If you haven’t been following the First Ascent team’s Everest attempt, you’re missing out on some great stuff.  Born Out There–The First Ascent Blog– is full of great video footage, daily journals and much more, and is an absolute must-read for anyone who likes mountain climbing.

Make sure to also subscribe to their YouTube video channel so you can stay as up to date as possible.  As of today Dave Hahn and company are at the Everest Basecamp, a lofty 17,530 ft up.  Good luck with the acclimitization, guys!  I can’t imagine how hard it is, especially since it took me a week to acclimatize after I moved my office from the first floor to the attic.

April 20, 2009 video update from Born Out There:

(Part 1 of the adventure can be found here)

Dave from Compass Points is back with another gripping entry from his Costa Rican honeymoon.  This time, though, he’s also created a video podcast to back it up.  I’m a bit biased, but I think it’s absolutely kick-ass.

I could go for a Corona

Part 2: “Strangers until we meet”

Part 3: “Shades of lime and emerald” (you’ll find the link to the video here)

Photo by Dave Pidgeon

Dave Pidgeon is a news reporter, freelance travel writer, advid hiker, scratch golfer and excellent tipper.  He also happens to be my best friend.  He and his bride Alison just got back from honeymooning in Costa Rica, and the first in a series of highly entertaining hiking/adventure stories has been posted on his blog, Compass Points.

Quick primer:  A week before his wedding his gallbladder decided it wanted to secede from his body, he found out some bad job-related news, and dealt with a painful dental emergency.  There’s no chance anything could go wrong for the lucky couple stuck deep in a jungle for a week, right?

Read and enjoy:  Compass Points in Costa Rica

(Note: Orginally posted by author on trailjournals.com 5/3/2004)

Two days ’til we leave for Luray, VA. Where is Luray you ask? Damned if I know. West of Shenandoah National Park I think–a mere 3.5 hours WSW of Wilmington, DE. My hiking pal Dave (trail name not known yet) and I will be catching an afternoon Phillies game then heading out to a 1-star rated motel in Luray to spend the night most likely surrounded by grungy truckers, other hikers and assorted pay by-the-hour “professionals” named Wanda wearing short skirts. After that the plan is to catch a quick breakfast at the local greasy spoon at the crack of dawn then hit the trail early.

I have my pack, sleeping bag and some accessories. I still need to pack clothes, buy food, and also purchase a pair of boots. I know what you’re thinking…new boots + 30-mile hike = blisters from hell. Yeah, I know, and I realize the stupidity in this, but I’m doing it anyway.