It’s been at least 6 months since I first tried on this (then new) pair of boots. The V-Lite Altitude Ultra WPi boots are classified by Hi-Tec as a light hiking boot. I would agree they are lightweight, but they have managed to hold together through many productions in Alaska including the sea, the mountains, rivers and the snow.

First off, let me say that the comfort of these boots was immediate and has been great since the day I first put them on. Secondly, the durability has been impressive and their new ion-mask technology has really impressed me. My feet stay extremely dry regardless of conditions and the boots have generally retained most of their “new” looks as a result of this previously British military only technology. Find out more about ion mask at Hi-Tec’s Wet is Dry website: http://www.wetisdry.com/

The short story here is that I really like these boots and have been wearing them almost daily for 6 months. For all practical purposes these boots are lightweight, durable, good looking and really waterproof. Having said all of that, I do have one nit to pick. The shoelaces break prematurely.

I have been through three (3) sets of shoelaces with this pair of boots. It’s not a flaw of the laces that come with the boots, it’s the metal eyelet (third from the top of the boot) that is the culprit. Apparently the design of this eyelet lacks the smooth edge that would keep from cutting into the laces. Unfortunately it’s not an isolated incident with just one boot…it happens on both boots.

Pros:

• Lightweight
• Truly waterproof
• Durable
• Comfortable
• Affordable (compare to the other fancy outdoors names)

Cons:

• The need for a shoelace budget

Despite my laces experience, I do like these boots. An excellent balance of weight, performance and durability. Just be sure to pack a few spare laces in your backpack! I would definitely buy another pair to replace these…

A special thanks to Hi-Tec for providing these boots. Find out more about Hi-Tec at: http://www.hi-tec.com

What’s new in this version

• Star Tab - You can now mark with a star, your favorite videos or those you want to quickly reference for viewing later. The starred episodes are quickly accessible from the new third tab of the app.



• Offline Mode - There is now the option to download starred video episodes and play them back later when you are not connected via WiFi (or have a slower connection). Getting on the plane to visit Alaska? Download a few videos from the app and watch them later!



• Bug Fixes – Several overall app usability updates and graphical tweaks were made.

Thanks again for your support and we hope you are enjoying the incremental improvements to the Alaska iPhone app! If you haven’t already downloaded the app, get it here in the iTunes store: http://clicky.me/fortheapp

Finding quality videos can be tough sometimes. You have better things to do with your time! So we did the work for you! Here we have compiled a short list of 10 great videos we found that show off Alaska.

This list is in no particular order.

Alaska HD

This great video by Mark Mostad has it all: eagles, whales, sea otters, great mountain shots, airplanes and more.

Tailgate Alaska | Episode 6

Tailgate Alaska is an awesome concept: set up camp once a year and get pros, beginners, and anybody who wants to join in, together to enjoy some of the worlds best snowboarding! Just as amazing are Media Knievel’s well produced videos of the event. I chose to highlight episode 6, but you should definitely check out the rest, as they are all great!

Also available on: YouTube

Ravencroft Lodge

This video, by Boone Hodgin, is produced piece to showcase Ravencroft Lodge. It’s not your typical promotional video though. There is no talking, just a music track set to some great shots of: fish, bears, whales, eagles, sea otters, seals, mountains and more. Any person longing for Alaska would be remiss in not watching this one.

Also available on: YouTube

The Magnificent Moose

Title says it all. This video, by Dennis Zaki, has some incredible shots of moose in Autumn. Magnificent Moose is a must watch!

Although you can find Dennis on YouTube, it doesn’t look as though he posts his nature videos there.

Falls Creek, Alaska in Autumn

I don’t think I could ever get enough of Alaska in Autumn. Maybe that is attributed to how short it is? Regardless, it’s a beautiful season for Alaska and Dennis Zaki does an wonderful job of capturing it.

Although you can find Dennis on YouTube, it doesn’t look as though he posts his nature videos there.

Alaska Brown Bear Cubs

No music in this video, just great footage of two cubs doing what cubs do best, play! Video by Melissa Miller.

Aurora Near Fairbanks

This is an absolutely amazing time lapse of an Aurora Borealis up by Fairbanks. Kudos to Poul Jensen who captured this amazing shot.

Turnagain Ice Tide

Turnagain Ice Tide, by Chris Flynn, is combination of some really great time lapse shots, music and sound bites from weather reports. The sound bites give you a little insight into what it can be like living in Alaska sometimes (-65°F). It makes you happy you can watch it without having to weather the cold (unless, of course, you want to).

Solomon Gulch (Valdez, Alaska)

Brad Kelone shows us the scenery of a beautiful hike up Solomon Gulch in Valdez.

Also available on: YouTube (much lower quality)

Denali National Park Flightseeing

Medical Staff Recruiter Bradford Clark gives us a glimpse of some of the amazing views you can have by coming to Alaska. Regardless of how effective this is as a recruiting tool, it’s enjoyable to watch.

Also available on: YouTube

Did you like the videos we found? Know of any other great videos we didn’t post? Leave a comment, let us know.

We’re enjoying the additional attention and exposure iTunes is giving our production, and it’s an honor to be featured next to other great outdoor podcasts. It’s great being featured, but hearing from you all is always the best!  So why not take a moment and share what it is you like about Alaska HDTV – Please write a review on our iTunes profile.

Thanks all for your ongoing support and comments!
Cheers,
Scott

We’re truly excited to have Alaska Airlines as a premiere advertiser and want to publicly thank all those who got behind us. There are quite a few people that helped bring this deal together, but a special thanks to Alaska TravelGram, Explore Tours, Wong Doody and of course the marketing folks at Alaska Airlines for giving the thumbs up to Alaska HDTV.

Speaking of Alaska Airlines, did you know you can watch episodes from Alaska HDTV on the Alaska Airlines digEplayer?

More about the campaign
To learn more about North of Expected, be sure to visit http://www.northofexpected.com to win instant vacation packages, share your own Alaska experiences and explore more about Alaska Airlines.

For all the airplane and aviation fans out there, here’s a simple mash-up of just a few minutes of the hours of Alaska aviation footage we’ve collected over the last few years.

As you probably already know, aircraft is an essential part of the Alaskan lifestyle and means of transportation. Not only does it get us to where we want to go, it gives us a chance to really appreciate the size and beauty of our great state.

We hope you enjoy this little escape with our latest SanitySaver.

Music credits:
Band: Dreamweaver
Title: Island of Dreams and Hope
Web: http://www.dreamweaver.at

/Kevin

Explore Tours is an Alaska based travel and destination tour planning company with resident experts in creating customized Alaskan adventures very similar to the trips we take with Alaska HDTV. Learn more about the people at Explore Tours. We believe that Explore Tours will be a great resource for you and for us as we continue to take those off the beaten path trips around Alaska. Whether you are planning a cruise to Alaska or just want to be a more independent traveller – with Explore Tours, you can definitely see Alaska YOUR way.

While we build our relationship with Explore Tours, you will begin to see some in-show video endorsements and other updates about how to start planning your Alaska trip. By supporting Explore Tours and planning your travel to Alaska, you’re helping Alaska HDTV. As always, we welcome your feedback and comments. Let us know how we’re doing and how our friends at Explore Tours helped you plan the perfect Alaska vacation!

How to contact Explore Tours

Website:
www.exploretours.com

Toll-free:
1-877-786-0175

Send a request directly to Explore Tours

Who says Alaskan mountain guides can’t rap? Our show in Wrangell wrapped up with some rap, which is soul-felt and firmly delivered.

© 2008 Tim Duffy Edited and Produced by Perfect Blend Media, LLC / Alaska HDTV

Enjoy!

Scott

So why this show exactly?

In short I love the vibe, smell, and taste of coffee. Locally, I’ve always been a big Kaladi Coffee drinker from the beginning, and consumer evangelist for the company! All that was about to change.

A few months ago we were on the road shooting a show and Kevin, my business partner and producer, suggested trying a coffee booth in Wasilla that served Raven’s Brew Coffee. I’ve been suggested all kinds of coffee, and I’ve always tried them with an open mind but nothing ever came close enough to switching my addiction from Kaladi.

Raven’s Brew at first sip was distinctly original and it was literally love at first taste. I could go on here, but whether you’re in Anchorage, Ketchikan, or Tumwater Washington, I highly suggest going and having a cup! I’d love to know what you think!

If you can’t find a cup – why not visit their website and order a Deadman’s Reach, which is my favorite and most caffeinated blend or try their Wicked Wolf. I’ve not tried all the blends so recommendations welcome!

I’d love to see coffee houses and roadside coffee chacks here in Anchorage serve this coffee! Unfortunately and fortunately we had to drive Seward to have a coffee house experience with Raven’s Brew in hand. Ranting Raven located Seward was a really cool coffee house experience and owner Jennifer is worth meeting! She’s as genuine as you can get, and the hospitality is great!

So there you go… This was a fun show in many ways and I hoped you learned something, but more than anything I hope you walk away enjoying the same great cup-of-joe I’m drinking!

Cheers,
Scott

Welcome to the first edition of the SanitySaver here on Alaska HDTV (then Alaska Podshow)!

The “SanitySaver” is our moving portrait of Alaska, which we have set to release twice per month. I think it was KAKM (a local station), when I was a kid that would come on the air each morning and feature photos of places around Alaska, which they called “Alaska is..” so perhaps this is a tribute and extension to that.

USE ONLY AS PRESCRIBED

Suggested usage:
Find a quiet location, shut office door, take iPod touch or iPhone into bathroom stall if needed.

Dosage:
Play as many times needed to escape reality or regain sanity.

Side effects may include:
relaxation, sleepiness, and a sense of happiness.

Warning:
Highly addictive, may cause desires to skip work, and has been known to increase spontaneous desires to travel to Alaska. Returning to work or life may sometimes be hard.

Refills: (Unlimited)
To request a refill submit your request to alaskapodshow@gmail.com

All kidding aside ENJOY!