...just a desire for adventure.


I was reading an article last week of Will Gadd and Tim Emmett taking on the task of ice climbing "the world's hardest climb" (a waterfall in the Canadian Rockies).  The article is well written with an amazing story. (Link is at the end)  The pictures will probably shock your mind the most and might even make your head explode.  In all seriousness, what these two did in a 2-week span is unbelievable, especially after reading about the route itself.


After reading the article I naturally did what everyone else does and read the comments below it.  You get the typical "Wow sick! Nice Job!" comment, the "Beautiful, but you would never catch me on there" comment, and the "Idiots with a Death Wish" comment.

Really, a death wish?!

A current wish right now.

Why is it that people who never experience these sports have this notion that what mountain enthusiasts do is a death wish?  Maybe because people do die backcountry skiing/riding, ice climbing, rock climbing, etc; but it is not our intention to die doing the sports that we love to do.  It's not like we seek death.  In my opinion, we as mountain enthusiasts are more in-tuned with who we are supposed to be as people on this planet.  We are explorers, adventurists, and sometimes daredevils.  We feed off of fear and are glutens for pain.  When you push past all of that, you get the most satisfying reward of accomplishment.


"Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all." - Helen Keller

My biggest problem with people who use the "death seeker" comment is that many times it comes from a person who rarely has taken a risk in their life.  It can come from someone who is pushing the limits in their sport but usually they do not post anything because they respect what that person/team has accomplished.  They understand the hardships, preparation, and training that it took to complete.  They are not naysayers but 'sayers.

Yes, we are risk-takers and yes, to some people we take big risks.  "We" though is such a vague term because what I do compared to Alex Honnold or Ueli Steck is a big difference.  My risk is calculated and I always take my "gut" into consideration when taking a risk while on rope, boulder, or on a board.  If I feel like there is some form of danger ahead, I analyze it really quickly and either go for it or not.  If there is anything unsafe about it (in my opinion) I usually back off.

I wanted to find some data on the accident rate compared to typical things in life.  I found these stats courtesy of AllClimbing.com:

The American Alpine Club, in its yearly compendium Accidents in North American Mountaineering, reported 15 fatalities in the United States in all of 2007. The highest tally in the last 57 years, in 1956, was 53. The yearly average was 25.

The British government, comparing the risks of various activities, assembled these statistics:

* Maternal death in pregnancy 1 in 8,200 maternities
* Surgical anesthesia 1 in 185,000 operations
* Hang-gliding 1 in 116,000 flights
* Scuba Diving 1 in 200,000 dives 
* Rock climbing 1 in 320,000 climbs 
* Canoeing 1 in 750,000 outings
* Fairground rides 1 in 834,000,000 rides
* Rail travel accidents 1 in 43,000,000 passenger journeys
* Aircraft accidents 1 in 125,000,000 passenger journeys

Those numbers are actually kind of scary when you consider how many babies are being born a day.  As you can see though climbing is not the most death-defying activity.

I believe that before people get all up in arms when they find out that someone close to them is a mountaineer, climber, backcountry skiier/snowboarder, scuba diver, hand glider, whatever; that they try to take into consideration of why they do it.  Maybe you will never understand, but respect what we do.

In your mind it may be our death wish to push our limits of fear and physical strength, but in ours it is just living.  In our minds, the doubter has the death wish of living a routine, boring life of solidarity and routine.

For the article and pictures, click here.  Courtesy of Mail Online.

In a 5 month span I traveled 14000 miles, covered 37 states, and 4 Canadian provinces.  I saw ghost towns to metropolis'.  I have seen the most economically poor villages to the highest concentration of rich.  I have seen the most scenic areas in this country.

I have seen America.

I tend to have a "live and let live" attitude or maybe it is an "I don't care" attitude but whatever it is, I have had it about how people live their lives.  After this Most Epic Trip though, I am extremely biased as to where people should/could travel to.

This is a plea to everyone who is living in the greatest country in the world to see it!  There has been so much talk of buying local and helping this economy during the Christmas season that I wanted to share an idea for this upcoming 2012 year.

If you are planning a trip, plan it in this country!  I know too many people who's number one travel destinations are overseas to Europe and Australia.  I agree with you, definitely desirable places, but how can you possibly go somewhere overseas when you have not seen your own country!  Also, I would argue that with some research over Google, you will find the most desirable, reachable places here in the U.S.

Here are some reasons why you should consider it:

15. There is more culture here.
I really believe that there is more here.  Cultures in the United States are different state to state.  Yes, we classify areas like the south, but Florida is way different from Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, etc.

14.  The climate changes will shock and awe.
There are so many different climates and geography changes, it is insane to even think about again!  Whether you are a mountain lover or a beach lover or enjoy the desert, WE HAVE IT ALL.  If you want to catch some rays or shred the sickest powder in the world or enjoy the history of YOUR country; WE HAVE IT ALL.

13.  Travel desires are in the eye of the beholder.
When I moved to Utah I met a friend of mine, Paul.  He is from the beautiful state of Washington, more specifically the seaside city of Bellingham.  We got into a conversation about traveling and he stated that he always wanted to visit Ohio (my homestate).  To me that was bizarre to hear, but think about it, he is from the far, far away state of Washington.  It is a state to him that I like to refer to as, an unreachable.  (def - a state/place that you think you will never see).  What is your unreachable state?  Why the hell not go to it?!

12.  The United States has the best scenery.  No argument.
I saw the most beautiful sunsets in New Mexico, the most lush tropical forests in Washington, the most untouched land in Alaska, the most green mountains in Montana (Glacier), I saw the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, froze to death in the Oregon desert while climbing at Smith Rock State Park, enjoyed the rays in Daytona, wanted to build a cabin in the Adirondacks, snowboarded the Wasatch ranges in Utah, and it goes on and on.  I challenge anyway to getting better pictures than me while overseas.

11.  It's cheaper.
Not only will it be easier to plan but it would be less expensive.  How much is it for a ticket to Italy?  At least a $1000.  How much does it take to drive across the entire country? Around $448 by car.  (Bar Harbor, Maine to San Francisco, California)  Also, you can do it on a budget by cramming a ton of your friends into a van or car making it much more enjoyable.

10.  You are putting money back into the economy.
There were too many towns that I went through or rock climbed in that needed help.  Support this great country for what it is.  Support other Americans and stop sending your money to other places to never see it again.  And don't give me that big business bullshit, I am not talking about them.  I am talking about those local establishments that are uniquely amazing.

9.  No language barrier, except in the south...
Sorry Southerners, but some of you I have no idea what you are saying.  I'm kidding obviously (hopefully) but how much easier is it when you can understand everyone you cross?

8.  It's the American dream...or part of it.
Back in the day, people took road trips.  It was their dreams to see the entire country.  Personally, I hated road trips when I was younger because I always got shafted being the youngest in the family.  Now that I have money of my own (and a comfortable seat), road trips are the shit!  There is nothing like driving into a sunset, drinking some beers with new found friends, and enjoying some of the most badass wilderness this world has to offer.

7.  You will learn something, I guarantee it.
I know too many people who have never crossed the Mississippi River (going west or going east).  I know too many people who could not locate states on a map.  There is something seriously wrong when someone asks me, “Where is Ohio exactly?”  Holy shit, are we this ignorant?

6.  Cave in to your adventure side.
We as humans are explorers.  We are curious beings.  We are beings who are thrill seekers but because of over protected parented (maybe?) we are too afraid to push our limits.  Not saying every one should go rock climbing or snowboarding but if you have the desire then do it!  Also, if you the slightest desire to go to a state, then go to it!

5.  It's safer than going overseas.
I think deep down we are afraid to do something a little “crazy” and do a cross country road trip.  I will tell you first hand though, it is safe.  Now, there are some thing that you should always be awry of, but in general it is safe.  Much safer than going overseas in a country that you do not speak the language in or are a citizen.

4.  You will eat the best food.
This might not be a huge factor for some, but once you try the areas known eateries you will know what I am talking about.  There truly is nothing like a fresh piece of fish caught off a boat in Alaska, fresh lobster in Maine, Bison in Montana, or Gator in Florida, etc.  The food in the States is the best.

3.  You will meet the best people.
I have met some of the nicest, coolest, most adrenaline junkie people ever in my travels.  I think it is funny how this country's culture can be so different state-to-state and yet the general mentality/values of the people are all exactly the same.

2.  It is easier to travel with friends.
It's common sense.  How much easier is it to scrounge up friends to divide up gas, food, and a hotel compared to finding friends who want to dish out a fixed $1000+ cost? 

1.  It's the greatest country in the whole damn world!

In my life, I have been to 46 states only missing Hawaii, Delaware, Oklahoma and New Jersey; and I am only 23 years old.  I have seen so many states, yet I still feel that my domestic traveling is nowhere near complete.  The Most Epic Trip only gave me a glance into what this country has to offer.  I can not wait for more and I would do it over some overseas country any day!

If you have any ideas of why we should travel the United States I would love to hear them, and will gladly add them with credit.

If you are reading this, then can you please share this with friends.  If you don't want to give me credit then write a reaction, I don't care.  I just want to get this message out there because I think once you see this country, you will really love this country for what it is.  I know I do.

Home.

"Living a Dream"

That phrase gets thrown out a lot by friends and myself (usually sarcastically when life sucks and ordinary) but lately I have definitely been living one.