In partnership with local LifeSuccess Coach Leslie Flowers, Ascent Adventure Consultants is presenting the LifeVenture Weekend Retreat in Cary NC January 22-23 2010.

The weekend LifeVenture retreat begins on a Friday night, lasting until Saturday evening, and combines Leslie’s excellent LifeSuccess teachings, (http://www.lifesuccessleslie.com) with experiential training and application by Ascent Adventure Consultants’ (http://www.ascentadventure.com) professional team building and training facilitators, to help participants learn and apply the principles being taught. Read More…

I read this morning on the Access Fun website that they have launched a multi million dollar campaign aimed at providing loans to local climbing organizations as well as assistance negotiating with land managers to help preserve, maintain, and obtain climbing areas. This is a great program and I am proud to be a supporter of the Access Fund. Take time to read about it on their site: Land Conservation Campaign. Read More…

I learned this morning that the Bush administration’s plan to clear cut old growth forests in Oregon has now been overturned by the Obama administration. It’s great to see things happening that are promoting conservation and preservation of the wilderness that we have left and the resources that we have left. (Now for Alaska!) Here is a quote from a press release on the issue: Read More…

Here is an interesting an informative video on Mount Kilimanjaro and the condition of the glaciers.

The video helps us to see the impact that global warming is having on this mountain and how it directly presents a danger to the people that depend on the springs and glacial runoff from this mountain to survive.

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Over the past month or so, I’ve tried to pay close attention to the practices of climbers at various climbing locations in North Carolina, to see where people are being careless and leaving trash, waste, or engaging in other destructive practices. I personally think that if all the climbers who read this, pay careful attention to their practices this summer, they will not only leave the climbing area and areas clean, but will make it that much more enjoyable for all the other people that come to the area as well. Read More…

I read a great article this morning at OutdoorEd.com that really challenged me in my pursuit of sustainable practices. The article also has links to worksheets to help you conduct your own sustainability calculations.

This article and the formulas will help any outdoor enthusiast to improve their Leave No Trace (LNT) practices.

Check out the article in full: Sustainability and Leave No Trace

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Ascent Adventure Consultants, North Carolina’s fastest growing rock climbing guide company, has unveiled a re-branding of the company, as well as a new website.

Apex, NC USA May 1, 2009 — Ascent Adventure Consultants is about impacting people’s lives and setting them out on the journey and adventure of a lifetime: when people experience climbing a cliff face, they are instantly aware of the existence of a whole new world; when people engage their fellow teammates or employees in a team building activity, they realize the greater degree of unity and success their team could be experiencing.

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I spend a ton of time driving to and from climbing spots, and flying to and from climbing spots. There are a few simple practices that I have adopted in my travels to help my traveling become a bit greener.

1. Keep my own coffee mug in the car. That way when I stop at Starbucks to get coffee, they can use my mug, and not use their paper cups.

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Because the past 8 years has left public land managers and forest managers with meager funds to maintain trail management teams, search and rescue teams, and more, there has been limited access to some of the country’s most beautiful and precious outdoor recreation resources, for activities such as hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing and camping. Understandably so, since without the infrastructure to support this type of land use, the land managers have no choice but to restrict the activities. This is something that the Access Fund specifically targets and works on with these land managers, however the Federal Government has made it extremely difficult because ultimately they are the ones providing the lack of funding.

BUT NOW THE GOOD NEWS….

Barack Obama, along with promoting an excellent energy plan, and making the oil companies use their windfall profits to help consumers, is also planning on increasing appropriations for public land….and therefore will most likely help to give access to many, many areas.

Their administration needs our support to get this done. Please visit Outdoor Alliance and choose to Take Action, and send letters (via the website) to Barack Obama, to help open up access to these public lands.

Along with a better energy management and energy use system, the funds that are going to be provided to these land managers will help conservation of our natural resources, including “roadless areas” that will be protected. This country is taking a turn in the right direction!

Thank you and Happy Climbing

Brandon Hensinger

Ascent Adventure Consultants- Sustainable Rock Climbing in North Carolina

Today, I posted my first of many blog postings on WholeTravel.com. Whole Travel is a GREAT resource that, per their website “is for researching and booking directly with the world’s best green hotels and resorts. We’ve searched the globe and put our findings into a streamlined site so that you can start and finish your travel planning in one place.”

A few months ago, I read an article about the state of North Carolina allowing mining and development that will greatly impact the state’s streams and wetlands. Many people and organizations protested, but to no avail. It looks like the permits will be granted. Read the info here.

Then, like a breath of fresh air, this morning I read an article on USA Today that was very encouraging. In West Virginia, the EPA has decided to hault all mountaintop coal mining permits so that they can evaluate the projects’ impact on streams and wetlands! They even denied permits that the Army Corps of Engineers was requested to fill streambeds and wetlands with mining waste!

It is great news to see that the wilderness and resources that we love are finally being protected by the government rather than being destroyed. West Virginia is one of the Eastern United States’ best resources for outdoor adventure and wilderness experiences, and it would be sad to see the mountain tops blasted and the streams filled with waste. I think that with the government becoming “greener”, and with the push of eco tourism in the travel industry, we will see our natural resources, and our outdoor adventure opportunities protected and increased over the next several years.

Anyone who is reading this blog should consider becoming part of an organization that lobbies and promotes sustainability and green-living. One of my favorite all around resources is WeCanSolveIt.org. Check it out.