Dec 17, 2010

Update Soon

Adventures will roll out again in a few days. Promise. Law school is killing me. Kirby is MIA. Chaos ends tonight.

Dec 9, 2010

Kayaking World Record

Decided to take a quick study break to make a post; not enough time for a real one though. Instead of adding one of my own adventures, I'm showcasing someone else's that caught my eye... something I do every so often here.

Check out Tyler Bradt. This dud's not just a badass kayaker, he's a badass kayaker that has made history. He recently gave danger the middle finger when he paddled his Dagger kayak down a river in Washington state... and right over Palouse Falls. The 186 foot plunge is unlike anything I've ever seen, and makes me feel guilty for ever even slightly boasting about my own whitewater experiences. Major kudos to this madman.


The entire event is well chronicled on NorCal Blogs with pictures, interviews, and best of all video. The video is just surreal; unbelievably awesome. This is a must watch for all adventurers, even if it is way away from my native Pittsburgh.

Tally-ho!
-Crash

Nov 30, 2010

Adventure: Spring Wood


Story time! The most common question I get from fans of the site, fellow adventurers, and customers while I'm guiding is hands down "how do you find all these obscure but awesome places?" Well, it usually takes a lot of work: many hours of pouring over research, old books, maps, satellite images, and word-of-mouth accounts. And that's just the leg work before packing gear and finding the real logistics to getting there. That said, sometimes I stumble across some of the best destinations for an adventure purely by accident.

To wit: Spring Wood. During my days in Clarion I was searching for the location of the elusive Alum Rock Falls, and narrowed it down geographically to the point that I could find is general area on a map. A friend took that data to the county courthouse to plot it on the tax maps and find the landowner so I could seek permission to visit. The contact info was forwarded to me and when I gave the a guy a ring I asked if it was possible to visit the cliffs on his property which he had pleasantly dubbed Spring Wood. He enthusiastically arranged a meeting with me to discuss my visit.

After that, I was given basically full freedom to explore his huge tract of private land along the Lower Clarion River and his notes on the coolest features including the cliff so long as I agreed not to camp. When I compared it to my own research something seemed.... off. Aside from the fact he was calling the cliffs Indian Rock instead, everything was just too far apart to be; it had to be different places. I traced everything backwards to realize that my friend had screwed up plotting Alum Rock on the tax maps and his error found a point about a mile further down the river. Yet the landowner gave me directions to a cliff on his property. Confused, I did a quick ultralight trek. Sure enough, there it was: another large cliff overlooking the Clarion River. My friend not only screwed up, but his miscalculation just happened to plot exactly onto another cliff. What a gift!

So eventually I came back, joined by Lavaricky, Buddy, and Ox, with climbing gear in tow to actually spend some time at Spring Wood. There was a lot to see including Indian Rock, some "caves", cascades, and of course my beloved Clarion River.

After the jump, see the madness for yourself...

Nov 25, 2010

EATZ


Seriously, could there be a more appropriate background for the banner above than the iconic Primanti sandwich? No.

OM NOM NOM. Most people that travel with me will tell you that I'm obsessed with finding the best places to eat everywhere I go. I love region's signature foods and I love hole in the wall hangouts with great food. There's no better supplement to a good adventure than a good meal.

This was one of the oldest features on my website, long long ago and I've been asked 21836812638236 times to bring it back. So here you go. This page will highlight my favorite places to snag a bite to eat when I'm on the road. They're scattered everywhere in both location and content, and there is no rhyme or reason to what I select. Some aren't even still in business. Don't even care if you agree with my picks.



Primanti Bros.
Location: All around the Pittsburgh area.
Hey, this is a Pittsburgh based website. Can't not have Primanti's on here, and it's gotta be first. The sandwiches are as epic as food comes. Meat, slaw, and fries bundled between two huge slabs of fresh bread. Total win for your tummy.

Glisan's

Location: Laurel Highlands: Farmington, Pa.
This is total adventure tradition. Gunz, Sparky, Ternous and all the other long-time sidekicks know the glory of this little road-side restaurant. It's location on the National Road has made it convenient for so many trips, and the great homestyle food brings us back along with many locals, kayakers, rafters, and hikers. Lots of nostalgia for us when it comes to Glisan's, from savoring the trully massive rolls, fiending for some home made pie, or rockin' the jukebox with 'Desperado'. As their slogan goes, at Glisan's "you're only a stranger once."

Red Caboose

Location: Rostraver, Pa
Long ago pretty much every member of Team Crash lived in bumhole Elizabeth and used Rt 51 to travel to most adventures. The Caboose was the perfect place for a pregame meal. Its a legend where we grew up for its simple, cheap menu. Chili cheese dogs, grilled cheeseburgers, and french fries smothered in gravy round out the tastiness, and travelers will literally line out the door on most Saturday afternoons for these quick meals served in styrofoam trays.

County Seat

Location: Pa Wilds; Clarion, Pa
A little play on words for being right next to the Clarion County Courthouse. You're only options at this time limited eatery on Main Street is breakfast and lunch, but you can't go wrong with either. I lived in walking distance to this place during my undergrad years, so it was a favorite for a pre-adventure meal or a hangover reliever. And its the only restaurant I've been to that serves braunswagger (no clue how to spell that) sandwiches. That in itself is fantastic.

Wild Side
Location: Laurel Highlands; Farmington, Pa
When I moved into my TV-less cabin temporarily while guiding around Ohiopyle, I needed a place to watch hockey and such. Nemacolin, where I ended up working, answered with a huge sports bar they dubbed the Wild Side. This place gets away from the stuffy classiness of the rest of the 5 star accommodations and gives me a place to drink vodka, eat BBQ, and yell at the TV when the Penguins don't do well. It's kind of a Dave and Busters type setting with tons to do like arcade games, bowling, and even a climbing wall. So its always a fun place to stop in at whether I was with co-workers after a hard day at work, friends stopping up to go rafting, my family relaxing at the cabin for a weekend, or just all by myself to just watch some damn TV.
 
Falls City Pub
Location: Laurel Highlands; Ohiopyle, Pa
If you're a guide around Ohiopyle, you drink here. This awesome hang out is owned by Wilderness Voyageurs, one of the rafting outfitters located right in Ohiopyle, so it attracts tons of rafters, kayakers, and tourists alike. Live bands, a few rounds of pool, a great selection in a juke box, some TVs tuned to Pittsburgh sports: all these our nice touches. But dammit the best feature of this place is getting a great, hot meal after a day of getting thrashed about in rapids.


Bud Murphy's
Location: Laurel Highlands; Connellsville, Pa
Years ago Gunz and I asked around the town of Connellsville for a good place to eat since we passed through so often. EVERYONE responded with Bud Murphy's. And for good reason! This local sports bar and restaurant has good food and good prices and you can always catch the Steelers and Pens on TV. And no one ever seems to mind when I wander in still covered in mud from nearby Opperman's Cave.

Sister's Cafe
Location: Laurel Highlands; Confluence, Pa
There's just something about a small quiet town like Confluence that begs for a cozy cafe full of regulars drinking coffee and reading the newspaper. Great market research by Sister's Cafe for providing exactly that. Never had a bad breakfast here when about to start a paddle or hike nearby and service is always super friendly. And it's close to Tractor Square Dancing during the Pumpkin Festival. WIN.
 

Bob's Subs
Location: Pa Wilds; Clarion, Pa
Soco calls them mayo sandwiches. But to be correct, it's a housemade blend of mayo and Italian dressing. There's also meat and cheese in there somewhere. Might be a heart attack waiting to happen but these things taste incredible. Ate here consistently during my undergrad years at Clarion, and still make a point to drop by Main Street to stuff one of these delicious monsters in my backpack when I return for an adventure.
 

Tom Reid's
Location: St. Paul, Mn.
Hockey bar in a hockey city. How could I NOT stop in during my time in the Twin Cities? This is the quintessential pregame drink stop for hockey games at the Xcel Energy Center down the block and it's also a great place to hang out and watch pretty much every hockey game going down that night. Crowded party right before Wild home games, but it tapers off into a great spot to get a meal and watch some shinny, no matter who you call your home team. And as with any place in Minnesota, tons of friendly people, doncha know?
 

Harry's
Location: Washington, D.C.
One time the ESPN Zone in Washington totally ruined a meal when me, Bilo, Monty, and Scooter were in town. We were in for a lame, hunger-filled night until a sign offering dinner till 2 a.m. at the nearby Harry's Bar gleamed like a beacon in the gloomy dark. We were treated to great food, good, booze, and a playlist of music that seemed like we picked it ourselves. Seriously, "You're the Best Around" from Karate Kid AND Bon Jovi's "Livin' On A Prayer" in one night? Unbelievable. Thank you, Harry's, for making that road trip great. And getting me drunk.


Jimmy Mac's
Location: Rochester, NY
Sadly, this place is long gone. Bummer. But it's memory lives on with me, Gunz, and Sparky. Awesome sandwiches and even better french fries. Great sports tavern right in front of the impressive waterfall right in downtown Rochachacha. No clue how this place flopped, but when me and Sparky tried to drop by the next time we were passing through upstate NY it had dispersed. But its legend still lives on as one of the best places Team Crash ever had a meal.
 

Sheetz
Location: Freaking Everywhere
Wawa eat your heart out. Gas, snacks, and made to order food. Seriously, its the perfect pit stop on any road trip, adventure or not. It's convenient beyond belief. When I see those big red and yellow signs on the side of the road, I'm just drawn right in. Can't get enough of those jalapeno cheese poppers.
 

Burger Hut
Location: Central Valleys; Altoona, Pa
Lavaricky and Erica always talked about this place like it was the greatest cuisine available. Truth be told it's just your average ice cream shack with fried food offerings. But I couldn't help mocking their enthusiasm by being overly enthusiastic of the place last time I was up on old Wopsonock Mountain. That said, the food really ain't bad and the prices are cheap. And ice cream is ALWAYS a good idea.
 

Restaurant
Location: SHAMOKIN
You don't even know.


Port Clinton Hotel
Location: Central Valleys; Port Clinton, Pa
If you've ever been to a 'Trail Town' along the Appalachian Trail, then you can imagine this place. If not, I'll give it a go. As the AT winds down between Hawk Mountain and Pulpit Rock, it brings hikers to the tiny valley town of Port Clinton, and its namesake tavern has adapted to the clientele that the famous trail brings in. Enter into the restaurant and you're greeted with designated places to leave your muddy boots and oversized backpacks before getting to the tables. Another sign also offers the long term hikers a hot shower for a few bucks upstairs. Once you're finally situated comfortably inside, it's time to order a signature Philly cheesesteak to blow out your gut that's been surviving on freeze-dried powder and soup. It is eastern Pa, afterall. These sandwiches are BEASTLY and I still insist that they're the best cheesesteaks available, even beating out Pat's and Geno's in Philly. Make sure to order some fries too!

 

Geno's Cheesesteaks / Pat's Cheesesteaks
Location: Scumhole Region; Philadelphia, Pa
I hate Philly. I really do. Like a lot. But I do have to give them props on one thing: cheesesteaks. What an incredible invention! And even though the recipe is simple enough, they just seem to do it better there somehow. Pat's and Geno's are the quintessential eateries when it comes to this legendary sandwich, and the competitors sit right across the street from each other. So do what I do: buy one of each while you're there to compare and wash it down with some birch beer. Then get out of Philly before you get shot.


Arubas
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl
I have a theory that if you want to know a good place to eat in a town or city you're unfamiliar with, ask a cop. Do it all the time with great results. When I tried it Ft. Lauderdale a kindly cop writing parking tickets directed me, Bilo, Mary, and Ashley up to a place right on the beach called Arubas for some fresh seafood and views of the ocean right out the window. Perfect aquatic fare and location for a trip to the Sunshine State.
 

Winking Lizard
Location: Cleveland, Oh
It's tough to find anything in the giant concrete graveyard that is Cleveland that would be even slightly likable. But a place that has the ability to put on any Pittsburgh sports broadcast is a good one. This place has million TV's with like every sports feed ever available. Tell your waitress you wanna watch some Penguins hockey and after they struggle to figure the controls out while you put down your first few beers from their huge selection you will eventually be treated to your sporting event of choice with some good tavern food too. Win, even if you are still stuck in Cleveland.
 

Kathleen's
Location: Beaufort, SC
Shrimp Burgers!!! You may think this was just a vague joke in Bubba's rambling in Forrest Gump, but the Shrimp Burger is actually a big time specialty around coastal South Carolina. The concoction seems to emanate from  the harbor town of Beaufort which is oozing with antebellum spirit. When I was camping off the coast of here on Hunting Island, I made damn sure to stop into town to track down this legendary sandwich. This great cafe serves some of the best, according to all the locals I asked, and has a great setting right on the waterfront harbor. I was hesitant despite my love of seafood, but the shrimp burger is certainly something you need to try and Kathleen's is a great place to get it... and the music selection there is damn good too!
 

Lumberjack Steakhouse
Location: Ridgway, Pa
The name just beckoned me in the first time I made it that far up the Clarion River in my canoe. The steaks here are great and the atmosphere is awesomely rustic as a throwback to when this river town in the Pa Wilds was a huge center for the burgeoning lumber industry. There's a few TV's to catch a game on after you spend a day tramping through that northern Pa snow, if you can manage to not be distracted  by the freaking toy train that goes around the room long enough!

Nick Tahou
Location: Rochester NY
There is only one thing you need to know about this place: they invented Garbage Plates. It's the local specialty, and you know how I am about eating local specialties. Or maybe you don't, since most readers of the blog don't actually know me in person. Anyway, you take your meat, your fries, your sides, your bread, your whatever and just throw it all together on the plate with no real plan or structure. Then smother the whole deal in your choice of condiments. Lots of imitators, but this place in downtown Rochachcha is the original and still do it best... well, apparently since it's the only place I've gone to for Garbage Plates.



Pechins Cafeteria
Location: Laurel Highlands; the Greater Dunbar Area
Dilapidated shanties, dented groceries, and a parking lot of leftover blacktop and gravel filled with station wagons, pick-em-up trucks flying rebel flags, and ATV's parked like they were cars with groceries loaded on the gun racks: that was the amazing sight at Pechins. If you went to this place before it closed shop, you know that I can't put it into words. Anecdotal attempt: I once told a girl I would treat her to lunch, took her to the shack that was Pechins where she ordered a hamburger, fries, and small pop. Cost me exactly 1 dollar. Ridiculous. Adventures have never been the same since the demise of Dunbar's only true landmark.

Mickey's Diner
Location: St. Paul, MinneSOta
Look familiar? IT WAS IN THE MIGHTY DUCKS. Otherwise, this is your stereotypical roadside diner... sandwiched between the skyscrapers of downtown St. Paul. And it's like dinner and a show: the friendliest people living in the state of the friendliest people seem to be the only employees, and some of them are beyond hilarious. Snag a seat on a stool at the bar in the old dining car and get entertainment from the griddle cooks as they whip some great burgers, shakes, and pancakes. Just beware that showing up in another team's hockey jersey will likely get ya harassed a little.

Nov 18, 2010

Gobble Gobble

Howdy pilgrims. I've got a lot of crap to do but with Turkey Day a week away I thought I'd share what's on our menu comin' up. Gunz and I are gonna pick out our favorite Thanksgiving trip, cuz traditionally we tend to go on one, and Kirby's gonna get it posted. Meanwhile I'll be adding a scenic trip or two to feast your eyes on and best of all, one of the most popular sections of the website will be returning. Just in time for the best day of eating of the year, the 'Eatz' section will highlight my all time favorite places to grab a bite on the road. Bon apatite!

Nov 11, 2010

Adventure: Minnehaha Falls

http://www.mspmoretolife.com/photoContest/large_Minnehaha_Falls_II2.JPG

This one is wayyy out of my jurisdiction.

Minnesota is renowned for its countless lakes, making many people forget about its many waterfalls. So when me and Bilo's annual Penguin game trip brought us to the wonderful Twin Cities, I made sure to incorporate a waterfall into our travel plans. Luckily, I needn't send us out of our way to do it. Minnehaha Falls is right in the urban fabric of St. Paul and Minneapolis, dropping over 50 feet on its way to the mighty Mississippi River.

It was the dead of winter when Bilo, Mary, Liz, and myself visited so the falls were an incredible curtain of ice to explore. And its just just a damn fun name to say. Minnehaha.

(Summer time picture on the right blatantly stolen from www.mspmoretolife.com)




My awesome winter pictures:







So of course I had the up the ante and explore a little further. It looked like I could climb up to those gaps in the ice and walk under the cliff. So I did, coaxing Bilo to follow. We were rewareded with and absolutely STUNNING cave of beautiful blue ice. Pictures will never do justice to just how cool it was. I helped Mary and Liz climb up to enjoy it too.









And then I chased a bird when we were walking back on the trail!! OMG!!!

If you're ever in the Twin Cities, Minnehaha Falls is a must see whether its warm or cold. Its easily accessible, a short walk and just truly scenic. The fact that it was frozen over at first was a little disappointing, but we quickly realized that it may have made it even more interesting. Fact: Minnesota is cold. Now say it with me, Minnehaha!

Happy Veterans Day

Fun fact, my ZJ is a tribute to the Jeeps my great uncles used in World War II.


Thanks.

Nov 10, 2010

Adventure: Sandy Creek Trail

 As some of my sidekicks know, I've never been much into biking. Call me a wimp, but I guess I just always let peddling fall into the background of adventures like paddling. (Pun with a picture, lolz!) But have long planned to complete a through ride of the Great Allegheny Passage upon its completion. With that time growing nearer, I've turned to riding a bike here and there as a form of adventure as well as training. On a freezing day while I was still in Clarion, I randomly decided to take a spin on the Sandy Creek Trail as a way to take in the fall colors.
http://images.enhancements.org/8-Rail-Trails/Sandy-Creek-Trail-Tunnel/MaysMillTunnel1/905524566_YahsY-S.jpgLike most of the biking trails that are of the non-biking variety, this one is a stripped down railroad line, originally intended as just the beginning of a route from New York and Chicago, with small town Franklin envisioned as a bustling transportation hub. Much to the investors' dismay but adventurers' pleasure, the full line of the Jamestown, Franklin, & Clearfield Railroad was never realized, eventually leaving a scenic corridor along Sandy Creek and the Allegheny River. At only 12 miles, its a short trail with few amenities but its packed full of features with numerous bridges and even a tunnel along the route from the village of Van to the Fisherman's Cove. But the best feature of all is the breathtaking views of the autumn leaves, something the Clarion and the surrounding Pa Wilds are well known for.




Click read more to see the entire ride after the jump!


Oct 25, 2010

Adventure: Fort Neccessity




Reposted from the Archives...
As Crash Originally Wrote:

"Before Captain Crash explored the Laurel Highlands, before ambitious immigrants dug the deep mines into their mountainsides, before early settlers farmed their homesteads in that wilderness, before even the American Revolution, a young British soldier by the name of George Washington roamed across the very same ground that has hosted so many of my adventures today. His mission,however, was very different than my own: push back the French forces, aligned with the local Indian tribes, to claim to the land to what would become Pittsburgh in the name of the British Empire. A few skirmishes lead to Washington's most dismal defeat as a commander, the Battle of Fort Necessity. Knowing his troops were about to be attacked, Washington ordered the construction of a fort in the Great Meadows, amidst the Pondfield area of the Laurel Highlands. This fort can still be seen today, albeit a reconstruction as the French burned the original. But the Great Meadow is entirely original, an amazing expanse of clear hills within the wooded mountaintops. Its tranquil setting hides the blood that once soaked it in an historic massacre, leading to stories of being haunted all this time later. Dramatic yes, but not horribly adventurous as it all sits as a park now. So Gunz and I saved this for one of those days when we wanted to take it easy... and the day came under the beautiful fall colors."

Crash's Pictures:

Heading out...







The rebuilt fort and earthworks where the battle occurred...











Hiking through the Great Meadows surrounding the fort, where bodies of soldiers were strewn about. Crash notes:

"From the Fort we headed up into the endlessness that is the Great Meadows. Some nice paths allowed us to loop through them for a mile or two. Crazy that 250 years ago people were fighting to the death right where we were stepping, literally defining the course of history. Many people claim the spirits of the soldiers and Indians here are restless and start their battles again. Not today. It was cool and eeriely quiet, flanked by bright autumn colors."








Analysis
:
No reportable phenomena, as per both Crash and Gunz. Nothing shows in photos. No true investigation took place as Crash and Gunz were unable to gain access to the battlefield at night as it is a violation of the historic site's rules, and the alleged hauntings have been described as nocturnal only.


Crash's Conclusion:
A fairly abrupt ending but there really wasn't much more worth showing, other than some hardcore tree climbing I guess. You may be thinking this is pretty weak for my adventures but c'mon... we all know I'm a sucker for this historical crap. Ghosts? None. But just walking through those meadows, knowing that young men died where you stand while defending what they believed in is a truely intense feeling. So it may have been educational, but I'm claiming it to be adventurous as well. If you're in the area, I seriously recommend checking it out... unlike most of my trips, you'll find signs for this place all along the roads. Can't miss it.




Thanks for looking and reading this great piece of history and the paranormal.
//Kirby//

Oct 21, 2010

Adventure: Scripture Rocks

Reposted from archives, with updated materials...

Kirby's Introduction:

Urban legends and ghost stories are prevalent in nearly every city, town, and community. So often they are nothing more than the brainchild of a creative con, perverted by generations of retellings with even more fabricated details. But when one of these stories is fact rather than fiction, the proof tends to border on the outright bizarre. Enter: Scripture Rocks.

Scripture Rocks are an eerie, allegedly haunted even, monument to either one man's ascent toward divinity or descent into insanity. Located just outside of the small town of Brookville in the Pa Wilds, these hundred year old petroglyphs are perhaps one of the greatest legends of not just Jefferson County, but all of Pennsylvania.

Captain Crash happens to be a bit of an expert on this topic in particular. He even served as the head guide for a short but well made documentary about the legend of Scripture Rocks. His role in the video, presented below, serves as a much better medium than the usual picture and dialogue combination typically utilized here. Monty, co-directing the documentary, made a great effort to bring one of Captain Crash's best adventures to life and even add to it.

After the jump, a great documentary to watch, a fantastic legend to read, and thrilling pictures to view. Just Click 'Read More' from the homepage.


Oct 19, 2010

Adventure: Bells Mills Bridge

Reposted from the Archives:

As many of you know, Captain Crash is practically the leading authority on all things haunted in the Pittsburgh region. Ghost hunts are his bread and butter; and while his lengthy ghost stories are renowned, some are pretty simple. The tale of Bells Mills Bridge is one of latter.

As Crash originally wrote:
"Ternous and I were bored as shit one night and, knowing his apartment was relatively close by, I said hey let's go look for Bells Mills. What's at Bells Mills you ask? Not much. The only remaining covered bridge in Westmoreland County and one of but a fraction in the state still in use. Oh and its supposedly haunted. As the local folklore tells, the ghost of the original contractor of the bridge watches over the bridge and follows everyone across it to ensure their safe passage. Not knowing where exactly the bridge was located, I navigated Ternous and his spifftastic little Neon in circles on random backroads until we finally found it. The pics are few and self-explanatory (not to mention of poor quality,) so no further commentary is needed."
Crash's Pictures:





Analysis:
Though there appears to the occurrence of 'orbs' in the latter two pictures, it is unlikely that these constitute the phenomenon in a paranormal sense. These appear to simply be anomalies
upon the lens. Couple this with a lack of any sensation or physical anomalies reported by either Crash or Ternous, and it is conclusive that this site provided no paranormal activity, at least during the 'Team Crash' investigation. The possibility of this bridge being haunted is further exacerbated by Crash's inability to locate any historical information to confirm the story that would provide the alleged ghost, which my research also confirmed.

Conclusion:
Not Haunted


Closing, as originally written by Crash:

"Probably the least creepy of all ghost hunts I've embarked upon, with not even so much as a strange noise or funny feeling the whole time. Just darkness, and lots of it. But alas, what can the Captain expect from just a short jaunt taken at complete random rather than my usual well-planned adventures. My absolute fascination with bridges forced me to post this one up though."



Thanks for reading my first real post here...

//Kirby//

Oct 12, 2010

BOO

Happy Halloween everyone. Just a short note from yours truly about what to expect up until that most haunted of days. Many of the fans of this site come for the crazy ghost stories and urban legends I have accumulated from throughout the Pittsburgh region; the ghost of Polly Williams at White Rock, the curse of General Mad Anthony, the murder of Betty Knox on Dunbar Mountain, the mystery of Douglas Stahlman's carvings at the Scripture Rocks, and so on and so on.

Yep, I've compiled a lot of spooky stuff and every October I like to showcase it right here. This year Kirby will be leading the charge. He's already started bringing back some great haunts from the website's old format, and creating a great listing to keep track of them all! And hopefully yours truly can add a few new things too.

Until then, happy haunting everyone.

Boo!
-Crash

Sep 30, 2010

From Out of the Shadows...


Hey there folks. Just a little introduction, which Crash had alluded to earlier this week.

You can call me Kirby. I've helped Crash on the technical side of this website since its inception, long before it ever took on its current format. Though I am also a Pittsburgh native, unlike Crash I am quite content to stay in the city and do not feel a need to run around with his 'Team Crash' in whatever strange scheme he comes up with for a weekend. That said, I do find his exploits intriguing and hate to see his website floundering... especially after all the help I've contributed in its creation and maintenance.

I've always been a behind the scenes guy here, but as per Crash's request I'm going to take a more obvious role; at least for awhile, so Crash can get priorities straightened out as Law School continues to devour his soul. As stated, I do not join the Captain nor his comrades on his ridiculous crusades... but I have been given full access to Crash's knowledge and photos from the adventures.

As such, I will be adding a few new 'adventures', but for the most part I will simply be reinstating pages that were previously posted but are lurking in cyberspace in the old formats of this website. I will also be restoring the different sections of this website, fixing up the design and such, and reinstating ongoing, regular 'features' that left the website when Crash lost his internet access when moving to the mountains. I am a writer afterall, so this should be a fun exercise for me. It is apparent that in the realm of 'guerrilla tourism' this truly is the authoritative source for the Pittsburgh region.

It is likely that I will lack the sarcasm, humor, and uncanny writing style that the Captain maintained here, but I hope I can really hope entertain in his absence in my own ways. Crash will still be posting from time to time, albeit infrequently. In the meantime, you may look forward to the reemergence of lost adventures, event coverage, outfitter recommendations, and more. I hope you will enjoy my presence in the forefront here at the Adventures of Captain Crash!

//Kirby//

Sep 28, 2010

The Results Are In... And an Announcement is Coming!

Cue the Price is Right Fail Trombones...



Team Crash's exciting result in the Warren County Great Race.................. did not finish!!!

Team Crash's exciting result in the Pittsburgh Most Amazing Race................ did not run!!!


Yep, it's true. After all the hype, all the preparation we totally failed. We started out kicking ass in the Warren race, but a few mistakes slowed us down until we came up one challenge short of finishing the race. In our defense, most teams didn't finish. Can't even give a real place number, but we were told we were around 35 or so out of like 100. So top third-ish for a race we really had no clue about. Bilo, Sparky, and Gunz did a great job and we will definitely make a big time run at it next year.

Due to personal reasons beyond my control, I was forced to drop out of the Most Amazing Race at the last minute and Gunz didn't have enough time to find a replacement. Huge bummer, but it was for charity and I'm glad that the funds we raised will still be getting put to good use; the Salvation Army was the real winner of that race, afterall!

I didn't get any pictures from the Warren County Great Race. I may recap it later like I did with the 2009 Most Amazing Race if I have time, I might not. We'll see.





Speaking of circumstances that limit my shit, you've probably noticed that despite my full reign of internet now that I'm back in the city my updates are few and far between. I just have too much going on right now. So an old friend has come forward to help keep the blog rolling while I catch up on this whole "law school" thing. He should be popping up soon!
Just sayin...

Tally-ho!
-Crash

Sep 17, 2010

Get Ready, Get Set...

On the eve of our first adventure race of the year!

This year will be Team Crash's first entry in the Warren County Great Race. This race will send us all over Warren County up near the New York state line in the heart of Pa Wilds. Along the way we will have some adventurous tasks, but for the most part there's going to be a lot of strategic puzzles and such. Assembled Team Crash accordingly; joining me will be Bilo, a local to navigate, Sparky, to help solve the puzzles, and Gunz to handle any of the physical tasks. Good team, eh? Wish us luck.

Next weekend will be me and Gunz as a duo in the Most Amazing Race, which is the Pittsburgh edition of the CBS reality game of the same name... 'cept its for charity. We're still looking for sponsors so please throw a few bucks to a really really great charity that helps underprivileged families! Click here to donate on our behalf!

More updates on that race later this week... for now, we gotta hit the road!

But to see what Team Crash is up to in events, you can always check out the recently renovated EVENTS section of this site!

Cuz Team Crash is out to win, and a seven nation army couldn't hold us back.

Tally-ho!
-Crash

Sep 2, 2010

Adventure: ORDA Rock Course

As promised, it's another Nemacolin adventure!

The Offroad Driving Academy at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort provides a unique opportunity for guests who have never let their tires touch dirt to learn the skills and enjoyment of offroading. The fleet of modified Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicons lets the instructors and guests have the best of the best as far as capable vehicles goes as they traverse miles of mountaintop trails at the resort featuring rocks, mud, inclines, and water crossings. ORDA trips start, however on the Rock Course, a test track including all the obstacles that challenge a Jeep's capabilities all in one course.




I was privileged enough to serve as a guide/instructor at times on the course, driving one of the mighty Rubicons. Hell I could even watch the Jeeps go by from my perch on the Ropes Course when I was guiding up there (view pictured below).


So of course it was only a matter of time before I brought my own Jeep over to put through its paces, and some of the ropes course girls took a few pics of my little rally for me.

Headed to the log crawls...

40 Degree Incline... 
 

40 Degree Decline...

60 Degree Incline!

40 Degree Side-Slope... way tougher and more intimidating than it looks!

Coming out of the Rock Garden...
 

Water fording trench...

The Jeep and myself in my sweet Nemacolin uniform...

The Jeep with some of the Adventure Center girls... what a trio!

My Jeep ZJ posing on some rocks with one of the Nemacolin Rubicons... good team, good team...

It may not have been the greatest challenge my Jeep has ever faced but it sure was nice to get it out on some trails and get a chance to team it up with the Rubicons I got to use at work. All a part of being an outdoor guide, kids. You know you love it!

If the Offroad Driving Academy interests you offroad novices, you can find out about making a trip of your own at the Nemacolin Woodlands Adventure Center.

Tally-ho!
-Crash

Welcome!

This blog focuses on the travels of Captain Crash, a Pittsburgh native and outdoor guide with a knack for adventure. With a few sidekicks and two great Jeeps, Crash finds incredibly unique and scenic areas throughout Western Pa, WV, NY, OH, MD, and beyond. The adventures are typically off the beaten path to places almost completely unheard of today and often involve camping, offroading, ATVing, paddling, biking, hiking, backpacking, climbing, urban exploring, rappelling, cliff jumping, ghost hunting, urban legends and more.
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