Adventure Sports Online
Quarterly Newsletter, June
2004
|
Dear
Subscribers,
Warm Summer Greetings from
Adventure Sports Online!
We hope you enjoyed our re-designed March newsletter. Hopefully you found the
tips and "how-to" info helpful, and possibly even considered the destinations
and recreations that we spotlighted. If you have any feedback or suggestions
for different features in our upcoming newsletters, we'd love to hear from you.
Remember to visit our site often, as we are always adding new content,
outfitters and retailers. We look forward to seeing you on the trails, in the
water, or anywhere in the Great Outdoors!
Best Wishes, Adventure Sports
Online |
|
 |
Choosing the Adventure Travel That's Right for
You (Part Two) |
|
The following is a continuation of
adventure travel tips that we discussed in our March issue.
TIP 8: Make
photocopies of important documents.
Passport, visa's, tickets,
credit cards, traveler's checks, drug prescriptions, and other critical
documents should be photocopied, and the copies carried separately.
TIP 9: Learn the
World Wildlife Fund's guidelines on importing wild animal
products.
In keeping with the spirit of ethical, responsible
travel, you should not plan to bring back ivory, marine-mammal products, furs,
coral, tortoise shells, reptile skins, feathers and certain other wildlife
products. For specifics, call the public information office of the World
Wildlife Fund at 202-293-4800 and ask for the "Buyer Beware" booklet. And bear
in mind that the U.S. and most foreign countries have laws banning the import
or export of most of these items.
TIP 10: Thoroughly
break in your hiking or walking shoes.
Many first-time adventure
travelers buy new hiking boots for the trip. You must walk a minimum of 20
miles in them, up and down hills, before departure. This should be enough to
get over the initial break-in blisters and to ensure that they fit properly.
TIP 11: If you'll
be traveling at high elevations, learn about altitude sickness and take along
the prescription drug Diamox.
Altitude sickness often strikes
travelers who venture above 8,000 feet, and it affects almost everyone who goes
higher than 14,000 feet. Symptoms include headache, nausea and a general
feeling of malaise; some people compare altitude sickness to a bad hangover.
More severe but rare altitude problems include pulmonary edema (fluid in the
lungs) and cerebral edema (a swelling of the brain that can lead to confusion,
hallucinations, and coma). The key to avoiding altitude sickness is gradual,
well-planned ascent, which allows the body time to acclimate. Diamox may be
taken prophylactically or for the relief of symptoms that appear in spite of a
gradual ascent, but it must not be used to push beyond safe limits.
TIP 12: Instead of
a suitcase carry a big, soft, rugged duffel bag.
There aren't
many bellhops on an adventure trip. Your bag will be in for some rough
treatment strapped to a yak, tossed onto the roof of a jeep, squashed by
tie-down ropes, or pelted by spray in the bottom of a dugout canoe. Make sure
that it's pliable enough to easily be handled by porters, who may lash two or
three duffels into their own large packs. Pack duffels within duffels.
TIP 13: Pack
Light.
On safari or on the trail, you want life to be as simple
as possible, and you'll best accomplish this by packing less stuff. If the
clothing list your travel company provides seems impossibly skimpy, don't
worry. Almost all first-time adventure travelers quickly realize they've
brought too much. Fashion doesn't count much out on the trail, and modern
outdoor clothing is so versatile that one garment can perform a variety of
functions. So don't take more than the packing list advises; if you do, you and
the porters will have to lug that much more around.
TIP 14: Women
should consider making their primary travel garment a long, loose
skirt.
Most experienced women travelers to developing countries
and remote areas adhere to the local style of women's dress. A mid-calf, loose,
comfortable skirt is the best way to identify yourself as a woman. A skirt is
actually easier and more comfortable, even for hiking. In hot weather, a skirt
is cooler than pants; in cold weather, you can wear long underwear underneath
and stay just as warm. Also you may be far from toilet facilities. If there are
no bushes or rocks nearby, it's easier to make a discreetly modest "pit stop"
with the tent-like cover of a long skirt.
TIP 15: Bring
along small toys to help break the ice with local kids and
adults.
An inflatable glove, for example, is entertaining and
lets you point out where you live. Frisbees, wiffle balls, hacky sacks, magic
tricks, finger puppets, and wind-up toys also enchant local kids. Avoid
electronic doodads like Gameboys, however, whose high-tech allure will
mesmerize the kids. The toys are supposed to open up communication, not close
it off. At the end of the trip, you can give the toys to your guide or porter
for his own children.
TIP 16: Take along
a generous supply of Ziploc plastic bags.
They are invaluable for
storing items that must stay dry, for isolating wet and/or dirty clothes, and
for organizing luggage.
TIP 17: Take along
a mini-tape recorder.
Audio memories - children giggling,
porters singing around the campfire, the hubbub of a marketplace, the roar of a
lion-can be more fun than photographs. And local kids are astonished and
delighted to hear their own voices talking back to them.
We will continue with our final adventure
travel tips in the next newsletter, coming September 2004!
|
|
Outfitter Spotlight: Whitewater Rafting on the American River in Northern
CA |
|
 After 16 years of providing high quality
whitewater rafting trips on the North, Middle and South Forks of the American
River, Chili Bar Outdoor Center (CBOC Whitewater Adventures) has decided to
blend its operation with Mother Lode River Center, another premier outfitter
here in Coloma, California. THIS IS A GOOD THING.
Not only will you
benefit from great rafting trips, camping in our park-like setting and enjoying
great meals, you'll also benefit from the additional outdoor activities
provided by Mother Lode River Trips. These include high and low ropes courses,
nature studies, wilderness medicine courses, Gold Rush History, nature hikes,
family tents with cots, and cabins for our VIPs. As an added option we can mix
and match rafting with outdoor educational programs to meet the needs of your
entire group. Our Corporate Advantage Discounts, school and scouting discounts
make any of our trips affordable.
We invite you to come by and inspect
our facilities, meet our courteous staff and plan an outing for your group.
Call us at 800-356-2262 or visit our website at
www.cbocwhitewater.com or
www.motherlode.com.
|
|
Outfitter Spotlight: Rafting and Kayaking in Western US, Nepal and
Belize |
 Exciting wilderness rafting
vacations in Colorado, Utah, Alaska and Nepal, or sea kayaking in Belize
Join an Adrift Adventure. Adrift specializes in high quality, 4-5 day river
trips through awesome 2,000 ft. deep canyons in and around Dinosaur National
Monument, Utah and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado.
We are licensed professional outfitters with over 23 years of guiding
experience. Proud to be nominated for Conde Nast Traveler Magazine's
Eco-Tourism award, and featured in 1999, 2000 and 2001 TV programs.
Click on www.adrift.com or call (800) 824-0150 to learn more.
|
|
Outfitter Spotlight: Historical
Bicycle Tours in Virginia |
|
 HISTORY
BUFFET ON BIKES
Over the last 30 years the nonprofit Adventure Cycling
Association has served the bicycle touring community a feast of North American
backroads, dished up with a dollop of history. But on our newest event tour,
the American Explorer, history is the main course. Why not join us for this
seven-day, van-supported 294-mile loop ride through scenic Virginia, the
nation's first colony and a place brimming with Colonial and Civil War history?
Early on, you'll encounter the Pamplin Historical Park and the National
Museum of the Civil War Soldier. Later, you'll pass the Confederate Monument at
Amelia Courthouse, where Gen. Robert E. Lee and his Army spent the days of
April 4 and 5 during their 1865 retreat to Appomattox. You'll also pedal
through picturesque Charlottesville, home to the acclaimed University of
Virginia, founded in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson. Outside of town you can visit
Jefferson's perfectly preserved Monticello, with its exceptional gardens.
So come on, pedal through the past during the day and camp under the
stars with the gang (a maximum of 75 riders) at night. This rolling smorgasbord
of history is catered, so don't come planning to lose weight!
Adventure Cycling Association,
www.adventurecycling.org, 800-755-2453
|
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Events and Festivals:
Southern Maine and Northern California |
 12TH ANNUAL
MICROBREW MTN BIKING FESTIVAL Southern Maine - August 13-15, 2004
If
you've ever thought about attending a mountain biking festival but were turned
off by the thought of possibly getting mowed down or being just another number
amongst hundreds or thousands of other riders, Back Country Excursions Touring
Center in Southern Maine is the place for you. Offering small intimate
festivals for years, you'll feel more like you're at a gathering of friends and
family than anything else.
The best experiences with mountain biking
are within small groups. B.C.E has a soft spot for each individual and offers
personal experiences because attendance is often limited to fewer than 75
folks. Trails are hand-built, well maintained, and mostly free from mud. If
you're a novice there are ongoing opportunities for instruction and skill
development on trails you can handle. And if you're looking for gnarly,
challenging terrain one of the best-kept secrets on the East Coast is our
extensive singletrack and freeride/stunt areas.
You can expect local
folk musicians at night entertaining around the campfire, a full blown Lobstah
Bake with all the fixings, and the local Microbrew hero Tom of
Stonecoast/Sunday River brewers will be on hand all weekend.
For
reservations, details and costs check out our web site at
www.bikebackcountry.com or call
207-625-8189.
 |
ADVENTURES IN TRAVEL EXPO
San
Francisco, CA - October 9-10, 2004
Join
Adventure Sports Online at the most exciting travel expo in the United States
|
Over 500 worldwide exhibitors will present
the best in adventure, cultural and active travel at the San Mateo County Expo
Center on October 9 -10, 2004. You won't want to miss it!
- More than
40 compelling seminars and workshops
- Personal
appearances and book signings by well-known authors and adventurers
- World
music at the Global Beats stage
- Practical
demonstrations by outfitters and leading National Geographic Adventure
photographers
- On the
floor activities such as scuba and kayaking pool, rock climbing wall and
adventure course
- Great
prizes and show-only special offers
- Reality
show auditions and nonstop action!
This is one show that is both an
unforgettable experience and an indispensable resource for booking the vacation
of your dreams! For more information visit
www.adventureexpo.com.
For More Events
Check Out Our Regularly
Updated
Adventure Sports
Online Events Calendar |
|
|
We would love to hear from you! Please
give us your feedback on this
newsletter, as well as any ideas or suggestions for our upcoming
newsletters.
To subscribe to future newsletters, please click here or
paste this URL into your browser:
http://www.adventuresportsonline.com/aso-opt-news.htm.
As always, your e-mail address or personal information will not be shared with
anyone for any reason!
If you wish to no longer receive e-mail from us,
please unsubscribe
|
|
|
