The Art of Flight: Welcome to a New Era of Adventure Filmmaking

By Mary Anne Potts; Photograph courtesy Red Bull Photo Files

New York City is a lot of things—outdoors hot spot is not generally one of them. Last night, however, there was no cooler place to be than the premiere of The Art of Flight, the groundbreaking new snowboarding film by director Curt Morgan, the Brain Farm production team, and Red Bull Media House.

Maybe you have already heard about it...50 Cent and Justin Timberlake did tweet about the trailer when it came out last spring. It now has 3.7 millions views on YouTube.



The anticipation was palpable at the Beacon Theatre as 1,500 (highly attractive) fans—including surfers from the Quiksilver Pro—listened to the DJ, slurped on Red Bull and vodkas, and waited for Travis Rice, Jeremy Jones, and our new favorite, Nicholas Muller, and the other incredible snowboarders to hit the stage. And the film delivers.

The Art of Flight ushers in a new era of adventure film-making, one that is ratcheted up by the highest quality cameras shooting in the wildest places on Earth never seen before by camera or snowboard alike. Alaska. Chilean Andes. British Columbia. Backcountry Jackson Hole. Backcountry Snowmass.

In short, the film is exquisite. A masterpiece. The riders look invincible as they rip down impossible, near-vertical lines—often for the first time. The slow-motion filmming technique showcases the flawless precision and art that these athletes intuitively whip off.

Is it snowboarding porn? Who cares? The inspiring and well-considered statements from the riders have a profound effect. If you don't want to explore more, train harder, and think bigger about your own life after watching this film, well, then good luck to you. Just see it. And see it on a big screen if you can.

On tour, available on iTunes for $7.99

Getting the Shot: Photographer Keith Ladzinski on Shooting BASE Jumping in Utah

Photographer Keith Ladzinski talks about shooting the Extreme Photo of the Week, which was part of the Steph Davis project. Download free desktop wallpaper of the image, too.

Ancient Art (seen here), at Fisher Towers outside of Moab, Utah, is an exposed spire formation unlike anything else. To summit the tower you have to climb three moderate pitches of crumbly technical sandstone and then walk across the top of the thin ridge dubbed "the sidewalk," which is roughly 18 inches wide in places, and 300 feet of shear exposure on both sides. From there it's onto the remaining technical and seemingly fragile tower, all required to gain the summit.

The top is small enough for only one to stand on, if you dare, and physically rocks a little from the top piece of loose sandstone, it's truly an experience. The mental game of battling vertigo and staying focused is the real challenge here, and the "what if" of falling is all you can think about.

For Steph Davis and Mario Richard, falling was exactly what they had in mind. They're seen here making the first ever "Two-Way Exit" where they jumped one after another off of the short and intimidating summit. Mario Richards was the first to ever jump the summit some two years prior.

Shooting this photo was a wild experience. The crisp January air only heightened the excitement of the scene. Watching your friends BASE jump you know they're already laying it on the line. Steph and Mario know their limits and take any precaution possible when jumping. There are no quick re-dos in the shoot and the moment happens very quickly. Being ready and prepared is critical, you don't want to miss the shot. While shooting this I had rigged my tripod off the side of the lower summit with a head extension allowing for a still camera (Nikon D3) with a cable release to freeze the action and a video camera on a fluid head to grab video. Follow filming and shooting is tough. I felt like a junk show, but somehow managed to pull it off.

Steph Davis Tower Project from Keith Ladzinski on Vimeo

Fisher Towers in Utah is a well known destination to hikers and rock climbers. It's common to show up the canyon and see it speckled with outdoor enthusiasts. The best time to avoid the crowds is when it's cold and perhaps a little miserable, like this particular day. There's nothing like being here alone, when the only sound is the wind or laughter and conversation of the people you've arrived with.

See the Extreme Photo of the Week >>

 

Shark Jumping the Surfer Viral Video—Amazing or Mundane? Surfrider Weighs In

You probably saw this video over the weekend of the spinner shark jumping over the surfer at New Smyrna Beach, Florida? It's a rare moment caught on video—and one that might make you wonder just what you'll encounter out in the deep blue this 4th of July holiday. We asked the Surfrider Foundation weigh in so we don't miss riding a single wave this weekend.

Matt McClain, Surfer, Director of Marketing & Communications
Surfrider Foundation

The video was certainly interesting...inasmuch as that sort of jumping behavior, while common, hasn’t been well documented on film—and certainly not in proximity of surfers.

As far as surfers recreating in the ocean in proximity to sharks... well, it is the ocean! Most surfers recognize that we share our surf breaks with sharks. Most of the time they tend to be fairly benign species—leopard sharks, nurse sharks, angel sharks, etc., but also occasionally include larger species of predatory sharks, including tiger and white sharks.

Most of the time, we surfers never even know these sharks are there. On those few occasions, where surfers or swimmers do encounter sharks the sharks behavior typically ranges from mild curiosity to flat out disinterest. I think most seasoned surfers understand this and as such, take the presence of sharks in stride.

Bottom line is that while the threat of shark attack always exists, surfers and bathers have much, much, much greater chance of getting hurt or killed traveling to and from the beach, then they do while they are in the water.

Extreme Photo of the Week: Biking Table Mountain, South Africa (Free Wallpaper!)

Photograph by Nick Muzik, Caters News Agency

Download the desktop wallpaper and see previous Extreme Photos of the Week.

"Riding on top of Table Mountain was something I had to do," says professional mountain biker Kenny Belaey. "The landscape is just perfect for trials—but I had to be really careful." Belaey pulled out every daredevil trick imaginable, from wheelies to bunny hops, to explore the famous 3,558-foot slab of granite overlooking Cape Town. To reach the top at sunrise, he hiked through the night, carrying his 20-pound bike on his back.

Off Limits Host Don Wildman Uncovers Los Angeles's Forgotten History and Secrets

There’s a good chance you underappreciate your favorite city—we all do. For Off Limits (Mondays at 9 p.m. EST on the Travel Channel), adventurous host Don Wildman delves into the overlooked, restricted places hiding in plain sight to discover the true identities of America’s cities. He examines how our great metropolises came to flourish and function through stories of engineering genius, heroic ambition, and true tales that are really bizarre. These off-limit places are all around us … if we would slow down to look. (However, if you did look yourself, you’d probably get charged fines or thrown in jail … better just let Wildman do the detective work.)

Tonight, the premiere episode takes a deep dive into Los Angeles. You are not going to believe was Wildman uncovers while prowling around the aqueducts, paddling the concrete-encased Los Angeles River, and even exploring a decaying secret compound intended to house Nazi in the 1930s.

We caught up with Wildman to see what his show is all about. 

Adventure: You seem very comfortable in the outdoors and uncovering mysteries in weird places.
Don Wildman: As far as doing this kind of stuff, I come from an adventure sports background. I love getting out and testing myself … and I love all the things that go into adventure sports. But I also come from a history background. One thing has fallen into the next very organically for me in this TV business. I really like that.

Top Five Adventures: Freeskier Jenn Berg's Favorite Ski Spots

If you've seen any of the recent Warren Miller ski flicks, then you know Jenn Berg. She demonstrated her amazing big-mountain freeskiing skills in the last five films. She's also been in pretty much every skiing—you know in those photos that are both gorgeous and shocking at the same time? We asked the Utah resident and Mountain Hardwear athlete for her favorite ski spots to (hopefully) inspire your long-weekend plans.

Jenn Berg's Top Five Ski Spots

1. Alta and Snowbird, Utah - These mountains have the best snow in the world. They have open gates, so ski touring is always an option. Snowbird has a fast tram and the vert is unparalleled.

2. Alyeska Resort, Alaska - Huge terrain, low-key vibe. Remote, beautiful ALASKA! Ski-in, ski-out of town access.

3. Squaw Valley, California - Fun to rip around. Fast energy, that bounces around the ski resort. There's no backcountry access, so as a resort, it offers high-speed chairs and diverse terrain.

4. Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia - Huge acreage and the backcountry gates open to spectacular places.

5. Telluride, Colorado - Steep and beautiful. I love the ski-in ski-out of town option. Telluride feels like a real ski town.

Gear Review: A Sleek, Swanky Hoodie For Men

By National Geographic Adventure Contributing Editor Steve Casimiro, editor of The Adventure Life

A few years ago, an outdoor apparel manufacturer was showing me a line of tops for men and women. All the chickie pieces had hoods available, but none of the men’s. “We can’t sell hoodies to guys in outdoor shops,” he said, which was a head scratcher to me because at the time surf companies couldn’t make enough guy’s hooded sweats.

Times have changed. Or guys have changed. Or apparel makers have changed. Because one of the swankiest hoodies I’ve ever worn is just hitting stores, the Boulder Hood from Icebreaker. Made of organic merino wool and lined with stretch-woven polyester, it features a polyurethane laminate that blocks water but still breathes. It’s at once a dressy coat and a performance garment.

By some measures, the Boulder Hood is a strange beast. The wool outer fabric feels like what you’d find on a high-end woolen coat. But the hood gives it a decidedly modern, hip silhouette while adding an extra bit of functionality. In some coats, the hood might not work. But with Icebreaker’s subtle attention to details, it does.

And forgetting about how it looks for a minute, when worn it’s super comfortable—roomy without being huge, soft on inside and out, and warm but not stifling. The hood might not play on Wall Street, but for just about everywhere and everything else—work, travel, going out, primary autumn jacket or layered winter coat—this Icebreaker sells itself ($400; www.icebreaker.com).

Mountaineer Edurne Pasaban: Co-Queen of the 8,000-Meter Peaks?

This spring, Korean Oh En-Sun and Spaniard Edurne Pasabán became the first women to join the ultimate boys' club—climbing all 14 of the world's 8,000-meter peaks. However, it wasn't long before doubts began to surface regarding whether Oh made it to the true summit of Kangchenjunga. Writer Tetsuhiko Endo tracked down Pasabán at her home in the Spanish Pyrenees to about her successful quest to climb the tallest mountains on Earth, her thoughts on the controversy, and finding freedom in the mountains. Photography courtesy of the Edurne Pasabán Collection

The train from San Sebastián to Villabona winds through the mountainous, green heart of the Spanish Basque Country. Along the way it passes towns with names like Loiola, Martutene, and Erdia that are perched in the nooks and crannies of the Basque Pyrenees. Small farms and pastures spread over the the highlands, each punctuated by an old caserío, or farm house, traditionally facing East to welcome the sunrise. Every caserío has a a name in accordance with the old Basque belief of "Izena duen guzia omen da" -- "that which has a name exists." The one I'm searching for is called Abeletxe which means "house of animals." It's owned by Edurne Pasabán, one of the first women to climb all of the highest mountains in the world, and one of the best mountaineers in history.

South Africa: 56-Mile Comrades Marathon - The Results Are In

National Geographic Digital Media's Korena Di Roma will be traveling to South Africa to report on the Comrades Marathon, the start of the World Cup, and World Vision's humanitarian efforts in the country. Follow her dispatches here. Photographs by Korena di Roma

Single-leg amputee Paul Martin lifts his sponsored child—born without arms—at the 60-kilometer point near Field's Hill. Martin completed the race in 10 hours and 30 minutes.

For months I’ve been preparing to be in South Africa to see Team World Vision run the Comrades Marathon, and I admit that I had no idea what to expect. But of all the possible outcomes, seeing all 18 team members cross the finish line before the 12-hour cutoff was unforgettable.

Lost in Hawaii: Executive Producer Reveals Secrets, Stunts, Travel Tips

The final episode of Lost has been filmed, and in just a few weeks we’ll know all the secrets of the island (we're joking, of course—this show is bound to leave us guessing). But what we can know, in certain terms, is what it was like to shoot on Oahu and the location of the survivors’ beach camp. We can also discover how the crew created a Tunisian desert and a snowy Buffalo, New York, on a lush tropical island. Or why John Locke is so good at throwing knives and Kate seems so comfortable climbing into the jungle canopy. We caught up with executive producer Jean Higgins to find out some of the secrets of the show. Then check out our Lost travel guide, so you can see the island like an Oceanic Flight 815 castaway (without the smoke monster).—Mary Anne Potts

Were other locations considered before Oahu was selected for filming? What were they? Why Hawaii?
The original location scout for the pilot occurred before I joined the show. The producers had decided that Australia was probably the best place for Lost, based on the research they had done. They were headed for Australia with a stopover in Hawaii, but at the last minute they decided to take a look at Hawaii before continuing on. They spent a couple of days on Oahu and found everything they needed. No one ever went to Australia. When it is right, you select the place and get to work. I joined the show the day they returned because I heard it was going to be in Hawaii, a place I fell in love with when I was 13 and learned to surf there.

Hawaii had the perfect blend of beaches, jungles, and arid areas. And once our writers developed the idea of the flashback story for our characters, Honolulu and the rest of the island was utilized for everything from war-torn Iraq to Korea, Britain, Berlin, and Moscow with snow.