|
 |
|
Passion for Fun at Silver Star
Searching for life's inspiration, I find myself crossing the border into Canada at Osoyoos (O'sue:ews). I'm heading for the northern confines of the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia to challenge my skills in a Nordic Boot Camp at Silver Star Resort. Revered by enthusiasts, the mountain is known for its Interior BC feather-light powder, and a season that kicks off 3 weeks earlier than most in the region. For 4-6 weeks starting in November Nordic Camps attract skiers of all of ages, some with skills that range up to National Team and Olympic caliber. At an elevation of 6,000, Silver Star makes for the perfect aerobic training ground, which was the launching point for many hopefuls during the 2010 Olympics at Whistler/Blackcomb.
An easy flight from Seattle (1 hr) or Vancouver (38 min), I've chosen to drive in order to immerse myself in the visual impact of the country-side. A valley that in the summer months reflects the far northern reaches of the Sonoran Life Zone, it includes semi-desert landscape species found nowhere else in Canada. The Okanagan is considered by many the Napa Valley of Canada, and called by locals the Wine Country Center of the World. As I make my way past the towns of Oliver, Penticton (home of the Canadian Ironman), Summerland and Kelowna it's obvious that wine flourishes here as every side road boasts a vineyard or Estate Winery, some which appear to end at someone's home grown garage. read more |
|
|
Silver Star Resort – Passion for Fun!
Searching for life's inspiration, I find myself crossing the border into Canada at Osoyoos (O'sue:ews). I'm heading for the northern confines of the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia to challenge my skills in a Nordic Boot Camp at Silver Star Resort. Revered by enthusiasts, the mountain is known for its Interior BC feather-light powder, and a season that kicks off 3 weeks earlier than most in the region. For 4-6 weeks starting in November Nordic Camps attract skiers of all of ages, some with skills that range up to National Team and Olympic caliber. At an elevation of 6,000, Silver Star makes for the perfect aerobic training ground, which was the launching point for many hopefuls during the 2010 Olympics at Whistler/Blackcomb.
An easy flight from Seattle (1 hr) or Vancouver (38 min), I've chosen to drive in order to immerse myself in the visual impact of the country-side. A valley that in the summer months reflects the far northern reaches of the Sonoran Life Zone, it includes semi-desert landscape species found nowhere else in Canada. The Okanagan is considered by many the Napa Valley of Canada, and called by locals the Wine Country Center of the World. As I make my way past the towns of Oliver, Penticton (home of the Canadian Ironman), Summerland and Kelowna it's obvious that wine flourishes here as every side road boasts a vineyard or Estate Winery, some which appear to end at someone's home grown garage. A scene dominated by Lake Country, the tranquil up-valley passing of Osoyoos Lake, Vaseux Lake, Skaha Lake, and 70 mile Okanagan Lake keep me engaged with every twist of the shoreline. read more |
|
|
An Iceland Grand Tour
Photographer AdamJaquetteshows us the wild side to Iceland in thiscollection of images. 'What struck me about Iceland ,' he said, 'was the stark beauty of the country and the diversity of the countryside. Over the course of one day, we hiked with puffins on the sea cliffs, walked beaches littered with ice, and explored waterfalls in lush, green hills. Iceland is a place where nature still rules and visitors must respect it.'
Jaquetteis a professional author and educator who spends much of histime traveling the globe. He has traveled and photographed extensively through Asia, Europe, and North America, specializing in hiking and scuba diving. His photographs have appeared in numerous publications.
'When capturing my images, ' Jaquette said, 'I look to find the feel and mood of a particular landscape. I look to sum up the real experience in one frame in a way which beckons others to want to visit. When trying to capture wildlife, I try to focus on the animal's face. Our eyes are drawn to faces and it is how we relate to these wild animals in human terms.'
|
|
|
The Will to Climb
After making three separate attempts over five years to climb Nepal's 26,545-foot Annapurna, Ed Viesturs successfully reached the summit in 2005. The storied peak was more than just another 8,000-meter summit. For Viesturs, it was the fourteenth, and final, peak at that landmark altitude that he had climbed without supplemental oxygen.
His quest to climb all fourteen of the world's highest peaks--what he called Endeavor 8,000--was finally over. But more than five years later, Viesturs still marveled at the difficulty of climbing Annapurna, and the fine line between commitment and obsession required to reach the top. So he decided to write a book, The Will to Climb.
'I wasn't interested in rehashing what had happened,' Viesturs told GreatOutdoors.com, 'but I did want to delve deeply into the mental process required to overcome a challenge like that. And not just for me. The mountain has been the venue for landmark expeditions for more than fifty years. I wanted to tell those stories, too,some of which are virtually unknown, and to see what could be learned from the totality of those extreme efforts made on that very dangerous mountain. I found common themes.' read more |
|
|
Art Wolfe Previews the Travels to the Edge Episode on Madagascar
As part of his ongoing collaboration with GreatOutdoors.com, photographer Art Wolfe previews another segment from his award-winning PBS series, Travels to the Edge with Art Wolfe. This time, Art takes us to mysterious Madagascar off the coast of Africa. |
|
|
|
|
|
