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...so there we were, stuck at a diner in the outskirts of a small town 20 miles from Albany and no cab company would pick us up. It was 7p and we had to get to Albany International Airport (international because it goes to Canada) to rent a car to get back home to New York City. We had to rent a car because my old Jeep Wrangler just gave up and wouldn't drive our group another inch and Albany was the only rental place still open. We were tired, still muddy from the day's caving adventure, it was getting dark, and all the auto repair shops were already closed for the weekend. And that's when I spotted this older couple leaving the restaurant and headed towards a white van. Without making any sudden movements, I carefully approached them and explained our situation and asked them for a ride into town. After thinking and discussing it a bit, they agreed to take us to the Albany city limits. And as I was telling them that we'd just done the local cave, they brightened up and said, "We love cavers!" and offered to take us the entire distance to the airport. But first... wanna see my sinkhole?!
Okaayyyy, suuuurrrre, why not, was my response. Turns out that the couple, Rich and Laura, were on a date, and Rich owned land with 3 huge sinkholes. And the non-profit organization that owned and maintained the cave we just did had been digging a cave on his property right in his sinkhole. So, naturally, Rich had an affinity for cavers. And so we went to see Rich's hole. One person from the group, Harn, came with me while the rest of the group stayed behind, drinking beers and playing cards, clearly worried about our safety.
Upon arriving at Rich's house, Harn was thinking, "We're gonna die we're gonna die we're gonna die..." and I was half expecting an 8-foot tall, mutant giant to come out from behind the shed in the back of the house waving a chainsaw and yelling. It didn't help that Rich's van was missing seats in the back and had what looked like kidnapping paraphernalia in the back. As we headed to the back of the property, lo and behold, there was a giant sinkhole and sure enough, dirt from the cave piled in a ditch next to it. Rich was legit. So, after Ooo'ing and Aaa'ing for a few minutes, we packed back up in the van and Rich and Laura took us the full 20 miles to the airport. Without a doubt, they saved our lives. (Thanks Rich and Laura!)
You're probably thinking one of 2 things right now: that's some crazy sh*t and I'd never do something like that; or, that's some crazy sh*t, sign me up! If you're thinking the latter, don't miss the next adventures featured below. If you're thinking the former, consider this: studies have shown that jobs where you're commuting hours, just to sit in front of a computer all day, without going out for a walk, trying to stay awake with too much caffeine and sugary foods, is killing you faster than getting stuck in the middle of the woods with chainsaw wielding maniacs, man-eating bears, or giant, venom-spitting snakes. So, who's taking the bigger risk?
F*ck your desk. See you outerthere!
.al
--
Al Berrios
Editor/Publisher
Outerthere Adventures
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Featured Outerthere Trips
Sept 6th, 2014 - Outerthere Surfs the Rock!, in collaboration with Marisa Love, Spanish export and surfing instructor extraordinaire, this trip is for beginners. September also happens to bring the best swells in the warmest water of the year in this part of the northeast. Yeah! Betchudidntknowthat!?
Sept 12/13/14 - Underthere NRO. Oh snap! I've been waiting all year for this! Everything you've ever wanted to learn about caving, including skills, maps, community, and of course, plenty of getting dirty underground. Breakfast included. BYOB, but fellow cavers always bring extras, so you won't go thirsty. I went last year and I'll be going again this year. We leave Friday night to Arlington, VT and return Sunday.
NEW! Sept 27th, 2014 - Scouting Trip - Storm King Mountain. Scouting trips are meant for us to "test the adventure" (like breaking gadgets on purpose to see if they'll hold up to regular use) and figure out all the risks before planning a safe adventure for anyone. Learn more about these types of trips here. This trip is a 10+ miler with 1,300 feet of elevation up to the top of Storm King Mountain. (For anyone who's ever been on the Breakneck Ridge hike, it's the prominent mountain directly across the river.) There is no fee for this trip. This trip is not on the site. If you're interested, reply to this email for details.
NEW! Oct 18, 2014 - Underthere Clarksville, the other half. Wow, go figure. Our last trip to this cave was so much fun, everyone wants to go again. So, we're going back to do the other half!
Year Round - Outerthere In The Gunks - If you need a break from your indoor rock gym, or have climbed out of state before but want to try NY climbing (Yeah!), check this out. Working in collaboration with local guides and instructors, Outerthere is helping NYC locals plan rock and ice climbing trips year round in the best outdoor climbing setting in the northeast, the Shawangunk Ridge.
NEW! Thru Sept - Outerthere Paddles The Hudson! Our inaugural trip was awesome! So, since we figured out how to make these trips work, visit this page and I'll plan your kayak adventure today! All gear and instruction included. Beginner-friendly.
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SPONSORED MESSAGE
Don't be greedy. Share Outerthere with your homies. They will think you're awesome when they see your pic up in here. Oh, and sign up the next trip, surfing!
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What You Missed
Aug 8, 2014 - Underthere Clarksville! As you read above in my opening comments, this trip got a little ridiculous. Five people packed into a 2-seat Jeep Wrangler; that broke down 7 miles from our cave on a cranky Greek's property; towed to a parking lot; left in the middle of nowhere; uncontrollable laughing inside a cave; dips in ice cold water; accidentally swallowing said ice cold water; lobster dinner (a first for one); hitchhiking to airports; and a looooooong drive back home. All in a day's adventure. Here are the highlights.
Aug 16, 2014 - Outerthere Paddles The Hudson! Inaugural Trip. Another epic weekend. Involving crazy climbing and lots of paddling. Check the Tumblr.
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Inspiring Adventures From Your Seat
Um, hoverboarding... yeah! [3:26]
Or longboarding downhill at 60mph... hellzyeah! [2:02]
Or offroad, motorized in-line skating... hellz moth** fckn' yeah! [1:40]
Or biking around the Playboy mansion like a young Heff... WTF yeah! [2:45]
Or how about just biking around the world... because, f*ck yeah, that's what life is for [2:58]
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WARNING: Outerthere does not advocate doing any of the stunts, activities, or sports we feature here without proper training, guidance, support, and resources. This stuff is dangerous and you could get seriously injured or worse if you don't know what you're doing, like this guy. Outerthere always advocates safety first.
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Adventures Worth Checking Out
Summer - Build a boat with Village Community Boathouse. Because new skills are always awesome.
Summer - Learn to race sail boats with Manhattan Sailing. Vast quantities of rum (may be) included. Because that's how pirates, err, sailors, roll.
Summer - Free kayaking and Kayak Polo (Brooklyn) on the Hudson. The rivers around NYC aren't as bad as you'd think. And it's free.
Summer - Learn to paddle outriggers with NY Outriggers, those boats with stabilizers on the side, that helped colonize the Pacific islands.
Summer - Get your kids to learn about the Hudson and its surrounding ecosystem on a schooner sailing all summer long with Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Inc.
Summer - Learn how to drive like a secret agent! Yes, seriously. I took this class 2 years ago and it's legit. Evasive protective driver training by Vehicle Dynamics Institute will teach you what it takes to survive ambushes and get you and your passengers back to safety. Their classes aren't cheap, but you'll be able to say you survived "Karjackistan", and in the right circles, that's 'nuff respeck. Let me know if you're going and I might join you.
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Before You Go
Like this update? Invite your homies to get Outerthere!
Not sure if you can get down with Outerthere? Check our trip difficulty ratings. Want to skip all that? Take our adventure survey. Don't forget to check our kinda-sorta waiver. And if you roll through, pack correct. But that fine print, though.
That rumor that Outerthere makes money by ransoming lost hikers... Totally not true. Learn more about Al and Outerthere.
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