“Have you seen the world yet?” my adolescent self asked a newly engaged nurse at a doctors office.
“No I have haven’t, why?” the nurse responded.
“How do you know you want to be married?” I questioned
Documenting a red-point attempt while rock climbing in Pine Creek, California. Photograph by Dalton Johnson
As a kid, I had two dreams. First, to play a sport in college. Second, see the world. The outtake above is from a childhood conversation I distinctly recall as a kid. As an avid lover of the History and Discovery channel, I have always been blown away by this planet, the diversity of landscapes, and the endless adventures. With curiosity often at the root of my adventures, I have taken this mindset into adulthood.
As an adult, nothing has changed. I am constantly seeking adventure in my daily life. Adventures such as rock climbing, bike-packing, backpacking, mountaineering, ultra-runs, surfing, and so many more are just the tip of the iceberg for myself. At the end of the day, I am often asking myself how to budget my time for all of the adventures I would like to do in this lifetime. Even though I am not yet 30 years old, I am still unsure if there is enough time for all of the adventure’s I want to do.
What is Adventure Travel?
The Oxford definition of Adventure Travel states; Adventure travel is a type of tourism involving travel to remote or exotic locations in order to take part in physically challenging outdoor activities. In simpler terms, Adventure Travel entails going on a trip to do an outdoor activity like backpacking, rock climbing, mountain biking, mountaineering, etc. Adventure Travel does not require significant travel, as you could start a bike-packing trip leaving from your home. Meanwhile, many people chose their Adventure Travel trips grounded by unique locations different from their home they have dreamed of seeing.
Often the destination is well worth the effort on adventure travel trips. Here is a lake view from a backpacking trip and commercial photography assignment. Photograph by Dalton Johnson
Dream Adventure Travel Ideas
Non-motorize Seven Summits (most likely sailing, riding a bicycle, and walking between summits)… would love to do this carbon neutral if possible :-)
Around the world motorcycle trip
Bike-pack the Trans Ecuadorian Bike-packing Route (AKA the TEMBR) and summit Cotopaxi and Chimborazo at the same time
Surf and/or Photograph every big wave spot, sailing between every break
Source to Sea trip of the Rocky Mountains to the Sea of Cortez
Cycle across the United States, from the Gunks to Yosemite Valley, with a climbing partner to climb at every classic/historical crag
Bike-pack the Baja Divide
*if you are interested in helping make any of these happen, please reach out to me.
Navigating a white out during an adventure travel trip to climb Mount Denali to make a mini-documentary on an endurance athlete. Photograph by Dalton Johnson
Adventure Travel Has Become a Lifestyle
In addition to living on the road and searching for personal adventures to strive for, I have also built a lifestyle of documenting others on their adventures. Combining personal adventures with documenting other’s adventures, adventure travel has become a lifestyle.
Combing storytelling content creation with adventure travel has opened the door for a lifestyle of adventure travel. This photograph is from a multi-client sponsored surf adventure to Baja, Mexico. Photograph by Dalton Johnson
I am proud to say that I live in a van, with a P.O. Box as my permanent address. My life is focused on staying alive and awake, in hopes of overcoming the daily monotony of the typical American work life. With my camera and a pen, I tell stories. Photographs, video, and written words are my main outlet to tell those stories, but I do love the creative outlet of working side-by-side with illustrators and artists to make something unique.
My roots are in adventure, mainly adventures which focus on non-motorized and human powered tests of endurance. For myself, these are the most challenging, physically and mentally. They also seem to take the longest, as walking or riding a bike typically isn’t very fast compared to a car! However, this doesn’t mean I live a life without a motor. Some of my most memorable trips I have documented are used motors.
As an adventure and commercial photographer, I love the balance of storytelling and showcasing the wonders of a product. Especially when given creative freedom to step outside of my comfort zone and create something unique, challenging, and narrative drive.
For that reason, I have made a lifestyle out of adventure travel.
Some of my favorite trips:
Bike-packing the South Island New Zealand
Attempting to climb all of California’s 14,000 foot peaks in a single season
Ultra-running the Teton Crest Trail
Countless surf-trips to Baja, Mexico
Attempting to climb Mount Denali and film a mini-documentary
Thru-hiking the Tahoe Rim Trail
Not all adventure travel trips start the same. Here is a photograph from an Alaskan road trip that provided the opportunity to kayak to Portage Glacier for a commercial assignment. Photograph by Dalton Johnson
Modern Day Adventurer’s Who Inspire Me
Stay Adventurous
Adventure is around every corner, you’ll just have to look. Be curious, heck be childlike, and let yourself break through the barrier of the monotony often bestowed upon the American workforce. Read stories of adventures. Look at photographs from adventure travel trips. Watch movies to inspire your next adventure. It’s my goal to help show you how to overcome that monotony and live a life without those barriers. That is why I share the stories of others, and myself, fueled by adventure. The way I see it, if you are willing to live adventurously, you can break the cycle that holds you down. So, stay adventurous!