National Geographic Adventure closing

I came across an article today over at the adventure life that was talking about how National Geographic Adventure is closing up shop.

Another victim of the down economy and the shrinking of the journalism industry.

The article states that advertising for the magazine was down about 44%. That is never good news for a publication.

I personally didn't subscribe to the magazine but my dad did. He would pass along the issues when he was done. I enjoyed the articles and really liked the magazine. The main downside I saw with it (compared to Outside which I subscribe to) is that the adventures and trips that were talked about in National Geographic Adventure were usually globally and very expensive a/k/a nothing I could ever actually go on.

Outside and Backpacker (I use these as examples because I actually read these) seem to focus most of their attention on more regionally located trips. These would be trips that ordinary people or weekend warriors could take part in. Instead of having to go to New Zealand for a month long trip.

However, despite this more global focus, I did enjoy reading the articles in Adventure, and they always had some great photos.

With National Geographic Adventure folding, this gives outdoor and travel journalists one less publication to write for. But at the same time, it opens the door for another outdoor magazine to cover some of those trips that would have been focused on in Adventure. I guess we'll see what this means for outdoor journalists within the next year.

Outside Magazine's winter buyer's guide

Winter camping can be a great time for getting outside. Many people think that just because the warm days of summer have left, so does camping. But that's not the case.

And just like clockwork, the great people over at Outside Magazine have their winter buyer's guide hitting news stands soon.

Can't wait till then?

Well don't worry. You can check out their 2010 winter buyer's guide videos over at their site at Outside Online.

Watch some great videos and keep your eyes open for the magazine.

Outside Magazine Rocks

Ok Ok, I'll admit it, I have Outside Magazine as a friend on Facebook. That brings my grand total to 7 friends.

Well the magazine is staring a new feature in which they will be featuring the next months cover early.

I think it's a cool feature. View it here.

What do you think about this new feature?

Outside Magazine

I was stuck in the airport awhile back, and got bored. Very bored. Like start to count the number of rolling bags in the terminal bored.

Deciding I might be looking like a homeless man who just came in from the cold (yes, it was very cold outside, and yes, I haven't gotten a haircut in far too long) I decided to prove to the terminal workers that I indeed could buy stuff. So I decided to purchase a magazine.

I headed over to the incredible wall of magazines the clerk had. No joke, have you seen that selection? It makes a Barnes & Noble look understocked. Anyway, I started perusing through the magazines. Did you catch that? Perusing. That's my word of the day. Hope I used it right.

There I was, looking through magazine, after magazine. When I came across Outside. Now I have always been a lover of the outdoors. And one day I hope that I can get paid to write about them. But I figured, hey, until then why not read other people who DO get paid to write about their adventures.

I cruised back over to my bench. Now I looked like a homeless guy who came in from the cold and happened to find a magazine. I started reading. And I must say. I was impressed.

And then I found the insert between the pages. You know, those dumb postcards that readers either use as bookmarks or just throw away. Yeah, one of those. I looked at it, and realized that I had just found the legendary Golden Ticket that Charlie craved for. I had found my Golden Ticket.

For there, written in normal Times New Roman font was the words. For a subscription, fill out and return.

Now you're probably thinking, "Hey Casey, what is the point of this story?" Well I tell you, I'm getting there.

For it wasn't those words that turned that simple postcard into my Golden Ticket, but rather the words that were printed below it. They said, "A three year subscription, 36 magazines, for $36."

Now that is a deal. I had been getting letter after letter from Sports Illustrated, saying I needed to renew now or else. They even went so far as to threaten they would make Brett Favre come back another year if I didn't renew. Sorry guys. I didn't. And I won't.

The main reason is that while over the past four years of receiving SI, I did enjoy it. But not enough to renew my subscription for $80 for a year. I understand that it's a magazine a week. But that is just crazy for me to pay. I'll stick with my ESPN magazine. I kinda like the larger pages anyway, not to mention the cheaper prices. And now I'll have Outside. A buck an issue. For a great magazine. That is all this kid could ask for.