Video: Idaho Landscapes Captured by Drone

We have another video that was captured by drone again today, this time flying over the beautiful state of Idaho. It seems to me that Idaho gets neglected when people talk about how amazing western states are. Places like Colorado, Montana, and Utah seem to get more attention than Idaho, which is simply an outstanding outdoor playground for those who love mountains and untouched wilderness. The video below will give you a bit of a glimpse of what the state has to offer. Perhaps the best hidden gem in western U.S.

Idaho: An Aerial Tapestry from Andrew Garcia on Vimeo.

Expedition Idaho Adventure Race Website Online!

Awhile back, we announced the return of the Expedition Idaho adventure race for 2014, which is scheduled to take place August 10-16 near beautiful Coeur d'Alene. At the time of that announcement, the website for the 500+ mile long race was still under construction, so there was very little news or information available for teams and AR fans alike. Earlier this week, the full website went live, providing more insights into what teams can expect when they had to Idaho later this year.

On the site, you'll find a list of the mandatory gear required for the event, some thoughts on the race's format, information on the course, and much, much more. Registration for the event is still coming, but should be online soon, so interested teams will definitely want to watch for the announcement of when they can reserve their spot in the race.

One of the highlights of this race is the finish. Adventure races aren't known for having great finishes, but at Expedition Idaho, all of the time teams come across the finish line on the final day amidst a large beer party that creates a raucous atmosphere unlike any other in the sport. It will be something to behold for sure, and teams that competed in the 2011 version of the race were amazed by the reception they got as they came across the line. The 2014 version of the race should be even better.

In the previous announcement about the return of EXPID, it was all announced that Expedition Alaska would be coming in 2015. We'll have to wait for more news on that race in the months ahead, but just the location alone should be enough to get most people excited about the possibilities. We'll share more insights into that one when they become available as well.

Expedition Idaho Adventure Race Returns In 2014, Expedition Alaska Coming In 2015!

Adventure racers looking to fill out their race schedule for next year can now add Expedition Idaho to the list of events they'll want to compete in next year. The race, which held its inaugural run back in 2011, returns on August 10-16 and will once again feature a fantastic finish amongst a cheering crowd of onlookers at a 2000-person beer festival. As you would expect, the race will include running, mountain biking and paddling sections, with a few extra surprises thrown in for good measure. This is a 500+ mile, expedition style race through some of the most spectacular backcountry in North America and I have it on very good authority that the mountain biking sections in particular will be amongst the best ever in an adventure race.

Find out more at the Perpetual Motion Events website, which is still under construction but has some preliminary information about all of their upcoming events.

Speaking of other upcoming events, the race management staff has also announced another exciting race that will take place in 2015. Not content to simply punish racers on a tough course in Idaho, the team has also announced the first ever Expedition Alaska adventure race, which will take place in June of 2015. That event will let 20 lucky teams compete for seven days in a wild and beautiful frontier that will push them to their limits.

And last, but certainly not least, Adventure Sports Week Idaho will also be back in 2014 offering more events than ever including an off-road tri, more trail runs and 52-mile ultra. The official dates have not been announced just yet, but ASWI will take place near Labor Day. As usual, the various races and events that make up Adventure Sports Week will be held in Farragut State Park near beautiful Coeur d’ Alene. Stay tuned for more information as the schedule unfolds. 

So there you have it. Adventure races and endurance athletes will certainly want to take note of these three great opportunities to compete in 2014 and beyond. I'm super-excited to see Expedition Idaho return next year and I can't wait to see what is store for Expedition Alaska in 2015. 

Video: Paragliding Over The Pioneer Mountains Of Idaho

The Pioneer Mountains in Sun Valley, Idaho is without a doubt a beautiful destination. But thanks to the video below you can get a view of the place that is unlike any other. It features some spectacular footage that was captured on a GoPro camera (Of course!) by paragliders sailing the skies above. Quite a nice way to take in the scenery.

The Higher You Get, The Higher You Get - shot on GoPro from Offshore Odysseys on Vimeo.

Adventure Sports Week Returns To Idaho

Looking to put a little adventure back into your life? Then you'll definitely want to add Adventure Sports Week to your calendar. The event will once again take place in Farragut State Park near beautiful Coeur d Alene, Idaho and offer outdoor athletes of all levels just about every type of competition they could possibly hope for.

This year, ASW will run from June 2 - 9 and will feature 20 different races for competitors to choose from. Those races include trail runs, mountain bike rides, triathlons, adventure races and more. Most of the events come in a variety of distances so whether you're new to these types of races or a grizzled veteran, you'll certainly have a challenge to take on. For instance, the popular "Beaches to Boulders" trail run offers distances of 5k, 10k and 9 miles, while the "Deepwater" includes 1/2 marathon, full marathon, 50k and 52 mile options. Other returning events include the Farragut "X" off-road triathlon and the always popular "Crux" and "Crucible" adventure races.

Registration is now open for all events and Adventure Sports Week is just a few weeks away. If you're looking for a fun way to kick off your summer, in a beautiful setting that is perfect for outdoor adventure, then be sure to checkout everything that ASW has to offer. It'll certainly be a week you won't forget.

Video: Powder Highway Road Trip #1 - Sun Valley

Remember earlier today when I mentioned that we tend to see a lot of ski videos this time of year? Here's a case in point. This video is the first in a new series of road trips to visit some of the top ski resorts in the western part of North America. The series was launched today by our friends over at National Geographic Adventure and it features skier Zach Crist and friends looking for perfect powder where ever they can find it.

Powder Highway Dispatch # 1 Sun Valley from Stellar Media on Vimeo.