"Online Voting for People's Choice Adventurer of the Year Runs through Jan. 31, 2014 The 2014 Adventurers of the Year, naming extraordinary achievements in exploration, adventure sports, conservation or humanitarianism have distinguished them in the past year was already announced by National Geographic.   Runs through Jan. 31, 2014, the online voting for the People's Choice Adventurer of the Year has already started.  Fans can go here to vote at any time for their favorite honoree.  In February, the adventurer with the most number of votes at the end of the voting period will be announced as the 2014 People's Choice Adventurer of the Year. The 13 honorees this year were a long-distance swimmer, to refresh your memory, he was the first to swim from Cuba to Florida without protection from a shark cage; another one was a skier who is re-imagining his sport in urban landscapes; and two veterans dedicated to establishing connections between veterans and the outdoors; lastly a snowboarder committed to helping brain injury survivors. The 13 Adventurers of the Year for 2014 are: Stacy Bare and Nick Watson - American adventurers and veterans who launched an organization that links veterans to the outdoors and the outdoors community; Greg Long - American big-wave surfer who won the 2012/13 Big-Wave World Tour,  despite nearly losing his life in a massive wipeout a few months earlier; Amy and Dave Freeman - American adventurers and educators who completed a three-year, 11,647-mile journey across North America by kayak, canoe, dogsled and foot, connecting with students and teachers along the way; Diana Nyad - Sixty-four-year-old American long-distance swimmer who recently completed a swim between Cuba and the United States, on her fifth attempt; Kevin Pearce - American snowboarder who, after surviving a traumatic brain injury, launched the "Love Your Brain" campaign to encourage the use of helmets for kids; Kilian Jornet Burgada -

"It was never good to insult children from anything that could possibly have any danger attached yet parents keeping their children under permanent watch has become "what people do." People harmed children without them knowing it out of our fear-based culture.  Children need to confront danger; they need to explore; they need adventures at some point in their life. There was a time when parents knew how important to embrace adventure and danger at some time when let their kids go off into the woods by themselves, with rifles.  And thinking about it now, if that was really so horribly dangerous, half of us wouldn't be here. You bet alright, it is scary to watch your children walk into a subway station or out into the woods.  But you have to do it.  Let them go out and face the world, it is healthy for them but remember to calculate the risks, pick your times, pick your spots, watch them from a distance if you must. Fear is just an impulse; along with it can be based on lies, distortions, or even on nothing at all.  It's an absurd thing on which to base your children's lives. A new German study shows clearly that adventure shapes the individual. As one of the researchers concluded, "Living our lives makes us who we are."  Your children need to live, and not merely exist inside of a fear-inspired bubble. The study also indicates that exploration and adventure not only affect personality development, but also brain growth. The real dangers for your children lie in government schools, and even in private schools that function on the same model. People are pushed, economically, to put their children into public schools.  Make sure that you tell your children how the system is set up to condition them.  Educate them that understanding is far more important than memorizing.  Back them up if the teachers give them grief. Your children should know, very clearly, that teachers and principals are just average people doing particular jobs.  Some

After 14 years, four children, 55 countries, and 250 000 km, this Argentinean couple had a dream of travelling around the world by car and still on the road fulfilling their dream. In 1999, Herman Zapp and his wife Candelaria climbed into their car and drove out of Argentina with only $4 000 in hand.  Using their 1928 Graham Paige they went to Alaska as both wanted to go, so that's what they did.  "I saw the car two months before we left and fell in love with it so I brought it," Herman said in Cape Town, where they now live. They arrived in South Africa last year. In the same year Herman, an electrician, and Candelaria, a secretary, sold their house, packed what they could into the car and left. "Everyone thought we were crazy," Herman said. "But, really, who is crazy - the one who goes for the dream or the one who doesn't?" Even that they are doing what they wanted at first the couple has some fears.  "That first day was the hardest," said Herman. But the pair was determined. "If you let your fear take hold, your life will pass you by," he explained. The couple, Herman Zapp and Candelaria was married for 20 years. "We think we will be around forever but it's important to rethink life," said Herman. "My mother died when she was only 46, the only legacy I have taken from her is to 'do it now'." They survive mainly on the kindness of others, having been taken in by more than 2 500 households all around the world. "You have to give a chance to people to show how good they can be." They have three children, three boys and a girl and every child were born in different countries. Herman said being on the road was the best education they could get. "School is important, but it's not the most intelligent person who survives, it is the person who learns how to adapt

Since 1943, scuba diving has become a famous activity practiced the world over after the invention of the aqualung by Jacques-Yves Cousteau. Diving could be dangerous if you are not qualified to do so but there are now many training programs to meet the requirements as a diver. There is PADI, NAUI and CMAS after, divers can rent equipment, request air fills, and dive without any higher supervision but it is always recommended to dive with a buddy.

 

If you are planning to go diving here are some great places you can visit:

Vinales, Cuba. Maria la Gorda and Cayo Levisa are Vinales’ great diving site and it is two of the most candid diving spots in the world. The stunning Maria la Gorda’s black corals overflowing with marine life such as barracudas and red snappers is a good choice for a diving spot. While Cayo Levisa is a dreamy mangrove-island on a 3km long coral-reef.

Dahab, Egypt. For divers of all levels Dehab is an easy shore access of a great spot for divers. It has deep water and extreme visibility. You can have the chance to see not only large numbers of reef species but also the occasional pelagic and even the odd shark.

Bali, Indonesia. Warm tropical waters, marine landscaped coral reefs, wreck diving and abundant tropical fish and mammals, these are just few of what Bali can offer divers. Not to mention there are plenty of dive sites all around the compact island and each with crystal waters and the opportunity to dive with dolphins. The three of the top spots are Menjangan Island, Tulamben and the island of Nusa Penida.

Boracay, Philippines is a Pilipino national marine preserve. It is one of the most famous diving sites in Southeast Asia. This is one of the great beaches in the world which makes it a great choice for a holiday vacation plus it offers a wide range of dive activities. You will also enjoy the numerous good quality resorts, restaurants, bars and nightlife.

Koh Tao, Thailand. If you want a pure relaxation and a getaway from the outside world, then this is definitely the perfect place for you. This place is small Tropical Island covered in jungle, surrounded by many quiet, palm tree covered beaches. You can enjoy snorkeling and scuba diving. You will definitely enjoy the corals and the turtles.

Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. By the bay of Kota Kinabalu Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park is a marine park made up of a number of islands. The waters here offer divers a first glimpse of Borneo’s profuse array of corals and underwater creatures. Its calm water is ideal for macro and close up photography, with a World War II Japanese freighter wreck nearby for the adventurous.

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NOW summer’s finally here, it’s time to take your whole brood outdoors and create some lasting memories.

Lisa Salmon is inspired by two adventure experts who have written The Family Guide to the Great Outdoors

THE electronic age, combined with an increasing tendency to wrap children in cotton wool, means kids are staying inside more than ever.

But while hours spent playing on a computer or watching TV may keep kids entertained, there’s one thing for sure: electronic entertainment is not what childhood memories are made of.

Memories come from doing things like climbing trees, making dens, sitting round a campfire and generally having fun outdoors; say Charlie and Caroline Gladstone, who have written The Family Guide to the Great Outdoors to encourage more families to get out and about together.

The married couple has picked up a wealth of knowledge about the great outdoors since they abandoned the London rat race when their first child was born more than 20 years ago, and moved to a farm in Kincardineshire.

They now have six children, five dogs and six horses, and their children have been brought up to love the outdoor life.

They’ve learned all manner of outdoor skills that Charlie and Caroline share in the book, from building rafts and treehouses, to starting a campfire and cooking on it, and even skinning a rabbit.

“Danger and fun have evaporated from normal life, but we brought our children up in the middle of nowhere in a very free way,” says Charlie.

“They were allowed to go off and play in rivers and climb trees, which is how I was brought up.

“We think that’s had a profound effect on their confidence and their sense of who they are.”

As well as information about outdoor living, the book includes advice on making weapons. Charlie’s great-great grandfather was the famous Victorian Prime Minister William Gladstone, who had a collection of hundreds of axes, which Charlie still treasures.

He gives swinging and chopping advice in the book, after reminding readers never to forget how dangerous the tools are.

He also explains how to make weapons including a potato cannon, bow and arrow, dart launcher and catapult, and says: “One of the theories we have is that if boys particularly were allowed to chop with axes, throw things, make weapons and light fires a bit more often, there’d be very little fighting in the street.

“Boys are naturally aggressive, and the wrong outlet for that is computer games or TV. If kids get out and run round, climb something and get really dirty, they’ll come in and be sweetness and light.”

But Charlie, 49, stresses that just because his children – who are aged between 13 and 23 – have been brought up spending a lot of time outdoors, it doesn’t mean they don’t have TVs, iPads and computers.

“Of course they do. We haven’t brought them up in a way that says outdoor fun is all they’re allowed.

“But in a world full of ‘stuff’ and purchases, it’s nice to strip all that back and go for a sense of purity.” He says their outdoor fun is easily achievable partly because of where they live. But we’re not suggesting that children need to grow up in such a remote place – anybody can climb a tree, go for a long walk, swim in a river or cook on a campfire.”

Many parents may appreciate the fun side of the outdoor life, but worry about the safety aspects. However, Charlie stresses that as a child he did “unbelievably reckless” things, such as jumping into a river in flood, with a rope tied to his waist at one end and to a tree at the other.

“It was fine,” he insists, “and it removes an element of fear.

“You can survive unbelievable things in life. Allowing your children to walk to school on their own for the first time in a city is much more risky than climbing a tree.

“You just have to apply common sense, and learn your limitations.”

And while he acknowledges modern health and safety rules can have their place, he says, sometimes such rules can be “a nightmare”, which aren’t constructive or helpful.

“Stopping children from doing some of these things doesn’t improve their life,” he insists.

As well as explaining how to master outdoor skills, the guide suggests outdoor activities for families such as building rafts, dams, dens and treehouses, and making rope swings, smoke signals and even rosehip itching powder.

“You’d think kids would tire of outdoor games by the time they’re about ten,” says Charlie, “but if you add some real challenge and danger, they’ll enjoy them throughout their life.

 

“You need to be quite bossy with kids though and tell them, ‘We’re going to do it, tough’.”

He adds: “The best fun you can have in the world is sitting round a campfire with your kids. Given the opportunity, anyone can do these things – they’re completely free, and it terrifies me that more people don’t do them.”

 

• The Family Guide to the Great Outdoors by Charlie and Caroline Gladstone is published by Square Peg, priced £12.99

 

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"According to a report from the National Ski Industry Association, ski areas across the nation saw strong business during the 2012-13 seasons. Although the rise in the Rocky Mountain region is just about 1.9 percent, Skier visits rose 11 percent in the United States. In southwest Colorado the season started slowly, but picked up after the holidays. "Despite the slow start to the season, overall Durango Mountain Resort was about on par with last season," said Kim Oyler, spokeswoman for the southwest Colorado resort. "Thanks to help from Mother Nature and our mountain operations crew, Durango Mountain Resort was able to extend the season one additional weekend and closed on April 7," she said. U.S. resorts experienced slow starts be subsequent to a strong snowfall in mid-December. Comparing to December last year snowfall for December this year nearly tripled.  And compared to 2012, snowfall was weaker in January, strong in February and about even in March,. "It started real late," said Richard Bodiford, co-owner of End Industries, an Aztec shop that rents ski equipment. "We missed a lot of Christmas break business, but the middle picked up all right." The Four Corners was blanketed with snow soon after Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort closed on April 7, the final insult indicates. "We got some in early March and after the season closed it's been snowing left and right all over Colorado," Bodiford said. The winter was the eighth-best for the Rocky Mountain region in the past 34 years, the report said. The association did not release data for individual resorts. The national survey of resorts spotted other trends: Snowboarding was down for the third straight winter. In 2012-13, snowboarders made up 29.6 percent of total visits. Season pass sales dropped as more skiers bought daily tickets. Average season pass sales fell 4.3 percent. Ticket prices rose. The average adult weekend ticket cost $86.1

Ski Safety Tips for Beginners http://latest.blackhawk-mines.com/2013/05/08/ski-safety-tips-for-beginners/ One of the most popular and maybe the most needed safety gear is helmet but one of the best skiing safety tips is really a matter of personal choice - to wear, or not to wear. Although it isn't really mandated, it is encouraged to use helmet. Unquestionably skiers should be just as cautious if you think about those who usually wear protective headgear, namely football and baseball players, construction workers, horseback riders, rock climbers, bicyclers, auto racers, and motorcycle riders. The most important safety gear for skiers is helmet and as well as the following. You will definitely enjoy it more and will have much more fun on the slopes if you're in good shape. Exercise in advance and work your way up to skiing by exercising constantly year-round. Use proper ski equipment and don't just borrow equipment. Rent from a ski shop or the ski resort and make sure that the shop is legit. When purchasing equipment, be certain your ski boots are fitted properly as it should be. In any case, confirm your bindings are properly adjusted. Get ready for the weather. Be dressed in layers of clothes and put on a helmet liner, a hat, or a headband. Also put on gloves or mittens. Always carry an extra pair lest the first pair gets wet. Acquire proper instruction. Either individual or group Sign up for ski lessons. Experienced skiers still polish up their skills with a lesson every now and then. Ski goggles are also important. Put on ski goggles that perfectly fit around your helmet. There are goggles for those who wear eyeglasses, buy goggles that fit comfortably over your eyeglasses or you may also consider prescription goggles but it would me a bit costly. If you're exhausted, take a break and rest for a short time in the lodge. As you're resting, ensure you eat and drink enough. Although done in ice, skiing burns a lot of energy! At what time it's th

It is nice to take pictures but there are moments that pictures cannot tell but videos can. Videos can make someone feel like they were there also. While photograph can last forever, you can go back to those moments watching and re-watching those precious moments. "While pictures can be flat, video brings life to your experiences," says Laurel House, who videoblogs about travel, fitness, and more at QuickieChick "With video, you can share your adventures - and relive them again when you come home," he added. You do not need fancy equipments to capture the moments on video, you phone will do or there are quality and affordable camcorders available in the market. And worried about video editing, you do not have to do it or there is Windows Live Movie Maker that is so much easy to learn. Therefore there are no excuses! Now let us learn how to get you going. Video recoding isn't really hard; here are the ways to do so. Get personal. Try adding narrations, wouldn't it be boring if your video is a bunch of sequence photos like. Plus, the people who are going to watch your videos will get as much excitement as you were during your travel. They will understand what the shots are and what the experience meant to you. And remember to sound natural, scripted is boring! If you want to be in the video, do not appear stiff and cold, be natural, act natural. Smile and laugh but never fake it! Entertain and tell a story, who would want to watch a video that has no sequence and with a singles shot. Capture every detail and reactions of the people so that when you go back you will feel the same happiness. I did not say join a competition for your video but it could have at least a beginning, middle, and end. Keep your videos short, because no matter how interesting your video looks like audience will become antsy just stay snappy and stick to a single subject. Focus on moments and experiences that are actually fun and fun to watch, skip the non sense,

Do I have to tell you why Thailand, well then let me give you reasons why you of all countries will enjoy this country if you love outdoors! Have you tried caving, if not then try it in Thailand. Get inside of Thailand literally by exploring ancient caves and tremendous caverns like those in the Pang Mapha District of the Mae Hong Son Province. Dare and see the underground and discover wildlife, history and geology, it's a caving venture you will never forget. Caves like Cave Lodge have expert guides. Expert guides will escort you so you need not to worry, they will lead you through geologic labyrinths, vertical caves and collapsed caves. For additional thrill and blood rushing, your journey comes along with forest hikes or rafting to see even more of the Thai landscape. For animal lover and wild life enthusiasts out there, we are sure that you will enjoy Jungle Trekking in the wilds of Thailand by hitting the unmarked trails. To make the most out of your trip, try at least a 3-day trek to see mountain ridges, rainforests and experience camping in the beautiful Thai wilderness. Elephant Riding, sounds like fun, yes it is! This will be a whole new experience that you shouldn't ever miss, taking an elephant ride through local Thai villages and surrounding forests. Miss it and it will feel like you have never gone to Thailand at all. Rock climbing or repelling are everywhere now and you find it ordinary. Then you must try number 7, Waterfall Abseiling, throw in the force of a waterfall, and now you're talking adventure. Repel down Thailand's beautiful and powerful waterfalls. You'll feel your heart in your chest as you lean over the edge of a 35-foot waterfall and the ground slowly slips beneath your feet. Whitewater Rafting is something new to Thai tourist market but whitewater rafting is quickly being added to many adventure trek itineraries. Rush the rapids in Southern Thailand's Phang Na province, and you're assured an exciting ride. Moun

(Credit: Photo of the author)

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A former nanotechnology scientist of Sandia National Laboratories pleaded not guilty to federal charges of selling intellectual property and research to institutes in China.

Jianyu Huang was arraigned last week on 1 count of false statements and 5 counts of federal program fraud as he was accused of sharing information from his post in the Sandia lab’s Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies since 20

"TORONTO - A Scarborough man is accused of bilking investors out of $1 million with a green energy-scam. Durham Regional Police claim the accused set up a company called Saunders Power Inc. on Wellington St. in Bowmanville, which he used to defraud 10 individuals and businesses between December 2009 and March 2012. "The company was geared at manufacturing cork-screw style wind turbines capable of producing energy that could be sold back to the Ontario Power Authority for a lucrative profit," police said Friday. "The accused allegedly produced forged documents and a fake licence to make the business appear legitimate." One of the investors became suspicious and contacted police in January, which prompted an investigation. Gregory Saunders was arrested at his home on Tuesday. The 56-year-old is charged with fraud over $5,000 and forgery. Anyone with new information regarding this investigation should contact the Fraud Unit at 1-888-579-1520, ext. 5353, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477)."

"Blackhawk Mines Corp http://www.squidoo.com/blackhawk-mines2 Blackhawk Mines Blackhawk Mines acquires Amazon Gold Ventures. A Mining company that operates in Columbia. A public listed company that trades in Germany on the Frankfurt exchange. Blackhawk Mines Corp. (formerly named: Bentley Fairview Resources Co. Ltd.) is a gold-focused exploration and mining development company with additional interests in silver. The Company is focused on creating royalties and participating interests through joint venture partnering with independent mining operations in South America. The Company's strength is in generating prospects that provide world class gold deposits. Collectively, with our partners and associates who have extensive in-country expertise in exploration and mining operations in Colombia and throughout South America, Blackhawk Mines Corp. can become a significant venture in the mining industry. In recent years, the modern governments of Colombia, Peru and Brazil have each successfully attracted both, foreign capital and technology. Historically, these countries are known to be gold-rich areas mined by humans for thousands of years. In particular, Colombia possesses an exceptional geologic terrain for gold exploration. Within the last five years this country has produced a very high rate of plus-million ounce gold discoveries by a relatively small amount of active companies. In the 19th century, Colombia was the world's largest gold producer. Currently, Peru, Colombia's neighbor to the south, produces about 210 tons of gold per year from the metal rich Andean Cordillera. At present, the Company is focused on Colombia with its flagship Las Palmeras Project in Segovia, Antioquia adjacent to the Frontino Gold Belt reserve. Las Palmeras is an active operation including a gold processing stamp mill and has total reserves estimated at over $180,000,000 USD. The Company's operating partner based in Envigado, Department of Antioquia, has strong, established legal a

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A former nanotechnology scientist of Sandia National Laboratories pleaded not guilty to federal charges of selling intellectual property and research to institutes in China. Jianyu Huang was arraigned last week on 1 count of false statements and 5 counts of federal program fraud as he was accused of sharing information from his post in the Sandia lab's Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies since 2009. However, the charge was only for theft of federal property and was not for stolen classified information. He reportedly sold research on nanotech that belongs to the US to government-run Chinese schools like Harbin Institute of Technology and Peking University, claiming them as his own. The indictment accuses Huang of selling USD 25,000 worth of "materials, equipment, time and work product of the company staff along with intangible property" between 2009 and 2012, on 5 different instances.

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