Video: Discovering Nepal by Mountain Bike

We all know Nepal is a fantastic destination for trekking and climbing, but did you know that it is also an emerging mountain biking destination too? In this video, we travel with a sponsored team from Vaud on a trip to discover just how impressive the mountain biking in Nepal truly is. As you would expect, the scenery is spectacular throughout the clip. Having already been to Nepal to hike and climb, I now would love to go back to do this.

Video: Running the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc with Lu�s Alberto Hernando

The Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc is widely recognized as one of the toughest ultra-marathons in the world. Circling the iconic mountain from which it derives its name, it challenges runners to cover more than 166 km (103 miles), passing through three different countries in the process. This year, Spanish endurance athlete Lu�s Alberto Hernando set out to run the UTMB for the first time. It would be his first race of that distance, and it would end up testing him in new ways. This short documentary takes us out on the trail with Lu�s as he runs through the Alps, learning more about himself and what he is capable of along the way. Most of us will never run these kinds of distances, but there are still good things to be learned here.

Nuevos Pasos - Historias en los senderos from Outdoor Live on Vimeo.

Gear Closet: Hi Tec V-Lite Altitude Pro Boots

A couple of months back I had the opportunity to test a pair of hiking shoes from Hi-Tec called the V-Lite Flash Force, which I found to be extremely comfortable, versatile, and affordable. In fact, I was very impressed at the time with the amount of technical features that Hi-Tec had managed to squeeze into the shoe, which I thought was perfect for light hiking. So, with that in mind, I was eager to test yet another boot from the company, this time one that was designed for more aggressive trails and more challenging activities.

I got my first look at the V-Lite Altitude Pro Lite boots back at Outdoor Retailer in August. When I put them on in the Hi-Tec booth, I was immediately struck with just how comfortable they were. In fact, my exact words were that it felt like I was wearing a comfy couch on my feet. After having an opportunity to test these shoes further, I can safely say that they are definitely amongst the most comfortable hiking boots I have ever worn.

Before I delve too deeply into my thoughts on the Altitude Pro boots, let me first say that this shoe was designed in Europe, and had been available there for some time. In the spring of 2016, it'll make the leap across the pond to the U.S. as well, giving American hikers a new option for their upcoming trail excursions. In the U.K., the boot sells for �99.99, which is about $150 using the current exchange rate. If that price holds when they are released stateside, they'll be a heck of a bargain.

Designed for use on more aggressive trails, and in alpine settings, the Altitude Pro is fully waterproof, but comes with a breathable membrane that helps to keep your feet cooler and dryer. That said, much like with the V-Lite Flash Force, my feet were very warm in these boots, which would discourage me from wanting to wear them on summer hikes in warmer weather. They are fantastic for late-fall, winter, and early-spring use however, and if you're hiking in the mountains where cooler temperatures are the norm.


Also like the Flash Force, this shoe features a Vibram sole that includes the Rollingait System. This specially designed sole is meant to move naturally with the foot, keeping it more comfortable and reduce fatigue in your legs. It was originally developed to help with trail running and walking downhill, but it has evolved over time to become part of Hi-Tec's hiking shoes as well. This is one of those features that is difficult to actually judge how well it is working, but I'd venture to guess that it does play a role in the comfort of these boots. I would also say that my legs and feet did seem less tired when wearing them as well.

Durable and well made, the Altitude Pro seems like a shoe that will survive many trips in the outdoors, and continue to travel with you on hiking and backpacking trips for years to come. The fact that they are lightweight, provide good ankle support, and actually look good too means that you'll actually be looking forward to wearing them on those escapes.

Putting these boots to the test on a variety of terrains, I found that they offer good traction on dirt, mud, rocks, and other wet surfaces. I haven't had a chance to try them out in snow and ice just yet though, so I'm not sure how they'll perform in those conditions. We all know that winter poses a different set of challenges, but I suspect that these boots will do just fine in all but the worse of weather.

It is impossible to write about the Altitude Pro without coming back around to just how comfortable they are on your feet. While it is true that they are packed full of features and technology, the bottom line is that none of that makes much of a difference if a shoe isn't comfortable to wear. You'll have no fear of that here however, as Hi-Tec has done an outstanding job of creating a boot that is simply a joy to have on your feet.

If these boots are already available in your market, and you're considering buying new hiking shoes, these deserve to be on your list. I think you'll find that they provide outstanding performance in all but the most demanding mountain environments. If you live in North America, you'll have to be a bit patient and wait for their arrival here. They should hit store shelves in time for spring, and I promise they are well worth the wait.

Outside Has Your Bucket List for 2016

We still have about six weeks to go until the calendar turns to 2016, but already many of us are looking ahead to next year to start plotting our outdoor adventures. If you're starting to think about what you'd like to accomplish in the new year, than you'll want to take a look at this article from Outside magazine, which is filled with suggestions on what to include on your bucket list.

The story includes 46 different suggestions for adventurous pursuits that would make just about anyone envious. If strung together, these suggestions add up to 365 days of adventure, giving us a full year of amazing experiences. Of course, very few of us could actually manage to do all of these things in a single year, but the article will definitely plant the seeds of things to do in the future.

Some of the suggestions include driving a car as fast as you can on the Bonneville Salt Flats of Utah. There is even a link to the registration form that will allow you to do just that. Outside also recommends taking a paddling trip in Maine, Utah, or Oregon, as well as going bobsledding in Lake Placid, New York. Other options include catching the Northern Lights in Iceland, facing your greatest fear, no matter what it might be, and taking a solo camping trip to just about anywhere.

Whether you're a climber, hiker, skier, mountain biker, or all of the above, you'll find something of interest on the list. In fact, one of the things that makes this "bucket list" so much fun is the diversity of activities that includes. There are options for visiting the Grand Canyon, meditating at a wilderness escape, and opportunities to experience wildlife like never before. In short, there is a whole lot of adventure options packed into this one article.

One of the best things about reading an article like this for me is that it opens my eyes up for new opportunities. Sure, I've been fortunate enough to do some of the things already on the list, but there are plenty of amazing experiences to be had, many of which I didn't even know existed. So as I start to turn my attention to 2016, and think about the things I want to do and the places I want to go next year, I always appreciate a few suggestions. You'll find plenty of that and more on Outside's list. Check it out for yourself here.

Himalaya Fall 2015: Summit Bid Denied on Lhotse

There are a few updates from the Himalaya today, as a few teams there continue towards their goals on a variety of summits. Most notably amongst them is Lhotse, where the South Korean team has been acclimatizing and preparing for weeks. Today was suppose to be the day that they reached the top at long last, but once again poor weather has denied another squad a shot at achieving their goals.

According to ExWeb, the Korean team was able to climb as high as Camp 3 at 7850 meters (25,754 ft), where they had hoped to make an attempt on the summit today. But, a fierce blizzard hit the top of the mountain, not only creating dangerous weather conditions, but also creating rockslides that made it impossible to go any higher. Now, the entire team squad has descended back to Base Camp, where they will rest for a few days before going up once again.

The plan now is for one or two of the Koreans to go up with a group of Sherpas to establish Camp 4 and fix ropes above that point. That will become their launching pad for another summit bid, once the weather improves. Apparently, Camp 3 is far too crowded, and really only has enough room to cached food and supplies. With C4 firmly established, the team will have a good place to rest and prepare for the final push to the top. Depending on the weather, they could attempt another summit bid sometime late next week.


Over on Annapurna IV, the Polish team has also been forced to descend due to poor weather. They report that over 3 feet (1 meter) of snow has fallen on the mountain in the past few days, and now conditions are unsafe. They have dropped down to lower altitudes to consider their options, as they are now prepared to climb, full acclimatized, but conditions are difficult and unsafe. The team says that they are not ready to come home just yet, but they also need about 7-10 days of good weather to have a legitimate shot at topping out. For now, they are waiting to see what will happen, as everyone is in good spirits, feeling strong, and healthy. It is once again the weather that is not cooperating.

Over on Ama Dablam, 76-year old Spanish climber Carlos Soria is now ready to make a summit bid. His team has been acclimatizing in the Khumbu Valley for a few weeks now, and have been working the mountain too. It appears that he is preparing to launch his summit bid today, with the hope of completing the climb sometime in the next few days.

Finally, Lonnie Dupre and his teammates have now wrapped up their expedition to the Himalaya. Over the past month or so, they have been in the country helping with rebuilding efforts, while also climbing a few mountains. They managed to summit both Ama Dablam and Kyajo Ri, while also providing support for the locals too. The entire crew is now back in Kathmandu, and preparing to go home.

That's it for today. More news as it comes in.

Video: Colorado is Awesome

In case you needed more proof that Colorado is pretty awesome, a company called Video Blend decided to create a series of 100 videos that demonstrated that vary notion. They've been posting those clips on a website called awsmcolorado.com, with each video spotlighting a particular aspect of the state. The video below is their recap of the first 50 videos, giving us a brief look at 50 reasons why Colorado is great. Most of us don't need a reminder of that fact, but we'll certainly take one when it looks this great.

Next: The World's Finest Blog

With the new IMac coming quickly up to speed thanks to so many of you, and DAYS OF ADVENTURE at an end this past week, it's time for another new blog! In answer to my own inclinations and various requests, today we debut THE WORLD'S FINEST BLOG! Follow us at the link below as we go forward with more Golden Age goodness!

http://wfcomicsblog.blogspot.com