How to Save a Whale - Buy an App

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That is the big question that comes to mind when reading that only about 350 to 550 Right Whales are left in the seas. But there's hope. A new App for Apple's iPad and iPhone can help and show how to save a whale. No, this is no joke. It's a serious project between US government agencies such a NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), National Park Service, Coast Guard.
Read the full story by SkyNews.com.au.

North Atlantic Right Whale killed by a propeller. Image from Wikipedia. Used with permission.

Conservationists are hoping a new iPad and iPhone app that warns ships when whales are nearby will help save an endangered species from extinction.


The Whale Alert app, available for free download, uses global positioning system and other technology to transmit the latest available data about the movements of right whales, which live in the North Atlantic.


Marine authorities estimate there are only 350 to 550 of the mammals left in the world.


It is hoped the system will limit the number of deadly collisions they suffer with ships, especially larger craft, such as cruise and container ships.


When whales are detected in an area, vessels can alter course slightly or slow down.


'Right whales are an iconic species for those who live on the coast of Massachusetts and the Northeast US,' said Patrick Ramage, director at the International Fund for Animal Welfare in Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts.


'In a region where for generations New Englanders have harnessed technology to find whales and kill them.


'Now, in the 21st century, we are harnessing technology to find them and save them.'


Collisions with vessels killed more than one third of the right whales which were reported dead between 1970 and 2007.


The app was developed for Apple's iPads and iPhones by EarthNC, which specialises in spatial mapping systems for the leisure boating community.


The project is a joint effort between NOAA and other US government agencies, including the National Park Service and the Coast Guard, universities, and conservation groups.

Here's some more info directly from EarthNC.

I've been whale watching myself multiple times. A great experience that I can recommend to everyone. Good to see that government and corporations adding their contribution on how to save a whale. 

Suunto Watches

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Suunto Watches

If You Are Looking For A Reliable Adventure Sports Watch That Can Do More Than Just Tell You What time It Is, Then Suunto Watches Might Be Your Best Choice.


This Blog post will look into the top reasons why Suunto watches are standing out of the crowd. We’re going to look at the extraordinary technology built in these time pieces and, last but not least, one of the best places where you can get your own Suunto watch for a reasonable price.

Suunto Watches - Made for the Big Adventure


Scandinavia is home to a number of highly innovative manufacturers of fine outdoor gear. Suunto, based in Finland, is one of them. Founded back in the 1930’s they became famous for breakthrough innovations such as the liquid filled compass. The fluid inside the compass was meant to ‘calm’ the compass needle and keep it from excessive moving, therefore allowing for more precise readings.


Later the company expanded and started developing electronic wristwatches for mountaineers, outdoor sports enthusiast, skiers, sailors, divers and military to name a few.

Extraordinary Technology Put to the Test


The distinguishing factor between Suunto watches and competitive products was always extraordinary innovation combined with quality and functionality and design.


I still remember when I got my first Suunto Vector wrist top computer– more than 10 years ago. I was skeptical about all the features. As a mountaineer especially the altimeter was of concern to me. The question was: Would it be accurate enough or just a fancy gadget?


In order to find out the truth about the Suunto Vector, I took the watch for a test. On my next climb I brought a Swiss made mechanical high precision altimeter from a company called Thommen. Back in these days - I was still living in Austria - that was the non-plus-ultra in terms of altimeters and most serious mountaineers owned one.


To my surprise the Suunto Vector showed the exact same readings as the mechanical altimeter. Besides, since the Vector is a wristwatch, it was more convenient to use, also lighter than the mechanical device and offered other useful functions such as weather forecast, thermometer, electronic compass to name a few – and hey – it even reads the time ;-).

Suunto Watches are Affordable


With all that technology built into a wristwatch, you might think they cost a fortune. Luckily the innovative Finnish engineers found a way to produce these time pieces in a way that is affordable for regular folks.

My favorite for Suunto watches (and others for that matter) is WatchCo.com – an online store specialized in nothing but watches. If you’re in the market for a new watch, I recommend you check them out. You’ll love the low prices and free shipping. Your back is covered by a 365-day return policy and 110% price protection – it can’t get much better than that, can it?

Conclusion


I hope this Blog post provided some insights on why Suunto watches are an excellent choice for the outdoor sports enthusiast. The technical features provide numerous benefits and the watch looks really cool too – in fact the Vector became kind of a status symbol over the years.


Now go to WatchCo.com and check out all the different Suunto watches available and – who knows - you might just end up getting your very own.

Wingsuite Base Jumping

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Wingsuite Base Jumping from The Eiger

Thought men can't fly? Think twice. Their wings? Squirrel suites, wing suites, bat suites or bird suites. That's the latest 'fashion' for base jumpers, designed to add more surface area to the human body and therefore increasing the needed lift to fly. This is typically achieved by adding special fabric between the legs and under the arms.

The following 3-minute wing-suite base jumping video below has been shot back in 2009 in aid of Help for Heroes and The Royal British Legion.

The guys are jumping of the Eiger in the Swiss Alps. Enjoy the adventure!






What an exciting jump! Here are some resources you might be interested in:

• Wingsuite Base Jumping

• Wingsuite Bade Jumping on Wikipedia

Please leave your thoughts on wingsuite base jumping below.

Canoeing Down The Congo River

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Canoeing Down the Congo River

It's winter here in Canada and I was looking for ideas and inspiration for my next wilderness adventure, when I stumbled upon "Canoeing the entire Congo river… and living to tell the tale".

Adventure traveler Phil Harwood from the UK was the first person to paddled down the entire Congo River from its source to the sea, solo, without support from outside.
In his 5-months Congo River canoeing journey he not only had to deal with rapids, waterfalls, crocs and snakes but also death threats, robbery and corrupt authorities.

Here's Phil's article:

Canoeing the entire Congo river… and living to tell the tale On a truly epic journey, Phil Harwood braves crocodiles, giant snakes and machette-wielding tribes to become the first person to canoe the 3,000-mile Congo river from source to sea Phil Harwood   King Congo … Phil poling his way through the vast Bangweulu swamp. Photographs: Phil Harwood I was alone in the middle of deepest, darkest Congo. Worse still, I was being chased by eight angry tribesmen in two dugout canoes – and they were gaining on me. "Mazungu … Mazunguuu!" came the screams from behind. "Give us money!" They were all standing up and paddling like men possessed. The nearest guy had a huge machete at his waist. I had been paddling as though my life depended on it. As though? It did depend on it! The fear was rapidly growing within me, demanding an answer to the primeval question: fight or flight? The word mazungu, white man, was being screamed and repeated along both banks. It was disconcerting, to say the least. I felt like a wolf that had inadvertently strolled into a farming community and was being hunted down. I had to go faster. But now, after paddling my heart out to the point of near exhaustion, I turned around and saw the nearest dugout canoe was less than 20m away. So close that I could see the whites of the men's eyes and their teeth bared in a contorted, hate-filled travesty of a smile. What was it going to be: roll over and expose my soft underbelly, or put up a fight? It was the venom in the next cry of "Mazungu" that made me decide. I grabbed my machete … Click her for the full article 'Canoeing the entire Congo river… and living to tell the tale'.

Here's a 5-minute video of Phil's Congo River canoeing adventure:



What a great adventure!

If you're interested in Phil's book and film, please visit his Web site Canoeing the Congo.

Ice Breakup on the 1000-Island River

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Here's a short video showing the ice breaking up on the Thousand Island River in Laval, QC (Canada) this April.

It took me about ten years to be there at the right time to watch the ice breakup. Sorry for the bad quality of the video, it was shot with my cell phone.

Enjoy watching!

19 Black Bear Facts

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19 Black Bear Facts

1. Approximately 600,000 black bears in live in North   America.
2. In Canada, black bears still occupy the majority of their historical range apart from the intensively farmed   parts of the central plains.
3. In Mexico, black bears were thought to have lived in the mountainous areas of the north but are now reduced to very few remnant populations.
4. Black bears have lost over sixty percent of their total traditional range in the US.
5. Black bears are certainly smart, timid and deceptive creatures, and usually strive at staying away from hitting the ground with humans.
6. Black bears are incredibly versatile and display an awesome variance in environment   types, although they can be generally seen in forested regions with heavy ground   vegetation and a good amount of fruit, nuts, and plants.
7. Black bears mate throughout the months of June and July.
8. Black bears are omnivorous and opportunistic.
9. Up to ninety percent of their total diet is made up of vegetative matter; blueberries and other berries, nuts, grasses, and many fruits.
10. Before winter hibernation, black bears seek to eat in excess of twenty thousand fat laden calories on a daily basis in making an effort to increase twenty to forty percent of its body mass so that it can support itself throughout the winter season.
11. Black bears are believed to be remarkably effective hibernating animals.
12. They get to sleep for many months without food, water, urinating or defecating.
13. Black bears have short, non-retractable claws providing them an outstanding tree-climbing capability.
14. Black bears with white-bluish coat are called Kermode bears or glacier bears and the distinctive coloration stages are merely present in coast of British Columbia, Canada.
15. Black bears use thick cover for daybed and dens.
16. Black bears and grizzly bears may well reside in the identical area but vary in behavior, habitat choice, and diet regime.
17. Male black bears go considerably larger distances than females, frequently spanning two to eight times the region of female black bears.
18. Female black bears generally start having cubs at 3 to 5 years old.
19. Despite the fact that black bears are categorized as carnivores, black bears usually are not active predators.

Internet Connection on Mount Everest

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The World Wide Web has reached Mt Everest. A spanking new communication tower is established at a height of around 5,200 meters. This means the base camp is now connected to the Internet.

Thanks to the hard work of the Nepalese ISP Ncell, mountain climbers are now able to make voice and video calls, hook up to the Internet, send and receive e-mail and revise their web sites, Twitter and Facebook accounts.

Climbers reaching the top are now able to notify society concerning their accomplishment easily by means of the Internet. In the past this was just achievable through costly satellite equipment.

Age limit for Mt Everest

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Age restrictions introduced by the "Chinese Tibet Mountaineering Association (CTMA) for potential Mt Everest aspirants.

According to the UIAA, the CTMA on 10 June decided to introduce age restrictions for Everest aspirants. In the future, only people older than 18 and younger than 60 years will receive permission to climb the mountain from the Tibetan north side.

The UIAA (Union International des Associations d'Alpinisme) welcomes the decision. According to them, young climbers would be missing not only the experience but also the maturity - so the UIAA President Mike Mortimer. On the other hand, Mortimer is not enthusiastic about the upper limit of 60 years. The boundary seemed "very arbitrary" and should be reconsidered. Older climbers often have a wealth of experience.

The CTMA is the official body issuing permits to climb Tibetan peaks. Whether the age restriction will also apply to other mountains in Tibet, has not been confirmed.

The decision was apparently triggered by 13-year-old Jordan Romero, an American climber who received much media attention in May 2010 as the youngest man who scaled Mount Everest.

In 2001, the Nepalese Temba Tshiri had set a record on Everest when he reached the summit at 16 years of age - but lost several toes and fingers due to frostbite. Then, in 2003, Nepal set the minimum age at 16 years - without, however, setting an upper limit.

Lindsay Griffin of the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) said that there are however exceptions to the CTMA restriction. In exceptional circumstances, the CTMA might grant a permit for climbing Mount Everest outside the age range, "if they can present a medical certificate confirming that they fit are enough for the climb. It is believed that this is addressed to the older climbers."

Sources: UIAA, BMC

Banff National Park Canada - 125th Anniversary

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Canada's oldest national park celebrates its 125 anniversary. From August to November, the park has a number of anniversary events, culminating in Mountain Film Festival in early November.

Turquoise blue lakes, hot springs and wild ravines: Banff National Park in the Canadian province of Alberta is a tourist magnet. Every year, around five million people visit the park that was founded in 1885.

The park covers about 6600 square kilometers. Banff National Park Canada is part of the Rocky Mountain UNESCO World Heritage Site. Banff is one of currently 42 national parks here in Canada.

Useful resources:

• See all anniversary events here
• Parks Canada Banff Web Site

Enjoy a short video from Parks Canada:

Hiking Vacation

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Hiking vacation - Having spent some of my best days in the outdoors hiking for days and weeks I cannot recommend this type of healthy outdoor activity enough. No matter if you're looking for a short day hike or something more challenging, it'll always be worth your while.

Today I present an article from Alan LeStourgeon about hiking vacations. Enjoy reading :-)

Take A Hiking Vacation
If you are in the mood for a hiking vacation then you will probably want to consider the many trails in either the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee or Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado.

Of course there are many other parks and trails throughout the United States but these two destinations offer some of the most scenic and majestic mountain vistas available.

Both the Smoky Mountain National Park and Rocky Mountain National park offer different levels of trails for your hiking vacation.

Hiking Vacation - Quality Time Well Spent

Whether you are taking the family for a casual vacation or are looking for more adventure and exercise in a very strenuous hike, either location can accommodate your plans.

There are more than 850 miles of trails in the Great Smoky Mountains, more than enough to keep you busy for your hiking vacation.

With the miles of trails available, my favorite in the Smoky Mountains is the hike to Chimney Tops. The Chimney Tops trail is a mildly strenuous hike with some incredible views. The last 50 yards is very steep, with a spectacular view at the very top. It is a 4 mile round trip that is well worth the effort.

While the Smoky Mountains are exceptionally beautiful, the grandeur of the Colorado Rockies is unmatched in the continental United States.

Majestic snow covered peaks rise out of the plains to reach heights above 14,000 feet in the case of Long's Peak and more than 60 other peaks rise above 12,000 feet.

Within the 416 square miles of the park there are 355 miles of hiking trails. My favorite hike by far is the hike to Chasm Lake a the base of Longs Peak.

The hike is a 9.5 mile round trip that changes in altitude from 9,000 feet to almost 12,000 feet. This is a fun, scenic hike, but it is moderately strenuous, so be well prepared with food and water.

Preparing For Your Hiking Vacation
Tens of thousands of people hike the trails of our national parks every year without incident and hiking vacations can be an enjoyable and invigorating experience.

However, it is essential that you are prepared for your hiking experience.

This is a nobrainer, but one of the biggest mistakes hikers make is not realizing the total length of the hikes they are on. If the sign at the trail head says that the hike is 4 miles, remember you have to hike back also, making that an 8 mile round trip.

Don't forget food and water. While food is needed on hikes of 3 to 4 miles and longer water is an essential on every hike. Even short hikes at higher altitudes can cause you to get thirsty faster than you would think.
You will also need the proper gear for hiking. I can't stress this enough, hiking boots are an essential part of a hiker's equipment, just as a water bottle and back pack are.

Do not try to hike a rocky trail in your tennis shoes. At the least you will have very sore feet and you could twist your ankle, making the rest of your hiking vacation an unpleasant experience, not to mention getting back to the car an adventure. Please get yourself some decent hiking boots. Your feet will thank you!

A hiking vacation can be an exhilarating experience for the serious hiker or for the whole family. You will get to see some beautiful scenery that you just can't experience by passing by in your car or RV.

Plan your vacation, decide on a destination, get your equipment ready and off you go to the great outdoors.


Alan LeStourgeon operates the successful web site http://www.vacation-cabin-rental.com where you can find comfortable cabin rentals, recreational information and information on building and decorating your own cabin.

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Yellowstone Hiking

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Yellowstone Hiking

Yellowstone National Park has over 1100 miles (1800 km) of blazed and mapped hiking trails. Some of them have been used for hundreds of years. Several of these Yellowstone hiking trails were the sites of historical events.

Yellowstone hiking trails are known for various geysers, hot springs and other geothermal features. Hikers will have many opportunities for viewing bald eagles, ospreys, grizzly bears, black bears, wolves, Coyotes, Bighorn Sheep, pronghorn antelope and free-ranging herds of bison and elk.

With fresh air in the lungs and boots on your feet hike along...

Beaver Ponds
One of Yellowstone's shorter loop trails then wanders through both meadows and forest. Black bears and Wild Flowers usually dominate the flora and fauna of this part of the world.

Fairy Falls
197-foot Fairy Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in Yellowstone, The longest and most scenic route starts at the Fountain Flat Drive barricade.

Grebe Lake
A trail used mainly by fishermen and backpackers, the trail goes to Grebe Lake, which make up the headwaters of the Gibbon River system. Deer and moose are oftentimes spotted along the trail and at the Lake.

Grizzly Lake
Starting out in a meadow, then climbing 250 feet up a ridge and traveling through burned forest, the route offers excellent views of Mount Holmes and the Gallatin Range.

Lost Lake
An easy trail, which starts behind Roosevelt Lodge (Tower Junction) then, goes into the forested hillside, coming to a fork, going westwards to the Lost Lake which is about quarter of a mile away.

Monument Geyser Basin
This is short but steep hike, where you can see the stunning view of Elk Park meadow and the wandering Gibbon River leading to Monument Geyser Basin, a small geyser basin.

Osprey Falls
Whether you start south of Bunsen Peak on the Bunsen Peak road or north of Bunsen Peak on the other end, you will be traveling about three miles along the road to reach the breathtaking Osprey Falls Trail.

Specimen Ridge
This trail takes us to the lip of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone at the one mile point, then to east reaching the top of 9614-feet Amethyst Mountain.

Storm Point
This Yellowstone hiking trail offers a good view of Yellowstone Lake, off the beaten path.
Start from the Indian Pond parking area, then drops into the tree line until you reach Storm Point.

Yellowstone River
Starts at the Yellowstone River Picnic Area and rises up to the eastern lip of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. There are some spectacular views of the Canyon and River from this trail.

Recommended Yellowstone hiking and backpacking guide-books:

• Ranger's Guide to Yellowstone Day Hikes
• Globe Pequot Press Rockies Hiking/Backpacking Guide  
• Hiking Yellowstone National Park, 2nd (Hiking Guide Series) 
• Top Trails Yellowstone & Grand Tetons: Must-do Hikes for Everyone 
• Click here for more... 

Killer Whale vs. White Shark

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Who is winning the battle? The Orca also know as Killer Whale, or the Great White Shark?
Well, as it turns out the Orca carries the name 'Wolf of the Sea' for a reason...

See this rare video footage yourself:

Cheap North Face Coats

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I'm hunting for some good deals on cheap North Face coats.

After digging around with different online stores I ended up finding what I was looking for in the Altrec Outlet Store
. The prices there seem to be excellent. The selection by far greater than expected.

As an example, the woman's Denali Jacket - a popular soft shell - is a the time of this writing 31% (!) off. That's $112.99 instead of $164.95.

A good number of color options are available too. Here's a product description:

The North Face Women's Denali Jacket

No other fleece piece feels like The North Face Denali Jacket. The reasons are versatility and smart design. The Recycled 300-series Polartec® fleece fabric offers exceptional insulating warmth that easily works as a middle layer during winter skiing or as an outer layer while backpacking or camping in the summer. The North Face reinforced key abrasion areas along the elbows and shoulders so you don't have to worry about the frayed pilling and worn fabric found on cheap fleece pieces. The North Face also designed their Denali Jackets to zip into other shells made by The North Face, although keep in mind that you'll need to verify that the jacket is matched in the same exact size and is deemed zip-in compatible by The North Face.

• Warm and plush Recycled 300-series Polartec® fleece fabric with DWR
• Rugged and laundered two-ply nylon overlays along shoulders and elbows
• Zippered hand pockets
• Zippered left chest pocket with vertical opening
• Standard fit tapers slightly along torso but allows for inner layering potential
• Elastic bound cuffs and hem cinchcord help seal in warmth
• The North Face logo on left chest
• Weight: 20.4 oz. (578 g.)

North Face on Sale at Altrec Outlet

Winter Camping

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Winter Camping

Did you ever think about camping out in snow and cold? You should. Winter camping is not only fun, it can be – if done the right way – a real adventure and an experience that you wont miss anymore. And there are no bugs ;-)

My first winter camping trip dates back when I was approximately 15 years old. I made every mistake in the book. However, that didn’t keep me from trying again and I learned through trial and error what it takes to make winter camping a great experience. I can’t remember any winter since where I didn’t pitch my tent in the snow, sometimes on a lonely summit often deep in the woods, sometimes sleeping in snow caves or just in a bivvy bag.

First, I had the idea to write up a list of tips on how to prepare you for a night out in the woods or on a mountain when I received an email from fellow winter camper Jim Muller, who runs WinterCampers.com. As the name suggests, Jim dedicated his site to winter camping. If you’re playing with the thought of trying it out I highly recommend to check out his Web site.

You’ll find a wealth of information, such as:

• Winter camping gear lists
• The 10 essentials
• Tons of related articles
• Tips on how to prepare your trip
• And much more…

Here’s the link: http://www.WinterCampers.com.
Let me know what you think!

Yellowstone National Park - Old Faithful Live

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Did you ever want to see the famous geyser Old Faithful live?

Well, technology makes it possible. Yellowstone National Park installed a live streaming and full-motion web cam near the Old Faithful and it is possible to see other geysers as well.

And if you are lucky you can even watch some wildlife. When I checked the web cam earlier a curious fox run across...

How can you view the web cam? Simply visit www.nps.gov/yell and click on "Photos & Multimedia". Once you arrived on the landing page you can launch your Media player and enjoy.