What Inspires You?

Timex Expedition, The Conservation Alliance and Conrad Anker have teamed up on a joint cause to inspire Americans to get outdoors. “Return to the Outdoors” is offering up a new take on inspiration featuring short films of some of the Outdoors’ greatest personalities talking about what inspires them to be outside.

I do have to say that the videos on the site, alone, are well worth checking out! To date. two videos have been produced and released. The first features climbing legend Conrad Anker, who was rocketed to fame with his discovery of George Mallory’s body on Everest a few years back, and who continues to be an avid outdoorsman. The video features Conrad Anker skiing in the Grand Tetons..he talks about his first climb and what inspires him to keep at it. Very well put together with a great soundtrack.

The second video features Steph Davis basejumping in Moab, Utah. She talks a bit about rock climbing and why she always returns to the place that sparked her interest–the Tombstone–which she has now free climbed.

Both of these videos are a great introduction to The Conservation Alliance, and helps us to remember that many of these places are threatened with converging laws and influx of human interest that never fails to ruin a great place.

What Inspires You?

With the advent of the “Return to the Outdoors” website, they are looking, not only for members to pass the word, but also to share in the story–

For more on this information, I am going to post a bit from an email I recieved about this great cause today:

“We’re hoping you might find this short film, in which Conrad
discusses some of his earliest memories from Wyoming’s Teton Crest,
interesting enough to share with your readers. It’s the first in a
series of features we’re producing, with hopes of motivating
everyone to spend more time outdoors and raise awareness of the
Conservation Alliance’s mission to protect outdoor spaces. Our
second film, which you’re also welcome to share, features Steph
Davis base jumping in southern Utah’s canyonlands.

We also hope that viewers, after watching, will be inspired to share
their own experiences with others at our website
(www.returntotheoutdoors.com)

The best viewer entries will be voted on, and the most passionate
outdoorsmen will be rewarded with an all-expenses-paid outdoor
adventure vacation for two. We will also be rewarding finalists with
great outdoor watches from Timex Expedition, and outdoor gear from
The North Face, Camelback and Ahnu Footwear – just for their love
of the wild. Prizes will be given away every two weeks through August.

Could be a cool way to bust out that video camera, polish up them writing skills, and share some of your experiences with the world about what inspires you to get outside. Personally, with a wife and kids at home, I try to get out anytime I can. For me, it has to be the SILENCE..(sorry, honey. Bad Joke;) that inspires.

Another cool feature of the site is Conrad Anker’s Blog. That should be an interesting read over the months ahead and one that I am hoping will continue. We do understand he is a busy guy-

Check it out, sign up, share your story, and vote, then hope that yours is better than getting away from the wife and kids;)

Editor’s Note: The above fore-mentioned scenario was purely a joke. I must once again plainly explain that, just in case divorce papers show up in the mail;) Let’s hope not!