Showing posts with label Contests. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Contests. Show all posts
Friday, September 24, 2010
Posted By:
2Machupicchu
National Geographic Launches 2010 Photo Contest
National Geographic has always been filled with amazing photos. In fact, it is one of the hallmarks of the magazine and one of the reasons we love it so much. To highlight some of the best photographs taken each year, Nat Geo hosts a photography contest, and the 2010 edition is now underway, allowing photographers to submit their images in a digital format directly from the website.
The entry process couldn't be more easy, you simply need to create (or using an existing) NatGeo website account to login to the submissions page. From there, you can upload your photographs directly, filling in the necessary information as you go. There are three category areas, People, Places, and Nature, and there is a $15 entry fee applied per photograph. The deadline for entry is November 30th of this year, so you'll want to start sifting through your images now to find the best ones for submission.
The winner of this year's contest will be rewarded handsomely. First place winner will receive a $10,000 cash prize and a trip to Washington DC in January to attend the 2011 National Geographic Photography Seminar. The winning photo will also be published in an upcoming issue of the magazine, which is reward enough for many amateur and professional photographers.
To give you an idea of what the judges like, take a look at last year's winners in this gallery and check out some of the other entries in this gallery. Beautiful stuff. I really need to work more on my photos.
The entry process couldn't be more easy, you simply need to create (or using an existing) NatGeo website account to login to the submissions page. From there, you can upload your photographs directly, filling in the necessary information as you go. There are three category areas, People, Places, and Nature, and there is a $15 entry fee applied per photograph. The deadline for entry is November 30th of this year, so you'll want to start sifting through your images now to find the best ones for submission.
The winner of this year's contest will be rewarded handsomely. First place winner will receive a $10,000 cash prize and a trip to Washington DC in January to attend the 2011 National Geographic Photography Seminar. The winning photo will also be published in an upcoming issue of the magazine, which is reward enough for many amateur and professional photographers.
To give you an idea of what the judges like, take a look at last year's winners in this gallery and check out some of the other entries in this gallery. Beautiful stuff. I really need to work more on my photos.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Posted By:
2Machupicchu
Travel Like A Pirate!
This past weekend was the International Talk Like A Pirate Day, a "holiday," and I use the term loosely, that I just can't seem to quite comprehend. And while I generally ignore that special day, mostly because I don't know a single soul who actually cares about it, this year we have a different reason to salute those salty buccaneers of the high seas.
Our friends over at the travel site NileGuide have put together a great contest in which the winners will get to travel like a pirate to Aruba. To enter, all you have to do is click here and fill out the very simple entry form which requires just your first and last name and your e-mail address. It doesn't come any easier than that. You can also opt to receive information sent your way form the participating partners, but if you get plenty of spam in your e-mail already, you can choose to ignore that option.
If you win, you'll be swept off to lovely Aruba aboard a JetBlue flight. Once there, you'll have accommodations for 4 nights at the Hyatt Regency Aruba and get the opportunity to hit the high seas with the Jolly Pirates for some sailing and snorkeling in the beautiful waters off the island. Later you can grab some grub at the Pirate's Nest restaurant and drink some pirate swill at the Balashi Brewery.
Sounds like a fun escape and between this and the Teva House contest I mentioned yesterday, you have two chances to win a tropical adventure at the moment.
Our friends over at the travel site NileGuide have put together a great contest in which the winners will get to travel like a pirate to Aruba. To enter, all you have to do is click here and fill out the very simple entry form which requires just your first and last name and your e-mail address. It doesn't come any easier than that. You can also opt to receive information sent your way form the participating partners, but if you get plenty of spam in your e-mail already, you can choose to ignore that option.
If you win, you'll be swept off to lovely Aruba aboard a JetBlue flight. Once there, you'll have accommodations for 4 nights at the Hyatt Regency Aruba and get the opportunity to hit the high seas with the Jolly Pirates for some sailing and snorkeling in the beautiful waters off the island. Later you can grab some grub at the Pirate's Nest restaurant and drink some pirate swill at the Balashi Brewery.
Sounds like a fun escape and between this and the Teva House contest I mentioned yesterday, you have two chances to win a tropical adventure at the moment.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Posted By:
2Machupicchu
Teva Wants To Send You On A South Pacific Adventure
Adventurous travelers looking for an escape in 2011 may have their wishes granted thanks to a new contest from Teva. The footwear manufacturer is looking to send one lucky winner, from the U.S., the U.K., the Netherlands, Korea, and Australia to Fiji for a bit of tropical adventure that is sure to be a once in a lifetime trip.
To enter the contest, simply head over to TevaHouse.com and click on the flag of your country of origin. From there, fill out the online form, and you'll automatically be entered to win a trip for two to Fiji, where you, along with your guest, and the winners from the other countries, will live aboard a 140' luxury sailing ship for ten days while exploring some of the remote areas of islands. You'll spend your days hiking through jungles, snorkeling reefs that are 100 miles from the closest resort, and whitewater rafting through the stunning landscapes of the Upper Navua Gorge, a place that has been called "a river of Eden."
The Teva Houseboat that the winners will live aboard is the logical extension of the Teva House that first appeared in Vail, Colorado during the Teva Mountain Games. That house served as home base for Teva sponsored athletes, guests, employees, and other VIP's at the games, and now the company wants to take the concept to an international level. The plan is for the Teva House to move around to different locations each year, and we'll all have the opportunity to win a chance to stay in one, while exploring the environments that will play host to the adventure. This year, that location is Fiji.
Looks like a fun adventure and I'd love to win a trip to Fiji. I'll tell you what. If I win, I'll take you, and if you win, you take me as your guest. Deal?
To enter the contest, simply head over to TevaHouse.com and click on the flag of your country of origin. From there, fill out the online form, and you'll automatically be entered to win a trip for two to Fiji, where you, along with your guest, and the winners from the other countries, will live aboard a 140' luxury sailing ship for ten days while exploring some of the remote areas of islands. You'll spend your days hiking through jungles, snorkeling reefs that are 100 miles from the closest resort, and whitewater rafting through the stunning landscapes of the Upper Navua Gorge, a place that has been called "a river of Eden."
The Teva Houseboat that the winners will live aboard is the logical extension of the Teva House that first appeared in Vail, Colorado during the Teva Mountain Games. That house served as home base for Teva sponsored athletes, guests, employees, and other VIP's at the games, and now the company wants to take the concept to an international level. The plan is for the Teva House to move around to different locations each year, and we'll all have the opportunity to win a chance to stay in one, while exploring the environments that will play host to the adventure. This year, that location is Fiji.
Looks like a fun adventure and I'd love to win a trip to Fiji. I'll tell you what. If I win, I'll take you, and if you win, you take me as your guest. Deal?
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Posted By:
2Machupicchu
Polarmax Giving Away A Kilimanjaro Ultimate Adventure
Polarmax, the company that makes some really great technical base layers, is currently running their Mt. Kilimanjaro Ultimate Sweepstakes, in which they'll be awarding the winner an incredible trip for two to Tanzania and a six day Kili climb. To enter the contest, all you have to do is click here, and fill out the form.
The sweepstakes will run through October 11th of this year, when a winner will be selected. That lucky person, along with their guest, will then travel to Africa in January for the opportunity to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest peak on the continent with Zara Tours and Kili expert Macon Dunnagan. The trip also includes round trip airfare, ground transportation in Tanzania, four nights hotel stay, and a custom made video of the adventure. The winners will also be outfitted with some Polarmax base layers to keep them warm and dry all the way to the summit. The contest is also sponsored by Backpacker Magazine and Cotton Incorporated.
For a taste of what you can expect on this trek to the Roof of Africa, check out the video below. Then, head over and get yourself registered. Take it from me, this is an amazing trip that any adventure traveler would love to have the opportunity to experience.
The sweepstakes will run through October 11th of this year, when a winner will be selected. That lucky person, along with their guest, will then travel to Africa in January for the opportunity to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest peak on the continent with Zara Tours and Kili expert Macon Dunnagan. The trip also includes round trip airfare, ground transportation in Tanzania, four nights hotel stay, and a custom made video of the adventure. The winners will also be outfitted with some Polarmax base layers to keep them warm and dry all the way to the summit. The contest is also sponsored by Backpacker Magazine and Cotton Incorporated.
For a taste of what you can expect on this trek to the Roof of Africa, check out the video below. Then, head over and get yourself registered. Take it from me, this is an amazing trip that any adventure traveler would love to have the opportunity to experience.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Posted By:
2Machupicchu
Win An Epic Grand Canyon Vacation From Cheerios
I wrote about the Do What You Love Sweepstakes from Cheerios for Gadling over the weekend, but wanted to mention it here as well, specifically because on of the dream trips that they are giving away could be of particular interest to the outdoor crowd.
The contest is a simple one. All you have to do to enter is head over to the official site and select one of ten trips that are up for grabs. From there, you'll fill out a short form with your personal contact information, and make a pledge to "love your heart." (Cheerios is purportedly a heart friendly cereal.) That's really all there is to it, and although you can only enter once per day, you can come back on subsequent days in an effort to stuff the ballot box.
Some of the vacations that they are giving away include a trip to Florida for a NASCAR event, a five day escape to Rock-n-Roll Fantasy Camp, and the chance to go to Hollywood to attend a movie premiere. But the one trip that may spark your interest is their VIP vacation to the Grand Canyon that includes a $500 shopping spree for new gear and six days of adventure in one of America's most popular national parks. While there, you'll have the opportunity to explore the Canyon by jeep and white water raft, and soar high above the park in a private helicopter for a bird's eye view of the surrounding area.
If you're interested in winning the Grand Canyon tour, they are accepting entries through April 4th of next year, which means that you'll have plenty of chances to fill out the entry form, stacking the odds in your favor for a win. Some of the other trips are being given away a lot sooner, as they are spreading out the awarding of prizes over the coming months.
Seems like a great way to see the Grand Canyon. Good luck on entering the contest!
The contest is a simple one. All you have to do to enter is head over to the official site and select one of ten trips that are up for grabs. From there, you'll fill out a short form with your personal contact information, and make a pledge to "love your heart." (Cheerios is purportedly a heart friendly cereal.) That's really all there is to it, and although you can only enter once per day, you can come back on subsequent days in an effort to stuff the ballot box.
Some of the vacations that they are giving away include a trip to Florida for a NASCAR event, a five day escape to Rock-n-Roll Fantasy Camp, and the chance to go to Hollywood to attend a movie premiere. But the one trip that may spark your interest is their VIP vacation to the Grand Canyon that includes a $500 shopping spree for new gear and six days of adventure in one of America's most popular national parks. While there, you'll have the opportunity to explore the Canyon by jeep and white water raft, and soar high above the park in a private helicopter for a bird's eye view of the surrounding area.
If you're interested in winning the Grand Canyon tour, they are accepting entries through April 4th of next year, which means that you'll have plenty of chances to fill out the entry form, stacking the odds in your favor for a win. Some of the other trips are being given away a lot sooner, as they are spreading out the awarding of prizes over the coming months.
Seems like a great way to see the Grand Canyon. Good luck on entering the contest!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Posted By:
2Machupicchu
Outside Searches For Their Reader of the Year!
Outside Magazine is on the hunt for their next Reader of the Year. Someone who is a subscriber, or fan, of the magazine, who lives and breathes adventure in all it's forms, and loves to be outdoors as often as possible.
Nominations are open now, and will be accepted through September 1, at OutsideReaderoftheYear.com, and yes you can nominate yourself! If your nominee is selected as this year's winner, you'll receive more than $1800 worth of free gear and a three year subscription to Outside. Meanwhile, the winner will become Outside's Chief Inspiration Officer for all of next year, and will be featured in the magazine on a regular basis to provide some of that inspiration for readers.
When considering who should win this prestigious award, think about a person who had been on an amazing, inspiring adventure that demonstrates their commitment to living an active lifestyle or a person who has gone to great lengths to change their own lifestyle, or inspire others to do so, in the fields of "travel, fitness, sport, environmental work, exploration, or innovation."
If that sounds like anyone you know, then you should head on over and fill out the nomination form immediately. Who knows, you may win some great swag for yourself and gain fame and fortune for your nominee!
Nominations are open now, and will be accepted through September 1, at OutsideReaderoftheYear.com, and yes you can nominate yourself! If your nominee is selected as this year's winner, you'll receive more than $1800 worth of free gear and a three year subscription to Outside. Meanwhile, the winner will become Outside's Chief Inspiration Officer for all of next year, and will be featured in the magazine on a regular basis to provide some of that inspiration for readers.
When considering who should win this prestigious award, think about a person who had been on an amazing, inspiring adventure that demonstrates their commitment to living an active lifestyle or a person who has gone to great lengths to change their own lifestyle, or inspire others to do so, in the fields of "travel, fitness, sport, environmental work, exploration, or innovation."
If that sounds like anyone you know, then you should head on over and fill out the nomination form immediately. Who knows, you may win some great swag for yourself and gain fame and fortune for your nominee!
Monday, August 2, 2010
Posted By:
2Machupicchu
GoLite is Giving Away Gear All Summer Long!
As I've mentioned in the past, I'm a big fan of GoLite gear not only because they make great products, but also because they have an eco-friendly approach to everything that they do. It doesn't hurt that they make ultralight outdoor gear that performs well and is durable for use in a harsh environments. I have personally owned a number of GoLite products, including a daypack, wind shells and pants and other apparel, and have always been more than happy with their products, including a great 0º sleeping bag that I took to Everest this past spring. If you haven't tried out their gear yet, and you're looking to shave a few pounds off your next backpacking or adventure trip, then you should definitely give them a try. You won't be disappointed.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Posted By:
2Machupicchu
Announcing The Gear Junkie Treasure Hunt!
Everyone's favorite outdoor gear guy Stephen Regenold, better known as the Gear Junkie, has announced a big event taking place next month in Roanoke, Virginia, in which he'll give away more than $40,000 in outdoor equipment from some of the top gear manufacturers around. But those entering the contest are going to have to earn the prizes they win.
Dubbed the Gear Junkie Treasure Hunt, the event is limited to just the first 300 people who register. Then, on the day of the hunt, those 300 people will be sent on an open wilderness orienteering course, in which they'll be given a map that will be marked with the locations of various flags out on the course. When they find a flag, they'll score a point, and those points can then be redeemed for gear at the end of the two hour race.
The gear that will be up for grabs comes from a number of great companies, including Sierra Designs, SPOT, and Salomon. There will be packs, tents, clothing, and plenty more available to spend those earned points on, in what is sure to be a unique, one of a kind scavenger hunt.
If you're interested in joining the fun, you'll probably want to sign up quickly. The 300 spots reserved for participants will no doubt go fast.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Posted By:
2Machupicchu
Win Adventure Gear From Teva!
A few days back I posted about the upcoming Teva Mountain Games and the return of the Ultimate Mountain Challenge, a multi-sport competition that will test athletes on foot, bike, and kayak. The Mountain Games are set to take place in Vail, Colorado from June 3-6, but if you can't make it to compete there, perhaps Teva can still share some fun.
Teva has joined forces with OnlineShoes.com to give away away a $2000 worth ot outdoor gear to one lucky winner. To win The Adventure Giveaway you simply have to answer one question, “What is the one thing you would bring on a weekend adventure, and why?”. There are multiple ways of entering your answer into the contest. You can go to this page and post a comment of 200 words or less that explains your answer. Or, you can video your response, post it on YouTube, then go to the same page and share the link, or finally, you can send a Tweet that includes @onlineshoes_com and @teva in it. Simple huh? The giveaway runs from May 25th through June 7th, and is unfortunately only open for U.S. residents.
The lucky winner will get some great swag. In addition to a pair of Teva water sandals, they'll also receive a Gregory Wasatch daypack, a Kona Cinder Cone mountain bike, and a Necky Rip 10.6 kayak. Everything you'll need to have a great time outside this summer.
Good luck everyone!
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Posted By:
2Machupicchu
Want To Blog Your Way Around the World?

Come on! Admit it! You've surfed on over to this blog on more than one occasion and thought "This whole blog thing doesn't look all that tough!" Well, now is your chance to find out for yourself with the new Blog Your Way Around the World Contest, which will send eight lucky winners off on some amazing trips to far flung corners of the globe, and let them write about their experiences as well.
Enter the contest is a simple affair. Simply go to this page and fill out the online application. That application includes a 400-word essay explaining why you should win, and how you would blog from the road if you are amongst the lucky few chosen. After that, you need to rally your friends and family, and get them to vote for you, with the top vote eight vote getters winning the prizes. The deadline for entry is December 31st of this year.
The trips that are up for grabs are definitely worth blogging about. The options include rafting the Salmon River courtesy of OARS, a cycling trip through the Czech Republic and Austria from Backroads, a heli-hiking adventure from Canadian Mountain Holidays, and a journey north to view polar bears from Natural Habitat Adventures. The other four include a visit to Costa Rica from Off the Beaten Path, a Galapagos expedition from Lindblad, a luxury cruise to Borneo from Orion Expedition Cruises, and a custom safari from Micato Safaris. All of these sound like amazing trips, and to make them even better, you'll receive all the gear you'll need on your adventure as well.
Once the winners have been selected, they'll have until 2014 to take their trip, and they must agree to write about their adventure before, during, and after their journey. But, they will get to bring a friend along too, with all of their airfare and tour costs covered.
Seems like a great opportunity to me. I'd be happy to blog any of those trips! If you would too, then fill out your application now, and get started. Good luck everyone!
Thanks to the National Geographic Adventure blog for the tip!
Posted By:
2Machupicchu
Don't Miss Your Chance To Win A Map Tool From Brooks-Range

I mentioned this last week, but definitely wanted to post a reminder. Brooks-Range Mountaineering Tools is giving away three of their map tools to readers of the Adventure Blog, and it couldn't be any easier to win.
All you have to do to get your chance at one of these invaluable backcountry navigation tools is head over to the Brooks-Range Facebook Page and become a fan of the company. Then, leave a wall post indicating that you read about them here on the Adventure Blog, and you'll automatically be entered to win. They'll pick three winners by the end of the week. That's it! Doesn't get any simpler than that.
The map tools that they're giving away offer multiple scales for use with topo maps in the US, Alaska, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and Japan. They features seven slope indexes, a compass rose, a Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) Grid and Three UTM corner readers. It’s accurate within 1/50th of an inch and weighs just .4 ounces, making them the perfect companion for backpackers, hikers, and adventure racers, when navigating through the wilderness. The tools retail for $21 each, but this is your chance to get one for free!
Contests don't get much easier than this one. Good luck everyone! :)
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Posted By:
2Machupicchu
Announcing The Brooks-Range Map Tool Giveaway!

The Adventure Blog and gear company Brooks-Range Mountaineering Equipment have teamed up to give away three of their All-in-One Map Tools, an indispensable item for backpackers, hikers, and adventure racers the world over.
The map tool is 4”x7” in size, is made of a non-glare, flexible plastic material, and has multiple scales for use with topo maps in the US, Alaska, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and Japan. It features seven slope indexes, a compass rose, a Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) Grid and Three UTM corner readers. It’s accurate within 1/50th of an inch. The tool weighs just .4 ounces, and can easily be slipped into a pocket for quick access when navigating and orienteering in the backcountry.
In order to win one of the three map tools that we'll be giving away, you simply need to go to the Brooks-Range Facebook Page, and become a fan. Than, leave a note on the wall mentioning the Adventure Blog. The contest will be open for the next week, and after that, the good folks at Brooks-Range will select three random winners who will each receive one of the tools, which are valued at $21 each.
I know that these tools are especially popular with adventure racers, who use them to quickly plot their course and orient themselves while navigating through the course. There were a number of teams that used them at Primal Quest the past few years. For them, these tools are considered essential gear. But these map tools aren't just useful in the sport of adventure racing. Backpackers and long distance hikers will definitely see the benefit of them as well. When paired with your compass and a topographical map, they can make backcountry navigation an easier task.
Thanks to Brooks-Range for providing these to give away, and good luck to everyone. Now head over to Facebook and get signed up now!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Posted By:
2Machupicchu
Fan vs. Wild: You + Bear Grylls = Adventure!
Here's one for fans of Bear Grylls and his show Man vs. Wild. It seems that Bear has teamed up with Degree Men to launch a new contest that could send you, along with three other winners, out into the wilderness with Bear himself, where they'll complete a series of outdoor challenges that will be filmed for an upcoming web series.
The contest is dubbed Fan vs. Wild and adventure seekers are encouraged to go to the website, where they can submit a photo and write a brief essay explaining why they should be one of the four people chosen to take part in the show. You'll want to demonstrate that you have a sense of adventure, and how you incorporate that into your life.
The contest runs until April 30th, at which time the four winners will be chosen. They'll then get the opportunity to take part in a "boot camp" led by Bear and a group of specially selected professional athletes. That boot camp will be the basis of the webisodes that will appear on FanVsWild.com beginning in August. Better yet, one of the four members finalists, most likely the one that survives, will be featured on an episode of Man vs. Wild with Grylls later this year.
This is your opportunity to meet Bear and go hang out with him in the wild. Who knows, you might even be able to show him a thing or two! ;) Sounds like a fun contest.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Posted By:
2Machupicchu
Have An Adventurous Spirit? Win A Trip to Dominica!
Wend Magazine is teaming up with Adventure Dominica and Ahnu Footwear, to send two lucky travelers to Dominica for a five day adventure vacation that will have you redefining your thoughts on a Caribbean escape.
Well known for offering stunning beaches and plenty of sun, Dominica has plenty of things to see and do for the adventure traveler as well. With rainforests and jungles to explore, reefs to dive, and miles of trails to hike, the island is a perfect place to go exploring. Paddlers are lured in with more than 300 rivers to conquer, and plenty of ocean surf to ride as well. Add in dozens of indigenous birds, and plenty of colorful plants and flowers, and you have the makings of quite the tropical vacation.
To win the vacation, you simply have to submit a photo that best demonstrates your adventurous spirit by sending it to contest@adventuretodominica.com. The photo can be anything you choose, but make sure it really demonstrates how adventurous you really are. The photo that best exhibits this adventurous spirit will earn the winner a trip for two from the U.S. or Canada, to Dominica. The trip will include flights and accommodations at the Calibishie Cove Hotel.
So, there you have it. Start combing through your photos and looking for your best adventure shots. And remember, if you win, and need someone to come along, I'm a very good travel companion! :)
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Posted By:
2Machupicchu
Mountainfilm Photo Contest Continues, More Gear Up For Grabs!
The Mountainfilm Festival is one of the premiere events in the adventure film community. Held in Telluride, Colorado, the festival has grown into an annual event that combines art and a passion for outdoor adventure, while focusing on pressing social and environmental concerns as well.
This year's festival is set to run from May 28th through the 31st, and in the weeks leading up to the event, the organizers have been running an online photo contest on the festival's blog, The Conversation. In the second round of the contest, they're seeking submissions of photos that exemplify the festival's mission statement, which simply reads: "Mountainfilm is dedicated to educating and inspiring audiences about issues that matter, cultures worth exploring, environments worth preserving and conversations worth sustaining."
Photos can be wide ranging in their subject matter, with beautiful landscapes, snapshots of amazing places, images that capture the essence of a culture, and so on. They'll post weekly winners on the blog, and each month they'll select one of the photos to win a prize. For March, they're giving away a sweet looking Mazama backpack, courtesy of Jansport. They'll also throw in a Men's Woody Jacket and a Woman's Skylar Jacket from Horny Toad. That's not all! For a grand prize, they're also giving away a "VIP Festival Package" that includes lodging for the festival, allowing you to experience one of the best adventure film fests in the world first hand.
To enter the contest, simply upload your photos to the Mountainfilm Flickr Pool. Be sure to include a title and description when you complete the upload. That's all there is to it, and if you have a great photo, you may be on your way to Telluride at the end of May. Good luck! (Note: The contest is for U.S. residents only)
Monday, March 1, 2010
Posted By:
2Machupicchu
New Contest Will Help You Become An Adventure Racer!
Update: Didn't notice before, but the contest rules say that you must be a resident of the Providence of Ontario, Canada to be eligible to win. Bummer for those of us who don't live up that way. Sorry folks!
So you've heard about this sport called adventure racing. You know that it is a bit like a triathlon, but involves trail running, mountain biking, and paddling, with something called "orienteering" mixed in for good measure. You've even heard that the races can last as long as 24-48 hours, and possibly even something about an "expedition length" race, what ever that is. You might even think this sounds like something you'd enjoy, but where do you begin?
If that sounds a bit like you, then I've got a contest you might be interested in. The Phat Chicks are working in conjunction with Race Day Rush to launch the Become An Adventure Racer contest, with the winners getting everything they need to join the sport of AR. Simply put, they say "All you need is determination. We'll help you with the rest."
The winners of the contest will receive coaching and skills training courtesy of the Phat Chikcs and Race Day Rush. In fact, they'll get a 12-week training program that will offer tips on endurance running, nutrition, and more, while building mountain biking, paddling, and orienteering skills as well. Ultimately, that training will lead to two spots on Team RaceDayRush when they compete at the Saucony RockstAR Adventure Race set to run on July 24th 2010. The winners will also get plenty of good gear to help them compete in the race, or at the very least look like they belong there.
Other sponsors of the contest include Suunto Watches, Mountain Equipment Co-Op, Get Out There Magazine and Adventure World Magazine, who tipped me off to the contest in the first place.
So, if you've ever wanted to be an adventure racer, here's your chance. But hurry, the deadline for entry is March 7th. For more details click here.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Posted By:
2Machupicchu
Travel Quickies: Cycle Through India and Design Your Dream Trip!
I have a couple of interesting travel stories for anyone looking for new and unique adventure travel experiences. I wrote about both of these at Gadling the past few days, but felt they were worth mentioning here as well.
First up, our friends over at Tour d'Afrique have announced a new cycling adventure for early next year. Dubbed "An Indian Adventure", the new tour will send adventurous, and well conditioned, travelers on a 46 day ride through India, covering more than 2000 miles in the process.
Beginning in Agra in January of 2011, the route will take you through some of the most amazing places in the country. The trip organizers fill in some of the details on the website saying: "We will pass through the colourful desert cities of Rajasthan; Spend a day in the bustling metropolis of Mumbai; Relax on the stunning beaches in Goa; Visit the incredible ruins of Hampi; Cycle througt the undiscovered interior of Karnataka; Pass through the princely city of Mysore; Enjoy a day or two in a wildlife reserve; Wander around the historic British hill station of Ooty; Spin down from the heights of the Western Ghats to feast on the seafood in Cochin; And bike alongside the gorgeous backwaters of Kerela."
And for those that can't make the full ride, there are two options available to cover shorter sections that require less time as well. This event is part of the company's DreamTours program, which gives us a chance to design our own cycling adventures, while their expert team handles all the logistics for us.
The other very cool travel story is a contest from Gap Adventures, which is one of the best adventure travel companies that you'll find anywhere. Gap specializes in delivering top not travel opportunities, at reasonable prices, in just about every corner of the globe.
Their new contest is called Create Your Own Adventure, and it gives us the opportunity to build our dream trip from the ground up. When you go to the contest webpage you'll begin by selecting the region you want to travel through, picking the highlights you'd like to see, modes of transportation and accommodations, and so on. Once you've designed your perfect getaway, you'll submit it to the site, where a distinguished group of judges will eventually select their top 20. Those top trips will then be voted on by the public, with the designer of the winning trip being sent on the tour that he or she designed. They'll also get to take two of their very best friends along as well, and to fill out the initial group, five more winners will be picked randomly. The winning tour will also be added to Gap's 2011 catalog too.
So, there you have. If you're in the mood for an amazing cycling tour through one of the most interesting and chaotic countries on the planet, get ready for that Indian Adventure. If you've got something else in mind, perhaps you can convince Gap to send you on that trip instead. Sadly, I was unable to select Antarctic when designing my own trip, as I thought a last degree ski expedition to the South Pole would be perfect. Guess I'll have to keep searching for that one.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Posted By:
2Machupicchu
The Rest of Everest DVD Giveaway: Week 4
Okay, now that we've had some time to check out the latest episode of The Rest of Everest, it's time for this week's trivia question. As usual, you can e-mail me your answer at KungFuJedi@gmail.com and I'll collect all of the responses and randomly pick a winner out of everyone who gets it right. The winner gets a copy of the Everest {the other side} DVD, which is the very cool movie that inspired the podcast to begin with.
So without further ado, here's this week's question:
Name one of the famous Everest legends whose memorial the team visited in this week's episode?
(Hint: One was immortalized in Jon Krakauer's book Into Thin Air and the other is one of the most famous Sherpas ever.)
Good luck to everyone! :)
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Posted By:
2Machupicchu
The Rest of Everest DVD Giveaway: Week 3 Winner!
The winner of the Everest {the other side} DVD for the third week of the contest is David Adlard of Athol, Idaho. Congrats David. I'll get the DVD out to you as soon as possible. A big thanks to everyone who entered this week.
I'll launch the Week Four DVD give away later today or first thing tomorrow, when I'll once again ask a question from this week's episode of The Rest of Everest. So go watch the podcast, and enjoy the amazing sights and sounds of the Khumbu Valley as the team continues its trek up to Everest Base Camp. Then come back here to enter this week's contest for a shot at another DVD.
And for everyone who entered the First Ascent/Summit on the Summit Jacket Giveaway, please be patient. I'll be selecting a winner this morning, and contacting him or her directly, before passing on their contact information to the PR team so we can get the jacket sent out to you. I'll then announce the winner here soon after that. Thanks and good luck to everyone! :)
Monday, February 1, 2010
Posted By:
2Machupicchu
Don't Forget To Sign Up To Win A Jacket From First Ascent!

Just a quick reminder today that there is still time to sign up to win a jacket courtesy of First Ascent and Summit on the Summit. The contest, which I launched last week, will be running through Wednesday, at which time I'll pick a winner of the the very nice Peak XV down jacket that we're giving away.
The rules are simple. First, you must be a resident of the U.S. to be eligible to win. If you meet that criteria, all you have to do is head over to the Summit on the Summit blog at Tumblr, and find the answer to one simple question:
What is the minimum standard amount of water that the United Nation’s High Commission for Refugees needs per person per day in liters?
Once you've found the answer, e-mail it to me at KungFuJedi@gmail.com with "Summit on the Summit" as your subject line, and type your answer in the body. I'll collect all the entrants with the correct answer, and pick the winner from a hat. All entries must be received by Midnight EST, February 3rd to be eligible. The winner will get the awesome jacket that is kindly provided by the good folks over at First Ascent, who were instrumental in outfitting the Summit on the Summit expedition. The jacket has a value of $269 and is designed to keep us warm in the most inclement weather. This really is a great prize for whoever wins! Good luck!!
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