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September 17, 2012The Gregory Fury 32: a Berlin perspective
Hi, my name is Christian Lüdde. I live in the city of Berlin, Germany. It is a very large city with an extensive public transit system, and decent bike routes. Berlin is blessed with awesome surrounding areas, such as many clear lakes, rivers, canals, and endless woods. The Baltic Sea and some small but exciting mountain ranges are also only about three hours away. When I have time off I like to get out of this city which I have to travel through every day. I spend an average of one and a half hours per day on public transit or on my bicycle to get around and I usually cannot come home between jobs, workout, other leisure, and meeting friends. Since I do not use a car, I have always been in need of my personal ‘trunk’, a well fitting, spacious backpack that will hold a variety of stuff and that I can also use to get out of town with – for a day.
December 03, 2012Recipe for Gingerbread (and fun!)
Gingerbread – that dark, molasses mistress of holiday cookies. We made ours using the following recipe, handed down through generations of holiday cookie and outdoor enthusiasts.
Below is a little recipe for lovers of the holiday cookie.
Get Leigh's gingerbread recipe here
September 17, 2012The Gregory Fury 32: a Berlin perspective
Hi, my name is Christian Lüdde. I live in the city of Berlin, Germany. It is a very large city with an extensive public transit system, and decent bike routes. Berlin is blessed with awesome surrounding areas, such as many clear lakes, rivers, canals, and endless woods. The Baltic Sea and some small but exciting mountain ranges are also only about three hours away. When I have time off I like to get out of this city which I have to travel through every day. I spend an average of one and a half hours per day on public transit or on my bicycle to get around and I usually cannot come home between jobs, workout, other leisure, and meeting friends. Since I do not use a car, I have always been in need of my personal ‘trunk’, a well fitting, spacious backpack that will hold a variety of stuff and that I can also use to get out of town with – for a day.
September 10, 2012Everest Waits
It is 0800 and I wake up as the sun hits my tent and starts to warm me up. As I sit up I remember that today is my birthday. I lay back down with a smile on my face. There is a 12 hour time difference between Nepal and Canada so I pull out my satellite phone and dial home while I picture my husband sitting on the sofa in our home. As we finish our short conversation he wishes me well and encourages me to stay focused on my goal. After I hang up I feel so lonely and far away, but throughout the day I receive several texts from family and friends which help to keep my spirits up.
More on Lucille's summit bid here
September 06, 2012The Perfect Smore
You can almost taste it
Are you picking up sticky marshmallows covered in pine needles? Is melted chocolate oozing down your Icebreaker? Perhaps you are tragically losing graham cracker cookies into the fiery depths of Mordor (that's the campfire)?
Are you looking for a Smore solution?
August 31, 2012AKU Tribute LTR: A review by Amy in Germany
The setting:
We camped on the banks of the Pelitzsee, a large lake about two hours from Berlin, Germany in the region known as Brandenburg. I’ve lived in Berlin for two years, but hail from the ‘Land of 10,000 Lakes’, also known as the great state of Minnesota. I often miss Minnesota, but when I’m “Up North” the landscape reminds me so much of home. Let me explain: Brandenburg is also a Land of Lakes, the difference being that these lakes have been connected by man-made canals back in the 1800s and earlier. Think Venice, but huge and all encompassing. These connected waterways were developed to transport bricks that now form the foundations and facades of Berlin’s architecture.
May 11, 2012Flooded in Costa Rica
Another fine contribution. When's yours gonna be?
*** WARNING: Sensitive souls beware, this article contains explosive content***
Which is to say that the article includes speech fit for a sailor. On the flip side, appreciative ears may enjoy this article to a soundtrack provided by Sébastien himself. Have a good listen and a great read!
Véro Altitude
Flooded in Costa Rica
Hello my friends,
For those of you who assume that I’m tanning in the Sun, surfing through life surrounded by chicks in bikinis as you're stuck in a cold, wet fall: let me lift your spirits a little.
For two weeks now it’s been raining harder and harder with each passing day. I came down yesterday to see a friend I had been wakeboarding with this past summer in Santa Theresa, Costa Rica. It is such a dead season here that most of the shops and restaurants have closed for an indeterminate length of time due to the rain. It’s been pouring at least twenty to twenty-two hours a day. The sound of the rainfall is no longer soothing, and three of the four routes out of where I’m staying collapsed yesterday.
Beached Boat
I departed Nicaragua yesterday morning at 8 am. The border crossing lasted from 9 to 10:30 as our bus was searched top to bottom. We carried on until Barranca, where I was ejected from the bus in an incredible downpour. On the brightside, I narrowly avoided a five kilometre traffic jam where construction was underway further up the road. They’re developing a new auto route where they’ve blasted through the mountain and, as well organized as they are, the protective fencing on the cliff side was overlooked. So, with the recent rainfall (109 cubic meters this month as opposed to the usual 25), there have been massive landslides in several locations and others where the pavement has simply crumbled, creating impassable gaps in the road. Could someone please tell the Gods that we’re still 2 years from 2012 for Christ’s sake?
So there I am with my pack, my surf board and my guitar on the side of the road hoping for an empty taxi to materialize and take me down the other fork in the road to a sketchy little town called Puntarenas where I can catch a ferry. The hotels all rent by the hour there, and just yesterday morning a corpse was observed floating down the river, its head and feet missing. An enormous alligator recently emerged from the marsh due to flooding and, after having killed it and cut it open, some locals found a stomach full of human bones.
Costa Rica: The coast ends being rather rich in rain.
May 09, 2012Climbing Everest
Looking up I see some prayer flags along with a sign that announces base camp, elevation 5365m. Lunch was 4 hours ago in Gorak Shep and it feels like a lifetime has passed since then. The headache that I’ve had for the past two days has only intensified. My water bottle is empty, my feet are swollen and aching and I shake my head when I am told that our camp is still 45 minutes away.
Climbing Everest: Read the rest of Lucille's approach to Mount Everest
April 04, 2012Climbing Khumbu
The beeping of my alarm wakes me up, it’s 0330. I let out a groan and quickly shut it off before it wakes up my teammates at base camp. Closing my eyes I tell myself just one more minute, but seconds later I shake my head. No more time for sleeping, I have to get up right away to be ready for my first trip through the icefall. The creaking and groaning of the glacier under my tent, along with the excitement and anticipation of my first foray into the icefall has kept me awake and made for a very short night.
Climbing Khumbu: Read the rest of Lucille's expedition to Camp 1
January 20, 2012The North Face Men’s Mansell Pant Review
It’s one thing to test the warmth of winter-wear when doing hard physical sports but it’s a bit different if you just plan on lounging around in the unforgiving cold like a lone emperor penguin. In that case, it’s not so much about wind resistance and more about keeping the heat of your inert body where it counts, in your pants.
I was going camping with two of my buddies on what was most likely going to be the coldest weekend of the winter. The whole thing materialized without much forethought. It was going to be a steady -23c the whole night without wind and I had no idea what I was getting into. I was probably generally ill equipped but I’m pretty sure I picked the right trousers.
The North Face Mansell insulated pants: Read Pierre's review
June 29, 2011Arc’teryx Alpha, Beta and Theta SL : What’s the Difference?
In order to understand the differences between the Arc'teryx Alpha, Beta and Theta waterproof-breathable shells, let's examine them by category (see all Arc'teryx existing categories).
Let's start with the SL (Super Light) type, generally built with Gore-Tex Paclite; much lighter and compressible than the Gore-Tex Pro Shell, these shells are, on the other hand, more fragile and less resistant to abrasion.
Discover the differences between the Alpha, Beta and Theta SL
May 09, 2011Family Adventure in Thailand
Hello, Wow wild week in the Reber family adventure...we are now in Thailand, Bangkok to be exact! We are not city people we are are country mice! We have been challenged to grow from experience, first thing in the city our important carry on bag with all the good stuff, ie ipod, underwater camera, phone, tooth brush, etc was taken. Ouch.
Click here to read more about the fun in Thailand
April 29, 2011Nasty Runs: Running and jogging in cold and harsh weather
I know what you’re thinking. Why come out with an article about winter running when spring is around the corner? Well, if you didn’t go running this winter and now regret having to wear bigger summer shorts, I might at least have your attention so that you’ll be ready for next winter. Also, most of the tips apply for spring and fall when it's cold out.
Click here for some sweet cold-weather jogging tips
February 24, 2011On Assignment
I must be one of the few people at Altitude-sports.com who's eager for spring. I recently went winter camping. I had a great time, but I can't say I'd go every week. I prefer doing things where I feel warmer and drier. Whilst waiting to satisfy my outdoor desires, I watch videos that explore majestic locales that I add to my travel bucket list. Speaking of which, there's a video I want to suggest you watch. It's a documentary about a rock climbing-photographer who makes documentaries about rock climbing for National Geographic. Ok, that's practically a mise en abyme, but eyond that it you'll appreciate the damn fine videography, which was to be expected coming from an organization as prestigious as NG. By the way, the action takes place in Yosemite, in California (already added to previously mentioned bucket list). Enjoy!
On Assignment: Watch the video
February 19, 2011Snowshoeing Tips by Jessica
A snowshoe workout is a unique way to keep in shape and improve your level of physical fitness. Here are a few clothing tips I've picked in the Energy Snowshoe class I give.
Click here read about snowshoeing clothing tips
February 04, 2011Cold Feet? Ha! Try Cold and Wet! – Jasper National Park: The long way through
Jakob and Mona, although they've got loads of hiking experience, encounter a new problem. They also decide to make an MVP of the day.
Click here to read about the long way through Jasper National Park
January 24, 2011Romania, a Latin Island in a Slavic Sea
After an 8 ½ hour flight and a 2h stopover in Zurich, Switzerland, we finally set foot in Bucarest, capital of Romania. We still had a 3h car ride ahead of us. Luckily my brother was there to take us to shores of the Black Sea, to Constanta, my home town.
The greating was fantastic, my parents and friends were waiting for us and, even if we were exhausted, we stayed up late. I tried my best to get some rest since we still had a long road trip (about 600km or 8h) to head North, to attend my sister-in-law’s wedding. That party was thus just getting started…
I must add that after 2 years of living in Quebec, everything seemed rather small, but so much denser: cars, roads, even houses, everything!
The wedding was a sweet success! A real Romanian party, 18h to 6 in the morning, all included: dancing, food, drinks, happiness! For the doubters, here’s proof, an example of traditional Northern Romanian dancing
Read more about Eugen in Romania, click here
January 24, 2011Sheldon to Welbourne – Jasper National Park: The long way through – Day III
3rd day. Sheldon Inn Campground to Welbourne– 25 km – Start 8:10 – Finish 17:10
I did tell you that I keep my promises, right?! And here we go: this day had a lot of what you can expect on a hike. The good moments and the bad moments.
One of the bad moments definitely was the rain during the night. We packed the stuff and planned to have breakfast later at the waterfall. I had to strap the fly sheet on the outside of my backpack – with no chance of drying during the day. It hadn’t looked like the weather was going to be better. We left the camp and were curious of what we will see today. The first major highlight was the Snake Indian Falls. And I can tell you. It is absolutely magnificent.
Click here to read on about Jakob, Mona and Jasper National Park
January 11, 2011Off the Beaten Family Path – Worldly Vacation by the Rebers
Skagway by kimberlykv - Click the picture to see the original on Flickr
This summer, our family met Alex on a ferry trip from Sakgway, Alaska to Prince Rupert B.C. As is typical with travel, people gravitate to each other when situations create commonality (in this case ferry boat top deck sleeper chairs). After spending a couple of days enjoying the coastline and villages that dot the inside passage, fellow travelers shared their experiences and travel plans. Alex suggested that I post blogs about our family and our upcoming travel adventures.
My wife, sons (aged 8 and 11) and I have the feeling the time is good for a walkabout. We arranged things at my work for a 11 month sabbatical, pulled the kids out of school and are traveling to various parts of the world. Our children are at an age that is between the times of complete dependency and complete parental alienation and we realize this is a precious fleeting moment in our lives. We have the opportunity and we are in our "prime" (insert not getting younger or any better)
I have always envisioned touring with my kids for longer than a vacation and the stars have luckily aligned for us to enable this to happen. We are filled with excitement and some angst on our upcoming journeys. Many What ifs? are popping up. What if.... someone gets hurt?, What if... I dont have a job on return? What if... there is political trouble? These, of course, are countered with What if.... we dont go?
Over the next year I am going to try and post occasional blogs that piece together our experience and help us answer some of the what ifs in our lives.
We have concluded a portion of our trip to Western Canada. First off Canada is an amazing place and we now have opened the can of worms of wanting to see more.
Our family was on a bit of a mission. My youngest son is named after Tagish Lake in the Yukon territory. We have always told him that as he gets older we will see "his lake"
Tagish Lake, Yukon Territory by Alan Vernon - Click the picture to see the original on Flickr
We rented an RV and drove from North Idaho through BC to the southern Yukon, down the inside passage and then through central and southern BC. We drove 3300 miles (5500 km) and saw an array of natural wonders. Glaciers, wildlife, hot springs, Agricultural regions, great fishing, majestic mountains and extremely friendly and helpful people.
We are heading to the West coast of the states, back to Wyoming (our home) for a short change of gear and then off to Fiji.
Kids are doing well, no homesickness. They think they are really getting away with something by not being "in" school. We are trying to homeschool and slowly making progress with overcoming the natural sloth of inertia but even as a parent it is hard to motivate (man teachers have a hard job)
Thats all for now
Peace
The Rebers
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If you liked this article, you might like these:
Ideas to Reality – Jasper National Park: The long way through – Intro
The West Coast Trail: My Experience – Jean-Yves’ Adventures
I’m in Heaven or in Africa or in a Hot-Air Balloon – Share and Save
Read more about the worldy family vacation
January 06, 2011Celestine to Sheldon – Jasper National Park: The long way through – Day II
2nd day. Celestine Lake to Sheldon Inn Campground – 22 km – Start 8:20 – Finish 16:00
We got up at 7:30 and enjoyed a wonderful morning, while we packed our stuff and had a nice breakfast. Alex had left already so we were just the two of us. The trail continued on a very unspectacular unused ATV road. We were a little bit disappointed but had hope, ‘cause we will be on the trail for a couple more days. I can tell you this hike is nothing for a hiking gourmet. No view but woods. No hiking trail but an ATV road. No elevation but long flat straight.
Read more about the second day in Jasper National Park
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