Friday Unbound: 23rd November 2018

23rd November 2018 | Words by Jack Hart @ WildBounds HQ

#1 Northern Playground have never done anything by the rules, from how they started making products (YouTube sewing tutorials and whisky) to how they make them these days (in Oslo, not Ethiopia). If you fancy learning more, you're in luck - they've mixed up this short film to chart their origins and ideology, not to mention show off their superb range of kit.

#2 Just how effective 'paleo' and 'caveman' diets really are is still up for debate but a group of scientists from Cambridge University are convinced that our prehistoric ancestors were fitter, stronger and simply more badass than us. Pre-agricultural humans appear to have had greater limb strength and mobility, owing to them being far more active than our sedentary lifestyles. So grow that beard, grab that steak and hit the trails - we've got some catching up to do.

#3 You already know that Alex Honnold free-soloed El Capitan last year, and that there's a feature film, Free Solo, coming out soon all about it. What you might not know, though, is that Honnold gave a TED Talk earlier this year all about the attempt and how he managed to compete the 3,000ft climb without fear of slipping (you know, to inevitable death - easy to ignore, right?). Hearing the tale from the man himself gives a real insight into that dauntless mindset.

#4 Christmas is fast approaching and you need to show your loved ones that you care about them, and there's obviously only one way to do that - spend ridiculous amounts of money on them, of course! It was obvious all along. Fortunately, Brendan Leonard has created a list of adventurous gift ideas all above $35,000, from a guided climb of Mt Everest to an Earth-Roamer XV-LTS expedition vehicle. Because it's impossible to express love without blowing tens of thousands of pounds.

#5 Even before he transformed Aquaman into a tattooed, brooding adventurer, Jason Mamoa was an inspiration for outdoor fans of all stripes and tribes. He's an avid boulderer and surfer, and counts hurling axes into wooden targets as one of his many passions - all in all, the kind of guy you'd love to have a beer with this Friday afternoon. Here's a passable alternative - an enlightening interview with Men's Journal.