It has been another very busy week in the world of outdoor adventure and travel. So much so, that as usual there wan't enough time and space to share everything that came through my email inbox or across my desk. That's why every Friday we post our weekly "Adventure Quickies," which includes a rundown of new stories, gear reviews, and travel deals that we didn't get a chance to post anywhere else. Here's a quick recap of what you might have missed over the past seven days.
- REI Launches "Uncommon Path" Magazine: The biggest outdoor gear retailer in the U.S. is getting into the magazine game. This week it was announced that REI is starting its own publication focused on outdoor activities, travel, and of course gear. The first 84-page issue is due out September 15 and will have an initial circulation of 700,000+, making it bigger than Outside magazine. Gear Junkie has the scoop here.
- Piolets d'Or Announces Finalists for 2019 Awards: Often dubbed the "Oscars of climbing" the Piolets d'Or (or golden ice axes) have announced their short list (or in this case long list!) of potential 2019 winners. The finalists were selected from a number of impressive expeditions that took place last year, with some well-known alpinists making the cut. Rock and Ice has the rundown here.
- Win Free Beer for Life from Busch: Want to win free beer for life courtesy of Busch? The company is setting up its first-ever "Pop Up Schop" and has hidden it somewhere in a national forest inside the U.S. The shop will only be open tomorrow, July 20 but if you can locate it, you could get the price. Clues to its whereabouts can be found on the Busch Twitter feed.
- Top Reasons to Rent Gear Rather Than Buy: Let's face it, buying outdoor gear can get expensive. That's why a number of companies, such as Gearo, now offer us the option to rent items we need rather than purchase them. This can make a lot of sense for those on a budget or if you only need certain items for a single outing. For other tips on when renting makes more sense than buying, check out this blog post.
- Dragon Touch 4K Action Camera Available Now: Looking for an affordable and feature-packed alternative to the GoPro action cameras? Check out the new Dragon Touch, which is available for just $60 on Amazon. At that price you'll get a device that captures video in 4K, features a touch screen for interacting with the interface, and is waterproof down to 100 ft (30 meters).
- 2020 Kilimanjaro Stage Run Dates Announced: One of the more unique running events to take place each year is the Kilimanjaro Stage Run, which circumnavigates the mountain on foot, covering 260 km (161 miles) over eight days. This past week, the dates for the 2020 edition of the KSR were announced. Interested runners can now add August 15-25 to the calendars for next year.
- Mount Hood Uphill Challenge Set for July 27: Speaking of running events, the 6th annual Uphill Challenge at Mount Hood Meadows is set to go down (or should I say up!) on Saturday, July 27. The course is "only" 1.2 miles (1.9 km) in length, but includes 621 feet (189 meters) of elevation gain, making it one tough race. The FKT? 9 minutes, 32 seconds. Think you can best that? Sign up here!
- Goal Zero is Giving Away Flights to the Maldives: Mobile power and solar energy leaders Goal Zero are celebrating their 10th anniversary this year, and in addition to launching a road trip around the U.S., they're also giving away free flights to the Maldives. The trip includes stays at lovely hotels, plenty of aquatic activities, and much more.
- Exodus Travel Launches Expedition Series Led by Famous Explorers: Adventure travel company Exodus Travel has found a new way to add extra value for their customers. The new Exodus Quest series of trips are led by famous explorers, who offer unique insights into the various destinations. Those trips include a visit to Jordan led by Nat Geo explorer Wade Davis and an itinerary through Nepal hosted by nature photographer Javier Frutos.
