Kayaking with the Whales

Watching the video, "Paddle to Seattle", which I have mentioned before, my desire to get out and do some adventuring has grown.  The two men, J.J. and Josh posted the portion of their trip where they were boating along side some very large sea creatures, whales.  The video is very short but I hope it inspires others to get out even if it is just for a day and have a little adventure.

Preparing to go on a Hike

When heading outdoors it is very important to take some time and learn about those things you will need.  Preparation before a trip will save you and possibly your family a good deal of worry while you are on the trail. Here is a good video about some of the very basic equipment needed by any hiker.

Journey to the Bottom of the Ocean

The next great feat of exploration is at hand.  Even though it has been done once before in 1960. James Cameron, the overly wealthy film maker has built a mini-sub to travel to the bottom of the Mariana's Trench, the deepest place in the ocean and possibly in the world.  Below is the video put out by Mr Cameron about his upcoming adventure.

Spring Bike Maintenance

Spring is the time those of us who are not extreme biker, those who ride year round despite the climate, get out our bikes and go for a ride.  But before you go for a ride the bike should be looked at and some simple maintenance done.  Below is a video on some of the basics that any person can and should do.

Forest Service Cuts Fee Programs

The Forest Service has been forced to cut back on the area's requiring the Adventure Pass.  For those who like to get out into the forest this is exciting, the cost of a pass, $30.00 per year, less then the cost of a tank of gas has been ruled as inappropriate.

Though I really appreciate free access to the national forests and am not a fan of recreation passes I do understand the need for them.  The Federal government has done nothing but cut funds to the Forest Service for years, as one forester put it, "Every time I put out my hand for more money to pay for upkeep and improvement the government what take more away." 

I am not a fan of the fee's but if we want our national forests managed well I think we still need to enforce them.  The argument has been made that charging the fee keeps the "poor" from accessing the forest, but I am here to tell you that if they can not afford the $30 for the annual fee then they can not afford the gas to reach the forest.

10 Yet to be Explored Places

Yes, you read the title correctly, there are still places in the world which have yet be be explored, most of them in inhospitable locations:

1) Caves - Scientists and other educated folk have no idea how many caves exist in the world, no surprise.  But if you are looking for unexplored caves try China, much of the country is build on limestone and very little exploration has been done.

2) The Amazon Rain Forest - That most hospitable, bug infested, snake ridden, wet region of the world which contains 50% of the the worlds rainforest has not been completely explored.  One can only wonder why (sarcasm).  

3) Antarctica - One of the coldest places on earth, the southern continent has never been completely explored and still longs for hardy visitors to seek out its many wonders, what's more, no snakes.

4) Deep regions of the Oceans - For those who have the money to get down to the bottom of the oceans or build their own SeaQuest sub only 2% of the world's ocean's floors have been explored.  That leave a good deal of room for exploration.

5) Deserts - These dry, hot, and deadly regions of the world are not highly sought after places to explore because many people lose their lives when they go a wandering and rescue is not very forthcoming.  Who wants to try and find a lost soul in the desert.

6) Gangkhar Puensum, Bhutan - Here is a mountain that, at least according to written records, has never been successfully climbed.  Four teams have made the attempt and been turned back, now because of religious reasons, the government of Bhutan is not allowing any more attempts at the summit.

7) Greenland - Much of the colder northern sections of Greenland are yet unexplored or climbed.  A few scientific expeditions have been sent in but those are limited in scope.

8) Northwestern Siberia - Not very many people live out there so much of the land is still wild, wet, and cold and better yet unseen by human eyes, at least from the ground.  I will bet there are unkayaked rivers, unwalked animal trails, and unexplored hill.  What fun.

9) The mountains of Northern Columbia - Apparently people do not wander into these places to often but new species of wildlife are being found here.  

10) Central Range, New Guinea - Even among the islands of the Pacific there are still some unexplored regions.  Now they are included in the New Guinea National Park system in an attempt to keep there ecosystems pure and prevent miners from moving in at destroying them.

Touring Belgium

Again this was found on The Adventure blog.  This guy decided to take time and tour Belgium in a kayak even though he had very little experience with a kayak.  I encourage people to get out a try new things and go new places so long as they do not put you in a dangerous or immoral position.  Danger can be relative depending on your experience and intelligence unlike moral which is absolute.  Anyway, hope this video inspires you to get out and seek adventure.