Video: Running The Green River Narrows...Backwards!

Here's a fun little paddling video that's certainly impressive to watch. It features kayaker Pat Keller skillfully navigating his way down the Green River Narrows in North Carolina backwards. Pat's friend Scott Harcke followed behind in his own boat, capturing the action on GoPro of course, and they shared the fun with all of us as well.

I think we've all ended up paddling backwards at some point, but I've never gone this long nor did I manage to do it so easily and gracefully.



Dueling Directions on the Green River from FreemanDyson on Vimeo.

Helmet Cams Now Stream Live Video

I think it is safe to say that over the past few years, one of the biggest innovations in outdoor adventure has been the introduction of the helmet cam. Sure, we've had the ability to record our adventures in the past, but it was usually with bulky, heavy equipment that wasn't a lot of fun to use. But now days, rugged, inexpensive, lightweight video cameras have become the norm, and as a result, we now get amazing video, captured by professional and amateur filmmakers alike, with astounding regularity.

As I write this, the Consumer Electronics Show is in full swing in Las Vegas, where hundreds of companies are unveiling a slew of new gadgets to eager customers. Amongst those new technological wonders are some upgrades to the helmet cams that we've all come to know and love. These upgrades are once again set to change the outdoor world, as the theme this year seems to focus on streaming live video from the field onto the Internet, where fans can watch and follow along.

A few months back GoPro released their new HD Hero2, which brought much higher quality video to their product. But at CES, they shared the details on their new Wi-Fi BacPac which will not only allow you to control the camera from a distance, using an included remote or a smartphone app, but will give the Hero2 the ability to stream live video over the Internet. The remote even allows the user to control up to 50 cameras at a time, which could be very interesting for event organizers looking to build an online audience. The BacPac will be available in February, although price hasn't been announced yet.

Not to be left out in the cold, one of GoPro's main competitors, Contour, has also announced a streaming video option for their excellent Contour+ helmet cams as well. Contour has joined forces with Japanese company Cerevo to introduce the "Liveshell," which connects to the camera and sends the footage directly to the Internet via Ustream. The Liveshell will be available from the Contour website starting on January 21st, at a price tag of $299. The company says that this addition makes the Contour+ the most inexpensive live streaming option in the world.

Finally, GoBandit, another company that makes compact HD helmet cams, has introduced their new GoBandit Live camera. This lightweight acton cam not only features GPS tracking and recording of speed, location, and a host of other items, it also features built in WiFi. At the moment, that WiFi is designed to quickly and easily upload clips to the Internet once you're back in wireless range, but something tells me they're already working on plans to allow the camera to stream in the future as well.

Of course, in order to be able to take advantage of these live streaming options, you'll still need to have Internet access where ever you are. That's getting easier and easier to do as well, although it can still be a technical hurdle for many to over come. If you can make it work however, these companies are opening up a whole new way to interact with the world from remote places and share adventures as they happen.

Video: Trailer For Sheffield Adventure Film Fest

Over the last couple of years, the Sheffield Adventure Film Festival has grown into one of the premiere outdoor film events in the world. It is a top notch experience that skillfully blends adventure, travel, and extreme outdoor pursuits in a seamless fashion. This year's ShAFF will take place on March 9-12 in the U.K. and will feature more than 75 films. For a taste of what to expect at the event, check out the trailer video below.

Video: Surfing HUGE Waves Off Tahiti

In the surfing world, Tahiti's Teahupoos (pronounced cho-po) are amongst the most legendary and coveted waves on the planet. This past August, they reached epic sizes while the Billabong Pro surfers were on hand, and the results can be seen in the video below. The waves on display are immense walls of water that look as deadly as they are beautiful.

The video was shot by filmmaker Chris Bryan, who captured the dramatic action perfectly. Amazing stuff!



BIGGEST TEAHUPOO EVER, SHOT ON THE PHANTOM CAMERA. from Chris Bryan on Vimeo.

Winter Climb Update: Progress On K2 and Nanga Parbat

The winter attempt on Denali may be over for Lonnie Dupre, who was picked-up from Base Camp on Monday, but in the Karakoram, things are just getting started. Several teams have now settled into place and are working their routes in hopes of success during the coldest, harshest season of them all.

On K2, the Russians are methodically sticking to their plan, and going about their work, in a professional and straightforward fashion. The weather has been less than cooperative so far, but that was to be expected on the world's most challenging mountain, but despite high winds and -75ºF/-59ºC temperatures, the talented team continues to make progress.

Working in teams of two and three, they have been focused on fixing ropes above Camp 1, and according to updates on their website, C2 could be established as early as tomorrow. The climbers have taken turns installing the lines and sleeping at altitude in order to not only acclimatize, but also stay well rested for the challenges ahead. All team members and gear are now on the mountain, and many of their supplies have also been shuttled up to C1. Progress has been slow, but steady, but the real difficulties will set in above Camp 2, where the winds and heavy snows of K2 will really start to become a problem.

Meanwhile, two teams are getting settled in over on Nanga Parbet, which also remains unclimbed in the winter. Denis Urubko and Simone Moro were the first to arrive and after getting settled in Base Camp, they began their ascent. The duo has already established Camp 1 at 5100 meters (16,732 ft) and spent a night their acclimatizing, but unstable snow conditions above that point have prevented them from going higher.

Upon returning to BC, Denis and Simone discovered they had company. The Polish team that has also set its sights on Nanga this season was in camp and getting set-up as well. The two teams will no doubt share the work load of fixing the lines, although you know that they each want to be the first to claim the summit.

Denis and Simone are also releasing video dispatches of their journey, the first of which can be seen below. The excellent video shows the men as they leave Italy and make their way to Pakistan, where they organize gear and put the finishing touches on their planning, before heading out to Base Camp. Pay special attention to all the bags they have with them. It'll give you a sense of how much gear is required for one of these expeditions. Can't wait for more of these dispatches! Great stuff!

Outside Monthly Film Series: Solitaire

A few weeks back Outside Online hosted a very successful, and fun, online premiere for the mountaineering film Cold. The event was so well received in fact, that they have now decided to screen an independently produced documentary once a month on their website, with the second film debuting tomorrow night. That film will be the backcountry skiing movie Solitaire by Nick Waggoner and featuring skiers Kim Havell and Stephan Drake.

The screening will begin at 6PM Mountain Standard Time, and an online Q&A session with the filmmaker will take place from 7-9PM MST. Should be a fun and interesting event. Check out the trailer for the film below.

Video: Trekking The Great Himalaya Trail in Nepal

Looking for your next big hiking adventure? Than consider the Great Himalaya Trail in Nepal, which runs for more than 1700km (1056 miles) through the High Himalaya. The video below was created by someone who hiked the trail and gives a great indication of what to expect while on it. It looks like an amazing hike.

Thanks to Julian Monroe Fisher for sharing this on his Facebook page.

Video: Adventure Athletes Answer "Why?"

This week the annual Consumer Electronics Show will take place in Las Vegas, where thousands of new gadgets will be revealed to the public, who will be eager to get their hands on the new technology. At the show, Nikon will introduce their new D4 camera, which, with a reported price tag of $6000, is anything but "consumer" focused. To celebrate the launch of their new toy, and to show what it is capable, of filmmaker Corey Rich used the new camera to create the video below. It features a number of our favorite adventure athletes (Alex Honnold, Rebecca Rusch, Dane Jackson) doing what they do best and explaining why it is they do those things.

It is a beautifully shot 7 minute film, that captures the spirit of adventure in these athletes very well. It'll also have the photographers and videographers amongst us drooling over the D4, which looks like it is capable of some great things.




WHY - Nikon D4 Release Video from Corey Rich on Vimeo.

Jordan Romero On Today Show

Teen-age Seven Summiteer Jordan Romero appeared on the Today show this morning to talk about his recent climb of Mt. Vinson in Antarctica, and the successful completion of his goal to become the youngest person to climb the highest peaks on each of the seven continents. In case you missed the interview, you can watch it in the video below, where you'll see a remarkably mature and composed young man who has stayed focused on his dreams and has worked very hard to achieve them.

In the interview, Jordan also talks about what adventures he might be pursuing in the future. He indicated that while he would like to take a little time to relax and reflect for now, he also wants to continue inspiring other kids to go after their own goals through his Find Your Everest initiative. The 15-year old also hinted that a journey to the South Pole may be in his future as well. As you can tell from the video, he seemed to really enjoy his time in Antarctica, which he calls the most beautiful place he's ever visited.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Video: Backpacking Around The World In Five Minutes

In 2011, Kien Lam spent 343 days traveling around the world, visiting 17 countries in the process. Along the way, he took 6237 photos, and now has compiled them into the five minute timelapse video below. The video now serves as a great reminder of the year that has just passed, and an excellent inspiration for the finding our own adventures in the year ahead. Enjoy!

Video: Kayak Crashes!

The gang over at Canoe & Kayak magazine are winding down 2011 by taking a look back at the year that was. You can check out their Top 10 stories for 2011 by clicking here and then watch their "Salute to Carnage" videos here. One of those videos, which features some of the most epic kayak crashes you're likely to see, can be viewed below. It is definitely one of those videos where you'll likely laugh out loud a few times, but then be thankful that it isn't you in the situation as well. Enjoy.

Video: Slacklining With Dean Potter

Where do you go to get a thrill after you've climbed some of the toughest rock routes in the world? If you're Dean Potter, you move on to slacklining. In the video below, Dean is walking a tight wire, more than a 100 feet long, across an open chasm in Yosemite, without any kind of safety device. One misstep, and it is a long fall to the ground below. Crazy stuff, as usual, from Dean.

I'm not sure I get the whole slacklining/highlining craze. It seems like you're just asking for trouble. Still, the video is unnerving the watch, I'll grant you that.

Video: Gold Rush Mother Lode Adventure Race 2011

This past September, the Gold Rush Mother Lode Adventure Race took place in California. Over the course of three days, some of the best teams in North America challenged one another in an epic clash on foot, mountain bike, and kayak. What exactly did that race look like? Check out the excellent video below for an idea. It'll also serve as a nice sneak peak for the race, which will return in August of 2012.

Video: Montana: Shaped by Winter

Speaking of adventurous destinations. My friends over at the Montana Office of Tourism released the video below a few months back, but now that winter is just a few days away, it makes for an even better reminder of what that state has to offer. I was lucky enough to visit Montana and Yellowstone last January, and absolutely loved it. The video below will tell you why you should go soon too!



MONTANA: Shaped by Winter from Montana Office of Tourism on Vimeo.

Video: Climbing Malaysia's Dragon Horns

I missed the first video in this series when it hit the web a few weeks back while I was out of the country, but fortunately I came across the second video while reading The Goat this morning. They feature climbers Cedar Right and Lucho Rivera, who recently visited an island in Malaysia to bag a couple of peaks known as the Dragon Horns. They undertook this expedition to raise funs for the Big City Mountaineers, and managed to bring in about $4000, which was generously matched by The North Face.

The rest of us get some excellent videos of their adventure, which you'll find below.




Rumble in the Jungle: Part One, The Unclimbed Horn from Cedar Wright on Vimeo.


RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE: Part Two, The Dream Route from Cedar Wright on Vimeo.

Video: Big Wave Kayak Surfing In Canada

Every spring the winter run off swells the rivers in and around Quebec, creating some of the most amazing conditions for freestyle paddlers to surf some very big waves. This past spring, kayaker Tyler Fox took is video camera along to shoot the action, and as you'll see below, the results are nothing short of spectacular. The water really is huge and that allows these talented athletes to really show off their abilities.

After you're done picking up your jaw, head over to Canoe & Kayak where you can read an interview with Tyler, where he talks about the experience of being out on the water in these conditions, as well as the "biggest, most gnarly wave ever surfed."


Spring Fever - Big Wave edit from Tyler Fox from Tribe Alliance on Vimeo.

Video: What A Wonderful World

We live on an amazing planet. And lest we forget that from time to time, here is a great video courtesy of the BBC and narrated by David Attenborough, to remind us. Simply beautiful and a great way to start the day!

Video: First Descent of 90' Noccalula Falls in Alabama

In late November, kayakers Pat Keller, Isaac Levinson, and Chris Gragtmans traveled to Noccalula Falls, located in Alabama to scout out the possibilities for making a first descent of that waterway. They found the river swollen from recent storms, running fast, and in good condition. So, all three proceeded to drop over Noccalula and capture it all on video. The falls are 90 feet (27 meters) in height and look scary as hell, particularly from the helmet cams, which capture the "oh sh!t" moment oh so well.

Technically, Keller went first, but his mates weren't far behind. Check it out below.



Noccalula Falls Full Edit w/ POV from Isaac Levinson on Vimeo.

Video: Kayaking reIMAGINED

The talented gang of filmmakers over at Five 2 Nine productions have released another excellent paddling video that is filled with fantastic shots of big drops, raging rapids, and crazy whitewater. At nearly 20 minutes in length, there is plenty to watch here, so crank up the sound, put your feet up, and enjoy.



reIMAGINED from Five2Nine on Vimeo.

Video: Therapy On A Bike

Adventure Journal delivered up another fantastic video this morning, this time in the form of Suspension Therapy. This beautifully shot mountain bike video that will leave you longing for more days on the trail – which are becoming increasingly rarer here in the Northern Hemisphere, as the colder weather sets in. Even the music is hauntingly beautiful in this short film.

Apparently the video was shot as a promo for a new business, aptly named Suspension Therapy, which helps riders to properly tune their bikes. Not sure how the business is doing, but the video is an absolute success.


Suspension Therapy from nsmb.com on Vimeo.