A STARK WAREHOUSE VIDEO OF THE WEEK

Presented by @BLKELK



"The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation."

-Henry David Thoreau

In this week's Video of the Week episode, we feature a short film with a premise many of us can relate to, especially those who at one time or another have felt a form of despair while sitting at a desk during the regular 9-5.

Each of us has our form of "therapy" we seek as an outlet from the daily grind and for Justice, the main character in this film, his lunch break jaunts in his safari-style 944 and mountain bike are his outlet from spreadsheets, number crunching, and the like.

If you've ever need inspiration to get out and break away from the noise of everyday life, this video is for you and it's one we can relate to as its very premise is what formed OutdoorX4 over 13 years ago.

GME ANNOUNCES XRS CONNECT HANDHELD GMRS RADIO

Building on the proven innovation of GME’s XRS™ Connect platform, the Australian-made XRS-660-U is designed for overlanders and vehicle-based adventurers who rely on dependable communication far beyond the reach of cellular networks. Combining advanced technology, rugged construction, and purpose-built features, the XRS-660-U raises the bar for handheld GMRS radios.

A DIVE INTO SPELUNKING

A primer on getting ready for underland adventures

by Rick Stowe

Spelunking, caving, or possibly underlanding. No matter what you call it, it can be an incredibly fun, or possibly terrifying, experience. Just as there is a wide range of difficulty and technical levels of overlanding, spelunking comes in many varieties. You can take a guided tour with lighted paths, metal steps, and a guide, or you can go with your own group into caves that require advanced technical rope work, special gear, and more. Regardless of where you fall on that scale you’re bound to enjoy the activity, that is unless you’re one of the people with a debilitating fear of caves.

FIELD REVIEW: ARB 4X4'S BRUSHLESS PORTABLE AIR COMPRESSOR

ARB's portable air compressor checks all the boxes for ease of use, lightweight, and efficiency

by Bret Edge

The ride comfort of your off-road adventure is directly related to two things; suspension and tire pressure. One of these things can easily cost thousands of dollars. The other one is free. Of course, a quality suspension system provides more benefits than simply improving ride quality, but when it comes to bang for the buck, running your tires at a lower pressure is the clear winner. Improved traction, a smoother ride and reduced potential for flat tires? Check! But when your tires roll back onto pavement you will need to reinflate them. If you’ve got a short drive at low speeds to a nearby gas station, you’re covered. If not, you’ll need a portable air compressor.

YAMAHA OUTDOOR ACCESS INITIATIVE AWARDS $225K IN SECOND QUARTER

Yamaha Motor Corp., USA has awarded more than $225,000 in second-quarter funding through the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative (Yamaha OAI), supporting seven organizations working to preserve and expand opportunities for outdoor and motorized recreation.

For vehicle-based adventurers, off-road riders, and outdoor enthusiasts, access to trails and public recreation areas depends on more than simply having a capable vehicle or motorcycle. It also requires ongoing trail maintenance, responsible use, safety improvements, and organizations committed to keeping these areas open for future generations. Yamaha OAI’s latest grants support projects addressing those needs across the country.



IN THE FIELD WITH NOCS PROVISIONS' ZERO TUBE MONOCULAR

The Zero Tube is one of those pieces of gear that can do more than one thing...and I dig that

by Kyle Parker

Before taking the Nocs Provisions Zero Tube 8×25 on a weekend backpacking trip to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, I honestly thought it might end up being more of a hassle than it was worth. I have never carried binoculars because of their size, even though I have always enjoyed getting a closer look at birds, wildlife, and things farther down the trail. I figured the Zero Tube would be one more piece of gear bouncing around, getting in the way, and taking up room in my pack for something I would only use once or twice.

The Latest from OutdoorX4 and Our Industry Friends

OUTDOORX4 X MIDLAND MXT295PRO GIVEAWAY!



We teamed up with Midland to put one of the most capable GMRS radios on the market in your hands: the all-new MXT295PRO. 15 watts, Bluetooth mic, built to run in conditions that end other radios. This is the setup you reach for when the trail goes somewhere your phone can't follow.



Three chances to win. Stack 'em all!

Step 1: Subscribe to OutdoorX4 Digital (click/tap HERE) - GET A FREE DECAL!

Step 2: Post a photo from your last adventure and tag @outdoorx4 and @midlandusa on Instagram

Step 3: Share this giveaway and tag two friends on your social channel who'd run this radio into the ground.

One winner. Announced September 21st. Get started from the link below.



WESTERN BIG GAME HUNTING OUTLOOK

The folks at onX Hunt provide some research and planning for those seeking their next hunt this fall

The West is dry. Even for a region that experiences periods of drought, this year has been notable. Dust storms ripped across eastern Montana in May. Wyoming meteorologists reported the state’s driest winter in recorded history; drier even than the Dust Bowl.

Wildfires have already engulfed hundreds of thousands of acres in states like Colorado, Utah, Oregon and Washington. The U.S. Drought Monitor as of late July showed much of the Intermountain West in severe or extreme drought with pockets of exceptional drought. Wildlife biologists across the West say if these conditions persist, big game like elk, mule deer, pronghorn, moose and bighorn sheep will suffer. Some species already are.

EXPLORING THE AZORES WITH CHARLEY BOORMAN

In this week's Wild Rides series from Touratech, Paul Guillien shares his experience of joining on his own version of a Long Way adventure

There are few people that have made as big of an impact on the adventure mororcycle scene as Charley Boorman. The TV series he created with Ewan McGregor, some 20 years ago, did as much to put the obscure niche of adventure motorcycle travel into the mainstream consciousness as anything. Their tales of riding around the world on BMW R1150GSA motorcycles, in their show Long Way Round, were a huge success, having been watched by millions of viewers. They followed that up with additional TV series’ under the Long Way title, including the current iteration called Long Way Home, where the two ride motorcycles from McGregor’s home in Scotland to Boorman’s home in England, by way of a 10,000-mile loop through Scandinavia and up into the Arctic Circle, before venturing south into Eastern and Central Europe. (This 10-show series will be available on Apple TV).