this post and leave a comment before 5PM Eastern Time on Friday, and you'll be automatically entered to win. We'll randomly select one person to receive the camera, which is valued at $380. So, if you'd like to add a great, rugged, new camera to your gear collection, this is a great opportunity. I personally have the camera that we're giving away in hand, and will ship it out to the winner ASAP. I'd love to see one of the Adventure Blog readers win, as I think you'll really appreciate what the CoolPix AW100 brings to the table.
Good luck!
Video: Mountain Biking Nepal's Mustang Valley
So you say you've already trekked the Himalaya but still find that you can't resist the siren call of those beautiful mountains? Then how about mountain biking through Nepal with adventure travel company Sacred Rides. They offer what looks like an amazing trip through the less-visited Mustang region that may be the excuse you need to return to the Himalaya (or go there for the first time!). Check out some highlights in the video below.When do we go?!?
World on Wheels Cycling Film Festival Call For Entries
Organizers of the festival have put out a Call for Entries and are currently looking for great cycling films to host at the event. Entries can range in length from 3 to 60 minutes and should focus on any type of cycling travel from short organized tours to extended solo expeditions. The featured destinations can be either domestic or international.
Submissions are already being accepted with an official entry deadline set for March 1st. The entry fee is just $25 (Very inexpensive by film-fest standards!), but if you submit your film before February 1st, you'll get the early-bird rate of just $20. Films selected for screening will announced by early April.
At the event in May, a jury will select their favorite film, which will earn the filmmaker a spot on one of the great cycling tours offered by Ciclismo Classico. A second prize will be given to someone in attendance in the audience as well.
If you're an aspiring filmmaker who loves to ride, this seems like a great opportunity. Put together your best film and send it on over to the organizers of this event. You may earn your self a great trip and get some recognition for your work in the process.
NPR Does Russia By Rail
Someone at NPR obviously agrees with me, as they've sent reporter David Greene and photographer David Gilkey on a 6000 mile odyssey across Russia By Rail. They two Davids started in Moscow and end their journey in Vladivostok on the Pacific Ocean, covering the entire length of the famous Trans-Siberian Railway. Along the way, they got the chance to experience modern Russia in all of its glory.
This special report kicked off yesterday and will continue through tomorrow. It features a number of great stories about how Russia's tumultuous history has shaped the country even today, and takes a look at where it is headed now that twenty years have passed since the fall of the Soviet Union. Greene's words introduce us to the Russian people and give us a glimpse of their daily lives, while Gilkey's amazing photographs capture moments in time from their epic journey.
Russia By Rail is equal parts travelogue, investigative reporting, and photo journalism. It all comes together very well, and will likely inspire some thoughts of making the journey for yourself.
Gear Box: Cushe Surf Slipper Chuka
Made of soft sandal suede, these slip-on shoes feature an integrated microfiber sock that comfortably wraps around your foot and makes these shoes fun to wear, even for extended periods of time. The Chukas are lightweight and feel more like a slipper than an actual shoe, but Cushe's rubber soles help ensure a secure grip, even on slick, wet surfaces. With a snug fit and flexible design, you'll want to wear them just about everywhere.
As mentioned above, these shoes aren't meant for hiking rugged trails or climbing mountains. They're designed for comfort and convenience, which makes them an excellent choice for travel. Because they are lightweight, and highly packable, the Chukas are easy to carry in a backpack or carry-on bag, and are equally useful lounging around a cabin in the woods, as they are shuffling about town. They're tailor made for relaxing outings to the far side of the globe or just a quick jaunt to the local grocery store, and I think after you wear them a time or two, you'll agree.
I'm impressed with the quality and design that Cushe put into these shoes, and even though they weigh next to nothing, they feel like they will last a long time. Over the holidays, I wore them regularly while running errands about town and visiting with friends, and despite that frequent use, they still look like they just came out of the box.
Even as they do age and show a bit of wear however, I get the feeling it will only add to their character and charm. Long after you've worn them to the far corners of the planet, the Chukas will continue to be amongst your favorite shoes, even if they should have been retired a long time before.
MSRP: $90
Gear Box: Keen Howser Wool Shoes
Billed as a "sleeping bag for your feet," the Howser Wools are lined with super-soft microfleece that is both amazingly warm and comfortable. The exterior of the shoe is created out of recycled felt that has been quilted to give them a distinctive look that is not unlike a pair of bedroom slippers in design. But where these shoes separate themselves from those slippers is in the rugged rubber soles, which make the Howsers an appropriate choice for hanging out at home or heading out for a night on the town.
Wearing these shoes is a bit like having a cloud wrapped around your feet, which will make you appreciate the fact that you can wear them just about anywhere, without worrying about ruining them. The water resistant nylon upper keeps the interior of the shoe, and your feet, dry in all but the wettest conditions, and helps to protect them from the wear and tear of regular use outside the home.
Over the holidays, the weather in Austin was both cooler and wetter than normal. In fact, we had a string of gray, gloomy, misty days that were not ideal for doing much of anything outside. On several of those days, I found myself naturally slipping into these shoes and heading out to run errands, meet friends, and go about celebrating the season. During that time, the interior of the shoe continued to change and mold itself to my feet, which actually made them even more comfortable than when I first took them out of the box. The warm microfleece was perfect for the weather as well, keeping my little piggies toasty warm.
Obviously these shoes aren't meant for active pursuits, but they are perfect casual use. I'd recommend bringing them along as a second pair of shoes when traveling or backpacking. They're great for kicking around the cabin at the end of the day or gathering around the campfire before bed. With a price tag of just $65, they also won't break the bank, which makes them an even more attractive for travelers and professional loungers alike.
Order your Keen Howser Wools from TravelCountry.com.
Ten Travel Adventures For 2012
When compiling my list of travel adventures for the year ahead, I wanted to do something a bit different this year. Rather than sharing a generic rundown of great destinations - which we all probably know about already - I thought I would share some very specific trips instead. So, for instance, one of the adventures that earned a spot on my list is a last degree journey to the South Pole. But rather than just write about that experience, I also posted a link to the Adventure Consultants page where you can actually book that trip for yourself. I figured that rather than just recommend some amazing trips, I'd also give readers the opportunity to go out and do it for themselves.
Other options that earned a spot on my list this year include visiting Yellowstone in the Winter (one of my personal favorites!), cycling the Silk Road, and climbing Pumori with the Peak Freaks. Obviously this list is made up of some of my own personal picks for great travel adventures, but I tried to find a little something for everyone and unique experience that some people might not have even known was possible. Some of the trips are incredibly demanding, others a bit more laid back. Some are quite expensive ($52,500 to go to the South Pole!) and others relatively cheap. But each is a trip that most would consider a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that will spawn stories for years to come.
So? What are your plans for the year ahead? Have you decided where you would like to travel in 2012 and what adventures you would like pursue? I'm still considering my options at this point, although I have a few thoughts on where I'd like to end up. For now, I'm going to see where the winds take me, but may make more concrete plans in the very near future. I like that approach and I think it fits well with the optimism that comes with the start of a new year.
Video: Backpacking Around The World In Five Minutes
In 2011, Kien Lam spent 343 days traveling around the world, visiting 17 countries in the process. Along the way, he took 6237 photos, and now has compiled them into the five minute timelapse video below. The video now serves as a great reminder of the year that has just passed, and an excellent inspiration for the finding our own adventures in the year ahead. Enjoy!Gear Box: Ortovox Supersoft Base Layer
I first got a look at the Ortovox line-up at Outdoor Retailer back in August, where I was very impressed with the design of their gear. Everything they had on display had a fresh and unique look and seemed really high quality. Needless to say, when I received the zipped base layer a few weeks back, I was excited to put it through its paces and see if it lived up to my expectations. I soon found out that it definitely did.
Living in Austin, Texas we don't really get a true winter. It rarely snows here and cold weather doesn't hang around long. But this fall, it has been especially cool and damp for a prolonged period of time. As a result, I've had good weather to test this top while on nightly runs or mountain bike rides, during which it performed admirably on its own or as a layer underneath a shell.
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Ortovox uses a blend of fabrics in this shirt, mixing soft, high quality merino wool on the outside, with a natural fabric known as modal, which is made from beech wood cellulose, on the inside. The result is base layer that breathes well, stretches and moves with the wearer, and provides plenty of warmth in cool and cold conditions. The shirt fits snugly, but doesn't feel restrictive in the least, even when you have the zipper pulled up tightly around your neck, as I did on one recent run in which it started to rain halfway to the finish line.
One thing I always appreciate in my gear is versatility, and this base layer offers that as well. Not only is it an excellent piece of gear for active pursuits like running or cycling, but it also looks good enough to wear around town as well. Throw in the fact that it makes an excellent start to a three-layer cold weather clothing system (base, fleece, shell) and you have an excellent article of clothing to take with you when you travel as well. The shirt would serve equally well strolling the streets of Paris as it would on the slopes in Chamonix.
With an MSRP of $120, this isn't a base layer for someone who isn't going to appreciate its performance and quality. But if you're an active outdoor enthusiast who doesn't let a little thing like cold weather slow you down, then you're likely to appreciate what Ortovox is delivering here. It is a very high quality piece of gear that will likely become one of your favorite pieces of clothing for winter adventures or travels. I know it'll be joining me on future journeys.
Video: Montana: Shaped by Winter
Speaking of adventurous destinations. My friends over at the Montana Office of Tourism released the video below a few months back, but now that winter is just a few days away, it makes for an even better reminder of what that state has to offer. I was lucky enough to visit Montana and Yellowstone last January, and absolutely loved it. The video below will tell you why you should go soon too!Nat Geo's Adventure Travel Destinations For 2012
Some of the places earning a spot on the list include Mammoth Mountain in California, which is famous for its great snowboarding and skiing. Those looking for a different kind of mountain experiences are encouraged to travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina for a mountain biking adventure or visit China to take on the 7498 meter (24,600 ft) tall Mustagata. Paddlers will have plenty to choose from as well, as the list provides kayaking opportunities in Idaho and Rhode Island, as well as an epic canoe trip through the Allegheny Mountains of Pennsylvania.
All in all, a pretty great list of suggestions for making plans for next year. I'll be writing my own top ten travel list for Gadling.com soon, and this year I'm going to take a slightly different tact. Instead of listing a specific destination, I'm going to list a specific adventure from a specific travel company that can help you get the most out of your travels. So, rather than saying go to Nepal because its great for the following reasons, I'm going to instead recommend trekking the Annapurna Circuit with a specific adventure travel company. This is just an example, but I'll be sure to share my list here once it goes live over at Gadling too. I think you'll like some of the suggestions.
Until that time, be sure to read Nat Geo's list, as it does have some great suggestions, not all of which will destroy your bank account.
New Website For Adventure Travelers
Amongst the stories already posted on the site are an article about hiking in the French Pyrenees, exploring the backroads of Maui, and the climbing, paddling, and backpacking options on the Norway's Lofoten Islands. That last article is part of a much larger feature on Norway itself, which is billed as Europe's true wilderness. Other articles take a look at the Great Himalayan Trail, something I've written about myself, and give advice on the best camera to take on your next adventure.
All in all, Switchback looks like it is a nice addition to the online travel community, and with its focus on adventure travel, I'm sure I'll be reading it regularly and using it as a resource for future trips of my own. I like the nice use of photography on the site, and the writing is comprehensive and insightful as well. The site is most definitely off to a good start, so be sure to check it out.
Five Great Laptops For Travelers
Some of those tools included cloud storage service Skydrive, which is a great way to share video and photos from your trip, and Movie Maker and Windows Live Photo Gallery which help to edit them into masterpieces that your friends and family will actually want to look at.
But the real treat was getting to play with some hot new laptops that have a lot to offer travelers who want to stay connected while on the go. For the past few years, Apple's MacBook Air has been the undisputed king of travel computes, but now Windows users have some really good options as well. Here are five of them to consider when it comes time to upgrade your technology.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1
This is a laptop designed for adventure travelers. The ThinkPad X1 is a ruggedized PC that can withstand plenty of punishment and even features a water resistant keyboard. You can, quite literally, pour a bucket of water over the machine, and it will continue to run just fine. Sure, ruggedized PC's have been around for while, the Panasonic ToughBook is a well known example, but the X1 weighs in at just 3.7 pounds and is less than an inch thick. It features USB 3.0, which is perfect charging gadgets on the go, a 160GB solid state drive, and a battery that lasts nearly 6 hours on a single charge. Lenovo has built a rugged computer that can go just about anywhere and survive the rigors of the road.
Take this one with you to Everest Base Camp. (MSRP: $1773)
Asus Zenbook UX21
For travelers who like to travel light, the new Zenbook from Asus is the perfect option. This laptop features an 11 inch screen and weighs only 2.4 pounds. It's also super-thin, just 3mm in the front and 9mm at its thickest point in the back. Battery life is a respectable 5 hours and the Intel Core i7 processor provides plenty of power for all your mobile needs. Slip this one into your carryon bag, and you'll barely know its there. The Zenbooks stylish good looks will likely turn heads as well.
Take this one with you on a month long trip through Europe (MSRP: $999)
The SonyVaio Z is the workhorse of this group, providing mobile workstation power in a thin and light body. The Vaio Z is just 2.5 pounds and .7 inches thick, which is remarkable for a machine that has the ability to drive three external monitors at once. This machine is truly designed for the business traveler, as it features a 7 hour battery life out of the box and gives you have the option to add a sheet battery that extends that life to an amazing 16 hours, without adding much in the way of bulk. That means, you can hop a flight from Los Angeles to Sydney, use your laptop the entire way, and never have to worry about a recharge. Designed for to handle everything from e-mail and games to heavy duty video editing, this is a great option for when you absolutely need to get work done while you travel.
Take this one with you on a flight across the Pacific. The rest of the cabin will be jealous when their machines run out of juice before the halfway point. (MSRP: $1999)
Toshiba Portege R830
Another light and thin, yet durable option, Toshiba has built the Portege R830 to be both powerful and affordable. With a magnesium case and a specially designed shock-resistant system, this laptop is built to withstand the abuse that comes along with travel. Slightly heavier and thicker than other machines on this list, the Portege is unique in that it still includes a DVD drive, something that is becoming increasingly rare in our cloud-based, streaming media world. Battery life is a strength as well, keeping you up and running for eight hours, while powering the LED-backlit screen and surround sound.
Take this one with you when you have kids to entertain. The DVD drive will come in handy and the machine can handle the abuse from kids too! (MSRP: $799)
Built from Duralumin, the same material as some modern aircraft, the Samsung Series 9 is both rugged and beautiful. The metal casing protects the laptop nicely, while keeping it thin and light at the same time. The Series 9 is just .6 inches thin and tips the scale at a shade under 3 pounds. It still packs plenty of technology however, including a 13.3 inch backlit LED LCD screen, USB 3.0 and HDMI ports, a 7 hour battery life, and an illuminated keyboard. Throw in premium sound and a 128GB SSID drive, and you have a laptop that would make James Bond jealous.
Take this one with you everywhere! (MSRP: $1649)
Video: What A Wonderful World
We live on an amazing planet. And lest we forget that from time to time, here is a great video courtesy of the BBC and narrated by David Attenborough, to remind us. Simply beautiful and a great way to start the day!
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