California Outdoor Adventures with Adventure Out

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2010-03-28T20:33:00.001-07:00

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Ancient Desert Skills Backpacking Trip

2010-03-24T20:19:00.000-07:00

In our fast paced modern lives its difficult to develop a strong connection to the natural world that surrounds us, most of our time spent in nature is fast paced and often times our brains are cluttered with thoughts from the day. Here at Adventure Out we understand how hard it is to develop a connection with nature in our busy lives, and that’s why we offer our Ancient Desert Survival Skills Backpacking trip. Ancient Desert Skills Backpacking trip is a rare opportunity to fully immerse yourself deep into the natural world, On the trip we will take on the mindset of the local native Kumeyaay and Cahuilla tribal people of the Anza Borrego, You will learn and use the ancient skills that the Kumeyaay and Cahuilla people relied on for survival for hundreds of years! Check out the Course Description for more information! : http://www.adventureout.com/anza_borrego.html

Celebrate Spring

2010-03-17T13:17:00.000-07:00

Each leaf,
each blade of grass
vies for attention.

Even weeds
carry tiny blossoms
to astonish us.
- Marianne Poloskey

For more springtime poetry, click here

winter adventures

2010-02-21T16:24:00.000-08:00

The rains have come again and the outdoor enthusiast is trapped inside. There are those bold few who venture out into the wet and cold- which is always rewarding. But what about us less hard-core types who are very fond of a stable core body temperature? What do we do when we can not scratch that adventure itch?

Answer: get together with fellow enthusiasts and watch people who are really, REALLY good at what they do. I am referring to, of course, the Banff Mountain Film Festival.

Pack your backpack and hike on over to the Rio Theater the evenings of February 26th and 27th because the shows start at 7pm. For more information including a description of the films (each night is a new series of films), click here

get outside and do some good

2010-02-16T10:09:00.000-08:00

Ever wonder how you can combine your love of the outdoors with positive change?

The Ventana Wilderness Alliance is a volunteer- run organization dedicated to keeping the Ventana Wilderness wild and open for public use. Projects include trail maintenance, watershed restoration, and removal of illegal grow projects.

Their mission statement:
The Ventana Wilderness Alliance is a grass- roots organization whose mission is to protect, preserve, and restore the wilderness qualities and biodiversity within public lands within Northern California's northern Santa Lucia Mountains and Big Sur coast.

If you are interested about this organization or want to know more about the breathtaking trails of the Ventana Wilderness, click here

If you would like to part of a larger land management community with more lasting effects, consider attending the Western Wilderness Conference in April. For more information, click here

Happy Trails!

Free Bike Race

2010-02-05T15:26:00.000-08:00

Attention Bicycle Enthusiasts!
The UC Santa Cruz bike co-op is hosting “Coop d’état bicycle alley cat”. It’s a fun race around up and down the hills of campus involving a scavenger hunt and games. If you can’t make it to the race, the Co-op is a great resource for bicycle know- how.

Date: Sunday, February 7th, 2010
Start Time: 1pm
Start Point: The Bike Co-op (Upstairs above the Bookstore)
Registration Fee: FREE!

For more information about the bike co-op, click here

Surf Ecology - Rio De Janeiro

2009-03-29T01:31:00.000-07:00

We've got an exciting field report from one of our Adventure Out surf instructors, Melissa Leggett. Melissa has been down in Brazil all winter long starting up an amazing program to get local kids more involved in taking care of their beaches. In Melissa's words

I have been giving surf lessons with environmental education and beach clean-ups afterwards to the local children of Macumba beach, most of which are children of the owners of the beachside kiosks. Most of the trash on the beach here comes from people buying food at the kiosks, so the idea is that these children will share this information with their parents who will encourage people to pick up their trash from the sand. We've been seeing great results so far; a few of the kids clean up the beach on their own, and people on the beach are leaving their trash in piles instead of spread across the sand. We've been giving these classes for free, and are working on getting sponsorship for the program.

Sounds like amazing work. If you're interested in the program, let us know and we can put you in touch with Melissa.

Finding Aloha Surf Movie - 3/27 in Pacifica

2009-03-18T16:27:00.000-07:00

Pacifica Beach Coalition (PBC) and Pedro Point Surf Club invite you to a benefit screening, reception, and big raffle for "Finding Aloha," on Friday, March 27th, at 6:30pm and 8:30pm at the Sanchez Art Center. Filmmaker Phil Walker took 8 years to complete it and recently won "Best Documentary" at the Honolulu International Film Festival. Producer and co-star Dan Moore, also a past Billabong XXL winner, will be on hand at the screening to field questions from the audience.

"Finding Aloha" tells a story of adventurous athletes like Layne Beachley, Dan Moore, Jimmy Hall, Vetea David and Mark Andersen, who find the key to harmony in the Hawaiian islands. They discover, and nurture, aloha. (more...)

Proceeds help the Coalition produce its annual April 18th Earth Day celebration and community-wide cleanup. If businesses or others wish to donate items for raffle prize baskets, contact Lynn Adams at 650-355-1668.

Favorite Day Hikes: Fall Creek

2009-03-06T15:41:00.001-08:00

Today's post kicks off a new series of blog entries called "Favorite Day Hikes". Northern California is abound with incredible hiking opportunities and we are so lucky here in Santa Cruz County to have an insane amount of biodiversity that we can get different hiking experiences without having to travel too far.

The trailhead for Fall Creek is in the town of Felton, CA, and Fall Creek itself is part of Henry Cowell State Park. This trail will always hold a special significance for me as it is my dear mother's favorite hike in Santa Cruz. I have many memories over the years walking on this trail with my mom, and the two of us still meet there regularly to share an afternoon stroll.

The trail itself is a 6.8 mile loop that twists and turns - up and down hills, through the creek-bed itself, under fallen trees, over branches, etc. It's the "Mr. Toads Wild Ride" of day hikes and all the while, you stay beneath the shade of the redwood forest (great hike for a hot summer day!)

CLICK HERE FOR A MAP TO THE TRAILHEAD

Enjoy this fun hike!

A beautiful day in the Tetons

2009-02-28T09:47:00.000-08:00

The blizzard has finally broken and we are seeing a BEAUTIFUL blue-bird powder day here in the Tetons. It's a balmy 5 degrees out, but it is worth it. The snow is perfect and there is not a single cloud in the sky. The Adventure Out crew will be hitting up Grand Targhee Resort today and the surrounding backcountry spots such as "Mary's" the ridge you see in the above picture (photo taken yesterday afternoon).

If you're thinking of doing any backcountry skiing or snowboarding this winter, make sure you are prepared. Get your avalanche training and at the very least, learn how to build a snow cave!

Roaming in Wyoming...

2009-02-25T12:44:00.000-08:00

Hi adventurous friends! Adventure Out is in Jackson Hole, Wyoming for a week of skiing, snowboarding, and backcountry exploration. It's day one and we are actually snowed-in by a raging blizzard - which means POWDER TOMORROW! Stay tuned for updates all week long...

Cliff Hodges
Owner
Adventure Out LLC

Surf Movie Premier in San Francisco

2009-02-20T20:19:00.000-08:00

March 5th at the Balboa Theatre - 7pm - DON'T MISS THIS FILM!!!

A great new surf documentary is about to hit the streets. "A Fly in the Champagne" is a documentary about the deep-rooted rivalry in professional surfing between Kelly Slater and Andy Irons. Two of the greatest surfers of all time existing on the tour at the same time have provided for some of the most exciting surf contests ever in the past few years. This film is a MUST SEE for any fan of professional surfing.

For more info, visit www.transworldsurf.com

Amgen Bike Race Comes to Santa Cruz

2009-02-16T06:35:00.000-08:00

The largest cycling event in America, the 2009 Amgen Tour of California is a Tour de France-style cycling road race presented by AEG that challenges the world’s top professional cycling teams to compete along a demanding, recently expanded, 750-mile course from Sacramento to Escondido from February 14-22, 2009.

Today, the AMGEN tour is visiting our home town of Santa Cruz! It is an exciting day with lots of fanfare surrounding the return of Lance Armstrong. For those of you in town, get off your butt and head down town. The entire town is abuzz with Lance fever. You don't want to miss this!

Rain Finally!

2009-02-13T18:24:00.000-08:00

Hallelujah! I woke up this morning to the sound of solid rain hitting my window. To a lot of people this might not seem like cause for celebration. But to an outdoorsman, and extreme athlete, this is music to my ears. Especially here in California where we've had one of our driest winters yet. Beyond the basic need for water, there are so many reasons why we here at Adventure Out would like to give thanks for today's big dumping rainstorm:
-Rain gives surfers new sandbars.
-Rain makes our rivers flow, and gives us fly-fishers a better stealhead season.
-Rain means snow in the mountains... and snow means FUN FUN FUN (skiing, snowboarding, snow camping, snow-shoeing, etc, etc).
-Rain means great waterfalls next summer in Yosemite!

The list goes on. Why do you love rain?

Technology in the Backcountry?

2009-02-09T18:11:00.000-08:00

Elemental Awareness Director Todd Larson checks his iPhone mid-program...

"Can I bring my cell phone?" If I had a dollar for every time I've been asked this question at the start of a backpacking trip... Well, I probably wouldn't need to run backpacking trips any more to pay the rent! This is a new issue in the field of outdoor education and a pretty difficult one to wrestle with. There are certain conveniences that might come with having mobile communication devices in the backcountry... and there are certainly safety advantages. But there are also huge losses incurred on the quality and type of experience one has when these items get tossed in to the pack as well.

One question I always ask my backpacking students is "why?". Why are you here? What do you hope to gain from this experience? You've chosen to walk away from civilization for a few days, away from the comfort and familiarity of your daily life and thrust yourself in to the arms of Mother Nature. Now I ask you, do you really want to bring that cell phone? Does it not just become a leash, tethering you back to your daily routine? I'll leave you with a quote to think about it:

Nature is, after all, the great reservoir of energy, of confidence, of endless hope, and of that joy not wholly subdued by the pale cast of thought...
- Joseph Wood Krutch

Adventure Out in Fortune Small Business!

2009-02-05T15:17:00.000-08:00

Check out the article on our Winter Survival and Snow Cave trip here on CNN's website as part of the magazine Fortune Small Business:

Adventure Out in Fortune Small Business

Training on the Road

2009-02-01T13:43:00.000-08:00

It's been a good few days down here in Orange County. After a round of meetings at Billabong USA, we firmed up the 2009 contract and for the 4th consecutive year, Adventure Out will be the Northern California reps for Billabong Surf Camps. We're proud as always to be a part of this fantastic organization... but my blog post today is about a different aspect of this business trip - staying fit and training while on the road.

In my line of work, I'm on the road all the time. Whether it's a backpacking trip, surf trip, business meeting, etc, it's difficult to maintain a strict training regiment away from your home gym, home surf break, home running and biking trails, and general daily routine. Additionally, the distractions and temptations seem to compound on the road. Every town I pull in to there are friends to see, dinner invites, and drinks being bought.

After years of dealing with this conundrum, I've come to a major conclusion. There is no secret or shortcut - intensity and dedication are the only weapons you have in your arsenal for this battle. Get up early and train... run fast and jump high... eat right even if it's more difficult and expensive on the road... go out and have fun, but get to bed on time... enjoy your first beer, but say no to the second.

...Or don't. It's up to you. Who do you want to be?

Me, completely exhausted - post workout on Laguna Beach (interval sprints, air squats, pushups, and lunges)

Drivin' South

2009-01-30T01:51:00.001-08:00

I left Santa Cruz early this morning - headed down to Orange County for a round of meetings with Billabong on Friday. It was an insanely beautiful day and I decided to take Hwy 1 south through Big Sur (rule #461: never pass up an opportunity for adventure, even if it adds a few hours to your drive). I couldn't have picked a better day for it. Today was the first spat of warm weather we've had in a few weeks and it felt as though every living creature was out to play with dreams of spring in their head. The hillsides were vibrant green and the ocean was glassy and pristine. I even scored some fun head-high waves at Sand Dollar. Life is good...

..And if any of you out there want to learn more about surfing along the Big Sur coast, check out our Big Sur Surf Retreat!

Cliff Hodges - New Discovery Host?!

2009-01-27T16:54:00.000-08:00

Speaking of mountain lions, I have a video for you guys! I was recently contacted by the Discovery Network regarding a new show for Animal Planet. They asked me to send in an audition tape as though I was hosting a show on animal attacks. What do you think? Am I discovery material?

New Donation: Felidae Conservation Fund

2009-01-25T13:50:00.000-08:00

As a member of the 1% For The Planet initiative, Adventure Out donates a portion of our yearly gross revenues to environmental nonprofit organizations. I truly believe that business can be one of the most powerful mechanisms of change and even though we are a small business, I think it is crucial that we do our part.

As a 1% Member, I get new donation requests all the time from amazing organizations all over the world. I love the fact that I am in a position to help these non-profits and even more, I simply love the exposure I get to all these amazing causes and charity work that people are doing in the name of our planet. The most recent organization that I have had the pleasure of learning about is the Felidae Conservation Fund. I just popped a check in the mail to them today after reading their donation request letter. Direct from their website:

"Our mission is ambitious: to protect the world’s 37 felidae species and their habitats by supporting and participating in international conservation, partnering in excellent science, and generating unrelenting outreach and powerful education programs. We believe this can be achieved collectively with utmost collaboration between scientists, educators, international communities, and lawmakers. "

I'm glad I could help. And really, how could you deny this face:

Barbados: Great Friends and Great Memories

2009-01-19T16:14:00.000-08:00

The Adventure Out Crew - Barbados, Jan '09

Our trip has come to a close and I can truly say, Barbados is an amazing place. I've traveled around the world to surf and I've never encountered a world class wave like Soup Bowls that had such friendly locals. Everywhere we went there were friends to be made and good times to be shared. I can guarantee this will not be the last time Adventure Out visits Barbados. For anyone out there interested in the next trip, give us a shout - surfing@adventureout.com.

Off the top at South Point

Barbados: Soup Bowls is PUMPING!

2009-01-16T15:20:00.000-08:00

After several days of constant trade-winds (as is relatively common in the Caribbean), the wind gods finally gave us a break today. And the swell is UP! It's a solid 6-8' with the occasional 10' face. Soup Bowl's is heavy and barreling. I snapped these two shots before waxing up my board and jumping in the water. No time to wait my friends. I'll write more soon...

Barbados Surf Trip

2009-01-10T15:08:00.000-08:00

The crew arrived in Barbados yesterday and commenced with important activities:

We're staying Bathsheba on the wild East Coast of Barbados. Far from the glitz and glam of the south and west sides of the island (where all the tourist resorts are), Bathsheba is a quiet town that just happens to sit on the bluff right above the best wave in the Caribbean, Soup Bowls.

We are lucky enough to be renting the Bathsheba Beach House from David Harris.
This is the same spot the Kelly Slater stayed in for the filming of the movie Sipping Jetstreams. It's a beautiful place to stay and yes, the picture of the above rock and beach is right out the front door.

The surf was a little blown out today, so we found a protected cove to do some diving, snorkeling, and spear-fishing. There's nothing like catching your own dinner and cooking it right there on the beach!

The Return of the Owner's Blog!

2009-01-06T14:40:00.000-08:00

Hello Fellow Adventurers-

Cliff Hodges here - owner and CEO of Adventure Out. As most of you can tell, we've really let our blog lapse. Scroll down and you'll see that it's been months since our last post. My apologies - our company has been growing by leaps and bounds in 2008 and certain things (like the blog) got put on the backburner.

About 4 years ago, this blog was controlled solely by me; it was the owner's blog. I kept weekly records of my adventures both with our students and guides as well as my own personal adventures around the world. Over time however, the blog got passed on to other staff members, interns, etc and it it slowly faded away. I am here to tell you now that THE ADVENTURE OUT OWNER'S BLOG IS BACK!

Inspired by our new President-to-be Obama and his weekly video address, I decided I WILL NOT BE OUTDONE! This blog will be updated 1-2 times per week and I promise, it will be much more exciting than anything going on in Washington.

Tomorrow I head to Barbados - STAY TUNED!

Cliff Hodges

Owner

Adventure Out LLC

SF Surfrider Party & Fundraiser

2008-03-17T17:06:00.000-07:00

Come party-down and help support the San Francisco Surfrider Foundation! Free pizza, surf videos, and a raffle to win a Pearson Arrow Surfboard or a surf lesson with Adventure Out!