weekly video IX - live true. @yosemitenps #climbing

weekly video ix - "live true." - a Mireia Pujol film.

 American rock climber, Alex Honnold, is best known for his free solo ascents of big walls. Shot in Yosemite, this short clip is a his continued pursuit of passion and dedication to free climbing.

wv heritage and culture. @USATODAY #mountains #naturalresources #bluegrassmusic #finecrafts

To really appreciate where you live sometimes you have to step back and look at it from a different perspective. History, railroads, music, arts and crafts, and natural resources are just a few of the things that make West Virginia what it is today.

I am sure that you have probably heard of the Hatfield's and McCoy's, they are but one of the interesting parts of our state's history.

Take a trip back in time on the Cass Scenic Railroad, located in Pocahontas Co. WV.

"Much of West Virginia's history has been shaped by rail transport. Key routes were used to ferry oil, gas, timber, and the state's most abundant resource, coal."

Robert C. Byrd  playing the fiddle in 1976, US Senator from WV.

"West Virginia is synonymous with Appalachian music, and most cities offer ample opportunities to watch live fiddlers and mandolin players at bluegrass festivals."

Arts and Crafts found in the Tamarack, a showcase of local talent located near Beckley WV.  

"Many of the state's artisans are known throughout the country, upholding local traditions in the fields of pottery, custom woodwork, hand-blown glass, and jewelry."

Civil War Reenactment.

"As the only state that was created directly from the Civil War, many visitors learn about West Virginia's past through visiting Civil War sites and witnessing vivid reenactments."

"West Virginia's abundant natural resources directly contributed to the construction of much of the U.S. as we know it today." Hope that this has inspired learn more about where you live and maybe to come and explore some of the great things that West Virginia and the rest of Appalachia have to offer as well.

Referenced from USA Today.

i now pronounce you beer and gear! @outsidemagazine #craftbeer #sweetgear

"American Craft Beer Week ended last month, but the relationship between the outdoor industry and craft breweries is just getting started. In May, for example, Anchor Brewing Company announced that some of the proceeds from its California Lager will go to the National Parks Conservation Association and the California State Parks Foundation, expanding packaging to cans for greater outdoor versatility."

"But it’s the following four gear brands that have taken the beer-gear marriage to another level."

Last November, clothing company Patagonia recruited New Belgium Brewing to make an organic lager, and named it after a route climbed by Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard in 1968.

Teaming with KEEN Footwear, Widmer Brothers came up with the Full Fender Brown Ale, a light, malty English brown.

Carhartt, whose line of workwear is know for its durability and craftsmanship, called in its fellow Michiganders at New Holland Brewing Company to conceptualize and produce a beer from Michigan-made ingredients.

Woolrich, Inc., a company that’s been producing outdoor apparel since 1830, they partnered with Dogfish Head Craft Brewery in June to produce a limited batch of custom beer and then matched it with a clothing collection.

What a great idea, the marriage of good beer and great gear is long overdue. What better way to celebrate in the back country than cracking open a brew with your favorite gear companies logo all over it. Anybody that knows me, I mean really knows me, will attest to what I am about to say. If there are 2 things in this world that I like it is GEAR and BEER! Ask Jeremy or Jason of Mountain State Overland if you don't believe me. The only problem that I have with this marriage is that I can get the gear, but not the beer. Can anyone help a guy out?

Referenced from Outside Magazine.

roanoke outside. @roanoke_outside @roanoke_region #appalachia #outdoor #town

The Roanoke Regional Partnership initially created Roanoke Outside (RO) to showcase why the region that surrounds Roanoke Valley is one of the best outdoor destinations east of the Mississippi.  RO's mission is to make outdoor activity and environmental stewardship a core component of our community's lifestyle by promoting "conservation through recreation."

Mountain biking and kayaking at Carvin's Cove.

RO's website is a great resource for anything outdoors and outlines the vast opportunities within the region.  From wineries to whitewater, breweries to biking and zip lines to zoos, there's something for just about every level of outdoor adventure buried in the RO website.

What I particularly appreciate is RO Director Pete Eshelman's weekly Get Outside newsletter.  Sent via email, Pete's newsletter is a regular update on events, outdoor festivals, trails and current outdoor news.

RO Director Pete Eshelman and his pup Cinder.

To subscribe to the weekly newsletter, visit Get Outside and share your email with RO in exchange for some exiting tips on adventuring in the Roanoke Valley.

hut-to-hut hiking in maine. @bradentonherald #backwoodsadvnture #

This sounds like a great family hiking adventure with all the amenities. If you like to hike, bike or ski but you still want some modern conveniences this sounds like it would fit the bill.

"All told, the system comprises 80 miles of trails and four full-service huts (with eight more planned), spread over the lovely, lake-dotted landscape two hours north of Portland."

Designed for cross-country skiing, hiking, and mountain biking, the trails are blissfully accommodating, meandering flatly over meadows and through woods, carpeted here by moss, there by gigantic, prehistoric-looking ferns, and dotted with gemlike wild strawberries (which we picked and ate) and rubbery, neon-colored mushrooms (which we left alone)."

They will even carry your packs for you! As I get ready to depart on my next backpacking trip I wonder if by some miracle there will be a porter there to take my pack to the campsite, cook the meals, build the fire, set up the hammocks and tarp, well a guy can dream can't he.  The other really cool thing is that they are off grid too. Not only is this a fun family outing but it is also environmentally friendly as well.

Referenced from the Bradenton Herald.