The A List™

 Cover: Will Ramos Photography. All rights reserved.

Clay Abney, AWM Editor-in-Chief, wants to let The A List to know that Adventure World Magazine loves adventure racers and all things outdoors–

One magazine for all adrenaline and adventure junkies is finally available!  And, the publishers and creators of Adventure World Magazine are scouring the globe to give fellow athletes the latest and edgiest event destinations, outdoor venues, and gear on the planet.  “This publication was launched out of a passion for the sports that Adventure World Magazine will cover in our upcoming issues,” said Clay Abney, AWM Editor-in-Chief, “We are athletes first and journalists second.”

Numerous magazines on the market today are dedicated to individual adventure sports, but there is not an all-encompassing publication for the adventure sports industry.  Abney says after researching this void for over a year he realized many athletes were craving this type of media outlet.  “I have been on dozens of messages boards, and interviewed numerous pros and race directors throughout North America,” said Abney, “and the result was a resounding desire for one entity which will cover all things in the realm of adventure and endurance sports.”

“Adventure World Magazine will serve as the voice for this ever growing population of adventure seeking individuals,” said Abney, “AWM will cover the gamut of adventure sports ranging from mountain biking, trail running, adventure racing, paddling, orienteering, adventure travel and all things outdoors.”

AWM is already getting support from some of the most well known pioneers and leaders in the Adventure Sports Industry.

“Adventure World Magazine will be the official magazine of the United States Adventure Racing Association,” said Troy Farrar, President of USARA.  The USARA has  expanded the adventure athlete market and sustained the growth of multi-sport racing and endurance events for over 10 years.  “The USARA is excited about this new [artnership and feels a magazine dedicated to adventure sports and travel is a perfect match for their membership,” said Farrar.

Abney says this is a publication that will be driven by his readers.   “It is with our readers help and input that we can produce a high-quality source of information for weekend warriors, serious athletes, and those on the sidelines thinking of jumping into our sport,” said Abney.

Another unique aspect of AWM is its designation as a ‘Greenzine’.  “The AWM staff believes it is senseless to destroy our natural resources just to print a magazine to  celebrate our wilderness playgrounds,”said Abney, “AWM is committed to being ‘green’ by publishing our magazine electronically thus completely eliminating our dependency on paper.”

According to socialfunds.com:  “Of the approximately 12 billion magazines printed annually in the U.S., over 95 percent are printed on 100 percent virgin paper.  That results in more than 35 million trees being cut down each year.”

“We are excited about our growth thus far,” added Abney.  “Our plans for late 2008/early 2009 include an electronic flip version of the publication and a new and more  interactive website.”

“We hope that as athletes read this, they will urge friends and fellow racers to help support AWM and sustain its growth for the future,” said Abney.

For info on subscriptions, or if you have questions, comments or suggestions, email AWM at info@adventureworldmagazine.com or go to http://www.adventureworldmagazine.com/

Trail Runner October 2008, originally uploaded by Brian Knight Photography.

The October issue of Trail Runner Magazine is on newsstands now and has an excellent article about Primal Quest Montana:  Primed for Success (PDF, 128kb)

The A List’s very own Adventure Journalist & Senior Editor Brian Knight, the article does a great job describing the race as a whole while also giving a glimpse into the race’s future.   Brian flew to Montana this summer and was given an all access pass to the race course and the inner sanctum of PQ HQ. Be sure to pick the latest issue of Trail Runner for the article and stop by his website for the many hundreds of race photos (he took so many that he is still processing & uploading them). 

And who is responsible for the article’s accompanying photo? Why, none other than Primal Quest’s Director of Photography and A Lister Will Ramos of Will Ramos Photography!  The A List has quite a team, huh?  : )  

JUST IN:  Super A Lister, Don Mann, a/k/a Sweet Satan, has put out the word that there will be a  Primal Quest 2009 Announcement this Friday, Sep 26 !

The Batman

Originally uploaded by TCM Hitchhiker

In a recent Scientific American, we find this article, “Dark Knight Shift: Why Batman Could Exist–But Not for Long - Q&A with movement researcher E. Paul Zehr” by By JR Minkel, in which the author of the upcoming Becoming Batman: The Possibility of a Superhero (The Johns Hopkins University Press), discusses how an “ordinary person” (someone like Bruce Wayne) could physically transform themselves into a heroic figure like Batman.

While the author says that Batman would do great in the Olympic Decathlon, it struck me that the sport Batman is best suited for is Adventure Racing!

Probably if I were Batman’s handler, I’d put him in the decathlon. Although Batman is shown in the comics as being the fastest and the strongest and all these other things, in reality you can’t actually be all of that at once. To be Batman properly, what you really need to do is be exceptionally good at many different things. It’s when you take all the pieces and put them together that you get the Batman.

Hmmm… Good at many different things, eh? Like having the skills to handle a technical section of mountain biking, then switch to paddling through giant sections of whitewater, then diving into a river in only your black wetsuit and riding a small, winged contraption through even more whitewater, then having the endurance, perseverance, and fortitude to transition to a trek that will take you up and over tall, snow covered mountains? Then bike some more. Then trek some more. Then scale a shear rock face with only a thin line protecting you from certain death? Then trek some more. Then bike some more?

Oh, and you’ll need some spare $$$ to back up all of your adventures?

Does any of this sound familiar?

The next time you find yourself racing down some backwoods road and a local gives you that skeptical, “You guys are crazy” look and asks what you’re up to, just simply reply, “I’m Batman!”

Primal Quest Montana: All Photos Now Online at Will Ramos Photography!

From Primal Quest:

Primal Quest® is an environmentally friendly, ecologically aware wilderness Expedition Adventure Race. Teams of experienced back country adventure athletes journey across expansive terrain using only a map, a compass and combined skills. Successfully finishing requires much more than stamina and mental fortitude. It requires selfless teamwork, spirit and absolute determination. Only co-ed teams of four are permitted to race. Team members are required to travel together at all times and must finish together in order to be officially ranked. Over $100,000 in Cash and Prizes will be awarded to the top finishing teams.

Note: Bib/Team # search for this race coming soon.

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