I'm a big fan of Alastair Humphreys. The British adventurer has cycled around the world, rowed across an ocean and trekked through the Empty Quarter on foot, amongst other major expeditions. But I also love the fact that Alastair is a huge proponent of what he likes to call "microadventures" – short escapes, generally close to home, that are cheap to do and highly effective in helping us reconnect with nature. He's even shared a sampling of his own microadventures on his website, providing a template for us to do our own.

But in a blog post that went live on his site this morning, Al has made it even easier to get started with our own microadventures. He has created an infographic designed specifically to inspire us to head outdoors and explore all of the great adventure opportunities that exist right in our backyards. The infographic recognizes that we work 9 to 5 for instance and yet challenges us to do something with the other 16 hours of our day. It then proceeds to explain in as simple as possible terms just how easy it is to find a weekend – or even mid-week – microadventure that can help send you back to the office, rejuvenated and revitalized with your life.

I absolutely adore Al's microadventure concept and even wrote recently about rediscovering some of my favorite outdoor places that I haven't visited in awhile. This is a way to reincorporate some adventure into your own life without breaking the bank or getting on a plane to fly to some far flung corner of the globe. Don't get me wrong, those big adventures are amazing too, but sometimes we just need to find a way to sprinkle a little excitement into our daily existence to help us stay connected to the world around us.

This is a great message from a guy who already lives a life of adventure. Keep up the great work Al!

Have you ever wanted to row across an ocean? If so, you'll definitely want to read this post. 

Earlier today, adventurer Alastair Humphreys, who rowed across the Atlantic last year,  posted a call for a crew to row across the Pacific next year. Alastair, who says rowing one ocean was enough for him, has shared a message from Philip Cavanagh who is looking to put together a team to compete in the Pacific Ocean Rowing Race that is scheduled to take place between California and Hawaii in 2014.

The note reads as follows:

Philip will be participating in the first Pacific Ocean row in June 2014, and is looking for crewmates. The race is a 2,100 nautical mile row from California to Hawaii, and the boat will be powered by human strength alone. Everything needed for the row will be onboard, and the crew will receive no assistance during the race. 

To join the crew, you do not need rowing experience! All we want is a sense of adventure, a desire to succeed and the will to do something extraordinary! 

The shift pattern will be a demanding 2 hours on 2 hours off for the duration of the race. (Which means you’ll be able to sleep 50% of the time… glass half full!)
If you’d like to express an interest, or would like more information, contact Philip at Philip.cavanagh3@gmail.com

 So there you go. If you're looking for a big adventure next year and rowing across a giant body of water sounds like something you'd like to try, then drop Phillip a note and find out more of the details. This could be a fantastic opportunity for the right person.

In December, adventurers Alastair Humphreys and Leon McCarron completed a 1000-mile (1600 km) long journey through the Empty Quarter, a vast desert that stretches over parts of Saudi Arabia, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen. Navigating in the footsteps of legendary explorer Wilfred Thesiger, the boys managed to survive by dragging a specially designed cart filled with gear and supplies through the the unrelenting and unforgiving landscape. Now, they're preparing to release a documentary of the expedition, which will be entitled A Meaningless Penance? The intriguing teaser trailer for the documentary can be found below.


A Meaningless Penance? Teaser Clip from Alastair Humphreys on Vimeo.

Adventurers Alastair Humphreys and Leon McCarron have completed their 1000-mile (1600 km) long trek across the Empty Quarter, arriving yesterday in Dubai. After spending nearly six weeks in the desert, the two men finished their expedition at the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, which had to have served as quite the contrast to the environment they had been traveling through.

The Empty Quarter, or Rub' al Khali, is the largest sand desert in the world, stretching out across much of the Arabian Peninsula. This vast and largely unexplored section of the world covers parts of Saudi Arabia, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen, spreading out over some 225,000 square miles (583,000 sq. km).

Inspired by their hero Wilfred Thesiger, who made two famous expeditions into the Empty Quarter himself, Alastair and Leon set out in early November to explore that desolate place for themselves. Lugging all of their gear behind them in a cart that weighed 250 kg (551 pounds), the two men were able to navigate across the desert, using Bedouin watering holes to refresh their supply of drinking water as they went. Their no frills, grassroots approach to adventure has paid off, as they were able to make the crossing in a completely self supported way.

While out in the desert, neither Alastair or Leon shared much about their experience. Now that they are home however, that is likely to change. Look for updates to both men's blogs to find out what it was like for them on this amazing adventure.

Congratulations to both Alastair and Leon for a job well done. Now get home in time for the holidays boys.