Editor's Note: Kyle Miller was voted by members of the TGR Community to have put together the most impressively awesome Trip Report for the month of November 2014–the first month we've begun awarding the producers of the best adventure stoke in honor of the late, great, and most prolific poster of stoke, Liz Daley. For his efforts, Kyle has won a full bundle of backcountry power products from the good folks at Brunton, including two All Day GoPro batteries, a Power Knife, and two Revolt Power Banks. past 12 months have taken him everywhere from the Cascades to Iceland to New Zealand to splitboard and to Southwest Asia to explore–below you'll find 7 tips from Kyle himself about how to live a year full of the most adventure possible.
I think it's fitting to start this trip report by saying how amazing of a person Liz Daley was. While I didn't spend much time riding with her, I was fortunate to hang out with her a few times and all the good and amazing things that are said about her are true. I want to send positive vibes to Davide, Drew and her friends and family–she was a diamond in the rough and will be missed.
Traveling is something new to me, and a taste I acquired a few years back and have been reaping the benefits of over the past year. Though the travels can be done through big budgets and luxurious settings, this was not my case. 10 years ago I had become a ski bum and the only way that I've been able to survive the way I have is by being frugal. With an allowance of only $1,000 a month and an open schedule, I've made the best of traveling to mountainous environments all over the world and yet I feel like I have only scratched the surface.
Life is full of choices, and to keep my life sustainable, I made the choices of no hotels or motels, a strict diet of cheap calorie-loaded food, and being at the discretion of friends and locals. But the payouts were big. I joke I am a rich man with a poor man's bank account, and so I thought I would write up a few tricks I have learned along the way. Enjoy!!
#1: Stick To A Strict (Cheap) Diet
When traveling in Scandinavia, I knew that the food was going to be really expensive, so before I left I stocked up on Clif Bars and $400 worth of dehydrated meals. When everyone cooked up their local food, I had freeze dried lasagna.
#2: Complete Your Adventures Under Your Own Power
If you can travel via your own human power, it allows for a more rewarding memory, and it saves from the dreaded price of petrol (gas for Americans).
#3: Use Social Media To Make Local Connections
They say it takes two weeks to just get the swing of a new place and culture, but I've found that the power of Facebook can connect you to friends, friends of friends, or just generally good people. While staying in Iceland, Norway and New Zealand, it was through Facebook that I found floors to sleep on.
#4: Always Trust The Locals
Another rule is always trust the locals. A local isn't going to want to ride garbage conditions or terrain, so put faith in their hands and food in their bellies.
#5: Cigarettes Are Still A Good Tool
While traveling cigarettes can be a great conversation started or in my case they have been great bartering tool. I was able to use a cigarette to barter my way into Ankgor Watt before sunrise.
#6: Join Clubs For Crucial Discounts
Join clubs that offer discounts on rates for housing and or transportation. For me, I joined the Canterbury Mountain Club, New Zealand Alpine Club, and got the Department Of Conservation season pass for free hut use.
#7: Keep To A Strict Budget
Allow yourself only a certain spending limit monthly. For me in New Zealand it was $1000 U.S., which was $1200 Kiwi, or about $40 US per day.
But most important of all is that life is short and where ever the riding is good you're sure to have a ski touring community there.
Follow Kyle Miller on Instagram and in the TGR Forums for loads more prime-time dirt-bag adventuring. Thanks again to Brunton for supporting this contest and to the one and only Liz Daley for inspiring it...
