Escape Outdoors this Summer with Camelbak’s Pursuit Series

By Austin Parker Published May 16, 2017

Summer is finally upon us, so that can mean only one thing: it’s time to find your next great adventure or outdoors hobby. If you’re a traditionalist, you can do what generations of outdoorsmen have done when picking up oars, bikes, or hiking boots for the first time – flounder and learn by trial by error. Of course, there are better options out there. If you’re looking for a fun environment to start SUPing, cooking like a backcountry gourmet, or learn how to ride a mountain bike like a pro, Camelbak’s new Pursuit Series is the perfect summer getaway.

In partnership with The Outbound, Camelbak’s Pursuit Series launches later this summer with two events near Salt lake City on August 11th-13th and San Fransisc0 on September 8th-10th. Think of them like summer camp for aspiring adventurers. Instead of arts and crafts and afternoons swimming in a lake, there will be courses on mountain bike handling, intro to backpacking, fly fishing basics, rock climbing, and more.

Camelbak Pursuit Series — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Whether you’re a seasoned camping expert who is looking for their next adrenaline fix, or a relative outdoors newbie looking for advice on your first backpacking tent, the Pursuit Series is a perfect summer vacation. The long weekend format for both events lends itself to a personalized schedule, allowing you to take classes in different sports and skills based on your comfort level. Ready to hop on a SUP and do your best sun salutation (be prepared for a cold dip in a mountain lake)? The SUP classes are ready for you. Looking for a more mellow day spent learning campfire cooking tips? The Pursuit Series has you covered there as well.

Pursuit Series Dinner — Scott Kranz

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With sponsors like Camelbak, Snowbasin Ski Resort, Camp Chef, Lagunitas, and Backcountry.com, you can bet that a sense of community (dare we say, Outdoors Tribe?) will be a big part of each weekend. Plan on group dinners and happy hours under the stars each night, and a chance to make new friends who share your passion for hiking, camping, and enjoying the mountains. Make your plans now though, as tickets to both events will be limited, and this is one wilderness adventure you won’t want to miss.

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Austin Parker is a former contributor at The Manual Parker is a powder skier and sport climber and is no stranger hauling…

Outdoors

Soldier Mountain opens 250 new acres of skiable terrain in Idaho

Be among the first to try Soldier Mountain Bridge's new backcountry ski trails

Skier on Soldier Mountain Bridge

If you're a big fan of skiing in Idaho, you're in for a real treat. Soldier Mountain has just opened up another 250 acres of skiable wilderness in the Bridge Creek area (Soldier Mountain Bridge), and skiers all over the country are bouncing with anticipation to experience these new trails. With the addition of freshly carved cat roads and groomed bootpack trails, guests can enjoy this sprawling mountainside that has been off-limits for decades.
David Alden, the General Manager for Soldier Mountain, stated that it's been something everyone has wanted for a long time. "The Bridge Creek area is so close to our existing terrain and so visually inviting that nearly every guest who visits Soldier has looked at that area and wished it were accessible. Now it is. It is a huge step for Soldier Mountain."
This ambitious undertaking, named the Bridge Creek Sidecountry Project, is just one step in a series of leaps and bounds for the resort, including the opening of their new Snow Training Center.
"The Bridge Creek Sidecountry Project elevates Soldier Mountain to one of the most challenging and terrain-intensive ski areas in Idaho," Alden said. "The newly accessible terrain encompasses mid-angle glades and steep, north-facing trees and ridges, adding technical sidecountry to Soldier Mountain's world-class cat ski operation and our legendary inbounds bowls, glades, and groomers.
This project is just a piece of the puzzle to put Soldier Mountain on the map. There are two other major updates to the resort, one including a brand-new TRAX side-by-side UTV, which will haul guests to the top of the Bridge Creek on select days. This UTV is said to be a faster, nimbler way to move skiers into the backcountry than a traditional snowcat, but when the TRAX is unavailable, skiers can trek up the bootpack trails on foot.

Outdoors

Why trail runners should consider using a walkie talkie for safety

The GXT67 Pro might just be what you need to stay connected on the trail

Man using GXT67 PRO radio from Midland

Cell service isn't always available when hiking or backpacking in the wilderness, but know there's a better way. And no, I'm not talking about satellite connection. While that tends to be better than regular cell service, there's nothing is more reliable right now than a walkie talkie. Two-way radios are coming back into the mainstream scene, this time, through trail runners! Here's why you should use a walkie talkie while trail running, how to be prepared, and our personal recommendations for the best one to use.
Why use a walkie talkie while trail running?

While out on the trail, it's easy to feel disconnected. Maybe that's the point, but if anything goes wrong, you might be in real trouble. Quick communication can be lifesaving if you or someone in your party happens to fall into a high-stakes situation like getting lost or breaking an ankle. Having a walkie talkie on hand and knowing that you can reach out to someone will increase your peace of mind while you're out on the trail.

Outdoors

These are the national parks undergoing controlled burns to cut wildfire risks

Going to one of these national parks soon? You might just see some smoke.

Shenandoah National Park in the fall

Prescribed burns are one of the park rangers' most important tools to protect their national parks and ecosystems. By intentionally burning off the excess vegetation like dry grass, shrubs, and dead wood, prescribed burns ultimately reduce the chance of wildfires because there won't be any old vegetation to catch fire later. It's far better for the National Forest Service and local fire teams to do the burns in a controlled setting than to watch it get out of hand later in the year. Here are the national parks across America that are currently in their burning phase:

Shenandoah National Park: Fire managers plan to burn approximately 40 acres of Big Meadows and 20 acres in the park's headquarters. Weather permitting, the burn will start on March 11 and end around April 30th.
Voyageurs National Park: This month, burns will take place in selected wetlands near Black Bay and Cranberry Bay on Rainy Lake to eliminate invasive hybrid cattails and reduce woody plant encroachment.
Cape Cod National Seashore: Prescribed burns will occur at Fort Hill in Eastham during the second week of March. The affected area will be 14 acres along the hillside adjacent to the upper parking lot at Fort Hill.
George Washington Carver National Monument: From March 10th to the 14th, this national monument plans a prescribed burn of about 100 acres to reduce woody species. While the area will be open to visitors, the Carver trail will be closed.