~ Early Web Links ~

Oliver Beckstein's personal non-work page showcases his mountaineering expeditions, rock climbing adventures, and travel photography from destinations like the Wind River Range, the Alps, and Thailand. The site features a rich collection of landscape and climbing photos, panoramic images, and trip accounts from some of the world's most scenic wilderness areas.

The Degree Confluence Project is a collaborative geographic endeavor where volunteers visit and document every integer latitude/longitude intersection on Earth. This particular page covers the 20°S 45°E confluence point in Madagascar, near Bemarivo in Toliara province, which has yet to be visited and logged.

BirdingPal is a worldwide directory connecting birdwatchers with local birding companions and professional guides, with this page focused on the Oceania region covering countries from Australia to Papua New Guinea. Visitors can browse by country to find a local birding contact or arrange customized birdwatching tours led by knowledgeable guides who know where to spot regional species.

Action Squad is a Minneapolis-based urban exploration group documenting their adventures through tunnels, sewers, abandoned buildings, and underground spaces across the Twin Cities and beyond. Active since 1996, the site features true tales of adventure, photos, and a healthy disclaimer that trespassing is both illegal and dangerous.

Hiking Dude is a long-running personal hiking resource and blog where an avid hiker shares trip journals, gear reviews, safety tips, and multi-week adventures on trails like the PCT, Kungsleden, and Alpine Lakes Wilderness. With sections covering everything from starting out to overnight backpacking and a published tips book, it offers substantial practical content alongside engaging first-person adventure narratives.

Dave Hull's personal blog chronicles his preparation and journey for a Grand Canyon Rim to Rim backpacking trip, covering ultralight gear choices, permit lotteries, and training routines from his home in Kansas. The site blends trail adventure writing with occasional tech and security links, making it a relatable read for hikers interested in the nitty-gritty of backcountry planning.

Varmint Al's sprawling personal site covers coyote and deer hunting, rifle reloading and barrel dynamics, finite element analysis of firearms, and even ham radio packet networking. The depth of engineering content applied to hunting and shooting topics makes this a uniquely technical resource for outdoor sportsmen and rifle enthusiasts.

fishing-sites.com is a human-edited web directory cataloging hundreds of fishing, boating, and camping websites across dozens of subcategories including fly fishing, ice fishing, deep sea fishing, bait shops, and fishing tournaments. Visitors can browse or submit their own site to this niche directory, which aims to surface quality resources for anglers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Sonya's personal site from southern Russia blends her life as a math major with active outdoor pursuits including urban exploration, rock climbing, and kayaking. The site features a blog with posts ranging from personal reflections to ADHD and productivity tips, alongside sections for hobbies, art, and links.

Bike Washington is a comprehensive recreational bicycling guide to the Baltimore and Washington DC metropolitan area, covering local trails, bike routes, rail-trails, and tips for riding Metrorail with your bike. Visitors can explore iconic routes like the C&O Towpath, Mt Vernon Trail, and W&OD Trail, along with a weekend planner and visitor guide for newcomers to the region.