I’ve had a few friends who lead inner city kids on hikes. Getting kids who seldom see wilderness out on a hike is an important job, plus these friends always had hilarious stories about things that happened on their hikes. Now you can get the stories without the burden of friendship on Twitter. @GhettoHikes is the Twitter account of a guy who leads urban kids on nature hikes. He writes down some of the things they say.
Given the choice between flying and snowboarding this Russian crow chooses to rip up and down a snow-covered rooftop on his board. It’s probably a sullen teenage crow that’s trying to rebel from its parents. I’m really glad we never got into a full blown war with Russia - its snowboarding crow would dismantle our waterskiing squirrel.
Mark Wood is attempting the first solo unsupported and unaided attempt on the geographic North and South Poles. Though I suspect he’ll get a lift over the equator so he didn’t have to walk the entire way between the two. Just yesterday he made it overland to the South Pole as the season nears its end, closing out the first leg of his journey before the weather worsens. Next is the North Pole, where I suspect he’ll back two iPods for his trip. You see, his first iPod broke on day two of his southern expedition, and he was faced with the austere Antarctic for months will little to distract his thoughts. That is until he called home on a sat phone and overheard the Wombles, a kind of British knockoff of the muppets, singing a terrible Christmas song that would embed itself in his brain for the next several weeks. It’s difficult to imagine a worse torture.
via Wend
The makers of the TV show Hunted are hoping you answered “ultra desperate.” They’re seeking outdoorsy folks who are interested in running through the woods just like Ice Cube did in the smash hit film Surviving the Game back in 1994. You’d have to live off the land for 48 hours hiding in the wild from professional bounty hunters. And if you last that long? A cash prize. But then, how will they find you if you’re really lost? This is where you apply to be on Hunted TV.
If you think the name says it all, you’re right. A paraglider manages to get hit by a van while making some dynamic moves just before landing. This graceful sport just earned its spot in the funniest-home-videos-guy-kicked-in-the-balls genre. Nice work on the appropriately timed slide whistle as well.
Santa harassing Backcountry workers
Santa’s been a busy man lately. Not only did he pop into the Backcountry warehouse, he also found time to go ride at Jackson Hole for a bit. Plus, during his off season, he put together the handy holiday tech tips found below for Petzl. Merry Christmas everyone.
No need to set down your beer to watch this video. Someone pulled together what looks like a newsreel from the 70s about hotdog contests. Did they still have newsreels in the 70s? I appreciate the difficulty they had in judging the bump contests - they all look like it’s their first day skiing/drinking. I look forward to the day 215cm skinny skis come back in style.
Photo by Dean Curtis
Even with all the nonsense being spouted about a non-existent War on Christmas, we still ought to pause and admire the lovely holiday decorations in this Missouri courthouse. City leaders sought to bring some of the outdoors inside, and instead of just putting up a ‘holiday tree’ they found a talented taxidermist to set up these deer in tuxedos and the most elegant eveningwear Missouri has ever seen. Yes, that one is playing the piano. Head over to the Springfield News-Leader for the images.
Sometimes it’s good to listen to that nagging voice in the back of your head that says “this is a bad idea.” Though if it’s there too often, I find whiskey is a good way to quiet it down. This guy may have had a bit too much of the whiskey. At least the jump wasn’t beneath a crowded chairlift.
