OUTDOOR ADVENTURE TOURS

OUTDOOR ADVENTURE TOURS

The Great Erie Outdoor Adventure

Embrace the great outdoors and come camping at the Erie Community Park! The Great Erie Outdoor Adventure was created to encourage the residents of Erie to get outdoors, experience the adventure of camping and enjoy all that nature has to offer. In it's second year, the Great Erie Outdoor Adventure is a unique event that you will not want to miss!

Date: September 10 - 11, 2011

Place: Erie Community Park located at 450 Powers Street, just north of the Erie Community Center

We hope you will be able to join us and experience the Great Erie Outdoor Adventure for yourself!

Check back soon for more information.

Source:http://www.erieco.gov/

Outdoor Adventurer Creates

Welcome to the Idaho Outdoor Portal. Idaho’s top resource for outdoor adventure. Created by a team of native Idahoans, this website serves as the premiere gateway to the outdoor mecca that awaits in our great state. Whatever your passion, pursuit or interest, you will find useful information about it here on our website. Want the latest fishing report? Click on the fishing page and access not only the latest reports, but pick up a new tip from our contributing anglers. Love to hike but not sure where to go next. Click on the hiking page for ideas, advice and more. Idaho Outdoor Portal truly is your one stop source for outdoor information here in the Gem State. So take a look around, grab some useful information, bookmark this site to come back to and then go on Idaho….get out there!

Source:http://idahooutdoorportal.wordpress.com/

Outdoor Adventurer Creates ATV Tours in Arizona

You could say that Charles Lutz is a daredevil. He has been an outdoor adventurer for more than 30 years. His first steps into the world as a tour operator was in 1966 when he was president of the University of Arizona Ski Club. That is when he discovered you could charge more than the trip costs and make money running tours. He served in Vietnam from 1968 through 1971 when he received a commission as a second lieutenant. He returned to Tucson after the war, and in 1972 he started building and flying hang gliders and taught people with the same sense of adventure how to build and fly them too. His desire for more thrills led him into snow skiing then whitewater rafting. As in the case of the hang gliders, Lutz shared his knowledge with other adventure enthusiasts. “For the bulk of my business career I ran whitewater rafting trips in the spring and summer, snow skiing trips in the winter, and then I took October off,” he said.

All that changed when the state in which he did and taught these endeavors, Arizona, suffered a major drought in the 1990s. “It didn’t rain or snow,” Lutz lamented. Out of work and not certain what the future would bring, Lutz stepped into the garage of his home one day and saw his old three-wheelers just gathering dust in a corner. He stared at the machines and then thought, “Why not?” You can say that at that moment Lutz Adventure Tours LLC was born.

Lutz decided that he would organize ATV adventure tours around Tucson and Sedona, Arizona. The areas in which the tours would travel are managed by the Federal Bureau of Land Management and the United States Forest Service. So, he went out and got a federal permit to run the tours; he sold his three-wheelers and acquired several four-wheelers and he and his business were off and running. It was 2002.

Arizona ATV Adventures

Today Lutz is manager of a company that runs two adventure tours under the name Arizona ATV Adventures. The Florence Tour traverses land that is halfway between Tucson and Phoenix. The journey is 38 miles long and takes about three and one quarter hours. The terrain is rugged and has an elevation gain and descent of about 1500 vertical feet. Moreover, the canyon walls are about 900-feet high on both sides and the river bed you can drive down is only 10 feet to 15-feet wide. “We climb up and over the front range of the Pinal Mountains and drop down into what is known as the Box Canyon,” explained Lutz. “Box Canyon was the shortcut between Grove, Arizona and Florence, which was the first county seat of the state in the 1800s. It was a part of the Butterfield Stage Coach route between St. Louis and San Francisco, and it was also used by the Pony Express. In addition, the Anasazi Indians inhabited the area going back 1200 years and there are Indian petroglyphs that the tourists can see. We stop the tour so that the riders can observe the art, and our guides give a brief history. However, the tours are designed to concentrate on the fun and excitement of driving an ATV in absolutely beautiful country.”

The other tour covers the west Sedona canyon. “Travel magazines and writers identify it as one of the most beautiful places on Earth,” continued Lutz. “It is a valley that is about 15 miles square and once was an ocean floor. So there are great big rolling hills there with red rock formations on two sides. Over the last 50 years portions of 43 major motion pictures have been filmed there.” This tour is about 30 miles long and takes about three hours.

There are two tours to each location every day including holidays. One starts at 8 a.m. and goes to 1 p.m. The other runs from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. During the summer months there is also a “Sunset” Tour of the Sedona Canyon that runs from 5 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.

There are 15 ATVs for each location and each trip includes guides who have knowledge of the area and can answer most questions. Some guides have the skills to fix ATVs that may break down during the tours. Commonly, there is one guide for every seven machines. In May there are usually about three or four ATVs that go out in a tour. The peak times for both tours are the summer months, holidays and the spring (March through April). At those times, there are as many as 15 ATVs in a single group. “When we have a large tour we have a guide in front, frequently a guide in the middle, and a guide in the back,” said Lutz. “This allows the group to spread out so we can get as much as a hundred yards between machines so the riders don’t have to breathe the dust from other ATVs.”

Each tour has strict passenger and driver guidelines. For example, riders must be no less than 5-years old or weigh at least 50 pounds and drivers have to be 15-years old or older. Before each tour begins everyone has to participate in, and pass, a driving test. In addition, Lutz, who is a certified ATV safety instructor, has created a curriculum to teach people how to drive ATVs, and he has taught the guides safety procedures. Moreover, Lutz frequently accompanies a tour to observe the guides to assure that they are sticking to safety regulations. “I check ride each guide every two years,” said Lutz. The National Forest Service also sends representatives out with each tour periodically to do their own check rides.

Arizona ATV Adventure Tours uses Yamaha ATVs. “In 2002, when we started, Yamaha was the only manufacturer who offered ATVs with a fully-automatic transmission and regressive or engine braking,” said Lutz. “When you take your thumb off the throttle, the engine slows the ATV to a walking speed. The other ATVs that were available featured free wheel.”

The company has a total of 43 ATVs for customers and six guide bikes. “The guide ATVs are larger so they can carry stuff,” said Lutz. All the ATVs have been purchased from local Arizona Yamaha dealers.

Lutz revealed that the company still uses some of the original machines. “My son is mechanically inclined. When we bought our first ATVs, the dealer was unusually pleasant. When a machine needed repair, the dealer would do it, but would let my son watch. So, my son received a free education on how to fix Yamaha ATVs. He has subsequently become really good at it. For example, he can tear down and fully rebuild an engine. So, we’ve been able to keep some of the original machines. My son keeps them in tip-top shape and has rebuilt the engines, transmissions, and brakes. We’ve put fresh plastic on them and painted the racks so they’re like brand new. Some of our ATVs have traveled more than 50,000 miles but you wouldn’t know it.”

Each tourist receives bottled water and candy bars to serve as sustenance and the Adventure does not offer lodging. However, Lutz recommends that riders in the Florence tour stay at the Holiday Inn Express. “It’s a brand new hotel. Just about everything else in Florence is 150-years old, but there are several nice B&Bs,” he said. He suggested that riders check the Internet for more details.

Lutz added that participants in the Sedona tour have a large selection of accommodations from which to choose. He noted that the town is a tourist Mecca and has upwards of 50 hotels and B&Bs in the area. He recommends the Best Western because it is right across the street from the Tours’ offices.

As far as dining is concerned, Lutz pointed out that there is not much in Florence. “It is a very small town with two stop lights. But there is a McDonalds, Burger King, a Subway, and a couple of ma and pa cafes,” he said. “In Sedona, you name it, they got it.”

Participants in the tours pay only for the rental of the ATV. Each ATV, which is designed to carry two people, rent for $119.

For more information and to book a tour, visit the company’s website at: www.azatvfun.com. Or call (800) 242-6335.

Source: http://www.atvsource.com/

Outdoor Adventurer's Pledge

In wilderness medicine, as well as medicine in general, prevention is the name of the game. No healer likes to see anyone suffer. I've often thought about creating a standard list of admonitions for outdoor enthusiasts in order for them to best avoid accidents, injuries, and illnesses. I believe that if these rules were followed, we'd all happily practice less wilderness medicine:

The Outdoor Adventurer's Pledge

1. I will maintain optimal physical and mental health.
2. I will prepare for all outdoor activities by dressing properly, anticipating likely risks, and carrying proper equipment for first aid.
3. I will break in new boots and shoes before I use them for hiking or climbing.
4. I will carry protective clothing to be used in bad weather.
5. If appropriate, I will be prepared for an unexpected night outdoors.
6. I will seek advice or assistance if I become ill or injured.
7. I will let someone know where I am going and when I expect to return.
8. I will not drink alcohol or use recreational drugs.
9. I will not participate in or tolerate risky horseplay in potentially dangerous situations.
10. I will use proper safety equipment, such as a helmet or life jacket, whenever possible.
11. I will obey all posted warning signs.
12. I will wash and disinfect my hands before eating.
13. I will drink lots of fluids and stay well hydrated. I will disinfect my drinking water and properly prepare all food.
14. I will not closely approach or otherwise provoke wild animals.

Source:http://www.healthline.com/

Member of Philadelphia Outdoor Adventurers Club - TerraMar Adventures

Location

Malvern, PAUSA
Member of this
Meetup Group since

October 26, 2009
Introduction

I love to travel, especially when it's for anything sporty or adventure related.

What do you do when your're not traveling? (Describe work and hobbies)

I'm a consultant for a software company. I'm an avid mountain biker, skier, and getting into running. I love to watch the Flyers, Phillies, Eagles, Penn State Football, and Temple basketball, preferably in person.
What age do you fall under? 21-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50+

30-39
Tell us about your favorite outdoor adventure?

I hiked Machu Picchu in 9/09; had an incredible time. Spent 4 days hiking the Salkantay trail and arrived at MP on the 5th day early enough to watch the sunrise over the mts. We also hiked Huayna Picchu which was probably the hardest part of the trip
What countries or other states have you visited? Where is your favorite place located? And tell us why?

Too many to mention...seen a lot of the world. Need to see more of the US though. Stockholm, Amsterdam, Brugges, Gent, Swiss Alps (Gimmelwald), Hong Kong, and Yosemite are among my favorites.
What destinations and/or types of trips do you want to do with this group?

I'm up for anything!
What Jeff Sasin is saying about this Meetup Group

Jeff Sasin has not left a group review yet. Click here to read other members' group reviews.

Source: http://www.meetup.com/

Adventurer's Club

What is the Adventurer's Club? Austin-Lehman's Adventurer's Club is our way of rewarding past-travelers, our Alumni! You must have gone on at least one ALA trip to be eligible for the club. The goal of the Adventurer's Club is to promote a community of fellow travelers who love the great outdoors and who enjoy being active, exposing themselves to new experiences and most of all – having fun.

We value our Alumni dearly and rely on them for everything from feedback and word of mouth to ideas on what far-flung destinations to expand our roster to next. Our new and improved Adventurer's Club program is our way of saying "thanks!" to our best ambassadors.

Adventurer's Club Advantages include:

* Alumni Only Social Networking Website
As an Adventurer’s Club member, you’ll receive access to an Alumni-only section on our website where you can create your own password-protected homepages, share your thoughts about a recent ALA trip, reconnect with members you’ve traveled with, converse with other Alumni via the Adventurer’s Club Forum, post pictures and send virtual postcards from your trips to friends and fellow Adventurers. Register here for My ALA Adventures.

# The Compass: E-Newsletter for Adventurer’s Club Members

You will receive our e-newsletter for Adventurer’s Club members only, full of information from ALA experts, upcoming specials, new destinations, the whereabouts of your favorite guides, interviews with fellow travelers and more!

# A Personal Concierge

Our very own Carol Austin is available 7 days a week to answer questions, handle special needs, assist in securing pre- and post-trip accommodations, or anything else you may require.

# “First Ascent” Discounted Trips

You receive priority sign-up for select “First Ascent” trips. As ALA Alumni you’re invited to join ALA owners and guides on the inaugural departures of our new programs. Though these trips are already scouted and developed by Austin-Lehman experts, you will receive a discount in exchange for helping us make these trips even better by identifying the strengths and weaknesses. These tours truly embody ALA’s sense of adventure and are a lot of fun!

# Special Gifts – for Adventurer’s Club Members Only

On your second Austin-Lehman Adventure, you will receive a beautiful fleece vest with an
embroidered Adventurer’s Club logo. We have lots of fun surprises in store for you!

# Special Alumni-only events, receptions and more!

Source:http://www.austinlehman.com/

Adrenaline-Pumping Travel Options from Costa Rica to Beijing

Heading on vacation isn't always about lounging on the beach. For every traveler who longs for some time to relax, there are dozens of others who want something a bit more exciting. And for those adventurers, a great vacation is less about finding the best hotels in Costa Rica with places to lounge and read, and more about getting as close to the action as possible.

When it comes to adrenaline-pumping travel options, there are plenty of choices out there to satisfy spirited adventurers. And while there may be go-to spots for particular extreme sports and challenging activities, it's also possible to find adventure elsewhere. Surfing particular stretches of beach in Costa Rica can be more challenging than tackling some of the easier beaches in Hawaii. Likewise, snowboarders might find that dune-boarding in South America is easier said than done, while those used to skiing the slopes of Europe might be completely floored by a mountain in Vail or Bariloche. Sometimes, the best way to have a truly adrenaline-pumping vacation is to stick with the same area of interest, but with a change of scenery.

Adventure can also mean visiting truly remarkable sights, where getting the perfect photo requires a little blood, sweat and tears. Countless hotels have popped up around volcanoes worldwide, mostly to accommodate the legions of visitors who long to hike on the sometimes-volatile slopes. These days, it's just as easy to find Arenal, Costa Rica hotels as it is to look up a Costa Rican resort package. There's definitely more interest in more extreme sightseeing from Sicily to Central America.

For that perfect combination of adventure and physical challenges with great views, sometimes the path less taken is the best choice. After snorkeling or exploring the jungle, there's nothing more perfect for a sleepy adventurer than retiring to one of the numerous Galapagos Island hotels that is focused on providing comfort without retreating from the beauty of the islands themselves. And adrenaline-pumping travel doesn't have to stop in remote corners of the world, either. Whether it's indoor skydiving or strenuous climbing walls, the world's big cities often offer other methods designed to challenge and delight visitors. Quite a few hotels in Beijing can recommend more invigorating retreats in the city, or even arrange for exploration of the lands beyond the concrete jungle.

So whether jumping out of a plane, clawing up a cliff, or simply surfing or skiing a new stretch of land, adrenaline-pumping travel options are everywhere. All that it takes is deciding on a location, and the rest of the details fall into place. For those travelers with a need for speed, it's possible to find something more active and more exciting in every city on earth.

Source:http://www.allhotels.com.sg/