The Grand Spirit of Small Adventures

With all our talk of Discoveries, explorations, and epic adventures, it's really quite difficult to find the time to get out there in the thick of it, fearlessly setting adrift on daring expeditions to far off lands, charting unknown water, and all the rest. Most of the time, we're stuck with fantasies of swinging vine to vine across the dense canopy of the vineyards just outside, or embarking on camel back, traversing the vast expanse of parking lot in search of our destiny. Somethings tells us François Delfosse has a similar take on the adventure potential of ordinary stuff. That something happens to be "Antarctica in a Bag," his photo series documenting the inner worlds of plastic grocery bags, which captures the grand spirit of small adventures pretty nicely. Don't you think?

Hike On...And On

We are adventure types, so we're very picky about our boots. Danner stands among the most coveted bootmakers in the world, especially due to their dedication for bringing worn Danner boots back to life. In an era where new is always better, Danner's recrafting philosophy has gained our respect. With impeccable standards in materials, craftsmanship and durability, they understand that a pair of boots should last a lifetime, so in addition to crafting new boots, they also repair old ones. Their revamped website offers a unique glimpse into their world with a series of short videos touring the factory, its craftsman and its boots. In their words, "We are craftsmen. We pay attention to details. We understand there may be similar ways to craft a boot but there are not similar standards. And, true to the Danner name, we pride ourselves in crafting the highest standards." To see this dedication first-hand, take a minute to watch this video from their website.

Featured Film: Warren Miller's Dynasty

For decades, Warren Miller has taken us on one wild, adrenaline-infused, yet majestic ride. Sweeping camera shots of extreme skiers launching into a cliff-hanging, cavernous white abyss. Miller takes his audience on a journey, providing heart-pounding adventure and stunning vistas, that are at times, only reachable by helicopter. Miller's latest release, Dynasty, captures his own journey, in celebration of 60 years of Warren Miller films. Narrated by Jonny Moseley and presented in high definition, Dynasty showcases a blend of fresh cinematography and vintage clips from the past six decades of Warren Miller footage. If you haven't purchased your season lift tickets yet, Dynasty will pretty much seal the deal. Check here for a screening near you. Photo courtesy of Warren Miller Entertainment.

Adventure Tribute: Jacques Cousteau

Being adventure-types, it's no surprise that Jacques Cousteau is a hero in our book. He defined (and inspired) an era of oceanic exploration, and took a world of curious onlookers with him. Plus, we like his red cap (thanks Wes Anderson for bringing it back to the big screen). Below is a tribute to Mr. Cousteau by The Adventures of Pulka, based in the UK.

The Adventures of Pulka "Jacques Cousteau" from J B on Vimeo.

Burton Snowboards: The Making

Winter is approaching, and we're amped. Edging toward November means we're that much closer to ski season, and that much closer to fresh powder. Just to get you in the mood, take a look at this behind-the-scenes look into how Burton snowboards are crafted, guided by Chris Doyle, the brand's "mad scientist" who has worked with founder Jake Burton since 1996.

Global Treks: Milford Sound

The Milford Track (approximately 33 miles) is in the heart of spectacular Fiordland National Park, part of the Te Wāhipounamu – South West New Zealand World Heritage Area. Fiordland National Park has some of the oldest rocks in New Zealand. What today is known as the Milford Track was once one of the two principal trails, used by Māori, linking Fiordland with the rest of Te Wai Pounamu (South Island) for the gathering of pounamu (greenstone). Believed by many to be amongst the top hikes in the world, the 'Milford Sound' track boasts breathtaking lush mountain vistas and a jagged glacial landscape. The track may be only accessed by boat to and from the trailheads, providing scenic views of million year old glacial 'hangovers' as the ocean has slowly seeped through the hills and into this enormous body of water over thousands of years. The track is well worth the time and effort, if you ever make it to Zealand, of course. Be warned, because of its mesmerizing terrain, the Milford Track can exceed 14,000 visitors in a given year during the peak season (Oct 28 - Apr 29), and comes with a larger fee. But, our sources tell us that waiting even a few days after peak season ends in early May (to also avoid harsh winter conditions deep in the off-season), the Milford Sound will be your own playground, leaving hearty winter travelers with the time, space and solitude to take in this ancient landscape uninterrupted. We think it's worth the wait. Photograph is courtesy of William Collins, Archetype Productions.