Adventure Quickies: Categorizing Polar Expeditions, Patagonia’s Worn Wear Store, and More

Each week I receive far more news tips, travel stories, and gear announcements than I have time to cover, either here or elsewhere on the web. In order to rectify that, on Friday’s a routinely post some “adventure quickies” sharing a few of the items that I couldn’t work into the line-up elsewhere. So, without further ado, here are a few good things that you may have missed this week:

  • ExWeb Explains Polar Expedition Categories: There has been a lot of talk in recent months about how exactly to categorize a polar expedition. What constitutes “solo”, “unassisted”, or “unsupported” exactly? To help sort it out, polar explorer Eric Phillips has put together a piece for ExWeb that puts everything into perspective.
  • Patagonia Opens First “Worn Wear” Store: Patagonia has been at the forefront of the recycled gear movement for several years now, launching its Worn Wear program awhile back. Now, the company is taking things to the next level by launching its first Worn Wear store in Boulder, Colorado. There, customers will get the chance to buy older gear that has been repaired and restored to just-like new.
  • Sunday is National Take a Hike Day: Not that we need any more incentive to get outside here at The Adventure Blog, but Sunday — November 17 — is officially National Take a Hike Day. If you’ve got nothing else going on, be sure to hit a favorite local trail. If you have other plans, cancel them and hit the trail instead.
  • Eddie Bauer Expands Roster of Sponsored Athletes: Eddie Bauer has added two outstanding new athletes and guides to its roster of sponsored mountaineers. This week, the company announced that Angela Hawse and Carla Perez have joined the family. Both are experienced and accomplished climbers who have impressive resumes on a wide variety of peaks in North America, the Himalaya, and the Karakoram.
  • New Gravel Bike Race Coming to Bentonville, AK: Gravel riding has become all the rage in cycling over the past few years and now you can add an exciting new event to your list. The inaugural Big Sugar NWA Gravel ride is set to take place in October of 2020 near the town of Bentonville, Arkansas. Registration for the event opens today for what promises to be one very exciting ride.
  • Meet Kenton Cool in Everest Base Camp in 2020: Next year, British mountaineer Kenton Cool will attempt his 15th summit of Everest, making him one of the top non-Sherpa climbers ever on the mountain. Adventurous fans of Kenton can meet him in Base Camp on the mountain by signing up for a special trek from Adventure Base that is scheduled to take place from April 11-28 of next year.
  • Exodus Travel is Giving Away a #LifeofAdventrue: Some companies give away free trips on occasion, while others give away life-changing experiences. Such is the case with Exodus Travel, an adventure travel company that is giving away a lifetime of free excursions. What does that mean exactly? It means that you can sign up to win one free trip every year for the rest of your life. Considering Exodus offers more than 600 itineraries to 100+ countries, you’ll sure have plenty to choose from. Sign up here.
  • Steamboat Ski Resort is Open for Business: Steamboat Resort has announced its earliest opening ever, with the lists and first runs opening to skiers and snowboarders today. Record breaking snowfall in October has paved the way for this early opening, so take advantage of the extended season while you can.

That’s all for this week! More Adventure Quickies next Friday!

Kraig Becker