The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a UNESCO heritage site due to its biodiversity, and it’s the most popular national park in the world. However, the elusive 900 Miler Club currently has just over 800 members. The club is reserved for those who have completed every trail within the park, and they must have hiked at least 900 miles in the process. Founded in 1995 by “Louisiana” Lou Murray, those who wish to enter the club have to apply.

The brother/sister duo joins what appears to be a trend of “toddler treks”—children heading out on long and difficult expeditions with their parents, like 10-year-old Sawyer Howard, who is hiking multiple mountains at 4,000 feet, and five-year-old Bellamy Korn, who is attempting 100 hikes during her leukemia treatment.

Brought up in the outdoors, the two siblings have enjoyed exploration from a young age—as young as 18 months, in Landon’s case. The kids’ mother, Jennifer Stoneking-Stewart, hikes alongside the kids, enthusiastically supporting their thirst for adventure. Hiking 900 miles is no small feat for grown-ups, and these two have spent months pushing themselves to complete their 900 miles across North Carolina and East Tennessee. 

The two young hikers completed a distance of 1,165 miles by the time they were done with their expedition and hiked around 150 trails, including every trail in the park, some of which are quite difficult and/or extensive. The two were not deterred and spent countless hours on the trail to reach their goal. Now, they’ve got their 900 Miler Club medals to commemorate their wonderful experience.

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Stewart was filming an episode called “Patagonia Pumas,” so the encounter was not a surprise. However, despite his calm composure and jokes about the puma eating his snacks, you can tell Stewart is a little uncomfortable with how close the animal is.  

Stewart says he and his team were filming this puma in Patagonia’s Torres del Paine National Park when it began to follow them.

“It’s vital the national park is protected, and it’s always a privilege to be able to shine a small spotlight on these wild places and hopefully add to the massive list of reasons why humans need to protect the natural world as best as possible,” wrote Stewart on his post on Instagram.

Many also refer to pumas as cougars and mountain lions in the U.S. The animal lives in both North and South America. In the U.S., the animal’s range includes many states west of the Mississippi River.

The post WATCH: Wildlife Photographer Keeps His Cool While Puma Stalks Him appeared first on Outdoors with Bear Grylls.

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy, a non-profit organization that oversees the trail, says they’re looking for volunteers at three different offices. Volunteers help educate visitors about the AT and the work the Conservancy does. Positions are now available in these offices:

• Damascus, VA
• Harpers Ferry, WV
• Monson, ME (seasonally)

Besides greeting visitors, volunteers take phone calls and answer emails and are the go-to people for all things Appalachian Trail. The role is pivotal for the millions of people who hike parts of the trail annually and thousands of thru-hikers.

Learn more about the roles in Virginia, West Virginia, and Maine.

Ready to hike the trail instead? Here’s what you need to know to get started.

The post Be Part of an Appalachian Trail Adventure By Volunteering to Help Thru-Hikers and Other Visitors appeared first on Outdoors with Bear Grylls.

Rescuers say the man was climbing on a route called “Generic Crack” in the famous Indian Creek climbing area.

The man’s climbing partner called 911 after realizing they could not free the victim from the rock.

After determining the victim was too high for rescuers, they called in a helicopter to shuttle their team members to the top of the climbing route. They then rappelled down to the man to try to remove him from the rock but had little success.

According to media outlets, additional search and rescue teams responded to help. Crews used a mix of different lubricants like soap and other items to try to free the man’s leg. By the time he got out, it had been 12 hours. 

“Thankfully he only suffered minor injuries,” posted the San Juan County Search and Rescue. “A huge thank you to our partners Classic Air Medical and Grand County SAR. Without them this rescue would not have been possible.”

Indian Creek is famous for its crack climbing. The climbing area is in Bears Ears National Monument.

The post This Is Our Nightmare: Rescuers Take 12 Hours to Save a Trapped Rock Climber appeared first on Outdoors with Bear Grylls.

Fastest Half Marathon Hula Hooping

As if hula hooping wasn’t hard enough, the fastest half marathon run while hula hooping took three hours, three minutes, and 48 seconds. Betty Shurin—aka Betty Hoops—from the U.S. holds the world record for her hula-run at the Hollywood Half Marathon in Los Angeles, California back in 2012.

Longest Bicycle Wheelie

A bicycle wheelie is when the front wheel of a bicycle is raised off the ground and kept in the air while riding. The longest bicycle wheelie on record lasted for one hour and covered a distance of 19.23 miles. That’s faster than most people ride a bike with two wheels on the ground. The record was set in 2020 by Swiss rider Manuel Scheidegger in Bern, Switzerland in support of the organization Wheels4Nepal.

Highest Slackline Walk

It doesn’t get more crazy than slacklining between two hot-air balloons. Rafael Zugno Bridi from Brazil walked 59 feet on a slackline between two hot-air balloons over the Praia Grande in Santa Catarina, Brazil at an altitude of 6,236 feet, breaking the record for the highest slackline walk.

Longest Ski Jump

Ski jumping is a winter sport in which athletes jump off a manufactured hill, pursuing both style and distance. Olympic and World Championships don’t encourage pushing hill sizes, so the records in this sport are usually set elsewhere. The official world record for the longest ski jump was set by Stefan Kraft, who jumped 832 feet at Vikersundbakken in Vikersund, Norway in 2017. The women’s world record is held by Ema Klinec who jumped 741 feet in Vikersund in 2023.

Largest Wave Surfed

If you’ve ever had a huge wave crash over you, then you know how bold it is to surf big waves. Sebastian Steudtner holds the world record for the biggest wave ever surfed—86 feet, which is equivalent to surfing an eight-story building.

Fastest Land Speed Record

Formula 1 cars travel between 200 and 234 miles per hour, but the land speed record holder clocked in at 763.035 miles per hour. It doesn’t even seem possible, but Andy Green, a retired British Royal Air Force fighter pilot, defied sanity in a twin turbofan jet-powered car, which he drove at this speed for over one mile in October 1997. This insane record is also the first supersonic record, meaning he was driving so fast that it actually broke the sound barrier.

Deepest Free-Dive

Free-diving is one of the most dangerous sports in the world, since rescues can be nearly impossible at certain depths. That doesn’t bother Alexey Molchanov, who broke the world record for deepest free-dive with a mono fin in 2023. In Villefranche-sur-Mer, France, Molchanov dove to an unbelievable 436 feet deep with a single breath.

Longest Breath Held Underwater

After years of training, Budimir Šobat from Croatia set the record for longest time spent underwater without breathing. Šobat was able to hold his breath underwater for 24 minutes and 37.36 seconds, and the record was set back in 2021. 

Longest Slackline Walk

The longest slackline walk covered a distance of 8,943 feet—a seemingly impossible distance between Puy de l’Angle and Roc de Cuzeau near Mont Dore, France. This record is held by multiple talented athletes from all over Europe and Canada—Julien Roux, Augustin Moinat, Arthur Lefebvre, Benoît Brume, Mattis Reisner, Joseph Premoselli, Tania Monier, and Mia Noblet performed a “team send” of this challenging slackline in 2022. Rigged at 965 feet, it wasn’t the highest slackline walk, but it was undoubtedly the longest. 

Longest Stand-Up Paddleboard Journey

Peter Charlesworth planned for more than 18 months to attempt and complete this world record, paddling 1,663.62 miles on his paddleboard. After a triple bypass surgery, he took on the challenge to bring awareness to heart health. The Australian paddled from March 4 all the way to June 11, 2023 along the Murray River, mostly rowing the length of the river. He traveled alone, camping every night of his trek.

Most BASE Jumps in 24 Hours

There’s nothing more wild than cramming in as many BASE jumps as possible in a single day. Dan Schilling from the U.S. still holds the record from back in 2006, when he made 201 jumps in just 24 hours at the Perrine Memorial Bridge in Twin Falls, Idaho.

Highest Space Jump

It’s considered a “space jump” when a skydiver or parachute jumper starts from such a high distance that they are almost in space. Technically, no one has actually jumped from space, which is defined as 100 meters above Earth, but Alan Eustace gets the record for the closest. In 2014, he set the current world record for the highest and longest-distance free fall, jumping from 41.422 kilometers or 135,898 feet above the earth. 

Longest Distance Traveled on a Unicycle

Lars Clausen from the U.S. traveled the longest distance without handlebars in the 1980s, setting a record of 11,315.8 miles upon a unicycle. This unicycling expert set a record so high that no one has come close since.

Longest Ice Swim

If you think you can handle cold water, how about ice water for more than an hour and a half? In 2023, the longest distance ice swim record was set by Krzysztof Gajewski from Poland in a lake at Czarna Góra Resort near Sienna, Poland. Gajewski swam for one hour, 46 minutes, and 16 seconds. The water temperature average was 40.7 degrees Fahrenheit. (It must be under 41 degrees Fahrenheit to qualify as an ice swim.) Gajewski was only allowed to wear a regular swimsuit, cap, and goggles.

Fastest Kayak Down the Mississippi

Long-time kayaker Traci Lynn Martin, the “Mississippi Mermaid,” has attempted many world records. Martin holds the record for the fastest kayak down the Mississippi—a feat that took her 55 days. Martin defies all odds as she has scleroderma, an autoimmune disease. The journey spanned 2,316.17 miles.

The post Extreme Feats: 15 of the Craziest Outdoor World Records appeared first on Outdoors with Bear Grylls.

While the dates vary, and you’ll want to check with your local offices, most permits go on sale at the start of November and range from about $5 to $15. Both National Forests and BLM lands require permits beforehand. 

Obviously, Christmas tree permits aren’t available on every public land as not every landscape is covered in pine trees. The rules for each public land’s tree availability can change yearly as the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management prioritize protecting natural resources.

Rules for Cutting Down Your Own Christmas Tree

Here are some general guidelines for cutting down your own Christmas tree:

• Most holiday tree permits are issued in November. Know your location, the weather, and your ability to traverse through snow.
• Dress for the season. Always be prepared for the cold and snow, and start tree hunting early in the day to have plenty of daylight hours.
• Bring emergency supplies, including water and food and a first-aid kit.
• Remember to tell someone where you are going. Your cell phone may not work on many forests.
• The tree you choose must be at least 200 feet from main roads, recreation sites and campgrounds, and stay away from areas along the sides of streams, rivers, lakes, and wet areas. Check with the ranger district for the proper distance.
• Select a tree with a trunk six inches or less in diameter, and prepare to cut the tree no more than six inches above ground level.
• Never cut a tall tree just for the top.
• Select a tree from overstocked areas and thickets. Watch restricted areas. Cut only one tree per tag.
• Attach your tree tag to harvested tree before placing in vehicle.
• Bring a rope and tarp to move your tree from the harvest area to your vehicle.

Most National Forest permits are available on Recreation.gov. Most BLM permits can be purchased here.

Have you cut down your own Christmas tree before?

The post Want to Chop Down Your Christmas Tree From a National Forest This Year? Here’s What You Need to Know appeared first on Outdoors with Bear Grylls.

A new article from Travel Awaits highlights the best cities for dogs. West Coast destinations dominate the results, with Sacramento, California topping the list. Portland, Oregon came in second. Rounding out the top five are three cities in the Golden State: San Francisco, Bakersfield, and Long Beach.

The rankings were formulated by looking at dog services, dog-friendly restaurants, places to hike with your pet, and more.

See more about the study and find out which city ranks near the bottom on Travel Awaits.

The post Is Your Dog Your Adventure Buddy? These Are the Best Cities to Visit appeared first on Outdoors with Bear Grylls.

The Everglades are known for being jam-packed with alligators. It’s also the only place in the world where you can find alligators and crocodiles. 

The Miami-Dade Fire Rescue says they were called in to assist the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office due to the pilot’s remote location. In a social media post, rescue crews say the area is only accessible by aircraft.

Multiple media reports say the pilot crashed around 4:00 a.m. The rescue didn’t happen until 10:00 a.m. The rescue crew used the helicopter’s hoist to pull the pilot to safety. 

The pilot is said to be okay with only minor injuries.

Alligators vs. Crocodiles

Visitors to Everglades National Park have the opportunity to see both alligators and crocodiles. Telling the two animals apart is easier than you think. Alligators have wider snouts and teeth that rest inside their mouths. In comparison, crocodiles have long, skinny snouts and exposed teeth. Alligators are way more common in the Everglades and are generally less aggressive than crocodiles. 

Wildlife experts say the best way to stay safe from alligators is to keep a safe distance. If one does charge you, don’t bother running in a zigzag. That’s mostly a myth. Running away in a straight line will put the greatest distance between you and the animal.

The post Later, Gators: Pilot Survives Crash but Lands in Remote, Alligator Infested Swamp – Watch the Rescue Footage appeared first on Outdoors with Bear Grylls.

Tanja has documented the unlikely BFFs for over a year. Whether they are playing chess or taking naps together, it’s amazing to see the contrast between the sizes of the two animals and how well they tolerate each other. Tanja is always close by, ready to take a photo and share it with her 500k followers.

Ingo is a magnificent Belgian Malinois, a sheep-herding dog breed. According to the American Kennel Club’s website, they are “smart, confident and versatile” and are likely to grow to 22-26 inches tall (55-66 cm). These dogs love to spend time outdoors, getting plenty of exercise with their owners. Ingo is no exception.

Ingo and Poldi are just two of Tanja’s many photography subjects. She also captures other wildlife using a Nikon D4 camera and several lenses. “Seeing things through the camera fascinates me. That’s the reason I take photographs,” Tanja shares in one of her Instagram posts. “Being alone with the animals is the most beautiful part of the process.”

The post This Unlikely Friendship Between a Dog and an Owl Will Melt Your Heart appeared first on Outdoors with Bear Grylls.

Runners covered four 19.45-mile laps of a long, beautiful desert track. The Pemberton, Shallmo, and Cinch trails made up the course. Their first loop would also incorporate the Escondido Trail, bringing it up to 22.3 miles to round out the distance. 100-kilometer runners would join them for all of these laps but the last. This is a hot, exposed track, which always brings the potential for heat exhaustion. At night, though, temperatures can drop drastically, and participants can even run the risk of hypothermia.

100-Mile Ultramarathon Winners

This year, Jonathan Rea took first place overall in the 100-mile ultramarathon, setting a new course record of 12:43:10. He was one of three runners that broke 13 hours this year, with Blake Slattengren and Ryan Montgomery joining him. Heather Jackson claimed first among women runners with a time of 14:24:47, nearly snagging a course record herself.

Among the 100km runners, Rajpaul Pannu set an impressive course record, coming in at 7:15:33. Anna Kacius pulled in at second overall with a time of 8:13:07. Fans of the ultrarunning icon Courtney Dauwalter may have spied her on the course as well. She took on the 100km race alongside none other than Tracey Dauwalter—her mom. This family endeavor was a fantastic button toward the end of Courtney’s historic year.

Flamboyant Encouragement

As dusk fell on the course, runners of the “Jackass Night Trail” suited up for their own main event. Donning their most flamboyant rave costumes, their coolest neon glowing accessories, and their running shoes, participants took on a single loop of the Javelina Jundretrack. They were welcomed to spend as much time at each unique aid station as they want, and to party just hard enough to fully enjoy the evening while still being able to make it back to “Javelina Jeadquarters” at the end of the night.

The Javelina 100-miler is a qualifier for the Western States 100–Mile Endurance Run, and a chance for the top two men and top two women to earn respective Golden Tickets. Alongside the excitement of finishing and possibly qualifying for their next prestigious ultramarathon, the Javelina Jundred is a singularly fun event. It’s tough to keep your spirits high in such an insane test of endurance, but it gets much easier when a giant, inflatable squirrel is cheering you on.

The post The Javelina Jundred Starts as a 100-Mile Ultramarathon, Ends as a Rave appeared first on Outdoors with Bear Grylls.