Video: Morocco - Gateway to Africa

With this video we travel to Morocco to get a good look at the people, culture, history, and landscapes that exist there. Located in North Africa, the country has been at the crossroads of that continent for centuries, and that lasting influence can be seen in many places found there. This short documentary film takes us to the bustling streets of its most famous cities, to the top of the High Atlas Mountains, to the Sahara Desert, and beyond. If you're in need for a travel escape today, this film will help satiate your wanderlust. Enjoy.

Morocco: Gateway to Africa from Freeze Tag Media on Vimeo.

Share Your Inspiring Outdoor Story with Outside TV, Win Big Prizes!

Do you have an inspiring story to share? Looking for a good outlet to do just that? The Climb to the Summit contest from Outside TV just might be what you're looking for. Not only does it give you a platform to tell your tale, you'll also get a chance to appear on the television network, not to mention some great prizes that include a trip to Whistler and a $5000 gear shopping spree.

Entry into the contest is easy and straight forward. Simply visit the Climb to the Summit website, fill out the entry form, and upload a video that is 30 seconds to two minutes in length, that tells your personal story. Then, share your entry on social media, getting your friends and family to vote for your short film. Those votes will count towards the final tally, which will also include a panel of judges who will score the entries based on creativity and storytelling.

The contest runs from June 22 to August 16, after which the winners will be chosen. The grand prize for the contest includes a 4 day/3 night VIP skiing experience in Whistler, British Columbia, as well as a $5000 shopping spree courtesy of Mountain Hardwear. That seems like something worth going for.

Find out more, and enter the contest, by clicking here. And checkout the video below for some insights. Good luck!

13 Pieces of Gear Every All-Around Adventurer Should Own

This article is nearly a year old, but it recently came to my attention when Alastair Humphreys shared it on Facebook. It comes our way from the website Semi-Rad and it provides us with a list of 13 pieces of gear that every all-around adventurer should have in their arsenal. Consider this an inventory of items that all outdoor enthusiasts should have at their disposal.

The list is a comprehensive one, although most of the items are exactly what you would expect. In fact, I suspect that many of you reading this already have a good portion of these pieces of gear. Still, it is a good reminder of the things we should have at our disposal before setting out on an adventure, and as I read through the article, I was also doing a mental inventory of my own gear to make sure I had each of these things on hand.

Some of the items that make the list include a two-person backpacking tent, 30- and 60-liter backpacks, a rain shell, and a down jacket. Author Brendan Leonard also shares his picks for a proper sleeping bag, a headlamp, water bottles, and a variety of other gear as well. If you're looking to build a collection of solid gear to keep you safe and comfortable in the backcountry, this is a good place to start.

So, what do you think of the list? Did Brendan leave anything out? Do you have anything that you would add? Personally, I know I never leave home without a Buff or two, and I think a good watch – such as the Suunto Ambit – is an important piece of gear to have with you as well.

Find out what else made Semi-Rad's list by clicking here.

Video: Nat Geo Takes Us to to the World's Most Magical Places

In this video we travel the world with National Geographic to visit some of the most magical places imaginable. These places might not be what you expect however, although they all hold an undeniable allure. These are all destinations that have a natural phenomenon that is unlike anything found elsewhere on the planet, making them unique and wonderful for travelers.

On The Road Again - Headed to PressCamp!

Next week The Adventure Blog will go back on hiatus once again as I travel to Park City Utah to take part in Outdoor PressCamp. The event is designed to pair outdoor and adventure travel journalists with some of the top brands in the industry to check out their latest gear and test it in the wild. I expect it will be a busy, fun, and eye opening week for all of us involved.

While away, it seems unlikely that I'll have the chance to update with any frequency, but should anything interesting arise, I'll do my best to post an update. In the meantime, I'm sure I'll come home from PressCamp with lots of good news and information to share on some cool gear that we can all use in our outdoor pursuits.

I will be back and updating the blog again the week of June 26. I'll be around for about a week and a half before disappearing again. Thanks for your patience and for reading. I couldn't do this without you.

Video: Alaska in Timelapse

I've been fortunate enough to visit Alaska a couple of times, and when I return home I always struggle to convey just how beautiful and wild this place truly is. In terms of destinations that are wild and untamed, there are few that match what Alaska has to offer. This video helps to give viewers a sense of what it is like there, giving us nearly three minutes of beautiful landscapes captured in timelapse. If you have't been to Alaska yet, put it on your list. After watching this, you'll understand why you need to go there.

Alaska - Timelapse Film 4K from Toby Harriman on Vimeo.

Video: Being There - The Importance of Wild Places

Have you ever had a place become so special and important to you that it actually crawls into your very mind and soul? If so, this is a video for you. It is a good reminder of why wild places are so incredibly important to us, and how they can change our perspective on the world around us. How these unique places play a role in shaping who we are, and how we feel when we are there. Beautifully shot and very thoughtful, this is the kind of clip that sticks with you long after you've seen it. I hope you enjoy it as much as did.

BEING HERE from Outdoor Research on Vimeo.