I also learned how to properly couchsurf last week, which is good because I’m going to be trying it for the first time when I go to TBEX in June.

One thing I really dislike about my Nikon DSLR is the poor performance in low light. Cannon just put out the new 5D Mark III, and this video of its high-ISO performance shows how badly Cannon blows Nikon away in this respect.

I love strapping my flip-flops to the outside of my backpack. Sometimes I clip my hat to my bag too. Why? Chicks dig it!

Madman Mike Hall has been biking 160 miles a day for 58 days and is halfway to biking around the world in record time. The grind is definitely wearing on him, as can be seen in this video.

The true innovators of the Internet were honoured today in this article. It is a list of legends.

Of course, how could I not mention my latest article, a piece on the ethics of hiking in the endangered UNESCO World Heritage Site Banaue Rice Terraces on Travel and Escape.

The post The Links that I Liked: April 16 – 23 appeared first on XpatMatt.

I watched this video about 9 times this morning.  Pure inspiration.

Later I’m going to write a haiku for Backcountry Magazine and win $500.

Endurance biker Sonya Looney explains why she isn’t afraid of the dark.

Planning for the the Grand to Grand–which will probably be the biggest ultra marathon in the US this year–got underway.

The Wend Magazine blog discusses the visual impact of the discarded plastic bags on the Patagonian landscape, and illustrates it with this photo.

The book Lorax got pissed at the movie Lorax in verse.

The Gear Junkie found out how this unique explorer Swiss Army Knife was conceived.

Last week I ran my first 40-minute 10k (or 6mi), so I thought I’d read up up on how to survive my first hundred-mile run.

Outside Magazine offers a haunting story about an Iraq vet who disappeared into the Montana bush and launched a dedicated page for Mount Everest coverage.

The Clymb is selling men’s coats and shoes for 50% off or more.

Brendan Leonard explains the rules for dirtbag dating.

Sazzi is trying to sell flip-flops with barefoot-looking soles for $80.

The post Links of the Week: April 8 – 15 appeared first on XpatMatt.

A Russian expedition was stranded without equipment at the Kangchenjunga base camp after their porters mysteriously ‘misplaced’ their gear on the way up the mountain. Read more here

Hostelbookers.com launched a contest in which anyone can win free accommodations for two in 7 cities of their choice. You can enter here

Endurance athlete Dave Cornthwaite and his friend Sebatstian Terry reached Las Vegas, Nevada after a 1400 mile tandem bicycle ride from Vancouver, B.C. Check out the website here

Roz Savage set out from Fremantle, Australia for Mumbai, India alone in a kayak as part of a series of ridiculously long kayking journeys that she is doing to awareness about climate change and threats to the health of our oceans. Read more on the Adventure Blog

16-year-old snowboarder Pat Burgener of Switzerland did the first switch backside triplecork 1440 in history. Watch the video here

National Parks Week kicked off in the United States for the first time on April 16^th with lots of events. For more information about what’s going on check out their website or the National Parks Promotional Council website.

The post Links of the Week April 10th – 17th: The Best in Adventure Travel News and Stories appeared first on XpatMatt.