Creating Adventure Stickers 0

People say "Do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life." There are a lucky few like that but I think for a lot of us it's more like "Find an opportunity, pursue it and maybe you'll learn to love the process." 

But it wasn't always like that, Sticker Art was just a possible way out for me when I first launched. For years I failed a ton going through multiple business concepts in the hopes to quit my 9 - 5 job, each time realizing more and more the parameters of what I wanted out of a business and what I was good at. 

Then, in 2014 on an adventure trip with my future wife we stopped by a gift shop/gas station outside of Yosemite National Park. Some buddies from the East coast wanted me to buy them stickers, I had previously never purchased a single sticker in my life.

I purchased 4 very bland stickers and thought "I could do better than this." Nobody at the time was making cool outdoorsy stickers with just awesome art on it to represent our sort of adventure lifestyle.

So I dove in and worked my ass off. I was working a full-time job online at the time so I'd wake up at 6am work that till 2 pm-ish, climb/hike some, then work my new sticker business in the afternoon/evenings. I was able to quit my full-time job and run this small business, and I'm still hustling daily.

Now I get to adventure with my wife and come up with new sticker concepts, along with everything else like marketing, e-commerce website stuff, fulfillment/packaging, customer service, accounting, etc. It's still certainly 'work' at times, especially the tedious online stuff, but it feels easier and a lot more fun now. 

This didn't all start because I loved stickers.

It started because I was open to considering a variety of business concepts and finally noticed a hole in the market that fit my personality & talents. And then I jumped in. 

What is Mountain Biking Like? 0

My wife and I have been avoiding mountain biking for years. The main reason (aside from the expense of a bike) was my adventure partner and wife is a massage therapist. If she breaks her arm, that's 50% of our income that stops instantly. We didn't want to risk it, until now. 

We've been labeled mostly as being "rock climbers" which irks me. I don't want to be defined by one sport, I greatly love and respect all outdoor activity. We have however previously spent most of our time rock climbing from 2011 until now 2017. I sense a shift in our priorities and our labels.

Mountain biking is a blast and we only did it for a day. The uphill peddling can feel brutal but if you're used to long uphill hikes (or better yet off-width climbing) and taking it slow and focusing on your breathing - you'll absolutely love the challenge. That's not even mentioning the flowy downhill roller coaster fun!

Figuring out how to flow over obstacles, take a turn wide so your rear tire doesn't hit the inside of the hairpin turn, timing your pedal strokes so you don't hit the ground on the turns...all this is mentally taxing and such a fun technical series of decisions to figure out. Keeping you present and in the moment. 

I yearn to feel tired without my joints hurting. I stopped running years ago because my knee's were getting the best of me. Mountain biking really is an all body low impact workout which is exactly what I'm looking for.

And there's this odd desire to do something that is a bit more main stream and not so fringe. When you tell someone you're going rock climbing that doesn't rock climb it's like this inaccessible activity that seems impossible (even though it's very much not). I also love the idea of going on an adventure trip where I'm not in the back of my mind considering what route is less likely to cause serious injury to me or my belayer (often my wife).

It's a bit of an exaggeration (sorta) but not having to consider death while having an outdoor experience is something I'm really looking forward to. A broken arm is much more likely mountain biking than climbing but a fatal accident is way less likely mountain biking. 

We'll see how this all goes but for now I'm feeling a change in the air of where my focus and priorities are. And, I'm really looking forward to all the new people we're going to meet since it's a social sport! 

On Instagram 0

It's a legit question often asked on Instagram and for good reason, everyone's always sharing only the most epic of perspectives.

I really appreciate you even considering to ask where that picture is from and any likes or comments on our pictures. All those small actions of support are the reason Sticker Art is able to survive as a small business.

So please, don't be too terribly upset with me when I don't give you the location details of that epicness. 

Overuse of trails due to social media influencers posting specific location details is a real threat to sustainable access. All of the sudden a certain area will see hundreds more people than average visiting and the Forest Service or BLM hasn't prepared the trails to deal with it. Also without a proper education of the landscape, it's really impossible to know sometimes if you're doing damage. Knowing you need to pack out your poop and toilet paper when hiking is obvious.

But did you realize this picture below of some dirt is actually a living organism known as Cryptobiotic Soil? 

Aside from tree's, they are one of the main organisms that change carbon dioxide into oxygen so we can breathe. If you simply walk on this stuff it can take 50 years to repair itself, if ever.

We aren't fully educating you on these things and it's just too easy to simply ask where something is via DM on Instagram. So we'd love it if you got out there in person and started making friends with locals to find out where the real gems are.

Go to a coffee shop and try awkwardly asking the person next to you - "what's the coolest trail around here?". You could make a new friend for life. 

Exploring, getting lost, getting found, talking to locals to find out where the epicness is - that's where the real magic happens. That's where the best memories come from.

I hope you can use our posts as inspiration to pursue adventures in a specific type of landscape you're drawn to. It won't matter if this beautiful blue lake is the exact one you end up at, wherever you go will be beautiful and epic in its own unique way.

- Bryant  

Keep It Flowing 0

Short Read - A beautifully written tribute by Steve House... "Or they believe the risks he assumed were unjustifiable, yet this view is blind to the mastery, often ignorant of the years of apprenticeship. These are judgments made by people whose perspectives are unable to bend, to believe."

Podcast - Did you know every almond you've ever eaten had a single bee pollinate that individual flower that grew your almond? They even truck millions of bee's across the country to ensure millions of people have millions of almonds. 

TAKE THE PLUNGE. I take a cold plunge in water 50 degree's or colder twice a week. It "increases blood circulation, releases endorphins, and could make you a more productive human—if you can handle it." It's best life hack I've come across to increase happiness and reduce inflammation leading to better performance. Turn your shower to cold at the end if you don't have access to a cold plunge or river. 

A Short Inspirational Video..

What Is River Surfing Like? 0

It's been 5 years since I surfed, and that was on a nice warm beach. River surfing I realized today is totally different and way harder. Imagine the force you deal with when a big set of waves comes through at the beach, that's what you're dealing with the entire time here. You certainly don't really spend much time floating around chilling enjoying the view, the river is swift! You're either on your board trying to get into the wave or your walking back upstream to try again. 

              When you start your day you'll prob look all stoked like this...

Realizing I didn't have the power yet to paddle into the wave from the side using the eddie, I went upstream and let the current take me into the wave..

The wave feels so much bigger & intense than it looks there, with the loud rushing current and splashing waves everywhere. Add some frigid water to the mix and your heart rate can easily get sky high so it takes some conscious effort to remain focused and calm. It's really fun to try and slow it all down when it seems like a lot of chaos. 

I jumped right in with a bit of hubris thinking I'd pick it up quickly honestly. River surfing is way harder than I expected and I look forward to getting back out there to move (flail) my body around in the cold water. 

This isn't something I can see myself traveling for but since here in Durango we have multiple standing waves I figured why not add another activity to the quiver. Especially one that pairs well with a cold beer in the summertime hanging by the river. 

Do not wear the typical surfing leash when river surfing as there are some bad stories about people drowning when their leash got caught on a submerged rock and forced them underwater because of the current. The straight quick release leashes are the way to go. Today I went without one and it wasn't the greatest thing chasing my board down river but doable. 

I used this 5'10" board, although I don't think it's the best (really heavy) it seemed to work. 

A lifejacket and helmet - the river is more powerful than your ego, wear these. 

My 4mm wetsuit seemed to do the trick keeping me warm in the 45 - 50-degree water.

Use the Eddies. Eddies are where the water moves back up river, in the opposite direction of the main flow, after passing a big rock. You can see these often next to where you're surfing and use them to get into the wave. It's a really cool dynamic of turbulent water.

Study what is downstream, obstacles to avoid when you get pushed out of the wave and where to get back onshore. 

How To Car Camp In A Subaru Outback 0

Ever wondered how to comfortably sleep and camp in your car? After 6 years of spending around 50 nights annually sleeping & camping in our Subaru we have the process and best gear DOWN. 

In this guide to car camping (with printable check lists below) we'll specifically cover how 2 people can comfortably car camp in a Subaru Outback, going over the best quality items to bring and the process.

Kitchen Stuff

• First, make sure you have some awesome stickers for your gear!
• Spices Box, Food Box, Cooler as seen above. 
• Coleman Cooking Stove & hose adapter which will fit your everyday propane grill tank. These stoves typically use those little green gas cans which don't hold much and cost a lot. That hose adapter lets you use whatever tank you want, we use this mini-propane tank.
• Alps Mountaineering Folding Table - you can always cook on a rock, picnic table or back of your tailgate but this is really convenient if you have the storage. 
• 7-gallon water jug from Walmart with a spigot. 
• 1 cooking pot for boiling water (helps to have a lid) and 1 pan for sautéing. 
• Knife, cutting board, spatula, utensils for each person, a bowl or plate for each person, sponge, soap, hand sanitizer, hot pad, can and wine opener.
• The Luci solar Lantern - best camping lantern we've found yet, always has a charge.
• Mugs for tea or coffee and for when someone has some extra margarita's to share. 
• Indestructible Double Wall French Press for loose tea or coffee 
• Plastic bags for trash.
• Cooler with ice block from the store (most have them) or make your own by freezing water in a milk jug. Ice blocks are WAY WAY better than cubed ice because they melt much slower. 
• Extra Tupperware for leftovers and helping to cut veggies. We reuse lots of random containers what Talenti ice cream comes in. 
• Jet Boil - nice to have for tent camping scenario and making a quick cup of tea 

Car Camping Meals

The Go To Dinner: Any combination of chopped Peppers, Onions, Zucchini, Broccoli, Sweat Potatoes sautéed and combine with things like Quinoa, Lentils, Black Beans, or CousCous. And cheese, lots of sharp cheese is a must. 

Spaghetti Mash Dinner: We'll often pre-cook these protein noodles at home since they take so long and then saute a mix of the same veggies mentioned above, add a tomato sauce once the veggies are cooked and these vegan-friendly Field Roast Italian Sausages are great to toss in chopped. You can find them in most grocery stores nowadays actually. And cheese of course. 

Korma Dunner: Tasty Bite Vegi Korma with couscous. Tasty Bites have really simple ingredients and don't need to be cooked. I'll often eat them right out of the bag for a snack. 

Super Taco Dinner - put cheese between 2 tortilla's, fry in a pan to make crisp and melty (like a quesadilla). Bend into a taco shape and put whatever veggies and meat you desire in there. Aaaammmaazzing. 

Epic Scramble Breakfast: Again saute veggie mix or leftovers from the previous night, once the veggies are cooked crack a few eggs in and scramble it all up. Add hot sauce and you can even use the same Field Roast sausages mentioned above....and cheese. 

Lunch: We go light on lunch usually snacking on apples, peanut butter, bars, cured meats, dehydrated hummus from your health food store's bulk section is convenient, Wild Planet tuna thrown into a Tasty bite rice bag, boiled egg marinated in Braggs . Or just bring your leftovers in a tupperware container from dinner/breakfast with you on your adventure.

Spices: Sea Salt or better yet Truffle Salt (it's like cheating), garlic powder, Cholula sauce, Adobe Milling Hot Sauce, pepper, cumin, thyme for breakfast potatoes, coriander, Braggs Liquid Amino's (like a healthier better soy sauce). We utilize a mix of all these on all meals. 

By using similar ingredients you reduce the number of different items you need to bring and reduce the likely hood of wasting the food. 

Kitchen Tips:

• In freezing temps put water in your pot for boiling water in the morning or bring your water jug into your car because that shit will freeze solid and it sucks not having tea or coffee in the morning. 
• Clean up - boiling some water in a dirty pot or pan and scraping it helps to clean hard to remove burnt items, give this water to the dogs, they love it. 
• When you leave camp close up all your boxes, critters love tearing apart your kitchen. 

Sleeping & Toiletries

• Foam Pad - twin XL fits perfectly
• Lots and lots of pillows, you're car camping so why not create a nest?          
• Sleeping bags + extra blanket to go on top especially when it's below freezing at night. This additional covering will keep the moister from condensing on your sleeping bag. 
• Your dog's bed + old blanket for the front passenger seat. 
• Ear plugs - you never know where you'll end up camping, people like to party.  
• Towel for wiping up condensation on the windows from your breath and cleaning up muddy puppy paws.   
• Toilet Paper and shovel for digging your poopy hole or better yet a wag bag. Pack it out. 
• Wet Wipes - great for getting hands, private parts and pits clean. 
• Tweezers - cactus suck and other things suck getting out without them. 
• Toothbrush, paste, floss, nail clippers. 
• extra batteries 
• Tent - we often bring this as a backup in case the situation is not conducive to sleeping the car. Some developed area's don't allow you to sleep in your car, or the parking area for your campsite is far away. 

Creature Comforts

• Yoga Matt + tarp. The tarp helps to keep the dirt and sand away encouraging you to stretch more. And it can double as an extra shelter
•  Alps Mountaineering folding chair - again, only if you have the room. We used the typical Crazy Creek for a long time or sat against a log on the ground. Foam sleeping pads are good as an impromptu seat.
• Rain / Sun Fly - this Eno fly is awesome when combined with these poles to create a big area to escape from sun or rain. Use some cordelette attach to your Subi's roof rack then anywhere else like a tree's or another person's car.
• BlueTooth Speaker - the UE Roll2 is a powerhouse of music. Be respectful of your neighbors, not everyone wants to hear music in the wilderness or when climbing. Simply ask if they mind music.
• USB Portable Solar Panel + Goal Zero Flip 10 - you'll always have a charged phone.