One hell of a year… Backpacker and Bicycling Clips

One year ago today I became unemployed with the goal of becoming an adventure travel writer. Now, a year later, I’m unemployed again. The difference? Five thousand miles, twenty eight states, a Colorado ID, and nine months at Backpacker Magazine.

I suspect I will be writing about my internship a lot, but for now I just want to point to most of the deliverables and takeaways from my time at Backpacker and Bicycling.

GPS-supported Conent

• Appalachian Trail GPS-Supported Map Fact checked, coedited and coproduced GPS-supported trail maps for the AT. Includes: 1,200+ miles of trail, thousands of waypoints, hundreds of photos, and 120+ individual trips.
• Fruita Mountain Biking - In typical Backpacker style, the map team headed to Fruita for a weekend of mountain biking and team building. In the process we also GPSed the trip, shot video and photos, and came back to put it all together.

Backpacker Magazine Clips

• Quick Fix: Badlands National Park - June 08
  
• Quick Fix: Great Smoky Mountain National Park - May 08
  
• Trip Finder: Low Rain Hikes - April 08
• Hike of the Month: Mt Whorl - April 08
• National Parks Package: Yosemite National Park - July/August 08
  

Google Earth - When I arrived at Backpacker, the words “Google Earth” carried little weight. After scoping out GE and how it enabled Backpacker readers to plan, execute, and share potential trips, I went to map editor Kris Wagner and suggested Backpacker begin using the program. With little resistance, Backpacker editors jumped on board constantly being wowed with the program and using it in both print and online stories.

• Google Earth June 08 Cover - I worked directly with editor and chief Jon Dorn, and design director Matthew Bates, to conceptualize and execute June’s digital cover shot. I was also responsible for working directly with Google to approve the cover, and secure copyright permissions from the image providers.

• Google Earth Flyover Videos - For the July/August National Parks Package, I worked directly with web editor Anthony Cerretani, senior editor Tracy Ross, and map editor Kris Wagner, to conceptualize and coproduce seven national park flyovers. I was ultimately responsible for recording the Google Earth Flyovers.
• Smoky Mountains NP flyover
• Yosemite NP flyover
• Denali NP flyover
• Grand Canyon NP flyover
• Yellowstone NP flyover
• Olympic NP flyover
• Glacier NP flyove

• iHike Package June 08 - Worked directly with editors to include Google Earth tips and screenshots in the June iHike package. Also worked directly with Google to approve digital images.

Tour de France Video Project - Two months ago my editor decided to send assistant editor Mark Harrison to France. The goal was to preview five of the tour’s stages in ways previously not being done. After two weeks of storyboarding, video lessons, and mayhem, Mark flew abroad. The end result was four high-quality videos on Bicycling.com, incorporating GPS-supported content, Google Earth, flash graphics and Getty Images.

• Stage 4
• Stage 6
• Stage 16
• Stage 17

New Media Feature Package - During the month of April I worked on a new media feature package. The topic, hiking blind, was pulled apart into interactive GPS content, a podcast, two videos and a written component.

• Video 1 - Backpacking Blind
• Video 2 - Erik Weihenmayer discusses what it’s like to be blind
• Podcast - (will be added soon)
• GPS-supported hike

Bicycling Magazine Clips

• Perfect Day: Las Vegas (On newsstand August 1)
• GPS-supported rides at bicycling.com/lasvegas (August 1)

Backpacker.com Blog

• Google Upgrades Earth
• Google Adds Contour Lines
• I Present To You The Universe
  

Backpacker Magazine PR - Taking the experience from my previous PR job, I worked with senior editors and Backpacker’s PR team to write and promote the launching of Backpacker.com, and five tips on how to get outside more.

• Backpacker Launches New Website
• Backpacker Teams With Google Earth
• Five Ways To Enjoy Your Summer More

Of course there is also all the stuff from my “actual job,” which was managing California, Nevada, and Hawaii for backpacker.com/destinations.

Boulder Dogs

When I first came to Boulder the prairie dog population baffled me.

“Why don’t the little kids round off the population with some bb gun practice?” I asked.

The dirty looks were too many to count. (Apparently, the world which I grew up in–bb guns, little supervision and death defying stunts–did not exist outside the bubble of the San Lorenzo Valley) So after running, biking, hiking, climbing and walking past these little guys for eight months I decided it was time to shoot a few. (Boulder approved of course)

Hanging out with an older lady (There is a good chance she is going to kill me for that)

My coworkers were ready to have Mrs. Robinson playing when I started up my computer yesterday. Forget the fact that Wendy had informed them she was there at my birth, or had driven to Boulder to see me. Nope, they figured I was full of shit. Well, kinda at least. It probably didn’t help that we had margaritas together; and she paid. Or that I took the day off to run her butt up Sanitas, into Rocky Mountain National Park and into the movie theater. On the outside looking in, it must have seemed kinda strange.

It was a great day. One of those days in Boulder where you never feel rushed, but somehow manage to see the Rockies, Flatirons, Rio and Stone Cup without breaking a sweat. The kind of day where conversation flows together, weaving in and out of topics, crashing down at times and then receding back to more comfortable waters.

We talked a lot. I’d like to say it’s because I can add valuable points to conversation, but we all know I’m kidding myself on that one. At one point, somewhere between the flat wasteland of America’s Midwest and Gods natural speed bumps, the Rockies, we talked about her late husband and the grieving process.

The conversation was in confidence, but it stuck out. I had close friends in high school who lost parents, friends and siblings. I somehow managed to sidestep the funerals, memorials and suicide attempts. I did, however, always wonder how I would grieve.

Throughout the day a central theme circulated our conversation. The need to get out and experience life. For Wendy, an “older” woman, it was how to cope with post-kid life. For me, a “younger” man, it was how to start a family and set down roots. We both had our desires. Our aspirations. Our similarities.

There is a country song going around on the radio right now about how life goes faster than you think. I’ll save you from the depressing lyrics, but it was evident yesterday while hiking up to Cub Lake that life was what you make of it.

Wendy got in her car and drove away from home. She decided to shed skins. Look deep inside. Take a journey of self discovery.

En route, she just so happened to spend a day with me, in a place I am growing to love. Living in a town that seems so similar to back home, I’m still alone, wandering into bars with good friends, but new friends. Her familiar face was a welcome site. A grounding of existence. And of course, so was her ability to tell me how it is, and set me back on track.

Best Damn Weekend Ever: Moab + Sun + Full Moon and Good People

Sweet Home Alabama just hit the radio. It’s 2:22 am. I’ve cracked my second beer. We’re getting passed by a mini van. Moab is in our sights. Sweet.

More to come, but I’m zonked after nearly 800 miles of driving and two days in the desert. Photos are straight from the camera so be nice on the touchup.

-Tim

It’s summer! Wait…scratch that…the F-ing snow is back…

Climbing Twin SistersIt was hot yesterday. Like 75 degrees hot. Of course when I woke up this morning, three inches of snow was on the ground, but at least for one day we had California-like weather.Pics are from our adventure up Twin Sisters peak in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Following your dreams: No one said it was going to be easy…

The new digs. Had to cut costs and move closer to work. Reality was I sacrificed the bed and dresser, which means the floor and tupperware. Is it worth it? Hell yes. No one ever said following your dreams was easy.

Oh My God — Last moments before total chaos

From a past life while working for Whitewater Excitement:

My old roommates right before the last drop in Tunnel Chute rapid.

And yes, that is me guiding…

Reflections in the surf

Organizing photos tonight and came across an album full of shots taken last summer. Reminded me why I love Santa Cruz and the ocean. Enjoy.

Finally back in the Colorado Mindset - Pics of Bear Peak

Took approximately four days, but finally after an amazing day of coffee, elevation, wilderness and beer I’m back.

Thought long and hard about putting up the pics, they are shot with a pos digital, so forgive the quality.

1) Last Drop of coffee at the Laughing Goat
2) Pre Mud Season in Boulder
3) Peace at 8,340 ft.
4) The backside of Boulder as a storm creeps in

Lazy Sunday Romp

Since two of us (not me) were toast from skiing the day before (I helped my roommate polish off his liquor cabinet before moving to London) we decided a lazy Sunday hike would be the way to go.

Shots are as follows

• Snow? Trail? Hell just pull over and go
• The three of us trying to get close enough for a self shot portrait
• What it looks like from the view of an ant
• The payoff (Indian Peaks Wilderness)
• Just enjoying a great day together (Right before Elisabeth fell through the ice…)