Advlo: Adventure with the Locals not the Agencies
Since moving to Colorado, there has been a glorious bombardment of new adventures I have added to me "to-do" list. I've gone climbing, hiking, bouldering, biking, and skiing since moving here in March. Future plans include hiking all the Colorado 14ers, learning to climb well enough to try ice-climbing in Ouray later this year, and learning to ski-mountaineer. Colorado is the perfect place to try these sort of things out.
There are plenty of schools out here where I can take some classes and get some formal training. Right now, I don't have the cash to do that. I know that I want to get my WFR certification and a couple others, but for the adventure experiences, I have simply found someone local to the area and gone out with them. I go climbing with someone who has the gear and the know-how, hiking with a partner who can keep up and wants to hike the crazy stuff I want to hike, etc.
There are also tons of adventure agencies here in the area who have guides who can be hired to take you up to a couple popular peaks in the area - for $150. Or, take you climbing up the Flatirons in Boulder - starting at $160-$250. While I am sure the quality is excellent, and the gear is provided, I personally do not have that cash to doll out on adventures (I am currently saving up to exit the anchored home-life and begin road-life..but that's another story). Plus, I like going out with the locals.
My friend/colleague from Outdoor Women's Alliance, Laurie, works for an excellent new startup in Denver: Advlo.
Their approach is simple: go on adventures with the locals.
Why? Because "locals make for the best adventures."
Advlo lets you choose your guide and also allows you to sign up as a guide.
Advlo - Adventure Local from Advlo on Vimeo.
When I went to Iceland in 2012, my friend and I went on a guided tour to see the geysers, waterfalls, and sights of the beautiful Golden Circle.
It was a super fun tour, but going with a local definitely would have been cooler, cheaper, and more fun. Plus, I'm all about avoiding the tourist traps. I think adventures are more fun and you get more out of them and yourself when you don't have a set plan (or tour bus), to keep track of.
Right now, the startup is working on getting some funding by the end of summer. There are some excellent perks up for grabs and also the opportunity to win a trip!
Besides the prizes, Advlo has the right idea! If you're on Instagram, you can follow them @advlo, and also, tag your photos with #adventurelocal!
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| Took a mini-adventure trip to the Great Sand Dunes. |
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| My new hiking friend, Tara, knows the trails around here better than I do. |
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| Solo adventuring is still my favorite. ;) |
My friend/colleague from Outdoor Women's Alliance, Laurie, works for an excellent new startup in Denver: Advlo.
Their approach is simple: go on adventures with the locals.
Why? Because "locals make for the best adventures."
Advlo lets you choose your guide and also allows you to sign up as a guide.
Advlo - Adventure Local from Advlo on Vimeo.
When I went to Iceland in 2012, my friend and I went on a guided tour to see the geysers, waterfalls, and sights of the beautiful Golden Circle.
It was a super fun tour, but going with a local definitely would have been cooler, cheaper, and more fun. Plus, I'm all about avoiding the tourist traps. I think adventures are more fun and you get more out of them and yourself when you don't have a set plan (or tour bus), to keep track of.
Right now, the startup is working on getting some funding by the end of summer. There are some excellent perks up for grabs and also the opportunity to win a trip!
Besides the prizes, Advlo has the right idea! If you're on Instagram, you can follow them @advlo, and also, tag your photos with #adventurelocal!